“I remember when we used to dream of dating boy band members – well look at you now, as you marry your musician.”
So began the wedding of a unique couple – Sol and Austin grew up together going to church youth retreats and sharing in the same Sunday school lessons. For these two, the weird and unique was always a pull, leading both to end up pursuing incredibly unique careers. Sol works as a pyrotechnician and Austin, when not also working as a pyrotechnician with Sol, is a DJ. Their alternative approach to life led them to plan a wedding that reflected their quirky aesthetic choices, starting with their nontraditional choice of getting married at a historical estate in Escondido, California called the Churchill House.
From the moment they started planning their wedding, Sol knew that she wouldn’t be going for a traditional bridal look. “I normally wear overalls,” she laughed as she got ready. “I wanted to look like a Hollywood vamp, and black just felt more me.”
With her intimate team of life-long friends (including one bridesman!), her bridal suite was filled with alternative rock from the 2000s and classics like “Linger” as she got ready. She spent a good portion of
her morning writing a personal letter to the groom before getting into her stunning black gown with her mom.
Austin decided to go the route of not hiring a DJ for their wedding. As a musician and DJ himself, he handcrafted their playlist and enlisted the help of a friend to ensure that the day ran smoothly. His groomsmen – offsetting the burgundy of the bridal party – were dressed in a similar burgundy that complemented the unique black paisley print that Austin wore. Of the groomsmen, many were lifelong friends, who arrived on-site ready to help bring together the day, many becoming their hands and feet as they prepped each unique table setting.
The ceremony was held underneath a deer skull, led by a pastor from the church at which they’d grown up. Before any other wedding party members walked down the aisle, two wedding party members from each side walked down the aisle to “The Downfall of Us All” by A Day to Remember, cracking beers and tossing them to the excited guests who had gathered. The metal intro was a memorable way to kick off a unique wedding day experience for guests, who had been invited to lean into the theme (one guest arrived in a Halloween mask to boot). Austin and Sol leaned into their theme by pulling from the viking tradition that had kicked off the phrase “tying the knot” – quite literally tying a red, gold, and black cord to symbolize the starting of their new life.
As a nontraditional choice, the couple chose to make use of their cocktail hour by cutting the cake privately, letting their guests enjoy a few unique stations. A temporary tattoo station was set up, as well as a section for leaving the couple notes of advice and wisdom. Their curated playlist ushered them from one part of the day into the next, as dinner and reception kicked off.
Sol fondly described the choice of her florals (cempasuchils, more
commonly known as Mexican marigolds) as an intentional way she could celebrate her culture – and it was also a more sneaky way of celebrating a different, favorite part of the year: the Halloween season, during which flors de la muerte are very common in California. After their bouquet and garter toss, the couple opened up a dance floor filled with more alternative music choices, followed by a later outfit change for the bride and passing around a decanter with tequila.
When looking back on their wedding, the couple fondly recall all the friends and family who were able to join them for the event and how it truly felt like an accurate representation of their personalities. If they could do it all over again? “I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Austin.
Venue: @thechurchillhouse
Photo courtesy of: @meaganrphoto
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