Jessica & Lorien's Oliver Stone meets David Lynch fantasy wedding
Real Weddings: Western US
By
on November 25, 2009
43 Responses
The offbeat bride: Jessica
Her offbeat partner: Lorien, CEO of Pingg.com
Location & date of wedding: Wedding in Nevada desert, party in NYC loft — 10/3/09 wedding; 10/24/09 party
What made our wedding offbeat: Never a traditionalist. Always a rebel (unless it turns into a cliche). Terrified of weddings and every "walk down the aisle," "cut the cake" part of it.
We eloped to Vegas. Got married in the Nevada desert by a woman who looked like Blondie. Just my love, me, "Blondie" and a three-person film crew who helped us film an Oliver Stone (Natural Born Killers-esque) type film involving our alter egos.
Three weeks later we had a massive 300 person party under the guise of our thirtieth and fortieth birthdays. Family and friends flew from all over figuring our joint bdays (ushering a new decade) was a big event. At 9:00 we showed them a video. At first with pictures of us both growing up… la-di-da… until a record scratch — it breaks into the short mysterious movie that ends in the grand finale — footage of our wedding. EVERYONE FREAKED as people started guessing what was happening and realizing they were actually at our wedding. Ridiculousness ensued.
No wedding cake (but we did pass out gourmet popcorn during the event), lots of dancing (but no first dances) and a wedding video like no other!
30- 40 birthday party…and a surprise wedding from Lorien Gabel on Vimeo.
Our biggest challenge: We eliminated all challenges and honestly had the wedding of our dreams. FIguring out what we didn't want, we started from scratch and invented the rest.
Hardest part… keeping the secret for three weeks! 
My favorite moment: The moment when everyone watching the video started screaming and asking "Is it real?" Also the moment in the desert, when we kissed.
My advice for other offbeat brides: Erase all that you know. Start from scratch and look f*cking HOT doing it.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?:
- He bought all his clothes in the video at Lazarosoho.com
- People who shot our video - Gpix
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn:
Read more posts about: birdcage veil, eloping, las vegas, nevada, outdoor, short dress, two weddings, video, wedding video« Previous post
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Note said
I LOVE the video! Such a great idea
leah said
That's AMAZING!! The film is really incredibly shot, and what a fun and awesome way to do it up. The waiting for the surprise must have been EXCRUCIATING! I bow to you, sex kitten, i bow!
Veronica said
Where did you get your shoes??
Alex Arnott said
That was pretty damn awesome.
Karen said
Ohemgee. That is face-meltingly awesome. No really, my face just melted off.
Briggi said
Super Super Awesome! Love it!
Brandi said
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it, love it, love it. It actually made me cry. The most romantic and sexy thing I have ever seen……. I just wish I could afford something like that….. Ah well….
Sarah said
Holy crap! That's awesome! Now I'm jeaous. I always wanted to hire a film crew for a movie style wedding, but I could only afford a super awesome photographer OR videographer. I chose the pictures.
Heather said
Super sexy! Super fun! Super romantic! Super super!
Alexandra Asselin said
Way cool!
natalie said
Stunning. I didn't cry until the credits. That was amazing!
sarahcidal said
this video is the greatest thing i have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3
The production values are insanely good too!!
wowww… just… amazing!
Cass said
the video was so AMAZING!!!!!! LOVE IT!
Liz said
OMG I'm in love with this…..the whole thing was incredible!!!!
Stephanie said
Those shoes are AMAZING where did you get them?
Fate said
oh my god, I don't even know you guys and I bawled! Congrats
Anna said
Exelent!!!! What a great idea. Wish we could get away with this…
Catherine said
STUNNING. I saw this on another wedding website and almost passed out. WOW!
Steph said
I'm speechless! That tops ANY wedding I have ever been to! So romantic and fresh! Kudos! Wishing you many more exciting years to come!
Katie said
Best wedding I have EVER seen!
mod over medium said
hot. and heartfelt. i need kleenex and sex, sooner rather than later. tmi?
congratulations and wishes for a lifetime of hot and heartfelt everything.
Jess said
Amazing. The coolest video ever. And ditto on the shoes… where are they from!?
Anna said
Absolutely adore this idea and your creativity! Congratulations and WOW!
Toni said
What a beautiful video, its made me go a misty eyed. Congratulations x
Nikki Leigh said
Oh my God, I have never felt the need to write a comment and I have read so many wedding stories here, but that was awesome. I actually cried at your video and your photos are stunning. Well done what a beautiful memory you both have, truly off beat.
brie said
Word!! I never comment either, but this is the hottest friggen extravaganza ever