Oh my. How do I even begin to describe this day? I suppose the more I sit here and think about it the more I know that no amount of words will ever do it justice. But the photos just might and for that I am beyond thankful and so excited to share them with you. Our wedding day was magic. It was more than I could have dreamed and better than I ever imagined. We were engaged on the coldest and brightest of New Year’s Eves and although we will always now have a special place for winter in our hearts, summer is where our souls are meant to be. So on a gorgeous day in June we were married. We planned our celebration in just over 6 months and both agree we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. We have been together for what seems like forever. So many summers and falls and winters and springs. And are thrilled to keep loving each other until forever and a day.
I grew up spending my summers on Skaneateles Lake, a gorgeous little spot tucked right into the Finger Lakes in New York. When we started to look around for venues the Mandana Barn in Skaneateles literally dropped right into our laps — or maybe I should say we dropped right into theirs. I knew I wanted a simple wedding. One filled with green grass and flowers and family and friends. I worked hard to bring the vision I had in my mind for this day to life. And with the help of everyone around us it was more than I could have hoped for and then even better still.
The morning of the wedding Zan and I met up for breakfast on the water. We went to the bakery in town, got donuts and coffee and sat quietly with our feet over the edge of the lake. We weren’t nervous or anxious, only completely and wonderfully at peace. I am so glad we got that time together the morning of our day– before the hustle and bustle, before the thrill of it all.
My cousin Paige gave us some of the best advice before our wedding day. “Stay together the entire length of the day,” she said. Someone had given the advice to her and I will forever pass it on to others. It seems kind of obvious, but there are certainly times where we could have become separated during all the excitement. So many different friends to talk to! Such a big family! But once we came together for our first look we never left each other’s side.
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Although much of the wedding was planned by yours truly (and thankfully my mom who was able to be so close when Boston felt so far),there was certainly a team that helped the magic come alive. Our vendors include… Venue: Mandana Barn / Catering & Planning: James Hares, Mandana Inn (James help was immeasurable. Since we didn’t have a traditional wedding planner, James took over so many of the important venue details and truly helped the day come together perfectly.) / My dress: Ceremony Boston, designed by Karen Willis Holmes / Bridesmaid dresses and my blue suede shoes: J.crew / Zan’s suit and Groomsmen attire: J.crew / Groomsmen Ties: The Tie Bar / Band: Silver Arrow Band / Officiant: Emily VanLaeys / Flowers for tables, arbor, and ceremony: Fifty Flowers {with help from a massive team of my family and friends} / Bouquets, flower crowns, and garland: Laxton’s Florist / Hair and Make-up: Melissa Evans, Arabella Salon / Boat Rental: The Sherwood Inn / Wedding Arbor & Best Day Ever sign post: made by Zan, decorated and hand-lettered by my Aunt Heidi / Invitations and paper: designed by me, hand-lettered and illustrated by my Aunt Heidi ♥
And last but absolutely not least— an amazing photographer was my number one requirement {besides the groom, of course!}, and if there’s a word stronger than incredible then that would most certainly describe ours. Chad and Rebecca Hansen from First Mate Photography were a dream. They captured our day exactly how my memories keep it — beyond perfect. These photos are everything to me. A celebration of love, indeed…
I gave my bridesmaids each a monogramed necklace from Barberry and Lace
and these adorable cards are from the Etsy shop First Snow Fall.
Cheers!
Our wedding music…
Wedding Prelude // Annie’s Song, John Denver
Moon River, Andy Williams
Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
Bridesmaid Processional // A Thousand Years, The Piano Guys
Bridal Processional // Pachabel’s Canon in D
Recessional // Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours, Stevie Wonder ♥
{Wedding favor succulents from The Succulent Source.}
Our cake topper is from Lovely Grain Studio and guest book {not pictured!} is from Starboard Press.
First Dance // Today, Joshua Radin
Father-Daughter Dance // Charlie, Milk Carton Kids
Mother-Son Dance // Cracklin’ Rosie, Neil Diamond
The most beautiful, joyful day.
Best. Day. Ever.
♥♥♥
A bit cynical after a bad divorce from a marriage begun with an elopement. But, geez, you make me want to fall in love and get married again. So magical. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to hear that— glad these photos made you hopeful!!
Oh my goodness… these photos are just incredible! Everything looks so perfect and simple, in all the best ways. They’re so sweet. Congratulations! What a wonderful celebration!
Thank you, Emily! xox
Anna! This is all so beautiful and really does look like the best day over. I’m so happy for you both! I may be sitting in my room tearing up this morning looking at these – but only out of happiness :)
g.
Thanks, Gabi! They are so so special to me! And they make me tear up, too!
ANNA! i was holding it together until i saw zan’s face when he saw you and oh god i haven’t stopped crying. this is all so beautiful. you are beautiful, and this love is so beautiful and i’m so happy you shared them with us!
Love you, Alex. Yes, that picture is EVERYTHING.
