Off The Beaten Path Weddings Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Emily & Grant, October 20th, 2012

Midway through October and we’re reminiscing as we share our very last anniversary post for 2012 Off The Beaten Path Weddings. Emily and Grant made their first mark on our blog in January when we introduced their wedding motto,  W O O P A . But in case you forgot, we can refresh your memory now on what their chill wedding motto meant.

/ woo-pa! /
definition:
I. adj: a term to express excitement, joy, or happiness.
II. noun: the official Wood/Patrino wedding motto.

We’re so thrilled to spend our today wishing our Bridechilla™ , Emily, and her husband Grant a very happy anniversary. All photos by the talented folks over at onelove photography.

From the Bridechilla…

The theme of our wedding was “woopa”. this is a nickname our friends call us that joins our two last names- Wood & Patrino. we made a sign of vintage marquee letters that lit up which read “woopa” on the side of the barn. Dinner was served next to the barn under a grove of trees with twinkle lights hung from tree to tree. We sent everyone home with “woopa pies” (whoopie pies) that my mom had made from scratch. We really wanted the wedding to be colorful which would really create the fun party energy that we were looking for. It was a very rustic country setting, however I wanted to incorporate a sophisticated chic element with color, as I didn’t want it to be overly rustic. I would say it was a rustic chic wedding. The tables had navy and white runners with colorful flowers. The boys in the wedding party wore navy & white gingham shirts, khaki pants, navy vans & a navy pink tie. The girls wore navy dresses with fuchsia heels.

We wanted our wedding to be an amazingly fun party in the middle of the vineyards with fabulous food and wine. We really just wanted it to have a light-hearted sentimate, so that the guests could really relax and have FUN. Nothing stuffy about it.

(via Style Me Pretty)

We loved Emily & Grant’s color palette, such a beautiful and FUN event to end our season on last year.

Don’t forget to see more of this beautiful OTBPW + WOOPA magic on Style Me Pretty!

Also, see this chill couple in action in this video of their Off The Beaten Path Wedding by Steven Bailey.

Until next summer, when we celebrate our 2013 anniversaries from this season… CHEERS.

Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Weddings Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Emilie & Jim, October 6th, 2012

  We’re just about through our first week of Fall and in sync, we are celebrating another fantastic Off The Beaten Path Weddings couple we love. Emilie and Jim had one of our very few OTBP weddings that take place during Fall, and we just love the touches of orange that paralleled with the beauty of this season. We’re so thrilled to spend our today wishing our Bridechilla™ , Emilie, and her husband Jim a very belated, but happy anniversary.This couple has shown us such great love and appreciation, and today we want to celebrate them!

So, below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day through beautiful photos taken by our friends at Onelove Photography. This wedding is full of seasonal details designed by Mary Ellen Murphy & the team behind Off The Beaten Path Weddings, take it all in!

From their invitations and stationary to their wedding day color choices, Emilie and Jim had a day embellished in just the right amount of seasonal touches. With pops of orange, pink, and white, their reception and wedding day kept the brightness and light mood of Summer, but introduced the beautiful color schemes of Autumn as well. 

And of course, white pumpkins make for perfect escort pieces.

This Off The Beaten Path Weddings couple was so chill, and so was their wedding party which included a special (and very furry) guest.

Don’t you love Emilie’s sweater? 😉

What a beautiful wedding for us to look back on and celebrate. Can’t believe it’s already been a whole year… Happy anniversary to this chill couple.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EMILIE & JIM!

Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Weddings Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Melissa and Ian, September 29th, 2012

We’re so thrilled to spend our Sunday wishing our Bridechilla™ , Melissa, and her husband Ian a very happy anniversary. Below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day, and we also sit back and let their talented photographer tell us how they stayed relaxed and so anti-zilla while planning, memorable moments and photos, anniversary advice, and what made their wedding, styled by Mary Ellen Murphy & the team behind Off The Beaten Path Weddings, so special and chill.

All photos were taken by our amazing friend and Off The Beaten Path Magic Maker, Wendy K Yalom.

As their photographer, you must have a favorite shot from their wedding. Which one would it be and why?

I could easily name 10 images from this wedding that are favorites – The first look, Melissa preparing to walk down the aisle with her dad, the table beautifully set in the golden September sunlight, the end of the evening with the full moon shining over the celebration and if I had to select just one – it would the image of Ian nuzzling Melissa in the vineyards.

We had planned to slip away at sunset to capture a few quiet moments between the couple in the vineyards and discovered the FULL moon had just risen, stunning. The setting of this image is outstandingly romantic and what I love most about it is how solidly Ian is embracing Melissa in this photo and how beautifully happy and relaxed and in love she looks in his arms.
Chills when I look at it.

Tell us some memorable details about Melissa and Ian’s day.

A couple of key moments occur to me. A close friend of the Melissa & Ian reading this gorgeous passage from Emily Dickinson during their ceremony –

“It’s all I have to bring today
This, and my heart beside
This, and my heart, and all the fields
And all the meadows wide
Be sure you count  Should I forget
Some one the sum could tell
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell.”

