January 3, 2012

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Pat Furey Photography.

Sometimes what you’re looking for can be right under your nose—or in your backyard—as was the case in Graelyn Brashear and Christopher Seiz’s garden-party-themed nuptials. Graelyn, 26, and Christopher, 27, who met at Hopewell Valley Central High School and started dating after graduation, originally planned a vineyard setting for their spring wedding. But, dissatisfied after looking at a number of venues, they defaulted back to the home of Graelyn’s parents in Stockton, a charming, wooded five-acre property along Wickecheoke Creek. “It was exactly the type of environment we wanted,” Graelyn says of the setting, which was compatible with the wedding’s nature-inspired details and color scheme of spring greens, yellows and whites.

Backyard Simplicity

Friend-officiants married Graelyn and Christopher in a mid-day ceremony on May 29, 2011. An early dinner for their 150 guests followed, which included fish tacos, barbequed ribs and fried chicken. Pies from Terhune Orchards were served instead of the typical wedding cake, and guests were treated to lawn games and activities, including a photo booth set up in an old, but freshly scrubbed outhouse. Christopher, an artist and executive director of the Long Beach Island Foundation for the Arts and Sciences, and Graelyn, Barnegat Patch.com editor, designed and created their letterpress invitations at a friend’s studio in Frenchtown. As for décor, they relied on their own keepsakes: hundreds of antique bottles and jars that they had collected for years. Bottles holding wildflowers were placed as centerpieces on burlap runners on tables; mason jars full of flowers were strung off a picket fence; and a large jar was placed at the guest check-in to collect notes for the couple. “We got a wonderful range of things, from advice to scribbled drawings from kids,” Graelyn says of the heartfelt notes that will go into an album. Organizing a wedding at home is no easy task, though. “Both Chris and I can get absorbed in details, so it was good to have someone experienced keeping an eye on the big picture and helping us get the important things done on time,” says Graelyn of hiring planner Angela Rando of Juliet Events in Monmouth and Hudson counties.

After a honeymoon drive cross-country in Graelyn’s parents’ car, the couple is now at home in Barnegat.

Resources:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Pat Furey Photography, 732-551-6020; patfureyblog.com

WEDDING PLANNERS: Alida Monaghan and Angela Rando, Juliet Events: Monmouth County, 732-822-6067; Hudson County, 201-348-9250; julietevents.com

TENT/RENTALS: Ocean Tents, Manahawkin, 800-507-4386; Mount Holly: 609-914-0600; oceantents.com

CATERER: Dish Catering, Frenchtown, 908-996-0208; gottahavedish.com

PIES: Terhune Orchards, Princeton, 609-924-2310; terhuneorchards.com

BRIDE’S DRESS: Nataya from Alchemy, Frenchtown, 908-996-9000; alchemyclothing.com

GROOM’S SUIT: Joseph Abboud from Men’s Wearhouse, Lawrenceville, 609-275-6120; menswearhouse.com

BRIDE’S HAIR: Joy of Hair, Stockton, 609-397-4353; joyofhairsalon.com

INVITATIONS: Couple’s own design. Created at the Excelsior Press Museum Print Shop, Frenchtown, 908-627-2730; excelsiorpress.org

RENTALS (furniture, shutters): Anything But Costumes, Flemington, 908-788-1727; anythingbutcostumes.com