Big Sur Microwedding + Reception: Leslie + Brett

What is better than one wedding? Two weddings!

Although this wedding was pre-COVID so many couples right now are struggling with what to do about their wedding day. Do they push back a larger celebration? Do they they elope? Do they scale down their numbers?

I say do both! Leslie and Brett opted to have an elopement style ceremony in Big Sur with just family and then a larger party/reception a couple months later.

If you’re a couple reading this who is planning right now, do what’s best for you! There is no right or wrong answer.

Scroll down for gorgeous photos and some Q&A with the couple.

Elopement
Getting Ready Location : Ragged Point Inn, CA
Elopement Location: Big Sur, CA
Florals: Flourishing Art Design Studio
Dress: Ladies & Gents Bridal
Tux: Men’s Wearhouse
Makeup: Kandice Hernandez
Photography & Videography: Marianne Lucas Photography and Cinematography

Reception
Venue: The Station
Food: Frugatti’s
Floral: Flourishing Art Design Studio
Linens: BBJ Linen
Glassware and Rentals: Walker Lewis Rents
DJ: Good Time Entertainment, Jimmy Sanchez
Photo Mirror: Reflect on This Photo Booth
Planning and Coordination: Oleta and Alix with Flourishing Art
Makeup: Kandice Cerna

How did you meet? 

Brett and I met in high school! I guess you could say we “ran in the same crowd.” Our paths crossed again years after high school and I convinced him he needed to date me. The rest is history!

What were you inspired by while planning your elopement?

For our elopement my inspiration was romantic and simple. We love to travel up and down the coast of California and really wanted he central coast to be a part of our day. We have often driven up Highway 1 and pulled over in random spots to take int he view. We ended up eloping in one of these spots we had found on a previous drive up the coast!

Our reception was a very similar vibe as the elopement but a little more industrial and glam added in. I think my mom called it “industrial Organic” and that is exactly what it was!

What were some of your favorite wedding day memories?

The day we eloped will forever be one of my favorite days. My favorite memory of that day was definitely the long walk to meet Brett at the edge of the cliff we got married on. I was walking into the sunset starring at the most handsome man who was about to become my husband! BEST MEMORY EVER!  My sister officiated the ceremony which was so special to us. She knows us together better than anyone, so it was a perfect fit.

My favorite memory of our wedding reception was walking in and seeing my whole vision come to life! I had given some pretty vague ideas of what I wanted and Oleta and her team executed them so perfectly! It was breathtaking to walk into such a beautiful space!

What were some of your favorite wedding day details?

My bridal bouquet stole the show for sure! Oleta and her team at Flourishing Arts blew me away with how beautiful it was. I had a pendant added to it in remembrance of my dad and beautiful deep earthy tones. It was stunning! We had  a lot of personalized touches at the reception too that added a lot of character and fun elements.

Did you have any DIY details or projects?

Brett and I built our own dessert wall! That was such a fun project to see come together! I had a design in mind and he made it come to life. My mom also mad all of the desserts for the dessert wall which made it more personal to us.

Do you have any advice you would give to future couples planning their weddings and elopements?

Do what feels right to you and your fiance! We started planning a big wedding at the coast and the more and more we thought about it, we didn’t not want to settle on a location for the ceremony at all! So plans changed, we found the perfect spot for a small elopement and a cute spot in town for a reception a couple months later.

The traditional ideas of a wedding and reception does not have to be what you for your day! At the end of the day, you are celebrating your love and commitment to one another and I do not think anyone should tell you how to do that!