Hudson Valley Handmade Wedding: Julianne + Jason

bride and groom

Julianne + Jason had a sweet summer wedding at the Mt. Gulian Historic Site in the Hudson Valley, New York. Captured beautifully by Oh Darling! Photography, their day is full of handmade touches + personal details. I especially love the tribute to their families with their wedding cake displays – so very special! Congrats to Julianne + Jason!

billy button boutonnieres

gold hair piece

ribbon ceremony backdrop


Two days before the wedding, I found Jason in an aisle of the hardware store he didn’t belong in. We seemed to just be putting our heads back on straight when Jason decided he wanted to make a backdrop for our ceremony. With the help of his parents the day before the wedding, Jason made two “teepees” out of copper piping and strung a rope with dangling ribbons between them. It was perfect. It was so beautiful and primitive, it gave the sense of ceremony that made me feel like I was partaking in something essentially human in nature.

wedding bells


We distributed bells on each chair at the ceremony, and gave bigger vintage bells to our wedding party and officiant. When we were pronounced a married couple, everyone rang the bells!

bride

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Appalachia Waltz – Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma

Recessional: Go Do – Jonsi

First Dance: You Send Me – Sam Cooke

bride in tea length dress

dusty miller bouquet

bride and groom

dusty miller bouquet

bride and groom hands

bride and groom

seating chart

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Walking into the barn and seeing everyone we love assembled.

anemone vases

bright florals in small vases


The summer before the wedding, Jason and I frequented every thrift and antique store we came across to collect about 150 glass vases, jars, pitchers – anything that would look good holding flowers. We had one rule – we had to average no more than $1 per vase. (I think we came in way under). I ordered the flowers from a few online wholesalers and the day before the wedding, 9 girls came to my hotel room to drink champagne, lunch, and work their tails off arranging countless little vases. My good friend Trudy spent the day on the bouquets and boutonnieres. Each girl seemed to have their own style, and it was fun to see the tables covered with hints of all the different personalities.

bright florals in small vases

bunting

bride and groom toast

barn wedding

cake bar


As Jason and I discussed our wedding, we realized that our entire immediate family tree was married for life. We thought this was really special, and also saw it as an opportunity to honor and remember our grandparents who couldn’t be with us. Rather than have one big (expensive) wedding cake, our caterer prepared 7 different kinds of 9″ cakes. Each cake was topped with a cut-out of a photo of a couple on their wedding day (each of our parents and grandparents). Everyone seemed to really enjoy getting this peek into the family photo album and reminiscing.

photo cake topper

photo cake topper

cake cutting

first dance

first dance

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Something will go wrong. Probably a few things. Big things. And it's going to be perfect.

photography: Oh Darling! Photography // venue name: Mt. Gulian Historic Site, Hudson Valley New York // music: The Grand Street Stompers // caterer: Bridge Creek Catering // bride's dress: Stephanie James Couture

Explore: