One of the reasons we hear most often for eloping is the couple’s desire for a stress-free wedding day; and Australian newlyweds Aaron and Junyar are certainly no exception. Having both previously been engaged, neither the bride nor the groom were interested in going through the process of planning a big wedding. Instead, they decided to tie the knot while on vacation, keeping it a secret from all, but a select few family and friends. And so, with the majestic rocky mountains rising up around them and the turquoise waters of Lake Louise stretching out behind them, the couple exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony while their photographer Jenn Beal captured every breathtaking detail of their perfect (and stress-free) day!

Junyar, 24 & Aaron, 25 

Location: Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Wedding Date: October 19, 2015

Number of Guests: 2

Wedding Cost: $2,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Lake Louise National Park 

Wedding Reception Location: Chateau Lake Louise

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Having both previously been engaged and planned big weddings, we really didn’t want to do that again! We already had a big holiday to the US and Canada planned and so about 3 months before we left we decided to elope while we were there!

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding? 

The decision to elope and the reality that we wouldn’t have any of our family present was tough. We were so lucky that our parents were so supportive from the beginning and understood why we wanted to do it this way. 

Planning a wedding on the other side of the world had its challenges too. We were so lucky that we had my close girlfriend, Meagan, over there to help out (especially getting information for the legal side of things) and our photographer, Jenn, who from the beginning made the whole process a lot easier! I think the biggest challenge for us, however, was keeping it a secret! There were less than 10 people who knew what we were planning so it was so hard not to let it slip!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

It was hard knowing that our parents wouldn’t be there for our big day. Meagan and her fiancé were just amazing making the 5 hour road trip to be there as our witnesses; they played such a big role in making our day so special.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

Not really. Our parents were really supportive, and no one else really knew so that made it a lot easier. 

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Our whole day was amazing and so relaxed, and there were so many highlights. From the playlist Aaron made me listen to that morning, to laughing and being completely ourselves throughout the ceremony and when we were getting our photos taken – not to mention the backdrop – our whole day was just perfect.

What were the highlights of the reception?

No stress! All dressed up, the boys and Meagan had steaks and I had ribs! We just had a really great dinner together.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

It was about us, what we as a couple wanted and we got to just really enjoy our day.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Do it!! 

Vendors: 

Photography: Jenn Beal Photography

Ceremony Venue: Lake Louise National Park

Reception Venue: Chateau Lake Louise

We’ve got a serious case of spring fever here at Intimate Weddings and it’s all thanks to the Casablanca 2016 Garden Dreams Collection! Inspired by all that spring has to offer – delicate florals, warm rays of sunshine, the sweet smells of blossoms in the air – the Casablanca Garden Collection is full of romantic silhouettes and impeccable detailing. Take note spring brides, these gowns – each named for a different flower – are all kinds of pretty and perfect for that outdoor wedding you have planned!

With fit-n-flare dresses being hot for spring, the Garden Dreams Collection has you covered, with their Tulip Gown and the Water Lily Gown being just two stunning examples of this gorgeous silhouette, which is featured throughout the collection.

Exquisite lace and beaded detailing are also featured prominently in the collection, as seen here on the ultra-feminine and pretty Daisy Gown, with its elegantly beaded lace bodice.

We particularly love the subtle beading cascading down the Poppy Gown and shimmering across the bodice of the Sweetpea Gown.

Another bridal trend we love is the illusion back. Both the Gardenia Gown and the Aster Gown feature beautifully embellished illusion backs that are incredibly sophisticated and romantic.

And for something completely different, the two-piece halter-style lace Heather Dress is a modern, fashion-forward option with traditional lace details and a distinctly bridal feel.

No matter what style you choose, Casablanca gowns are all made to order based on your measurements. Casablanca offers traditional fit gowns for brides sizes 2-28, classic fit gowns for brides 16-32, and petite sizes that run an inch shorter for sizes 2-28. Styles can be mixed and matched to your preferences – for example, if you would prefer a different neckline or sleeve style. To find your nearest Casablanca retailer and the dress of your dreams, click here.

