Check Out the Gorgeous Décor at this Sweet Danvers Micro Celebration
Think: Greenery overload, in the best way.
The couple wrote their own vows for the ceremony, which was officiated by the bride’s aunt./ Becca Moot Photography
October 2, 2020
Private Residence
Danvers, Massachusetts
THE STORY
You may not think of your local Forever 21 as a hotbed of romance, but that’s exactly where the seeds for Emily Crawford and Ryan Lazowy’s blossoming relationship were planted back in 2010. “We both worked [there] in the mall. Ryan taught me how to use the cash register,” Emily recalls with a laugh. From there, the two became fast friends, often hanging out with a larger group of pals before deciding to date the following year.
Fast forward to 2018, and the pair was happily living together in Beverly when they embarked on an excursion to nearby Gloucester. After a day spent roaming about, Ryan and Emily made their way to Rafe’s Chasm—a 10-acre park with stunning ocean views. “It’s one of our favorite spots,” Emily explains. It was there, among the scenic cliffs and crashing waves, that Ryan proposed. After, the couple traveled back to their apartment, where Emily was shocked to find their relatives—secretly invited there by Ryan—waiting to celebrate with them. “Ryan definitely loves to surprise me,” she says. “He’s very romantic.”
When it came to planning their wedding, the couple initially dreamed up a celebration in Western Massachusetts, inviting 130 guests to their April 2020 nuptials. After the COVID-19 outbreak forced their Northampton venue to postpone the affair twice, however, Emily and Ryan decided to scrap their plans in August and start new. “We’d been together for so long, and planning during the pandemic was tough. We just wanted something positive to happen,” Emily explains. “We knew it would still be really special.”
So it was that on October 2, in the company of just 32 loved ones, the couple said “I do” during an intimate ceremony held in Ryan’s parents’ Danvers backyard. The party then moved to Emily’s aunt and uncle’s nearby house, where the group enjoyed a festive evening of dinner and dancing. “[The reception] still felt really full even with a small guest list, and the fact that everything came together so nicely definitely sticks out [to me now],” the bride says. “I don’t think I stopped smiling one time during the whole day.”
THE DETAILS
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
The backyard of Ryan’s parents’ home in Danvers turned out to be a perfect ceremony spot, complete with a greenery-adorned arbor.
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
A gentle rain began to fall right as Emily took her first steps down the aisle.”I remember being so nervous about the rain, but it ended up being one of the most memorable parts,” the bride says. “I walked down the aisle to ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ and guests were noticing that there was a rainbow [as the rain cleared].”
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
The couple invited friends and family who couldn’t attend the celebration in person to watch the ceremony over Zoom.
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
In addition to an assortment of beer and wine, Emily and Ryan served two signature cocktails, one of which blended bourbon with apple cider and ginger beer. “We wanted one drink to have a fall vibe,” Emily says.
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
After the ceremony, the newlyweds stole a few moments to snap photos at the marina in Danvers, where they’d shared their first kiss years earlier.
Photo by Fuertes Photography
With an assist from florist Sydney Smith Designs, planner and event designer Ieasha James helped the couple bring their vision for a greenery-filled celebration to life. “We shared the things we liked and our inspiration, and she ran with it,” the bride says, noting that eucalyptus and succulents were high on their list of must-haves. “I knew what some of the [décor] elements would be when I walked in, but I didn’t know exactly what she was going to do. She just completely got what we were saying. It was amazing.”
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
Emily’s mom surprised the bride by renting a vintage Rolls-Royce, which the couple later used for transportation to the marina.
Photo by Becca Moot Photography
Succulents appeared throughout the pair’s reception décor, even topping their three-tier wedding confection from Cakes by Amanda.
Photo by Fuertes Photography
In keeping with the greenery theme, planner Ieasha James commissioned custom, plant-filled acrylic boxes, which served as the charger plates on the couple’s sweetheart table.
THE FILE
Alterations Bridal Alterations by Anahit
Bartenders Tenders by Sofia
Bride’s Dress Essence of Australia, Vows Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Henkaa
Cake Cakes By Amanda
Caterer Simply Irresistible Cuisine
Ceremony Flowers Passalongs Farm
Ceremony String Trio Bridge & Bow Music
DJ First Class Weddings
Event Designer/Planner Endless Flair Events
Groom’s Suit Nordstrom
Groomsmen’s Suits Men’s Wearhouse
Hair Lux Salon and Spa
Invitations Minted
Lighting Audio & Lighting Unlimited
Makeup Makeup by Solis
Menu Cards LVA Designs
Photography Becca Moot Photography; Fuertes Photography
Reception Flowers Sydney Smith Designs
Rentals Beyond Party Rentals
Rings Holden; JD Jewelers
Transportation Boston Limo
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