Melissa’s dad toasting and the resulting uproarious laughter.

The wild Armenian dancing.

Late night s’mores and cigars.

What was your favorite thing about working with Melissa and Ian?

Melissa & Ian are the perfect blend of fun, easy-going and stylish. I heard a quote recently that somehow applies here – “I don’t take photos for money, I make money so I can continue to take photos”. I make money so I can continue to have the pleasure of capturing couples like Melissa & Ian and working with incredible people like The Off The Beaten Track folks.

How did Melissa embrace the anti-zilla and keep her chill on their wedding day?

She was awesome! Melissa has great tastes and knows what she loves, my guess is she knew she was working with great people, she had awesomely devoted bridesmaids at her side and she continued to take moments for herself whenever she needed them.

One year of chill love for this fabulous couple. Do you have any advice/words of love to send their way?

What could I possibly way to a couple that clearly knows how to love and trust one another. If I had to say anything, I would say ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY your love as often and deliberately as possible.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MELISSA & IAN!

Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings

See more of Wendy’s work here

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Weddings Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Molly and Gavin, September 22nd, 2012

We’re so thrilled to spend our Sunday wishing our Bridechilla™ , Molly, and her husband Gavin a very happy anniversary. Below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day, as told by their event stylist, Mary Ellen Murphy of Off The Beaten Path Weddings. All photos taken by Allison Fairfield Photography.

What was your favorite thing about working with Molly and Gavin?

Molly and Gavin’s fun-loving spirits made them a pleasure to work with… Congrats to you both!

How did Molly embrace the chill & be a total anti-zilla?

Molly welcomed her little pup, Ruby, to the day, always a chill move for our brides 🙂

Tell us some memorable details that stood out to you about Molly and Gavin’s wedding day.

The couple’s location was a dream! And their color palette just accented all of the beauty with pops of orange and pink.

Words to us from the bride, “Thank you so much for everything you and the OTBPW team did to make our wedding such a great event. The wedding was altogether fantastic and Gavin and I enjoyed every minute of it! It turned out exactly how we had envisioned it and we wouldn’t have changed a thing.” Thanks Molly!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOLLY & GAVIN!

Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Weddings Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Perla and Brian, September 8th, 2012

We’re so thrilled to spend our Sunday wishing our Bridechilla™ , Perla, and her husband Brian a very happy anniversary. This couple has shown us such great love and appreciation, and today we want to celebrate them! So, below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day, and we also sit back and let the couple tell us how they stayed relaxed and so anti-zilla while planning, how married life is, anniversary plans, and what made their wedding, styled by Mary Ellen Murphy & the team behind Off The Beaten Path Weddings, so special and chill. Photos by The Becker.

Happy anniversary! Any big plans?

Not really, since we are moving. But we are going to Italy next month 🙂

What was the best part of your wedding day?

Saying I do to the man I love. But beyond that we loved twisted willow as our location, it was just a beautiful setting.

Tell us about your planning experience.

The planning was great. And everything was executed great. Recommendations such as the tomato bar still resonate with our guest today.

Any advice for brides trying to avoid stress while planning?

Definitely hire a planner! Beyond that talk with your partner and agree on a vision and that will minimize so much stress!

One year of chill love – congratulations! So far, what has been the most valuable lesson learned in keeping a strong marriage?

Your relationship keeps growing past the marriage celebration. Remember the basics!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PERLA & BRIAN!

Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Lani and Patrick, September 1st, 2012

We’re so thrilled to spend our Sunday wishing our Bridechilla™ , Lani, and her husband Patrick a very happy anniversary. Below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day, and we also sit back and let the couple tell us how they stayed relaxed and so anti-zilla while planning, how married life is, anniversary plans, and what made their wedding, styled by Mary Ellen Murphy & the team behind Off The Beaten Path Weddings, so special and chill. Photos by Onelove photography.

Happy anniversary! Any big plans?

We are going to stick around the Bay Area — hiking, biking and relaxing.

What was the best part of your wedding day?

It’s hard to pinpoint one thing that stood out from the others! I honestly loved everything.

Tell us about your planning experience.

We lived in NYC at the time of the planning so it was frustrating at first not to be more involved in-person. That said it ended up being a pretty painless experience once we were able to let go of the things we couldn’t control.

Any advice for brides trying to avoid stress while planning?

Talk to a few different friends and/or family members who have recently been married and get their advice on planning 101. There are so many little details that ARE important and others that may seem like big deals but aren’t — it’s best to talk to people who have done it before and can give you a hindsight view. And if you are concerned about cost (which most of us are) getting creative with things like bringing your own alcohol (if the venue allows) and asking family members to contribute to the dessert table are simple ways to shave off thousands.

One year of chill love – congratulations! So far, what has been the most valuable lesson learned in keeping a strong marriage?

Relationships are works in progress and while we have our arguments, what has helped us through the first year is open communication and never going to bed angry. Also, spending time with close friends and family (now that we live on the West Coast, close to our childhood homes) is vital to the strength of our marriage.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LANI & PATRICK!

Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Tracey and Mark, August 25th, 2012

We’re so thrilled to spend our Sunday wishing our Bridechilla™ , Tracey, and her husband Mark a very happy anniversary. Below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day, and we also sit back and let the bride, herself tells us how she stayed relaxed and so anti-zilla while planning, how married life is, her anniversary plans, and what made her wedding, styled by Mary Ellen Murphy of Off The Beaten Path Weddings, so special and chill.

Happy anniversary! Any big plans?

We just moved out of the city so wanted to stay local and enjoy our new house after a crazy couple months. We have a special dinner planned and are going to spend some time at the beach and playing tennis, generally making the most out of the end of the summer and the great weather on the east coast. Oh and some good wine of course!

What was the best part of your wedding day?

Honestly it was the whole day– and really the whole weekend. It’s so hard to pick one favorite thing– having our friends and family in Napa to share the weekend with us was really special.

Tell us about your planning experience.

We planned the wedding remotely from NY. Being far away had its challenges, but it also let us let go of some of the details because it was too hard to control things from far away. We focused on the few things that were most important and were lucky to have Mary Ellen to work out the details.

Any advice for brides trying to avoid stress while planning?

This is obvious– hire Off the Beaten Path! We were really lucky to happen upon Mary Ellen– I saw some of the work she’d done on the internet and knew her style matched what we were looking for. Once we came out to Napa and met her we knew we had the right person. If you have an experienced planner who knows the area and whose taste you trust it makes it easy to let go of some of the decision making. Having a planner was crucial for the planning for us, but also indispensable for the wedding day. It allowed us to relax and enjoy the day, each other and our guests.

One year of chill love – congratulations! So far, what has been the most valuable lesson learned in keeping a strong marriage?

I wish I had some great advice to give, but we are still newlyweds ourselves figuring it all out!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TRACEY & MARK!
See their entire wedding on Style Me Pretty.

Credit: Wedding Planning + Styling: Off the Beaten Path Weddings, Photography: What Shanni Saw

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings

Related articles

• PART ONE: Interview with a blogging Bridechilla™-to-be (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Niamah & Darren, July 28, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Erin & Byron, July 21, 2012 (beabridechilla.com)
• Bridechilla™ Tip #34 (beabridechilla.com)

Off The Beaten Path Celebrates One Year of LOVE: Michelle and Drew, August 11th, 2012

We’re so thrilled to spend our Sunday wishing our Bridechilla™ , Michelle, and her husband Drew a very happy anniversary. Below we remember some of the special moments of their chill day, and we also sit back and let the bride, herself tells us how she stayed relaxed and so anti-zilla while planning, how married life is, her anniversary plans, and what made her wedding, styled by Mary Ellen Murphy of Off The Beaten Path Weddings, so special and chill.
All photos taken by onelove photography.

Happy anniversary! Any big plans?
We are excited to be celebrating our one-year anniversary in Napa this weekend! We have a loooong list of restaurants and wineries to visit, but I think that’s the best kind of “to-do list” to have.  We can’t wait to relax and take in all the beauty of the valley together.

What was the best part of your wedding day?
Drew and I had to talk this one over because we felt there were so many “best” parts…but if we have to narrow it down to one, we think it was the dinner.  There is something so special about sharing a delicious meal with loved ones, and the setting around us was absolutely breathtaking.  I loved that the food was local, prepared with such care, and passed around family style.  It didn’t feel stuffy at all; just a big group of people we love, gathered together to celebrate.

Tell us about your planning experience.
Planning the wedding was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it!  I’m definitely a “planner” in all aspects of my life, so it felt natural making all the decisions and coordinating details.  I can’t stress enough how priceless it was to have Off the Beaten Path Weddings guide me through the process, though!  Trust me, even if you’re type A, totally organized, and love to throw parties, you need a wedding planner! It was especially valuable on the morning of my wedding day–instead of being stressed out trying to make everything perfect, I took a long walk, leisurely got ready, and spent time with my wedding party.

Any advice for brides trying to avoid stress while planning?
I suppose my answer above would work here, too 😉 my advice: HIRE A PLANNER! Also, using Pinterest was great!  It was helpful to have visual examples of ideas to share with the wedding party, planners, and vendors.

One year of chill love – congratulations! So far, what has been the most valuable lesson learned in keeping a strong marriage?
The most valuable lesson we’ve learned so far in keeping a strong marriage is that it’s important to not only say “I love you”, but to do things that show it, too. A month or two before we got married, I left a little love note hidden for Drew in his office.  He found it and thanked me,  and then a few weeks later I found it hiding for me!  Since then, it’s become a little game to find a new place to hide it, and it’s such a nice reminder when you’re doing something mundane  to find a love note unexpectedly.  Even after being together for 6 years I still feel like a giddy school girl when the note shows up!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MICHELLE & DREW!

To many many many more chill years of love and happiness. -Bridechilla™ & Off The Beaten Path Weddings