One Couple's Late-Summer Garden Party at a Private Estate in Darien, Connecticut

To celebrate their marriage, Allyson (Ally) and Zachary (Zac) planned a backyard wedding—with a country club twist. Their late-summer garden party was hosted at Ally’s family’s home and filled with charm at every turn, from a wedding dress inspired byCarolyn Bessette-Kennedy to poolside cocktails and simple florals that brought new-world glam and old- world elegance together.

Though storms were expected, the sky stayed clear, and guests were able to enjoy cocktail hour alongside the home’s pool.

In addition to being eye-catching, the towering tropical arrangements of palm leaves and orchids improved dinner service too. “We wanted to balance the florals with the food, so we made sure there was plenty of space for the family-style dishes to be served,” Ally says.   To ensure their guests got to mingle without feeling rushed, the couple opted for a two-course meal with a short break in the middle. Ally and Zac picked a bloom-dotted carrot cake for dessert. “It was covered in colorful edible flowers that matched the garden-party-inspired style elsewhere,” they say.