We Eloped

For those of you who don't know...Mike and I eloped! I'm married! Here's the story:

Planning our wedding proved to be...stressful...to say the least. The thought of walking down the aisle with every eye on me just about gave me panic attacks. Realizing the hundreds of details (and hundreds...thousands of dollars) that go into planning a wedding was giving me anxiety. Big time. You can ask my therapist. ;) So, one day I showed Mike a video I had seen (and watched a few times over) on Vimeo that I loved. It was a simple but beautiful elopement that seemed to be so meaningful and personal to the couple in it.

"Let's do that," Mike said. "Really? Elope?" I replied.

And that's when we decided to do it. The thought of it just being us on our special day seriously erased all the anxiety and stress I was having. It was pretty amazing, the transformation. I had said for weeks that I wasn't nervous about getting married but was extremely nervous about the wedding. And now...gone!

We chose October 21st which was only two weeks away. Candice was going to be in town to shoot our engagement pictures so I was excited at the thought that she'd be able to take our wedding pictures instead. Mike could ask his Best Man Will to shoot the video since he's a videographer/filmmaker. And we'd ask our friend Curt, who we asked to officiate, to participate. We also decided that we wanted to have the ceremony in the mountains, out in nature.

About a week before, we went down to the County Offices and got our marriage certificate. We also went to the jewelers and got my wedding band and Mike's ring. We also got Mike a suit that he had on hold and the alterations were done the day before the wedding. I already had a dress that I was going to wear to my reception along with a cute yellow cardi and grey shoes. Check, check, check and check. 

The super hard part: not telling anyone. Especially family. Telling our family would mean inviting everyone to our ceremony which was the exact thing that eloping would avoid--a lot of people looking at me. Yes, it sounds silly, but seriously, it was giving me stress. Plus, as much as we'd love family to be there, it would take away from the simplicity of it all.

As the day got closer Mike suggested we think about inviting our parents. I thought about it and decided to talk to my Dad to see what he thought (this was Wednesday and we were getting married on Friday--cutting it kind of close! Ha ha...ahem). He was on board, so then I went and talked to my Mom. I was a little worried about her response since she and I have had some hard times this past year. But because of that, it was even more important for her to be there. I asked her and let her know that Mike and I would love for our parents to be there and she happily agreed to come. Yay! Seriously, in retrospect, I'm so glad Mike suggested inviting our parents. It made the day so much more meaningful to have all of them there.

I had talked to Candice and Mike had talked to Will--this was also great because both of us had one of our closest friends there on our wedding day. It was hard because Chloe was going to be my Maid of Honor and I would've loved for her to be there, too--not to mention all of my other close friends--but at the very least, I had one of them and that was so great.

On the Monday before the ceremony, we found out that Curt got a job in L.A. (he's an actor) and was flying out on Wednesday. That meant that we didn't have anyone to officiate. We tossed around the idea of getting married at City Hall or having a friend do it and then make it official later but then we remembered Mike's friend Kate who had mentioned that she had officiated a few weddings before. Mike contacted her and she gladly accepted the offer to perform our ceremony! She literally came over the night before and we discussed what she would say, etc. Talk about last minute.

On Thursday night, I will admit, I got a little nervous. I was nervous that our parents were going to be there and because this wasn't the type of ceremony that either of our parents were used to (in nature, reading vows, officiated by a woman, non-religious...etc.). Plus, it's kind of a big deal. But Friday morning, I woke up and decided that it was going to be a wonderful day. And it really was!

First thing, I called my Mom--who had offered to buy our flowers--and set up a time to meet her. I showered, did my hair and most of my make-up and packed my bag for our honeymoon. I met my Mom and we went to Campus Floral at BYU. I told the sales clerk that I was eloping that day and needed a bouquet and boutonniere. She told me that they were busy and that I could probably have something by this afternoon. Not. Going. To. Work. Then I asked to see Michelle, the manager, who I know and love. She came down and asked what I needed. "So...I'm eloping today," I said. "Of course. Of course you are!" she said. I love Michelle. I told her what I needed, picked out some flowers and she said, "They'll be ready in an hour." Perfect! I went and picked up Candice and came back to see the most gorgeous bouquet and boutonniere ever. So so so pretty.

