An Outdoor Wedding in December

Every year between Thanksgiving and New Years our local botanical garden hosts Winter Garden Aglow, an evening event during which the trees, bushes, fences and other areas are decked in twinkle lights, totally transforming the look of the garden. This year on December 22 I had the opportunity to coordinate a wedding for a couple who created their own version of Winter Garden Aglow in the backyard of a private home. A grape arbor runs between the back door and the garage. It was covered in lights, as was the fence and the deck cover. Lights hung from the trees. The ceremony occurred in a small courtyard to one side of the arbor where a fire pit helped dispel the cold.

The 60 guests walked out the front door of the home, around the corner, and through the gate into the backyard where they formed two lines under the grape arbor. Each held a battery-operated candle. The bride then walked through the line of guests and collected flowers for her bouquet from eight ladies. It began to snow just as the ceremony started, adding to the ambiance. The ceremony ended with the couple leading the guests back out the gate, around the corner and into the house as they all sang a Christmas carol. The couple then returned to the yard for photos in the falling snow.

The reception was cocktail party-style with plenty of food, much of it prepared by the bride. Each guest was asked to bring an ornament for the couple's wedding Christmas tree. The bride and groom hung the first ornaments, a bride and groom, then guests added their gifts. The wedding was unique and one that guests will long remember.