How Their Garden Grows

"Love is a beautiful flower...whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight." 

-Hellen Keller

If a garden is an apt metaphor for a rich and well-tended married life - and I certainly think it is - then a flower-inspired wedding seems an ideal way to begin.

And that's just what my friend, Courtney, and her beloved, Dong, planned for their beautiful ceremony  today. 

Though I tried very hard to keep my phone in my bag and leave the wedding photography to the professionals, I couldn't resist grabbing a few quick shots to capture the magical moments of the day.

^ Court and Dong set their garden wedding in a barn. Well, I suspect this building never served as an actual barn, but the whitewashed wood, rusted metal walls, and general vibes spoke of the nurturing, life-giving energies of farm life. Pretty pink potted flowers lined the steps of the altar, framed by a tapestry decorated with leaves, blossoms, and swirling vines. What a dreamy space to be wed. 

 ^ On each seat lay a card decorated with darling pressed flowers, outlining the order of the day. I especially appreciate it when couples tell their guests what to expect, and give us the names of everyone in the wedding party. I must have referenced this little gem a hundred times over the course of the afternoon.

^ Here are Dong and Courtney, not more than one minute into their brand-spanking new marriage. Courtney is a college bestie of my third daughter, who served as one of her bridesmaids wearing mix and match floral dresses. The groom chose several female friends to stand up with him, and their dresses were grey, to match the groomsmen's outfits. This was a new twist for me and I really enjoyed the celebration of male/female friendships.

^ In keeping with the barn vibes, the building featured two ridiculously gorgeous loft spaces. This side was set up with a fanciful dessert bar but to be honest, I was more obsessed with the dreamy light streaming in the west-facing windows than the delicious goodies. 

^ As we waited for the taco truck to open for business, my husband and I sipped white wine on this patio and reminisced about his grandfather's farm and our wedding day. This, I think, is one of the lovely things about attending weddings - it's a sentimental time for married guests to look back on their own wedding days, and celebrate how far they have come in tending their own gardens. 

^ Court and Dong's table decor featured precious bouquets of simple flowers in milk vases, sweet white candles in glass votives, and information cards featuring menus, art, fun facts about the happy couple, and a sweet thank-you note from the bride and groom. These tidbits kept us entertained as we waited our turn to eat and generated conversation with our table mates. What a great idea.

(Also my husband was obsessed with these tiny wooden card holders and I think I'm going to have to buy some and work them into our holiday tablescapes.) 

^ First dance and happy vibes as the sun sets low in the sky and this wedding celebration gradually winds down to its close. Though their beautiful wedding day may be over, Courtney and Dong's marriage has just begun and I can't wait to see how their garden grows.