Hosting a Backyard Minimony at Angela Nuran's
How It Started
My friends Jim and Bonnie were planning a September 27 minimony at Butterfly World. Bonnie needed an appropriate, simple wedding dress. I was setting up an appointment for her at a local bridal shop to find an off the rack dress since there was not enough time to order, but then I remembered the Monique Lhuillier ivory dress that I wore for our 10 year wedding anniversary bash at our home a few years ago and offered to let Bonnie borrow it. She and Jim came over a few nights later and while Jim and my husband Paul drank wine and talked downstairs, Bonnie and I played dress up upstairs. My dress fit her perfectly! She tried on two of my other dresses too, but the Monique Lhuillier was Jim's favorite. She accessorized with a beaded sash, earrings and tiara all by Laura Jayne (www.laurajayne.com) made with opals, crystals and pearls. And I gave Bonnie a pair of Angela Nuran Ingrid pumps dyed ivory to match the flirty little frock. We had so much fun that night. They brought Thai food which we thoroughly enjoyed as we sat outside on our lanai overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
Now let's back up and talk about Butterfly World, the largest butterfly park in the world, which just happens to be in South Florida. It is pretty amazing to stroll amongst 20,000 butterflies that will land on you on a whim! While it would be a beautiful minimony backdrop, there were concerns. Like rain. Anyone familiar with Florida knows the weather is unpredictable. If it rained, there would be no indoor refuge. No way to keep other park visitors from encroaching on their privacy. No spot for a tiny reception. I asked Jim and Bonnie what they were doing for a dinner celebration afterwards for their small party, but with covid, they did not feel safe going anywhere.
After mulling over our friends' predicament, Paul and I offered them our house for their wedding minimony and reception. We were thrilled they took us up on the offer! They would exchange vows on the pool deck top tier overlooking the Intracoastal to the east with the pool reflection below.
I am not a wedding planner, but I did my best to help our friends have a wonderful wedding day. As they became man and wife in front of nine witnesses, it was beautiful, intimate and safe.
The Day Itself
It was WONDERFUL! I am talking about the minimony of our friends, Bonnie and Jim, at our house September 27, 2020. Like many couples creatively marrying during a pandemic, the wedding was an intimate affair. Total headcount was 11, including yours truly who functioned as wedding planner, bridal consultant, florist, decorator, hostess, waitress, bartender, bus boy and clean up crew. Multi-tasking and the proverbial wearing of many hats reached a whole new level and I enjoyed every minute of it. OK, maybe not the clean up part so much, but even that was not bad.
Prior to the Sunday wedding, Friday and Saturday involved a lot of hydrangeas. Bonnie and daughter Courtney brought over bucketloads of flowers and we made bouquets, boutonnieres, arrangements for the ceremony and centerpieces. I got florist bowls with wet foam inserts, a spool of 300 yards of tulle, and the cutest wedding theme koozies. Making fluffy, flowing tulle bows was an affordable, easy way to add bridal flair to the backyard. I used it everywhere: on the boat dock pilings, chairs, cake table, flower arrangements, and even on the bunny pasture fence, high enough out of rabbit reach so they could not eat it.
One day was rehearsal, but I do not remember which one. My best friend, Tim, was a lifesaver and did the photography. He scoped out pretty spots on our property and took pics using multiple cameras plus a drone. He made an incredible video of the day. One of the funnier moments was during the exchange of vows on our pool deck, which is on the Intracoastal Waterway. A boat slowed down, good naturedly yelling, "hey, a wedding, DON'T DO IT," but we laughed and of course Bonnie and Jim did in fact tie the knot. My husband, Paul, was best man. Courtney was maid of honor. Bonnie's son, Patrick, gave her away.
Bonnie wore my Monique Lhuillier short flared dress, accessorized with headpiece, earrings and sash by Laura Jayne, and the ivory Ingrid peep toe pumps I had dyed for her. The food was fantastic! Italian chicken and eggplant parmesan, served on our Lenox china which rarely sees the light of day. It was nice having this opportunity to use it. Various wines and beverages, coffee after dinner, and my personal favorite, the wedding cake! Oh my gosh. It was amazing. Chocolate cake, berry filling, buttercream frosting, from Florida's favorite store, Publix. They make the best cakes! Paul and I got our 10 year anniversary cake from Publix too. I embellished the cake topper by adding crystal eyes, a veil, and tiny silk Angela Nuran shoe bows for the bride and groom seahorses.
The afternoon and evening could not have gone any better. We were grateful for the perfect weather and quieter than usual boat traffic. Dinner took place on the lanai overlooking the water. They had their first dance on the pool deck. Toasts were given, cake was eaten, and beautiful memories were made to be forever cherished with the help of Tim's beautiful images.
There is no reason to put off your wedding. Small does not minimize the beauty, joy and love. If anything, it draws everything closer. There is no better time than now.
Photos by Tim Horvath
