Mary + JP are two serious gems in the wedding industry. Mary is the very talented founder + photographer of Floataway Studios + JP is one of the very best DJs around! It's always an honor to share the weddings of people like them, who make this industry just a little better + brighter. And, let's face it: don't we all just LOVE seeing how wedding professionals choose to design their own wedding day?

Mary + JP invited their guests up to Big Sur a few days before the wedding so everyone could meet one another over dinners + long hikes together. For the design, they worked with the amazing Jesi Haack Design to bring their vision for a relaxed, bohemian celebration to life. And the wedding ceremony itself? Well, it was just about as thoughtful + beautiful as it gets! Let's hear a bit more from Mary about their main inspiration and then it's right onto the incredible images captured by Rachel + Rico of Studio Castillero!

Our biggest goal with the wedding was to make it as intentional as we possibly could. We followed our gut when it came to organizing our celebration. If it was something that was as traditional as cake cutting, having a wedding party or simply me walking down the aisle to JP and we didn't feel right about it...we didn't do it. It was important for our friends and family to have an experience full of life and love as well.

Mary + JP hosted a rehearsal dinner at Big Sur Bakery the night before the wedding. The dinner turned out to be more of a relaxed reception, where people stood and gave toasts. The design was laid back + bohemian with a little southwestern-geometric flair. Mary shares, Jesi understood our vision without having to ask lots of questions because she knows our style and can relate. We walked into the dinner and was amazed at what she had created. She told us a lot of it was from her very own home...that was awesome to us...we had similar style, so of course her vision would be perfect for us!

Jesi crafted the perfect bouquet for Mary, filled with pretty, fragrant eucalyptus.

Mary + JP walked into their ceremony together. She shares, We stood by each other's side holding hands. Just like we have our entire relationship.

During our ceremony we asked about 8 couples who are married to stand and share their testimony of love or any wisdom they may have on marriage. The marriages ranged from 10 months to 14 years. As our friends stood and shared their hearts to our loved ones, we found ourselves in tears. This allowed our friends who shared their hearts to sit with their spouse and connect on what they have learned throughout their marriage that they would like to bless us with and everyone else who was there. We had so many of those people thank us for that opportunity to sit and connect with their spouse and everyone else in the audience took something away from it. The knowledge and wisdom that was poured out during that dedicated time in our ceremony was so valuable for everyone attending and something we reflect back on daily.

Processional: Pete McLeod (JP's dad) sang a song he had written Mary + JP and performed when they were engaged.

Recessional: Thats What's Up - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Performed live by friends)

First Dance: How Sweet It Is - Julia Stone (Performed live by Sofia Draco + Frederik Erikson of Grizfolk)

Isn't Mary the most beautiful bride? So much love for her Sarah Seven dress + Untamed Petals hairpiece, both sourced from The Dress Theory.

And obsessed with these portraits Studio Castillero captured of the newlyweds!

See so much more in the beautiful film from the day by Cana Family!

Be true to yourselves and who you two are as a couple. Stick with your gut on things. When I first stumbled on the ceremony site during a hike through Big Sur, I knew I would get married there one day. When I showed JP the spot on our first trip up to Big Sur, he felt the same thing. This location was almost impossible to make happen. We waited for several months and never technically got the green light on hosting our ceremony there. While this could terrify many people, we had faith that this is where it was supposed to happen and it all worked out in the end. Our 70 loved ones knew the situation and were up for the adventure, they just wanted us to be happy. I'm not saying to do anything illegal but just stick to your gut and follow your vision as you venture ahead in the planning process. Everything will work out just as it needs to.

photography: Studio Castillero // rehearsal dinner: Big Sur Bakery // ceremony: Pfeiffer Burns State Park Big Sur, California // event design + florals: Jesi Haack Design // wedding dress: Sarah Seven through The Dress Theory // hairpieces: Untamed Petals through The Dress Theory // bride's shoes: Steve Madden // groom's shoes: Cole Haan // hair + makeup: Amy Clarke // groom suit: Michael Kors // videography: Cana Family // paper goods: Sofia Draco of Little Yellow House