Oh Anna…Zan…these photos are so incredibly beautiful, so full of love, and light, and warmth, and happiness that I just could not help but be moved to tears. How wonderful a day it looked, how glorious to celebrate with your loved ones. Anna, you pulled off your how-it’ll-look dreams perfectly. Congratulations, again, to the two of you, and thank you so much for sharing all this love with us!
Thank you for your kind words! xo, Tori!
The whole celebration looks so joyful, the photos are beautiful, but your faces in the first look are absolutely priceless and so heartwarming. Congratulations!
I love those captures too! Zan’s face is so happy!
Anna- these are BEAUTIFUL photos. I have to say that I teared up when I saw the pictures of you and your Dad walking down the aisle and I don’t even know you! haha
You did a wonderful job planning your wedding. It looks like everyone had so much fun celebrating and that is what it is all about. Congratulations to you and Zan!!!!
Thanks, Elizabeth!!!!!!
Heart eyes for DAYS. These pictures are not only magical…they truly capture the love felt on that day so perfectly!! Between wedding photos and honeymoon photos, I hope you registered for some extra gigs of storage!! Lastly, how do you leave the house?? I’d be parked in front of these on a continuous 24/7 looping slideshow!! xoxox
I look at them ALL DAY! Every day! I don’t leave the house! haha
xo, SPOM. So glad you were there to celebrate!
What beautiful photos! You will treasure those forever. So special!
Forever!
So, so great! What a truly beautiful, magical-looking day! The photos are absolutely stunning! The shots of you two dancing down the aisle are just too much :) Thanks for sharing these memories with us!
Yes! I love those! Thank you!
Wow. Congratulations on your wedding! Those photos are gorgeous! It looks like a wonderful, unforgettable day!
If I regret one thing than it was that we didn’t pick the right photographer for our wedding.
Yes, that was so important to me! Photos hold the memories!
Anna, these are so, so beautiful. I’m so happy for you. Thank you for sharing these- it looks like the most perfect day.
Thanks, Mandy! xo
This is the.most.beautiful.wedding.EVER! Congratulations!!!!
THANK. YOU. !!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh, these are GORGEOUS!!!
A girlfriend of mine gave me the same advice (always stick together) before my wedding, and now I always pass it along, too. The day is so fast, it’s easy to imagine being pulled apart for big chunks of it.
Congratulations!!!
Yes! Best advice! And thank you Julie!
Everything about this day is absolutely perfect. It sounds like a fairytale and I’m sure it felt like one, too. So happy for you two.
Thanks, Lindsay! And did you see Caroline in some of the pics?! So fun!
Ohmigosh. Call me a creep but I could look at these all day. This is so YOU Anna, and what an incredible job you did– I know so much of this was your own work! Those flowers alone– have you thought about this as a career?!? Simply stunning, and again, I’m so, so happy for you. xxx
Thank you, Emily! Yes, I worked hard! And I don’t know if I could do it for a career— might burn out, I feel like it was so much work. HAHA!
Only 16 comments? Whaaaa????!? This deserves 100s!
I mainly follow you on IG as I’ve pretty much stopped reading blogs, but I had to come bag to your blog to read the post about your wedding. I am absolutely not a mushy person (nor do I actually know you in real life), but I got teared up a few times looking through those photos. What a beautiful ceremony and reception- oh my! The look on his face when he turned around.. amazing.
I think your photographer was great, as you said, but really what makes wedding photos beautiful is the love that people have for each other and yours is SO OBVIOUS. It’s touching. Congratulations on finding someone who clearly loves you so much (and same to him!) that it’s obvious to complete strangers. Everything about this looked amazing. I’ve never wanted a wedding, but if I could have something as lovely and simple as that I just might change my mind!
Congrats!
This comment is my absolute favorite. Thank you for taking the time to say such nice things. Glad our love is obvious! And I wish for you the same magic someday! xoxoxoxo
one of the loveliest and most beautiful weddings I could ever imagine. congratulations to you both! I wish you so much in happiness in starting this new chapter of your lives together.
Thanks, Kaity! So much!
Oh Anna, these photos are breathtaking! The emotion of the day just radiates out of them. You are drop dead gorgeous and I can just see how joyful you felt all day long! Loved listening to your wedding songs while I browsed too. What a beautiful wedding! So happy for you and Zan!
I loved looking through your wedding photos! Such a wonderful day! LOVE the flowers and bridesmaids dresses! Great taste!
Congrats on your wedding! You look so beautiful in your dress! Love your pictures on the blog they look amazing. Loved this post!
Yours must be the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen. Loved all the photos, they are just perfect, but if I had to point some out, it would be your first look, your father giving you away, and your grandmother (or Zan’s grandmother) pinching your cheek – that one basically made me tear up!
Congratulations!
You looked utterly beautiful and belated congratulations! Everyone looks like they had a blast and that’s the most important of all