Photos by Kate Crafton of The Studio Five

Weddings are magnificent events that anchor families from one generation to the next. Jillian Franklin and Ryan Lafave’s September 5 Cedarwood wedding was a tapestry of richly woven details that connected past and present in the most beautiful and meaningful ways.

Jillian’s style was full of romance and authentically vintage elements. Antique lace, family portraits, heirloom pearls and cameos graced everything from wedding invitations to bouquets to decor. These enchanting elements were anchored by one magnificent style statement: Jillian’s heirloom wedding dress!

Featuring intricate details, trim, appliques and cotton crochet lace, this custom designed dress was handmade by her maternal grandmother, June Tommie, and worn by her mother, Peggy, when she married Jillian’s father, Allen Franklin. Jillian is stunning and purely original in this perfect fitting dress.  We absolutely adore the next two photos  of Jillian’s grandmother and mother helping her into her wedding dress.  Some things really are priceless.

Kate Crafton of The Studio Five did an immensely impressive job of capturing so many captivating images from this wedding.  We do not exaggerate when we say it was a tremendous challenge to cut our favorite photographs for a three-part feature on this wedding!

Beauty + emotion + spacial intrigue = phenomenal wedding photographs. Well done, Kate!

Cedarwood planners had an amazing time with Jillian and Peggy in identifying the right details and designing floral and decor to carry out this dreamy romantic vintage wedding style.  Jillian’s bridal bouquet featured the quintessential vintage wedding flower, Lilly of the Valley.  Along with white stock, gardenias, and white freesia, embellished with heirloom lace and pearl accents, this bouquet could have been plucked out of a country estate wedding from a former era.

Ryan’s boutonniere was appropriately wrapped with a touch of lace from Jillian’s bouquet.  Bridesmaids carried “Timeless” roses, white stock, queen Anne’s lace and white freesia tied with moss ribbon and lace streamers for a decidedly vintage feel.

True to tradition, Ryan didn’t want to see Jillian before the wedding.  That didn’t stop Kate from setting up some creative pre-ceremony photographs!  Kate tied a cloth around Ryan’s eyes and he was ready to go. Some of the best photos of the day are among this ‘blindfold series’ – especially the look on Jillian’s face when Ryan was led  outside!

Gorgeous flower girl, Mary Grace Abel, hangs out in the front lawn swing before the wedding (photo below.)  There’s a lot more gorgeousness coming up! Join us for Jillian and Ryan’s vintage-romantic garden ceremony in Part 2.

Sometimes it’s nice to see the Cedarwood grounds before the action begins.  The above photos shows the garden terrace and barnyard at mid afternoon (aproximately 3:30 P.m.)  The sun is just beginning to dip behind the trees to the west, which creates the beautiful long shadows on the meadow and shades the ceremony area by 5:30 P.m.  We think the ideal lighting for a Cedarwood ceremony is one hour prior to sunset.  Magical!

More from Kate Crafton, Jillian and Ryan coming soon.  You guys are fantastic!

Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team