Anne & Jim
Ely, MN
Wedding Date: September 4, 2010
Number of Guests: Approximately 49 and a dog
Wedding Cost: Around $5,000 (maybe a little less)
Wedding Ceremony Location: Jim’s family cabin
Wedding Reception Location: Jim’s family cabin
Why did you have an intimate wedding?
It fit out personalities. We don’t like being the center of attention and wanted family and friends around. We thought this would be a great chance to have a weekend of fun and get people together.
What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?
There weren’t many challenges. Our friends and family were happy to help us. My friends helped set up the morning of wedding.
Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?
It was not that hard for me. I knew where to draw the line. Jim had a harder time.
Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family?
Not really. Jim’s mom would’ve liked to invite more of her friends and family.
If so, how did you address them?
It wasn’t an issue. Everyone respected our decision.
What were the highlights of the ceremony?
Being in a small area surrounded by family and friends. The ceremony was perfect. The photos describe it all.
What were the highlights of the reception?
Everyone being together. It fit our style (no dancing). People sat together by the fire, took photos in the photo booth, etc. It was a fun, casual feeling.
What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?
We left the evening feeling like it was a great success. We got to talk to everyone! We made it “us”. Everyone who has looked at the photos said they loved it and knew it was us.
What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?
Just do what feels right. It will all fall into place.
Vendors:
Reception dinner: Grand Ely Lodge
Cake: Bride’s Aunt Judy
Location: Family cabin in Ely
Flowers: Mom’s garden, Minneapolis Farmers Market Friday before the wedding
Bride dress: My mom made from my g-ma’s dress
Groom: Boss suit from Macy’s
Witnesses: Sister, Ann Taylor Loft dress / Seth wore his own suit
Photographer: Tanveer Badal Photography
This is so gorgeous and inspiring! We’re having a very similar type of wedding in November. How did you let your guests know that it would be a more casual type of wedding? I’m struggling with that right now. I want people to know that they won’t just be stuck at the same table all night and that we’ll have things set up all around the campground that we’re renting.
Omg! I love so much about this wedding. That cabin? AMAZING. I am in love with those big windows- we don’t have anything like them in houses in Australia. Also, love the cartoons/drawings – so cute. Gorgeous wedding, and it looked like so much fun…I think the smiles say it all… Oh!! And the marshmallows around the fireplace? Yes!
Wow! Stunning! Who drew the little characters? So creative!
Anne did the drawings herself. You can check out her blog here http://drawingsbyanne.com/
Of course I’m super biased because Anne is my sister but we had a lot of fun coming up with different ways to incorporate her drawings. You can see more of the crafty projects here: http://sah-rah.com/my-sisters-wedding/
And Tanveer did such an amazing job with the pictures. All around, the best wedding I’ve ever attended : )
UGH! My heart is aching for Minnesota summer right now! We are going to Ely for our honeymoon (portaging) and I can’t WAIT! Your wedding is beautiful. I love everything.
@Melissa: I put “casual attire” in the lower-left-hand corner of our invitations…I also made sure to tell everyone that it’s going to be very casual. Hope that helps!
Cute and quirky. <3