On Wednesday Lisa from 2 People 1 Life shared Weddings No. 15 & 16 in El Salvador and Nicaragua! And finally yesterday we brought you Danny and Jessi’s FAB 1940′s Style Vegas Elopement.

Which bring us to Friday’s FAB 5 destination wedding links from around the web…

✈ A London Engagement Shoot With All-American Style – Love the iconic backdrops.

✈ The Morning After Their Dominican Republic Destination Wedding – FAB!

✈ A Romantic Italian Destination Wedding On Lake Como – Fairytale!

✈ San Francisco City Hall Wedding – An Army couple’s romantic City elopement.

✈ An Arizona Destination Wedding – Details, Details, Details!

Finally we have our FAB 5 picks for this week…

Flying High ✈ Wedding Kites

Images Sourced from; Delightfully Engaged | Green Wedding Shoes | ellothere on Etsy | Cake Events Blog | Green Wedding Shoes

Have a wonderful weekend!

Danny and Jessi met by chance when Danny was on a work trip to Texas through a mutual friend. And once they started talking they were inseparable. From the start of their relationship it was based off spontaneity, and their love for going on adventures together. They have both been in previous marriages, and had the big, elaborate weddings of their dreams so they decided why not embark on the biggest adventure of all, and get eloped! In Vegas! So they ended up in Vegas the next week, and I jumped at the chance to be apart of something so freeing, and exhilarating! It was the most spontaneous thing even I have been apart of. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Throughout the day you could see the love radiating between the two, and seeing the two emit so much love made me excited. Not to mention Jessi was once a pin up model! She was a gem, so gorgeous! The couple choose to style themselves like it was straight out of the 1940s. Jessi did her own hair, and makeup, and picked out the clothes (both hers and Danny’s) from vintage stores in Texas.

No words just FAB!

Photographer: jessica marie |Ceremony Venue: Pop-Up Wedding Chapel | Accommodation: The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Submitted via Two Bright lights

Our El Salvador wedding was on the beach at Sunset in El Cuco which is a tiny village on the border with Honduras on Valentines Day. Lissette and her Mum had made us a wedding arch wrapped in white linens and dressed with bright pink bougainvillea. They had placed chairs on the sand and the light was perfect as we walked towards our small gathering on the beach.

The light was so perfect for pictures and after the ceremony we all just wandered out to the ocean for some snaps while the sun dropped behind the horizon. It was a cute simple ceremony but made all the more special by the personal touches by Lissette and her family and of course it being on the most romantic day of the year!

The fact it was so impromptu made it relaxed and easy and once the stars had come out we all grabbed a beer or two and spent the night nattering at the bar under the fairy lights.

Wedding No. 16 ✈ San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Our Nicaragua wedding was held at a great hotel called the Pelican Eyes which has an infinity pool overlooking the whole of the bay of San Juan Del Sur.

Our guide book recommended going to a place called Pelican Eyes to use their infinity pool but sadly it was closed for the day due to a concert that evening. The view from the place was stunning and we said we would go back the next day. Instead we found a little pool not far from our hostel and set up for the day. It was too hot by 11 and as I sat in the shade I met a couple from Boston, Bill and Chris. They have been touring central America bit by bit for the last 15 years on their annual holidays. They had a wealth of knowledge on Costa Rica (our next stop) so we arranged to meet for drinks later that evening. We wandered our afternoon away and met with them just in time for sunset, we had also dragged along another friend we had met at the hostel, Scotty. We all trouped up to Pelican eye to see if we could get in for the concert but no luck so we hit the bars along the beach. Bill and Chris insisted we threw a wedding at the Pelican Eyes the very next day! In our drunken stupor it was a great idea and we agreed wholeheartedly. We even convinced Bill to be our officiate! Yet again we were blown away by everyones generosity and willingness to help us on our journey.

We woke up with a serious headache but shoved it aside and tried to forget about it in preparation for the wedding in the evening. We pottered around for the morning, met up with Bill and Chris at lunch and wandered up to Pelican Eye to check we were okay to have a wedding that evening and reserved the best spot for sunset. We changed into our clothes and walked through the town in our wedding garb and got some very strange stares from the locals as we walked by. We climbed the steps up and up and up to greet the fantastic view over the bay with the sun just starting to drop out of the clouds towards the ocean. Everyone arrived and we managed to face our first beer of the day as we waited for the right moment to come.

