The Wedding Story of... Emily & Tyler Talsma

A Paloma Blanca gown had everything Stephanie’s heart desired: ivory, fitted, mermaid, silk and lace and buttons down the back and a train for a vintage look.

 

 

 

Both Emily and Tyler love searching for vintage stuff at thrift stores, so they wanted the wedding to have that relaxed yet retro feel. She used an old film camera, vintage binoculars in a leather case, lace pillows, an old American Airlines deck of cards, mugs from Goodwill and a picnic basket.

 

 

 

The centerpieces, bridesmaids’ bouquets and Emily’s bouquet were all DIY, made from dried baby’s breath. Fabric from Emily’s grandmother, who loved sewing, was tucked into her bouquet. 

 

 

 

Emily remembers meeting Tyler at the beach during high school. “He had a crush on me and was trying to impress me with a good spike. It ended up smacking me in the face. I fell to the ground and that was the end of the game for me.” They didn’t start dating until the following year.

 

 

 

A film major in college and someone who wants to work in the film industry, Tyler couldn’t have scripted the proposal any better. He set it up by telling Emily all week that his car’s brakes might be going bad. The day of, he stopped the car on the street claiming the breaks had gone out. They were near his house, so they walked there and he got down on one knee.

 

 

 

Emily had purchased an expensive designer ankle-length dress after she got engaged, but she regretted the choice as the wedding got closer. It didn’t fit the style of the wedding and she wanted to be able to run and dance and even sit on the floor. She had a lace dress she bought for $15 for the honeymoon. She tried it on and Tyler yelled from the other room “You should wear that as your wedding dress. You look amazing!”

 

 

 

Breakfast was the couple’s favorite date meal, so of course, it worked well for their celebration. Donuts replaced cake and who could complain about a huge mound of donuts?

 

 

 

Emily and Tyler wanted to get married outdoors and they wanted it to be relaxed. They achieved that in just three months and had a great time in the process. She prayed for a beautiful day and knew that everything would come together. And it did.

 

 

 

Emily’s jewelry, flower crown, bouquet and antique furniture belonged to both of her grandmothers, who had passed away. Chairs from one grandmother’s cottage became part of the “living room” the couple set up. “I just liked their taste. They were classy ladies,” she said.

 

 

 

There were times that Emily felt overwhelmed by planning a wedding in three months, but said brides shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. They should listen to their fiancés and allow them to help make decisions. “Let loose and enjoy the day. Soak in every moment.”