Bartram Gardens Outdoor Wedding

Sean and I met as college sophomores in an intermediate photography class nearly ten years ago. Since then we’ve studied together, traveled the world, and started a family He proposed under an Oklahoma waterfall, with a custom ring he designed of his great grandmother’s diamond.

Thinking about our wedding day even now (nearly a year later) brings tears to my eyes. It was exactly what I hoped and dreamed it would be. As a designer, I had a really clear vision of how I wanted everything to look. Sean and I described our day as a modern, funky garden party. I worked really hard to ensure that by the time our wedding day arrived, it felt natural and effortless, but beautifully styled. We were lucky enough to work with some great vendors who really brought my vision to life.

Our wedding took place in early June at Bartram’s Gardens, in Philadelphia. Bartram’s is a unique 10-acre sanctuary of gardens and woodland located smack in the middle of an otherwise metropolitan area. It’s very peaceful and quiet, and home to many rare plants. Exactly 100 of our closest friends and family were with us on our big day. The morning of our wedding started out with some questionable weather, but I was honestly too giddy to even notice. The clear blue sky arrived with perfect timing for our Quaker-style ceremony in the formal garden, followed by cocktail hour. Our guests were encouraged to explore the gardens, play bag toss, and sip Sean’s home-brewed beer and homemade cocktails on the lawn. The reception took place on the brick patio, under a gorgeous draped tent. The fireflies put on quite a show in the open meadow, while the Philadelphia skyline glimmered in the background. At the end of the night, Sean and I climbed into the “party bus” with all of our friends, and took a quick ride to our neighborhood where we ended the night with a mini bar hop.