This Couple Pulled Off Pivoting Their Aruba Beach Wedding To An Elegant Backyard Wedding In Just Four Weeks

When Kaitlyn and Mike realized their destination wedding in Aruba wasn’t going to happen due to the pandemic, they quickly shifted from a casual beach wedding to an elegant backyard garden wedding featuring wood and gold accents, dreamy white florals and greens. Keep scrolling to see all of the beautiful photos by Keri Calabrese. The Joy Standard Event Planners helped bring Kaitlyn’s vision to life. Jardinière Fine Flowers curated all of the centerpieces and custom boxwood and floral backdrop. Culinary Creations catered the affair while SCE group kept the party dancing throughout the evening.

Mike and Kaitlyn met at work and started dating in 2014. They worked together a full year before ever talking to one another. Ever since that first conversation, sparks flew and soon they were jetting off to Aruba for a romantic weekend away together. While there, they saw a couple getting married on the beach and both thought “if we ever get married THAT is how we want it to be.” Once Covid hit and everything became unknown, they had to change that dream wedding plan and figure out a new one quickly. Even though they waited four weeks before their wedding to make the change, they knew they didn’t want to delay spending the rest of their lives together as a married couple. Plans needed to be made quickly, so they interviewed and selected their dream team right away to help pull off the new vision. With a team of vendors in place, Kaitlyn was able to move quickly to make decisions which was the key to pulling off her new plan in four weeks.

The one thing Kaitlyn and Mike knew they wouldn’t be able to pull off was designing, printing and mailing out paper invitations in time. However, they still wanted a keepsake of “what would have been” and decided to make one beautiful invitation suite set for themselves. With help from Invitations by Whitney, they created the prefect look. The invitation suite featured romantic sweeping lettering with a custom blue and green tone floral insert and a wax seal, printed on deckle-edge cotton paper for that delicate, antique look.

The brides’ dress by Maggie Sottero featured a beautifully detailed lace bodice adorning a luxurious Talin stretch crepe sheath dress. The plunging V-neckline lined with beads and sequins, and illusion straps completed the look. Shoes by Bradgley Mischka.

After getting married at Mike’s childhood church, St. Francis in Metuchen NJ, the bridal party headed to the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton NJ. This is a site that Kaitlyn frequented as a child and was a very nostalgic and magical place for her. The water works made a stunning backdrop for the couple as they gathered for group shots.

The brides bouquet featured white roses, white spray roses, white ranunculus, white lisianthus, white dahlias mixed with nagi, ruscus and jasmine vine and tied with a white satin ribbon. The groom and groomsmen were adorned with double white ranunculus boutonnières accented with white satin ribbon.

Weaving meaningful elements into their day was really important to the couple. They’ve been through a lot together, including the sudden loss of Mike’s father. A photo of Mike’s father was pinned to his jacket by his loving mother while he got ready, a single white rose was placed on the chair next to her during the ceremony and a special remembrance table adorned with flowers, candles and a custom wood sign with the words…“We know you would be here today if heaven wasn’t so far away” honored loved ones gone too soon. Little details like these gave Mike and Kaitlyn much joy and comfort knowing their loved ones were part of their big day.

The Reception: Guests were led inside the white tent, filled with twinkle lights and white, light flowing accents. Elements of wood and greenery warmed the tent as guests dined at tables featuring a mix of gold flatware, light blue linen napkins, gold lanterns, greens and beautiful white florals. Arrangements of white hydrangeas, spray roses, ranunculus, dahlias and greens were featured in key locations inside the tent. Kaitlyn’s favorite installation was the statement piece, a stunning boxwood backdrop floral creation by Jardinière Fine Flowers.

Dessert : Kaitlyn’s 14 year old neighbor made her naked wedding cake with love for the couple. The dessert table featured gourmet cupcakes by Sweet Melissa Patisserie. The custom cupcake sign was purchased on Etsy. Guests enjoyed the variety of flavors and Mike and Kaitlyn said the cake was out of this world. The couple spent the last hour of the reception dancing the night away and feeling blessed to have the love of family and friends surrounding them.

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Wedding Planners:

The Joy Standard | @thejoystandard

Photographer:

Keri Calabrese | @kericalabrese

Florist:

Jardinière Fine Flowers | @jardinierefineflowers

Caterers & Bartenders:

Culinary Creations | @culinary_creations

DJ:

Sce Event Group | @sceeventgroup

Rentals:

United Rent-all | @unitedrentall

Wedding Invitations:

Invitations By Whitney | @invitationsbywhitney

Cake & Desserts:

Sweet Melissa Patisserie | @sweetmelissapatisserie

Wedding Beauty Services:

The Glow By Fay | @theglowbyfay

Cake & Desserts:

Bake By The Ocean | @bake_by_the_ocean

Wedding Chicks vendor, The Joy Standard created this post. Email hello@thejoystandardevents.com with a link to the post and any credit changes or additions.