Friday, October 6, 2023
Ceremony
The National Arboretum
Half-past five o'clock
Reception
Republic Restoratives
Seven o'clock
ELENA
&
AIDAN
Theme and Vision
While the couple has opted to avoid a specific “branded” theme (e.g. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Midnight in Paris, etc.), they will be drawing heavily upon elements of the natural world when making decisions about their wedding. In Elena’s words: “Honoring Mother Earth and the mystical ways she brings us all together.”
Primary color story: Navy (for the night sky and the beautiful waters of the planet) and mauve/rose (a traditional color of love, as well as one expected to be in bloom in the Arboretum in early October)
The couple originally got to know one another while hiking and bonded over their shared love of the outdoors. Further inspired by the groom’s job as a National Park Ranger, they share a love and a concern for our planet and want to honor her by focusing on reducing waste on their wedding day. Here are a few examples of how they wish to showcase their love of the natural world and the spiritual energies that abound within it:
ECO-FRIENDLY STATIONERY
While the couple appreciates the practicality and the sentimental nature of a physical invitation, they also want to be mindful of the possible waste involved. With this in mind, they have already sent an electronic Save the Date to their guests.
The invitations themselves are plantable and, therefore, recyclable in a lovely way. When planted and watered, the cards will sprout into some lovely wildflowers that their guests can appreciate long after the wedding has passed.
The response cards that the couple will receive back are also plantable.
Finally, the couple opted for the slowest shipping possible, in order to reduce the number of carbon emissions associated with the delivery of their invitations.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
In order to help reduce waste, Elena will be purchasing her wedding gown second-hand, to give new life to an existing product, rather than have a new one created from scratch. As another sustainable measure, she hopes to have her gown dyed and altered after the fact in order to wear it again.
For his part, Aidan is purchasing a new suit, but also keeping sustainability in mind. His suit is made of recycled and largely biodegradable materials; the company claims that 45 plastic bottles are utilized in the construction of each suit. While a suit is definitely an investment piece for years to come, the couple feels comfortable with the knowledge that the clothing will not cause harm when it eventually reaches the end of its use.
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash
SPIRITUALITY
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Elena’s love of all things spiritual, mystical, and even the unexplained will be seen in several elements of the wedding’s decor.
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Firstly, to honor Elena’s chosen spiritual practice during the wedding itself, each guest at the small elopement ceremony will be given a small crystal to carry on their person. The crystals (and their significance/uses) will include rose quartz (love), amethyst (protection and stress relief), aventurine (trust and honesty), and moonstone (anti-negativity).
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At the reception, guests will find their seating assignments through displayed tarot cards that have been matched to their personalities. The cards will be separated into three groups to make location easier: O’Neils, Galindos, and Friends. Within each grouping, guests will find a card that Elena feels corresponds to them.
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E.g. The mother of the bride = the Queen of Cups; the mother of the groom = Queen of Pentacles; the groom’s older sister Imogen = Temperance.
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For the couple themselves? Why, the Lovers card, of course. This framed card will be placed on the couple’s table during the reception.
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Photo by petr sidorov on Unsplash