Jaclyn and Kevin are all about fun … all about family … and all about embracing the day!
When today’s featured Little Black Book photographer, Lauren Rutten sent us two weddings and said, “You choose …” well, we just couldn’t! They were both so great! This morning we posted Michele and Chick’s stunningly romantic wedding in NYC at the Harold Pratt House.
And now, this evening, we’re featuring the very hands-on, DIY-styled fall wedding of Jaclyn and Kevin …
Married in early October at Kevin’s family church in Westfield, New Jersey, their ceremony was a true reflection of their lovely personalities. They made this day their own by all of the fabulous and fun touches from beginning to end!
from Lauren …
Jaclyn, Kevin and their friends made all the pew cones, boutonnières and bouquets. Jaclyn says she was going for all muted creams and pinks, hints of blues and browns…with no one color dominating. They wanted a clean, unfussy, organic feeling…artful but non-traditional.
To make the pew cones Jaclyn used 2 layers of papers, a heavy card stock in various pale colors overlaid with patterned and lace-like hand-made paper. They punched holes to hang on the pews using ribbons. The cones were filled with hydrangeas, using florist tubes to keep the flowers fresh. The 2 big wreaths at the church were made with hand-tied willow and ribbons…using a Bowdabra bow-maker she found at Michaels craft store.
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And then their reception! The Mezzanine … with a true 1930’s Supper Club feeling … is in the National Newark Building ~ a really grand setting! They wanted to emphasize the height of the reception space…so using tall centerpieces with willows worked beautifully. Jaclyn wanted to have a hand-tied look…and incorporated Rosemary sprigs as a symbolic remembrance for her grandfather who had recently passed away. The large “I” banner that hung at the grand two-story entrance was made by the mother of the bride…using felt and glue.
Most of the stationery and printed matter was designed & created by Jaclyn {with Kevin’s assistance with assembly}. They purchased the paper supplies from MY GATSBY. Jaclyn kept with the art deco look in choosing her font for her invitations and little motifs and accents.The escort cards are particularly fun, incorporating a wax stamp with 9 trivial sayings inside…each pertinent to the couple.
The penguin symbol on the cards is also a reference to the guest favors. Those little gift boxes held a lovely treat of a chocolate penguin from L.A. Burdick in NH … a favorite place of theirs. Good-bye hang tags saying “Thanks from Mr. & Mrs. Iglesias” were also placed on all the valet cars at the end of the night.
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Kevin believes that “food should tell a story” and so he and Jaclyn set out to do just that! Influenced by a European wedding they had attended the previous year… they served a 5-sampling course meal … each with a slight twist. Frungillo Caterers handled all the food brilliantly. Milk & cookies at the end of the night were a huge hit!
Jaclyn’s gorgeous dress was from Anjolique.
In shooting the couples’ formals … we chose to take a quick trip to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, for its amazing view of New York City. Jaclyn and Kevin wanted relaxed and fun portraits that reflected their love of the city … that’s part of their relationship. We shot the photos before the ceremony so they would be fresh and could also enjoy the entire cocktail hour with their guests. It is my belief that I allow my couples to lead the way on how their day unfolds … to see each other before the ceremony or walking down the isle is a very personal choice. And given the opportunity to shoot unrushed, relaxed portraits is a wonderful added bonus. The breeze off the Hudson & the cheers of the people around…all added to the delightful spirit of the day for Jaclyn & Kevin.
Kevin sent a wedding gift to Jaclyn on the morning of the wedding … a first edition of Love Letter between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning … a nod to their London engagement.
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Wow! What a wonderful day! Congratulations Jaclyn and Kevin !!
A HUGE thank-you to Lauren Rutten for sharing not one … but two fabulous weddings with us today!! For more of her great wedding images, take a look at her website and blog!