Melissa & Aaron’s Saturday wedding celebration at Hawthorne House was simply perfection! Their dusty blue and navy color palette was the perfect complement to spring’s early foliage. Their white and green flowers were that perfect combination of elegant and textured. Melissa’s gown was stunning. The weather was absolutely ideal. And on top of all of these beautiful details, Melissa included so many inter-generational details to their day.

First, Melissa’s bouquet was decorated with something borrowed from both of her grandmothers: lace from her maternal grandmother’s wedding gown, and a blue cross charm from her paternal grandmother. The tablecloth that adorned their guest book table was crocheted by her great-grandmother and has been incorporated into all family weddings since 1988. Melissa’s stunning earrings were made from the diamonds of Melissa’s mother’s original wedding bands. Their cake cutter was used at Melissa’s parent’s wedding. And each table at the reception treated guests to a plate of homemade mints made by Melissa’s mother’s family.

But the most surprising special detail of the day? Melissa’s close friend Grant served not only as a member of the wedding party, but he also played the piano and officiated the couple’s ceremony! Their original officiant was too ill to attend the ceremony, so Grant literally became ordained the day before the wedding. I’m not sure if their original officiant had any close family ties to Melissa & Aaron, and if not I kind of love that they got to share such an important rite of passage with such a dear friend.

I have captured numerous other weddings at Hawthorne House, and I love how each of them can look so different! Not only because they are photographed at different times of year, but because there are so many different beautiful portrait spots throughout the property! Melissa & Aaron’s wedding was the first time that I photographed the wedding party in front of the chapel, and I absolutely loved this idea. (I’ll give credit where it’s due to Melissa 😉 ) Hawthorne House’s picture-perfect little chapel is just the perfect backdrop to complement Melissa & Aaron’s elegant aesthetic.

After the ceremony and family formal portraits, I took a few minutes to capture some newlywed portraits for Melissa & Aaron. I love when I get to capture this extra emotional time in the day. After the ceremony, all the anticipation and stress has melted away, and it shows in these portraits! They’re definitely some of my very favorite of the day. But don’t worry, Melissa & Aaron still got to enjoy a good portion of their cocktail hour before the evening’s reception fun began!

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A huge thank you to the team that made this day possible!

venue: Hawthorne House
coordination: Victoria with Pretty + Planned
floral: Good Earth Floral
hair & makeup: White Carpet Bride
catering: Brancato’s Catering
videography: Luxe Studios
entertainment: Elite Sounds
2nd photographer: Esperanza Dunning

Cheers to Melissa & Aaron!

Can’t get enough of these lovebirds? Check out their engagement session!