Shelby + Anderson
(July 31, 2021 in Missoula, MT)
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but it's important to remember that the day is about celebrating the love between you and your significant other. In this blog post, the author shares their vision for a simple yet fun wedding that catered to their guests' enjoyment. Despite some unexpected mishaps on the day-of, the author advises future brides to not stress over small details and to take time to truly enjoy the moment. Their #1 tip? Remember that your wedding day is about celebrating your love, so don't forget to take time with your significant other and remind each other of the special bond you share.
Our real bride Shelby looked absolutely AMAZING in our Elle gown. All about that graphic lace, this strapless wedding gown is a sheer masterpiece. Side cutouts and a sheer bodice set the stage for negative space detailing throughout the gown, which flows throughout the silhouette for modern dimension. Linear detailing along the strapless bodice and skinny plunge neckline highlight your shape in this fit-and-flare wedding dress, while the laces are thoughtfully cut along the waist to accentuate the curves. The full, scallop lace hemline is created with horsehair to help create a true floating lookcomplemented by the traditional train styling with a finished edge.
By our real bride, Shelby:
What was the vision for your wedding?
I really wanted simple, but fun details. I wanted the wedding to cater to the guests and have fun things for them to do and enjoy. We have friends from all over (Anderson is from Australia) & we both have made friends from all over the states so we just wanted everyone to come together and just truly enjoy their time. So it was simple, but fun details like signs, party favors, pizza, donuts, corn hole, yard pong. Originally, we were supposed to have the wedding in 2020 but we postponed and by doing that I got the venue I truly wanted, The Barn on Mullan. They have the most perfect venue and the best staff, so it was an easy choice. We used Alaina Tompson photography, which she is located in St. Louis, MO but met her through mutual friends a few years ago and fell in love with her work. We had pie hole cater of dinner (pizza) which is where Anderson first told me he loved me and wanted to make us official. We then just had Krispy Kreme donuts for dessert with our own private cake from a co worker of mine from my elementary school, she is AMAZING! My make up artist was one of my friends from school, she was an easy choice as her work is beyond amazing but she is a great person.
How did it go the day-of?
Our wedding was a little different in the fact that my husband is from Australia and only his brother was able to attend the wedding despite the fact we pushed it back a year hoping Australia would open up travel but it did not. So I wanted to still make it special for Anderson. I sent Andersons family cards months prior to fill out for him to open the week before, the night before, and while getting ready. I also had my sister in law help me gather videos of all his friends and family wishing him best wishes that were unable to attend because of the international restrictions and surprised him with the video at the reception. We also gave each other boxes to open the morning-of with a card, perfume/cologne, jewelry, photos, and anything meaningful we thought the other would enjoy. Since you are not able to talk to each other the day-of, this was really special. The day-of truly goes by so fast, so when people say take some time to just truly take it in and enjoy it, do it. I loved watching my bridesmaids get ready & just felt the love and support around me. Its also really important not to stress the small details, it will all work out. For example, my bridesmaids and I were on a golf cart headed to photos and my maid of honor fell off the back of the golf cart and face planted it in the cement. PANIC MODE! Luckily she is a champ and was able to shake off the pain with a few White Claws, but things are bound to happen and now its one of our favorite stories from the day. Anderson and I also did a first look and read our personal vows to each other instead of at the alter. We both can be a little shy and with the chaos of the big day, we just wanted to have a little time together and spend this special moment together. I personally could not wait till all the "planned" events of the reception were over because I just wanted to have fun with my family, friends, and husband. My biggest advice is to not plan everything to a T and have it be jampacked, you want time to breathe, to have fun, and just to enjoy the moment. We had a glow stick sendoff and a shuttle to take people downtown. We also went downtown with our wedding group which was so fun! My husband and I originally met at Mo Club (a dive bar in Missoula) and were able to go there and take a picture exactly where we met which was so fun.
What is your #1 tip to future brides?
Your day is about celebrating you and your significant others love, that is all. Do not put so much pressure on yourself that you forget to enjoy the moment. People are there to help you and want to help you so dont be afraid to ask for help. And that one small detail you are so stressed about, you will forget about and no one else will even notice, so stop stressing! Enjoy your day, but most importantly make sure you have time with your significant other and remind each other what it is all about.
