When these two chance Facebook-friends-turned-fiances tied the knot, they knew it had to be special. Vintage yet modern, elegant yet effortless…and thanks to Plume Wedding Concepts that’s exactly what they got. She crafted them a wedding that spoke to their story – including beautiful homage to the bride’s late mother – and Chantal Andrea captured every second. See it all in the gallery right here.
From the Bride… Luke had always joked about having a Star Wars wedding – well, he was definitely serious – I on the other hand cringe every time I hear the sound of a light saber! Despite my lack of interest for the Sci-Fi classic, or maybe Luke was sending me subliminal messages, I had the idea of naming our tables after Star Wars characters to surprise Luke on our wedding day. The Star Wars joke continued, though, and my father thought it would be funny to surprise us with a Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker cake topper (despite the fact that they are brother and sister). Coincidentally, I also forgot my garter at our reception and, out of nowhere, Luke pulled a toy R2D2 out from under my dress for the garter toss. I think he planned that one…
Technically, Luke and I met on Facebook. We attended different universities, and my best friend knew Luke’s best friend. I never would have guessed that when I clicked “add friend” on Facebook that I was about to meet my soul mate (thank you, Mark Zuckerberg). We had an instant connection, and talked for over a month before meting in person. Six years later he proposed, and we were married exactly seven years from the first day we met. Luke and I were in a long distance relationship for 5 of the now 7 years we’ve been together, and despite the difficulties of a long distance relationship, every tearful goodbye made us realize how much we loved each other and helped us grow stronger as a couple.
Even before we were married Luke was there for me in “good times and in bad”. Two years before Luke proposed, my mother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. After 6 short months of fighting, she took a turn for the worse. On that tragic day, Luke knelt beside my mother and promised her he would always take care of me. It is a moment I will never forget.
Planning my wedding without my mom was something I struggled with. I held back tears during my first dress appointment, and couldn’t hold them back when I found the one. I wanted my mom to be remembered on this day – and when I first met with Barb Whipple, owner of Plume Wedding Concepts, she suggested mini loafs of banana bread as our wedding favors. It was in that moment I knew I had found the perfect person to plan my wedding. My mother loved to bake – and a family favorite was her banana bread. We baked over 175 mini banana bread loafs and packaged them with my mother’s recipe attached. My mother was also remembered with the lace flowers in my bouquet, which were from my mother’s wedding veil, a poem read at the beginning of the ceremony by my mother’s best friend, and the first dance with my dad was my parent’s first dance together over 35 years ago.
Luke and I gave Barb 3 words: vintage, modern, and rustic. Barb took our three little words and turned them into a dream come true. The dinnerware, silverware, wine & champagne glasses, and bread plates (teacup saucers) were all found at Goodwill or garage sales or Barb’s personal collection. Old wooden planks with vintage artifacts & knick knacks acted as centerpieces, including: a milk carton, old books, a spool of thread, a tin with old buttons, and an antique camera Barb found for $1, to name a few. We served our favorite comfort foods by candlelight, because what better way to eat southern fried chicken & Beecher’s mac n’ cheese? For dessert, servers passed Molly Moon ice cream sandwiches, a local favorite of ours. On our wedding day, we simply wanted to express our personalities, share our “favorite things” and the love we have for one another. We are a very down to earth, casual, “no frills” couple and it was important to us that our wedding day illustrated this.
We are incredibly thankful for loving and supportive families who blend so easily as one. I feel blessed to have found the person I’m meant to be with for the rest of my life, and I am looking forward to spending the next 50+ years with my Facebook friend turned soul mate.
Photographer: Chantal Andrea Photography | Wedding Planner: Barb Whipple - Plume Wedding Concepts | Floral Design: Shades Of Green By Llyodine | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Ceremony: Christ Our Hope Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Within Sodo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom, Anthropologie | Catering: City Catering Company | Hair And Makeup: Erin Skipley | Dessert: Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Indochino | Headpiece: Twigs & Honey