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This Quarry Amphitheater Wedding Fully Embraced Chinese Culture

January 24, 2023 | justine

With nods to their Chinese roots and the Western culture they grew up in, Tracy and Matthew’s Quarry Amphitheater wedding perfectly blended an East meets West style. The pair was set on incorporating meaningful traditions into their big day in a big way, and they totally nailed it! 

With soaring limestone walls, manicured lawn terraces, and stunning city skyline views, the couple had the most picturesque setting for their “I dos.” A red DIY arbor with Chinese symbols representing happiness was the eye-catching backdrop that framed the moment they exchanged heartfelt vows. After the ceremony, guests were greeted with a beautiful sight at the marquee reception, where red centerpieces and accents popped against an all-white tablescape while red lanterns hanging overhead tied everything together.

They were able to realize their vision with the help of their talented vendor team, and they executed it impeccably. To see how this couple infused their big day with their own unique styles and combined it with tradition, scroll through these images captured by Norman Yap.

The Couple:

Tracy and Matt

The Wedding:

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

An East Meets West Quarry Amphitheatre Wedding

We wanted an East meets West wedding. I was born in Australia, but I am a first-generation Taiwanese-born Australian. I tried to connect my wedding to my roots while incorporating important traditions from the western culture that we grew up in. Not only that, we also wanted our celebration to feel like you were in the bush, maybe somewhere southwest, but it’s a hidden spot in the city center. It had beach and city views and felt warm, like a destination wedding.

Personalizing Their Ceremony By Incorporating Meaningful Chinese Traditions

We made our arbor, representing the double happiness symbol in Chinese characters. Our celebrant was someone I had known since I was 12. We also personalized and wrote our own vows. And lastly, we had a separate tea ceremony upon return from our photo shoot before our reception.

How They Pulled Off Their Dream Celebration While Sticking To Their Budget

We started with a budget we could afford. After sourcing pricing for all vendors, we prioritized what was most important to us on our wedding day, renegotiating our other vendors or doing without for a cheaper option. 

Wedding Details That Served As Nods To Chinese Culture

We sourced beautiful Chinese lanterns for our reception. We also had a family-style food service consistent with our cultural eating style. The public tea ceremony showcased our respect for our parents. And lastly, we gave our guests chopsticks. We thought it was a fun gift, and many of our guests didn’t own any, so it was a nice cultural touch.

Advice From The Newlyweds: Stay True To Your Wedding Vision

Stick to one theme and go from there. Please don’t change your vision to suit what is available from vendors. Often they will assist where they can with making your day unique and special to you.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Norman Yap
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Quarry Amphitheatre
Floral Design – Natural Art Flowers
Catering – Ultimo Catering
Cake – Cake Date
DJ – Champion Music
Live Music – Mark Turner Music
Invitation Design – Coast Design Studio
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Connor Adams
Wedding Dress – Karen Willis Holmes
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Vault
Rentals – Hire Society

 

Congratulations to Tracy and Matthew on their Quarry Amphitheatre wedding. Their big day is a shining example that it’s possible to have a wedding that beautifully blends traditions and that’s one-of-a-kind. And, of course, many thanks to Norman Yap for capturing all the love, beauty, and magic at every angle. 

The best weddings are packed with authentic touches that tell a story about the couple and their love. Not sure exactly how to do this? Check out our guide for ideas on how to make your celebration unique and unforgettable.

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The Best Engagement Ring Insurance Companies For 2023

January 23, 2023 | riley

Your engagement ring is one of the most important physical representations of love that you can get, which is why keeping it safe is so important. But, of course, we’re humans, and accidents happen. That’s why getting engagement ring insurance is crucial. Whether it gets lost, stolen, or damaged, having this protection will give you peace of mind.

But with so many insurance companies out there, how do you decide which one is right for you? Rather than spend hours of headache-inducing research yourself, we’re rounding up five of our favorites to get you protected right away!

Best Engagement Ring Insurance Companies 

Jewelers Mutual

With over 100 years of experience, Jewelers Mutual is one of the oldest engagement ring insurance companies out there. And with years of experience under their belt, they’ve proven that they’re trustworthy to keep your dream ring safe. That’s why they’ve received endorsements from organizations such as the American Gem Association and Jewelers of America. They cover everything from loss to theft to damage with a $0 deductible option.

BriteCo

We’re all about ease of use, and BriteCo makes things easier than ever, thanks to the ability to get a quote and purchase a policy online. This means you’ll be protected within 60 seconds. They also offer flexible payment plans, have zero deductibles, and adjust their coverage based on inflation. That means you’re covered even if your appraised value has increased up to 125% since you purchased a policy with them. Just be mindful that you will have to get it appraised before purchasing a policy, as they don’t offer the service themselves.

Lavalier

If your ring is of high value, you may want to turn to Lavalier for insurance. They’re a member of the W.R. Berkley Corporation and offer flexible deductibles ranging from $0 to $25,000. One of the biggest perks of the company? You get to work with your jewelry for personalized claims settlements. And much like BriteCo, you can get a quote and apply all online, giving you coverage in under 10 minutes. But before you jet off to get insurance, if your ring is valued at more than $5,000, you will have to get it appraised. And be prepared to pay your annual premium upfront.

