Last Year at this time everything came to a screeching Halt.
My heart hurt for the loss so many were feeling.
People of all ages felt the sting of grief. This list included High School and College Seniors, Athletes, Small Business owners, Nursing Home Residents, and Brides were all robbed of something they could never recover. Somewhere in the middle of all this I got the special privilege of hosting a small family wedding.
It only made sense that since we were hosting an out door wedding surrounded by woods we should have a rustic elegant theme.
The couple had planned on having a large wedding held at an event center but now they needed to reconsider their options, So they asked us if we would be willing to host a small family wedding in our backyard. What an honor it was to be part of one of the most beautiful days. The people. The weather. The joy that it brought us knowing this bride and groom would indeed still have a day to remember.
May can be tricky weather here in Indiana. But this day was exceptional!! There wasn’t a cloud overhead and it was unseasonably warm. In the rustic setting of the gardens and woods it was easy to let nature be the star.
For the ceremony Jason built this arch. It was the ideal spot for the bride and groom to say their vows.
The goal was to make It seem to have always been there. And so we snugged it back under the pine tree. Our florist friend Kathy made a beautiful spray of flowers to ice the top.
We also made a photo booth with 5 old doors of equal size and some 2×4’s for the ceiling. An old Chandy and a repurposed bench made this little shed a perfect place to snap some photos.
The Wedding Cake
I loved the simplicity of the cake the brides brother in law made for them. The rustic touch is perfect for the garden. One of the most important things to remember when planning a rustic elegant outdoor wedding is to allow the surroundings to be the main event. Adding elegant touches just gives the trees, flowers, or old structures center stage. Anything extra should be subtle.
What About The Flowers?
The flowers were just spectacular! The brides bouquet was full of gorgeous color and variety. Peonies, Roses, Hypericum berries, Tulip, Blue Thistle, Ranunculus, Waxflower, Lislanthus, Alstroemeria, Protea, and Eucalyptus. Again arranged by the talented Kathy Brown.
What Would You Serve For A Wedding Dinner?
When I’m having a party I like to make food ahead of time as much as possible. For this special day we grilled our Family’s Favorite Chicken. This was a great option because I could make it early in the day and then heat it up in a roaster before the guests arrived. Grown up Mac and Cheese is a perfect pairing with this chicken.
As the sun went down.
A favorite part of the evening was When the sun started to set and the twinkle lights started glowing. Lighting is an important part to creating the atmosphere to any event . Shadows and light streams don’t do much for photographers but they sure do make everything feel charmed.
They All Lived Happily Ever After.
The family danced on the patio under the lights and the stars twinkled for the new couple. The laughter and love was shared around the table. What a wonderful beginning for two hearts becoming one. In spite of all the unfortunate circumstances my friends were able to share a sweet night that a pandemic could not take away.
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