Some weddings unfold exactly as planned. Others invite us to shift direction, and in that shift, something unexpectedly beautiful can emerge.
For Stefanie and Brandon’s September wedding at the breathtaking Stone Mill Inn, the plan was to exchange vows inside the timeless architecture of The Abbey. Rain had been falling all day, steady and unrelenting, with no clear end in sight. As the ceremony hour approached, a quiet hope lingered, but the forecast offered no guarantees.
Then, just before guests were to be seated, the skies softened. A misty window opened. And Stefanie, with grace and unwavering heart, shared one simple, heartfelt desire: to be married outdoors. Surrounded by nature. Beneath the trees. In the place where she had always envisioned this moment.
And we made that happen.
With less than an hour to adapt, our team transitioned the entire ceremony design into a magical mystical forest. The forest space, already rich with natural beauty, transformed into a deeply intimate and ethereal setting. Moss-covered stone walls, tall trees, and flickering candlelight came together under a canopy of green and fog. Raindrops clung to petals. Guests gathered close. The air was cool and damp, and the moment: enchanted.
We do not take that trust lightly. It is a sacred honor to create for our couples and to interpret their vision, to hold space for their hopes, and to craft beauty even as the conditions around us shift. Stefanie had dreamed of an outdoor ceremony. And together, we made it happen. The florals were rooted in seasonal warmth and soft texture; muted terracotta, rust, toffee, blush, and ivory. We designed a large sculptural woody-vined arch layered with garden roses, hydrangea, amaranthus, grasses, and foraged woodland elements. Woven throughout were vibrant marigolds harvested from our own farm, offering bold pops of golden orange. They felt joyful, grounded, and exactly right.
The result was not only a ceremony; it was an experience. Honest, emotional, and perfectly in sync with the couple, the season, and the forest itself.
Photography by Garnet Dahlia captured the full story with breathtaking sensitivity. Every image tells a piece of the day’s quiet magic; from the rich floral textures to Stefanie and Brandon’s rain-kissed portraits beneath the trees.
Venue: Stone Mill Inn
Photographer: Garnet Dahlia
Florist: Events by Kelly’s Florist
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