A backyard wedding that is generations in the making is just about the most romantic thing you can imagine. And I’m not surprised that five brides in the family had wed their beloved on that very same plot of land when I see all of Olivia Gird Photography’s oh so amazing images of the waterfront and garden in this Rhode Island beauty. It’s a gorgeous family affair like no other and you can see it all right here.
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From the Bride… Len and I were married at my grandparents’ home along the Barrington River in Rhode Island. But we certainly were not the first! My own parents and four of my aunts had been married in the same backyard, and my cousin will soon follow in the tradition. As we began planning the wedding, Len and I knew that we wanted our wedding to truly reflect us as a couple, celebrate our families and friends, and keep everything within a reasonable budget. The backyard gave us a perfect setting. It had been over 20 years since the last wedding in the backyard, so while we weren’t recreating the wheel, we had a lot of work ahead of us. From weeding the garden all summer to cleaning the basement for the first time in years, the preparation was truly a labor of love.
We also incorporated plenty of DIY projects. With the help of family and friends we created flag banners, a lemonade stand, chalkboard signs, dessert toppers, mason jar tags, all the flower arrangements, landscaped and did so much more. One of my favorite projects was creating our invitations. Living in Hanover, New Hampshire, we had access to the Dartmouth College letterpress studio. Over the course of three months, Len and I learned how to letterpress and eventually designed, set and pressed each one of our invitations, reply cards and envelopes.
Our wedding day started out rainy, but we kept our eyes on the radar all morning and crossed our fingers that the rain would move out in time for our outdoor ceremony. We even waited an extra half hour for the rain to clear before we started the ceremony; during this time our guests enjoyed unplanned pre-ceremony cocktails and entertainment. And then magically, the rain cleared. I can’t remember being more happy than finally walking down the aisle towards Len. Our ceremony was particularly special. My brother, a captain in the Marine Corps, married us. Len and I wrote the ceremony, which focused on what we called the “four pillars” of our marriage — family, friends, partnership and commitment. Following the ceremony, we enjoyed an evening full of delicious food, fun, and laughter — and kept the dance floor full all night long. It was truly one of the happiest days — a day that was about us, our life together, and our family and friends.
Wedding Photography: Olivia Gird Photography / Wedding Venue: The Bride’s Grandparents’ Home in Barrington, Rhode Island / Wedding Planning, Decor + Design: DIY by the Bride, Groom, Family + Friends / Floral Design: DIY by the Bride’s Aunts + Grandmother / Wedding Cinematography: Metal Chopstick Productions / Catering: 195 Franklin / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Bride’s Aunt + A Friend / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Ceremony + Cocktail Reception Music: Andrea Arsenault / Reception Band: The Rippers / Tent + Rentals: ABC Rent-A-Tent / Wedding Dress: Wtoo / Bride’s Sash: Liv Harris via VOWS Bridal Outlet / Bride’s Boots: Hunter / Hair + Makeup: New Leaf Hair Studio / Bride’s Rings: Tiffany & Co. / Maid of Honor’s Dress: Nordstrom / Grooms Attire: Macy’s / Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Groom’s Wedding Ring: Kathleen Prindiville Fine Jewelry / Flower Girl’s Dress: J.Crew Factory Store / Flower Girl’s Basket: Point Knits (Owned by the Bride’s Aunt)