I have a very special treat for you on the blog today!
Whenever I get asked about my dream wedding, I always say I want it to be a small, intimate, destination wedding. I don’t want hundreds of guests, just immediate family and closest friends.
My friend Cel (who co-writes the blog Project Flab to Fab) took it a step further by limiting it to just the bride and groom – an elopement! And the fact that they were doing it in the most romantic city in the world? Just inspired!
So I asked if she could write about it for my blog, and she agreed. Here is her story in her own words and pictures. (Disclosure: I may have shed a tear while reading this.)
Randy and I have always been quite open with the things that we wanted for our future wedding. Even before getting engaged, we knew we will end up together. That’s why it was so easy to randomly say “We should definitely hire this photographer when we get married!” and he would agree. He would also challenge some random ideas while expressing his own opinion. Random wedding talks with no pressure what-so-ever because we knew nothing was set on stone yet. (But I have to admit I did keep a list of songs in my iPhone and bookmarked vintage wedding ideas in my MacBook. Ssssshh!)
He proposed on a Monday night in Starbucks because this was where it all started. I was ecstatic! It was such a challenge to contain the intense joy! Sometimes Most of the time I would find myself just smiling while staring in space. This usually happened on my morning commute to work. Hahah!
We were both on cloud 9 for a week or two and then we finally sat down with a pen and paper. We started with the overwhelming list of people we were going to invite. That was not an easy task so we skipped to the budget. That was not doable either because how are we going to come up with a budget if we don’t have rough idea who we are going to invite? It was like a chicken or egg predicament. We tried the if-you-can-only-invite-x-number-of-guests approach but it didn’t sound right.
So we scratched that piece of paper and said “You know what, let’s go crazy and just write down all the things that we want for our wedding. We can work our way from there!” A lot of concepts were brought into the table until Randy said “If it were up to me, I will marry you tomorrow!” That’s when we both asked why we had to make complicated decisions over the simple task of tying the knot! Getting married was the point of it all and we should stick to that.
The thought of a beach wedding in Phuket or Krabi came in mind and we did in fact consider that. That was until one of us (For the love of me, I cannot remember who said it. There’s a 50% chance it was me and also a 50% chance that it was Randy.) blurted out “Since we are going crazy, let’s elope to Paris!” and the other immediately said “I like that! Let’s do that!” And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how the idea came to be.
We did not fly to Paris immediately because we still needed to apply for a Schengen visa and of course, there is this thing called a budget! “Elopement” is defined as running away with a partner but we didn’t really run. We walked towards that day in September.
We awoke to a beautiful Sunday morning in our tiny hotel room in the heart of Paris. I got up earlier than Randy to do my own hair and makeup before we took a cab going to Pont des Arts. Our ceremony was at 8AM and we were quite early (excited?!). So I took advantage of the time to finish my vows 30 minutes before the ceremony! (Can you believe that Randy finished his vows more than a week before our wedding? How did that happen? Procrastination, my old friend why do you have to see me ever so often?)
Our officiant and photographer arrived almost at the same time and we were all ready to begin the ceremony. It was unreal. I could not believe that after all those months of planning and coordination, we were finally there! We were standing on that bridge professing our undying love for each other. Am I in one of those dreams again? But even my dreams couldn’t come up with a day as breathtaking as this.
The scene was very romantic! Initially, I was quite anxious because the days that preceded our wedding were gloomy and there is always a chance of rain. But when I finally decided to let go of my unnecessary concern, the sun decided to come out and celebrate with us! The light was so warm that it accented the rain of gold beads on my wedding dress. I am at loss with words. Really.
In this age of technology, we thought it was only practical to write our vows in our iPhones – much to the delight of our photographer, Juliane. I was all teary-eyed and about to burst into tears while Randy was saying his sweet vows. Luckily, the waterworks were suppressed with laughter when Randy reached the end of his vows.
We never know what the future will hold for us, but whatever it may be, I am looking forward to that future with a lot of Apple and Ikea products, lots of chocolate chip cookies, lots of allergies, lots of mood swings, lots of Nike fitness stuff, and of course lots of love. I promise to love you infinitely.
I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry with overwhelming happiness!
Our ceremony was short and sweet. We added our own engraved love padlock in Pont des Arts. Then we spent the rest of the morning walking, laughing, posing for photos and laughing some more around La Seine, Musée du Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries.
