A handmade Victorian picnic wedding in the mountains (with the most gorgeous rain & mist photos!)

Offbeat partner: Erica, Painter, Storyboard artist

Offbeat partner: Bryan, Storyboard artist

Date and location of wedding: Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley, CA and Barrel House Tavern, Sausalito, CA — June 8, 2017

Our offbeat wedding at a glance:

We had a small wedding with only 20 guests, but because it was small, we were able to have all guests participate in the all-white/beige Victorian theme. Most everything was handmade and sourced by us including hand-drawn and printed wooden invitations, bridal party gifts, individually selected vintage tea plates and cutlery, crystal coupe glasses, embroidered napkins, and all decorations.

My skirt was handmade by the me from an authentic Victorian bridal gown and the groom had many accessories including a vintage Victorian pocket watch, and tie pin.

Tell us about the ceremony:

Disaster did ensue however, when it started to rain in the middle of the summer and last-minute tents and rain preventative measures were taken, such as a hot spiked cider. Somehow everyone from the band, to the cake, to the guests arrived on the mountaintop on time in the rain and mist. But still, I along with all my bridesmaids were missing! We couldn't be reached because there was no service anywhere in the state park. There had been an accident on a small access road to the mountaintop. A school bus had crashed minutes before our limo came up the road and blocked it for nearly an hour and a half in the rain.

Upon arrival, with the most needed positive attitudes, we proceeded and joined with my husband. It all started going smoothly again. In the mist on top of a rock, we spoke our vows and had our ceremony under the cover of huge redwood trees that lined the mountaintop cliffside.

Live folk music and dancing in the rain and mist ensued, in what turned out to make beautiful photos and a story to remember.

Tell us about your reception:

We had our reception on the water in Sausalito overlooking San Francisco and the entire bay on Barrel House Tavern's private balcony, about a 30-minute drive from the ceremony hilltop. We had an open bar with oysters, passed appetizers, and mains.

What was your most important lesson learned?

Even if you are a 100% sure that it won't rain, it can happen. As artists, we both loved planning and imagining the wedding, but we had never counted on rain for a Victorian picnic wedding in the middle of summer in a remote location. Just enjoy the day and don't hold on too hard to the idea of what you originally wanted the wedding to be and love every moment for what it was.

Vendors

Photography: Ali Lander Shindler • Cake: Cake Coquette • Band: Two Lions Band • Reception: Barrel House Tavern

Gallery

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