Spanish Hills Country Club Wedding from Anna Delores Photography

"Freshly engaged, my (now) husband asked me, “So of all the places we’ve been, where could you picture us getting married?” and I had absolutely no clue. He and I had been friends for 12 years, dated for 3, and though we each knew each other was “the one,” we’d never discussed a wedding. Needless to say, the planning process for us was an overwhelming roller coaster that required serious small budget voodoo, a whole lot of compromise, and made us work together towards a common goal in a way we’d never done before.

Along the way, our talented friends and family helped us DIY our gorgeous invitations, fun photo booth and props, delicious jam & pickle favors, and beautiful chalkboard signs. And I indulged my love of writing names over and over again by learning how to do “calligraphy” for our invitations and place cards. We hired some incredible vendors who seriously knew what they were doing and made our wedding run seamlessly. (At least that’s how they made us feel!)

Though it was so, so easy to get bogged down in the details, we were ultimately able to plan a wedding that was the best combination of all the things that were most meaningful for us. My husband, a comedy writer, gifted me a hilarious and heartfelt retelling of our 16 year journey to that day. I’m a singer, and I arranged and recorded a song for him. We got married under a beautiful chuppah. Our best friends and close family danced like crazy people to celebrate the beginning of our new journey together. Laughter, music, love, and total joy. It truly was the best day of our lives and one we will always cherish." -Julie & Scott, the bride & groom.

Wedding planning advice: Our initial idea of what we wanted for the wedding, when we knew nothing about weddings, ended up being pretty far removed from reality. In talking through the initial version of what we wanted, we got to the term “bathroom rental” and decided that maybe we needed to reconsider.

It became important for us to adapt and not to get too attached to unrealistic ideals, because many times something that appeared simple or DIY actually required the talent and precision of experienced professionals. We often found that there was a vast difference between appearances and reality (never trust Pinterest).

The wedding planning process is a learning process, which includes learning about your partner. Find a way to plan this thing together. It will give you a chance to learn new things about each other that can contribute to a foundation for the challenges that come with planning a future.

Honeymoon location: Belgium [Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, The Ardennes]

About their honeymoon: If you decide to go to Belgium for your honeymoon, everyone will ask you "why?" and "where else are you going?" Even the Belgians. But if you love delicious food, beer and chocolate, romantic towns, beautiful countryside and castles - then Belgium is the place for you. This tiny country is packed full of culture and has a lot to offer, especially outside of the bigger cities. It has all the charm of old Europe, while remaining off the beaten path.

Must see's & do's: Explore Brussels' breathtaking architecture by bike, take a drive through the magical forests of the Ardennes, go caving in sleepy Remouchamps, relax (with a beer) on the picturesque canals in medieval Ghent, and enjoy a Michelin-rated restaurant in Bruges. Pro Tip: There's a bed and breakfast (http://www.labaladedesgnomes.be) where you can sleep in a Trojan Horse! Bonus Fun Fact: French Fries are actually Belgian.