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Gorgeous foliage and flora was everywhere at this garden brunch wedding in Connecticut, even on the bride's dress! Allison and Jon DIYed SO much of it, too. Their photographer gave us a beautiful run-down of the day so I'm going to let her take it away…
Allison and Jon wanted a day that truly reflected who they are and which incorporated their family and friends as more than just spectators to the ceremony. The majority of the wedding was a DIY effort by Allison, Jon, and their wedding party. The bridal party's hair and makeup were all done by the bridesmaids themselves, with two of the bridesmaids making Allison look gorgeous. Three of the groomsmen performed DJ and MC duties for the reception.
Even Allison's dress was a DIY effort: instead of finding her perfect wedding dress in a bridal shop, she thrifted and put two different pieces together for her unique garden-goddess wedding dress and completed the look wearing earrings and a necklace she borrowed from her mother. Allison's floral accessories were stunning, from her succulent flower crown to her cascading bouquet, which included cabbages!
Allison and Jon wanted their wedding party, who they called an Honor Guard, to feel comfortable and relaxed on their wedding day. So instead of requiring suits or a specific dress for them to wear, they requested a specific color scheme and allowed them all to choose a garment style and designer they felt comfortable wearing. Jon presented all the members of his honor guard with unique sword-style tie-clips to complete their look.
The wedding took place on a gorgeous fall morning. We started with a first look and wedding party photos in the heart of the stunning rose garden at Elizabeth Park on the Hartford/West Hartford city line. Their ceremony took place on the stone patio of the Pond House Cafe, adjacent to the park, overlooking one of the many ponds. The ceremony had some unique touches that I loved. One was that for the ring exchange, Allison and Jon's rings were passed along the line by each member of their Honor Guard before being presented to them to be placed on their finger. Another touch was that all four of Allison and Jon's parents were brought up and honored with a reading about how important a parent's influence is upon a person and creating who that person ultimately becomes. Lastly, the ceremony ended with a rose exchange, where Jon gave Allison a single red rose and vowed that every year he would do the same as a way of renewing the vows they were making that day.
After the ceremony, guests were invited to partake in lawn games that were laid out before the official start of the reception inside the Pond House Cafe. At the start of the reception, Allison and Jon shared their first dance, were toasted by three members each of their Honor Guards, and cut their cake. After that, it was party time where most people spent it either on the dance floor or creating some funny antics with the DIY photobooth that was set up on the patio.
Vendors
Photo venue: Elizabeth Park • Cake: Borinquen Bakery • Engagement ring: Brilliant Earth • Allison's Wedding Band: Jared • Jon's Wedding Band: 25 Karats • Centerpieces: Moscarillo's Garden Shoppe • Bouquets, flower crowns: Whole Foods Market • Venue & Catering: Pond House • Photographer: Emma Thurgood Photography • Officiant: Shelley Schulman wrote the ceremony, performed by Carol Schweitzer-Schilling • Allison's Dress: Lace Top by Jenny Yoo, Skirt by Tadashi Shoji
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About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
