1. Real Weddings

A Summer Garden Party Wedding at Buttermilk Falls Inn in Milton, New York

For their later summer wedding, Hannah Yu (34 and an anesthesiologist) and Ed Tolson (35 and a hedge fund technologist) headed to Buttermilk Falls Inn

For their later summer wedding, Hannah Yu (34 and an anesthesiologist) and Ed Tolson (35 and a hedge fund technologist) headed to Buttermilk Falls Inn in Milton, New York, a quaint country escape in the heart of the Hudson Valley. “We live in Queens, New York, but neither of us are from the New York area. We wanted a place where our friends and family could spend a weekend but still be within driving distance of New York City,” Hannah says. “We found Buttermilk and fell in love with the natural, farm-like setting, the beautiful scenery and views of the Hudson River.” With a summer garden-party theme in mind, the locale could not have been a better fit, with its tranquil Swan Pond, organic gardens and vast orchards. To highlight the setting, Hannah and Ed hosted the ceremony and reception outdoors, where guests got spectacular views of the natural landscape and sparkling Hudson River. The ceremony took place on Buttermilk’s front lawn, giving way to an 18th-century farmhouse that infused the celebration with a feeling of warmth and familiarity. Coral and ivory rose petals lined the aisle, guiding Hannah and Ed to a romantic garden-inspired wedding arch rich in lush greenery and coral-colored blooms. Adding a personal element to the proceedings, the pair sealed a bottle of wine from a Portuguese vineyard they had visited together and love letters to each other in a wooden box in lieu of traditional candlelighting. “We will open the box and read the letters if we ever hit a rough patch in our marriage—or in five years, whichever comes first. Then we will seal the box back up with a new bottle of wine and letters,” Hannah says. 

After the ceremony the newlyweds led their guests to Buttermilk’s reception patio overlooking the river for dinner and dancing. Signature cocktails like the Settebello, with pear vodka, St-Germain and prosecco, flowed and details like a photo booth, games and a surprise choreographed dance to “Gangnam Style” kept spirits high and the good times rolling. “Ed is an avid cornhole player, and he wanted to include a cornhole tournament on the day of the wedding,” Hannah says. “He created small trophies and medals, and our guests played against him in the hours before the wedding. He lost to one of his groomsmen by one point in an exciting finals match.” A tip from Hannah: “Planning a wedding is so overwhelming, so don’t try to do it all yourself. Look for ways to include your family and friends in the planning and preparation. And having a day-of coordinator is invaluable.” —Libby MacCarthy

Before donning their vibrant coral J.Crew dresses for the ceremony, Hannah’s bridesmaids got primped in glamorous satin robes. Playing off the garden-party theme and cheerful palette, the robes were decorated in a bright floral motif and a warm coral hue.
Hannah and Ed kept things elegantly casual to fit with their festive summer garden-party theme. The ring bearers looked sharp in navy shorts, white button-downs and playful accessories like coral bow ties and suspenders.
“Since our wedding was outdoors during the summer, I wanted a light, ethereal dress that also had some natural elements,” Hannah says. She found the perfect fit for her walk down the aisle: a Tony Ward A-line gown. Complete with an architectural corset bodice, floral lace and layers of airy tulle, the strapless style checked all the boxes and then some. She completed the look with a pair of sparkly steppers and a cluster of white flowers in her hair.
Hannah and Ed’s faithful pup made an appearance during the ceremony, much to the delight of guests, joining Ed as he made his way down the rose-petal-adorned aisle. Keeping with the wedding’s color scheme, their canine companion sported a coral leash and harness.
With a stunning natural setting at their disposal, an outdoor ceremony was non-negotiable for Hannah and Ed. The pair gathered guests on the shores of Swan Pond, where they exchanged vows under a lush floral arch set against a backdrop of swaying willow trees. To add a personalized feel to the proceedings, the couple sealed a bottle of Portuguese wine and two love letters in a wooden box, to be opened on their fifth anniversary.
“When I looked at photographs of other weddings in the Hudson Valley, I repeatedly found myself drawn to the work of Linda Baldwin. She creates beautiful arrangements that are elegant and natural,” Hannah says. For the reception, she infused the expansive tent with woodland whimsy by adorning the tent poles with tree saplings.
The stationery paid tribute to the garden-party theme, featuring a floral motif in fresh shades of green and whimsical calligraphy. A playful detail that delighted guests were silvery bird cardholders that furthered the decor's summery garden feel.
Hannah and Ed made guests feel at home with quaint details like wooden farm tables and burlap linens that exuded warmth, ambiance and family-dinner vibes. Pops of coral in bountiful arrangements of roses, gerbera daisies, dahlias and hydrangeas added a hint of vibrancy to the tablescapes, while votive candles established a feeling of romance and intimacy.
Incorporating elements that spoke to Hannah’s Korean background was a given for the couple. In addition to performing a traditional paebaek ceremony the night before the wedding, Hannah and Ed decorated their wedding cake with hand-painted wooden ducks and gifted guests with hand fans specially made in South Korea.