This intimate Connecticut beach wedding was such a dream to be a part of. Part beach wedding, part backyard wedding and 100% chill and fun! Their wedding was just one example of why I love intimate weddings.
When Frances & Garrett reached out to me and told me that they were planning a small backyard beach wedding I was super excited! Then I found out that it would be taking place among the beach cottages that had been in Frances family for a few generations and where she would spend all of her summers (and where she had started bringing Garrett). That put me over the moon because I love when the venue has a special kind of significance to the couple.
The charm of the cottages were exactly what you think of when you envision a historic beach house, and the tent set up for the ceremony and reception was in between two of them overlooking their small section of the beach on Long Island Sound.
The day started with Frances getting ready in one of the cottages, with friends and family helping with hair and makeup.
One both Frances and Garrett were ready and on site, we did a First Look on the beach.
After the first look we did some family photos. One photo that it was really important to capture was the couple with Frances’ grandparents on a bench that her grandfather and great-grandfather had hand built. It has become the official “family photo bench” capturing all the gatherings and life moments that happen at the compound of cottages.
If this look like your idea for a good time, reach out to me so I can help make your New England beach wedding a reality!
Once family photos were finished, guests started arriving and it was time for the ceremony. Under the tent they had built an arbor from driftwood logs and a few of the aisle chairs had austere wildflower decorations. The ceremony itself was short and sweet, keeping thing laid back and simple. Garrett’s mom performed a reading before the exchange of vows and rings.
Once the ceremony was over, the whole family pitched in to transform it for the reception, moving tables and chairs and decorations, while Frances & Garrett enjoyed a celebratory champagne toast.
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, Frances & Garrett and I headed back out onto the beach for some more portraits since the tide had gone down and there were visible rocks in the water that we could wade out to and stand on.
The entire reception was super laid back and fun. The only formalities that happened were toasts, but there was lots of fun to be had on the beach and on the dance floor.
Frances & Garrett’s Connecticut beach wedding was so fun and special, but most of all it was an amazing wedding day because of the unique atmosphere created by the meaningful venue, the choice to keep the wedding small (about 50 guests), the inclusion of family in meaningful moments, and the laid-back festivities included in the day.
Connecticut Beach Wedding Vendors:
Dress: @sosn.bridal
Flowers: @flowers.on.the.green
Catering: @themarketplaceguilford
Cannoli: @cannolitruck
Rentals: @taylorrentalct
Rings: Family Heirlooms! ❤
