Stephanie and Mariel spent three years meticulously planning an enchanted forest wedding, dreaming of a celebration immersed in nature. Though the weather had other plans, confining most activities to their venue’s historic manor house and reception tent, the couple’s day was still just as magical as they hoped it would be.

“We wanted a moody, witchy, autumn enchanted forest wedding with celestial accents,” Stephanie shared. “Our inspiration came from our mutual love of fantasy epics, like Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, and nature.”

Despite the rain, the couple, their suppliers, photographers, and guests embraced the change and created an unforgettable experience. The wedding was uniquely theirs, and they cut out many traditions – such as the bridal party – which they didn’t feel were right for them. “As a queer, fat woman whose style and tastes skew from the traditional, it was so incredible and affirming to see all different parts of myself reflected in the beautiful real wedding features and editorials on Rock n Roll Bride”, Stephanie continued. “They’ve brought me so much joy and provided me with great guidance, support, and advice. We primarily used LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses and we had a moody colour palette which felt like us.”

Their venue, Bailey Arboretum in Long Island, was chosen for its lushness, unique trees, forest trails and its importance to the local community. “Nature is a huge part of our lives”, she continued, “and even though the weather kept us indoors, the essence of the forest was still present.”

Planning wasn’t without its challenges, however. “We struggled with budgeting, planning burnout, and family drama centred on our queerness,” Stephanie shared. “Some family members didn’t come around until right before the wedding, which was emotionally draining and made the process more stressful.”

Their non-religious, unplugged ceremony was deeply personal and spiritual. “Our ceremony musicians, a violin and cello duo, played All I Ask of You from The Phantom of the Opera as we each walked down the aisle with our parents,” Mariel recounted. “Our officiant included pagan blessings and personal anecdotes, making the ceremony uniquely ours.”

Stephanie’s vows were particularly memorable. “I sang the opening lines of mine, lyrics from Follow Through by Gavin DeGraw, and incorporated poetry I wrote for Mariel at the beginning of our relationship,” she said. “Mariel’s vows included all the things we love to do together and a lot of inside jokes. We both got very emotional, and so did many of our guests.”

Stephanie and Mariel were mindful of their budget, saving money by using a display cake, choosing greenery for centrepieces, and repurposing decor items for their home. “We leveraged sales whenever we could and didn’t have a bridal party, which saved us thousands,” Stephanie explained. “And we didn’t have a ton of flowers due to budget constraints, but I think our florist did a spectacular job with what we had; I’m obsessed with them!”

Reflecting on the wedding industry, Stephanie noted, “It’s still very heteronormative and not overly body-positive or diverse, but it’s getting better. We wanted to work with LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses and were pleasantly surprised by how many we found in our area.”