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Melissa and Adam’s priorities were very simple when it came to planning their wedding day – they wanted it to be stress-free and about them. They were married at Tumacacori Mission, a beautiful historic landmark located in Tubac, Arizona.

Here’s what photographer Galaxie Andrews had to say about the elopement:

“Melissa and Adam headed-off to Southern Arizona, to stand alone in the silence of the great desert, completely undistracted, to fully focus on what a wedding ceremony is originally meant to be.

I’m thankful for the privilege to have shared and documented this unique experience for them, which has and will keep inspiring me as a photographer for years to come.”

Melissa, 36 & Adam, 36

Location:  Tubac, AZ 

Wedding Date: February 23, 2015

Number of Guests: 0

Wedding Cost:  $2,900

Wedding Ceremony Location: Tumacacori Mission 

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We didn’t want the wedding to be about pleasing others, and we didn’t want to start our lives together with a stressful event. We wanted it to just be about us. 

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

My parents were sad that they wouldn’t be there to celebrate with us. Other than that, there were no major challenges.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

After we decided it wouldn’t include family, it wasn’t  difficult at all. 

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We had a family get-together about two months after to celebrate our marriage. This helped to make people feel less left out.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

We had perfect weather, the location was beautiful – and we used a park ranger as our second witness. 

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

It was about us, not about anybody else. 

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Save your money and take a nice honeymoon instead. (We took a two week honeymoon to Japan with all of the savings from our intimate wedding).

Vendors:

Photographer: Galaxie Andrews

Venue: Tumacacori Mission –

Make-up: The bride

Bouquet: Handmade by the groom

Hair: Tubac Golf Resort Spa

Dress: “Nina Blouson” by Alice and Olivia

Harley and Joseph were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first born son when they decided to ‘officially’ become a family in front of their nearest and dearest in Sedona, Arizona. The Briar Patch Inn was too perfect a venue to pass up, and plans quickly came together after booking their favourite photographer and local restaurant. Harley truly glowed in her simple, flowy gown that showed off her perfect baby bump. Joseph went for a jacket-less look that really suited the feel of their intimate wedding.

Photographer Erin Dezago of Dan & Erin PhotoCinema beautifully captured the connection Harley and Joseph share.

Harley, 23 & Joseph, 33

Location: Sedona, Arizona

Wedding Date: August 8, 2015

Number of Guests: 20

Wedding Cost: < $4,500

Wedding Ceremony Location: Briar Patch Inn, Sedona

Wedding Reception Location: No reception, but dinner at Rene in Tlaquepaque, Sedona

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Joe and I are expecting a baby boy in November, and wanted to officially become a family before he made his arrival. We’d been together for three years and were given the most opportune of situations to finally tie the knot. We wanted just our closest friends and family with us to celebrate our coming together as husband and wife—as well as mother and father—and to allow us a chance to more closely share this special time in our lives with one another. We knew that we wanted something relatively simple, yet meaningful, as our wedding and events all took place at the spots where we had shared our first Christmas together. Yes, our celebration was modest, but it was more beautiful than anything we could have imagined.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Honestly, the planning wasn’t difficult once we knew how we wanted the day to progress. Both of our families were more than generous in helping us get everything together. I wanted to ensure that no one was stressing too much over the details (although there was no stopping my mother from striving to make everything to be perfect for our big day!). As soon as we set the date with the venue, we were very quickly able to reserve both our dream photographer and the restaurant, which took care of the big ticket items on our list. After getting those three items nailed down, we were able to rather leisurely get the rest of the smaller details to come together within the next two months.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

It was rather challenging to wrap our minds around such a small guest list at first. The B&B that we wanted to be married at is a small, picturesque, ‘secret-garden’ type location where they were already bending the rules by allowing us to have 25 people (including the bride and groom and photographers) to guarantee that the event wouldn’t interfere with the tranquility for their other guests. Once we realized that we’d have to make a few tough decisions with our guest list, we were able to invite those whom were the closest to us that could also feasibly make it in such short notice. Of course, there were family members that we wished could have been there on our big day, but distance, scheduling, and our limited guest list made most of those decisions for us.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family?

