A Pretty, Shabby Chic Wedding at Second Chance Farm in Broad Brook, Connecticut

From the family-farm venue to the DIY wedding cake, Laura Rowe (28) and Gary Rowe’s (28) pink and white shabby chic wedding was filled with personal details. Laura Dee Photography documented the day, which started with an outdoor ceremony and ended in a tented reception at Laura’s parents' farm: Second Chance Farm in Broad Brook, Connecticut. “I wanted a shabby chic/romantic theme, but I also wanted to tie in the farm,” Laura says. "So there were some rustic touches." The team at Broad Brook Gardens helped Laura and Gary fill their wedding with some of her favorite flowers, hydrangeas and peonies. Low and tall arrangements of white hydrangeas were set atop wooden barrels at the front of the ceremony space as low arrangements of the same flower lined the aisle. The couple’s florist also designed low white rose, peony and hydrangea centerpieces within mason jars and silver breakaway vases for each white linen-covered table at the reception. Another standout detail was the couple’s wedding cake. Baked by Laura’s best friend and bridesmaid, the cake fit the couple’s pink and white color scheme and but added a whimsical touch to their rustic setting. “It turned out more beautiful than I imagined,” Laura says. Pink and white ruffles popped from two layers of the three-tier confection as white peonies, white hydrangeas and pink lavender were used as accents. For future couples, Laura shares a tip: “Enjoy the planning process. It's supposed to be fun, not stressful. Also, allow your partner to help and have input.”