Wisteria Hall Wedding & Lakeside Ceremony at Grandma's

Morning brunch and lakeside ceremony at grandma’s house

This Wisteria Hall Wedding day actually started at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. This was my first time meeting Alana and John and anyone in their family. And even so, as I walked through the front door, I was overcome with cozy feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Family photos lined the walls and knick knacks were strewn about. This home was lived in and loved, and I would come to learn that it had been lived in and loved for more than a century. This home had been passed down in the family since the 1800’s. John and Alana chose to get ready together in Grandma’s room. John helped Alana into her wedding dress which she had embroidered and sewn herself. After they got ready, and before the day began, they shared a moment just looking out the bedroom window at the dock on the lake where they would soon be married. Soon the house started to buzz with people. Nieces and nephews, parents and grandparents, some traveling all the way from New Zealand, began to filter in. Everyone was enjoying donuts, coffee and good company and the old home was full of big hugs and hearty laughs.

Intimate ceremony on the lakeside dock

As afternoon drew near, the group began to make their way outside and to the chair lined the dock. There were so many little stories to document as I made my way down to the lake. The best friend practicing his speech. The nieces preparing their flower baskets and the nephew clutching the Star Wars ring box and preparing for his big role. I made my way to a higher vantage point to document the whole scene and was amazed by the beauty of the dock reflected in the still lake water. But as always, my favorite moments are the inbetween ones after those big events. Moments like the bride high-fiving the ring bearer for a job well done. And the big congratulatory ‘it’s official!’ hugs. And the flower girl doing her part in cleaning up the dock after the ceremony. As the men were carrying away chairs, she was picking up petals.

Strolling the Arboretum + The Wisteria Hall Wedding reception

When we arrived to Wisteria Hall, I wandered through the Washington Park arboretum‘s sprawling gardens with Alana and John. It was October and the trees and the ground were bursting with color. They danced under the trees and savored their first few married minutes alone together.

I would describe the rest of the evening in Wisteria Hall as cozy and warm, even though it was outdoors and we got a few drops of rain. Dinner was served and guests sat down to a family style dinner. The long tables were glowing in the candlelight. After dinner, the courtyard was buzzing with fun and laughter as people were pulling their party crackers and poppers. Kids and adults alike were sharing the jokes inside and trying on their colorful paper crowns. One thing I absolutely loved about Alana and John’s day is that it did not follow any kind of script. They got married in grandma’s backyard. They opted for a t-shirt canon instead of a bouquet toss. And they shared a family dance with their nieces and nephews instead of a couple’s first dance. They also set up game tables because they love gaming and are not into dancing. Every little detail was so intentional and personal to who they are.

Without further ado, here’s some highlights from Alana and John’s lakeside ceremony at grandma’s house and Wisteria Hall Wedding photo-story.

Enjoy – Jess