An Intimate, Handcrafted Elopement: Mari & Neil
Are you planning your wedding right now? Has the panic started to set in, things aren’t going quite the way you planned? Do you sometimes wish you could just run away together and marry with no distractions, no worries, just you and your beloved other half? Well this is exactly what Mari and Neil did and I have to admit I LOVE IT!
Faced with a tight budget and the daunting prospect of wedding planning, Mari and Neil decided this wasn’t for them, instead they eloped and promised their commitment to each other in the most beautiful surroundings, just them and a celebrant. You may think without guests and a big reception that this wedding will be lacking in detail. Well guess again, this couple were determined to add their own personalised little touches with the cutest little announcement and burlap banner I have ever seen! Not only that Mari and Neil’s outfits are so fun and quirky! You are just going to fall in love with Mari’s cute yellow sweater and gorgeous tulle skirt!!!
Mari over to you…
“We met three years ago at a mutual friend’s wedding. We were dating other people but struck up a flirty conversation. Two years later another mutual friend told each of us separately that the other was single and we became friends on Facebook. Soon after that, we realized we had tons in common and although at this point we were living on opposite coasts, decided to embark on the best adventure of our lives. We hit it off from the start and we’ve been inseparable since!!
Neil is an emergency room doctor and I am an emergency room nurse. He suggested I do a clinical in the ER and although I thought I would hate it I gave it a shot and found my dream job!! Neil is an amazing doctor and a great teacher and helped me through nursing school. We talk about work all the time, because we both love what we do and want to eventually go into hospice and palliative care.
We both love cats and adopted two which are a huge part of our lives. We love to explore the south together and discover new and interesting restaurants and foods. Neil is very well traveled and I know we will have amazing adventures together. We plan to honeymoon in Thailand at some point.
We were planning on a wedding in Charleston but we are on a tight budget. Wedding planning isn’t something either of us wanted to do but we knew one thing for certain. Charleston was where we wanted to get married. Neil suggested an elopement and I agreed! Weddings can become a circus and we just wanted to make a commitment to each other, with nothing getting in the way.
Neil wore a gray suit with a mustard bow tie and I wore a crime tulle skirt, lace shirt, blue jewelry and shoes and a mustard sweater. My bouquet was of dry flowers and Neil’s buttoneer matched.
To be honest every time I think about it I cry, because I’m so happy and can’t believe we found each other!
Here is what photographer Brittany had to say about photographing this gorgeous couple…
Mari and Neil were so sweet! You could tell that they were just so genuinely in love with each other and their commitment to one another was as real as it gets. They’re decision to elope was a perfect fit for their fun and offbeat personalities. They were able to spend the day enjoying each others’ company, instead of stressing about 100+ guests and sticking to a timeline.
Mari and Neil were married at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. They had a “first look” on the white bridge, then exchanged vows on the white bridge lawn. We spent a little time at Magnolia, taking photos around the grounds. We then made our way into downtown Charleston, to White Point Gardens, for a few more photos before the sun set!
I think that their easy, carefree plans allowed them to get some beautiful photos too! Even though we might not have had all of the usual “details” that a big wedding day brings, Mari and Neil were decked out in some of the coolest and most unique wedding attire that I’ve seen. I especially love their dried flower bouquet and boutonniere.
Super Suppliers – Photographer: Riverland Studios//Officiant: Christy Loftin Details Charleston//Reception Venue: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens// Bride bouquet and grooms boutonniere: The Flower Patch// Submitted via Two Bright Lights//
I am absolutely thrilled that Mari and Neil wanted to share their day with us, the thought of celebrating such a special commitment just the two of you surrounded by beautiful flowers and wildlife is so romantic! I think the moral of the story here is to not worry so much about the wedding plans, instead focus on the end goal, your commitment and love for one another.
Much Bespoke Love
Emily x
As mother of the groom, seeing both of them so happy means more than a big fancy wedding. It should be “their” day. I am so happy for them both that they found each other. The photos were amazing and reflect who they are.
Hello!
This is such a beautiful write up and such a beautiful couple 🙂
I also wanted to mention that I created the tulle skirt. It is Dark Pony Designs.
xoxo
Robin Fator
Hi Robin!
Thank you so much for getting in touch and for letting us know that you were the designer of that fabulous tulle skirt – it certainly has had a lot of attention 🙂
xxx