I don’t even know why I was worried in the first place! The weather was perfect and the colors of fall make a gorgeous background! And isn’t it amazing how I managed to walk around in those places in a wedding dress? Of course I was wearing a trusty pair of Toms and so was my Groom! (We love Toms!)
We found a quaint little cafe beside one of the ponds in Jardin des Tuileries. We were walking for more than 2 hours and we were already starving! A cheerful waiter served us traditional French meal while singing “Here comes the bride!” He was such a delightful character and I don’t know why we don’t have a photo with him! Perhaps it was the hunger.
Then a funny thing happened. It was as if the skies waited for us to consume all the food before sending light showers. Very light actually and it was more of a drizzle. Mind you, we were in the middle of a big garden and it was not easy dashing towards a shaded area. We laughed at ourselves and remembered that people say rain on a wedding symbolizes blessings for the couple. So yey, thank you! Hahah!
It was indeed a beautiful day to get married and walk around in comfortable footwear in the most picturesque places of the most romantic city! That day instilled in us the reminder of what our wedding was all about. Strip away everything because underneath it all it’s me and Randy. Paris, you will always have a special place in our hearts!
Photos by Juliane Berry | Bride’s dress and groom’s suit by Joe San Antonio | Bride’s hair and makeup by the bride | Groom’s imaginary makeup by the groom
Linking up with Travel Tuesday & Totally Posted Tuesday
I love this. I wanted our wedding to be just the two of us, but eventually we submitted to the guilt and invited our immediate family and closest friends – there were 40 people in total and even that felt overwhelming. Your photos are amazing – this is quite possibly the most romantic wedding story I've ever read!
How sweet! And the photos are so lovely.
What a beautiful wedding! I love that your friends chose to really celebrate themselves and their relationship with their wedding! I feel that so often weddings seem to be about everything – clothes, food, location, party… – but the couple and their love. I definitely want to have a small wedding when I get married as well. I want to remember a day spent with my family and closest friends and
I ADORE this. It's lovely! x
I love everything about this post. The proposal where it all started (how adorable is that?!), the Toms, the wedding photos near the Fall leaves. Romantic!
Oh wow what a fairytale story and I love how he proposed in Starbucks. Paris is amazing and the city of Romance and you look so beautiful in your dress and the perfect couple. Thanks so much for sharing, just popping over from Travel Tuesday<br /><br /><br />Laura x<br />www.sidestreetstyle.com
How sweet! And the photos are so lovely.
Love this! Too often people get caught up in the party but you remembered its all about the two of you. SO great. <br /><br /><br /><br />Dee- thanks for sharing 🙂
Such a beautiful story! And these pictures are stunning!
Oh my goodness! Absolutely adore this, lovely! The photos definitely capture the love between you two x
that is such a lovely story! and such wonderful pictures 😀
Wow how romantic! I just love the photography.
Oh my goodness! Absolutely adore this, lovely! The photos definitely capture the love between you two x
Ahhh romance. It almost makes for a great story! I love how he took it all back to where it started AND those red boots. Ohhh la la la! Great to find you through the TravelTuesdays Linky.
So cute! Love it! And the pictures are stunning!
Stopping by from Totally Posted Tuesday! These photos are amazing! This is definitely something I want to do, though I don't know if my mom would appreciate me eloping :)<br /><br /><3 Vicki<br />wildeinthecity.blogspot.com
this is beautiful! i actually considered this photographer since our wedding was in the south of france, but we found a more local one. i love her photos! there is something dreamy about elopements. x
Okay, this is perfect. I don't even know what else to say!
Oh my gosh. So dreamy. So many areas I loved walking through when I was in Paris. I can't believe how empty the areas are though! It was packed when I was there!
Stopping over from the Travel Tuesday link up. #1 I love her dress. I love this story!!! It has inspired me to blog about my wedding too!!! I love that they choose Paris. We did something similar, but in the Dominican Republic. I love the proposal… I love the TOMS, I love the photos (they don't even look REAL!!!) Thanks for sharing. <br />Elicia @ lifesajournee
Oh wow, 40 guests are not that bad! Good going! And this is also quite possibly the most romantic wedding story I've ever read too!
Glad you do!
Glad you liked the story! Thanks for dropping by!
Thanks!
Yes, that is totally what I want too! I get horrified with these weddings where there are so many people and they don't seem to care all that much for the bride and groom and even post such snarky comments on Facebook about how horrible the food is or something.