If so, how did you address them? I believe that there were a few unavoidable hurt feelings from both of our families, but in all fairness it was indeed a small event and we had our share of limitations. We didn’t have as much time as many wedding parties do to give notice and plan for an event where we’d be able to cater to more guests and we did our best to explain that to those that were upset. We had an abundance of pictures taken by our wonderful photographers that were able to capture and share the most important part of our wedding: our love for one another.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?  

Family played a big part in our ceremony. I wore my great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother’s garters as I walked down the aisle and was married with my great-grandmother’s wedding band. My father became officiated so that he could be the one to perform the ceremony, which made it even more special and personal. It had rained all weekend and we were very nervous that it would start pouring in the middle of our ceremony, but it only sprinkled just enough to call it luck before clearing out.

What were the highlights of the reception?

We didn’t have a ‘reception’ in the traditional sense. After the ceremony, everyone got together so that we could take family pictures by the creek before Joe and I went off to take our newlywed pictures around the Briar Patch and around Sedona. It would be a few hours before we all met up for dinner at Rene’s Restaurant, which left our guests to drink wine creek-side or head to Tlaquepaque, the resort where the restaurant was located. While we were taking pictures, Joe and I were able to share our first dance alone in a courtyard with our song playing via iPhone. When we did meet up for dinner, we ordered off the menu and shared some of our favorite dishes from the first time we had eaten there. The restaurant even surprised us with a slice of ‘wedding cake’ and well wishes for our future together.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

I think that the best thing about having an intimate wedding was that fact that we didn’t feel the need to make the wedding itself a huge spectacle, rather we were able to humbly celebrate our love with the support of our friends and family. We didn’t have to worry about having a band or seating arrangements, bridal parties or coordinating color schemes, rather we allowed ourselves and our guests the freedom to simply enjoy each others company. When the dust had settled, we were neither exhausted nor exuberant from our wedding weekend; rather we were contented with the fact that we’d be returning home once again, hand in hand, as husband and wife.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

My best bit of advice would be to not stress the wedding planning or feel like you have to take into consideration everyone’s feelings when organizing the guest list. Trust me when I say that everything will come together somehow and if it doesn’t, you’ll still be marrying the love of your life.

Vendors:

Venue: Briar Patch Inn, Sedona, Arizona

Photographers: Erin Dezago Photography

Restaurant: Rene’s in Tlaquepauque, Sedona, Arizona

Your wedding day is an incredible opportunity to highlight your uniqueness as a couple and really let your personalities shine. Your wedding stationery is one of the best ways to do just that! From personalized save the dates, to stunning custom wedding invitations, Wedding Paper Divas makes it easy to find the perfect stationery to set the tone for your wedding, and express your individuality.

By showcasing real couples and their stories so that you can find real inspiration for your own wedding day, Wedding Paper Divas makes it a breeze to find a design that is true to you.

Personally, we love Jenny and Kevin‘s rustic, natural style and their choice of the Chalk Splendor Invitation Suite is right up our alley.

If you love Jenny and Kevin’s style as much as we do, but want something a little more whimsical for your own stationery set, you might also love the Written in Chalk invitation suite. With hundreds of designs to choose from, it’s easy to find the style that suits you best.

One of the best things about the designs at Wedding Paper Divas is that they are customizable. Most suites, including the Exquisite Leaves Suite and the Kraft Arrow Suite, allow you to customize the color and trim options so that your suite is completely unique to you.

If you want to add a little glitz and glamour to your rustic invitations, foil stamped cards like the Rustic Wreaths Suite give you the best of both worlds.

They even offer laser cut designs, like the Willow Canopy Suite, if you’re looking for a truly different and unique set of wedding stationery that will wow your guests. There really is something for everyone!

Do you have a great love story? Want to win $1000 prize package for two? Wedding Paper Divas is looking for their next real couple and it could be you! Enter the Next Real Couple Sweepstakes for your chance to win a once in a lifetime experience for two.

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