Bill was nervous but very much looked the part, he wore a Nicaraguan weaved scarf over a very smart white shirt, he donned his shades, a cigar and of course his beer for the ceremony. We had set up a small area overlooking the bay and the oncoming sunset with chairs which created a kind of aisle and once everyone was seated the ceremony began

Everyone hummed ‘here comes the bride‘ as I giggled down the narrow aisle and stood by Alex’s side. Bill introduced us and himself to our guests and explained our story in short. He was so nervous but so sweet as he told us how happy he was to be a part of one of our special ceremonies and we were so proud that he had agreed to do us the honour for our 16th ceremony. He pronounced us 2people1life and we kissed just as the sun popped behind the horizon and the sky turned orange.

Everyone cheered and the drinking commenced. We had a great night and finished it off perfectly with just Bill and Chris. All we wanted was pizza…so thats what we had. Wedding 16, Pizza and great company! What better way to spend our last day in Nicaragua!?

Venue: Pelican Eyes

Lisa – 2 people1life

You can follow Lisa and Alex journey on their blog www.2people1life.com

Chloe and Will were up for anything, including moving their wedding from Phoenix to sunny CA. She dreamed of a beach wedding, and she’d stop at nothing to do it. Much of the wedding details were DIY, her sister made all of the cupcakes. After the ceremony and reception dinner, we returned to the beach for a “trash the dress”!

Thank you Jennifer for sharing Chloe and Will’s wedding with us.
Photographer: Jennifer Weems Photography | Pre Ceremony Location: Hotel La Jolla | Venue: La Jolla Beachside | Officiant: Brad Baker

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Image Credits; Photographer unknown via Brown Dress with White Dots | Leila Brewster Photography via Style Me Pretty | Perla Maarek via Touch Puppet | Photographer Unknown via Whimsicalities | Kristen Gardner via Style Me Pretty | Photographer Unknown via Everyone Loves Fashion | The Writer and Residence | Suzanne Cummins Flowers | The Vintage Alley and Katrina Louise via The Wedding Chicks | Brides and Beauty and Joanne Fleming via Love My Dress | Leila Brewster Photography via Style Me Pretty | Photographer Unknown via We Heart It | Erin Hearts Court via Style Me Pretty

Elle Golden tell’s their story..

“Dana and Tyler became friends at a Halloween party. Despite insistence from a mutual friend, Dana wasn’t interested in dating Tyler because he just wasn’t her “type”. After a little more {gentle} nudging from her best friends, Dana finally gave Tyler a chance. Now she probably never doubts her friends’ judgment because they’ve been inseparable ever since – through thick and thin – including the devastating tornadoes that ravaged their home state of Alabama just one month before their wedding. Thankfully, they had planned a destination wedding of sorts in Savannah, GA. And even with all the stresses back home and a forecast that threatened more bad weather, they enjoyed their big day which went off without a hitch. Well, except for that part where they actually got “hitched”!

“The bride, groom, and their guests stayed and got ready at the historic (and reportedly haunted) hotel, the Kehoe House. The intimate yet whimsical wedding held in the Davenport House Museum’s gardens featured DIY elements like pinwheels, printed fabrics tied along with hydrangeas to aisle chairs, and plenty of “green” items as a nod to the couple’s last name (like the vintage end tables Dana found and painted as their altar decor!). Bright colors were a major theme from the decor to the florals to the mini cakes. After the ceremony, the newlyweds took a victory lap around the garden roundabout before hor d’oeuvres in the courtyard. They left the wedding to a bubble exit and had a small reception at Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons. The following day they donned their wedding attire once more for a “day-after” romantics session to continue their formals since heat and rain cut them short on the big day.”

Neon is a trend that has started to show it’s colours recently but if bright yellow’s and oranges are too much for you to handle, maybe you’ve found the right balance of bright and trendy in Dana and Tyler’s wedding colour palette.

Elle Golden Photography | Floral Designer; Madame Chrysanthemum | Dress Designer; Oleg Cassini | Event Rentals; Savannah Special Events | Mens Attire; Kenneth Cole Reaction and The Brooks Brothers | Venue; Davenport House Museum and Garden | Submitted via Two Bright Lights

On Tuesday, One and Only Paris shared the beautiful elopement of Laura and David before heading to Northern Ireland on Wednesday for this wedding by This Modern Love.

Yesterday we sat back to enjoy April and Philips wedding on film and today, we are taking you around the blogesphere once again! Our FAB 5 picks of the week are….

✈ A wedding in the Tuscan Countryside – Beautiful beautiful beautiful!

