Lauren & Sebastian’s private mansion wedding has such a relaxed and regal feel to it. Lauren chose to prepare in simplicity styling her hair and makeup herself while getting ready with her mother the morning of. The beautiful architecture of the mansion gave a timeless feel and created a painterly feel to the images!
Lauren and Sebastian’s wedding was a perfect mix of elegance and simplicity. They were married at their family home, which with almost no effort was the perfect backdrop for a timelessly classy affair. Alaska is generally known for a more rustic style, but this bride defied mountainous expectations and instead held their ceremony in the garden and reception under a tent of dreams. Her gown was fit for the occasion as well as every thoughtful and flawless detail of the day. Yet amid the grand chandeliers, there was a beautiful sense of home. She did her own hair and makeup without the fuss of vendors and a large bridal party around. It was a peaceful morning sipping champagne while her mother helped her get ready. The day was one filled with joy and generations of love. -Sara Olivia Photographer 
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another? Sebastian and I met during a superhero pub crawl in Boston, MA. We were both in grad school- him at MIT and me at BU. I dressed up as a pink power ranger in 6 inch go-go boots. All night I had been teased about how Power Rangers weren’t superheroes. So when a 6’6” red ranger walked in wearing a costume that was way too tight and too short, I ran up to him. That was Sebastian- the red ranger to my pink!
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship! Because I was wearing the 6 inch go-go boots he thought I met his ‘height requirement’. So he was surprised when on our fist date I was 6 inches shorter. Few weeks later I posted photo of us on a Massachusetts beach and even though we weren’t officially boy/girlfriend, it ruined his chances at getting on King of the Nerds, because casting had been following him and were disappointed there was a girl interested.
8 years later, Sebastian knew I wanted a private engagement. So we hopped in the car, and drove down the one highway in Alaska. He wanted to try and propose alongside the bore tide. Alaska’s most famous bore tide occurs in Turnagain Arm, just outside Anchorage. It builds up to 6 – 10 feet tall and can reach speeds of 10 to 15 miles per hour. Alaska has a strong bore tide because we have such extreme tides. Anyway, we stopped 7 pull outs but were greeted by tourists, dogs, even drones. So he scraped that plan and we headed to Hatcher’s Pass, an abandoned gold mine in the mountains, a few weeks later to view the fall foliage and he proposed by a creek. Now I can say he tried 7 times to get engaged- ha!
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day? Sebastian’s is from Illinois. I’m originally from Alaska but grew up an oil brat living around the world. When my family moved back to Anchorage, they purchased the Atwood Mansion- which was the original local paper magnate’s home. It’s a crazy home from the 60s that looks like a southern home plopped into Alaska. We were all excited to have a home in Alaska again.
I didn’t want to get married in some random location without meaning. So I wanted to get married at our new family home (of 6 years). We had the rehearsal dinner (baby cakes and yeti dogs food trucks the night before), ceremony and reception at my parent’s home. I got to walk down between an isle of hedges and we were married in front of a fountain featuring a paper boy holding a paper saying ‘WE’RE IN!’ (which was the font page of the newspaper the day Alaska became a state.) My brother, Adam Hendrix (Ranked top 10 in the world in poker) married us! We had no bridesmaids or groomsmen.
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning. Alaska has some crazy weather. During August it could be warm or rainy. My dad collected clear umbrellas from garage sales just in case we had rain. And of course, we had a large tent. As the wedding procession began it was sprinkling rain, but Alaskans are tough and our guests sat smiling in the rain under umbrellas, holding champagne. We made sure there was a champagne tent upon entry so everyone could start having fun! Then, when Dad and I walked down the isle- the sun came out!
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you? Our vows and the speeches were the most important to me. Even though the mic went out in the middle of my vows, Sebastian could hear me and that’s all that matters.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be? ‘Optimize from your current state.’ This is something Sebastian frequently says to me and I even incorporated it into our vows. Don’t spend time dwelling on the past, or what you could have changed. Focus on where you are now, and work together optimize to figure out where you want to be.
Photographer: Sara Olivia
Venue: Private Home
Stylist / Planner / Designer: A Touch of Saige Events
Floral Designer: Bagoys
Dress Boutique: Bateau Bridal Boutique
Dress Designer: Martina Liana
Cake Designer: Ardy Cakes & Confections
Rentals: Over The Top Tents
Film Lab: The Find Lab
String Quartet: Ensemble in Black & White
Caterer: Marx Brothers
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