Vanessa and Marc's wedding was one hundred percent their own. Their love of the outdoors and spending quality time with their family and friends influenced every planning decision they made and set the atmosphere of the day. They created a small destination wedding in Big Bear Lake so that they could slow down and focus on relationships.

Vanesa and Marc rented a large lakeside cabin in Big Bear for their wedding that served as both housing and a reception venue. Katie and I joined them at the cabin early in the morning to find Marc cooking breakfast for everyone in the house. Upstairs Vanessa and her bridesmaids were unhurriedly getting ready. The whole vibe in the house was both relaxed and in quiet anticipation of what was to come. Before we left for the ceremony, Vanessa wrapped herself in a cloak so that Marc wouldn't see her dress.  And did I mention that Marc wore a sword?

Their ceremony was at simple clearing in the forest three miles up a fire road and across "the pit from hell". It was amazingly beautiful and peaceful with the sounds of the breeze pulling through the trees and birds finding breakfast. The story of how they actually found this spot is even more amazing - let's just say it involves about 13 miles more snowshoeing than I would be willing to do.

After the ceremony we all enjoyed a picnic lunch at a campsite down a short trail from the ceremony. It was the perfect summertime hangout, complete with a pinata and kids climbing trees. Once lunch was over, Vanessa and Marc lead a group of their guests on a short hike through the high country, wedding dress and all.

In the evening everyone gathered at the cabin for a dinner reception. There was no formal seating, everyone joined together at tables around the house or reclined in couches to enjoy each others company. It created the atmosphere of a special family gathering rather than a stuffy wedding reception.

As Katie and I left them, the cabin had been transformed. The entryway was the dance floor, the living room was a lounge, and the bar was the place to be. Their personality had been infused into everything and everyone. It was if it was their own home.

Vanessa and Marc made it clear that with each other, you have everything you need. None of the decorations or beautiful locations made the wedding what it was - Vanessa and Marc made the wedding. Congratulations again!