Oakley + Casey’s idea to be married under the massive 400-year-old Mother Oak tree at Philo Ridge Farm in Charlotte, Vermont turned into midsummer magic when they decided that it should happen after dark under the glow of a full moon!
Since an ethereal evening ceremony was the goal, the couple chose to pass on a traditional ceremony-then-reception wedding day timeline and instead create an immersive wedding weekend for their guests that culminated in their after-dark “I do’s.” That means their reception came before they walked down the aisle.
Oakley + Casey wanted their wedding weekend to be about spending as much time as they could with the loved ones they’d gathered together and about those people fostering real and lasting connection with each other. By the time their guests were sitting under the stars at the ceremony, they had already made tons of memories with each other at a welcome dinner, a lakeside beach day, a cocktail hour, and a farm-to-table feast. Everything wrapped up with an epic dance party that ran into the wee hours of the morning, and Rodeo & Co. Photography snapped some gorgeous shots along the way.
We are loving the way Oakley + Casey (with the help of planner Randi Nonni Events) reinvented the typical wedding schedule to support all the unique and loved-filled details of their moonlit celebration.
The Welcome Party
Blomma Flicka flowers outfitted the welcome/rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding with towering textured floral installations and tons of climbing leafy vines to create magical summery vibes right from the start of Oakley + Casey’s weekend.
Love all this bright and summery wedding guest style! Check out our list of the best summer wedding guest dresses.
Take a peek at our breakdown of the 42 best barn venues if Oakley + Casey’s rehearsal dinner has you dreaming of a romantic, rustic spot to tie the knot.
If you need a hand putting your own special spin on your pre-wedding festivities, check out our helpful rehearsal dinner planning guide.
A major portion of the welcome party featured entertainment provided by the guests themselves!
“Every guest on the list was invited to the rehearsal dinner in which songs and poems where shared in lieu of speeches. People brought their guitars and poetry and serenaded, roasted, and honored the bride and groom. It was as entertaining as it was special,” say Oakley + Casey.
Sometimes, it’s not all about cake. How delicious does this dessert table look?!
Wedding Morning Fun!
Since their celebration didn’t begin until the evening, Oakley+ Casey started off their wedding day by renting out Burlington Surf Club on the banks of Lake Champlain and treating their guests to an 80’s-themed beach party full of fun and friendly competition.
Cocktail Hour + Farm-To-Table Dinner
How fabulous is Oakley’s tiered floral pre-ceremony-reception dress by Zimmerman?! Oakley spotted it on a mannequin during an NYC shopping trip to Saks Fifth Avenue with a friend and knew she had to have it.
Vermont Tent Company created a perfect outdoor setup where guests could enjoy the farm-to-table feast by Let’s Pretend Catering.
SO into Casey’s light gray wedding suit. Copy the look with this one from Indochino!
This centerpiece 😍 There’s something so summery about the pairing of bold pink and pastel orange.
Also, how great is that gold-rimmed glassware? We love the way it adds an element of elegance to this elevated-yet-rustic reception.
This three tiered pressed floral wedding cake by Blue House Bakeshop was the perfect mix of sophisticated and whimsical.
AND it matched Oakley’s dress!
Oakley’s stunning piecey, wavy braid and natural, glowy makeup look were by Hopcraft Collective.
A Pre-Ceremony First Look
After their reception and before they gathered under the Mother Oak tree for the ceremony, Oakley + Casey stole a moment alone together. Her criss-cross back long sleeved lace gown from Rue de Seine is totally breathtaking.
Loving these super-unique sleeves!
A Ceremony Under The Full Moon
A little Shakespeare for inspiration—Oakley + Casey say the theme of the celebration was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and we are TOTALLY picking up on those magical woodsy fairy vibes.
Oakley’s bridesmaids carried lanterns instead of bouquets.
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles
Recessional: “There and Back Again" from The Lord of the Rings soundtrack
First Dance: “The Sun is Shining Down” by JJ Grey & Mofro
These ceremony florals by Blomma Flicka are blowing our minds. The illuminated aisle arrangements look like something out of a fantasy novel and this bridal bouquet is fairy-queen-fabulous.
Check out some ideas for how to use fairy lights at your wedding if you can’t get enough of this dreamy ceremony setup.
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Have an amazing wedding planner! It’s worth every penny and every second. (Randi Nonni, you are the best there is.)
Pick three things that are most important to each of you and share what they are. Support each other in meeting these desires and have fun with it!
Stay close throughout the weekend. Take moments to stop and look around and take it in together. You’ll want to have many shared memories of the weekend.
There will be things that just will not get done and you will never remember what they are. So, let them go as you get closer to the wedding.
On the wedding day, let it *all* go. Be present and enjoy the day!
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding Standing together underneath the Great Mother Oak tree beneath the stars, among fireflies, candles, and tall summer grasses, surrounded by our closest family and friends… and the 3am post dance party pizza walk back to the hotel.
A twinkly full-moon fantasy! Fireflies even filled the field all around this beautiful Oak.
Casey is the Senior Managing Director at Philo Ridge Farm, so tying the knot on this property was particularly special for these two.
Late Night Dance Party
After their magical moonlit ceremony, Oakley + Casey boarded busses with their guests to dance the night away at Arts Riot Distillery!!
Congratulations, Oakley + Casey, on your love-filled full moon wedding!! GWS wishes you all the best!
photography: Rodeo & Co. Photography // venue name: Philo Ridge Farm , Charlotte, Vermont, USA // event design: Randi Nonni Events // planning: Randi Nonni Events // florals: Blomma Flicka // wedding dress: Rue de Seine // wedding dress boutique: Everthine Bride // hair stylist: Hopcraft Collective // makeup artist: Hopcraft Collective // videography: Align Film // catering: Let's Pretend Catering // cake: Blue House Bake Shop // tabletop rentals: Vermont Tent // music: DJ TRX // cocktails: The 126 // flower dress: Zimmermann // fire pits: Fire Fire // after party venue: Arts Riot
