* Valerie (Neuroscientist) & Jesse (Software Engineer) * Photographer: Little Bat Photography, San Francisco (APW Sponsor) * Soundtrack for reading: Bright Eyes, First day of my life *
The Info— Photography: Little Bat Photography / Dress: ABS by Allen Schwartz (2008 graduation gift from older sister, Jessie) / Veil: Little Bat & Bride DIT / Shoes: Something Bleu via Bhldn / Suit: Express Men / Ceremony: San Francisco City Hall / Wine: Arlequin Cafe / Cupcakes: Miette / Ring Bear: Kennedy Space Center
Other cool stuff: We decided to elope the week before, to be married on the anniversary of our engagement. We live in Wisconsin and our county requires birth certificates and has a waiting period for marriage licenses, so we ran away instead to somewhere with simpler policies. I tried to make a dress in that week and gave up on it just 5 hours before getting on the plane to SF. Eloping brides—just use a dress you have, or buy something you like. But seriously, instead of sewing, get a massage. Little Bat Photographer Jillian (APW Sponsor... they are full service, y'all) made my bouquet, helped whip up my veil, and was so incredibly amazing on every front. We had gotten rings in December... just in case. My something borrowed was a hairpin from my friend Kim who I got to see the day before our wedding for the first time in well over a year for sushi and beers. Jesse's timepiece was his engagement pocketwatch (our initials are engraved on either side of the hunter's case). The lace at the top of my veil was from the wedding dress I'd planned to wear to the big wedding that wasn't. Jesse was super cool in every regard.
One sentence sum-up of the wedding vibe: An entirely personal and vivid day.
Hardest thing about the wedding: Val: Getting ready alone. I didn't expect to feel so lonely on my wedding day. I'd been planning it since girlhood (I have two sisters; Vanessa the younger was going to be my Maid of Honor, and I'd helped my older sister Jessie into her wedding gown two years before). Or even eloping with my favoritest person by my side (like, how can you feel alone when you're with your best friend?). But suddenly I remembered that all brides are essentially alone in that particular liminal state. It was my transition to make. And then I felt brave enough to go on. Also, there was definitely fallout afterwards, but it is dissipating with time. Jesse: Nothing. It was awesome.
Favorite thing about the wedding: Jesse: Val's smiles. Val: We had each other.
I was going to leave just one simple comment: “THAT DRESS.”
But then the line about loneliness on your wedding day got caught in my throat, so I had to mention that too.
Congratulations!
September 22, 2011 1:28 pm
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Valerie, your shoes are AWESOME. I love your dress as well. And the cupcake pictures! You two looked very happy.
September 22, 2011 1:58 pm
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First, Meg, I am so happy you started the wordless wedding series! Thank you thank you! I find I spend so much more time really looking at the photos and their emotional and physical beauty, instead of quickly scrolling through like I usually do. It is always breathtaking.
Valerie and Jesse, your post here was amazing. It felt like we got to follow you through your wedding day and the fun and love you shared with each other. Anyone who is giving you a hard time about eloping should be sent this link, and they will never bother you again! Thank you for sharing with us.
September 22, 2011 2:02 pm
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LOVE the dress.
And the teddy bear!
September 22, 2011 2:17 pm
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What a beautifully intimate day! You can see the memories formed from the photos- it’s so clear how excited you two are!
September 22, 2011 3:07 pm
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love, love, love. I’m not a crier, but this hit me in that space in the middle of my chest and made it ache a little, in a good way.
September 22, 2011 3:08 pm
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Congratulations, you guys!
And just to add to the chorus: Your dress is awesome. Makes me want to get married again–or at least get some decent pictures this time. :)
September 22, 2011 4:01 pm
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This post was beautiful.
I saw your pictures on Jillian’s blog and fell totally in love with them, and it’s nice to hear a little bit of the surrounding story.
September 22, 2011 4:23 pm
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beutiful beautiful beautiful. Jillian I am speechless. Such wonderful photos. I love your dress! Clearly such a special day.
September 22, 2011 5:15 pm
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Love the shoes, love her dress, Love the happiness coming from them!
September 22, 2011 6:53 pm
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Ring bear! Shoes! Dress! And so much love.
Thank you for sharing, and for being so brave and following your heart. You are inspiring.
September 22, 2011 6:55 pm
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Many, many congratulations and best wishes for the life ahead for you. I read this earlier today at my desk and didn’t have a chance to say so earlier, but I think it’s clear from these pictures that you started your marriage on the best foot possible. It was really touching and sweet to share in it today. Good luck on all that’s to come.
September 22, 2011 7:04 pm
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BIKE FRIEND. I LOVE YOU! What a beautiful post! My love and congratulations again! :)
September 22, 2011 7:09 pm
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Bikefriend! <3
September 22, 2011 9:21 pm
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You guys look so happy! Congrats! Your elopement looks fabulous.
September 22, 2011 10:11 pm
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I could not love this wedding more. It’s clear you made the right decision to elope. I love the photo where you are sitting at the table and beaming from ear to ear. Love everything about your wedding. Normally I gloss through the wordless wedding posts but this one stopped me dead in my tracks. Congrats on your beautiful baby family!
September 22, 2011 10:15 pm
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so, this is what i had imagined when i thought about eloping with my hubby. i wanted to stay in town, get married at the courthouse, hang out in portland the rest of the day, dressed fancy. then, stay at a downtown hotel for night or so…
but, we went to vegas and ended up inviting immediate family. do i still long for that little in-town affair? yes. do i regret vegas? hell no. maybe we can renew our vows at some point and do it up portland style :)
your elopement looks awesome. congratulations and much happiness to ya! <3
September 22, 2011 10:34 pm
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Congratulations to you both, this looks like such a beautiful day and, the more I think about it the more I realise, much the sort of day I want for us (and I know the boy wants for us). I just have to decide whether I can brave the fallout…
September 23, 2011 3:06 am
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Beautiful. The photos at Miette made me smile.
Also. “But seriously, instead of sewing, get a massage.” YES. So fucking right. That’s going to be my motto for 84% of everything for the next little while. “Instead of ________, get a massage.”
September 23, 2011 7:38 am
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My dream wedding. I would have loved to be able to do this, and you’ve done it ridiculously beautifully. Congratulations, and best wishes!
September 23, 2011 8:06 am
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This is the prettiest elopement I’ve ever seen! You are one stunning lady, the photos are gorgeous, and the music choice is so lovely.
September 23, 2011 10:41 am
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Wow. Awesome. I always enjoy elopement pictures while thinking “but this probably isn’t what’s right for me” but these pictures have made me think. Marriage->wine->cupcakes?! Uh…yes. That looks beautiful.
September 23, 2011 6:43 pm
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I am getting married at SF City Hall in about six weeks! I think your pictures are amazing!!! Where did you get your bouquet?!
September 23, 2011 8:18 pm
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Hi Emme! I bought some white roses and some other white flowers (crysanthiums?) and then the little yellow pom poms from Andronicos (food store), took them home, cut them all around the same length, and just tied some wire around them. Valerie fixed them up and tied some tulle around them in the morning, and it was done! All up, I don’t think I spent more than $25! Super simple and gorgeous. x Jillian
September 25, 2011 11:02 am
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The white flowers were lisianthus and they lasted all the way back to wisconsin and hung around for a week beyond. <3
September 25, 2011 5:27 pm
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after party, for two, at miette!? thats what im talkin bout.. beautiful elopement.
December 13, 2011 7:12 pm
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What made you decide to elope??
Beautiful pictures! Great idea!
February 18, 2012 8:33 am
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