A Moody Garden Party Transformed into an Enchanting Black-Tie Affair
[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]
Burgundy, blush, sea foam blue, with gold and black accents.
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
When I first met with our wedding planner, Daulton, I did not have a fully formed vision. I only knew I wanted the day to feel like a “moody garden party,” something colorful and romantic that did not rely on traditional bridal palettes. From that simple idea, she created a design that completely transported us. What she brought to life felt like stepping into an intimate black-tie dinner in the world’s most enchanting garden. The tent structure, the lush and textural florals, and the thoughtful accents inspired by the venue’s wallpaper all came together to create an immersive and unforgettable experience.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]
The proposal was an unforgettable surprise. We met in law school at the University at Buffalo, so when Mike mentioned needing to stop by campus, nothing felt out of the ordinary. Instead of heading inside, he guided me toward the courtyard where he shared the sweetest words about our relationship before proposing with a ring that once belonged to his grandfather. A family friend was secretly nearby to capture the moment. Afterwards, we celebrated with our families, which made the surprise feel complete.
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]
I knew from the start that I wanted a gown with an overskirt that would allow me to shift from ceremony elegance to a more streamlined reception look without a full outfit change. When I found the Wednesday dress by Wona Concept, it was an instant yes. The dramatic overskirt paired with delicate floral appliqué gave it the perfect combination of structure and romance. I purchased the gown at Bridal by J in Canandaigua. My veil was custom-designed by Ali Eagen of Made by Anatomy in Buffalo, who also handled all alterations and made the entire ensemble feel personal and special.
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]
The bridesmaids wore elegant ruby colored dresses by Amsale, which complemented our palette beautifully and brought a rich and moody pop of color to the day. My sister and mother wore coordinating gowns by Rickie Freeman Teri Jon, creating a cohesive and elevated look among the women closest to me.
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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom wore a classic tuxedo from Jos. A. Bank.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]
Cocktail hour featured a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a traditional sit-down dinner with a duet entrée of filet mignon and Chilean sea bass. We wanted the dining experience to feel elevated but still deeply personal, so we incorporated meaningful touches throughout the evening. Instead of a signature drink, we offered a whisky tasting cart, which was very popular with our guests. Both of our dads enjoy whisky and helped curate the selection, and it served as a sweet nod to the years I spent studying in Scotland. In keeping with Mike’s family tradition, his mom and several cousins baked an assortment of beloved family recipe cookies. They were presented on charming two-tiered trays and became one of the most heartwarming and delicious details of the night.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]
The florals and décor were truly the heart of the design. Daulton drew inspiration from the venue’s iconic wallpaper and incorporated its colors and botanical motifs throughout the entire space. The tent was transformed with lush, layered garden florals that spilled across the tables and installations, culminating in a breathtaking floral cloud suspended above the reception. Elegant pendant chandeliers, soft greens, and thoughtful accent details created a warm and inviting glow. The entire setting felt like dining inside a magical garden, and it was romantic, immersive, and completely unforgettable.
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]
The Village Bake Shoppe created both the bride’s cake and the groom’s cake in Lewiston, New York. The bride’s cake was a three-tier lemon cake with raspberry filling. The groom’s cake was a rich chocolate s’mores cake decorated with fondant versions of two of Mike’s favorite things, his guitar and our dog Posey. It was a fun surprise and instantly became a guest favorite.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Music is especially meaningful to Mike, so choosing live entertainment was an easy decision. The Sly Band brought incredible energy and kept the celebration lively from start to finish. One memorable detail was beginning the reception with a dance set as guests entered, which immediately encouraged people to interact, dance, and enjoy the band even before we made our entrance.
Our first dance was to the timeless classic “Fly Me to the Moon.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]
We are completely obsessed with our dog Posey, and even though she could not attend the wedding, we found several playful ways to include her throughout the day. Guests loved the koozies and drink stirrers featuring her face, but my favorite detail was the “doggie bags” used for sending guests home with extra cake. Each one was printed with Posey’s portrait, which added a sweet and personal touch.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]
A subtle but deeply meaningful detail was incorporating framed photos of our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings into the décor. Daulton selected frames that blended beautifully with the design and styled them on bookcases during the ceremony, later moving them to the shelves behind the bar for the reception. They became a lovely conversation piece and a heartfelt tribute to the marriages that came before ours.
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]
Early in the planning process, I became captivated by a botanical wallpaper at our venue featuring birds, vines, and florals. I worked with Buffalo-based pen and ink artist Karen Matchette to sketch some of my favorite elements, and we incorporated those illustrations into our invitations and day-of paper goods. It became a subtle artistic thread that tied the entire design story together.
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Laura Rose | Floral Design: Wildroot Floral | Wedding Dress: Wona Concept | Cakes: Village Bake Shop | Ceremony Venue: Country Club of Buffalo | Reception Venue: Country Club of Buffalo | shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Makeup: Paul Mariani Beauty | Hair: Golden Hour Buffalo | Band: The Sly Band | Groomsmen Attire: Jos A Bank | Alterations + Bridal Valet: Made By Anatomy | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Amsale | Ceremony + Cocktail Musicians: Buffalo Heart Strings Quartet | Cookies: Homemade by the Groom’s Family | Paper Goods: Elizabeth Lynn Designs | Planning: The Refined Host | Rentals: Tesoro Event Rentals | Rentals: Hank Parker’s Tent & Event Rentals | Tuxedo + Accessories: Jos. A. Bank | grooms shoes: Stacey Adams
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