By a Colorado lake with mountain views, Lida and Joe had a self-solemnised wedding ceremony with just eight of their loved ones (and their two dogs!) as witnesses.

Self-solemnisation, or self-uniting marriage is legal in certain US states and allows couples to marry themselves without an officiant making it the perfect option for couples that want something truly personal for them alone.

Lida and Joe chose their date, January 8th, as it was going to be a full moon and the ceremony included a sage smugding. They explain, “We always knew we didn’t want a traditional wedding. It was important that the day felt completely true to who we are. Lida had a clear vision from the start, centred around a dark, dramatic, and slightly ethereal atmosphere. She had always dreamed of wearing a black wedding dress, which became the foundation for the overall aesthetic. Being surrounded by nature was incredibly important to us, so we chose a mountain setting to ground everything in that raw beauty. The overall vibe was dark and ethereal, with a romantic and slightly otherworldly feel.”

“Even the weather aligned perfectly. A storm rolled in and gave us the most dramatic sky, which felt like it was meant to be. Joe complemented the look in a rich dark green suit, which tied everything together while still feeling unique. We also intentionally chose our date to fall on a full moon. It was important to us that the day carried that sense of energy and symbolism, like the universe was part of sealing our bond.”

One of their photographers, Kevin, actually led the ceremony and they closed it with a pagan handfasting ritual at the end to symbolically bind them together.

Every decision they made tracked back to the idea of having a day that felt honest, authentic and close to their loved ones who were there with them. “Our favourite part was how intimate the day felt. We have had so many friends say that their wedding day went by in a blur, and that they barely got to spend time with their partner. Our experience was the complete opposite. It was truly the best day of our lives and we wouldn’t change a thing.”