Real Weddings
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Maisie and Dan at The Inn at Fernbrook Farms

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Corey Salva


Dan and I met just under 10 years ago on OkCupid. My friends had put me on there and Dan was the only person I ever went out with from the site. So it worked! We would never have met otherwise.

Dan and I started a tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree. December 2018 we were at Black Hill Tree Farm. I was making Dan walk the whole tree farm to find the right one, and as he was cutting down the tree he got down on one knee and proposed with my mother’s engagement ring. She had passed away earlier that year, so it was really special and I have a piece of her with me everyday.

Originally, we had this whole plan for our big day, but when Covid struck and we had to reorganize. The only theme were masks, social distancing, and individual drinks and food where no one had to share or touch each other. It ended up being perfect for the two of us. We are pretty low-key people for the most part, so our mini wedding felt very “us”.

We had toured a few other venues, but when I drove into Fernbrooks farmland, and toured the adorable inn, that was it. Our bridal party would stay on site with us for the weekend, we would have the venue from Friday to Sunday, and the sunsets behind the tent on those June evenings are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s just a beautiful venue in itself, and didn’t need as much “stuff” to be done to it. They have incredible floral gardens, and expansive green lawns, and the addition of a few farm animals was super cute.

Our original menu was extensive, but with Covid we decided on individual charcuterie platters and cupcakes so we didn’t have to cut a cake and share. The cupcakes were vanilla with buttercream frosting, and were baked by the chef inside. They were amazing!

I must have tried on 30 dresses before finding the one I chose for our original wedding. But with Covid I was unable to get into their studio for even a fitting. Even now, I have yet to put on my original dress. When we knew we were going to do a mini wedding I started looking at little white dresses and the ML Monique Lhuillier x BHLDN Lorre Dress just did it for me. When I slipped on the one, the cut of the skirt accentuated my curves in the right way, and it needed no alterations. I felt beautiful in it.

My favorite moment was walking down the aisle to my future husband. At weddings people always look at the bride and I always watch the groom, so being able to watch my groom as I walked down to start the next chapter of our lives together was the most special moment.

I would say for this it was the champagne toast and the Mr. and Mrs. silk face masks.

Covid-19 tried to really put a wrench in our plans, but in the end, the micro-wedding ended up being perfect for us. It was so special because we were surrounded by our loved ones and family, the ones who had been there from the beginning and who had risked a lack of social distancing to support our love. And that was incredible for us.

I would say it’s very easy to get carried away with all the additions and upgrades and wanting a huge celebrating, that you sometimes lose sight of the fact that it’s about you and your partner. Having to scale down our wedding by over 100 people made us really able to focus on each other and the love we have built and share.

We were supposed to go to Tahiti and Bora Bora for two weeks, but now we’re unable to travel. We ended up booking a small cabin on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes.

the details

Hometowns

Roselle Park, New Jersey

Reception Location

The Inn at Fernbrook Farms

Photographer

Love Me Do Photography

Officiant

Reverend Annie

Bride’s Gown

ML Monique Lhuillier x BHLDN Lorre Dress

+ more