As the excitement builds, Jack and I are just hours away from departing for our destination wedding celebration in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur! We’re thrilled to share the final preparations with you, as we count down the minutes until our intimate fiesta with 45 loved ones. The past year has been a whirlwind of planning, love, and laughter, and we can’t wait to bring it all together. From searching for my dream wedding dress to choosing the perfect destination, every moment has been special. To get us ready for this big day, Jack and I have been indulging in some well-deserved self-care, treating ourselves to spa days, haircuts, and last-minute shopping sprees. And, of course, we’ve taken care of the official business – we’re officially married! After a quick trip to City Hall, we celebrated with champagne and giggles at a Mexican restaurant near our home in Williamsburg. Now, all that’s left is packing my bags (silks and swimsuits at the ready!) and preparing for the adventure ahead.
The Proposal
As the sun set over the rolling hills of Greece, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, Jack knelt down beside Claire in a picturesque setting that seemed plucked straight from the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. With tears of joy streaming down her face, Claire’s initial shock gave way to laughter and happiness as she accepted his proposal, sealing their fate with a resounding ‘yes’.
12 Ways To Throw An Eco-Friendly Wedding
With a stunning photo from Wedding Chicks as the backdrop, we’re excited to share our journey towards hosting a zero-waste wedding celebration. By making conscious choices, Jack and I have vowed to minimize our environmental footprint and create a truly memorable experience for our loved ones.
Claire Eliza Goes Wedding Dress Shopping
Imagine having access to an endless collection of stunning wedding dresses, captured beautifully by renowned photographer Claire Eliza through her work with The Dress Theory Seattle. But that’s not all – this blog post also delves into the writer’s personal bridal inspiration and highlights the most sought-after bridal salons in Seattle, providing an intimate look at their wedding dress shopping experiences.
Do You Know What Wedding Photography Style Fits You?
As a seasoned photographer, I’m delighted to delve into the world of wedding photography styles, shedding light on the most sought-after approaches. Furthermore, I’ll be sharing the talented professionals who will join me in capturing the magic of my own special day.
How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Destination
From opposite sides of the United States, we brought together a mix of Texas charm and Seattle sophistication, with a dash of Parisian flair. Our love story took us on a whirlwind journey across the globe, culminating in a destination wedding that united our international family and friends. But how did we choose the perfect spot to tie the knot? Let’s dive into the story behind our big day.
My Favorite Bridal Hair Accessories
As a self-proclaimed hair accessory aficionado, I’m thrilled to share my most treasured headpieces, hairpins, and tiara finds from my extensive wedding planning journey. From the whimsical to the elegant, these must-haves have captured my heart, and I can’t wait to showcase them alongside some of my favorite styling tips and tricks.
Lessons In Budgeting & Splurging
With a snap of a camera, courtesy of Sotiris Tsakanikas via Bridgeman Images, I’m about to reveal the secret to prioritizing where your wedding dollars should really go. It’s not about skimping on the makeup artist or foraging for wildflowers, but rather making smart choices by splurging in all the right places. The full scoop can be found in my upcoming post on budgeting and splurging – stay tuned!
The Dos & Don’ts of Traveling With Your Wedding Dress
For destination brides-to-be, transporting your dream gown can be a daunting task. But fear not! My experience of having my dress flown from Seattle to New York taught me some valuable lessons. I’ll share my top tips with you on how to choose the right garment bag and make the process as smooth as possible.
I Don’t Wear Makeup, What Should I do?
With a candid smile and a touch of natural elegance, I proudly declare myself a #nomakeup bride. My commitment to embracing my authentic appearance stems from a desire to radiate genuine joy on my special day. As I reflect on the journey that led me here, I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to achieving my effortless bridal beauty look – sans makeup.
Ask A Bridal Stylist: Bustle Advice (& Alternatives)
While some may argue that bustles have their place in the world of wedding fashion, I’m a firm believer that they’re often a styling misstep. As I’ve shared with my tailor, ‘You wouldn’t bustle Chanel!’ And so, I turned to our resident bridal stylist – a true spirit-guide-maid-of-honor – for her expertise on when to bustle your gown, what types of bustles exist, and most importantly, what to do if, like me, you’re not a fan of this once-popular trend.
How We’re Bucking Wedding Traditions
As I reflect on my wedding planning journey, I’m reminded of the joy of embracing unconventional traditions. In fact, one of my favorite posts delves into the ways my partner and I have opted out of many expected norms. As a free-spirited bride and groom-to-be, we’re thrilled to be celebrating our special day in a way that authentically reflects who we are as a couple, rather than conforming to societal expectations or pressure from others.
How To Have A Chill AF Bachelorette Spa Weekend
While I may not have a traditional bridal party, I’m fortunate to surround myself with an incredible group of women who support me wholeheartedly. Take inspiration from my recent DIY spa weekend and get the inside scoop on my bachelorette shopping guide for some fun and unique ideas! As part of my Real Bride Diary series, I’ll be sharing more personal experiences, tips, and tricks learned throughout my journey – including a forthcoming piece on what to do when a vendor cancels at the last minute. Don’t worry, we’ve been there and figured it out! If you’d like to follow along casually, keep an eye out for some celebratory posts this week on my personal Instagram account, where I’ll be sharing stories and behind-the-scenes moments from our special day. You can also catch up with our friends and vendors via hashtags like #jackmarriesclaire. As for what’s left before the big day, only a few final details remain – signing our marriage license last night was a wonderful way to mark the occasion, surrounded by loved ones and champagne. I’m sending endless love to my partner Charlie, Netty, Chris, and of course, Jack, who’s not quite yet officially mine. Stay tuned for more updates and photos in the coming weeks!