A Country Inspired Backyard Wedding At a Private Residence in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Susanna Parmelee (23 and an urban planner) and Daniel Finn (28 and in law enforcement) met through mutual friends while Susanna was attending college. They quickly realized they had grown up in the same town in Pennsylvania and their relationship took off from there. Since Susanna had always wanted to see the Sequoia National Forest, she and Dan planned a road trip to take place after her graduation. When they reached California, they spent a night camping on the beach and Dan surprised Susanna, not only with a proposal, but a ring he had designed using the stone from his grandmothers ring. The couple decided they would have a traditional church ceremony which was only reinforced by the fact that the church Susanna had attended growing up was also the church where Dan's father was baptized. To keep the personal and close to home settings throughout the day, the reception was held in the backyard of Susanna's childhood home. This house, which had first belonged to her grandparent, had a sprawling backyard of greenery and a row of Peony bushes that grew in perfect time every year. The couple chose the date of their wedding and their pastel color palette around the timely bloom of these bushes. All of the decor was designed in light pinks and blues with an eclectic flair to reflect the couples relaxed style. Family and friends pitched in to put together the homemade decorations including the watercolor designed stationary and colorful bunting around the reception tent. Guests sat down for a delicious country barbecue complete with pulled pork and mac n cheese, saving just enough room for the wedding cake made by the brides best friend from summer camp. As a special personal surprise, the bride and groom hired a folk band and a dance caller so guests could spend the night learning all of the best line dances before heading home with heart shaped felt pins to remind them of the day.