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Bright And Beautiful Cape Cod Backyard Micro Wedding

April 15, 2021 | Junebug Weddings

Will we ever tire of backyard micro weddings? Probably not, especially with a quaint one like this. Bethany and Jeff opted for a more intimate wedding surrounded by their closest friends and family. With a naturally bright and green landscape, this couple created a backyard micro wedding that included a bold blue color palette, strung lights, and crisp white florals. We also loved seeing Jeff in a bright blue suit—we’re suckers for a colorful suit moment.

With the help from wedding planner Cape Cod Celebrations, their backyard was transformed into a gorgeous wedding venue. Complete with a minimalistic wedding altar and a reception in a pitched tent, this wedding was absolutely dreamy. If you’re planning a micro wedding of your own, get ready to pin images from Lynne Reznick, who captured this ceremony beautifully.

The Couple:

Bethany and Jeff

The Wedding:

Yarmouth Port, MA USA

Planning A Backyard Micro Wedding

We wanted a big, fun party where our guests felt important and welcomed, but I also wanted to incorporate thoughtful details. I wanted to get married on the Cape because it’s been an important part of my life and an important place for my family. We also only wanted to include wedding traditions that felt meaningful to us. The elements we chose to include were homages to our relationship and the people who matter to us. I was raised Catholic and Jeff is Jewish, but we ended up deciding not to include aspects of either religion’s wedding ceremony. The plans for the big, fun wedding changed, but the emphasis on guest experience and having the event be a reflection of us did not.

Tear-jerking Handwritten Vows 

The most memorable moment for me was our vows. Although we were always planning to write our own, we somehow ended up on opposite ends of the house writing them the day before the wedding. They were hard to write! But I’m so glad we stuck to our plan. Exchanging them in front of such an intimate group made them even more special. The ceremony was very emotional for Jeff, which is a side not often seen of him. I didn’t know if he was going to make it through his, but he did!

Changing Wedding Plans

I’m really proud of how we pivoted our original plans and put the safety of our guests first. It allowed our families to play a starring role in the day—likely a larger role than they may have played in the original plan. We got married at my Aunt Mairead and Uncle Bob’s house—two of the most important people in my life. My uncle Bob, who is also my godfather, officiated our ceremony.

Advice for Planning A Micro Wedding

For couples in a similar position—wondering how to pivot in these uncertain times—my advice would be to ensure all of the elements you care about are still present, even if it looks different. After 2020, it is important to not take anything for granted. So if certain things matter to you, my advice is to do them, even if you feel silly wearing a silk ball gown in a backyard with your immediate family. You won’t regret it. And no one will bat an eye if you wear that dress again at your larger celebration if you choose to have one later.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Lynne Reznick
Event Planning – Cape Cod Celebrations
Floral Design – Leslie Lee Floral Design
Catering – Cape Cod Private Dinners
Videography – Harborview Studios
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – Alexandra Dale Makeup
Hair Styling – Crystal Pray Hair
Wedding Dress – Romona Keveza from Allegria Boston Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Jenny Yoo
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Rings – Adamas
Rentals – True North Event Rentals
Favors – Modern Vintage

 

Congratulations to Bethany and Jeff on their Cape Cod backyard micro wedding. And a major shout out to Cape Cod Celebrations for sharing this day with us. Planning a micro wedding or a backyard wedding? Check out our ultimate guides for planning a micro wedding and planning a backyard wedding

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Gorgeous and Intimate Catskill Mountains Elopement

April 14, 2021 | riley

2020 was a challenging year, to say the least. But if there’s one thing that came from it, it’s the fact that couples didn’t let it stop them from vowing to spend forever together. When Hadley and Andrea’s 150-person wedding was canceled–rather than let it get them down–they opted for a Catskill mountains elopement at the Scandinavian Upstate Barn. And although their special day looked a little different than they envisioned, the two said “I do” in front of their loved ones.

From Andrea’s emerald Bindle & Keep suit to Hadley’s Calvin Klein high-low copper dress that she paired with rainbow glitter boots, the wedding fashion was not only unique, but it also matched the moody color palette perfectly. And that wasn’t the only creative aspect of the day. Andrea wore a pin with a photo of her late father, and the two opted for a broken glass unity ceremony–just to name a few.

We’re so thankful that Junebug member Par La Mer Photography was there to not only capture the beauty of the day but also played a part in planning the whole thing. What can’t our members do?

The Couple:

Hadley and Andrea

The Wedding:

Scandinavian Upstate Barn, Germantown, New York

Wedding Advice From The Couple

If planning a wedding during a pandemic taught us anything, it was to be flexible. We originally planned a large wedding for 150 people, but once it was clear that we couldn’t safely have the ceremony we dreamed of, we had to reassess and figure out what was important to us. Instead of postponing the wedding, we decided to elope, which meant planning a whole new ceremony that looked a lot different from what we initially envisioned. Rarely does anything in life go perfectly according to plan, so be flexible! It’s okay to make changes that might not align completely with your original vision as long as you stay true to who you are as a couple. 

Recommended Reading: The Dreamy Unconventional Colorful Suit Roundup

Recommended Reading: 35 Cute Wedding Boots for Fall and Winter Brides

Remembering Late Loved Ones

My father passed away from cancer not long ago, and I was struggling with the fact that he couldn’t be there to see us get married. Hadley–very thoughtfully–bought me a pin with his picture that we pinned to the boutonniere of my suit. He was with me for the entire ceremony, and it was honestly the best gift she could have given me.

