This is what happens when a fine looking couple gets their engagement shoot during bird season. A once in a lifetime shot for a once in a lifetime moment. We also love the boho vibe they’re giving out because it goes so well with the beach setting. It felt like it was such a comfortable, light, and fun shoot. Despite this being an engagement feature, Alyx, our bride, gave us awesome answers with regards to her wedding day so it would be a waste to not let you guys read it. But really, you’ll certainly enjoy this post as much as we did. Congratulations Alyx and Coner!
And is it just me or does this month feels like a season of alliteration.
Bride:
What is your story as a couple, how did you meet & fall in love?
Our story began in 2005, the year we attended our junior prom together, which is still a favorite memory of ours.While throughout high school we were always friends, after graduation we went out separate ways. Coner went off to Oregon to find his own path and I remained in California to follow through with my dreams. Years later the two of us ran into each other at a place where a lot of locals like to gather in our hometown and our friendship quickly picked up where it had left off and that friendship soon blossomed into a love we now share. We definitely have got the best of both worlds, with our strong friendship as well as our love for one another.
What makes the two of you a perfect match?
I would have to say our matching hair. No! Just kidding!! It’s actually pretty simple really, opposites attract and that is exactly what we are. Coner is very laid back and easy going. While I am what Coner likes to call a “spazz”. His laid back attitude helps me to keep at least one foot on the floor, and my high energy and need for humor brings us many moments of laughter into our home. He is the yin to my yang.
How did he (or you) propose?
Oh this is my favorite story to tell! While we were on vacation in the beautiful Kona, Hawaii we decided it would be fun to take a day trip around the entire island. We stopped everywhere, ate everything and over indulged in way to much Kona coffee. It was the perfect day. After hours and hours of driving (and a few naps for me) we came upon a sign that read Akaka Falls. Now I had seen this gorgeous waterfall previously in a book and really wanted to visit it, but had no idea the location, so as I am bouncing up and down in my seat just to make sure Coner had also seen the sign, I looked over at him and he said “SURPRISE!!” I was thrilled as we walked through the lush forest, and took in all the beauty that surrounded us. Then it came into view, the beautiful and breathtaking falls, that I got to look at for MAYBE 30 seconds. At the point Coner steered me further away to see what was around the corner. Well there was nothing there so we made our way back to the waterfall and this time my breath was taken away by the vision on Coner getting on one knee and asking me to be his wife. Obviously I said yes!
How long was the planning process? Did you think it was enough time?
We had a 16 month engagement, and I would say that it was the perfect amount of time. I had the time to look into the hundereds of local vendors, research all options, and put together all of the DIY projects I wanted to.
What was the best advice you received when you were planning your wedding?
I received so much great advice throughout the planning process, but the advice that sticks out the most is when people told me to make sure I enjoyed my engagement, because it only happens once.
What tips & tricks (can we use “hacks”?) can you share future brides that you yourself have learned during and after your wedding?
Two words: weddings wire! Between the website as well as the mobile app it made it so simple to plan out our wedding day. With budgeting tools, checklists and timelines I had a planner right at my fingertips.
What were some challenges you faced planning your wedding & what would you have done differently to avoid them?
This is a tough question to answer. I think the biggest challenge in the part of planning was just every day life. The months we were engaged the two of us were dealt some pretty bad cards. Between the loss of a few very important family members, new jobs, and the ups and downs of everyday life, there were some days (weeks even) when I just felt like enough was enough. I didn’t need a wedding, I wanted my marriage and I was sick of putting so much into just one day. It was times like these that Coners laid back attitude gave me a reality check and I was able to understand that not everything needs to reflect on our one day. Life is always going to go on, people and things may make you way to mad, and there will be tears. The challenges we faced were not avoidable but I now know that I shouldn’t have feared how it was going to affect our wedding, because it made our one day that much more special.
What inspired your wedding décor? Why did you choose the things that you did?
I am a fan of all things natural and simple. Our decor was inspired by what we see on a daily basis which is the nature that surrounds us. We agreed on things that made us both feel great.
What was the wedding budget?
We set our wedding budget at $10,000. Not including our honeymoon.
Where did you save the most money?
We live in a place that is very popular for destination weddings, so that makes venues VERY expensive. Instead of getting married in the more “popular” areas we drove 15 minutes south and saved thousands on our venue.
What was the biggest expense?
Our cinematographer was the most pricey, but also the most worth it.
How many guests were invited in your wedding and what was the final guest count?
We invited 107 and our final count was 101.
How did you narrow down your list?
We invited people that had made a differences in both of our lives. None of that Aunt Sally’s brothers cousins daughter stuff. We were straight forward and invited the people we truly wanted there.
What songs did you use during the ceremony?
During our ceremony my cousin Maddy played Con te Partiro on her violin while we all walked down the isle, and our Dj played Amos Lee: Sweetpea for the processional.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Kona of course!
What are you most excited about for the future?
To live each chapter of our lives together.
Do you have advice for couples still in the planning process?
Make every moment count, and don’t become so overwhelmed in planning your wedding that you forget what the ultimate purpose is, marriage, not a wedding
What would you say, the overall story for this album?
A love story that is always smiling. We love to smile, we love to laugh, and we love to share that with those we are surrounded by.
What inspired the wedding day outfits?
Light and comfortable. We are in a beachtown after all. The more comfy and casual the better.
What was your favorite part of the day?
Kissing my husband any time I wanted.
What were the highlights from the ceremony & reception?
There was so much love and laughter!!
Vendor
Photographer: Alison D Photography
#goingboaen from the Wedding.
