How I Transformed My Wedding at Green Gables Estate
There are certain venues that people fall in love with instantly and Green Gables Estate is one of them.
It’s romantic, full of character, and already incredibly beautiful on its own. But when I started planning my own wedding, I knew I didn’t want to simply step into the space as it was. I wanted it to feel intentional. Designed. Fully reflective of the experience I wanted to create, not just for myself, but for everyone walking into it.
As a wedding planner, I see it all the time. A beautiful venue carries the day, but the design is what defines it.
And for my wedding, I wanted to redefine what the space could feel like.
Starting With the Vision
Before anything else, I thought about how I wanted the day to feel.
Not just how it would look, but how it would be experienced.
I wanted something timeless and elegant, but still warm and full of life. Clean, but not empty. Elevated, but still deeply personal.
Green Gables already offered the perfect foundation. The architecture, the greenery, the natural flow of the space, it was all there. What I focused on was how to build on top of that in a way that felt cohesive from beginning to end.
A Dress That Felt Like a Statement
One of the most personal elements of the day was my gown.
I wore a custom design by Tom Sébastien, and at the time, it was the only one of its kind in the United States. That detail wasn’t about exclusivity for the sake of it, it was about finding something that felt completely aligned with the vision I had for the day.
The structure, the texture, the way it moved, it carried the same intention as every other design decision. It felt refined, sculptural, and timeless, while still allowing space for softness and movement.
For me, the dress wasn’t just a look. It was part of the overall design language of the wedding.
Reimagining the Ceremony Space
The ceremony is where everything begins, and it sets the tone for the entire day.
Instead of relying on the existing setup, I leaned into a more intentional design approach. Soft, layered florals. A refined color palette. A layout that framed the moment instead of just filling the space.
The goal wasn’t to overpower the venue. It was to enhance it.
To create something that felt like it belonged there, but also felt completely ours.
To further soften the space and create a more immersive entrance, I added drapery beneath the floral arch.
It introduced a sense of movement and intimacy, framing the aisle in a way that felt more intentional and romantic. As I walked through, it created a quiet, almost cinematic moment, separating the outside world from what was about to unfold.
It was a subtle addition, but one that completely shifted the feeling of the space, turning the entrance into something more layered, more personal, and more memorable.
Choosing a Different Ceremony Setting
Most ceremonies at Green Gables Estate take place beside the schoolhouse, but I chose to shift the location entirely.
Instead, we held the ceremony along the rock pathway, which offered a completely different perspective of the space. It felt more open, more organic, and allowed the surroundings to frame the moment in a way that felt natural rather than expected.
That one decision alone changed the entire experience. It created a setting that felt more personal, more immersive, and less like a standard layout.
Designing With Intention, Not Just Aesthetic
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that design is just about how things look.
It’s not.
Every decision I made was about how it would feel in real time.
How guests would move through the space
Where their attention would naturally go
How each moment would transition into the next
The design wasn’t just visual. It was experiential.
The difference between a beautiful wedding and a truly memorable one often comes down to intentional planning and design.
From the ceremony to the quieter moments in between, everything was layered in a way that felt effortless, even though it was anything but accidental.
Redefining the Space
One of the biggest design shifts came from intentionally moving away from the venue’s more rustic elements.
Green Gables has a beautiful, natural charm, but I knew early on that I wanted the overall aesthetic to feel more refined and elevated. To achieve that, we vinyl wrapped wood elements throughout the space, softening the rustic tones and creating a cleaner, more polished foundation.
This allowed the design to lean into a more luxury garden feel rather than a traditional rustic setting. Every surface felt more cohesive, and the overall atmosphere became lighter, more intentional, and aligned with the vision I had from the start.
A Moment With My Daughter
Some of the most meaningful moments of the day happened before the ceremony, in the quiet space of getting ready.
Being able to share that time with my daughter, who was also my flower girl, is something I’ll never forget. There was something so special about experiencing both roles at once, as a bride and as her mom, watching her take it all in while knowing she was a part of it too.
It wasn’t just about getting ready. It was about being present with her, feeling the excitement together, and creating a moment that felt just as important as everything that followed.
Those are the memories that stay with you.
The Getting Ready Moments Matter Too
Some of the most meaningful parts of the day happened before the ceremony even began.
Being surrounded by my closest friends, the energy in the room, the laughter, the anticipation, those are the moments that set the emotional tone for everything that followed.
They’re often overlooked in planning, but they’re a huge part of the experience.
And they deserve just as much intention.
A Personal Detail That Became Something More
One of the most unique elements of our wedding was a custom-built photo experience my husband created.
Inspired by the feel of a Vogue magazine cover, he designed and built a statement backdrop that allowed guests to step into a moment that felt editorial, elevated, and fun. It quickly became one of the most interactive parts of the evening, giving everyone a chance to capture something that felt both personal and styled.
What started as a detail for our own wedding has since evolved into something we now offer for other events, allowing couples to bring that same elevated, editorial experience into their own celebrations.
Making Space for What Actually Matters
At the end of the day, the most important moments weren’t the details themselves, but what they allowed space for.
Connection. Presence. Emotion.
Standing there with my partner. Seeing our family together. Feeling fully in the moment without distraction.
That’s what good planning and thoughtful design creates.
Not just something beautiful to look at, but something meaningful to live through.
If You’re Getting Married at Green Gables Estate
Here’s what I would tell you:
Don’t stop at the venue.
It’s easy to assume that because a space is beautiful, it doesn’t need much. But the difference between a beautiful wedding and a memorable one is in the intention behind it.
Think beyond the default layout
Use design to guide the experience
Be intentional about how each space is used
Focus on how it will feel, not just how it will photograph
The venue gives you the foundation.
What you build on top of it is what makes it yours.
A Personal Note
This wedding wasn’t just another event for me.
It was a reflection of everything I believe about planning, design, and the experience a wedding should create.
And now, every time I walk into a venue with a couple, I carry that perspective with me.
Because I know firsthand what it feels like to want something more than just a beautiful day.
You want something that feels like you.
Planning Your Own Wedding
If you’re in the early stages of planning and want a wedding that feels intentional, elevated, and truly reflective of your vision, having the right support makes all the difference.
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