Candice and I got to Mike's and Will was ready to video our day. Candice also took photos as we got ready, wrote our vows, went for lunch and headed up the canyon. It was so relaxing and fun! I totally trust Candice and Will's skills so I didn't have to worry about a thing.

We went up the canyon to Big Springs only to find that there were a lot more people up there than that time the day before when we went to check it out. So, we drove back down to South Fork and found a nice, somewhat secluded area where the lighting was good (for Candice) and there weren't a lot of people around. Kate arrived as did our parents and Candice (with her Mom, Kim, and cute baby Sebastian) and we had our little ceremony in the trees on a gorgeous Fall day. Kim also brought cupcakes (for our wedding cake!) and this cute "Just Eloped" sign:

It really was the most perfect day. I could not have imagined a more stress-free day than this and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. And even though I have a hard time worrying about what other people think, I can truly say that my wedding day meant so much to me and Mike and I wouldn't trade it for any traditional wedding in the world. We are very non-ceremonious people, so I think it was fitting. ;)

Afterwards, we went home, packed up and spent the weekend in Park City! It was fabulous. It included shopping, a drive through the mountains, 3 hours of Storage Wars (marathon!), eating good food, and sleeping in. Not a care in the world.

Then on Monday, I started a new job. Ha ha. New husband (not that I had an old one...), new home, new job. Lot's of new! But it really is great. I am an extremely happy girl. I mean...look how freaking handsome my husband is! Husband! I have a husband! Still not used to that. ;)

The end. And the beginning.

Comments

[sarah]

this is awesome! congratulations sarah! seriously, the thought of a wedding with all those people...no way. i would take your intimate ceremony any day. sounds so very perfect to me.

again, congratulations!

[Kirsten]

Congratulations! Beautiful story for what i'm sure was a beautiful day!

[Carly]

smart girl to avoid the stress of planning a wedding! what a fun way to start your new life together! congrats!

[Sabrina]

Wow! Congrats! I've read your blog for years and good for you for doing this for you. I'll admit I was excited to see the cute and amazing things I knew you'd come up with but to have something that is that personal and is just about getting married is amazing. I'll admit I had the big traditional Utah Mormon wedding. I've been married for 11 1/2 years and honestly all the little things I worried about in planning don't matter at all. You don't get to enjoy them on your wedding day and after it's all over you don't care about all the little details you thought were life or death before. It's about marrying the person you love. Congrats again. Love love love the picture of you with your bouquet.

[stacie]

I am so happy for you both. What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

[Kelly]

Oh gosh, what a beautiful story! I have always said I would rather elope than have a big fancy wedding, so I’m sure my family would expect it :) Your day sounds like it was perfect.
Congratulations!

[Tiffany W]

This post left me squealing for joy! No more twenty-something year old drama queen running around New York City with one bad date after another! You're happily married to a man that makes you happy!

[Supermar]

Congrats Sarah! You guys are so cute together and I'm super happy for you both. Eloping is hands down the most romantic way to get married. Lots of love to you both.

[Supermar]

Oh yeah! I soooo want to see more pictures and that video!

[Jennifer Monroe]

Congratulations! May your life be filled with many more wonderful moments.

[Angie]

Congratulations! Sounds like a perfect day! Can't wait to see more pictures.

[gabby]

i'm so stinking HAPPY for you!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxo.

[Erin]

Awesome, Sarah!!!! Congrats!

[Christina]

Congrats Sarah!! My husband & I also eloped a little over 11 years ago and it was for pretty much the same reasons - less stress, less money, & very few people watching you walk down the aisle. We flew to Vegas from Virginia and had the best time celebrating our marriage. Looking back, I don't think I'd change a thing! Again, congratulations and take care of each other.

[Maren]

Horray! So glad I asked you what your new blog address was so I could catch up on your life! I'm so happy for you and glad that things came together the way you wanted. That's important when it's YOUR wedding! I would love to see the video one day! Are there any more pics you are willing to share? Would love to see! I miss you!

[april]

Congrats! So happy you're happy! :)