This past fall, Brooke Heflin-Cordero, CEO of Burlap & Bordeaux luxury event planning, brought to life her own dream elopement when she married Sven Gadzimski. If eloping is on your radar, Brooke has the following tips to help make it seamless, stylish and sentimental.
TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF THE MARRIAGE LICENSE.
To streamline the process and keep the focus on celebrating, Brooke and Sven worked with the concierge service Couple License, which comes to you so you can skip the courthouse lines.
MAKE IT YOURS.
In Germany it is traditional to have the official paperwork signed with immediate family only followed by a bigger wedding ceremony at a later date. Since Covid didn’t allow for Sven’s parents to join, the couple will keep true to the German tradition by having a larger celebration next year. They exchanged personal vows privately after the ceremony and even edited their civil ceremony to cater more specifically to them, bringing another personalized element to the day.
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH DÉCOR.
Brooke chose bold florals to enhance the Malibu coast setting of their elopement. The couple’s dramatic arch featured sprayed and dyed greenery, which perfectly complemented the seaside backdrop and blended with the warm hues seamlessly. The arch was only one of many special touches, and Brooke encourages all brides considering elopement to focus on personalizing their day.
SHOWCASE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE.
Brooke highly recommends working with a stylist to help find the perfect dress and accessories. With only five days to plan her own event, Brooke found just the right gown at Saks Fifth Avenue: a stunning Black Halo dress that embodied elegance, and statement pumps for the perfect finish to the look.
PERSONALIZE IT.
Whether you elope or have a grand gathering, personal details are what make the day special. “There’s a special place in Malibu that we go to when we need to get away for a moment to recharge,” explains Brooke. “When we were trying to envision where we wanted to have our moment, that was the first thing that came to mind.” The couple worked with Happy Jewelers to design their rings, and their florals were inspired by beach sunsets, which the couple has long enjoyed. Brooke and Sven began their day with a breakfast for two and spent the morning together before turning their focus to wedding festivities.
FOCUS ON FUN AND BE TRUE TO YOU.
Says Brooke, “After the ceremony and all the photos, we got home, changed into our pajamas, ate takeout and snuggled with our dogs. It was perfect for us.”
