Abby + Dylan
Courthouse Ceremony: (March 12, 2021 in Spokane, WA)
Vow Exchange: (September 20, 2021 in Pacific City, OR)
In this blog post, we hear from a bride who had a laid-back approach to both wedding dress shopping and planning. She shares how she found her dream dress within budget, eloped at the courthouse, had a vow exchange on the coast, and a backyard reception the following weekend. Despite the unconventional approach, everything went as planned, and the bride offers advice to future brides to make their wedding what they want and not to sweat the little details.
Abby looked absolutely stunning in our Galatea gown by Willowby. This dress is a gorgeous A-line fit with a stunning titanium-colored liner with soft layers of tulle over top of it. The skirt has gorgeous dahlia motifs with sequin details scattered throughout for a little bit of sparkle. The bodice is a gorgeous deep-v plunge with a stunning double waistband made of delicate velvet ribbon. The ribbon ties into a dainty bow in the back and baby train completes this boho, whimsical gown.
By our real bride, Abby:
How was wedding dress shopping and wedding planning for you? What was your vision?
The whole process was really laidback. I got my dress first thing because I knew I would need alterations. I started at Honest in Ivory and my dream dress was the Galatea gown by Willowby but it wasn’t within my budget brand new. I tried on all sorts of close seconds but wasn’t sold. My sweet stylist decided to peak in Dearly and found my dream dress IN BUDGET and the perfect size to alter to my fit! My husband and I had the plan to get eloped on the coast in September but decided we couldn’t wait so we hopped over to the court house in March on my husband’s birthday. I bought a thrifted dress for the courthouse as my dearly gown still needed alterations. We still had our “vow exchange” on the coast and came back for a backyard reception the following weekend!
How did it go the day-of?
The day of the courthouse wedding, we both worked but got off early. My sister and best friend helped me get ready. Then we had a birthday dinner for my husband that night and surprised both of our parents as they didn’t know we moved up the date (we called beforehand and made sure we got their blessing to do it sooner but they didn’t know WHEN we were doing it).
For the coast, we rented two houses to accolade for all of our immediate family to join us. I got ready in one house with my husband in the other. We took some “first look” pictures and then headed down to the beach for vows! We took lots of pictures and toasted at the Pelican Pub! The reception also went as planned and smoothly! We had a lot of family and friends helping set up and prepare food. We just ate, danced, and played yard games!
What would be your advice to future brides?
Make your wedding what YOU want. Not what your mom wants or what your sister wants. It’s YOUR day (and your spouse’s too, I guess). Don’t focus on the little details because in the end, you won’t care. Just enjoy the process!
