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The offbeat bride: ElisaBethe, Loan Officer
Her offbeat partner: Chris, Pipe-fitter
Location & date of wedding: Neighborhood park in Atascocita, TX — 05/23/09
What made our wedding offbeat: First we were planning a big wedding. Then I got pregnant and we decided to elope. At the last minute, we decided, instead, to hold a tiny park wedding, and only invite our immediate family; about twenty people.
I was seven months pregnant, and we decided to wear bright blue in honor of our little boy on the way. My dress was $6.00 at Charlotte Russe! I made a feather and faux flower bouquet the day of with decorations from Hobby Lobby, and wore feathers in my hair picked up that day as well. When I got my make-up done, I requested “a mardi gras mask for my eyes.”
What I didn't realize was that I had HELLPS syndrome, and a baby on the way that night! At our small restaurant reception I started feeling bad and so I cut it short to go to the hospital, along with the nineteen family members and my new husband. I was taken by ambulance to a bigger hospital, and spent my wedding night there. The next morning I had an emergency c-section, still with the feathers in my hair, and gave birth to a 3lb. 4 oz. baby boy! It was quite the wedding weekend!
Our biggest challenge: Biggest challenge was, of course, suffering liver failure due to HELLPS at the reception!
But wedding wise, it was trying to keep the whole thing a secret so that we could only invite immediate family.
Another challenge was dress shopping. It is not easy for a seven month pregnant girl to find a dress long enough to cover pregnancy cankles and still be pretty and casual. I think I tried on close to fifty dresses before I found my keeper.
My favorite moment: I loved walking down the aisle as we were pelted with birdseed and my new husband stuck out his tongue to catch it. It was so silly and so him!
I also loved when I went into labor and delivery and was asked if I was married. I got to reply, “Yes, for exactly two hours now.”
My offbeat advice: Don't worry about what people will think of your offbeat look. I was told I was beautiful with elephant feet, a blue beach dress, mardi gras eye make-up, and a feather bouquet! It was MY DAY and I did look beautiful.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?:
- Dress – Charlotte Russe
- Hair feathers – Claires
- Brides Ring – Sears
- Groom's Ring – Tungsten band from amazon.com
- Shoes – Old Navy pink flip flops
- Reception – Carinos, I know they had never had a wedding before, and they were super nice, and just what we needed.
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn:
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So beautiful! And what a joyous (albeit scary) weekend. So glad you and your baby are healthy!
Congratulations to all of you! Blessings and best wishes for your marriage and the safe arrival of your son!
How scary! I'm so glad you had a happy ending – I know of a case that didn't end as well.
Congratulations on your marriage – and the birth of your son!
Well, on a weird note, you at least have photos of you with your newborn after his birth and you still look all done up and pretty! Most women don't get that, I hear. 😉 Congratulations on both the baby and the wedding!
What a story to tell your son someday! Congratulations on the wedding and the beautiful baby boy.
You looked gorgeous! Congrats on everything!!
Yikes, what a scary story! So glad it turned out OK.
Gorgeous dress, too–gotta love the $6 wonders.
That's a wonderful story, you did everything right 🙂
ElisaBethe you and the baby look beautiful!!!
I'm lovin' the pick of your fella's hands coming from behind you, both of you touching your belly! So pretty.
your baby boy is so tiny and precious in your arms… wow!
congratulations! you became a wife and mom all on the same day. thats so exciting! 🙂
i'm sooooo happy for you. yay! *hugs*
Aww! Congratulations! I'm so glad everything turned out so well! I love love love the casual wedding.
Wow what an incredible weekend! You will have that story forever…
I love the bright blue dress with the pink flowers, and how ridiculously pretty you look holding your newborn son. Congratulations on everything and I am glad it all turned out well
omg, own it girl! Congrats to you, your hubby, and your little boy!! I love your story 😀
what a touching story! congrats and I'm happy all is well!
Stunning… what an amazing eventful day!
Amazing! Very cute newborn pic. Lovely story.
There's something so sweet and sincere about your wedding. You are a brave wife and mommy! And yes, you did look absolutely BEAUTIFUL.
Thank you for this! I am a little scared that I might be pregnant right now, and was worried about what people would think on my wedding day if I am (ridiculous, I know). This made me feel better, and put things into perspective for me.