✈ A Contemporary African Bridal Shoot – Now here is a statement necklace!

✈ A Nautical Portuguese Wedding – Just loving the fresh details!

✈ Luxury Wedding in Cabo Azul Resort – Daydreaming

✈ Magic in Morocco – FAB

Outdoor Ceremony Backdrops

Our inspiration pick this week is outdoor ceremony backdrops for those of you having a blessing abroad or outside. Here are 5 ideas that we love and that are practical with a bit of planning ahead, well maybe all but one!

Ribbons

Easy to carry or buy abroad but such an eye catching detail. If you can’t manage to put up a structure to tie them to, we love how they look draped across a tree. Easy peasy

Images credits; Love Ala | The Nichols | The Nichols | Love Ala via 100 Layer Cake

Paper Flowers

Loving these gigantic paper flowers. Might be a bit tricky to carry abroad but if you have a few days to relax before your big day, these would a make a really enjoyable DIY project with family and friends. Otherwise, downsize. The paper crane and flower garland can be made before you leave, packed in a small box and assembled when you arrive! Gorgeous.

Image Credits; Jesi Haack Designs | Jess Petrie Photography via Laura on Boho Wedding Blog | Elyse Hall via Style Me Pretty | Once like a Spark via Green Wedding Shoes |

Bunting

We will never tire of bunting. It’s so pretty and makes decorating so simple, not to mention packing!

Image Credits; Dave Richards via Inspired by This | Love and Lavander | Liana Wears and Paige Ann Newton via Green Wedding Shoes

Stuctures

OK, maybe not one for a destination wedding but we had to include them. If you have a crafty man / woman in your life, then get them to work! These make such a statement.

Image Credits; Be Lovely Events and Jillian McGrath Photography via Ruffled | Lindye Galloway Events and Ashley Photographer  via Green Wedding Shoes | Sarah Layne Photography via Green Wedding Shoes |

Frames

We know that travelling abroad can sometimes mean leaving important family and friends behind which is why this backdrop idea is our favourite. Place pictures of your loved ones into the frames and take them with you. They will be right alongside you as you say I do.

Image Credits;  Kristen Marie via Green Wedding Shoes | Punam Bean | Studio Castillero

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great weekend planning / diying / shopping!

x

Cinematography; Deneemotion | Marquee; UK Events and Tents | Washrooms; UK Luxury Toilets | Reception Venue; The Crosskeys | Suits; Claytons of Bedford | Dress; Martina Liana | Champagne; Etienne Lefevre | Table Settings; Rainbow Weddings | Photography; David Jackson Photography

We wanted to know all the details so of course we had to get the details from Rachel!

“Richard and i met through friends at Queens University Belfast. We were in the same year. He was studying medicine, and I was studying dentistry  so we had lectures together for the first two years of our degrees. Each of us had other relationships during university and always seemed to be single when the other one wasn’t. Since talking after though it turns out we both always liked each other but it was never the right time. Then in January 2009 after a weekend away with a group of uni friends, we got together. We were like two school kids. The first thing we did was hold hands while we were all watching Dead Set on DVD at our friends house in Donegal. We didn’t speak about it that night and I went to the girls room while he and the boys slept on the floor in the living room. The next day we teamed up in a dreadful game of trivial pursuit but again said nothing. Then the next night we went to collect water from the near by stream together but still said nothing and later that evening held hands again while watching another DVD. Finally before we left on the Sunday, Richard asked me to go for a walk and we finally talked to each other like adults and decided to give things a go!! Since then everything has been fantastic and we’ve had an amazing relationship so far. We fell in love at different times, I fell much quicker then he did – being a soppy romantic girl! The first time Richard told me he loved me was the day he asked me to marry him, Oct 3 2010, while were camping and walking in the Letterkenny hills.” - Probably one of my favourite stories so far at FAB!

“We got married at Knock Presbyterian Church, which has been my home church for over 25 years, so it meant a lot to me for us to marry there. Both Richard and I are Christians so a church wedding was very important to us.The reception was then at Ballydugan Mill, Downpatrick. It is an 18th century converted mill, just outside Downpatrick town. We choose it because we wanted somewhere a bit different, not just another hotel. The traditional style appealed to both of us and the chance to decorate it simply and let the venue stand out felt right for us. We planned the wedding ourselves with help from the venue and friends and family along the way. We were very lucky we had no major challenges, apart from the usual to keep it all within budget! I found doing as much as i could myself including sourcing table centres, candles and vases etc made it very personal and also helped keep the price down. I found ikea very cheap for candles, vases and menu easels. Also ebay has many wedding decorations that other brides have used which are nearly new and again much cheaper than buying new from the original websites.”

