When Star Wars And Back To The Future Met For Rachel & Matthews Wedding
Rachel, a driven professional in the world of book publishing, stepped out of her ordinary routine to celebrate her love story with Matthew, a multi-talented individual who excels in marketing, research, and analysis. Their special day took place at a historic hotel in Summit, New Jersey on June 7th, 2015. Enchanted Celebrations captured the magic of their offbeat union through its lens.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
We incorporated geeky elements into our special day, blending two of our favorite fandoms: Back to the Future and Star Wars. The ceremony featured an unexpected twist – Darth Vader walked me down the aisle, which was a nod to my late father’s passing four years prior. I wanted this moment to be a celebration rather than a sad reminder. Our family was kept in the dark until the rehearsal, adding to the surprise.
As an honorary friend of the 501st Legion, I’d worked with them on various events and charity initiatives. In their honor, we made a donation to Make A Wish. To commemorate their appearance, we arranged for a custom Delorean replica during cocktail hour. Initially, finding one proved challenging due to the limited availability and high rental prices. However, our local Delorean club came through, delighting both Matthew and our guests with impromptu photo ops.
Our love for cats was also woven into the celebration. We commissioned a bespoke cake topper featuring us, our three felines, and our beloved orange tabby, who had passed away just months prior, but still wore a tiny halo.
Tell us about the ceremony:
We adored our beautiful arch, where my one major DIY project – the gold glitter star garlands – hung alongside flower garlands. While DIYing saved us a significant amount of money, it did require an enormous time investment. On a more personal note, we had the privilege of collaborating with a friend who got certified as an online minister.
Together, we crafted a ceremony that blended Joseph Campbell’s philosophy with readings from The Princess Bride and I Like You, along with the traditional Jewish practice of breaking the glass. And, if you can believe it, Matthew even engaged in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader prior to the ceremony – wielding a movie replica saber, no less!
Tell us about your reception:
As we got underway, Matthew and I put our own spin on things by practicing a dance routine to our first song. It was the perfect way to kick off the celebration. His uncle, an accomplished singer in a doo-wop band, took center stage to perform two unforgettable songs – ‘Unchained Melody’ and ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight.’ The energy was electric, and it truly left us in awe. Later on, I had my go-to Zumba instructor join the party, leading two exhilarating dance sessions.
Let me tell you, dancing with the people closest to my heart was an absolute joy – a moment I’ll always treasure. To this day, whenever we bust out those same tunes at Zumba, I can’t help but flash a smile. Meanwhile, I had a blast preparing another surprise for Matthew. I commissioned a custom groom’s cake in the shape of his beloved DeLorean, which was an unexpected delight for him.
And to top it all off, my brother – a talented graphic designer – worked his magic on an Enchantment Under the Sea poster from Back to the Future, cleverly incorporating our special day into the design.
What was your most important lesson learned?
At the outset of planning, if someone had asked me whether I would opt for a hotel wedding, I would have been adamant that it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, as the details fell into place, this lovely hotel proved to be an ideal choice. The convenience factor was undeniable, particularly for our out-of-town guests who appreciated the reasonable prices and delectable cuisine. Moreover, the cheerful staff made a significant difference in making the day feel truly special.
With this setup, I was able to focus on the aspects that genuinely mattered to Matthew and me, such as the little details that brought our personalities to life. From cocktail napkins featuring fun facts about us to indie art scattered throughout the venue, inspired by Star Wars and Back to the Future, we incorporated a plethora of creative elements.
Our programs were an absolute hit, with custom illustrations based on our cake topper, along with pins and stickers that added a playful touch. And let’s not forget the costumed Star Wars characters and a Delorean – whatever we could think of doing, we did it! I loved every aspect of it, and it truly felt like a celebration that reflected our unique personalities.
Vendors
Enchanted Celebrations’ photographer Erin Robbins captured the essence of this fairytale-inspired wedding in perfect harmony. The bride’s stunning dress from Bridal Bliss Designs was cinched at the waist with a delicate belt courtesy of Icing101. The grandeur of the Grand Summit Hotel provided an unforgettable backdrop for the special day, while the whimsical cake topper by The Small Object added a touch of magic.
Meanwhile, the bride’s show-stopping shoes from Irregular Choice and her breathtaking hair and makeup design, crafted by Mercedes Crescimbeni of M. Crescimbeni Hair and Makeup Artistry, brought the entire look together with effortless elegance.
