WEDDING BLOG

Beautifully Intimate Joshua Tree Micro Wedding

March 5, 2022 | riley

There’s something enchanting about tying the knot in the heart of the desert, surrounded by your closest friends, family, and the beautiful cacti-filled landscape. When it came time to plan their wedding, Chara and Peter knew that a Joshua Tree micro wedding was the perfect decision. The two said “I do” at Indian Cove Amphitheater in the national park before taking an old-school Cadillac over to Ace Hotel Palm Springs–the hotel they stayed at the night they got engaged.

With the help of planner Grace and Gold Events, the 70s inspired reception was complete with disco balls, concert-inspired signs, burnt orange and pink florals from Desert Rose Creative, and a balloon wall. And if that wasn’t cool enough, Chara changed into a silk mini dress with a feathered purse and a customized thrifted denim jacket that Peter painted himself.

From the dreamy desert ceremony to the epic portraits around Joshua Tree’s local landmarks, photographer Brandi Potter did an amazing job of capturing the casually cool vibes of the minimony. So if you’re looking for proof that micro weddings can be just as unique as large affairs, keep scrolling.

The Couple:

Chara and Peter

The Wedding:

Joshua Tree National Park, California, United States

Why A Joshua Tree Micro Wedding

We chose Joshua Tree for our ceremony because there’s something so energetic and mystical about that area in the desert. We love it so much and wanted to share it with our guests–most of whom had never been there. We also chose the Ace Hotel and Swim Club for our reception space because that’s where we were staying the night we got engaged.

A Memorable Letter From The Bride’s Father

Chara’s father gave her an old envelope before they left for the ceremony and told her to read it later. So when we got back to our room to freshen up before the reception, she decided to read it. The envelope contained a handwritten letter that her father wrote to her the day she was born to give her on her wedding day. It’s something she’ll cherish forever.

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Working With Photographer Brandi Potter

Our photographer Brandi is a true gem and dream to work with. We knew what to expect the day of because she also did our engagement photos. She really understood that we weren’t looking for typical wedding photos that are stiff and overly produced. We wanted to make sure that our photos really captured who we are as a couple, and boy, did she deliver.

Warm and Intimate Garden Wedding

March 4, 2022 | riley

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When you combine a charming garden, rustic DIY details, two stunning bridal styles, and heartwarming moments you get a unique and memorable experience. With the help of their planner Jade O’Donovan, Leigh and Chloe’s intimate garden wedding was just that.

Set at a family home and garden, the couple chose to tie the knot in the lush green corner of their backyard. Keeping their wedding dresses a surprise from each other, the brides did a big reveal with a twist so they could both have their moments. And it was well worth the wait—Chloe looked radiant in her off-the-shoulder dress with flutter sleeves and Leigh’s intricately hand-embroidered floral veil was just as beautiful.

They had one goal in mind for their reception and it was for everybody to have fun. The couple kicked things up a notch by turning their garden shed into a rustic bar complete with a prosecco wall and lots of signature drink choices. Because of all of the drink options and Leigh is a nurse, a hangover kit was a thoughtful (albeit cheeky) preemptive wedding favor given to guests. It had all the essentials—water, paracetamol, and even all the fixings to make the ultimate Irish party snack, the Tayto sandwich!

From the hand-painted place cards and signs to the creative decor and finishing touches, the couple dedicated a lot of time and effort to create a dreamy scene and cozy atmosphere for their loved ones. And their hard work definitely paid off. To see their wedding journey and every romantic hand-crafted detail, scroll through their beautifully captured memories from Susie Kelly.

The Couple:

Leigh and Chloe

The Wedding:

Private Home, Wicklow, Ireland

It Was The Intimate Garden Wedding They Were Dreaming Of

We are really proud of the vision we had and being able to put it into action on the day. We spent hundreds of hours in lockdown making personalized things for the day and for our guests. Everyone told us it was such a unique wedding and the best they had been to. So our hard work paid off!

They Put Their Own Spin On The Big Bridal Reveal

We decided as two brides we both should have that “wow” top-of-the-aisle moment while keeping it traditional. So, we did a reveal. Leigh walked up the aisle first and then a white silk sheet was held in front of her. Then Chloe walked up the aisle and when she got to the top, the sheet was dropped. It was a really emotional moment for both of us as we kept our dresses a secret from each other until that moment.

