Today on Marry Me Ink, I get to share with you Evan & Sean’s gothic Southern wedding at California’s Old Crocker Inn in from Matthew William Photography.
Evan was living in Fullerton, and was interested in stopping by her favourite little bar nearby, to grab a glass of wine and some freshly made french fries. Perfectly content at sitting on her own and not being bothered while she played games on her phone, surfing the socials and people watching, she couldn’t help but notice the piercing blue eyes of her server, catching her off guard. Trying to get his attention long enough to catch those eyes locking in on her own, she started some small talk with him, asking him about how much he liked working at that bar, and what else he did for a living. Sean was his name and he informed her that he worked at another bar she liked very much, when he wasn’t working there.
As the basket of fries diminished, the table next to her was annoyingly specific with what they wanted, asking silly requests and clearly frustrating Sean while he tried to take their order and satisfy them. Evan and Sean locked eyes and exchanged multiple funny glares at the odd requests they made. Sean smirked at Evan while taking her neighbouring table’s order, and she smiled back.
Evan decided she would just have to show up at that other bar as well, to offer another chance opportunity for their paths to cross. Doodling all over her check for Sean to see, she headed for the door and she was leaving, he called out to her, standing in the middle of the aisle when he should’ve been working and said, “Goodbye Evan!” She turned around, startled by someone calling her name, as she was stuck in her head, high on the flirt, and awkwardly ran into the door on her way out saying, “Oh! Bye . . . Sean!”
Less than 24 hours went by before Sean had found Evan on Instagram, and followed her. She immediately followed him back (although he didn’t post much), and another day or two went by before she slyly showed up at his other bar, just to see if he remembered her. As soon as she walked through the bar door, he made a spot for her right at the bar, near him, introduced her to all his regular customers and coworkers, and they talked the night away. They went on their first date that week, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
For us as a couple, it was important not to have too much frilly or over-the- top decoration. Everything was simple but deliberate. We both dressed in gray, that was important to both of us, and we wanted it to be fun for everybody. Good local beers and wines, delicious local healthy food, great music that we like, games for people to enjoy – cornhole and giant jenga, donuts instead of a cake, and a popcorn machine for late night snacks.
We had many DIY elements. We made our own rings—he made mine, and made his. They turned out beautifully. For me, creating my perfect dream dress was my most favourite part. For my husband, I think he really loved making my ring, and making the games by hand. Because he is an engineer, he designed and 3D printed my ring, then had it cast and poured in gold, in likeness to my mother’s wedding band.
The first year Sean and I were dating, we tattooed each other (I have a tattoo machine), keys. We each have little Victorian looking keys tattooed on our wrists. So, for our wedding, we decided to embellish on that idea, and keys be a main theme throughout the party. People could sign our guest book, next to a giant wooden key and a framed picture of our key tattoos. Guests found their table number written on a key and key tag with their name on it, hung on a line in empty vintage frames. There were loads of other areas vintage keys made an appearance as well.
The highlight of our wedding day was the entire thing! Having all of our friends and family, from all over the country, together at one party was incredible. That will probably not happen again ever. That was the best part of the whole thing. But, as an event goes, I think the highlight was during dinner, everyone chomping away on the delicious vegan gluten-free Southern food, listening to great romantic classics play, there were shooting stars above us and a family of six deer grazing on the perimeter of the party. It was just past twilight, the magic hour, and it truly felt magical.
How gorgeous is Evan and Sean’s wedding? I am absolutely in love with Evan’s grey dress and red hair – Make sure you check out the rest of their wedding below.
