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The celebration was full of flowers.
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Annie Westphal and Nick Shuhan’s wedding in the backyard in Newtown Square was a delightful affair. Photo by Campli Photography
Over the past year and a half, backyard weddings have become a matter of course as couples sought ways to get married safely amid the pandemic. There were shindigs that mixed different cultural traditions and DIY ceremonies, among other things. Then there are the “I do’s” that took place even before COVID opened our eyes to this approach again, like the beautiful, enchanting and downright unforgettable wedding in the backyard in Newtown Square that you see here. The soiree was captured by Campli Photography with design photos by Afrik Armando, and you can see and get inspiration for all the glorious elements below.
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Eddie Izzard, road trips, and take-out were the passions that joined Annie Westphal, a writer, and Nick Shuhan, a video game streamer, after meeting at Ithaca College in August 2009, and were golden Saturn, Annie says, and in early October they are best friends.
Life led them their separate ways until they met again six years later when their relationship was re-fueled by comedy, car trips, and kitchen takeaway. They got engaged at the end of 2018. “Nick asked me if I would lead our silly, challenging, beautiful, hilarious, wondrous life with him for all the years to come,” says the bride.
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
“I do’s” came out in fall 2019. Annie didn’t want a traditional wedding or ceremony; Instead, she wanted to create something unique and comfortable for her, her groom and her 290 guests. They got that with their firefly meets fairy tale celebration held on private property in Newtown Square. Annie and Nick were married by their brother outdoors in front of a pool. They wanted their ceremony to be special and quick.
Ten open-air tents (plus 10 sleeping places nearby) were furnished with textured carpets and vintage furniture in different aesthetics, as well as photo booths and fireplaces. Colorful flowers in a range of pinks and reds bloomed around every corner – Roses, orchids, dahlias and ranunculus. There was a welcome champagne wall and four libation bars. And eight food stations served everything from dim sum to grilled cheese. Nick’s grandmother even surprised him with a korovai, a Ukrainian wedding bread.
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Afrik Armando
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Photo by Campli Photography
Many of the day’s poignant moments were captured by lead photographer David Campli, who has photographed the bride on special occasions for 20 years. Including: Annie and Nick posed with a 1968 Ford F150. Annie’s mother grew up with a similar truck; her father found the one in the picture and had it restored.
Photo by Campli Photography
The bride’s father wrote a poem with props for the couple. During the speeches, the parents dressed up as knights and princesses before delivering their scripts. A final touch: the groom’s family performed the first dance “Fairy Tales As Old As Time” from Beauty and the Beast. Annie says, “Although our life has not always been simple or easy, it has been nothing more and nothing less than living together.” A real fairy tale indeed.
THE DETAILS
Photographers: Campli Photography (mainly); Afrik Armando (further details) | Venue: private house | Planning / design: Kyle Michelle Weddings | Flower: Faye + Renee | Gastronomy: Feast your eyes on catering | Wedding dress: Beautiful bride | Bridesmaids clothing: BHLDN | Hair: Amanda D’Andrea hair | Form: Beke Beau | Groom’s clothes: Men’s wearhouse | Music: Street Beat Brass Band and Jeff Domenick and the Fraction | Audio: Light Action Productions | Cake: Sweet jazmine | Invitations & welcome gifts: Chick invitations | Videography: Tweed video | Official: The Bride’s Brother | Facility: Elster rental | Party rental: ocean tents | Decking: Sperry tents | Tents: Under Canvas Events | Lighting: Fabrico Productions | Heaters: Sunbelt Rentals | Ceremonies & dance platforms: dimensions of staging | Bars: 13th Street Cocktail Catering
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