 

Personalizing The Ceremony With Vows And A Unity Ceremony

We chose to do a unity ceremony using broken colored glass. During our ceremony, we blended the glass together to symbolize our union of marriage and two becoming one. We decided to ship the glass out and have an ornament made to commemorate our special day. We also chose to write our own vows. Writing our vows made our ceremony personal to the two of us by allowing us to have a special moment to speak directly to one another and truly celebrate one another.

A Catskill Mountains Elopement Full Of Moody Vibes

We have always been a non-traditional couple, and you can definitely see that in the alternative style of our wedding. We chose a moody color palette, textured florals, and a backdrop that brought our whole vibe together. We both wore darker colors that stood out against the crisp white of the barn and the muted colors of the winter mountains. We wanted our wedding to be bold and dramatic but have some boho elements throughout. We opted for big boho braids and earth tones for our wardrobe while also incorporating more dramatic fun pieces like Hadley’s pair of amazing rainbow glitter boots and leather jacket. We were married outside at sunset, and we decided to incorporate some of the vintage pieces around the barn into our ceremony to help bring the whole vibe together.

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography & Event Planning – Par La Mer Photography
Venue – Scandinavian Upstate Barn
Floral Design – Sea Change Farm and Flower
Cake – Olive Sunflour Bakes
Officiant – Hudson Valley Ceremonies
Invitation Design – TS Calligraphy
Makeup Artist & Hair Styling – Eye for Beauty
Wedding Dress – Calvin Klein
Bridal Suit – Bindle & Keep
Rings – Kevin Edward Jewelers

 

Congratulations again to Hadley and Andrea on their intimate Catskill mountains elopement. We’re so thankful that Junebug Par La Mer Photography was there to help plan and photograph the special day. To see more of Tonya’s work, check out her profile in our directory of wedding photographers from around the world!

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Spectacularly Multicultural Brazilian and Puerto Rican Wedding

April 13, 2021 | Junebug Weddings

From incorporating two different cultures on their wedding day to the bride’s parents singing I’ll Stand By You, this wedding was anything but ordinary. Jennifer and Edmar’s Brazilian and Puerto Rican wedding took multiculturalism to a new level. With help from their wedding planner Truly Yours Coordinator, they were able to incorporate their different cultures in the food, drinks, and yes, even Samba dancers. 

To top off this spectacular ceremony, the wedding day fashion was straight out of a magazine. The bride’s gown gives Bridgerton meets modern-day princess vibes and the colorful teal groomsmen suits were a perfectly coordinated pop of color. But seriously, you’re not going to want to skip past this wedding. Keep scrolling and let pictures from Jessica Jones Photography sweep you off your feet.

The Couple:

Jennifer and Edmar

The Wedding:

Sydonie Mansion, Mt. Dora, Florida

A Brazilian and Puerto Rican Wedding

The one thing we wanted most was to embrace both of our cultures and bring them together. Edmar is Brazilian and I am Puerto Rican so we incorporated a few of our favorite desserts and drinks from each of those places to add a special touch to our wedding. We served traditional beverages such as Coquito and Caipirinha. Guava pastries, quesitos, and brigadeiro were some of our favorite desserts to share with our guests as well.

Advice From The Bride

Stay true to yourself!  It’s so easy to get caught up in beautiful styled shoots or wedding traditions. Although styled shoots are a great way to get inspiration and find vendors, it can sometimes make you feel that your wedding needs to meet a certain expectation. Remembering the true meaning of this big day and making it about what you both love will put your mind at ease, and give a unique touch to your wedding.

First Surprise: Parents Performing

The first surprise at our wedding was one from my Mom, Dad, brother, and Uncle. They dedicated to us the song “I’ll Stand by You,” by The Pretenders, and performed it for us. My mom sang beautifully in English for the first time. My dad held it down with the saxophone along with my brother and uncle, who accompanied on the guitar. They are all musicians and it was such a beautiful and emotional moment. I wasn’t the only one shedding a tear during their performance.

Second Surprise: Samba Dancers

The second surprise was from me. Edmar’s family is from Brazil and I wanted to incorporate a part of their culture into our wedding celebration. So, I hired Samba dancers and stilt walkers as part of the entertainment of the night. After cutting the cake, my coordinators snuck me back into my room to change into my festive gown for this part of the night. On cue, the Dj played Samba music as the Samba dancers and I walked out together into the crowd to start the Hora Loca (which translates to crazy hour). His family was so excited about the surprise and danced the night away reminiscing on popular songs from Brazil. You can see in the pictures how our families and guests were having such a great time celebrating us both.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Jessica Jones Photography
Event Planning – Truly Yours Coordinator
Venue – Sydonie Mansion
Floral Design – Orlando Flower Market
Catering – Premier Catering
Cake – Kenny’s Cakes
DJ – DJ Danny Garcia
Videography – The Artisan Films
Makeup Artist – Richelle Ramon
Hair Styling – Jashua Villatoro
Wedding Dress – Rara Avis
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – ASOS
Groomsmen’s Apparel – ASOS
Rings – David Yurman
Rentals – Premiere Events
Samba Dancers – All-Stars Dance Entertainment

 

Congratulations to Jennifer and Edmar on their spectacular Brazilian and Puerto Rican wedding. Major shout out to Jessica Jones Photography for capturing and sharing this day with us. If you’re looking for more multicultural wedding inspiration, check out this dazzling multicultural Western and Sikh wedding celebration and multicultural fiesta wedding at City Centro Oaxaca

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