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Why We Decided to Elope in Italy

September 22, 2019

Hey y’all! I’ve been keeping a secret for quite some time and it feels so good to finally get it off my chest!

Brian and I eloped!

We’ve been planning to do it for a few years now, but we had some goals we wanted to hit before; namely getting the house built. Houses are expensive. Weddings are expensive. Vacations are expensive. And we hadn’t been on a true vacation since we started building the house, two years ago.

So instead of having a wedding, we decided to go on vacation and elope. It was probably one of the best decisions we’ve ever made! I’ll explain how we came to this decision and why it fit our lives so perfectly.

We planned a three-week trip of a lifetime to Italy and Santorini, Greece. Don’t you worry–I have so much info about these stunning places, I am writing blog posts galore! Everything from what it’s like driving in Italy (definitely an experience!), to where to go in Santorini, to our favorite restaurants in Florence. Seriously, y’all, I have SO MUCH to tell you! BUT FIRST, I want to share our elopement with y’all because that’s been the most requested.

We went to the courthouse right before we left to make it legally official. We brought only two witnesses and Brian’s daughter. It was so much fun! We pulled her out of school early and took her to buy a dress. She had no idea what was going on until we were on our way to the courthouse.

This December, Brian and I will have been together for 6 years. I was previously married and divorced and when I met B I wasn’t really interested in getting married again, ever. It took about 4 years, I can’t remember a reason for the change of mind, and one day I looked at him and thought I really could marry this man. To me, marriage had been scary: It’s a legally binding contract that is pretty easy and cheap to get in to…. and extremely difficult and expensive to end. You could say I had PTSD from my first marriage.

But Brian is my person. He is the only one who knows me better than I know myself. He is the most compassionate and supportive partner I could ever imagine. I didn’t know love was supposed to feel like this. Like… coming home. I’ll spare you the more mushy descriptions, but suffice to say, I thank God every day that our paths crossed.

We only told a few people about eloping: our two witnesses and a friend or two. After the courthouse, we told our parents. I tell you, when your mom is one of your best friends, it is SO HARD keeping such a secret from her! Both moms and dads were totally ok with the surprise, though! I think my parents were excited they didn’t have to help pay for another wedding….HA!

We didn’t tell anyone else. We wanted to have a little ceremony and vow exchange on our trip in Italy. Plus, I had a gorgeous dress from Vici I was itching to wear for proper pictures.

In the end, it wasn’t about a wedding or friends and family, It wasn’t about a big day being the center of attention, coordinating bridesmaids and dinner menus, showers and bachelor parties. It was about Brian and me. It was about the commitment we made to each other, and that we reaffirm every single day. It’s about choosing your one person and promising them your heart for the rest of your lives.

While a wedding is perfect for some people, it just wasn’t right for us. We spent three blissful weeks in Europe, adventuring and eating all the pasta/drinking all the wine and I wouldn’t change it for the world! I still feel butterflies when I look over and see his ring. Brian James, I love you and I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life choosing you, every single day.

Thanks for reading, friends.

2 Comments
Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged: elope, italy, wedding

Trackbacks

  1. 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Italy | Jenna Danielle says:
    November 1, 2019 at 10:25 am

    […] We recently eloped in Italy and spent almost three weeks driving around the country. I would have been a little more prepared had I read this blog post before our trip. I figured the next best thing was to write this post for you! […]

    Reply
  2. Blogging Isn't A Real Job | Jenna Danielle says:
    October 25, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    […] recently came back from Italy and the U.S. customs agent asked both of us what we did for a living as he scanned our […]

    Reply

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sunnyjennadanielle

⠀
Health | Life | Food | Travel | Dogs
➕ a little wine and a lot of sunshine.☀️
⠀
💍@whereisox
📍AZ 🌵
⠀⠀

Jenna | Healthy Lifestyle
Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been pa Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been part of my life for-ev-er. Complimentary from @filorgausa comes their Optim-Eyes best-selling eye cream and I’ve been using it religiously for the past few weeks.
⠀⠀
First off, I love the texture—it’s super light and hydrating. Second, and probably most importantly: I look like I actually got some sleep (I didn’t) or that wasn’t blessed with bad genetics (I was).
⠀
@filorgausa wants to help you fake a good nights sleep, too, so they’re offering my followers $10 off a bottle of your very own Optim-Eyes! Use code IGEYES.
⠀
Adulting is hard, but you’ve got this, even if you need a little help here or there. 😆 👀
⠀⠀
#optimeyes #eyecream #ocotlyfamily
We got out of town this past weekend and watched t We got out of town this past weekend and watched the sun set over the Arizona high desert. We watched our daughter and pup frolic through a meadow (scroll for the vid😅) and just enjoyed the breeze, the mountains and each other.
⠀
This week is turning into craziness for me so today, my post is about slowing down and feeling the sun on your face.
⠀⠀
Deep breath. Inhale gratitude.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Exhale doubts.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
Ok, now go 🏃‍♀️
Hair health begins on the inside! @hairlavie gift Hair health begins on the inside!  @hairlavie gifted me their Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins to try out. I’m blown away with the ingredient list:
⠀
Reishi mushroom, collagen, biotin, zinc, iron, copper, flaxseed, horsetail, kelp, vitamins d, e + LOTS of b’s AND MORE!
⠀⠀
Whole-body wellness is essential for hair health. I love that @hairlavie prides themselves on transparency, responsible sources and science-validated benefits of their products. I can’t wait to see the results!
⠀⠀⠀
So how are you taking care of your hair health?

