Planning after COVID

Backyard wedding

Wedding Date: June 12th, 2021

It has been a while since my last blog post and I have a bit to catch up on. Although I had many fond events throughout the pandemic, I think best to start back after all the hectic planning and replanning and begin again where planning felt almost normal again.

Claire and Tom had reached out to me looking to plan an intimate wedding at Claire’s childhood home in Newton, MA. The street side home in a cozy neighborhood was rich in history, and no short of historic beauty. Once you entered through the driveway, under a pergola with rose bushes and a beautifully scaped garden, the backdrop provided allowed for easy design. Claire shared a stunning Italian villa wedding photo with me, of a reception set on a patio with a pergola covered in greenery. The photo served as inspiration for our design ambiance and we incorporated many personal elements into the fine details.

As you entered, the driveway was laced with bistro lights and floral arrangements at the base of each supporting post. Each arrangement and installment was designed to look as though it grew in place, to compliment the already lush garden.

Florals by American Stems Erb/Dufault photography

Pergola to backyard garden

The ceremony set in a nook off the back of the house next to the garage. French circle back chairs dressed the ceremony and provided cushioned seating for parents and grandparents of the couple. Following a few wooden benches dressed with a couple floral arrangements. Due to the pandemic, the ceremony was also livestreamed for those over seas, unable to travel due to quarantine restrictions.

Garden Ceremony

View of ceremony garden from top floor of the house

The Father of the Bride was honored as he walked Claire down the aisle to a traditional bagpiper dressed in the colors of his family tartans. The piper played “Amazing Grace” during a moment of remembrance for Tom’s father.

Scottish bagpiper for wedding ceremony

Flowing out of the ceremony, a memory table for Tom’s father was filled with plant favors provided by a greenery that he used to work for. The gift represented so much, between a nod to the Father of the groom and the beauty of the location where we were.

Memorial table at backyard wedding

Claire’s childhood treehouse was dressed up for the occasion, as the backdrop for the cocktail reception. Hors d’oeuvres catered by Off the Vine Catering were stationed by the treehouse along with a lounge area for guests to enjoy next to a large tree floral installation that served as a beautiful backdrop for guests taking Polaroid photos for their guest book.

Childhood treehouse dressed for backyard wedding

Lounge Rentals by Refined Rentals

Floral installation by American Stems

A custom seating chart, accented with florals, dressed the entrance of the clear top tent. The clear top allowed coverage for inclement weather but allowed the natural beauty of the surrounding trees to be visible.

Custom Seating chart provided by UME

Vintage shutter chandeliers hung over tables not under pergolas and over the dancefloor. 8′ x 24′ pergolas dressed in smilax greenery and bistro lights gave Tuscan feels, completed with crossback chairs, large bulb stemmed glasses and clay plates.

Custom pergolas provided by UME

Centerpieces were not necessary as the table top settings offered pops of color and the space was needed for the family style catered dinner.

Table top rentals by Borrowed Blu Erb/Dufault photography

A modern chic design inspired us for the cake, keeping it simple and tasting great was the moto.

Cakes by Casey Kelsey Haley Media

One of the best benefits to hosting a backyard wedding includes having all your fur babies in attendance.

Kelsey Haley Media

Wedding couple and their pup Kelsey Haley Media

The day offered a beautiful sunset during dinner. Dancing followed under the stars and the night was concluded with a final dance with just Claire and Tom as guests prepared for a sparkler send off for the Bride and Groom.

Kelsey Haley Media