Lush Green Wedding With a Boho Twist
Sometimes you and your wedding venue are a match made in heaven, and that’s exactly how it was for Leanne and Nick at The John James Audubon Center. With no shortage of beautiful grounds to utilize, the couple was able to make their wedding day an event that was truly their own, bringing along the fabulous Emily Wren Photography and Belovely (talk about a winning duo!). Though the color palette consisted of greens and white, Leanne couldn’t resist a pop of fuchsia in her flower crown — which was just the perfect touch.
From the bride, Leanne: We wanted a curated elegant rustic look with outdoor ambiance. We had looked at a few different barn options before we saw The Audubon Center. And with their location (Nick grew up just down the street, only 45 minutes outside of Philly), professionalism of the staff, the illustration history behind the venue (Nick and I both went to the University of the Arts for Illustration), the price, and all of the beautiful locations on the venue i.e.: the apple orchard, the museum, the 1800s barn and the pavilion with its glass doors open to the outside, we knew we had found the right place. Plus we had heard such great things about the caterer Jeffery A. Miller Catering.
Wedding Bouquet: Garden spray roses, protea, lisianthus, astilbe, calcynia, queen anne lace, snapdragon, ruscus, salal, olive foliage, pistache foliage, and sword fern.
Our color scheme was basically greens and whites. Which was all brought in with the flowers and greenery from Belovely. We added brass from the vintage brass candle sticks that I had collected from flea markets and garage sales during our 2 year engagement. We also brought in Navy with Nick’s suit, my bridesmaids dresses and my wedding ring. And finally the pop of fuchsia from my flower crown. All of these colors are very classic and worked really well together they can all be found in nature and we really let nature inspire us as we both have a huge love for the outdoors.
My wedding dress was from Free People but it was not part of their wedding dress line. I actually bought it on sale (originally around $250 on sale for $80!!) from Bloomingdales. Because the price was so good, I actually bought two of the same dress! Then I worked with my trusted tailor, Sew Rob in Wynnewood, PA, to take the first dress and fit it perfectly to my body. I then asked them to cut up the second dress to take the lace and create a train for the first dress and it turned into exactly what I had always imagined. They also used the extra buttons from the second dress to add more buttons down the back, I had them tighten the sleeves to be more elegant and they added a bustle for dancing. I loved the vintage sheath look of the dress, and because I am so small, it helped me to look tall and thin. The lace on the dress was so special and different I got so many compliments, and it’s now hanging in our dressing room as both a sentimental piece but also as decoration on a vintage wooden ladder ^_^.
Any advice for couples planning their weddings now? My best advice is; if you can, give yourself time and take your time. Nick and I had been together for 6 years before we got engaged, and then had a 2 year engagement. I know that everyone is different, but Nick and I are both big planners, and we like to take our time and not get too stressed. This was the same advice I had gotten from Nick’s sister, Christi, who had gotten married a few years before we had gotten engaged. I truly think this was the perfect thing for us. Having two years to plan out all of the details that were important to us, made the wedding very special and personal, and Nick and I had a really fun time doing it all! None of it was really that stressful and we got to continue to enjoy our work, vacations and family functions without our wedding planning getting in the way. It was truly an enjoyable stress free time for us and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Wedding Music:
Prelude: Explosions in the Sky
Bride’s Processional: “Best Day of My Life,” Bright Eyes
Recessional: “Home,” Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
First Dance: “I Gotta Have You,” The Weepies
Father/Daughter Dance: “Father and Daughter,” Paul Simon
Mother/Son Dance: “Upward Over the Mountain,” Iron and Wine
From the photographer, Emily Wren Photography: Leanne & Nick were married on a beautiful bright summer day at the rustic John James Audubon Center. Leanne wore an embroidered Free People wedding gown, which she altered to add in a train! Her chunky heels were custom made for the occasion by Shoes of Prey. Her gorgeous bouquet of greenery by BLVLY complimented the green runners on the farm tables that decorated their reception. And her bright and bold flower crown was the perfect boho accent to the ensemble.
These two put so much personal detail to into their wedding and had such a clear and artistic vision! Leanne, a textile and graphic designer, designed all the paper goods herself. Inspired by the venue, a bird sanctuary and the historic site of JJA’s home, Leanne used images from John James Audubon’s historic series of paintings “Birds of America” for the invitations. Nick, also an artist and avid gardner, made all the beer and wine for the wedding himself! Leanne designed the table to match the style of the invites, complete with their wedding crest and “Birds of America” prints. Leanne also handmade each napkin ring out of leather, slipping in a feather for a styled touch! During the cocktail hour, a resident owl was brought out for guests to see! Leanne paid homage to the venue’s history in a way that was styled and considered without being hokey or overdone in any way! In one of the speeches Nick & Leanne’s friends said they were the type of people you would want by your side if the Zombie Apocalypse ever came – after seeing how crafty they both are, I can see why!!
Am I the only one who didn’t find your wedding ring in your post.
Did I miss it somewhere?
Charlie
https://www.ajaffe.com/engagement-rings