Our Wedding Story
When we started planning our wedding, we started off thinking about traditional timelines because we’ve seen a lot of weddings and they usually go the same… so we rolled with that. We knew what we wanted, but traditional timelines were not going to work.
It's about creating a celebration that truly reflects who you are, not what wedding magazines tell you to do.
Then, we flipped the script and started focusing in what felt authentic and meaningful to us instead of what we were “supposed” to do — so, we ended up building some tables and creating a unique timeline to make a day that was meaningful to us!
That's the beauty of authentic wedding planning. It's about creating a celebration that truly reflects who you are, not what wedding magazines tell you to do.
What Does "Authentic Wedding Planning" Really Mean?
An authentic wedding plan isn't about having the perfect centerpieces or the most expensive venue. It's about making conscious choices that align with your values and tell your unique love story.
Think of it this way: Every decision you make is an opportunity to infuse meaning into your celebration.
Start with Your Core Values
Before you pin a single inspiration photo or book a venue, take time to reflect on what matters most to you as a couple:
What activities make you feel most connected?
How do you like to spend your weekends together?
What aspects of your relationship do you want to celebrate?
What feelings do you want your guests to experience?
It's about making conscious choices that align with your values and tell your unique love story.
Creating a Vision That's Uniquely Yours
Now comes the fun part – turning those values into a concrete vision. Here's how to approach it:
1. Build an Intentional Mood Board
Start with a blank canvas and ask yourself:
What colors make you feel most alive?
What textures reflect your personality?
What spaces have meant the most to your relationship?
Remember: Your mood board shouldn't just look pretty – it should feel like you. Check out our mood board guide here! It’s packed with great information based on our years of experience and we’ve included some helpful worksheets to guide your process and create a wedding that truly shares your love story.
2. Question Every "Should"
Whenever you hear "You should have..." pause and ask:
Does this align with our values?
Will this add meaning to our day?
Does this feel authentic to us?
Our Story
When we got married, we flipped the order of our day because the traditional timeline didn’t fit our vision.
We wanted an outdoor ceremony because we love being outside in nature. But our favorite times are the morning and evening when the sun is low and the light is golden - not the middle of the day when the sun is beating down.
Instead of compromising what we wanted, we adjusted our timeline. We started our events with a cocktail hour and yard games, then had everyone seated for dinner at one long table for an incredible meal together as the sun dipped below the trees. Then, we snuck away for a quick change while some friends ushered everyone to the ceremony spot a few hundred feet away.
We had our sunset ceremony on the river and then moved right into dancing under the stars! It was a truly incredible night!
For more inspiration on non-traditional timelines for authentic weddings, check out our timeline guide!
3. Focus on the Experience
Consider how each element contributes to the story you're telling:
What moments do you want to remember?
How can your choices facilitate genuine connections?
What will make your guests feel like they're truly part of your story?
Our Story
Food and community are a big deal to us as well. Instead of the traditional seating arrangements, we wanted everyone at one big farmhouse table (or a bunch lined up together) to share an intimate and incredible meal like one big family.
One problem: We didn’t have a farmhouse table to accommodate 50 people. And renting them would blow our budget…
So, we talked to the incredible owner of our venue, The Boardwalk, and he said that if we wanted to build tables, they’d supply the materials. So, we got some tools and some friends and some family and built a bunch of tables!
On our wedding day, we got to tell our guests the story of the tables and thank some of our helpers publicly. And, the conversations that happened at that table were incredible!
And the food? Incredible! Chef Alex is a master at crafting a meaningful menu that incorporates your story!
Making Your Vision Come to Life
Once you have your vision clear, it becomes easier to:
Choose vendors who understand and support your values
Make decisions that align with your priorities
Stay true to yourselves when faced with outside pressures
Pro tip: Planning is hard when you don’t know what you want, especially for people who value intentionality and authenticity. When you take time to understand your own “why,” planning starts to flow much more easily.
A Note About Photography
Your wedding is a big day, but it’s more than that — it’s the culmination of a relationship that has been developing over time and marks the beginning of a new journey together. You are creating an authentic wedding plan, but your vision is about more than one day — it's about how you'll remember it. When you're clear about what matters most, you can communicate this to your photographer and videographer to ensure they capture the authentic moments that tell your story.
Authentic wedding planning isn't about perfection – it's about purpose.
Moving Forward
Remember, authentic wedding planning isn't about perfection – it's about purpose. Each choice you make is an opportunity to create a celebration that feels genuinely, authentically you.
As you move forward with your planning, keep returning to your vision. Let it be your compass as you navigate decisions big and small.
Your wedding day isn't about following a template – it's about celebrating your love story in a way that feels true to who you are.
Ready to start creating your intentional wedding vision? Download our free Mood Board Guide to help you organize your ideas in a meaningful way.
