Real Bride: Annie + Teddy

From the bride:

“I think what made our day so special is all the little things that our friends and family contributed. We did a lot of the things on our own rather than spending the big bucks on a lot of vendors. A lot of the details came together from the help and ideas of all the people we love most.”

Deets
A dear family I know let us use their Donner cabin for the weekend for getting ready in, and even let Teddy & I stay there for a couple days before we left for our honeymoon. 
I did my own hair + makeup, as I've always wanted to do since I was like a preteen. 
My mom helped me get into my dress, which was followed by a whelm of emotions and tears of happiness as she told me how proud of me she was. 
My gals all said a prayer over me before we left the cabin. They each said something to prosper Teddy and I's lives together. That was probably one of the most special parts of the day. 
Teddy and I had our first look in the forest behind the cabin. When he saw me he instantly just melted into my arms and we both just held each other being all teary eyed and saying how unreal all of it was. 
My brother made our wedding arch which we love and we still have it in our home to hang blankets on! 
Our good friend that Teddy went to high school with has her own floral company, so she did our florals. 
Our brother also made my husband a handcrafted wooden ring. 
The pastor Teddy grew up with was our officiant and he made the ceremony so special and said a prayer over us, which we were not expecting. We both cried. 
The groomsmen all wore fun socks under their attire. 
One of my sweet friends, also one of my bridesmaids, hand painted us a beautiful standing mural with our names & wedding date on it, as well as some cute signs all around our ceremony. My fave signs were the Mr and Mrs signs we hung on our thrifted chairs! She's so talented.  
We gave away mini succulents for our wedding favors and we still get texted pictures from our friends showing us how much they've grown! 
My mom made us a cheesecake for our couples cake, which had her family recipe of raspberry jam that I remember making with her since I was a little girl. 
Things ran a little late so we chased the sunlight and rushed to the top of Donner
Summit to catch the prettiest sunset.

Gown: Willowby by Watters / Photographer: Taylor Kern Photo / Rentals: Camelot / Florals: Flours / Venue: West Lake Donner / Video: Duane Bratsch