With all the details that go into planning a wedding, we can’t imagine pulling together a day this beautiful in just 4 months. But that’s not the only remarkable thing this couple did, they also managed to keep it a secret! These guests were in for quite a treat when they arrived at New York’s Blue Hill Farm. With stunning florals from Rountree Flowers and Erik Ekroth capturing every lovely detail, we are in love with this surprise affair!
From the Bride … Surprise! When our small group of friends and family arrived in the silo area of Blue Hill at Stone Barns on September 26, 2014 to celebrate our engagement over an intimate dinner (and wine, lots of wine), however, they had no idea that in less than 30 minutes, they would bear witness to the most memorable moment of our lives: the moment we said “I do!” Our experience shows that you really can plan a dream wedding in 3 months … while moving across the country, starting a new full time job, and keeping it all a big secret!
Ever since Dave planned our first “mystery date” we have taken every opportunity to surprise each other with fun dates ranging from special dinners, to baseball games, to road trips out to the lavender fields in Long Island. We’ve had so much fun surprising each other (and getting surprised!), that it was only fitting to turn the tables and work together to surprise our friends and family. Further, by keeping it a surprise, Dave and I could make our special day entirely our own, not worrying about the well-meaning friends and family members who many times want to insert their own opinions into the planning process.
Only my mother and father knew! They both did a great job of keeping mum and, to be honest, I never could have pulled off such a magical wedding without everything my mom did to help. She even had a few surprises for us up her sleeve in terms of décor, but stayed very true to keeping everything in line with what we had envisioned. The wedding was a surprise to everyone else, even my brother, my closest girlfriends, and Dave’s family and friends.
While Dave and my father welcomed our guests, I “hid” upstairs in the HayLoft bridal suite, which had a little window from which to see everyone getting off the shuttle. Somehow Dave managed to play it cool (it was my exceptionally emotional father about whom we worried the most!), saying hellos and making introductions before leading everyone outside. A surprise to us, my mom worked with a calligrapher in North Carolina to design a special font for our big day, using that design to create chalkboards welcoming our guests and letting them know what was about to take place! Looking back, they really made the wedding. Beyond letting guests know what was coming, the font and style set the mood for the evening – rustic and laidback, but at the same time adding a level of detail that demonstrated that, despite being a surprise and taking place only 4 months after getting engaged, our wedding was by no means thrown together as an afterthought.
Photography: Erik Ekroth | Floral Design: Rountree Flowers | Wedding Dress: Olia Zavozina | Ceremony Venue: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Reception Venue: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Boots: Frye Boots | Hair / Makeup: Margie Bresciani | Music: Venus Ensembles | Programs: The Paper Source | Wooden "Surprise" Signs: Country Outfitter