Photos by Kate Crafton of The Studio Five

Jillian and Ryan LaFave are blessed beyond measure to have a rich family heritage (with Irish roots) and the love of their extended family surrounding them, especially on the day of their marriage.  September 5 was a perfect day for a late summer, vintage-inspired garden wedding. Kate Crafton of The Studio Five did a masterful job of photographing Jillian and Ryan on the Cedarwood grounds with a vintagesque vibe.

(Above) Some of the magnificent ‘old growth’ Cedar trees on our historic estate are over 200 years old. We love the perspective this one brings to the beginning of Jillian and Ryan’s life together and their vintage country wedding.

Jillian and Ryan’s wedding ceremony paid tribute to their Irish heritage with an Irish blessing which served as their charge to each other: “Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.”

Family connections are an important theme of this wedding. Jillian’s antique wedding dress was custom made by her grandmother and wore by her mother at her wedding, and Jillian looks like a million dollars in it!

Ceremony flowers and bouquets were created by Cedarwood designers in a country romantic, vintage style, including many cherished ‘old’ flowers like Lily of the Valley, David Austin Roses and Queen Anne’s Lace.  Fresh flowers spill out of antique garden pots hanging from pews.

Beautiful ceremony music filled the air, provided by a trio of Jillian’s fellow Belmont music grads and a friend who now writes musical scores for films. Jillian’s personal contribution to the music was her custom arrangement of “Happy Together,” a favorite Franklin family song played during the ceremony recessional. It was totally appropriate for this dreamy-in-love couple. Feel the happiness in the next photo!

The joining of the Franklin and LaFave family trees was a key theme throughout Jillian and Ryan’s wedding celebration, and we loved their wedding program conversation starter featuring “What Tree Did You Fall From?”  Programs assigned dates to corresponding tree species that gave guests characteristic insights.  The tree of Jillian and Ryan’s wedding day was the Weeping Willow, which we learned ‘loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, is empathetic, demanding, intuitive and sometimes finds an anchoring partner.’ Perfect for this beautiful, artistic, travel-loving newlywed couple who just happens to be traveling to Ireland for their honeymoon!

Being Cedarwood, we couldn’t resist discovering what the Cedar tree represents from Jillian and Ryan’s wedding tree’o’scope. According to this source, the Cedar tree represents ‘confidence’ – is of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, is healthy, determined, of many talents, industrious, optimistic and waiting for the one true love.  Appropriate for a place dedicated to beauty, hearts and the celebration of marriage!

Next up:  Jillian and Ryan’s reception celebration in Part 3.  More vintage loveliness and photos by the fabulous Kate Crafton!

Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team