This Couple Threw an Elevated, Flower-Filled Garden Party Reception After They Eloped

So – first things first – we’ve got to bring you up to speed on the first half of Melanie + Will’s bicoastal two-part wedding adventure!

At their autumn elopement in the Pacific Northwest, Melanie + Will tied the knot deep in the woods, shared an intimate meal with a handful of guests beneath towering trees, and ventured high into the mountains for some jaw-dropping photos.

But that was just the beginning! 

The following May, the newlyweds gathered tons of friends + fam together for this post-elopement reception on the East Coast so that everyone could celebrate together. Cause why not have more than one wedding day! You can actually have your wedding cake and eat it, too 🍰😉

“The May reception was a dream come to life: a wildflower-filled backyard transformed into an elegant garden party,” says the couple of the flower-filled day that The Wedding Plan + Co. helped them create at Melanie’s childhood home in New Jersey. “We had a short ceremony and emotional speeches, followed by a celebration full of incredible food, signature cocktails, dancing, and desserts.”

“We leaned into color, florals, and good food, making choices that felt fun, intentional, and true to us,” Melanie + Will say of the day’s bright + bloom-filled garden party aesthetic (captured SO beautifully by photographer Mary Costa, one of our all-time faves).

“It was colorful, elevated, and full of heart,” bride Melanie remembers. “Being surrounded by family and friends in the home where I grew up made everything feel even more special.”

We love that Melanie rocked the Brenna Heels in Ivory Satin from Dolce Vita as her wedding heels, and this dreamy flower-filled detail shot teases the day’s garden party vibe so perfectly.

Bride Melanie’s immaculate winged liner bridal makeup look and long, sleekly curled locks were the work of Make-Up Therapy.

This pastel yellow mother of the bride dress and its fluttery cape detail!! We’re obsessed.

I Do’s Among the Wildflowers

This curvy aisle setup is adding SO much whimsy to the already-magical floral concept.

To get on Melanie + Will’s level with your own ceremony design, check out our collection of creative ceremony seating ideas and our list of Wedding Aisle Decor Ideas We’re Obsessed With.

The day’s lush, immersive, wildflower-inspired floral arrangements were created by Made of Leaves.

Our Musical Choices
Processional
“Hysteric (Acoustic Version)” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Recessional
“You and I” by Wilco
First Dance
did not have one

Melanie’s STUNNING all-lace Mira Zwillinger wedding gown from Mark Ingram Atelier had our jaws on the floor.

Our Favorite Memory
One of our favorite parts of the day was getting ready together and having a quiet moment before everything got started. And seeing each other at the ceremony was something we won't forget.

Explore our collections of high neckline wedding dresses, lace wedding dresses, and long sleeve wedding dresses if you’re as inspired by Melanie’s delicate + elegant bridal silhouette as we are.

A Reception In Bloom

This is such a brilliant wedding reception seating chart idea!!

As each guest takes their own fresh flower filled bud vase to their seat, the tables will fill with flowers!!

We love it when couples let guests be part of the day’s floral magic. Like the build-your-own arrangement bar at this live music filled wedding in Austin and the ceremony hair flowers at this cottage core ranch wedding.

Even the wedding cocktails had a botanical flair!

How glorious is this clear top tent setup by Prestige Party Rental (who also took care of the day’s lighting). This is PEAK indoor/outdoor vibes.

If you haven’t taken a peek at Melanie + Will’s elopement, go look. Because the powder blue taper candles and bud vase arrangements in this tablescape are a direct reference to their intimate dinner in the woods the previous Fall! We love a bookend moment!

Laurence Craig Catering prepared the delicious dinner detailed in this gorgeous oval menu by Creative Designs By Jess.

We have Broadway Party Rentals to thank for the celebration’s elevated garden party decor, linens, and furniture.

Is there anything lovelier than seeing all of your favorite people buzzing about together during cocktail hour?

Melanie + Will’s pup nearly stole the show at their elopement and was clearly at it again at the New Jersey reception! So glad Mary Costa got this adorable shot.

Take a look through this kooky + colorful Highland Park elopement, this glamorous backyard wedding in Palm Springs, and this celestial Old Hollywood wedding to see more of Mary’s gorgeous work.

Snag an Instax camera and plenty of instant film to recreate Melanie + Will’s interactive photo guest book approach or check out our collection of unique wedding guest book ideas for even more inspo!

Hudson Cakery supplied this darling daisy-adorned three-tier wedding cake…

…complete with an homage to the precious Pup of Honor!

Congratulations again, Melanie + Will! Your garden party reception was totally glorious, and we love that you went for it with a big celebration in addition to your intimate elopement! Here’s to your two-part wedding inspiring lots of couples to do the same!