Natalie Wearing The Ellora Dress
The lovely couple:
Jason & Natalie
How did you meet the love of your life?
A Christian college group! He was the drummer; I was the girl who had just gotten back from living in Thailand. His friend forced him to come talk to me after three weeks of not being able to. He was nervous; I was confused why he wouldn't look me at me when I talked. I recognized him as the drummer and gushed that I had always wanted to learn to drum! He confidently lied he taught lessons and would love to teach me. I believed him wholeheartedly and said I would love to learn. He asked for my number, me being clueless gave it to him, thinking, "sweet, let's drum and be best friends!" He then explained he was traveling to Thailand in a month and wanted to know what he should do while there. I said, I love Thailand and Thai people and Thai culture and would gladly talk about it. He ended up texting me a time to meet for dinner, me thinking "wow this feels like a date but no this can't be one. I just said I would chat about Thailand." Turns out it was an unknowing date, I clued in when he had gifted me drumsticks and paid for our dinner. I am pretty slow at this whole, oh he might like me thing. You'll see that theme throughout our adventure together.
When did you know that this person had stolen your heart?
LOVE this question and have no idea the answer! Again, I am pretty slow at this feeling thing. I remember thinking at dinner on our first unknowing date that I could really talk to this guy. I kept spilling my hear to him, and I remember thinking, I have never felt this was with a guy. From the very beginning, I think I knew there was something there, even if I couldn't say it out loud, I knew he was different, that I was different with him.
Tell us about the proposal?
The proposal was a disaster of a day! HA! He planned an amazing hike in Southern Oregon, where I went to college, but the hike didn't work out, my knee was really bothering me, and I told him I couldn't do it. We had to head home without making the hike. On our way home, he randomly ended stopping at a trailhead that ran along a gorge you have to pass by. We hiked to a clearing along the gorge that overlooked the valley and water. He seemed so edgy and stressed out, but I had no idea why. He said he had to go to the bathroom and he took his backpack with him, which seemed odd. When he came back, he sat on both knees, and he started rambling. He also started shifting his weight between each knee. I knew then what he was trying to do. It was all so Jason! Nervous and excited and full of love and wanting it to be perfect. It was perfect in its own way, and I wouldn't have changed any part of our day. Looking back on it now, it seemed so long ago, we are different people and marriage has changed our relationship so amazingly drastically that it's hard to picture that day and think that was us!
How did you come across Wear Your Love?
I knew I wanted a different wedding dress. I especially knew after I had a terrible experience at a local wedding shop. I turned to the internet and started looking anywhere I could. I wanted something reasonably priced but still me. I think I found Wear Your Love on a random Etsy page. I then began looking into the business and realized it was an actual wedding dress website. I was super excited because as I looked through each collection, I knew that I would find my dress.
When did you know you had found your perfect dress?
I knew it when I did! I didn't think I would be a girl who would see her dress and know, but it was definitely like that! I knew it when I saw the dress. I kept going back to it and looking at it and showing my sister. I was too nervous to actually go through with it until my sister told me, Nat, this is your dress, you love it, you look at it, you search for it. Just get the dress!
What went through your mind when the Wear Your Love box arrived at your doorstep, and you pulled out your dress for the first time?
I actually missed the box at my doorstep, so I had to drive to the nearest post office to pick it up! I was so excited to see that brown box, I texted all my bridesmaids a picture. Everyone knew how nervous I was because I had bought it without seeing it in person or trying it on. I got home and unpackaged my dress, putting it on for the first time in my parent's hallway as they were hurriedly leaving the house. Honestly the first time I tried it on I knew it was my dress, but it wasn't a special moment. In fact, because no one said anything and my parent's briefly looked at me, it didn't seem like my dress. I didn't get the ooo, ahhh, moment. I didn't realize I needed that moment with my dress, but I did. It wasn't until my best friends at my bachelorette party forced me to try my dress on. I walked out in front of them and saw tears in their eyes. Loving, shining eyes full of awe that I knew I had picked the right dress, I had made the right decision. I cried with them and knew I had my dress.
What was your wedding theme or style?
My theme was get married at our farm. I didn't have a theme because my dream was to always get married up at our family farm. I have loved our farm since I was little. It holds so many memories for me that I knew I wanted to get married there someday. So the theme really was to try and enhance the already beautiful farm. I guess if I had to put a word to it, it would be boho western chic. So definitely lots going on! My mom is an insane decorator and made my vision come to life! She styled the entire tent, and we had friends and family that worked so hard the day of to make it happen, to see that the dream came to life! We had chandeliers hanging from the tent along with lights and fun textural details. Gold was everywhere along with greenery and deep reds, purples and pink flowers. I wish I could go back to the day just to sit and look at how beautiful it all was! They made my dream come true!
Let's show your wedding venue some love! What is the name of the wedding venue you chose and why did you choose them for your special day?
We call our family farm The Farm. I grew up every weekend going to the farm and playing with my cousins and sister. The farm is our go to family gathering place, and my grandparents make it what it is, homey and simple and subtly beautiful and organic and authentic. My venue was chosen a long time ago. When I started dating Jason is when I began to dream about getting married at our farm. When I first brought him to the farm, it was a bit of a mess. He was so out of place and nervous, and I didn't do that great of a job at easing him into the experience. Over time he began to feel the same way about the farm as I do, at home, at ease, peace.
What was on your wedding soundtrack playlist, aisle, reception, and first dance?
I never wanted a typical wedding. I absolutely did not want a first dance. My dad is a great ballroom dancer, but I never wanted formalities at our wedding. I wanted people to experience the beauty of the farm and the simplicity of it. We danced under the stars at the farm which was an incredible experience! Our aisle song was the first song he taught me on the drums, Scandal Of Grace by Hillsong United. I cried when I heard it and started walking down the dirt aisle with my dad by my side. It was a life-changing moment.
Tell us your favorite moment from your wedding?
Our wedding day was probably one of the windiest days I have ever experienced. I think in our culture we build up the wedding day as it's supposed to be the best day of your life. The wedding was amazing, but I have had more amazing moments with my husband since then. The day itself was so full of wind and love and joy and people that at some points it was overwhelming. But seeing how everyone came together to make our dreams come true was humbling. One of the best things to come out of the wedding was seeing how both families came together. Jason is from Mexico, so part of his family came up to support us and for them to be there with my family too was inspiring, seeing love can conquer all things, even language, and cultural barriers.
Tell us who was involved in making your special day perfect?
Photographer- Natalie Puls @nataliepuls Hair and make up- Stephanie Lampkin at Clancy and Company @steph_lampkin Bridesmaid dresses- filly flair (totally random website that's slightly sketchy) Groomsmen- wherever they wanted, just black and white Officiants- Guy Drescher & my granddad Allen Elston Melinda Peterson-decore Donna Scheller at Be Refreshed-decore @donnascheller Jazmine Miller-flowers @jazminjulene Doughnuts-Richards Doughnuts, and The Donut for gluten and dairy free doughnuts My Dress-Wear Your Love XO Jason's Suite-River Island Music-Adam Kraus Kraus Haus Entertainment Tent-josh O'Brien O'Brien events @obrienevents Tacos- Taquizas el Amigazo @taquizas_el_amigazo
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for anyone planning a wedding?
BE YOU! Keep what you want to do as your guide and ask Jesus for patience and wisdom. Enjoy the people around you that just want to help and support you. Show the love throughout the planning process and let go of all expectations the day of! It's one day of a lifetime of adventuring, let it be a day to jump into the adventure together, not the one and only day of your adventure.
How would you rate your overall experience with Wear Your Love?
5 out of 5 stars
Congratulations Jason & Natalie!
Here's to a Lifetime of Happiness! Let the Happily Ever After begin!