Low Key and Perfect
Let me tell you about Haylee and Cory's perfectly planned wedding day - a gorgeous dusty rose and sage color scheme with touches of Harry Potter at an intimate Airbnb in Bridgeton, NJ!
The airbnb was actually a backup plan. Haylee had always imagined getting married in her Church but COVID forced her to change location. They decided to go for a smaller, more intimate wedding that could be held outdoors. The airbnb happens to be one of my favorite places I've gotten to photograph a wedding! The couple ordered from a local BBQ place for all the food- Hands Down BBQ. This pregnant photographer can attest that the food was DELICIOUS and the couple said the vendor was amazing to work with! For drinks they provided water and soda, alcohol was BYOB. Each table had their own ice bin to keep their drinks cold!
The biggest challenge the couple faced was cutting their guest list from 150 people down to 50. It was difficult to make that large of a cut, but their friends and family were very understanding about it!
One special part of the day was the officiant - Haylee's brother! They worked together to create the flow of the ceremony. The couple also decided to write their own vows, which was Haylee's favorite part of the day! Instead of doing a Sand Ceremony, they decided to do a blending ceremony with two different types of coffee beans- chocolate and coconut. Haylee is a huge coffee drinker and they will keep their special coffee blend in their Kitchen, they say, for the duration of their life!
Touches of Harry Potter
Why Harry Potter you ask?! Cory and Haylee met in a large Harry Potter Fan Group on Facebook (with thousands of other people). One day Haylee saw that someone in the group created a new group for single Harry Potter fans, named "Amortentia" (The love potion in Harry Potter). She asked to join and was approved quickly. She saw that there were a few moderators who would post to get people talking - one of them was Cory. A few weeks into being part of this group, she and Cory added each other Snap Chat, where they exchanged numbers. Cory was from Alabama s0 she never thought it would go any further than a few texting conversations.... They ended up FaceTiming nightly and he asked her to be his girlfriend about a month later! They both drove 6.5 hours to meet halfway for the first time - three months in their relationship. Cory decided to move up to New Jersey and the rest is history!
The couple incorporated the words "Until the Very End" (a HP quote) into the ceremony and other places in the wedding, like the cake topper. They also went with gold touches here and there to have a nice contrast against the dusty rose and sage.
The centerpieces had a table name that corresponded to a place in Harry Potter. Their "Sorting Ceremony" (seating chart) was made on a gold circular mirror- it ended up being one of Haylee's favorite things she made for the wedding!
DIY Details
The couple wanted to keep things simple and down to earth. They wasn't interested in wowing their guests. As long as everyone had a good time by the end of the day and they were married, that's all that mattered!
Haylee decided to create their flowers. Starting over a year out, she went to craft stores each season until she was able to get all the flowers in the colors that she envisioned! She created the bridesmaids bouquets, flower centerpieces, boutonnières, flowers for the welcome sign and the circular arch. By doing it herself she was able to make sure everything was exactly how she wanted it! The only floral piece that she did not make was her bouquet, which she bought from Etsy. (Although she did take it apart and add more flowers!) Since they used silk flowers, they were able to keep them forever! She was even able to use fabric from the bridesmaid dress company to put on the bouquets to tie everything together! For linens, they bought from an online company and were able to match the dusty rose and sage colors to napkins and table runners perfectly!
They had a small table to honor their loved ones that couldn't be there. Cory also had boutonnière pins to honor his late grandparents and Haylee had a bouquet charm for her late Aunt. Haylee couldn't decide which color she liked best so each bridesmaid wore a different color! She even made the favors that they gave out to their guests- everyone received a can koozie with a logo that Haylee created!
Their Favorite Part
Haylee had two favorite parts of the day- walking down the aisle and seeing Cory for the first time! His reaction was absolutely perfect. She also loved hearing each other's vows for the first time. Cory's favorite part of the day was after the crazy downpour ended, a rainbow came out and they were able to have a second first dance that wasn't planned!
How'd he ask?
Cory proposed to Haylee at their Fall Family Movie Night. He surprised her with the help of her entire family, but specifically her sisters and her mom. Cory ran inside to "help with the projector screen" right as they got to her sister's house, while Haylee walked to the porch, which was completely decorated and lit up for fall.
Hayley's two nephews came running out to talk to her (not unusual) and started showing her magic tricks! This gave Cory some time to change and get the ring (he had never seen it in person until that moment- he ordered it on Brilliant Earth and had it delivered her sister's house!) Cory came out and sat on the swinging bench on the porch under the twinkle lights. Everyone ushered Haylee to the porch, where Cory got down on one knee...she said yes! Everyone was inside ready to celebrate!
Photographer - Kayla Aspen Photography
Venue- @soraturningtides
Caterer - Hands Down BBQ
Hair/Makeup- Airbrush Artistry and Hair Design
Wedding Day of Coordinator- Just In Time Events
Wedding Dress Boutique- Wedding Belles Boutique
Bridesmaids Dresses- Azazie
Cake- @kizbeeskitchen
Groom’s attire- The Suit Shop
Invites: Minted
Rentals - Berlin Rental
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