Inside Robin Roberts and Amber Laign’s ‘Ethereal’ Connecticut Wedding Reception (Exclusive)

The fun is just getting started for Robin Roberts and Amber Laign, who tied the knot at the weekend after 18 years together.

On Friday, about 250 guests gathered at Farmington Gardens, in Farmington, Connecticut, to celebrate the newlyweds during a romantic reception.

Among those present were the Roberts Good morning America actors George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion, Lara Spencer, Michael Strahan, David Muir, Gio Benetiz, Dr. Jen Ashton and Tory Johnson. Tennis icon Billie Jean King and journalist Gayle King were also there to celebrate the newlyweds.

Roberts and Laign chose the rustic barn for its beauty — and in an effort to support business in their local community, the couple’s planner JoAnn Gregoli told PEOPLE exclusively.

“When I asked Amber what she envisioned, the words ‘enchanted garden’ and ‘ethereal’ kept coming up,” Gregoli tells PEOPLE. “Once she gave me those key words, then I knew the vision they were trying to evoke. We used a lot of moss, greenery and organic materials throughout the wedding.”

She adds: “We wanted to make sure we had sustainable invitations and opted for planting beyond the date and invitations. We also didn’t want to have too much waste with the cut flowers, so we used lots of greenery to create an organic feel.”

The wedding of Robin Roberts and Amber Laign.

Kellie Walsh / photo 4 eyes

Robin Roberts says he plans to marry longtime partner Amber Laign in 2023.

Sustainability was clearly woven into all elements of the reception, including the couple’s choice to use candles to light the entire property and the repurposing of flower boxes used during their ceremony.

Robin Roberts and Amber Laign at their wedding.

Kellie Walsh / Photo 4 eyes

Overall, Gregoli says she and the couple wanted to “transport people to an ethereal and enchanted garden.”

“We created two massive trees to anchor the room and had tables placed under the tables with twinkling lights on the trees. Our goal was to transform the space into that garden,” she says. “The tables were set with soft moss green linens. Two wooden semi-circular bars were made and placed strategically in the room. The DJ was positioned against a large moss wall that was used as a backdrop for a graphic design dance floor.”

she adds. “We set up two video screens showing a video montage of their ceremony, which took place earlier in the day. Above the wraparound dance floor we hung a canopy of flowers with lights, so it looked like people were dancing under a garden canopy. We wanted them to dance under gazebos full of flowers.”

When guests entered the party, they were greeted by a Prosecco truck and an Aperol spritz truck. Drinks were topped with edible discs of “Love Wins” — a phrase that was present throughout the room, including on the floor of the 360-degree photo booth.

The reception would not be complete without a decadent cake. The couple opted for a four-story creation, with alternating layers of chocolate and red velvet. The cake is complete with a silhouette of Roberts and Laign and their dog, Little Man Lucas, on top.

Robin Roberts and Amber Laign pose with some of their guests.

Kellie Walsh / photo 4 eyes

Gregoli tells PEOPLE that the standout moment was the couple’s first dance to Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” performed by violinist Caroline Campbell.

Later during the party, she adds that Roberts surprised Laign with a flash mob dance.

Before the party, the couple went for a more intimate ceremony in their home garden. The wedding was officiated by their pastor, Robert Jemersen.

“At the ceremony we had two large Spanish moss covered trees that were used as a backdrop for Robin’s mother’s tree [the late Lucimarian Roberts] a meditation bench,” says Gregoli. “The bench was very important to Robin and Amber. That was non-negotiable. We used the Spanish moss on the trees to bring some [Robins’ home state of] Mississippi to the ceremony.”

During the procession, Campbell performed “Stand by Me” while Roberts was escorted by her brother, Lawrence E. Roberts, Jr., and Laign was also escorted down the aisle by her own brother.

The couple’s wedding venue.

Kellie Walsh / photo 4 eyes

Roberts’ sister Sally-Ann Roberts read a Bible verse and her sister Dorothy Roberts sang “Blessed Assurance.”

The couple exchanged traditional vows, and the ceremony concluded with a sublime version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” followed by tea sandwiches, lemonade and iced tea at the newlyweds’ home for members of their immediate family.

Not even a bit of temperamental weather in the North East on the couple’s big weekend could dampen their happiness.

“The radar was showing rain and Robin and Amber really wanted it to be out front [tribute bench to Roberts’ mother]”, she says. “Fortunately, we consulted with [weatherman] Sam Champion, who was a guest, who helped us decide on what time to actually start the ceremony. We literally had to adjust that timing several times throughout the day to make sure the ceremony could take place outside.”

She adds: “In the end, Sam was right and we had that time frame, perfectly timed to the sun shining on them as they walked down the aisle. An hour after that, it was pouring rain.”

“The love that filled that space was palpable,” Gregoli reflects to PEOPLE. “It was an honor to help plan and execute their day.”

The wedding of Robin Roberts and Amber Laign.

Kellie Walsh / Photo 4 eyes

Ahead of their wedding, Roberts and Laign shared a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes planning of their special day.

During the episode Good morning America in August, the couple shared a video of themselves adjusting their wedding dress together. “We’re going to do the final fitting separately because I want us both to see each other in the last dress for the first time at the wedding,” host Roberts said at the time.

Although the couple took the special features of the reception by surprise, Roberts, 62, revealed on Instagram that all the plans were in place in the week leading up to the wedding. “It’s time to take my hands off the wheel and just breathe. If anxious moments arise, I’ll close my eyes and remember this zen moment🫶🏾💛,” she wrote on social media.

Roberts first revealed in January during Good morning America that she and Laign plan to marry. The announcement came shortly after the 48-year-old masseuse announced that she had completed radiation therapy for breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2022.

– I’m hesitating because I haven’t said it out loud yet… I’m saying ‘yes’ to marriage – Roberts said then. – We will get married this year. She continued, “It was something we talked about but we put it off, she got sick, but… that says yes to that, and the next chapter.”

After sharing the exciting news, Roberts posted the snap on Instagram and captioned it, “Say YES to marriage in 2023 💍.”

Robin Roberts and Amber Laign.

Kellie Walsh / photo 4 eyes

Robin Roberts and Amber Laign Relationship Timeline

Roberts and Laign first met in July 2005 on a blind date. Since then they have been inseparable.

“15 years ago I met you for drinks on a blind date that both you and I tried to cancel…twice,” Laign revealed on her private Instagram for the couple’s 15th anniversary, which Roberts reposted publicly. “Your grace immediately caught my eye and the lightness of the evening continued to flow through dinner.”

“Shortly after that we had our second date and I couldn’t believe how relaxed I felt with you as we shared our lives with each other over lychee apple martinis,” she continued. “The next day you went to Tahiti and during that time apart I developed this feeling that is still very present today… butterflies.”

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Source: HIS Education