We Love The Green Wedding Dress At This Alternative Atheist Wedding
The photo exhibition featured the creative eye of T Houston, capturing unique moments with her camera. Partnering with Offbeat, a duo comprising Cat and Tyler, this event was an unconventional yet captivating experience. The Thoreau Center in Des Moines, Iowa played host to this memorable occasion on December 12th, 2021.
Our alternative atheist wedding at a glance:
Tell us about the alternative atheist wedding reception:
We hosted a intimate reception for around 100 people, though due to COVID-19 restrictions, roughly 70 guests were able to attend in person. Despite the limitations, we still managed to create a lively atmosphere with food, drinks, and dancing that lasted for a few hours. To keep the kids entertained, we set up a cozy side room with an Xbox and TV playing movies and offering coloring activities.
The highlight of our reception was the extensive charcuterie table stretching six feet long, accompanied by fresh sourdough bread at each guest’s table. Guests were encouraged to serve themselves as they pleased, and we also provided take-home boxes to minimize waste. By planning our wedding on a Sunday evening, we ensured that our guests would have enough time to get home relatively early for work or school the next day.
Throughout the celebration, our focus remained on each other and our special moment, rather than catering to our guests’ expectations. We played a curated playlist over a small Bluetooth speaker and took to the dance floor, taking the opportunity to mingle with all of our loved ones and savor the joy of the occasion.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your atheist wedding?
Despite some minor setbacks, our wedding planning experience was largely smooth sailing. One hiccup involved a delayed delivery of flowers, but we were able to quickly order a replacement box with expedited shipping and everything turned out alright in the end.
As I reflected on Tyler’s decision not to invite his parents, I couldn’t help but feel proud that he knew what was best for him.
His choice brought him peace and allowed us to focus on our own happiness as we began our new life together.
One of my top tips for a stress-free wedding planning experience is to be willing to accept help from loved ones. They often offer because they genuinely want to lend a hand, not just because they have to. Our friends and family were instrumental in making things run smoothly, handling tasks without needing much direction from us.
Lastly, I learned the value of getting comfortable with my wedding shoes by wearing them around the house leading up to the big day. This simple habit made a huge difference when it came time to actually wear them on our special day.
The vendors behind this atheist wedding:
Behind the scenes, a talented team brought this stunning event to life. Photographer Taylor Houston captured every moment with precision and artistry, while caterer SIVID provided delectable fare for guests. The star of the show, however, was Bread by Chelsa B – a mouthwatering array of baked delights that wowed attendees.
Meanwhile, Geneviève Umęndaterih Salamone’s soothing melodies as the musician added to the ambiance, accompanied by Amber Wood’s elegant hairstyles and Stacey’s Bridal’s exquisite dresses and capes/suits. The picturesque setting at The Thoreau Center was expertly coordinated by Daniel Hodapp, ensuring a seamless day-of experience. And for the sweetest of treats, Mootsie’s Munchies provided an irresistible spread of goodies. Even the feline guest of honor looked stylish in Lulu’s cat shoes.