Amanda and Matt’s wedding at McGovern Centennial Gardens

“I want to be your husband forever, will you marry me?” Matt popped this exact question on the night of Amanda’s parent’s 40th wedding anniversary party. Amanda—of course—said yes, and the couple said “I do” the following spring at McGovern Centennial Gardens.  Keely Thorne Events planned the garden celebration with details in white including: florals and installations by Events In Bloom, a stunning cake by Jody Cakes, and an elegant tented reception. The vegan menu included vegan liquid nitrogen ice cream and giant vegan cinnamon rolls as party favors for everyone to eat for breakfast the next day. Lucky for us, the couple enlisted the expertise of Mustard Seed Photography who captured all the details in these bright and cheery photographs.

What made the wedding special and unique?

The indoor/outdoor venue was truly amazing for our ceremony and reception. We were able to enjoy the natural beauty of Centennial Gardens and even had a butterfly join in on our photo shoot. The gardens are wonderful because they are so beautiful and calming to experience. Sharing this location with our friends and family was icing on the cake. At the end of the night in the pouring rain we had a great dance and exit and will remember those moments for the rest of our lives.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

The gown is made by Michal Medina. I found it at Now and Forever. I was the first bride to wear this design. I honestly never thought I would choose a dress like that. I felt like the most beautiful bride and wish I could wear that dress every day. I especially enjoyed spinning in my dress and having it lift off of the ground!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

Our wedding cakes and much of the food were vegan. Everyone especially enjoyed the vegan liquid nitrogen ice cream! We also had giant vegan cinnamon rolls as party favors for everyone to eat for breakfast the next day.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Every part of our wedding day was memorable, but some stand out moments were our first touch photos, walking up the aisle to the Jurassic Park theme song played by a string quartet, our choreographed first dance to “You are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne, and spinning in my dress out in the grass in front of the hill with Matt after our ceremony.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met through a mutual friend and watched Edward Scissor Hands at a movie watching party. I knew he was the one from the moment I saw him and he knew that I was there to see him. For our first date we went to Tea Shop in Chinatown followed by some Bahn Mis. We were engaged 4 and a half years later at my parents 40th anniversary party at my brother’s house, it was the perfect opportunity as all of many of our friends and family were already there. I was completely surprised and the conversation that ended with him on one knee started with me saying “Man, I really wish we were engaged already” and him saying “I don’t have a plan, but are you ready now?”. He had the ring in his pocket the whole night and everyone else was pretty much in on it but me. He got down on one knee and said “I want to be your husband forever, will you marry me?”

We also want to add that there were many many personal touches we added to this wedding, but a few more notable ones were the giant lanterns, dog treat party favors, koozies that said “our humans are getting married”, and our hash tags “lettucerejoice” and “itsjusttheveganing”. All the furniture and the array of tables, couches, bar highs, and pillows, coffee tables, and stools that could be moved or used as tables added to the elegant, but comfortable and relaxing atmosphere we wanted to have! This was the best day of our lives and we wish we could do it again and again! Everyone had such a wonderful time and it was so great having everyone enjoying it with us! Dog treat party favors courtesy of Cody and Lacy, our two beautiful furry children that we could not live without!

Photographer: Mustard Seed Photography // Planning: Keely Thorne Events // Florals and Event Decor: Events In Bloom // Paper Goods: Pendance Studio // Venue: McGovern Centennial Gardens // Dress: Michal Medina // Bridal Boutique: Now and Forever Bridal Boutique // Cake: Jody Cakes // Hair and Makeup: Sunkissed and Made Up // Band: Doppelgänger // Videographer: Bear Hands Media // Musicians: Divisi Strings // Shoes: Kate Spade // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box