#myhairlavie
We’re heading up north to find some adventure to We’re heading up north to find some adventure today!🏔 My in laws are camping up near Flagstaff and we’re thinking of crashing their campsite. 😏
⠀⠀
The temps are slowly winding down here in AZ—yesterday only got to 105°! I’m going crazy and need to get out of town. Let’s what what we can find!
⠀⠀
What are y’all doing this weekend?!🙌🏼
They just keep getting better! @styledsettings cam They just keep getting better! @styledsettings came out with a new white and gold set and you know I had to get it. 🙌🏼
⠀⠀
⭐️ Ever since we started building our house a few years ago, I had this vision for a white and gold kitchen. When it came time for the sink and cabinet handles to be put on, the only thing my husband and I could agree on was dark bronze.😏
⠀⠀⠀
👉🏼SUNNYJENNA15 for 15% off! 🙌🏼
⠀
Luckily I have plenty of gold kitchen utensils to brighten up my favorite room in the house! All of these cuties come in @styledsettings new White & Gold Luxe 8PC set. My husband loved the garlic press.
⠀⠀
If gold isn’t your thing, they also have this set in copper 🤩 with pink or black! Girls, if you want to add some color to your kitchen, you have to check them out on @amazon. They have everything from measuring cups to knives to dish drying racks (mine’s gold, duh).
⠀⠀
Get 15% off your order with my code SUNNYJENNA15
⠀⠀
⚪️🔵🟢🟠🟡🟠🔴🟣🟤
I’m curious, what colors do you have in your kitchen??
✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT ✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT NOW.
⠀⠀
Maybe I needed to write this list; maybe you needed to read it today. Whatever the case, these are just scratching the surface of all the things to be thankful for in this world.
⠀⠀
1. Music
2. Your cozy place
3. An outfit that makes you feel good
4. Access to the internet
5. Right here, right now (deep breath)
6. Friends and family
7. A good book
8. Fresh food
9. Fresh air
10. Doing something kind for a stranger
BONUS 11. That beautiful places exist in the world (see picture)
⠀⠀
Today, I am doubly grateful for #11. Just looking at pictures of beautiful places sets my heart to dreaming.
⠀⠀
👉🏼What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?👈🏼
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to wish me happy birthday on Monday.
⠀
This year, I’d like to work on my photography skills. Being up in Sedona last week inspired me to get back to learning my camera. When I’m in a beautiful place, I want to capture it so that when I look back, I can remember exactly what it was like.
⠀
Do you set personal goals on your birthdays?
C H E E R S to T H I R T Y T H R E E years! 🎈 C H E E R S to
T H I R T Y  T H R E E years! 🎈
⠀
This year has not been ideal to say the least. Lots of anxiety, trips cancelled, family’s new babies not snuggled & new daily frustrations.
⠀
Amidst all of it, I’ve found a deep and happy peace. I am surrounded and supported by the most amazing people. I am finally unafraid to present myself as who I am (although at times it may be hard to describe!).
⠀⠀
Thanks for being here, right now. I hope you’ll join me as I twirl my way through the next 12 months. Cheers! 🥂
⠀
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Birds flying high, you know how I feel Sun in the Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
⠀
And I’m feelin’ good.
⠀
Can’t stop posting Sedona content and I’m not sure I want to. 🤩 Can you blame me?
⠀
Hope y’all have the most amazing weekend. My mom is visiting and we’re having a little girls shopping day for my upcoming birthday on Monday. 😆
⠀
📸: We hiked Cathedral Rock in the dark at 5AM to watch the sunrise from the top. Full Sedona blog post coming soon!
Get moving! Every next level of your life will dem Get moving! Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. You can rise up from anything. You can recreate yourself as many times as you damn well please.
⠀⠀⠀
Learn new skills, think new thoughts, choose to be the catalyst to the next, best version of yourself. All that matters is that you decide & begin.
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sunnyjennadanielle

⠀
Health | Life | Food | Travel | Dogs
➕ a little wine and a lot of sunshine.☀️
⠀
💍@whereisox
📍AZ 🌵
⠀⠀

