Kristen and Ben were my first backyard wedding of the season. Their wedding was very well planned and every detail was hand-touched by Kristen and Ben themselves! The amount of work and planning that goes into any wedding is incredible, but when you plan a wedding that is in a location not typically used for weddings, the planning pretty much triples!! The wedding took place in the backyard of Kristen’s mother’s house…The house where Kristen grew up! With the help of the neighbors yard, they were able to have a specific spot for the ceremony and a separate spot for the reception tent!
The day started at a nearby hotel. Kristen and her girls were getting ready in a suite. They spent some time just hanging out and chatting while each girl had their hair done. Two out of the four bridesmaids are expecting their first child, and one was far enough along for kicking! The little one had a few active moments that everyone got to enjoy!
Kristen’s friend arrived just before dress time and put on a few finishing touches…
Kristen’s mom was there for almost every minute of the getting ready time. She was so easy going and helpful!
Before Kristen got into her dress, I popped downstairs to capture Ben’s finishing touches….
With a little help from his father, he attached the custom cufflinks….just one of the many details at this wedding!
I stepped outside with the guys for some pre-formal pictures before heading back up to the girls!
I love this picture….that eye and that veil is just fabulous…it is one of my many favorites!
I couldn’t just show the picture above, without giving you a full view….classic vintage elegance!
The rings….the awesome rings….Kristen’s rings can actually fit inside of Ben’s ring. I believe that Ben is over six feet tall, while Kristen is just over 5 feet tall (like myself!).
The girls and I grabbed a few pictures before heading to the ceremony too! I am in love with the variety of jewel toned colors!! Kristen even had each bouquet made differently to match each dress!
The beautiful backyard ceremony…on the water!!
Leaving the cermony…
After the ceremony, we headed to Roger William’s Park for some bridal party shots…
and of course some pictures of the new Mr. & Mrs.
I took one of the photos and experimented with it a little bit…adding some grain and the border!
Back at the tent, the details were being set up….pictures of Ben and Kristen with each person at their head table , lanterns, table coverings in a range of colors, lights, flowers, candles, signs and initials on Ben and Kristen’s chairs. Kristen and Ben’s vision and hard work all came together so nicely!
The first dance was a big hit and included a dip!
A speech was given by the best man.
The parent dances were fillled with both laughter and raw emotion…
A wide angle view of the tent and those fun initials!
I loved the sign in idea and the colors that they chose for the ink!!
A view of the tent…
Kristen’s father, brother and sister-in-law to be (in the left photo), danced the whole night and literally were rocking out to every song….They were so much fun to watch!! I have to say that I love it when the bride and groom dance together!! I have always struggled to get my husband out on the dancefloor, so I always appreciate a couple that dances together…you don’t have to be great dancers, just have fun!!
The final dance of the night…
Kristen and Ben – Thank you for allowing me to be part of your day…All of your hard work paid off in the end….It was beautiful!