Real wedding · Old Lyme, Connecticut
Marina & James
A private backyard in Old Lyme
A white steeple, a red pickup, and s'mores by the fire
- Venue
- A private backyard in Old Lyme
- Location
- Old Lyme, Connecticut
- Setting
- Tented & backyard
- Photographs
- 26 selected
The bridesmaids wore short white dresses and crowded around Marina in a bright room, while the groomsmen in pale grey suits crossed a wide lawn in front of a white colonial. Her gown had a lace back that did all the talking. She paused at a red screen door on the way out, and a golden retriever sat for its own portrait on the grass nearby.
The ceremony was inside a classic white church, all columns, arched apse and packed pews, with the wedding party fanned out on both sides of the altar. Outside, the groomsmen traded bear hugs on the steps. Then came a cherry red vintage pickup with wooden stake sides, and Marina climbed into the cab in her lace gown like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The truck came home to the backyard with a hand-painted Just Married sign and tin cans trailing, and the two of them stood up in the bed for a photo in front of the guests. Menus were hand illustrated, centerpieces were low and loose, and the sailcloth tent glowed under a blue dusk sky. Late in the night the kids crowded the fire pit with marshmallow sticks, and the couple stole a kiss through the smoke.
Getting ready
Details
Ceremony
A white-columned church with an arched apse and full pews on both sides.
Portraits
A red vintage pickup did double duty as getaway car and portrait prop.
Celebration
A glowing tent, a s'mores bar and a fire pit that kept the kids up late.
Planning a wedding like this?
A backyard reception after a church ceremony works best with one simple transfer, and a vintage truck or car gives you portraits on the way. Backyard tents need their own lighting plan, so add string lights in the trees and around any fire pit. Keep the s'mores station and fire a safe distance from the tent walls and guest paths.
