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AN ELEGANT BACKYARD MICRO WEDDING

If one thing is for sure, the coronavirus pandemic was not going to stop Emily and Chip from getting married! Their ceremony was originally going to take place at Green Farms Church in Westport but was then pushed to Saugatuck Congregational Church. For their reception, we would have been heading to Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield after portraits at Southport Harbor, but due to limits on gathering sizes, Emily, Chip, and their families felt it was best and safest for everyone to push the party at Brooklawn Country Club back to September. With that in mind, the newlyweds enjoyed a backyard wedding celebration at a family friend’s house in Trumbull, Connecticut with an intimate group of their closest loved ones!

Arturo and I began our day with Chip and his groomsmen at The Delamar in Southport, Connecticut. It’s one of my all-time favorite hotels for our couples to get ready at on their wedding day for the classy decor and dreamy light. We later made our way to Emily at her childhood home where she was getting ready with her bridesmaids. Baxter, the family pup, even made a few appearances in some of the photos below!

Chip and Emily’s wedding ceremony took place in the garden outside the church. As the warm summer sun beat down on the bride and groom, they exchanged their vows and rings before sharing their first kiss as husband and wife. All of the guests cheered Emily and Chip on as they walked back up the aisle with beaming smiles on their faces!

I first photographed Emily and Chip at their Sasco Beach engagement session in Fairfield, Connecticut last fall, and let me tell you, these two are naturals in front of the camera!! Even though their wedding day fell on a hot and humid day during a New England heatwave, the new Mr. & Mrs. rocked every second of their newlywed portrait time at Southport Harbor.

Our evening with Chip and Emily ended at the beautiful home of family friends where the reception was held. The amazing planning and design by Emily’s mom for the reception decor was stunning! Various ginger jars were filled with white hydrangeas that served as the centerpieces of the guest tables. The cocktail glasses even had Emily and Chip’s wedding monogram printed on them! This wedding decor was a wonderful reminder that even if you’re having a smaller, intimate celebration, you can still include personalized details into your wedding design. After the first dance and parent dances took place, heartfelt toasts were given wishing the newlyweds much love and happiness long into the future!

THE LOVE STORY

Though Chip and Emily started dating in 2015, they actually met more than a year beforehand! In the summer of 2014, Emily and her sister decided to enjoy a night out with their friends, Brigid and John. Chip and John are best friends, and it just so happened that Chip was visiting the Fairfield, Connecticut area from New York City that day. After they all went out together that evening, Brigid spent the next year trying to set Emily and Chip up! The following October, Chip was visiting Fairfield again and the entire group went out to dinner at a local restaurant. Brigid’s efforts had finally paid off; Chip asked Emily out on a date the following day, and the rest is history!

Congratulations Emily and Chip! We cannot wait to celebrate you again in September!

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Emily and Chip’s wedding monogram could be found on different details all day, including this sweet slate piece that hung on the front door of her parents’ home!

We loved Chip’s vivid blue suit! He stood out just enough as the groom among his groomsmen.

What a fun way to end an intimate wedding ceremony with guests!

Arturo and I absolutely adored this group of people!

It was a hot and humid day, but you’d never know how uncomfortable the weather was from the smiles the newlyweds had on their faces!

These ginger jars filled with hydrangeas served as beautiful centerpieces for a classic summer wedding!

I hope you enjoyed this summer backyard wedding! Do you know Emily and Chip? Show the newlyweds some love by commenting below!

CREATIVE TEAM

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.

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