Clayton and Jeffrey’s Rustic Outdoor wedding in the Gorgeous Pennsylvania countryside

Happy Tuesday everyone, I hope you all had a great Easter break? now you are all back to work I wanted to treat you to one of my favorite weddings I’ve had sent into me for a long time. It’s the civil partnership of Clayton and Jeffrey set in the most stunning barn with the gorgeous backdrop of the Pennsylvania countryside…..I Bloody LOVE it!

If I were to get married again and do it in the UK, I would do it in a very similar way (English weather permitting of course!) I love the natural and relaxed feel of this wedding, the wild flowers, the decoration, the white chairs, I LOVE the outdoor ceremony. The whole day feels and looks so chilled out and filled with so much love, just what a wedding is all about! Perfect!

It was sent into me by Susanna Tanner, who has been kind enough to tell me a bit more about the couple and the wedding itself.

Here is Susanna’s report on the wedding in her own words

They stood at the window on the second story of the barn. It was the room where they were getting ready (ironing out last-minute wrinkles in suits, trying to tie a tie with fumbling fingers). Through the screen they could see the guests arriving, and lovingly squeezed each other’s hands. It was all becoming so real now. It was something Clayton had always dreamed about. He never thought he would find the love of his life, let alone get married. But today- in a small, cozy nest of trees in the Catskills around the Delaware River- he and Jeffrey would celebrate their marriage to each other.

The two met in 2004 when they lived a few blocks away from each other in the East Village. At their first date in a favorite local restaurant, they talked for hours–a little about careers and histories, but mostly about Italy, wine and food. This was the first of many signs that their relationship would be a respite for both of them, a reminder of their loves, dreams and passions in life even as they might be swamped with the details and minutiae of it. Their wedding bore that out, as they wanted more than anything else for the day to be a respite for everyone in attendance; an opportunity to celebrate, to share memories, to dream big.

Every wedding has a high level of emotion about it. Some more than others. And many times I take on that emotion internally. It’s exhausting but also exhilarating at the same time. This wedding was no exception. I believe that when something doesn’t come easily to you, it means that much more when you’re finally able to make it yours. And what didn’t come easily to Clayton and Jeffrey, due to the laws of the state of New York, was the right to marry. Luckily for the two, all state agencies recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Thus, the two made the trek a few weeks earlier to Connecticut to “legally” be joined. But in their hearts they wanted to bear witness to the commitment they were making to each other in front of family and friends. And in a special place at that.

Surrounded by friends and family from all over the globe, god, and nature, these two incredible guys joined their lives for better or for worse, until death do us part, forever and ever. There was not a dry eye. If love and emotion could take form, I swear it would have been ballooning up and floating out of that cozy spot in the Catskill Mountains. Between their personally written vows to each other and speeches later given by family and friends, I was having a hard time seeing through my tears into the viewfinder of the camera.

You may agree or disagree with this ceremony. Everyone is entitled to opinions expressed respectfully. But one thing I know for sure is that LOVE IS LOVE. And when you’re lucky enough to find it, you hold on to it. Clayton and Jeffrey, thank you for allowing me to document your love. It was an honor I will always carry with me.

P.S. Jeffrey, in case you’re reading this post, I received this the other day from Clayton.
“Jeffrey has added so much to the way that I see the world. His grace, patience, inquisitiveness and sensitivity have charmed me from the day we met. The greatest thing about our wedding day was simply having the chance to declare my commitment to him out loud in front of our loved ones, and for him to do the same to me. There was something transformative about it. The world hasn’t been the same since!”

Supplier Shout Outs

• Event Designer and Wedding Planner: Rachel Ehrlich
• Venue: The Barn at High Bridge Road; Milanville, PA
• Caterer: Amy Miller at Early Bird Cookery www.earlybirdcookery.com
• Flowers: Jill Weiner at Earth Girl Flowers www.earthgirlflowers.com
• Photo Booth: Boothomatic www.boothomatic.com
• Photographer: Susanna Tanner Photography (http://www.susannatanner.com)

For more information on Susanna’s work go to: 
www.susannatanner.com
www.susannatanner.com/blog
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