A Unique Ceremony That Will Give You The Feels

We asked really close family and friends to say a reading, prayer, poem, quote, or anything they wanted. We told them to leave it as a surprise for us on the day. However, we asked everyone to start with “I’m here because” and share how they knew us. It made the ceremony so personal, intimate, and emotional for everyone. We also asked a close family friend to officiate the wedding and she kept what she was going to say a surprise from us. So we chose people individually to take part in our ceremony but the whole thing was a surprise for us both.

Thoughtful and Fun Wedding Favors

Our main wedding favor was a bottle of water and two paracetamol, which in Ireland is used as a hangover cure. We wanted to put in this element as a fun nod to Leigh being a nurse. For the end of the night we put together a “make your Tayto crisp sandwich” bag. In Ireland, a Tayto crisp sandwich is a traditional drunk snack. We also put in a box of matches titled “The perfect match, Leigh & Chlo.”

DIY Wedding Details

We did a lot of DIY for the wedding. We both made and painted individual name cards for everyone. Also named each table somewhere special to us. We made the centerpieces out of old wine bottles collected during our planning. The garden shed was transformed into a rustic bar for the night using fairy lights, pictures, and hanging flowers. We placed buckets with blankets in them around the garden, titled “to have and to hold, in case you are cold.” There was also a family and friend slideshow to project on the wall in the garden for everyone to enjoy. There was so much more we designed and planned but the list is very long!

Wedding Planning Advice From The Newlyweds

As stressful as it is planning a wedding, you do have to try to put time aside to organize things. We recommend a wedding planner if it’s in the budget. We had a fabulous planner, Jade O’Donovan, who eased so much stress. But the most important thing is that on the day you have to let go of what was or wasn’t done because it can’t be changed on the day. So just enjoy it. Plan and designate time just the two of you together, too. It’s your wedding and you have to have time to celebrate as a couple, even just for 20 minutes.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Susie Kelly Photography
Event Planning – Jade O’Donovan
Floral Design – Floral Affairs Arklow
Catering – The Jailers Rest + Eoin Whelan
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Keira Smyth
Rings – T.J Gelletlie Jewellers

Congratulations to Leigh and Chloe on their warm and intimate garden wedding. And big thanks to Susie Kelly Photography for capturing the love, the laughs, and everything else in between.

Garden weddings just like this one, can turn out to be quite extraordinary and touching. If you’re looking to put a spin on your own garden wedding that best fits you as a couple, check out our ultimate guide to planning an LGBTQ+ wedding!

8 Unique Wedding Planning Tips From Junebug Members

March 2, 2022 | kailey

Image by Stori Photos.

The Junebug-approved wedding vendors have seen their fair share of weddings—every style, every theme, every location. With all that experience they’ve picked up some unique wedding planning tips you won’t find just anywhere. Until today. We’re giving you the inside scoop from inside the wedding industry. Before jumping head first into planning your big day, check out these eight unique planning tips from our trusted wedding industry pros.

1. Kickstart Your Planning Process With A Strong Foundation

While you’re enjoying your engagement season, odds are you’re ready to jump into planning your wedding day. But, there’s a few things you should do before digging up inspiration on Pinterest—trust us! “Before you even start booking vendors, spend time preparing and researching. Take notes, brainstorm, do a mood board. Everything will feel easier if you come in with a strong foundation” says Teri B Photography.

A mood board and a finalized budget will be important when making decisions, but Valentina from The Stars Inside says the best way to kickstart your wedding planning process is talking priorities. She says to start by spending some time together to openly discuss your priorities and stress points. Make notes about what is most meaningful to you, what you’ve loved about attending other weddings in the past, and the overall feel you want your wedding day to have. Staying true to your values and that big-picture story will guide your decisions and help you experience your planning journey and the day itself in a more mindful way.

Image by Donna Murray photography. Planned by Weddings By Sara Jane.

2. Start By Booking Things You Need

Every couple’s budget will look a little different. No matter the size of your budget, there’s one tip that’ll make sure you never go over that magic number. Weddings By Sara Jane says that

“to stay on budget, make sure you book the things you need first. Then once you know what the essentials cost, you can add in the fun extras from your wishlist.”

3. Hire Wedding Vendors That’ll Allow You To Enjoy Your Big Day

One of the most important decisions you’ll make at the beginning of your planning process is your choice of vendors. Your team should be packed with people you trust to take the reins. These should be people that’ll make for a stress free wedding season, but also people you’ll work well with. Photographer Empiria Studios says it’s important to “book vendors that inspire, support, and understand you! Just because someone has experience doesn’t mean they will be the right fit for you.”

