Emily and Jeff met in New York City at a friend's birthday party; four years later they were engaged. They share a passion for the outdoors and urban farming in Brooklyn. Because they both love gardening and flowers, they planned a backyard wedding at Emily's mom's house in Colorado Springs. As a child, Emily dreamed of an intimate wedding in the backyard surrounded by Colorado blue sky, mountains, and wildflowers. Emily and her groom set out to bring her vision to life on August 8, 2009.

As a textile designer at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Emily is constantly inspired by fabrics. She selected a cornflower-blue Liberty of London print to incorporate into the stationery suite.

Jeff designed the letterpress invites, which featured the calligraphy of Emily's friend Jenna, of Love, Jenna Calligraphy.

During the ceremony, paper fans with calligraphed labels sat at each seat so guests could fend off the summer heat.

A ring pillow sewn from floral fabric and finished with blue rickrack trim held the rings, from Blue Nile.

Flower girl Grace wore a white dress with a blue ribbon during the late-morning ceremony.

The flower girl's basket of petals came from Michaels and was dressed up with cream-colored satin ribbon and lined with floral fabric.

Emily's father, Gail, walked her down the aisle on the perfectly sunny day.

Sixty-five guests witnessed the traditional Christian ceremony, led by a family friend.

Two large arrangements of Queen Anne's lace flanked the couple.

Emily wanted the wedding to focus on family and to combine their two traditions.

To honor Jeff's heritage, a Chinese tea ceremony began just after the couple walked down the aisle as husband and wife. Emily and Jeff served tea to their elders (Jeff's two grandmothers, his parents, and her parents).

In exchange for the tea, the elders gave the couple a red envelope of gifts. Among the gifts were two gold bracelets from Jeff's mother, which she had worn on her own wedding day.

Emily had designed the tea cups used during the ceremony while working at the design studio of Thomas O'Brien. The pattern is Marielle-Indigo, from Reed & Barton.

Emily, who has her own floral design business (Emily Rose Floral Design), arranged all the flowers for the wedding, including her bridal bouquet. Blue delphinium blooms were finished off with blue ribbon and a vintage handkerchief.

Emily tied vintage ribbon to the stem of Jeff's boutonniere.

Another handmade element helped continue the floral and fabric themes: Small fabric flowers were attached to pins with ribbon and set out for guests.

Guests chose from six colors of corsage pins.

Wearing a dress from David's Bridal and carrying a bouquet of dahlias, maid of honor Jenni (Emily's best friend since childhood) complemented Emily in her gown from RK Bridal and bouquet of blue blooms.

Jeff's dad, Kenneth, served as best man. He wore a Brooks Brothers suit; Jeff wore a J.Crew suit and Paul Smith tie.

Emily's nephew Thomas fit right in with his blue Brooks Brothers bow tie.

Emily made 100 tissue paper pom-poms and hung them in the family room that overlooks the garden.

Cravings Catering prepared a menu of grilled tenderloin and grilled trout, with local greens and heirloom tomato salad; they also put together a Prosecco bar with fresh juices.

A dessert bar of tarts and chocolate-dipped strawberries helped to end the luncheon on a sweet note.

In the afternoon, before the evening reception and dancing, the happy couple took portraits with their photographer, Audrey Hannah.

Emily assembled large bunches of blue and white hydrangeas to anchor each table for the evening reception.

At nightfall, globe lights strung in the trees lit the backyard, as guests danced in celebration.

A few blue blooms adorned a simple three-tier vanilla cake.

Emily created several fabric-covered platforms lined with ribbons to showcase the various confections on the dessert bar.

A silver leather guest book sat on a table with a pretty sign.

Jasmine rose tea was packaged in metal tins, wrapped in the same floral print used throughout the wedding, and tied with ribbon.

Guests also received fudge made by Emily's sister, Amy.

Emily and Jeff danced to Etta James's "At Last." Dance instructors were on hand to coach the guests on the dance floor.

Photography: Audrey Hannah Photo
Rentals: Party Time Rental