This is no ordinary backyard wedding, lovelies. This little number is just oh-so-spectacular and these darling images from Studio SMC Photography and the most colorful and magnificent florals from Forget me not Florist have just sent me right over the moon. And you know you’re in for a good, genuine celebration when a bride’s woodworking skills combined with the couple’s gratitude for friends and family result in handmade wooden corkscrews for each guest. Oh, and cannoli too? Shut.the.front.door. See every moment of this endearing fête in our gallery right here.
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From Christa, A Bride… Although Dawn and I eloped in our backyard earlier this spring, we wanted to find a way to include our closest family and friends in the celebration of our wedding. If you know us, you know that we love our home and our connection to our gardens because we live in an old farmhouse in South Hadley, Massachusetts. So, a simple, DIY, outdoor garden party at home seemed in order.
Wanting the event to have a relaxed and rustic feel, we outfitted the backyard with vintage-inspired flea market finds. Burlap table runners, natural-toned bamboo plates and birch wood utensils kept things simple and added to the casual, outdoor theme. With antique mason jars as centerpieces, Forget me not Florist perfectly captured our vision with elegant arrangements. During a wedding shower weekend we dubbed “sisterpalooza,” my sisters and I began preparations in earnest, crafting bunting in shades of blue that would hang from the pergola. Knowing any backyard party isn’t complete without lawn games, my sisters gave us the perfect gift for the occasion: an Etsy-inspired “Keep Calm Marry On” corn hole toss, which added spirited play to the gathering. We wanted folks to relax and have fun.
For us, the most special part of the day was the moment we surprised our guests with a re-enactment of our elopement ceremony. Almost nine years to the day of our first meeting, we exchanged our vows once again in front of our closest family and friends. A local jewelry designer, Rebekah Brooks, had perfectly melded our individual styles in creating truly unique, matching bands for the occasion. Our photographer, Sandra Costello, used her passion, talent and artful eye to flawlessly capture our story in the details of the day (and she also happens to be one of the family!). Her images beautifully show the joy and excitement of our day. As a keepsake for our guests, Dawn combined her love for woodworking and wine, creating handmade corkscrew favors for all. In the end, most meaningful to us, was that the day’s celebration only came together through the combined efforts of our family and friends who joined us with such enthusiasm in hosting our late summer afternoon of good food, fun and merriment. It was a day we will always treasure.
Wedding Photography: Studio SMC Photography / Wedding Venue: The Couple’s Home in South Hadley, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Forget me not Florist / Catering: Bottega Cucina / Tent + Rentals: Michael’s Party Rentals / Rings: Rebekah Brooks