Happy Real Weddings Wednesday everyone! We hope your holiday season has kicked off with love and joy, and we hope to add to that with today’s beautiful wedding.  Rachel + Jeff’s ceremony was complete with whimsical, beaded gowns, blush finishes, an elegant tent reception, and more. Happy reading everyone!

Bride to be leaning against a pillar with a bouqet of flowers. Up close photo of a bride smiling

Tell us a little about you and your beloved.

We met at REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) in 2008. We started dating in February of 2017 and got engaged in May of 2020. He proposed at home. I was completely surprised. Of course, the wedding planning had its ups and downs but it was worth it in the end.

Father walking bride down the aisle. Bride hugging her father on the aisle Bride hugging her mother on the aisle

What was the best part of your wedding day?

Jeff enjoyed watching me walk down the aisle and seeing me in my dress. I enjoyed seeing him at the end of the aisle, too. The one tradition we wanted to honor was not seeing each other before the ceremony.

Bride and groom about to walk down the aisle after kissing

What else would you like to share about your big day?

One of the most important things to us was to have a friend marry us and to have a friend take our photos. We really liked that personal touch. I have known our photographer, Morgan, since the 2nd grade and her husband, CJ, was our officiant. We also truly loved having our “Bride Tribe” and “Groomsclan” stand up with us. They definitely added something special to our day. Music was another important item. We definitely wanted to select songs that had meaning to us to play at the important high points of the ceremony and reception. For example, I walked down the aisle to the theme song of Jurassic Park (I love the movies), and we walked back down he aisle as husband and wife to “Anywhere with You” by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. When our bridal party entered the reception, [we played the] song “Famous Friends” by Kane Brown and Chris Young.

Bride and groom looking at each other Bride and groom cheersing and kissing

What advice would you give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?

Enjoy the moment because the festivities leading up to the day-of go pretty fast.

Bride and groom taking photos with their family. Bride and bridal party smiling on road

Newlyweds walking into the reception

Scott's Seafood venue Father-daughter dance inside of a tent

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?

IWe wish we could have had more people attend our wedding ([we] really wish there weren’t COVID restrictions).

Newlyweds grinning at each other at the reception with their backs to the camera.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Morgan Alanna Photography used with permission.

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