Becca & James

The morning began with bridesmaids in white robes piled across a bed in a sunny room. At one point someone held up an old snapshot of a bride from years ago standing between 2 older women, right in front of Becca and 2 women in nearly the same poses, and everybody laughed at how well it matched. Downstairs, the wedding party gathered in the front hall as a gray-haired man in a tuxedo reached for Becca's hands, a garland of greenery curling down the banister behind them.

Portraits happened out by the pond with a set of oversized white balloons, which turned out to be the best prop of the day. James kissed Becca's cheek while bridesmaids in pale dove gray drifted around them, ribbons tangling in the breeze, the tent already visible across the water. The ceremony sat under an arch thick with blush roses, dahlias, and eucalyptus. 2 officiants stood with them, one in a kippah and one in a clerical collar, and the kiss drew a grin from both.

Dinner was under a sailcloth tent with long farm tables, lanterns, and garden roses spilling across the centerpieces. By nightfall the tent glowed against the dark trees like a lantern itself. Then the chairs went up. Becca and James were hoisted over the crowd, Becca flinging her arms wide while James held on and laughed. Later there was a fire pit crackling on the lawn, a round of toasts that had them both in stitches, and a kiss in the photo booth to close out the night.