GemShield

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that GemShield is another company that offers an online application, but it can be argued that this one is the best out of them all. The policy offered is “all-risk,” which covers loss, theft, damage, and unexplained loss, and it includes repair and replacement coverage–even while traveling worldwide. However, like many other companies, you need an appraisal if the ring is valued at over $5,000. And the maximum limit is $35,000 on one single item.

WAX

If you’re looking for engagement insurance that won’t break the bank, head to WAX. They offer as low as 1% of the value of the ring, one of the smallest percentages you’ll find. And although that’s a small percentage, they offer some killer coverage–we’re talking about ensuring your ring for $1 million or more. To get a quote, you will either need to fill out their online form and wait for an email back or down their mobile app, which can be frustrating to some. However, this is a small bump to get over to get the coverage you deserve.

If, after reading about these engagement rings insurance companies, you’re left feeling more confused than ever, don’t stress. We know that it can be overwhelming. That’s why we put together a little guide on everything you need to know about engagement ring insurance so that you can feel confident in your choice!

Image by Brittany Boote

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Modern and Romantic Switzerland Elopement

January 23, 2023 | justine

While planning a trip to Europe, Meaghan and Justin jokingly tossed around the idea of tying the knot while they were there. But then something just clicked! The pair have always known that they wanted something unique and unconventional for their big day, and a Switzerland elopement was an epic way to cross such an important milestone off their bucket list.

With the most picturesque backdrop, they exchanged handwritten vows overlooking the Swiss Alps. It was followed by a picnic in the grassy meadow and reading letters from their loved ones. The mountains were calling, and this sweet couple answered. It was a long hike, but the panoramic views and their private moments made the experience totally worth it.

Are you looking to elope in a breathtaking and romantic setting? Take notes from this oh-so-scenic elopement for all kinds of steal-worthy ideas. Keep on scrolling and draw inspiration from these jaw-dropping images captured by Made in the Mountains Photo.

The Couple:

Meaghan and Justin

The Wedding:

Bern, Switzerland

How Their Switzerland Elopement Came To Be

We wanted a day that was intimate, romantic, and non-traditional. We were already planning a trip to Europe and jokingly tossed around the idea of eloping while we were there, but it ended up sparking something and evolved from there. Switzerland had long been on our travel bucket list, and once we started researching the possibility of eloping there, we knew we had honed in on something unique and special.

The Groom’s Attire Coordinated With The Bride’s Bouquet

Justin looked so very dapper in his blue suit. A few days before the wedding, we found him a pocket square in the iconic Edelweiss pattern that coordinated perfectly. It also mirrored the edelweiss incorporated in my bouquet and felt like a nice homage to the stunning locale.

Focusing On The Wedding They’ve Always Envisioned

We stayed true to planning a day that was authentic to us. There can be a lot of mixed reactions and emotions that come along with an elopement, but ultimately we knew what we wanted and what would be most meaningful for us. It was the perfect choice for us as a couple and afforded us a day to focus entirely on one another and our commitments. It’s hard to pinpoint a single part of a day that was so unbelievably memorable, but if we had to pick, it would be exchanging our vows. Getting to share those words with one another surrounded by so much natural beauty is something we won’t soon forget.

Shop Custom Vow Books: 1. Wedding Vow Books Personalized 2. Vow Books Set of 2 3. Personalized Vow Books

Choosing A Dress That Was Comfortable Enough To Hike On

I wanted a look that was timeless and feminine. Hiking was a big part of our day, so I wanted to be comfortable. I’ve always loved Audrey Hepburn’s style–specifically her wedding dress in the movie Funny Face. The Reformation Zenni dress felt reminiscent of that. It had a very classic quality about it. I also loved the juxtaposition of the chic elegance of the dress with the hiking boots, knit cardigan, and plaid.

Including Their Loved Ones In Their Switzerland Elopement Ceremony By Reading Their Letters

To include our families, our photographer suggested collecting letters from our loved ones, and we are so glad we did. Reading their thoughts and wishes for us was a special way to include them in our day, even though they weren’t physically present.

Advice: Take Time To Talk About The Wedding As Well As Your Marriage

Planning such an important event can undoubtedly be stressful, but above all else, it should also be joyful. If it’s anything less, it may be time to sit down as a couple and reidentify your priorities for the day. And for as much time as you spend talking and planning for the wedding day you want to have, spend just as much–if not more–talking about the kind of marriage you want to have.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Made in the Mountains Photo
Venue – Hiking path at Kleine Scheidegg, Bern, Switzerland
Floral Design – Blumenwerkstatt Haefliger AG
Wedding Dress – Reformation
Bridal Accessories – Rebecca Minkoff + Mejuri + Bluboho
Groom’s Apparel – RW&CO
Groom’s Accessories – Stacy Adams
Rings – Mejuri + Vrai
Accommodations – Hotel Schönegg

 

When looking for the perfect place to tie the knot, sometimes you just have to go with your gut, just like Meaghan and Justin. Congratulations to the happy couple on their modern and romantic Switzerland elopement

And a big thank you to Made in the Mountains Photo for capturing every single moment of this unforgettable milestone in this couple’s life. Their intimate celebration proves that all you need is each other—and an epic view—to make the most cherished memories.

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