I do love it when a bride pulls on her lace gown, puts on her brand new shoes and sees her husband for the first time – him in a stunning black tuxedo – in a classic, traditional affair. So when I opened up this amazing Connecticut manor wedding from Melani Lust Photography, I fell hard. Yep, my heels came right up over my head, and I fell in love. I fell in love with the timeless ambiance, the beautiful, always-in-style fashion, and the adorable flower girl. I fell in love with this beautiful wedding, and I’m betting a few of you just may too. Click here to join me here on the floor – after your fully fall hard.
Jared and I were college sweethearts and met while attending James Madison University. I was a senior and he was a junior. I had classes with his college roommate and finally towards the end of the semester I agreed to meet them out with friends since his roommate kept mentioning how we would be a perfect fit. From then on we dated through my last year of college, his last year of college (I worked in DC during that time) and finally after the summer of his graduation I moved to Fairfield, CT to pursue my Master’s and be closer to Jared.
Jared grew up in Southport, CT and since the early days of our relationship he would take me to Southport Center to pick up sandwiches at Spic N’ Span. From there we would relax by the Harbor and enjoy the gorgeous views and nice weather. One mild day in November, Jared took me to pick up lunch and head to the harbor. At first I was hesitant to get out of the car (mild in November in Connecticut is 50 degrees!) and eat but he insisted. We sat at our favorite bench and after we finished lunch he told me how much this place meant to him and me and how the harbor has seen our relationship grow since we were college sweethearts. He then told me there would be no better spot to take his family later on in life and tell them this is where he asked his wife to marry him. And with that he got on his knee, opened the little black box and popped the question! From there he had champagne and roses hiding behind the tree and we went from there to celebrate with friends and family.
We chose the Lord Thompson Manor as our wedding spot and frankly it was the best decision we could have made. Jared and I were looking for a classic English Garden elegance with a bit of Southern charm sprinkled in between. The staff was incredible and always knew what we needed – frankly before we even did.
Searching for a dress was no easy task. I visited several salons in New York and finally fell in love with a gorgeous, all lace Monique Lhuillier gown. I added a sash and a brooch to the gown and my something borrowed and something blue was my late grandmother’s blue lapis dinner ring which I wore the entire night.
Walking down the aisle with my father to a string version of Here Comes the Sun after worrying about the weather the entire weekend was amazing. Finally around a half hour before the ceremony the sun was blazing and it was gorgeous out! Jared and I wrote our own vows and exchanging them for the first time with each other was a such surreal, intimate moment. Our reverend told the story of “Paige & Jared”: How we met and how from this moment forward we come together as one and as a newly formed family. At the end of the ceremony our reverend in unison with all of our guests announced us as husband and wife which was a powerful moment for us.
Another moment in time which was very important was having time to ourselves during the cocktail hour. The venue was great to prepare a cozy, romantic table under the trees to relax and share some of our yummy appetizers. It was a great moment to relax and “take it all in.”
It was a perfect location for a gorgeous Connecticut midsummer wedding and we could not have asked for more!
Photography: Melani Lust Photography / Flowers: The Flowering Vine / Quartet: Quartetto Vivo / Cake: Something Sweet by Michelle / Band: One Step Ahead / Event Design: Lord Thompson Manor / Ceremony Location: Lord Thompson Manor / Reception Location: Lord Thompson Manor / Invitations: Chloe B. Invitations / Dress: Monique Lhuillier