These Lovebirds Drew Inspiration from Their Gorgeous Farm for Their Big Day
They hosted the ultimate backyard bash at their Pioneer Valley home.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
THE STORY
In 2018, Jennifer Milikowsky found herself on a lakeside campsite in the Canadian wilderness, enjoying some peanut M&Ms and watching the sun set with her boyfriend Tylan Calcagni after a 10-mile hike. At that point, it was hard to imagine how the day could get any better. Then, Tylan, who she’d been dating for five-plus years, revealed an engagement ring and asked, “Can we do this together forever?”
Three years before Tylan proposed, the two had already begun to put down roots together, buying a 440-acre swath of property known as Bascom Hill Farm, complete with an 1820s farmhouse, in the Pioneer Valley. Shortly after, they kicked off a lengthy renovation project, knowing all the while that their new home—where they run a successful acorn-fed pork company—would eventually serve as their wedding venue. The pair officially moved into the revamped dwelling the night before their wedding, and so they also thought of their celebration as a housewarming party of sorts—albeit an extravagant one. “We knew we wanted to start our married life together in our forever home,” Jennifer says.
That vision came to life in September 2019, when the couple swapped vows in an outdoor ceremony beneath a great maple tree on the farm before retreating to a tent filled with branches and colorful flowers for an evening soiree. “It took my breath away. It truly felt like the tent was an extension of the surrounding forest that made us fall in love with the property to begin with,” the bride says. “It was magical.”
THE DETAILS
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
Designed by Hark Creative Co., the couple’s farm-inspired invitation suite was delivered to guests in a box filled with dried flowers. “I really wanted to send people a little piece of the farm to get them excited about what they were coming to,” the bride says.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
Ralph, Jennifer and Tylan’s golden retriever, was present throughout the festivities. “He served as our dog of honor,” Jennifer jokes.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
Guests sipped on raspberry-sorbet champagne spritzers while they waited for the ceremony to begin.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
Built by Tylan’s father and sister, the bride and groom’s chuppah featured a cloth made from the bar mitzvah tallit of Jennifer’s late brother. “It was really important to me that I felt like he was present at the wedding,” the bride says. “[Using] his tallit as the cloth was really special.”
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
A nod to the couple’s business, an acorn-themed seating chart accented with leaves directed guests to their tables.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
Mirroring plants the couple had begun growing on the property prior to the wedding, vibrant blooms such as dahlias and daisies filled the arrangements crafted by Winston Flowers. “I wanted it to feel as if you could have walked into the field and picked all of [them] the morning of,” Jennifer explains.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
The reception tent, set against a backdrop of trees, took on a forest vibe thanks to leafy branches and ample flowers.
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
During their cake cutting, the couple shared the limelight with their dog Ralph, feeding him a specially made (and pet-safe) confection of his own. “We put it on the ground for him, and he got so excited,” the bride recalls. “It was really cute.”
Photo by Arielle Doneson Photography
Guests celebrated late into the evening, the tent aglow with bell-jar pendant lights. The team at Frost Productions worked to illuminate the tent’s exterior, too, uplighting trees and using small votive-like fixtures to highlight the greenery.
THE FILE
Band The Eleven
Bride’s Dress Carolina Herrera, L’élite Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Monique Lhuillier, Bella Bridesmaids
Cake Small Oven
Caterer Forklift Catering
Flowers Winston Flowers
Groom’s Suit English Cut
Groomsmens’ Suits Alton Lane
Guest Book/Table Numbers Flora-Ly Studios
Hair/Makeup Beautini
Lighting Frost Productions
Photobooth Photobooth Planet
Planner Brilliant Event Planning
Rentals/Tent Peak Event Services
Stationery Hark Creative Co.
Videographer Tweed Weddings
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