A simple forest wedding reminder
Advice, Wedding Porn
By
on March 03, 2010
23
Amidst all the geeking out over wedding porn of details and decor, I think it's always good to remember the beauty and magic of a simple, heartfelt wedding. Behold:
I know we feature a lot of weddings full of fabulous design and ideas and art and fashion and music and magic. And while the details can be fun for some of us some of the time, I love photos that remind us all that when it comes right down to it, really all you're going for is this moment:
Because in that moment, it doesn't matter what the color scheme was or which shoes you bought or how clever your invitation wording was or how well-thought-out your reception playlist was or how coordinated your bridesmaids' fascinators were. All that matters is that it's you and your partner, celebrating this thing that you've created — this love that you've found together and are committing to share with each other.
That's all that matters.
(More photos from this heartfelt forest wedding over here.)
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.
sandbaby said
Anyone know where this is at? Looks west coastish to me but I've been wrong before!
OffbeatAriel said
It's Oregon, but I'm not sure where…
bellamiet said
Mt. Hood wilderness…
Amy said
Also, I would really love to have her dress!
Sarah said
I love this, it how I picture out wedding, just hope the weather is as sunny B)
Ann D said
I want that sari. WANT. Time to up and move to India.
Jill said
beautiful sentiment.
Sabrina said
This made me tear up a bit! Your words are so true and heartfelt. Thanks for sharing the pics!
elizatara said
I am 16 days away from my big day and it is so easy to get stressed out over all the little details. This is EXACTLY what I needed to see today and will be going back to it again and again in the next 2 weeks. ♥ it!!!
Jess said
Love it! My fiancé and I are having our wedding shindig in a simple stone amphitheater in the forest, on top of a mountain, no added flowers or ornamentation (and consequently no added stress). Nothing is better than being surrounded by the simple beauty of nature and your loved ones!
Jill Ann said
Our wedding took place at a beautiful cabin in the Mt. Hood wilderness…We left with rain following us all the way there the day before the wedding and as soon as we stepped on soil on the cabin grounds the sun said hello and stayed for the big event and for 5 days thereafter…our honeymoon spent backpacking the Mt. Hood forests…it was magical.
Thank you Ariel!!! You inspired much of our day! All handmade by me and loved ones…sigh.
Check out the moving picture here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuPHs4uUcCU
bellamiet said
Our wedding took place at a beautiful cabin in the Mt. Hood wilderness…We left with rain following us all the way there the day before the wedding and as soon as we stepped on soil on the cabin grounds the sun said hello and stayed for the big event and for 5 days thereafter…our honeymoon spent backpacking the Mt. Hood forests…it was magical.
The day we headed home and back to reality…it started raining. I love our soggy, mossy and green home! And thank you Ariel!!
Check out our video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuPHs4uUcCU
bellamiet said
Our wedding took place at a beautiful cabin in the Mt. Hood wilderness…We left with rain following us all the way there the day before the wedding and as soon as we stepped on soil on the cabin grounds the sun said hello and stayed for the big event and for 5 days thereafter…our honeymoon spent backpacking the Mt. Hood forests…it was magical.
bellamiet said
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuPHs4uUcCU
BolderGal said
Backpacking honeymooners of the world unite! So much better than a Caribbean cruise…
Pat said
great pictures
Ruby said
I love this! I spend quite a bit of time drooling over this website but each time I stress over my own wedding or somebody asks me another boring wedding question, I just think or reply, "I just want to get married!"
Sarah Dolan said
Thanks for the reminder Ariel – we're 3 weeks out now, and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Also, it made me cry… dammit.
Jessica_Iowa said
That is a fantastic moment.
Ragani said
I have said I was not that kind of girl who was always planning her wedding in the back of her head, even when she did not have a potential partner in her life (like some of my friends), but there is one exception. My grandparents used to live in a house that had a deck like this surrounded by trees in their back yard and I fancied I would have a small family only wedding very much like this.
Which is nothing like I had in the end, mainly because my grandparents had moved by then, but also because I always felt that my wedding should be a celebration of both me and my partner and what we did reflected what interests we shared. It turned out a lot more involved than I had ever imagined, but it suited us and we loved how it turned out.
However, I look at these photos and smile because it is so much like the only wedding fantasy I had pre-planning.
Alice said
Indeed, a wonderful reminder. Thank you for posting this, it helped remind me of what I really want.
Now to continue my search for a outdoor wedding venue.
Donald Norris said
Sometimes in all the pomp and circumstance of a big todo wedding, its easy to forget to focus on the magic and beautiful meaning of the moment. The BEST weddings I've found to be the most simple personal ones. (and this is even from a photographer's point of view)
Elaine said
A simple and original wedding! I like:)