If there is one wedding tradition that I am completely smitten with, it would be the “wedding parade”. There is just something so joyous and magical about marching through the streets with all your loved ones on your way to celebrate your brand spankin new marriage. So you can imagine my excitement when I spotted this New Jersey wedding boasting not only a wedding parade but an equally magical backyard garden party. Oh be still my heart. All of it was captured to sheer perfection by Jen Causey Photography and there is even more of this whimsical celebration to pore over in the gallery.
see all the details from this New Jersey bash here!
I had always dreamed of having a backyard wedding in my small beach town of Manasquan, NJ. We had an amazing tent in our backyard and the party came to life. We got married at a church across from my parent’s house, officiated by the groom’s father. It was really special and personal. The church was just across the street so our guests and the bride and groom paraded to the reception with handmade “Just Married” signs in tow. I knew that I always wanted to create a lot of special details that our guests would remember! We created a foosball table. We bought a used foosball table and worked to make the little people look like brides and grooms. Our guests had a great time playing during the reception! I created a photo booth using a fabric backdrop and a Polaroid camera! Our guests took fun pictures of themselves and put them in our guest book with special notes for us that we will cherish forever. For the centerpieces, I scoured antique shops and thrift stores as well as enlisted our friends to find eclectic glass bottles in clear, blue and purple. The bottles went down the center of our long tables and my mom and I arranged wildflowers in the bottle to create a natural, “just picked” look!
Photography: Jen Causey / Dress: WTOO bought at Barefoot Bride in Fairhaven, NJ / Bride’s Shoes and Jewelry: Ann Taylor / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Catering: Mumford’s Culinary Center Tinton Falls, NJ / Tent: Sperry Tents / Florist: Wallflowers Spring Lake Heights, NJ / Ceremony Location: First Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, New Jersey / Reception Location: The Schmeling Home