Junebug photographer Elvira Kalviste’s advice is similar and especially important when choosing your photographer. They suggest that you should hire vendors that’ll allow you to enjoy yourselves when your big day comes around! When it comes to capturing photos, the last thing you want is to feel like you are on a set or a photo shoot all day long. There are some amazing vendors out there that’ll set the stage for you to enjoy your day, capturing all the joy without interrupting you or your guests every minute.

Image by Empiria Studios. See more of this real wedding here.

4. Hire A Photographer You Vibe With

Scrolling through Instagram has probably given you a good idea as to what style of photography you’ll want for your wedding day. And while it’s important to look for a photographer that matches that style, there are other important things to remember when going through the hiring process.

When it comes to hiring a photographer, Cait Fletcher Photography says it’s important to “choose a person whose work you love, but also who you vibe really well with. Photographers are the people you’ll spend the most time with throughout the day and if you don’t click, your photos won’t either. When hiring clients, I invest a lot of time in setting up in-person meetings just to get to know my couple and see if we’re a good fit. When you vibe with your photographer, communication and comfort come easy and naturally. It also builds a sense of trust to try some pretty out-of-the-box portraits during the day too.”

4. Take Breaks During Your Planning Season And On Your Wedding Day

The top tip from Junebug wedding planner, Benessamy Weddings, is not to get too obsessed with wedding planning. They suggest taking regular breaks from your plans to spend time with each other and enjoy your engagement season.

However, this isn’t something you should just do during the planning phase. The number one thing Teri B Photography’s clients say is how fast it all goes—we hear the same thing often. That’s why taking breaks on your wedding day is just as important.

Kelsey Shea Photography suggests building in actual time to be alone, just the two of you! The heart of every wedding is your bond and the love you share, but so many couples hardly spend time together in a meaningful way on their wedding day.

5. Fit Family Portraits Into Your Wedding Day Timeline

Planning a wedding can quickly become an overwhelming task. And Junebug photographer Zac Wolf wants to remind you the importance of prioritizing your time at the wedding and with your guests. Do what you can to set yourselves up to have the time to take it all in.” That’s why it’s crucial to have a wedding day timeline set for both the planning period and your wedding day. But what exactly should your wedding day timeline include?

When it comes to photos, specifically family photos, Junebug member Vanessa Lain Photography suggests talking with your photographer to see what can fit comfortably in a timeframe that won’t overwhelm you. Posing for portraits can be draining! And you want to leave time for the fun stuff. So make sure you schedule in time for family photos as well, but don’t over do it—it’s your day after all.

Image by Elle Studios.

6. Plan Around The Sun

Sure your ceremony decor is important, but don’t forget the most important detail—the sun. Elle Studios says that it’s important to know where the sun sets in relation to your ceremony spot. Then, plan around it. One half of the couple in full sun and the other in the shade isn’t just hard for your photography, it also means one of you will be squinting.

Junebug Tip

Finding your dream venue will set the stage for everything to come. That’s why it’s important to ask all the right questions. Make sure to add this question about the sun to the list of questions you’ll ask wedding venues before booking.

Image by Laura Williams Weddings. Planned by The Stars Inside.

7. Step Outside Of The Traditional Wedding Planning Box

You’re not bound to a strict box when it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams, and our Junebug wedding vendors agree. Cedar Lane Weddings’ top tip is to “remember to create an authentic and deeply meaningful celebration. A day where you begin an amazing adventure together. Don’t get caught up in the performance or production of a wedding day.”

When it comes to building an authentic celebration, you can’t be afraid to think outside the box when picking the location, decor, or outfits, says Stori Photos. She suggests that you center it all around what inspires each of you, and know it’s totally okay if what you want to do is something that has never been done before!

Image by Elvira Kalviste Photography.

8. Plan A Day That’s Authentically You

Last but certainly not least, plan a day that authentically celebrates your unique love. Luigi Reccia understands that it may be important for you to be open to suggestions from your family and friends. But at the end of the day, Jade Maguire Photography wants to remind couples to plan your day for you, not for your guests.

Brittany Hamann Photography always reminds clients to do whatever makes them happy. In ten years, you’ll look back on your wedding day and remember it fondly, but it won’t hold as much meaning to your guests. So don’t let the opinions of others impact your day. It’s your day.

Looking for More Unique Wedding Planning Tips From Junebug Wedding Vendors?

We asked our Junebug members for unique wedding planning tips, and wow did they deliver. If you’re just starting your wedding planning and searching for a team of vendors as knowledgeable as these wedding professionals, you’re in luck. You’re just one click away from some of the top vendors from around the world.