A Chic, Rustic Wedding at Candlelight Farms Inn in New Milford, Connecticut

For their late-summer wedding in New Milford, Connecticut, Kimberly Brady (28 and a recruiter) and Peter Aquilino (33 and a professional firefighter) pulled off a relaxed outdoor soiree that exuded rustic charm and sophistication. Set on a 600-acre estate surrounded by quaint ponds, paddocks and meadows, the Candlelight Farms Inn provided a picturesque backdrop for the elegant affair. “It had the rustic feel that we were going for, and everyone was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery,” Kimberly says. The day unfolded with an outdoor ceremony overlooking the lush landscape and rolling hills of the Candlewood Mountain valley. Framed by two majestic birch trees, Kimberly and Peter exchanged heartfelt vows. “We had a unity piece written by my sister-in-law’s mother, which was read by our mothers,” Kimberly says. “We wanted the ceremony to be simple and personal, which is exactly what it was.” The couple opted for understated decor to let the beauty of the setting shine through. Small bouquets of baby’s breath arranged in mason jars dotted the aisle, while the wedding party’s bouquets of brilliant purple, white and yellow blooms added a fresh pop of color to the expansive outdoor space. As a surprise, Peter made a grand entrance to the ceremony, riding in on a firetruck—a nod to his job. Cocktail hour followed on the property’s expansive lawn, as well as in the charming historic barn, where guests nibbled on pint-size eats like tomato soup shooters and mini-grilled cheese and played lawn games. A sailcloth tent hosted the dinner and dancing portion of the evening and was where Kimberly and Peter's vision for the day truly came to life. The open-air tent was dotted with a mix of rustic farm tables and beautifully dressed round tables, each bearing natural linens and ornate bouquets of bright hydrangeas, stock ranunculus, roses and wildflowers arranged in antiqued wooden planter boxes that Kimberly and her brother crafted themselves. To create an intimate, casual feel, dinner was served family style, and the newlyweds ditched the traditional wedding cake for strawberry shortcake that guests could enjoy at their leisure. A tip from Kimberly: “My husband and I had our own sweetheart table, and although I did not want to have this at first, it ended up being perfect. We were able to enjoy time together and have guests visit us as well.” —Libby MacCarthy