Glad you like it!
So romantic indeed! Thanks for dropping by!
Such beautiful photos indeed! Thanks for dropping by!
Yes that's what I loved about their story too, that's why I had to share!
Yes, it was so cute how he proposed where they met.
Yes it really does. Thanks for dropping by!
I so agree!!!!!
Thanks!
That is actually one consideration, that's why I probably could never elope.
Oh wow, so this photographer is pretty well known! The one you went with did a great job too, though!
Ha, I know that feel.
I love how in the pictures, they always look like they're in a little world of their own. Great photographer!
Yes, you should totally blog about your wedding!
What a beautiful way to elope! Lovely story, so glad your friend was willing to share!
Yes, I was so glad she agreed too!
This post makes me want to get married all over again. How romantic! 🙂
Glad it inspired you!
Ahhh romance. It almost makes for a great story! I love how he took it all back to where it started AND those red boots. Ohhh la la la! Great to find you through the TravelTuesdays Linky.
Oh wow, 40 guests are not that bad! Good going! And this is also quite possibly the most romantic wedding story I've ever read too!
Okay, this is perfect. I don't even know what else to say!
Love this! Too often people get caught up in the party but you remembered its all about the two of you. SO great. <br /><br /><br /><br />Dee- thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh my gosh. So dreamy. So many areas I loved walking through when I was in Paris. I can't believe how empty the areas are though! It was packed when I was there!
Stopping by from Totally Posted Tuesday! These photos are amazing! This is definitely something I want to do, though I don't know if my mom would appreciate me eloping :)<br /><br /><3 Vicki<br />wildeinthecity.blogspot.com
this is beautiful! i actually considered this photographer since our wedding was in the south of france, but we found a more local one. i love her photos! there is something dreamy about elopements. x
Stopping over from the Travel Tuesday link up. #1 I love her dress. I love this story!!! It has inspired me to blog about my wedding too!!! I love that they choose Paris. We did something similar, but in the Dominican Republic. I love the proposal… I love the TOMS, I love the photos (they don't even look REAL!!!) Thanks for sharing. <br />Elicia @ lifesajournee
Glad you do!
So cute! Love it! And the pictures are stunning!
That is actually one consideration, that's why I probably could never elope.
Thanks!
I so agree!!!!!
Oh wow, so this photographer is pretty well known! The one you went with did a great job too, though!
I love how in the pictures, they always look like they're in a little world of their own. Great photographer!
Ha, I know that feel.
Yes, I was so glad she agreed too!
Glad it inspired you!
What a beautiful way to elope! Lovely story, so glad your friend was willing to share!
This post makes me want to get married all over again. How romantic! 🙂
Yes, you should totally blog about your wedding!
I love this. I wanted our wedding to be just the two of us, but eventually we submitted to the guilt and invited our immediate family and closest friends – there were 40 people in total and even that felt overwhelming. Your photos are amazing – this is quite possibly the most romantic wedding story I've ever read!
I ADORE this. It's lovely! x
Such a beautiful story! And these pictures are stunning!
Oh wow what a fairytale story and I love how he proposed in Starbucks. Paris is amazing and the city of Romance and you look so beautiful in your dress and the perfect couple. Thanks so much for sharing, just popping over from Travel Tuesday<br /><br /><br />Laura x<br />www.sidestreetstyle.com
What a beautiful wedding! I love that your friends chose to really celebrate themselves and their relationship with their wedding! I feel that so often weddings seem to be about everything – clothes, food, location, party… – but the couple and their love. I definitely want to have a small wedding when I get married as well. I want to remember a day spent with my family and closest friends and
that is such a lovely story! and such wonderful pictures 😀
Wow how romantic! I just love the photography.
Thanks!
Such beautiful photos indeed! Thanks for dropping by!
So romantic indeed! Thanks for dropping by!
Glad you like it!
Glad you liked the story! Thanks for dropping by!
Yes that's what I loved about their story too, that's why I had to share!
Yes, that is totally what I want too! I get horrified with these weddings where there are so many people and they don't seem to care all that much for the bride and groom and even post such snarky comments on Facebook about how horrible the food is or something.
Yes it really does. Thanks for dropping by!
Yes, it was so cute how he proposed where they met.
I love everything about this post. The proposal where it all started (how adorable is that?!), the Toms, the wedding photos near the Fall leaves. Romantic!