As a wedding photographer, Miranda loves big, glam, detailed-filled weddings. For her own wedding, however, she knew in her heart that a large extravagant wedding just wasn’t the right fit. Instead, she and Zach celebrated their love (with their impossibly adorable son by their side) with an intimate ceremony full of handmade details (including the gorgeous garland backdrop!), followed by an impromptu confetti fight, and finished off with a cozy restaurant reception – making for, as the bride describes it, a wonderful day with family and friends where there just so happened to be a wedding.
A huge thanks to Stephanie Rose Photography for sending over the photos for us to enjoy today!
Miranda, 30 & Zach, 31 (and Marshall, 1½)
Gainesville, TX
Wedding Date: February 23, 2013
Number of Guests: 40
Wedding Ceremony Location: Cahoots Handbags
Wedding Reception Location: Sarah’s on the Square
Why did you have an intimate wedding?
I am a wedding photographer (shameless plug: www.mirandamarrs.com) and shoot dozens of weddings a year, mostly with hundreds of guests, big venues, and lots of glam details. After being behind the scenes so many times, it really occurred to me that the larger, extravagant weddings just weren’t “us”. I LOVE them, but it just doesn’t fit our personalities. We really wanted to concentrate on celebrating with our friends and family more than anything else.
What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?
Explaining the concept to people –no wedding party, no first dance, no bouquet toss, no garter toss, no timeline, no specific end time; just a wonderful day with family and friends where there just so happened to be a wedding.
Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?
We have a very small circle of friends, so in the beginning, we had no problem inviting anyone who wanted to come. After we got the AWESOME word that more family would be coming than anticipated, we had to settle down with the invites.
Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?
We were not expecting many from Zach’s family to make it, as all of them were located halfway across the country. We were extremely delighted, surprised, and touched when one by one, his family members started booking tickets to fly in for the wedding. We’re so thankful they did!
What were the highlights of the ceremony?
After the ceremony, we had a big, huge confetti send-off. It was awesome, but even MORE awesome was the fact that afterwards, everyone just started throwing confetti, starting a CONFETTI FIGHT. There were so many laughs by so many that it made my heart so, so full.
What were the highlights of the reception?
At the end of the night, my father (who had been so nervous for days about his toast), perfectly described everything in his speech to the room. He said, “I feel like this room is filled with love. So much so, that it’s like I’m swimming. Swimming in a room with love.” It still describes every one of my memories of that day.
What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?
Spending time with those who are nearest and dearest to our hearts and being able to concentrate on those relationships, which matter most of all to us.
What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?
There are no rules to weddings. Do what you want, how you want. Don’t worry about the “right” way to do something. Do it all with love, and with love in mind, and you will be doing everything perfectly.
Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Cahoots Handbags
Reception Venue and Catering: Sarah’s on the Square
Photography: Stephanie Rose Photography
Invitations/Designs: Designed by the bride
Ceremony Backdrop: DIY by the bride with lots of blood, sweat, and tears from my mom and friends.
