Aly and Tommy's wedding was a unique and beautiful celebration of their love, with a theme that transported their guests back to the 1980s country living era. From the decorations to the food and music, every aspect of their special day was infused with their style. The ceremony took place on a picturesque family cattle ranch, with the rolling hills and barns providing a stunning backdrop for the vows. Couple's attention to detail and commitment to their theme made for a truly memorable and one-of-a-kind celebration. See the gorgeous story, captured by our member Michelle Pullman from St. Chelle.
Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet? What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies?
We knew each other as kids, Tommy was my brothers friend and we reconnected while I was living in NY and he in LA, and when I moved back to LA he flew out to New York to help me drive my stuff cross country and we fell in love on the road. We are both artists. Tommy is a painter/ sculpted and does finished carpentry and I am an illustrator who make movie props.
Did you have any pre-wedding events, like a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower?
Tommy’s parents threw a welcome party the night before which I was very grateful because it gave us a chance to chat with all the guests that night so there was not so much pressure the day of and the socializing felt more casual. This was truly a gift.
Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?
My cousins working cattle ranch in Cambria Ca where I spent a lot of time growing up. So it is a cozy place for me.
What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?
A sort of 80s country living I would say.
How long did it take to plan your wedding? Did you encounter any challenges during the planning process?
We got engaged end of October 22 and the wedding was September 9. It was completely diy we had a lot of help from my family. My cousin Brittany was my wedding planner and I truly could not have done it without her. My mom and aunt scrubed and power washed the cobwebs from walls. I installed all the lights. Tommy and my uncle built the dance floor. There were holes from ground squirrels eroding the floor of the barn which had to be filled in with gravel. It was quite the project and a big family effort. Which was stressful but quite beautiful to see everyone come together and get their hands dirty in such a loving effort.
How many guests did you have? And what was the seating arrangement at the wedding like?
150. We had hay bales, some chairs, some guests sat together on large stones. We had some seats reserved for family members and those who needed a seat but the ceremony was short, so the seating was quite casual, I wanted it to feel like a casual gathering were people could choose their positions and viewpoint as the walk for the wedding party had so many beautiful vantage points.
Tell us about your outfits. How many different styles have you tried?
I went to one vintage fitting in LA and decided I wanted to find something on my own. I tried a few different 1920s dresses but all were sort of unwearable in their conditions i searched for many many months and just couldn’t really find what I was looking for, I definitely felt the pressure of finding the perfect dress as I felt there would never be another opportunity to wear such a decadent piece. I found my dress one month before my wedding and it fit like a glove. Judging by the label it looked like early 90s but was definitely giving 80s, I was the dress I had been searching for!
What was your first dance song? Did you choreograph or improvise?
Tommy chose our song, thank you by Bonnie Raitt. We winged the dancing bit, which felt natural to us, neither of us are much of performers.
Did you have any special performances or entertainment?
I wanted to get my little cousins to dress as clowns and rope some cow dummy’s as the guests waited for the ceremony to start but that idea was quickly shot down.
What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?
My Dad officiated and he was very nervous the weeks leading up to the ceremony so i didn’t really know what to expect and he ended up preforming the ceremony so beautifully.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Omg the food and the music were the most important parts to me. I searched high and low and found valley piggery out of Santa Inez that were hands down one of the best meals I’ve ever had period. And in turn the best I’ve had at a wedding. For the music I curated a 10 hour playlist in segments for each part of the night, which was absolutely insane but for this it was important to me for it to be all our collected music, songs that we had listened to together and music I knew our guests would dance to. I gave the list to our dj and he did not stray from the list! Our photographer Michelle Pullman one part of St. Chelle was an absolute delight. Having your photographer with you all day is a big part of your experience so I think it is important to choose someone that you vibe with. We chatted for an hour on the phone before we hired her and I knew she was the one!! And as for the photos they speak for themselves. as you can see she captured the day with absolute precision. But I can’t tell you enough about how she was pure joy to have by our sides on this epic day.
Were there national/religious traditions at your wedding and how did you implement them?
We did a hand fasting ceremony which is an ancient Celtic custom where our hands where tied together by ropes representing the two of us coming together. We are both very into symbols and enjoy rituals so it felt right.
Did you have any special or unique elements (such as a signature cocktail or a fragrance) at your wedding?
I did a signature fragrance, I love the interplay of olfactory and memory. I chose a fragrance by Santa Maria Novella called acqua della regina.
Did you make a gift for guests, and what was it? What did you give each other as a gift?
I designed matchbooks for our guest and a small snail figurine sat on each dinner plate awaiting the guests. People still send me pictures of the snail in various places around their homes.
What gift from guests do you remember the most?
My cousin Tristan filmed the ceremony on super 8 and it turned out stunning. I am so happy to have this part of the day on film.
What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?
I cried a lot and was thinking I am doing so so so much for just one day how can this be worth it. But I could have never anticipated the love and euphoria I felt on this day. Unless you are somehow able to attend your own funeral. I was a skeptic but I swear it’s worth it.
What helped you cope with the anxiety before the wedding?
Deep breaths and our dog Hairy.
Bride: @kilgorebrikken
Groom: @tommystops
Photographer: @michellepullman of @st.chelle
Catering: @valleypiggery
