For many couples, your wedding day is the one day that your real life looks like a fairy tale. This couple took it one step further…armor and all. Keep scrolling to see more from this immersive fantasy wedding captured in these cinematic photos by Breanna Kristine Photography.
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Their Love Story
On a spooky Halloween night in 2020, what started as a simple request for extra seats turned into something much more lasting… Sarah and her friends were at a bar in Aspen, Colorado, where tables were required to stay. She and her friends spotted a group with some open chairs, asked to join, and were welcomed in without hesitation. They spent the rest of the night together, unaware that the spontaneous seating arrangement would one day feel a lot like fate. In a twist that still makes them smile, nearly everyone gathered around that table that night eventually stood beside them on their wedding day five years later.
A few years later, Matthew brought their story back to where it began. Over Memorial Day weekend, he planned a trip to Aspen. He found a secluded treehouse tucked into the woods and packed up the car for a long weekend away. She may or may not have spotted the ring while he was packing…and may or may not have badly pretended not to notice. They made the nearly three-hour drive with their cat along for the adventure, spending the time reminiscing about the years behind them and the love that had grown steadily between them. When they arrived, Matthew hurried ahead to the deck, propping up his phone as she climbed the stairs with their cat in tow. She turned the corner to find him on one knee. The cat, seemingly just as surprised, decided it was the perfect time to attempt a dramatic escape. It was chaotic, heartfelt, and just perfectly them.
The Vision: Enchanted Forest
For their wedding day, they leaned fully into imagination. Their vision: an Enchanted Forest celebration with medieval influence and a touch of whimsy. They didn’t just hint at the theme, they quite literally committed to it. Guests were welcomed with mead from a local spot, Juniper Tree Meadery, before the ceremony, while medieval-style renditions of familiar songs played in the background, setting the tone from the start.
Their planner, Kaitie Gill Weddings, helped bring the woodland vision to life through thoughtful décor and florals. Kaitie truly loved the inspiration and really helped make that happen in the decor for the wedding, from furniture to florals. Greenery by Vase and Vine climbed throughout the reception hall, creating the feeling that vines were growing up the beams and across the space. The goal was simple: guests should feel as though they had stepped into another world. Surrounded by the forest at Garrison Gardens in Texarkana, AR, that feeling really came naturally.
The Fashion
The groomsmen wore bracers and cloaks, while the bridesmaids wore elven ears and chain mail jewelry. Vines, flower crowns, swords, gauntlets, and armor all made for a very immersive and whimsical night.
One of the most unforgettable moments came when Matthew changed into a full suit of armor for the reception. Sarah added a few pieces of her own, careful not to overshadow her gorgeous gown. Together, they looked like they had just emerged victorious from battle, a fitting image for a couple who had just celebrated the greatest win of all together.
The Menu
The food was just as intentional as it was memorable. Guests enjoyed soft pretzels and mead before the ceremony, a classic medieval-style appetizer, before easing into the festivities. For dinner, they stepped outside the medieval theme and focused instead on a personal touch. Matthew’s love for an In-N-Out-style burger inspired sliders crafted especially for the night, while a cheese wheel Alfredo paid tribute to one of her personal favorites. Barbecue was also a standout, and the flame-broiled bananas foster quickly became a crowd favorite. Vibrant Occasions hit it out of the castle.
The Cake
Their cake design reflected the same thoughtful balance. A small two-tier white cake adorned with florals was reserved for the couple, with sheet cake for the guests. They chose red velvet and lemon blueberry.
