Becky and Andrew’s intimate, rustic wedding celebration

Photos by Christy Tyler Photography

The Glö-Couple (tell us a fun fact about each of you):

Becky, a teacher (and occasional bellydancer) &
Andrew, a scientist (and video game enthusiast)

Celebration Date & Location:

October 2012
Madison, WI, USA at Badger Farms

Tell us how you got engaged:

We were at a Christmas tree farm looking for our first tree, and Andrew pulled out the ring in the field and asked me to marry him. At that moment it started gently snowing all around us.

What’s the overall ‘feeling’ you’re aiming for with your celebration:

The first thing we did was decide what we didn’t want. That saved a lot of stress and money, and helped us realize that we valued a relaxed and casual location/vibe, good food, and fun things to keep people entertained. We didn’t waste time on all the extra paper goods and trappings that you’re expected to have (menus, place cards, aisle runner, attendants, etc.) because it didn’t directly contribute to fun. Instead, we focused on lawn games, good music, and letting people relax and hang out. We didn’t want to micromanage everyone’s time with a heavily structured wedding.

Are you adding any fun twists on tradition:

We wrote our ceremony with our good friend who was our officiant. We included marriage equality statements, audience participation, and ribbon wands for the guests. We had a call-and-response section where our guests pledged to support us as our community and help us fulfill our vows to each other. It was a great way to get everyone involved and create an intimate, community feeling that lasted the whole day. Everyone waved their ribbon wands enthusiastically! It was so much fun.

What was the inspiration for your Glövite and Glösite design? If you made them yourself, tell us how you did it.

We chose the Bluebell design from E.M. Papers because we used a lot of blue in our decorating, and the flowers look a lot like the prairie flowers and grasses in Wisconsin. It made the website and invitations seem local and specific to our celebration.

Let’s show off your Glövites and Glösite

Any good planning tips and tricks for the couples who are just starting to plan?

Utilize the hell out of the Glovite text messages and RSVP management page. I sent reminders to RSVP using text emails from Glo, and looked at the RSVP page for numbers and to make changes almost every day leading up to the wedding. I don’t know how I would have stayed organized without those features. As far as planning goes, make sure you hire vendors you trust! We hired our favorite local restaurant to cater, found an awesome photographer who loves her work, a day-of planner just building her business, and a venue that is run by a fantastic couple. All of these people cared about our celebration, and did whatever needed to be done to make it happen. They were more like friends than people we hired to do a job.

What is your favorite moment or memory?

There were so many. I loved dancing the night away with my family and friends, and it’s true that the people who show up are the people you need to celebrate with. Most of all, I’m really glad we made our own wedding day playlist instead of hiring a DJ because I have memories associated with every song. I can listen to it and re-live the day over again.

What’s the biggest “say what?”  moment or funny story that’s happened since you started planning?

Even though it was listed on the website and I told people multiple times, I was still asked repeatedly what guests should wear. It clearly states that we don’t care. You’re adults! We trust you to dress yourselves! I was surprised how concerned people were about attire.

Who are the magical partners who helped bring this celebration to life?

Christy Tyler Photography
Badger Farms (venue)
Amanda Wilkinson (day-of coordinator extraordinaire)
Kabul Restaurant (caterer)
Abundance Acres (flowers)