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)

Wine Country Weddings Magazine Interview

Our very own Mary Ellen Murphy, creator of Bridechilla and owner of Off The Beaten Path Weddings has shared her inspiration with Wine Country Weddings Magazine.  Read the interview to find out the art of being Bridechilla and get a peek at some of our latest products.

Q. What exactly is a Bridechilla™?
A. Think bridezilla and then think, polar opposite! A Bridechilla™ remains easy going during her entire wedding experience. [She] focuses on the true meaning of the celebration: her future husband, family, friends and fun. She is NOT defined by her wedding and would never say things such as “don’t ruin my day!” A Bridechilla™ knows that there will be many milestones in her life and the wedding is but one of them!

A Bridechilla™ is hip and current with lots of style. She is aware of her environment and embraces a healthy life style. A Bridechilla™ knows that things happen that are not controllable.

Q. Tell us what inspired your Bridechilla™ brand.
A. Well, that is a long story really –– a life process of learning to be “chill” myself. For years, I was a very well known wedding planner and have been featured in all the magazines, Town and Country, InStyle, etc., including having weddings featured on The Fine Living Network, and others. I traveled all over doing very high end over the top weddings. And to use a cliché, I was not happy ­­–– in fact, sort of miserable.

After many years, I took some time away because I was pretty burnt out.  During that time, I started processing what I thought a wedding should be. To use a quote from one of my heros, Robert Mondavi, ”All things in moderation, with a few glorious exceptions!” I began to really focus on that and started working on a concept that would embrace that spirit! I live in Napa Valley and am lucky to be able to experience all that makes Napa such a wonderful place –– the agriculture, the food, the beauty. I felt very strongly that most people who were coming to Napa to have a wedding were missing the real Napa!

I wanted to simplify but make the weddings real and about Wine Country, hence, Off the Beaten Path Weddings was born and launched.

Now in it’s third year, we are meeting the most amazing brides (and grooms of course)! What used to be such a chore is now divine! Last year, we had a very special bride named Jennine. She and her now husband came down the aisle (the aisle being a vineyard) on bikes. She enjoyed and embraced every moment and did not stress if something did not go as expected. One day in a meeting she use the term Bridechilla™ and I had never heard it before. Well, from that point, the rest is history. When the wedding season was over, I got to work on my new baby Bridechilla™. I trademarked the term and started working with my assistant Chelsea in launching this exciting brand of chill wear. I wanted it to be natural, simple, yet a little hip-an extension of what Off the Beaten Path Weddings is all about.

Q. What cool products do you have for soon-to-be brides who want to embrace a Bridechilla™ attitude?

A. First a little info about all our products! We have used shades of white ­­–– from pure white to off oatmeal shades. The branding is done in tangerine/orange! ALL of our products are 100% cotton (of course)! Our product comes from top very hip companies: Alternative Apparel and American Apparel. We have named our items after our chillest brides from last year!

• THE JENNINE – A Destroyed Tee: This tee features a ground collar, cap sleeves and bottom hem for a distressed, worn-in look. A little bit edgy with a whole lot of style!

• THE LEILA  – Flattering V-neck Tee: a little more traditional, white slim silhouette with ultra-light cotton and finished with a specialty satin wash for a luxuriously soft feel! (This V-neck has two versions, one with the “BRIDECHILLA” and the other that is branded “BRIDECHILLA, TEAM 2012.” ABSOLUTELY perfect as a gift for your bridesmaids!  Imagine your “team” hanging out in Cabo wearing these shirts).

• THE EMILY – Fidel style hat: that is gently frayed and faded, this perfectly distressed cap 100% Cotton Chino Twill.

• THE JENNIFER – Boy shorts: Pure white and purely sexy. Super short-low waist Cotton/Spandex Jersey-Branded on the butt! We think that these are going to be VERY popular!

• THE RYAN – Hoody: This stylish and comfortable White hoody is perfect for all day wear. California Fleece (100% Cotton) construction

• THE CHELSEA – Boy Beater Tank: Our women’s version of a classic tank style featuring textured ribbing. It is perfect for “chillin” in the summer 100% Rib cotton construction.

• And we have not forgotten our furry family member,  THE DEJA – doggie tee that is branded with, “My mom is a Bridechilla.” Made of 100% organic Baby Rib cotton.