“We wanted a relaxed vintage rustic wedding and i feel we achieved what we set out to. Nothing was too fussy, hopefully it was all subtle but just enough. The venue was brilliant because there were three floors so each time we just moved up a floor, we never had to all leave and wait for something to be set up. On arrival the fire was going in the ground floor and we had afternoon tea, with some lovely home-made jam, made by Richard’s mum. The guests then joined us on the first floor for our speeches and meal. Then up again to the second floor for the evening reception, with fantastic music and more good food. We decorated the venue with candles and lights and in the evening reception room, on the third floor, we had beautiful swags run from the beams and a beautiful light backdrop for the band. All very simple but i think it worked really well.

One of my favourite things was our guest book tree, which was a light tree where we had message tags for our guests to write on and hang up for us. They were lovely to read the next day in our hotel. We also let off sky lanterns in the evening which were great fun and got most people outside for some fresh air and everyone joining in in our celebrations.- even though most of them went down to the ground or got stuck at the side of the building – it was still great fun! Our cupcake cake was very good and our guests ate every single one!”

Congratulations to Richard and Claire, aren’t we so lucky to have been able to share their fab day?! A big thanks to Tim and Claire from This Modern Love, two lovely lovely people! Check out their website for lots of wedding inspiration. Tim and Claire will also travel anywhere to shoot weddings so be sure to get in touch!

Photography; This Modern Love | Venue; Ballydugan Mill, Downpatrick | Bridal Dress; Victoria Jane by Ronald Joyce from Perfect Day, Lurgan | Bridal Shoes; Girly Ivory by Pink! from Perfect Day, Lurgan | Grooms suits; McQuillians, Portadown | Bridesmaid dresses; Dessy dresses (in taupe) from Perfect Day, Lurgan | Jewellery; Necklace borrowed from Rachel’s aunt, bracelet bought by Rachel’s mum from Perfect Day and earrings are Pearl by Thomas Sabo, bought by Richard | Hair; Jenna at Patrick Mullholland, Holywood | Makeup; Katie Clyde (Rachel’s cousin) | Centrepieces; Jar Type vases from Ikea, tied with twine and message tags | Sweet jars; Ikea with twine and message tags | Name Place Cards; Wooden Hearts from Craftworld | Candles; Ikea | Drapes and Lights; The Events Boutique | Stationary; Invitations by Confetti | Table plan; Confetti Home Made Eco Chic Table Plan | Menus; Made by Bride | Table Menus;  Easles from Ikea | Order of service;  Craftworld, Belfast | Cars; RJ Poots & Co, Dromore | Flowers; Eva Riley, Holywood | Teacups; Vintage Touch | Cake; Red Velvet Cupcake Cake, Marshmallow Grove

This is what Anthony from One and Only Paris had to say about this beautiful wedding..

“David hired me for a couple’s shoot around Paris.  What his girlfriend at the time didn’t know was that he and I had conspired to surprise her.  Laura swears she didn’t see it coming when, during the photo shoot, David suddenly got down on one knee and popped the question.  David wanted to have the moment captured with images they could use later to reminisce about their time in Paris.  It obviously worked because when Laura poured over the photos back home in the States, she decided eloping to the city of love was the only thing that could top that proposal.

As a graduate student approaching her doctorate, eloping allowed Laura to have all the fun of a gorgeous wedding yet still have time to work on earning her PhD.  Cutting out the time-consuming, and sometimes stressful planning elements of a large wedding can leave you with a stress-free core of the delightful parts.   A chic hotel to get ready in, a beautiful gown, Jimmy Choo heels, a Parisian make-up artist, a historic chapel, your man, and the time to enjoy them all in the world’s most romantic city, hardly seems like sacrificing.  The final touch is having the type of images that prove to mom that eloping doesn’t mean you had to forego being a princess for a day.  Being able to capture that message, knowing how happy it makes brides, is one of the best perks of being a photographer in Paris. “

One and Only Paris create such timeless and elegant photo’s. Check out their website and blog for more information and of course, lovely images! Big thanks and congratulations today to Laura and David!

Photographer; One and Only Paris | Wedding Planner; Mon Plus Beau Jour | Venue; Shangri-La Hotel | Ceremony; Chapelle Expiatoire