Bride and Groom Go Viral for Sharing the Unconventional Things They Did for Their Wedding

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21 hours ago

From the bridal look to the guest count, the couple kept simplicity, community and love at the forefront
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Hali Oduor and Nathan Mixon opted out of a number of wedding traditions, and tied the knot in a day perfectly catered to them
They wed in an outdoor coastal ceremony in Kenya, where they also hosted a collection of special events before and after the ceremony
From the bridal look to guest count, the couple kept simplicity, community and love at the forefront
Hali Oduor and Nathan Mixon's intimate nuptials at Beach Palace in Malindi, Kenya, were perfectly tailored to them. While they chose to forgo several wedding customs — it's a decision they say they'd happily make again.
"It was important to us that our wedding felt deeply personal and meaningful, something that truly reflected who we are as a couple," the bride and groom tell PEOPLE. "Every choice we made came back to that intention. We wanted the day to feel like us from start to finish, and to tell our story in a way that felt authentic. In the end, that meant choosing to do some things in an unconventional way, and we loved every bit of it."
In a TikTok that's gained over 7 million views, Oduor listed all the things they'd opted out of, starting with a makeup artist: "because no one knows my face, or how I want to feel, better than me," Oduor wrote. Also regarding her bridal look, Oduor chose a neck scarf and a practical hairstyle — rather than a veil — to best fit the wedding's coastal setting.
The ceremony was held outside, and the aisle was lined with an assortment of white flowers, per Brides. The guests' chairs were arranged in a semi-circle structure to "give the feeling of an embrace with our people, our community, as if they were hugging us throughout the ceremony."
Oduor didn't carry a bouquet down the aisle, nor did a wedding party precede her entrance — the couple wanted their loved ones to "relax as guests," free from the unnecessary stress that sometimes comes with a big wedding party. They also shared their day with only 35 guests to keep the moment intimate.
"All of our non-traditional choices were planned," Oduor says. "I chose not to carry a bouquet because I did not want to feel awkward or distracted walking down the aisle. I wanted to be fully in the moment, not worrying about my hands or who I would hand the bouquet to."
She continues: "We also knew from the beginning that we wanted to write handwritten notes to each guest. With such a small wedding, we knew every single person there deeply and uniquely, and it was important to express how much they meant to us and the impact they each had on our lives. We thanked them not only for being part of the weekend but also for their support throughout our lives."
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All those present at the ceremony also blessed the wedding rings.
The couple passed the bands around for each guest to hold and "speak a blessing over them," and thus their union "felt covered by so much love."
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For the post-wedding festivities, Oduor wore her mother's wedding dress — one she could dance in, though she kept her neck scarf from her ceremony look.
The couple shared a meal with their guests at one long table together, and everyone in attendance received a handwritten thank-you, rather than a wedding favor, which Oduor saw as much more meaningful. They also skipped the wedding cake, which "no one noticed."
Though many couples head straight to the honeymoon after the wedding concludes, Oduor and Mixon continued the festivities with their guests so they could "spend more time with the people who showed up" for them.
"I loved that we stayed true to ourselves in every decision," Oduor says. "The guest count felt perfect, even though we sometimes felt pressure to have a bigger wedding and extend more invitations. Having only the people who mattered most created a once-in-a-lifetime energy I will never forget. We will probably never have that exact group of people in one place again, which made it even more special."
The bride adds: "Traditions can be beautiful, but they are not mandatory. The most magical moments come when you follow what feels right for you. If there is one day in your life that should feel entirely like you, it is your wedding."
Read the original article on People
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