On This Couple's Big Day, a Floral Arch Transformed Their Ohio Backyard Into an English Garden

Short Story

Marina decided to save the wedding dress she'd already purchased for the couple's future ceremony—"Since my mom was not going to be at my wedding, I did not want to wear my original dress without her," she says—so she ordered a long-sleeved boatneck dress made of Italian lace with a tulle skirt, grosgrain ribbon belt, and embroidered flowers from Rime Arodaky. "It was perfect for our intimate wedding," she says. "I loved the unique lace on the sleeves and that it still felt very bridal, even though it was a short dress."

• How Real Brides Wore Short Wedding Dresses

Ring True

Asymmetric bows on the bride's Jimmy Choo heels helped Marina put her best foot forward. "I also wore my great-grandma's gold opal ring on my right hand—that was very special to me, as she is no longer with us," says Marina.

Blooming Beauty

Old Slate Farm provided an "elegant, garden-style bouquet filled with gorgeous and fragrant summer flowers," including roses, scabiosa, and flouncy cosmos. A mauve silk ribbon coordinated with the couple's vow books and other décor details.

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Dressed to Impress

Evan wore a favorite blue suit and gray tie, adding a boutonnière that matched Marina's bouquet before the couple's first look. "As a commercial realtor, Evan always has nice suits, so it was not hard for him to choose one he already owned," says Marina. He kept his final choice a secret from his bride until the wedding day, but she "trusted his great taste," she says.

So Happy Together

The couple met for their first look at nearby Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, where stone buildings and secluded gardens offered beautiful backdrops for their portraits. "We had not seen each other since the night before," says the duo. "We were so happy that our day was finally here."

Natural Wonders

During their first look, Marina and Evan read each other vows they had personalized. "We loved reading our vows in private together, where we could truly be present with one another," they say.

• Why You Should Consider Exchanging Personalized Vows Before Your Wedding Ceremony

Garden State

When they decided to move their ceremony to their home, Marina and Evan knew how they wanted their event to feel. "Our vision was intimate and simple," they say. "Our backyard is not very big, so it was not hard to make it feel cozy and intimate. We worked with our florist to design a beautiful arch for our ceremony which would be the focal point of the wedding. The arch was filled with roses, foxglove, delphinium, nicotiana, and whimsical texture that gave the design a natural, interesting feel."

In Their Own Words

Personalized vow books included the couple's names, wedding date, and a custom crest—a paper memento the couple cherishes. "Since the wedding was planned so quickly, we decided to not have invitations and wait until next year to send out a formal invite," they share. "We did want to have something with our date on it, so we had Ciarra Claire design vow books, which we will always cherish."

• 22 Wedding Vow Books You'll Cherish Forever

Brotherly Love

Though Marina encouraged her family and friends in San Diego to avoid traveling for safety reasons, her brother surprised her by arriving to escort her to the altar.

Ready to Wed

Evan waited with minister Sharnise Sears as Marina and her brother walked down the aisle to "Is This Love" by Corrinne Bailey Rae.

Saying "I Do"

The couple held hands as they exchanged vows during their religious ceremony. The backyard's brick patio and understated landscaping allowed the trailing florals on either side of the arch to accent the space.

One of the couple's favorite moments of the day occurred when the minister surprised them with a group prayer during the ceremony. "We were surrounded by our very close family and friends, and even Marina's family and friends were praying through Zoom," says the couple. "At the end when everyone said 'Amen,' Marina's nana shouted 'Amen!' through the computer and everyone broke out into laughter, which was so sweet."

• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Zoom Wedding

Cheers!

After the ceremony, the newlyweds toasted to their first moments as husband and wife before joining their guests for two kinds of barbecue—vegan from Squash the Beef and traditional from Old Carolina Barbecue Company.

A Virtual Hello

The couple checked in with their virtual guests, too, to thank them for tuning in.

A Little Bit of Heaven

Instead of a DJ or band, the couple played their favorite songs through their phones, including Johnnyswim's "Touching Heaven" for their first dance. "We really connected to the words of the song and knew it reflected who we are together," says the couple. "Our favorite part from the song is, 'If touching love is touching God/No wonder I'm in heaven when I'm holding you.'"

• 70 First Dance Songs from Real Weddings

Sweet Stuff

Marina and Evan sliced into a small funfetti cake from Tiffany's Bakery; the confection was iced with white frosting and featured gold foil detailing and garden roses.

Pop Culture

Hand-painted mauve and metallic cake bites from Jenni Pops came in three flavors—red velvet, funfetti, and chocolate espresso.

Love Is All You Need

Despite the last-minute rush to re-plan their wedding, Marina and Evan stayed calm and focused on the big picture. "The easiest part was knowing that we had each other at the end of the day and that was all that truly mattered," says the couple. "We were so thankful to still celebrate our love with our close family and friends and they truly made our day so perfect. Your wedding day is about the two of you. Don't get overwhelmed by all those little details and enjoy the celebration with your partner, family, and friends."

Sources

Photography and Videography, Jenny Haas
Catering, Old Carolina; Squash the Beef
Flowers, Old Slate Farm
Officiant, Minister Sharnise Sears
Cake, Tiffany's Bakery
Bride's Gown, Rime Arodaky
Bride's Accessories, Bony Levy earrings; Jimmy Choo shoes
Makeup, M. Kleinman Artistry
Cake Pops, Jenni Pops
Vow Books, Ciarra Claire
Wedding Bands, Spiegal & Son