The River Bend wedding of Dawn and Nivan in Lyons, Colorado is a wonderful example of two cultures harmoniously coming together. We truly admire the sincerity and candidness upon which the wedding was built! Dawn noted, “The inspiration behind our day was to feel like ourselves and not just some version of what we thought people would want.”
This philosophy was greatly reflected in the decor, as much of it was DIY! Nearly all the furnishings were created by the bride and groom themselves, or by friends and family. Dawn’s father and brother created their gorgeous wedding arbor, which we still can’t believe was handmade! Dawn, her mother, and her sister-in-law handled all the painted decorations, such as many of the signs and the invitations. Moreover, just about everything that wasn’t handmade was borrowed or thrifted! The happy couple exchanged their vows on an amazingly colorful rug which belonged to Dawn’s sister.
All Cultures and Abilities Welcome
One of the few items that was purchased new were the pomegranates that ornamented the tables. Nivan’s mother hand-picked each one involved, as the fruit is very important in the groom’s culture. To personalize things even more (as if that was possible!), the soon-to-be married pair wrote the ceremony script with the help of a close family friend. The ceremony included a signed reading in American Sign Language by Dawn’s brother, who is deaf, and two different blessings to represent the cultural and spiritual traditions of the bride and groom. We absolutely adore the inclusivity of this gorgeous wedding! It truly made the wedding beautiful in more than one way.
For their wardrobe, Dawn ordered her dress from a shop on Etsy. While this choice may strike fear in the heart of some brides, her risk was greatly rewarded! The simplicity and delicateness of her gown fit right in at River Bend. Nivan wore a navy blue suit with a wine colored tie and pocket square to match. He also made it a point to wear what he knew was comfortable, and wore a pair of nicely broken in shoes he typically wears to work. Dawn sported a pair of cowboy boots that peaked out from under her floor length dress. The boots perfectly provided sentimental value while avoiding drawing too much attention. Who says you have to choose between comfort and style? We want to congratulate the (very stylish) newlyweds, and wish them a marriage just as beautiful and one-of-a-kind as their celebration!
