Kelli and Salty became friends almost immediately after meeting. A snowboarding holiday showed them they were meant to be together, as Kelli told us, “We snowboard together, we rave together, we are best friends. That was why it was important we had the snowboarding rave wedding of our dreams. Anything else would not have been a true celebration of us.”
Music is important to both Kelli and Salty as individuals and as a couple, so their song choices for the day were crucial to get right. Kelli continued, “The three songs we chose for the ceremony were Carly Rae Jepson, Call Me Maybe for when the bridesmaids and bubble boy walked down the aisle. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Gloria Gaynor for when I walked down/danced my way down the aisle and Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. We used bubble guns to create mini rainbows in the sky as we walked down together.”
For their epic photographs, they also needed one extra musical addition, as Kelli added, “One of the bands we listen to a lot is Queen. So, we blasted that from the top of the mountain whilst our photographer was doing her thing. My only regret is we didn’t blast it loud enough!”
With a ceremony at the top of a mountain and a reception at the bottom, Kelli and Salty got to have their first snowboard as a married couple together with their guests. “Snowboarding down the mountain together with around 30 guests was such an experience. Some of our guests didn’t ski so they came down in the gondola but even they got to watch us from up there so they felt part of that special moment too. Towards the end of the run, Salty and I held back to take a moment together before heading down the last part. I have never snowboarded better than that day at that moment. Salty is better than I am so he let me board how I needed to and he kept by my side mimicking my flow. What a gent!”
With a £10,000 budget, it was important to make considered choices, They only spent money on what was important to them. They saved money on decorations, the bride did her own hair and make-up, and her dress was only £50 from eBay. “I spent more on my snowboarding boots and a new board because they meant more to me!” she said. “The important things were the venues (and champagne), we bought new snowboards and boots and our photographer, who will remain one of my favourite people of all time.”
Planning any wedding has its tricky moments, but planning a destination wedding adds a layer of complexity. Kelli and Salty found that simply talking about the process threw up loads of help. “I found that by talking about my hopes and dreams people started suggesting ways to help make them happen. Never underestimate the power of your network and friend group,” she also advised. “Do you. You get one day to celebrate exactly who you are as people and as a couple. Use it wisely.”
