Today's real wedding, I must admit pulled on a few heart-strings for me (I might even have welled up a little!) Leisel and Sterling's unconventional love story may be one of the sweetest get togethers I've heard, ever! This pair did it their way from beginning to end - a last minute wedding dress, whipped up by the bride's mum only a few days before they tied the knot (I kid you not!), an intimate ceremony and a secret night away before a stunning garden party celebration in their pal's back yard! The photographs by Sloan Photographers capture the love and intimacy of the celebration beautifully. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole wedding process then this wedding is one to help you catch your breath and realise that it's all ok - it's possible to create something really special by just staying calm and true to yourself.

When I read Leisel's words, I knew I couldn't tell her story better than the girl herself, it was emotional, honest and very sweet, so take it away Leisel... Sterling and I knew of each other for several years before tying the knot. He was my sister's good friend and had a crush on me that neither one of us would have expected to become a reality. I had only seen him when he was in high school and I went off and was married for several years and had a daughter. At the time we met again I was recently divorced and dating someone. Often times when I would come home from a date Sterling would be hanging out at my house with my sister's friends and we would chat about our recent dating stories with other people. While we were trying to date other people we were starting a friendship. Pretty soon it became obvious that Sterling had all the qualities I was worried I would never be able to find in someone else. It took some time for me to trust someone and let my heart be open to remarry but he hung in there until I finally changed my mind. I needed someone to convince me they would never let me down and never leave and he patiently waited for me to say yes. See I told you I couldn't have told it better myself! Everyone of us has been hurt at some stage in our lives, it takes strength and someone special to open your heart again and in Leisel's case, I don't think she could have found a better match - And right under her nose the whole time!

So after opening her heart to prince charming (I rarely i.e. never use that phrase, but seriously, come on did you hear their get together story?!) I wondered how Sterling actually sealed the deal, of course I wasn't disappointed it was sooo sweet... "The day he proposed we went to our favorite breakfast spot in Scottsdale called Scratch. after he took me to the house he had recently purchased and he offered to rub my shoulders because he knew they were tight (he rubbed my shoulders literally every day since the day we started dating and still does every day now that we are married!) After a few minutes he lifted my arm up until he had my fingers in his hand and slipped a ring onto my finger and asked me to live in the house with him and be his wife. It was perfect and I was ready to start my life over with him! *Swoon*. (**Picks Lucy up off floor - Ed** )

Aren't you just loving Leisel's lace dress as much as me, this chick has some serious style and what makes her even cooler is that it's so effortless. Just listen to this, her wedding dress was made by her amazing and talented mother, who whipped it up using an old vintage tablecloth (ok, we know where she gets her cool from now) that Leisel found in her basement just 4 days before the wedding! Yes, you read that right, 4 days before! Can you believe that?

It was quite a miracle and turned out perfect. I searched for several months and kept thinking surely I would find something. I never guessed it would come down that close to the deadline, but that type of scenario has played out many times before with my mom. She made all my high school dance dresses and she typically would whip something up with out a pattern the night before a dance and be sewing me into it as I walked out the door.

I'm well aware that I've gone a little kooky and love mad writing this post, but would you look at these guys? Am bowled over.

Wanting to keep away from tradition Leisel and Sterling got married at the Mesa Arizona Temple in front of their closest friends and family, the pair left right afterwards and honeymooned at the Sanctuary in Scottsdale...We spent the entire day the day after we were married hanging out and this meant we had loads of time to leisurely prepare for the reception the following evening. I really liked that we didn't try to cram everything together into one day.

This is made out of a tablecloth? It looks like Temperley. Seriously? Unreal. Ed.

I have to say I like their style, a whole 24 hours of loved up bliss with your new wife or hubby and then a party to celebrate the next day, sounds pretty good doesn't it?! Leisel and Sterling's reception party took place at a friend's beautiful home, wait till you see the snaps...

Our reception took place at a good friend's beautiful home in their cozy yard, it was really beautiful and naturally gorgeous to start with so that made for an easy canvas to add to. We wanted our wedding to be really simple and just about us so we didn't worry about following traditions and in fact we wanted to break most of them.

For starters we gave our bridesmaids and groomsmen a broad color palette and let them pick out their own outfits. We wanted not only our guests, but ourselves to feel like they we were at a casual evening dinner party. Ahem, a casual beautiful evening dinner party.

We kept costs low by using lots of succulents in place of a lot of flowers. We collected baby jars to hang with twine in huge clusters scattered throughout a huge tree that overhung across the yard. A sweet friend of ours offered to make our cake, it was beautiful and simple with a cluster of succulents and anemones to tie it together with our centerpieces which were a collection of jars turned geraniums on top of moss table runners.

We had a huge rug in the grass surrounded by vintage couches and chairs for guests to relax and chat while listening to the live music. A few talented friends offered up their musical talents and graced us with their sweet voices on acoustic guitars to add a chill taste of background music.

So what advice did these lovebirds have? I would advise anyone who is getting married to not worry so much about what is expected or traditional. Do what feels right to you, do what you can afford and ask for lots of help! We had so much help from our family and friends and felt so blessed to have things come together as perfectly as they did.

A big congratulations to Leisel and Sterling on their beautiful wedding celebration. A big thank you goes to Sloan Photographers for sharing their work with us at One Fab Day! To see more of Sloan Photographers work pop over to www.sloanphotographers.info

• Wedding Ceremony:Mesa Arizona Temple
• Photographers: Sloan Photographers
• Wedding Dress: Handmade
• Wedding Favours: DIY