This lucky ducky couple didn’t have just one incredible celebration to kick off their new life together but a whopping three parties! From a casual weekend with close friends in Malibu to an intimate family-oriented wedding in the mountains of Yosemite, Kristen Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie was there to capture each and every dazzling detail. All of which were put together by this glamorous couple and their talented friends and family. There are so many more merry moments from all the festivities in the full gallery!
Check out the full gallery for more inspiration from the mountains to Malibu!
From the stunning bride, Katy –
“Ari and I dabble in photography and it is rare we are ever on the other side of the lens. So finding the right photog became a bit of an obsession in planning. My love for film was what lead me to Kirsten’s amazing work, and after the slightest bit of correspondence, I knew she was the one. Her images are beautiful, warm, unique, full of light – just like the talent, herself.
We knew from the start that we wanted a very small, budget-friendly, and fuss-free wedding. Our families had not met in the four years we dated, due to distance, so the intimacy of the venue and weekend was the number one priority.
Ari’s family cabin is located near Yosemite in Mi Wuk Village. A tiny town in the mountains that feels like home? Perfect. For the Scanlans traveling in from Minnesota and Seattle, we booked a darling rental just a few miles away. This is where the ceremony and champagne toast, attended by less than twenty, was held. We asked a friend of the family to marry us to and he kindly obliged (he and his wife also hosted the most incredible rehearsal dinner at their ranch the night prior).
Decor was minimal, as we felt the woodsy aesthetic spoke for itself. But flowers were a must! The ladies arranged lavender, dusty miller, wheat, and babies breath ordered from a local nursery, in the various vases and pitchers they had collected. Five peonies were a nice “pop” of pink to make up my bouquet.
Post-ceremony we feasted on wine and pasta at a nearby Italian restaurant. And later headed back home for pie, coffee, and fireside conversation. It was casual and comfortable and familial and everything we had dreamed it to be.
Because I knew I wouldn’t have my girls with me on my big day, weeks before the wedding, I swapped the traditional bachelorette party for what we called a “Faux Wedding Weekend,” in Malibu. My bridesmaids traveled from near and far – with their spouses – for a little retreat up in the hills where we cooked, danced, laughed, and celebrated for three days together at a mansion getaway. Our photographer came up for an hour to shoot us dolled up on our formal evening. My girlfriends arranged the flowers and later we had a sit down, candlelit, fireside dinner. Each of our guests had written a toast to us and read them aloud, one by one. Emotional, sweet, surreal, humbling, to say the least.
Post-honeymoon, my parents threw us a barbecue in their backyard to cheers with the Minnesotans. And, of course, we still hope to share our union with those we haven’t yet been able to in the near future!
Sure, it was an unusual way to celebrate – with three separate little parties – but it worked. There are SO many ways to break outside of the box to get just what you want. We didn’t follow anyone else’s rules, only our own. And were able to refrain from breaking the bank or stressing over one large production.
A BIG thank you to all of our family and friends who have been insurmountably generous, loving, and supportive of us all of our lives. And to all whose time, effort, energy, creativity, went into making our wedding experience such an unforgettable one. Thank you for letting us be US. We are filled to the brim with love. And forever grateful.”
Photography: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie / Flowers (Wedding): Columbia Nursery & Florist (arranged by family) / Wedding Venue: Cold Springs, CA Cabin Rental / Bachelorette Venue: Malibu Vacation Rental / Shoes: Calvin Klein Cora / Wedding Dress: Sue Wong / Bachelorette Dress: Forever 21 / Groom’s Suit from Wedding: “Or Glory” from Japan / Wedding Dinner Restaurant: Villa d’Oro / Pies: Cover’s Apple Farm