Ellie and Jim's Adventure Seeker Ketubah

One day last summer, I received an unusual WhatsApp message from an unknown number. It was from an engaged couple who was traveling off the grid without internet. They had gotten a patch of service, they wrote, and taken the opportunity to research ketubahs. Could they book time on my calendar, they were wondering, for a custom ketubah and schedule a time to get the ball rolling in several months once they wold be back in the country? First time for everything!

That is how I met Ellie and Jim, a couple that truly knows how to live life to the fullest. 

Ellie and Jim met at Whittier College circa 2008. They knew they had found one another's adventure buddy. 

 

 Once Ellie and Jim were back stateside following their five month adventure, we got to work! Together, we brainstormed ideas for their ketubah: 

• Mountains — getting married in mountains 
• stars/milky way where Jim proposed
• Nature based
• Maybe an airplane overhead?
• Maybe a tree somewhere
• Not text-center/focused 
• Northern Lights
• Large size
• blue/purple/green

Here are the 3 sketches I came up with:

Ellie and Jim loved sketch A, but they asked me to make it horizontal, add a mirrored lake on the bottom, and add a tent off to the side somewhere. Sure thing!

With that, we had a green light! I couldn't wait to get to work! Ellie and Jim's ketubah is eeeextra large -- 36 X 24 inches! 

I am obsessed with Ellie and Jim's stunning wedding photos by Steve Stanton. How incredible is this setting? Their ketubah feels like a part of the landscape. 

At to that the truly striking decision to ask all the guests to wear white, really makes for breathtaking visuals!

I asked Jim and Ellie what story they wanted their ketubah to tell?

What is the most important value as a foundation for your marriage and why?

Ellie and Jim: Open communication without judgement, as neither of us are mind readers and it’s much easier to support or be supported when we know what is going on with the other.

What advice would you give to other couples just starting the wedding planning process?

Ellie and Jim: Pick five things to care about and let someone else deal with the rest. (This is amazing advice for so many things in life if I do say so myself!)

What was your favorite moment of the wedding day?

Ellie: We have a travel tradition of doing “here we are” videos to show friends and family whatever we are exploring, and I surprised Jim with one just before we shared our vows so we ended up with that entire part on a video including all of our friends and family.

Tell me something about your wedding that you wouldn’t want published in the New York Times:

Ellie and Jim: Our wedding planner super dropped the ball and never sent our save the dates (while we were out of country for five months), and so they went out months after we wanted the proper invites out so it gave a bit of the wrong impression.

Looks like everyone made it anyway! Who would miss such a spiritual and unique celebration of this unique couple? 

Ellie and Jim, wishing you a lifetime of starry skies, cozy tents, and fulfilling adventures! Mazel Tov!! 

 

Do you want me to tell your love story with a one-of-a-kind hand painted ketubah? Learn about the process here, or get in touch! Emails make my day.