Chris & Maggie’s Summer Rustic Wedding at Swan Harbor Farm Maryland

Images: Jennifer Smutek Photography via Two Bright Lights

I really loft the softness of this Maryland wedding, with the wildflowers, touches of wood, and tons of greenery in the images thanks to the wedding happening at a farm. It makes perfect sense that the couple would have their wedding at a farm, as they LOVE doing things outdoors like backpacking and hiking! In fact, they even got engaged during one of their hikes in Europe ! This adorable wedding has some super sweet details, check it all out below!

Nature is at the heart of our relationship.  It’s what brought us together and drives most of our fun.  We knew instantly that Swan Harbor Farm was the venue for us.  An old farm mansion with beautiful landscaping poised on a majestic waterfront property was the perfect location to celebrate the union of our lives with friends and family.  SHF provided an “at ease” feel with elegant features that made the night feel both “homey” and “classy.”

To keep with the natural theme, our flowers, from TALMAR Garden varied in both colors and types like we often swoon over in meadows and mountain fields when hiking.  TALMAR Garden was an easy choice.  Being a teacher, I was proud to support a company’s whose mission is to serve individuals with special needs through their carefully designed horticulture therapy program.  I recently read an article about how they are expanding to include a Veteran’s program as well to help soldiers assimilate back to civilian life by involving them in meaningful and rewarding work.  I couldn’t be any happier that we chose them as our florists!

The cameo pin on the back of my dress which served as my something blue, new, and old.  A wonderful lady by the name of Alice Grenier Roe was the matriarch of the Toolin family for a long time, but sadly passed away this past winter.  This pin was hers and I felt so honored to be wearing it all night.

 —> CLICK INSIDE FOR THE REST OF THIS BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLY SWAN HARBOR FARM MARYLAND WEDDING <—

Our close family friend, George Roberts officiated and his wife, Christine was one of our readers.  The other, was Chris’ uncle and God Father, Jim Cummins.  My bridesmaids were my cousins, sister and best friend and Chris’ were his best friends and brother.  Our flower girls were my cousin (and bridesmaid) Katie’s two girls: EC and Bea and the other was my niece, Eva.  They were too cute passing out cut flowers to our guests :)

On the flamingos hiding out in some of the pictures..

These flamingos are present at all Toolin weddings and afterwards, the newlyweds sign their names.  It’s really inspiring to see the generations of love all over the pink birds.

My aunt read the Toolin Family Blessing before we ate.  It was so magical to hear the rest of my family reciting with her!

Our centerpieces were made from birch trees in Maine on my Aunt and Uncles property.  My cousin cut a few down for us and my dad strapped them to the roof rack and drove them back to Delmont, PA where constructed them.  Left over “wood cookies” as my cousins called them, served to be our place cards.  It’s these tiny details that made the day so special for us.

One of my good teaching friends baked my naked cake!  It was both delicious and beautiful!

Probably not your traditional father-daughter dance, my dad and I danced to Joy to the World by Three Dog Night.  Though growing up, my sister and I knew this song as Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.  Since we could walk we have danced to this song with my dad…in bare feet.  It meant the world to me to be able to kick off my shoes and get down with my dad this song, which also happens to be my parents’ wedding song back in 1980. There was a cookie table, a Pittsburgh tradition as well.  The women in the bride’s life bake dozens of cookies to bring to the wedding for guests to eat and take home.  I was so thankful for my childhood neighbors, friends and family for the love they baked into those cookies.

Vendors —> Photographer:  Jennifer Smutek Photography | Caterer: Dean and Brown Catering | DJ: Steve Moody’s Entertainment Connection | Reception Venue: Swan Harbor Farm | Ceremony Location: The Vandiver Inn | Submitted via Two Bright Lights