Elegant Kenai River Alaska Micro Wedding

Jeffrey & Cynthia

This Kenai River micro wedding may have been a result of retooling plans in the wake of a global pandemic, but it definitely didn’t lack any love or beauty. This wedding is the epitome of how the backup plan to the back plan can turn out better than anyone ever imagined. When Wild Heart Events asked me to come on board to flower and help style for this wedding I couldn’t have been more pleased. Together, this team of talented vendors made Jeffrey & Cynthia’s “new” Alaska wedding dreams come true. The bride, a former planner herself, even ordered custom salt shot glasses to bring elements of their original Mexico destination wedding to their Alaska soiree. All photos are from the super uber talented Kristian Irey and if you want to make your Alaska adventure wedding dreams come true you have to check her out! This wedding is truly an example of how you can take a “rustic” setting and make it elegant with the right touches and details. Like those fab ghost chairs that the venue has on the property for all their weddings! They are the only ones in the state with them as of the writing of this blog post!

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Photo by Kristian Irey

Vendors for this beautiful day include:

Photography @kristianirey
Venue @cusacksonthekenai
Videography @meganrai @vophotography @jamesedwest
Planner and rentals @wildheartsevents
Florist and rentals @truenorthevents
Catering @cateralaska
Cake by @ardycakes

Hope, Alaska Adventure Elopement

Jerry & Lauren

Jerry & Lauren’s elopement in Hope, Alaska is one of my favorite I have ever worked on. Word’s cannot explain the joy seeing the photos from Jesseline at Grace Upon Grace Photography brought me. Working with a color palette like this set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Last Frontier is every florist’s dream come true. Lauren and Jerry did part of their session by the ocean and part of their session in the mountains. They got the best of both worlds and we are all thankful for the results!

If you’re looking to elope in Alaska, whether you’re from here or not, please reach out. I can help you plan and execute a day just like this one!

Other vendors who made this magical day possible include:

Photographer: Grace Upon Grace Photography AK

Hair & Makeup: Amie Stylist

Florals: True North Events & Design (YOURS TRULY)

Dress: @asos

Suit: @menswearhouse

Pink hat @kelsiskloset

Camel hat @steamertrunkfashionboutique

True North Florals & Design

I know it is entirely cliche, but as we enter the new year and subsequently, decade, I have been taking the time to be intentional about everything I do in my life, but with a special emphasis on my business.

This new decade marks the fifth year of True North Events & Design, and I knew that while I wanted to make a change in my headway, continue to follow my true North if you will, I also wanted to build upon what we have done together over the last half decade.

In essence: refine and reimagine what I do here, rather than replace it.

I took a long hard look at the things I love about this wedding and event planning business. And what I found is that my favorite projects over the years are all rooted in genuine passion. Whether that project was a couple celebrating their eternal union with their nearest and dearest, or a non-profit raising funds to further their mission, they were all equally life-giving for what they had in common.

In a world where there are so many uncertain things, the one thing I know is that we must seek to uplift others who share our passions and be intentional about the work we do each day. 

I find myself caught up much of the time putting this business, or baby of mine, as I fondly refer to it, in a box.

To define it and choose the “right path”. Something I am looking to leave behind in this new year.

Some days this business of mine will take me down roads I have not planned to travel, but if I am helping others in my community and staying true to who I am as a person, that is the truest and most genuine part of my "brand" I can offer.   

So what does all of this mystery mean in tangible terms?

• It means True North will be taking on a limited and more intentional roster of wedding clients each year.

• It means I will be taking on more floral and event design clients - particularly if you have an elopement or micro wedding planned please reach out to me!

• It means True North will be offering a more extensive selection of community workshops that will focus heavily on florals and design. We had so much fun in 2019 at our workshops and I cannot wait to host so many more in 2020 and beyond!

• It means I will be looking to partner with organizations who I think work to better our communities and give back to others.

• It means True North will actively seek to work with other small business owners to help them succeed as they find their voices and brands within our community. These projects may mean building websites, or assisting with branding, or teaching social media strategies like creating content calendars. Any small way I can help other entrepreneurs live their best boss lives I am about!

If you're interested in working with True North in any way, even if it doesn't seem like it's right in our wheelhouse, so to say, reach out! I would love to help you plan a brand launch, host a community workshop or dinner, or coach you through a better way to manage your workflow and be more productive in your own small business.