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Offbeat partners: Maya & Willie
Date and location: ModernWell Coworking Space in Minneapolis, MN — 05/29/2022
Our cocktail wedding reception at a glance:
We had a cocktail reception that started at 7 with the idea that the ceremony would start whenever felt right (which was around 8). In keeping with a cocktail reception, we served hor d'oeuvres and the ceremony ended with a champagne toast. The actual theme was “light”, inspired by the Common song, “The Light.” We picked a venue with huge windows for great natural light. We had fun lighting for when the sun went down. I even spread candles around the venue. We also gave away candles as wedding favors.
Tell us about the cocktail wedding ceremony:
We hid in a back room at 10 min to 8. I forgot my bouquet. We had no wedding party to lead us out, so when the music changed to John Legend's “Conversations in the Dark,” that's when we knew to start walking. We have 5 year old fraternal twins, so our daughter, Teia, walked Willie down the aisle first. Then our son, Theo, walked me down the aisle a few seconds later. Then they stood next to their grandmother.
Tell us about the cocktail wedding reception:
We had a photo booth and a little area for people to write date night ideas on popsicle sticks and put them in a jar. There was an area for dancing, but no first dance or anything like that. There was cake to eat but no cake cutting. We also served alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The attire wasn't casual, but the party definitely was! I did have some stuff for the kids to do as well. There were some gift bags with candy and fidgets. There were also coloring books, toy rings, and glow sticks our “light” theme.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding?
The biggest planning challenge was finding a dress. I thought I had a dress a couple times and then didn't. So find a dress early.
But actually, my most important piece of advice would be to not let anyone else pressure you into the wedding they want. Be assertive enough to have the wedding YOU want. I got a lot of questions about why I would have the wedding the way I did. People were especially thrown by the choice to be out mingling with the guests until the ceremony started, the blue dress, the lack of dinner, and lack of “special” dances. I got a lot of passive aggressive comments and “hints” to change it.
Ultimately, my wedding turned out fabulous. I knew exactly what I wanted, I wasn't being trendy or edgy. I just planned the wedding that best represented us and where we would feel comfortable, happy and loved. It was beautiful, pretty much exactly how I pictured it, and I don't regret a thing. Plus, my guests had fun. I didn't need a cookie cutter wedding to be happy, and you don't either! I want this post to be the empowerment you need to have the wedding you want, not the wedding your family or society wants you to have.
Vendors behind this cocktail wedding reception at a coworking space:
- Save the dates, invitations and thank you cards: Zazzle
- Day of stationary: Shop Hadley Designs
- Photo Booth Frame: Magnolia Papers and Co
- Dress: Couture Candy
- Suit: Indochino
- Groom's ring: Classic Titanium
- Bride's wedding band: Alexis Treasury
Cocktail wedding reception gallery
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