After seeing today’s wedding, it comes as no surprise to hear the bride & groom run their own vintage shop, Hoof & Antler. Because not only was their gorgeous garden party brimming with DIYed details (cleverly crafted by the bride’s father), lush organic florals, with that ‘just picked’ feel, and creative garden details; but also vintage ephemera decorated every surface and corner!

Jennifer & Ronnie got married on their 10 year anniversary, and if you think that is sweet, just wait until you hear about their first date! “We met for our first date at a coffee shop in South Philly, which initially was supposed to consist of coffee, a quick bite to eat for lunch, and some time spent playing chess. As we polished off our lunch the conversation flowed and it was at this time that our mutual love for thrifting surfaced. Before long we were digging through countless treasures at thrift stores, antique shops, and used book shops just a few blocks away. At one point we discovered a shelf full of dusty vintage games which kept us enthralled for hours. When all was said and done our first date lasted over 12 hours and as we went our separate ways we both realized that something very very special had just happened. Since that day we have been inseparable, on our eight year anniversary, we returned to the coffee shop where it all began and got engaged.” Isn’t that just the sweetest??

Anyway, when it came to planning their big day, the couple knew just what they wanted from the start. Jennier explains, “Living in the city, we wanted to stay true to our Philly roots, while also wanting to be surrounded by the beauty of nature. Since we run a vintage business it was important for us to incorporate vintage decor throughout the event, as it’s a huge part of who we are as a couple. The wedding was situated within a botanical garden, so we created a “vintage garden party” look and feel!”

“Luckily for us we have lots of very talented friends, so we decided to put their talents to good use throughout the day! Our wedding ceremony pianist + violinist, our officiant, and DJ were all close friends of ours, which, coupled with our bridal parties, really added to the overall sense of family and celebration. Having all of our favorite people taking part in the event is something that we’ll never forget.”

“We created or procured most of our wedding decor. We have a small vintage decor business, and I (the bride) am a graphic designer. We also had help from my father, who is a carpenter, for all of our power tool needs. Our list of DIY projects included: all the paper materials, which we printed and crafted at home; the table runners, table number stands, and cake stands; the ceremony archway; DIY photo booth background; and the giant JENGA game.”

Pearls of wedding wisdom from the bride…..

“Being an artist, and avid DIYer, I wanted to finely curate every detail of our wedding. For not just my own sanity, but that of my future husband, I quickly realized we could not do it alone. We needed a planner – someone to “hold our hand” along the way, and take care of all the “day of” logistics. Hiring a planner to handle your “day of details” will allow you to relax, maximize time, and really enjoy your day. Plus, by opting to DIY everything possible, we were able to hire a planner at a budget friendly price.”

Isn’t that portrait such fun! Huge and heartfelt congratulations to the happy Jennifer & Ronnie! A big thankyou to them and of course to the wonderful Tree of Life Films & Photography who captured all the important moments and gorgeous details so perfectly. If you love their photography as much as I do, and would like to see more of their work, head over to their website www.treeoflifeweddings.com and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

VIEW THE GALLERY

And if, as I do, you’re head over heels with this wedding and are looking for more boho vintage inspiration for your own big day, then you might want to see Bailey & Chad’s blush-infused celebration in the Colorado mountains, Emily & Chris’s Vineyard wedding against another Colorado backdrop and Shelby & Zach’s bright and beautiful garden celebration. Oh and Kristina & Josh’s butterfly filled beauty in the Australian outback is not to be missed!

Amy

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Credits & Contributors

Photography – Tree of Life Films & Photography // Event Planning – Shannon Wellington Weddings // Venue – Bartram’s Garden // Floral Design – Fresh Design Florist // Catering – Day by Day // Wedding Cake – Nutmeg Cake Design // DJ – DJ Carrie Dangerous // Makeup Artist – ONLO // Hair Styling – The Cutting Point Salon // Wedding Dress – Rue De Seine via Lovely Bride Philly // Bridal Accessories – BHLDN and Naturalizer // Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Adrianna Papell from BHLDN // Groom’s Apparel – Joseph Abboud // Tabletop Rentals – Modern Relics and Hoof & Antler // Furniture Rentals – Maggpie Vintage Rentals, Fox and Finch Vintage Rentals, and Barnes Handcrafted Farmhouse Tables