At WedVibes, we’re always drawn to the stories behind the aesthetics—the vision boards, voice notes, and late-night Pinterest scrolls that quietly shape iconic wedding moments. So, we did what we do best: reached out to real brides who are planning weddings their way. From spontaneous proposals to guest lists made on Google Docs, these brides are rewriting the rules and curating celebrations that feel less like tradition and more like self-expression.
In this series, they open up about the moodboards they can’t stop tweaking, the TikTok trends they’re into, and the vendors who just get it. Expect real love stories, real planning highs (and lows), and plenty of inspiration for your own “main character” moment.
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Meet The Couple
Jody and Nick live in Los Angeles, where Jody is Head of Brand at Kinn Studio, and Nick is the founder and creative director of MerchCamp, a custom apparel company. Their life together revolves around traveling, making focaccia, spending time with their dogs, and driving their 1965 Mustang to Erewhon for weekend brunch.
How did you meet?
Nick actually hired me as the first employee at his company in 2013. There was nothing romantic between us at first, he was my boss!, but we quickly realized how much we had in common and became best friends. Eventually, we decided we liked each other as more than friends, and the rest is history. I have since moved on to other creative endeavors, but we still find ways to work together from time to time, especially on photoshoots. Being creative together is what makes us bond.
The Proposal
Nick rented a ranch house in Malibu for a weekend during the holidays for a little staycation. Early one morning, he walked me down to the edge of the property where the horses were and got down on one knee. We intentionally wanted no photographer and no friends around so we could fully soak up the moment, just the two of us. Afterward, we hopped into our 1965 Mustang and drove through the Malibu mountains to one of our favorite spots, The Old Place, where our family was waiting to celebrate over brunch.
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The Wedding Vision
1. When and where is your wedding taking place?
The first week of September in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at a private ranch overlooking the Tetons.
2. Describe your wedding in 3 words.
Intentional. Unbridled. Intimate.
3. What are three non-negotiable elements for your big day?
Time alone together while getting ready, a really good DJ who brings the vibes, horses.
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Planning Process
1. What’s been the highlight of your planning process so far?
Nick and I create for clients and brands every day as part of our careers, so getting to build something entirely for ourselves has been incredibly fulfilling. After two years of planning, countless vendor calls, and endless personal touches, this wedding feels like the culmination of our shared creative vision. We’re so proud of what we’ve built together and excited to experience something that feels authentically us, in a place that means so much to us, surrounded by nature, the outdoors, and the magical presence of horses.
2. What’s surprised you most about wedding planning?
That I haven’t been nearly as Type A or controlling as I expected! Nick has actually taken the reins on a lot of the planning and has probably been more intense about the details than I have. I trust him completely, he has great taste, and it’s been really fun watching him take such a leadership role in creating the day with me.
3. Is there an Instagram account, TikTok trend, or aesthetic you’re secretly loving right now?
My energy this year has been very Fire Horse: passion, momentum, excitement, freedom, and forward movement. I also love the idea that “2026 is the new 2016,” going back to a nostalgic time when we were all a bit more free, if you know what I mean. I’m craving freedom over perfection lately. And, of course, I’m forever obsessed with Kinn Studio’s Instagram. I’m biased, but my creative team is stellar, and who doesn’t want beautiful jewelry in their feed?
4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their planning journey?
Start earlier than you think! Before I was even engaged, I created a separate wedding Gmail account so everything could live outside of my personal and work inboxes. I started reaching out to vendors, collecting pricing, and learning about availability early, which meant that when it was actually time to make decisions, I could move quickly and confidently.
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