Fuller Gardens Wedding, Hampton NH || Will and Courtney
Wow, I’m so excited to share Will and Courtney’s wedding at Fuller Gardens! They were so lucky to have timed their wedding perfectly (in mid June) for the roses at Fuller Gardens to be in full bloom. There’s a little archway that leads into the main garden, and I just gasped at the amazing beauty surrounding me when I walked through it. And of course the air just smelled amazing, too!
Ceremony: Fuller Gardens, North Hampton, NH
Reception: Victoria Inn, Hampton, NH
I’ve asked Courtney and Will some questions about their story and their answers are throughout in italics.
How did you meet your partner?
We were studying abroad in Beijing (same study abroad program but coming from different colleges). Will was walking around meeting people on the first day- I remember sitting on the bed in my dorm room and he showed up in my doorway! We started spending time together in those first days and the rest is history. The funny part is that we grew up a little over an hour away from each other in the states but had to go to the other side of the globe to meet!
How did the day start?
We were both up early and took a walk down to the beach. The sun was streaming through the clouds and the water was sparkling- it was a really peaceful way to begin the big day. Once the rest of the wedding party woke up we got to work decorating the reception area, got dressed, and before we knew it, it was time to head over for pre-ceremony pictures!
That’s where I come in!
Keep scrolling for lots of photos from Will and Courtney’s wedding at Fuller Gardens!
Let me tell you, I could have walked around the gardens for hours just taking photos of the scenery. Glad I got there a bit early to take everything in.
Perfect spot for a first look!
What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
Probably the first look or coming down the aisle. We'd been thinking about the wedding for an extra year since we were postponed due to the pandemic, so we had ample time to envision it but it was hard to imagine how we would feel in those moments. Plus I was dying to finally show Will my dress; we usually share everything with each other and it was torture to not break it out over the past two years!
There are so many gorgeous spots for photos around Fuller Gardens - obviously not just flowers!
Neither of us are big on having our photos taken and I get a bad case of the awkward smiles with posed pictures. However, you were able to keep it feeling really natural and moved along the required formal shots at a good pace which we definitely appreciated. In the planning phase leading up to the day we felt like you really listened to what we wanted and understood our vibe.
During the ceremony, we were so happy. The weather was gorgeous (we spent the week prior nervously checking the weather every few hours) and the Garden was in full bloom. It was much more emotional than we expected, not many dry eyes. The love and happiness in the air was palpable.
What were your goals for your wedding day?
Our main goal was simply to have a fun party than everyone would enjoy. A lot of our effort was spent on food/drink and music for dancing! Secondly, we wanted to make sure it represented us from what we wore to the traditions we did/did not incorporate. Being at open air venues was very important to us because we are big outdoor/summer people. The garden ended up being the perfect spot- we have some ties there and thought it would be a really special place to share with our guests.
After the ceremony we headed down the road to the Victoria Inn for the reception, which is lovely!
We loved that you totally met us where we were. We wanted our pictures to be heavily on the candid side and you managed to capture the night perfectly without us having to stop and pose. It was important to us to be able to stay in the moment and you really respected that. Overall you were just so pleasant and easy to work with, you made us really comfortable!
The reception was just as we hoped- felt very laid back and enjoyable. Our first dance was fun and a little silly, and the rest of the night was very care-free.
The pictures are absolutely beautiful and seem so natural. They are exactly how we want to remember that night. Also still don't understand how you were in so many places at once- there are some really neat shots from vantage points we wouldn't have expected and you seem to have caught all of the action!
What is one suggestion you have for other couples who are planning their weddings?
Be flexible. No one but you will know if things don't go exactly as planned. Also, try to be present because it goes fast!
Here are the vendors that made this wedding at Fuller Gardens a reality!
Florist: Soulfly Creative (bouquets/boutonnieres)
Cake: Hippie Chick Bakery
Caterer: Victoria’s Kitchen Cafe
Officiant: Betty John
Invitations: Greenvelope
Dress/Bridal Shop: SPELL
Planner: Kay Longo (Fuller Gardens)
Favors: Favorfully
Want more garden weddings? Check these out!