We met at 14 and were each other’s first real relationship. After a few months, we went our separate ways for the remainder of high school and attended different colleges, staying friends over the years. After college we got back together and have been inseparable since. It was fun to celebrate with family and friends who knew us as a couple at 14 and now. It was equally as fun to hear family members and friends claim they knew we would end up together in their toasts that evening!
We knew as soon as we got engaged there was no better place for our wedding than Tyson’s parents house on Table Rock Lake; we never toured a single venue. Neither of us wanted a super traditional venue and we have always felt so serene and at peace at the lake. It was the only place we could picture the small little wedding we visioned with our closest family and friends. It will always hold a special place in our hearts and we love that we can walk down to the opening in the trees by the water where we said “I do,” whenever we want.
We wanted the night to be intimate and low maintenance and to feel like a party WE would throw, but a more special party! We wanted our guests to feel as special as we did on the day to thank them for the unconditional love and support we have received all our lives. We’re moving to Australia in the coming months so we knew this was the perfect opportunity to celebrate with everyone before our departure.
We knew we wanted to incorporate details that made us excited about crafting OUR wedding. Tyson has always been a tea lover so we chose our favorite loose leaf tea and decided to hand bag and wax-seal favors for our guests to take home. Tyson also curated a cigar bar for our guests to enjoy throughout the evening. We had our parents wedding pictures displayed because both sets were also married by water. In terms of design, we wanted to merge the simplicity of the natural venue with fresh, modern details such as copper, marble, industrial and geometric, while keeping the aesthetic very simple and understated.
Our favorite memory was the ceremony. Tyson’s brother in-law married us and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the crowd. We wrote the ceremony with him and his wife,Tyson’s sister, and recited vows we wrote as a couple that define what marriage means to us. It all felt so personal and surreal. Held in a small opening in the middle of the trees by the water, it was the most magical 30 minutes of our lives.
There were also no better individuals to help us execute our vision than our talented friends and family and we knew we could rely on them to help make our day incredible! My brother is a chef and put together the charcuterie spread, my maid-of-honor baked and styled the cake, a bridesmaid did the bridal party make-up, and our mom’s were the unspoken heroes stepping in as day-of coordinators in lieu of wedding planners.
MUSIC CHOICES:
Processional: The Wind by Yusef/Cat Stevens, Bless the Telephone by Labi Siffre
Bride: The Winner Is by DeVotchKa
Recessional: Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
First Dance: Victim of Love by Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band
Father / Daughter: Forever Young – Bob Dylan slow version
Mother / Son: Simple Man Acoustic – Shinedown
If you’re planning now: focus on what makes you happy as a couple and what is important to you. Forget the rest and make your own rules. Looking back on the day you’ll remember those details or memories most and will be glad you stayed true to yourselves!
