It’s pretty incredible to see how different photographers approach the very same wedding. Although the details are the same, the way that we read them are so incredibly different. And each photographer has that little something special that really makes their images beautiful. So when I found out that Paul and Krystal of Studio Foto hired three of our favorite photographers to shoot their day, I knew that we were in for SUCH a treat. And this next set of images by Carla Ten Eyck didn’t disappoint. They are pure loveliness, pure art. And they show the true soul behind Paul and Krystal’s big day…
And another absolutely beautiful, and equally tear inducing, film by Jeremy White, a friend and assistant to Paul and Krystal…
CLICK HERE to see the full wedding gallery from Carla Ten Eyck
Our cocktail “hour” was actually a few hours of relaxing, socializing and eating delicious food from our grazing station, which was set up on a giant antique mill table that is normally in the lobby of our studio. I had personally collected all the silver platters, amber, green, and clear dishes that the caterers used for presentation of hor’dourves, and vases that Tony & Cat created beautiful centerpieces that further enhanced the beauty of the table! My brother Donald was so awesome to provide the music sound system and setup, fun lighting effects and late night Karaoke, along with playing our iPod playlist to fill in between the live acts.
We also had to have our favorite botanical artists Tony & Cat of Datura. One of the greatest thing about this duo, is they are so incredibly talented that all we had to do was explain our vision—organic, artistic, rustic, vintage- and they took it from there.
Our delicious 5-course harvest feast was made by the folks at Emily’s Catering and was served family-style on three long banquet tables that we built ourselves from saw-milled boards, under a canopy of lights and trees. Everyone was seated on mix-matched vintage chairs, which looked so amazing!!! We had our guests decide where they wanted to sit by placing their guest skeleton key tag at a seat of their choice. The tags came out so great….they were handcrafted by Paul and I, with help from my mom and sister. Paul hand- scribed each guest’s name with pen & ink on hand-ripped watercolor paper. Vintage skeletons that we found on Ebay were then tied on with jute string to create a tag. I tea-stained & crinkled the tags to “age” them. We hung the Guest Key tags on two doors that were constructed as an “entrance” to our wedding.
We wanted the table scape to look very eclectic, yet warm and welcoming. The place settings were mix-matched vintage china that we collected from Goodwill Stores. The silverware was as also vintage, and found on Ebay. The water glasses & pitchers were also mix-matched amber, green and clear cut glass collected from a variety of places. We wanted our candles to be drippy and gothic, so we asked if we could have some used pillar candles from a wedding venue. The candles were in arrangements on top of tree slices. Our flowers were organically arranged in vintage mason jars belonging to Paul’s parents. (They preserved jams and sauces when Paul was young.) On the tables also were vintage glass milk bottles collected by Paul when he was an Animal Science major at the University of Connecticut, and these were filled with grasses and herbs for another decorative element.
We wanted to leavethe rustic look of the wood tables uncovered by table linens, so we instead bought rolls of burlap and made runners. We wanted nicer cloth napkins than you can rent, so we splurged on lovely hem-stitched burnt orange, olive green, and chocolate brown linen napkins. The napkin rings were also handmade by myself and Paul’s mom. Vintage buttons were collected on Ebay and from my nana were hand-sewn onto jute ribbon, and then sewn to form rings.
Our dessert spread was created by La Petite France Bakery and was so delicious! The bakers created a French wedding cake called a “Croquembouche,” made of small cream puffs formed on the shape of a pyramid and then covered with spun caramelized sugar. Also in the spread were Mini Homemade Pies with handmade flags that my nana & I made together stuck in them, and assorted French pastries. The flowers were in some of the teapots I’ve collected.
We partied into the night by the glow of a giant bonfire built by our friend and neighbor Dave Mordasky. We can’t thank Dave enough for all the heavy duty yard work he did out of the kindness of his heart….without him and his generosity, many parts of our wedding would not have been possible. For our after party, we also enjoyed Bob’s famous home-made chili which he cooked over an open-fire!
Our day couldn’t have been more perfect……it fact it was utter bliss. We can’t thank our friends, family and vendors enough for making our day one of the most magical and memorable days of our lives
Details…Photographers: Carla Ten Eyck Photography + Jag Studios + Grazier Photography / Cinematographers: Jeremy White + Jim Altieri / Officiant: Eric Goodrich / Ceremony & Reception Site: The McNerney’s backyard in Stafford Springs, Connecticut / Floral Design: A Modern Garden / Food: Emily’s Catering / Cake + Pastries: La Petite France Bakery / Music: The Parkington Sisters / Sound system & setup, fun effects, and late night Karaoke: Donald Prue of Good Time Karaoke and DJ Entertainment / Live after party music: P.V. O’Donnell & his band / Day of Coordination (and help with some projects) Sixpence for Your Shoe / Photo Booth: LUXE Booth
Bride’s Fashion… Dress: Vintage 1920’s dress, Boudoir Queen / Shoes: Robert Clergerie Paris (found used on Ebay) with feather adornments by Feathers and Frills on Etsy / Shoes (flats): Amanda Smith (found new on Ebay) / Veil: Naturally Inspired / Necklaces: Two vintage pearl necklaces from Krystal’s grandmothers / Earrings: Debra Dane / Wedding Band: Janeliunas Jewelry / Garter: Irish Jewelry Company / Purse : Vintage 1920’s beaded evening purse found at “Never Say Goodbye” in Middletown, CT / Fur Coat : Vintage mink coat given to Krystal by her nana, Dorothy Riggio. It belonged to Dorothy and she gave it to Krystal for her 16 birthday / Brooch: Lyn D Jewelry / Hair : Unique Hair by Chrissy in Southbridge, MA / Makeup: Simply Gorgeous by Erin Infantino
Maid’s Fashion…Dresses : Vintage-inspired dresses by Nataya / Earrings : Custom designed by Debra Dane / Feathered Headpieces : Custom designed & crafted by me & my friend Anne using feathers and flowers found at craft stores
Groom’s Fashion… Jacket: Façonnable / Shirt: Bruno Conte / Pants: Scoth & Soda / Socks: Happy Socks / Shoes: Ben Sherman / Cuff links: Custom made by Paul with vintage typewriter keys / Watch: Glamorous Sandstone by Swiss Legend / Wedding Band : Custom-made by Jewelry by Johan