When Maliya Tapley met Alex in 2019, she was finishing her last semester of college and working part-time at a gym where he was a member. She immediately noticed how handsome he was, and to break the ice, she followed him on Instagram the day before her birthday. It worked — their first date followed soon after.
What Maliya didn’t know then was that Alex was only in town for six months before heading back to college. Despite the distance, they kept their connection alive through a two-year long-distance relationship before finally moving to Northern Virginia together. In 2023, Alex proposed, and the couple jumped into planning their wedding.
At first, Maliya — a first responder — envisioned a traditional ceremony. But after seeing venue prices in Northern Virginia, she quickly realized a conventional wedding would cost upwards of $20,000 just for the space. With their large families, that number didn’t even include catering or decor. They decided it simply wasn’t worth it.
Instead, the couple began exploring nontraditional options. They found inspiration in videos of couples hosting extended, experience-based weddings focused on togetherness rather than extravagance. The concept resonated deeply.
“We could still have a meaningful ceremony with our closest friends and family while stretching the celebration across four days instead of just a few hours,” says Maliya.
The pair had already talked about combining their bachelor and bachelorette parties into one group trip, so this multi-day idea became the foundation of their celebration. Alex, a commuter scientist, began searching Airbnb and VRBO for large properties, while Maliya helped shortlist the top contenders. Because guests were traveling from across the East Coast, location mattered less than finding the right house.
They eventually found a lakefront property in Spooner, Wisconsin — complete with three houses, space for over 60 guests, and plenty of entertainment.
“The lake house we ended up choosing was a perfect fit,” says Maliya. “It had room for all of our guests and plenty to do for our four-day stay.”
To keep things intimate, they limited the guest list to 32 — immediate family, the wedding party, and long-term partners. The property’s main house, detached cottage, and bunkhouse offered comfort and privacy for everyone.
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“The property itself had so many amenities,” Maliya adds. “There was a heated pool, two hot tubs, pickleball and basketball courts, disc golf, game rooms, a movie theater, sauna, and all the lake equipment you could imagine.”
Their weekend unfolded perfectly: a Thursday rehearsal dinner, a Friday wedding ceremony, and a relaxed Saturday spent by the lake before everyone departed Sunday. The property also marketed itself for weddings and events, simplifying logistics. With vendor recommendations from the owners, the couple booked catering, rentals, and setup remotely.
“The only things we needed to bring were small decorations that fit in a suitcase,” says Maliya. “It made everything so much easier.”
On the big day, bridesmaids got ready in the cottage while Alex and the groomsmen prepared in the bunkhouse. Wedding planner Ricki Hodges of Will & Rose Events LLC coordinated the lakeside ceremony — a heartfelt 20-minute exchange surrounded by their loved ones. Afterward, everyone gathered for a buffet dinner, dancing by the pool pavilion, and an evening capped with laughter, hot tubs, and a glowing full moon.
“The weekend really felt like a vacation with all our favorite people,” Maliya says.
The entire event cost about $26,000 — including venue, catering, and decor — significantly less than a single-day wedding in Virginia.
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“For the price, we got so much more than we could have from a traditional wedding,” she says. “It was four full days of celebration instead of just one night.”
Afterward, they shared their story on TikTok to inspire other couples — and their video went viral, reaching over 1.3 million viewers.
“I’ve had so many people reach out asking for the property link or cost breakdown,” Maliya says. “A lot of couples are realizing they don’t have to spend a fortune to have something beautiful.”
Any doubts she once had about a nontraditional wedding disappeared the moment she said “I do.”
“By dedicating an entire day to the wedding itself, it still felt traditional in all the ways that mattered,” she says. “We had every detail we wanted, and it was completely us.”
If she could change one thing? Only the length of the trip.
“If anything, we would’ve liked to stay longer,” Maliya says with a smile. “Everyone loved the property, and by the end of the weekend, people were already talking about coming back for an anniversary trip.”
