This vegas-inspired micro-wedding is serving major priscilla vibes
Alex and Eric wanted to elope, but when your wedding is this fun, you just have to invite a couple people! So, along with the help of their incredible wedding photographer turned wedding planner, Jody Zorn, they proceeded to plan an "elopement-style" wedding reminiscent of kitschy Vegas elopements of the past and the result is ABSOLUTE MAGIC. A checkered VW bug getaway car, a customized designer mini-dress, cherry discoball decor at a diner reception–the reasons why we love this wedding just go on and on. Keep reading to hear all about how the stars aligned to make this incredible micro-wedding possible.
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the inspo
Alex and Eric are far from your traditional couple. They decided they wanted to elope in some quaint, picturesque areas of the Colorado Rockies, and didn't want the stress or potential drama that can come with a large wedding. After delving into planning and family expressing how much they would love to be a part of the festivities, the couple ultimately decided to have an intimate wedding with 20 of their closest family and friends, but still very much wanted "elopement vibes". Their photographer, Jody Zorn comes from a background in commercial photography and production and has also dabbled in event planning. The couple fell in love with her creative, and out-of-the-box ideas, so she both planned and photographed the wedding. the venue search Still wanting the feel of an elopement, the search for the perfect venue ensued. The inspiration-a 60s Vegas Wedding Chapel. Jody randomly found an all-white historic schoolhouse, (after a massive phone tree of recommendations from Westcliffe locals) which felt so much like a wedding chapel, and Cliff Lanes Bowling Alley also houses an adorable diner that is straight out of mid-century Americana, and how fun is bowling for an after-party?
finding the right mini
The bride knew she wanted a short dress, also to evoke the "elopement" style. She was having a difficult time finding a short dress she felt flattered her figure, so, the bride and Jody set off to Neiman's in hopes of finding an off-the-rack option. They happened to chance upon an ivory Oscar De La Renta tea-length dress on sale to boot! She took home the dress then and there and had it altered to become a mini-dress. Also sticking with the vintage, 60s vibe, the bride knew she wanted a very full "poofy" veil, like the ones you think of when you think of Priscilla and Elvis' Vegas Wedding. A&be had one veil with the perfect volume, but the length was off, and one that was just the right length. So, the bride purchased them both to create the perfect vintage vibe, full of drama.
an old-school ceremony
To pay homage to the schoolhouse, and their love of books, Zorn created stacks of all-white books which became "columns” for the rainbow of vintage candle holders and candles, mixed with paper columns paying homage to the kitschy wedding decorations of the past. A custom-made beaded curtain reminiscent of the same vintage eras made of stained glass took center stage behind the couple. The curtain was inspired by stainless windows of traditional chapels, but done in a very mod, mid-century style.
more is more for this diner reception
In keeping with the Vegas elopement theme and wanting to push the envelope towards bordering gaudy, the tables were adorned with black candles subtly painted with cheetah print. The chargers, that doubled as place cards were old vinyl records with each guest's name written on them. To tie in the milkshake vibes of the dinner, red disco ball "cherries" were incorporated as centerpieces along with a "runner" of disco ball mirror shards. The couple wanted to fully embrace the diner vibes so the diner catered everything, from BBQ sandwiches, onion rings and fries, and milkshakes and floats for dessert!
a kitschy cake
The couple cut a cake just for the two of them, which is also inspired by cakes of yesterday-year, with cherries and writing that simply said, "Just Married" in juxtaposition, their toasting flutes were ultra-fancy Waterford Crystal which a family member had gifted them.
a chance encounter with the perfect getaway car
This is a SUPER fun part of the story! During one of the planning trips to Westcliffe, the couple and Jody were driving from the schoolhouse to the bowling alley when an old VW bug drove right in front of them. It was covered in vintage-looking stickers and painted with a black and red checkerboard pattern. Jody, being the resourceful (definitely not the shy) type, flagged the driver over and asked if they would consider being a wedding getaway car. They said yes, and the rest is history!
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- Wedding Photographers: Jody Zorn Photography
- Event Planning & Design: Jody Zorn Photography
- Rentals: Jody Zorn Photography
- Venues: Willows Schoolhouse
- Venues: Cliff Lanes Bowling Alley
- Flowers: Salty Pine