Jenna | Healthy Lifestyle
Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been pa Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been part of my life for-ev-er. Complimentary from @filorgausa comes their Optim-Eyes best-selling eye cream and I’ve been using it religiously for the past few weeks.
⠀⠀
First off, I love the texture—it’s super light and hydrating. Second, and probably most importantly: I look like I actually got some sleep (I didn’t) or that wasn’t blessed with bad genetics (I was).
⠀
@filorgausa wants to help you fake a good nights sleep, too, so they’re offering my followers $10 off a bottle of your very own Optim-Eyes! Use code IGEYES.
⠀
Adulting is hard, but you’ve got this, even if you need a little help here or there. 😆 👀
⠀⠀
#optimeyes #eyecream #ocotlyfamily
We got out of town this past weekend and watched t We got out of town this past weekend and watched the sun set over the Arizona high desert. We watched our daughter and pup frolic through a meadow (scroll for the vid😅) and just enjoyed the breeze, the mountains and each other.
⠀
This week is turning into craziness for me so today, my post is about slowing down and feeling the sun on your face.
⠀⠀
Deep breath. Inhale gratitude.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Exhale doubts.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
Ok, now go 🏃‍♀️
Hair health begins on the inside! @hairlavie gift Hair health begins on the inside!  @hairlavie gifted me their Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins to try out. I’m blown away with the ingredient list:
⠀
Reishi mushroom, collagen, biotin, zinc, iron, copper, flaxseed, horsetail, kelp, vitamins d, e + LOTS of b’s AND MORE!
⠀⠀
Whole-body wellness is essential for hair health. I love that @hairlavie prides themselves on transparency, responsible sources and science-validated benefits of their products. I can’t wait to see the results!
⠀⠀⠀
So how are you taking care of your hair health?

#myhairlavie
We’re heading up north to find some adventure to We’re heading up north to find some adventure today!🏔 My in laws are camping up near Flagstaff and we’re thinking of crashing their campsite. 😏
⠀⠀
The temps are slowly winding down here in AZ—yesterday only got to 105°! I’m going crazy and need to get out of town. Let’s what what we can find!
⠀⠀
What are y’all doing this weekend?!🙌🏼
They just keep getting better! @styledsettings cam They just keep getting better! @styledsettings came out with a new white and gold set and you know I had to get it. 🙌🏼
⠀⠀
⭐️ Ever since we started building our house a few years ago, I had this vision for a white and gold kitchen. When it came time for the sink and cabinet handles to be put on, the only thing my husband and I could agree on was dark bronze.😏
⠀⠀⠀
👉🏼SUNNYJENNA15 for 15% off! 🙌🏼
⠀
Luckily I have plenty of gold kitchen utensils to brighten up my favorite room in the house! All of these cuties come in @styledsettings new White & Gold Luxe 8PC set. My husband loved the garlic press.
⠀⠀
If gold isn’t your thing, they also have this set in copper 🤩 with pink or black! Girls, if you want to add some color to your kitchen, you have to check them out on @amazon. They have everything from measuring cups to knives to dish drying racks (mine’s gold, duh).
⠀⠀
Get 15% off your order with my code SUNNYJENNA15
⠀⠀
⚪️🔵🟢🟠🟡🟠🔴🟣🟤
I’m curious, what colors do you have in your kitchen??
✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT ✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT NOW.
⠀⠀
Maybe I needed to write this list; maybe you needed to read it today. Whatever the case, these are just scratching the surface of all the things to be thankful for in this world.
⠀⠀
1. Music
2. Your cozy place
3. An outfit that makes you feel good
4. Access to the internet
5. Right here, right now (deep breath)
6. Friends and family
7. A good book
8. Fresh food
9. Fresh air
10. Doing something kind for a stranger
BONUS 11. That beautiful places exist in the world (see picture)
⠀⠀
Today, I am doubly grateful for #11. Just looking at pictures of beautiful places sets my heart to dreaming.
⠀⠀
👉🏼What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?👈🏼
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to wish me happy birthday on Monday.
⠀
This year, I’d like to work on my photography skills. Being up in Sedona last week inspired me to get back to learning my camera. When I’m in a beautiful place, I want to capture it so that when I look back, I can remember exactly what it was like.
⠀
Do you set personal goals on your birthdays?
C H E E R S to T H I R T Y T H R E E years! 🎈 C H E E R S to
T H I R T Y  T H R E E years! 🎈
⠀
This year has not been ideal to say the least. Lots of anxiety, trips cancelled, family’s new babies not snuggled & new daily frustrations.
⠀
Amidst all of it, I’ve found a deep and happy peace. I am surrounded and supported by the most amazing people. I am finally unafraid to present myself as who I am (although at times it may be hard to describe!).
⠀⠀
Thanks for being here, right now. I hope you’ll join me as I twirl my way through the next 12 months. Cheers! 🥂
⠀
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Birds flying high, you know how I feel Sun in the Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
⠀
And I’m feelin’ good.
⠀
Can’t stop posting Sedona content and I’m not sure I want to. 🤩 Can you blame me?
⠀
Hope y’all have the most amazing weekend. My mom is visiting and we’re having a little girls shopping day for my upcoming birthday on Monday. 😆
⠀
📸: We hiked Cathedral Rock in the dark at 5AM to watch the sunrise from the top. Full Sedona blog post coming soon!
Get moving! Every next level of your life will dem Get moving! Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. You can rise up from anything. You can recreate yourself as many times as you damn well please.
⠀⠀⠀
Learn new skills, think new thoughts, choose to be the catalyst to the next, best version of yourself. All that matters is that you decide & begin.
Follow on Instagram
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