A Lush Wedding Inspired by English Countryside Formal Gardens at Ryland Inn

Lauren Megerdichian
December 10, 2024
Categories: Real Weddings, Romantic, The Blog

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]The couple particularly loves traditional, formal garden- the kind you see in English countryside estates and botanical gardens- so they leaned into garden inspired tones and structures. They further incorporated their shared love of the romance and breathtaking designs of Bridgerton to add flourish and detail to their inspiration.[/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Imagine a golden summer evening where timeless elegance meets the charm of an English garden in full bloom. This black-tie celebration felt like stepping into a romantic countryside estate, seamlessly blending lush florals, refined decor, and intimate personal touches. With inspiration drawn from Bridgerton and the bride’s love for gardening, every detail was designed to transport guests to a whimsical yet sophisticated garden party—and Katie Trauffer Photography beautifully captured the essence of this vision through her distinctive, enchanting film imagery. The wedding embraced a “timeless, black tie, summer evening garden party” aesthetic, inspired by formal gardens, Bridgerton, and the romance of English countryside estates.

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]Guests were treated to a culinary journey crafted by The Ryland Inn, featuring local farm-to-table dishes and a blend of elevated and fun offerings. Highlights included a raw bar, risotto station, lamb chops, and filet mignon with mashed potatoes (a must for the groom). Signature cocktails, “La Italiana” and “El Argentino,” celebrated the couple’s heritages with gin-based flair. Dessert featured a buttercream wedding cake with layers of vanilla custard and strawberries, chocolate with dulce de leche, and a lemon-filled tier. Playful options like s’mores at the fire pits and caramel-pecan popcorn added a sweet finishing touch.[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Florals transported guests into a blooming garden, with a stunning full arch for the ceremony, lush aisle arrangements, and organic, “just-picked” bouquets. Reception decor incorporated greenery-draped chandeliers, light blue taper candles, and gold accents, creating a perfect balance of elegance and natural beauty.

The bride immediately clicked with Erica of Blushing Fields, a florist and passionate flower farmer. The bride says that throughout the whole process, Erica fully understood the couple’s vision, and knew how to execute it well, so it was extremely easy to trust Erica as their florist.

Erica leaned into the romantic, European garden feel with main colors of white, soft buttercream, and ivory accented by sky blue, light apricot, and pastel yellow with just a kiss of blush pink. The floral choice was designed to evokes warm, elegant and cheerful spring days. Among the array of gorgeous blooms, Erica specifically grew and incorporated enormous Claire de Lune Peonies with their creamy petals and honey gold centers for a pop of unexpected whimsy.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The cake, crafted by La Bon Bake Shoppe, was a true masterpiece, featuring vintage-inspired piping and layers of buttercream ruffles. Beneath the intricate details, the three-tiered cake offered decadent flavors: vanilla with custard and fresh strawberries, chocolate with dulce de leche, and vanilla with a zesty lemon filling.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]The couple’s string trio brought a timeless elegance to their ceremony, performing classics like the Father of the Bride theme and romantic Bridgerton-inspired covers. Their carefully curated selections added an intimate, sophisticated touch, perfectly complementing the formal garden setting and black-tie vibe of the day.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The private vow exchange, held just after the couple’s first look, was an incredibly special and intimate moment of the day. With the fresh spring air, sunlight filtering gently through the trees, and the quiet of their surroundings, it felt like the perfect setting to share their heartfelt promises.

Katie Trauffer Photography captured the emotion of this moment with artistry and heart. The natural light and lush greenery provided a stunning backdrop, further making these photos a lasting reminder of this special time shared together.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The bride carried her grandmother’s cherished rosary, which has been passed down through generations and carried by several family brides.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Inspired by the bride’s love of gardening, photographer Katie Trauffer incorporated some of Maggie’s own backyard garden roses in the flat lay styling for an even more personal touch. An avid crafter, the bride also made their stunning invitation suite, designing the layout, floral motifs, envelope liners, and wax seals to carry out her botanical vision.[/field]

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