An Intimate Bucket List Wedding Planned In Two Weeks After A Cancer Diagnosis
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Dani, the bride who bravely shared her love story with us. This post is a special tribute to Ben, and I’m honored to have his memory live on through these words. The beautiful photos were captured by Lara Schneider. As we explore this emotional tale, we’ll uncover valuable life lessons that can be applied universally. The setting for the couple’s big day was a friend’s cozy cabin nestled near Seattle, Washington, on March 11th, 2017.
With a modest budget of $2000, Dani and Ben’s love shone brighter than any material expense.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
As our special day approached, we found ourselves facing an unexpected reality: we had just two weeks to plan the most intimate, authentic, and loving celebration of our love. The circumstances surrounding our engagement were far from ordinary – Ben’s diagnosis with stage IV melanoma in 2016 had put a new perspective on life for both of us. We initially planned to tie the knot in August 2017, but our healthcare team cautioned that Ben’s condition might not permit it.
Little did we know that this setback would ultimately lead us to redefine what was truly essential for our wedding day. A particularly emotional hospital visit in late February 2017 sparked a realization: what mattered most were the two of us, our love, and a few close witnesses. With this clarity, we decided against waiting until August and instead obtained a marriage license from the courthouse after Ben’s treatment that day.
We initially envisioned a straightforward courthouse ceremony, but fate intervened when a friend, an experienced officiant, agreed to join us on our special day. After discussing the details with our closest friends, we set a new date just two weeks away and embarked on a whirlwind planning adventure.
Tell us about the ceremony:
We exchanged our vows on the beach, surrounded by the serenity of nature. Our friends kindly offered their family cabin near Seattle, Washington (specifically Quilcene) as a picturesque setting for the intimate ceremony. We wrote our own heartfelt promises to each other and kept things simple and brief.
The ceremony was underscored by the constant soundtrack of the Puget Sound, its rhythms occasionally interrupted by the symphony of raindrops, sunshine, and even the majestic bald eagles that soared above us.
Tell us about your reception:
We celebrated our special day with a ceremony at 2:30pm, followed by group photos, a delectable potluck dinner featuring a burrito bar with secret sauce from Casa Que Pasa, where we shared our first date. The evening unfolded with a scrumptious multi-layer chocolate and peanut butter cake, expertly baked by a friend. As night fell, we gathered around the bonfire on the beach, engaging in lively rounds of glow-in-the-dark bocce ball.
The atmosphere was filled with a sense of community, family, friendship, love, and cherishing quality time together. The next morning, we enjoyed a leisurely brunch, tidied up the cabin, took a stroll along the beach, and began our journey home.
What was your most important lesson learned?
When my husband passed away just seven months after our wedding, I realized that the true essence of marriage far outweighs the trivialities of the actual ceremony. I’ve learned firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in the minutiae of planning a wedding – I remember crying at least three times during the process, and each time it was over something relatively insignificant.
However, as I look back on our experience, I’m convinced that if you’ve found someone with whom you want to spend the rest of your life, the details don’t really matter. Planning a wedding can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, but what’s truly important is taking that first step towards deepening your relationship – not in spite of circumstances, but because of them. For Ben and me, it was a chance to strengthen our bond despite the challenges we faced.
And I believe it’s possible for others facing similar situations to do the same. Despite cancer taking so much from us, it didn’t take away our wedding or honeymoon, and I want others to know that they don’t have to lose their dreams either.
Vendors
As the photographer behind the beautiful memories, Lara Schneider brought her expertise to capture the essence of the occasion. In hindsight, splurging on a talented professional like Lara was a wise decision, as the photos have become a treasured keepsake for the family. The dress, sourced from ModCloth, added a touch of elegance to the overall aesthetic. Hair and makeup artist Kendall at Vine Hair Studio worked her magic to create a polished look.
Fresh flowers courtesy of Rachel at Plantuary added a pop of color and fragility to the scene. Lastly, temporary tattoos by Northwest Nina added an extra layer of whimsy and playfulness to the celebration.
