True story. One summer in college, I worked at a national alpaca registry. I ADORED my job, because I spent my days scanning pictures of the world’s cutest animal into the registry system… and, of course, fell head over heels in love with each and every one. So, when I first laid my eyes on this beauty of a wedding by Melissa Robotti Photography, I let out a little shout (okay, a big shout) of glee… because this fabulous soiree is not only brimming with the sweetest of details, but also happens to be held at an oh-so-charming alpaca farm. Be. Still. My. Heart. And with fabulous florals by Atkins Farm, a vibrant color palette, homemade wine and one very stunning bride and groom, I will never get enough of this rustic goodness. Join me in the gallery for even more!
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From the Bride… From the moment I started dating Bobby, I was absolutely in love with his mother’s alpaca farm in Whately, MA. It was not only the “family gathering spot” and the place where I first met his huge, wonderful Italian family, but it was a place that truly inspired me. One of my first memories on the farm was when we witnessed a birth. “Stella,” a beautiful white alpaca, gave birth in the early morning to a beautiful caramel-colored alpaca, to be named “Purdy.” Although birthing an alpaca is usually something that does not require human intervention, it was a complicated birth which required my mother-in-law (Lisa) to intervene and help Stella birth her new baby. After a struggle, caused by Purdy’s body being in the wrong position in the birth canal, Lisa (mid-wife by day/alpaca farmer by morning and night), helped bring Purdy into the world. There were a few sleepless nights that followed, bottle-feeding Purdy and keeping her warm with blankets, but after all that nurturing, it was a beautiful sight to see her running through the pastures only a couple of days later! I found the experience that day to be especially moving. The hard work and dedication required to run your own farm and the unconditional love and care given to these animals was truly inspirational. There was no question in my mind that this beautiful place would be the place that Bobby and I would share with our family and friends, to symbolize the start of our life together.
In keeping with the spirit of the farm as well as my personal taste, I wanted the event to exude “rustic, casual elegance.” I wanted to capture the inspiration from both the farm and Lisa’s vintage post and beam farm house. The family effort and manual labor required to prepare the farm for a wedding of 200 people was also in keeping with the spirit of the farm… it was A LOT of work. Scrubbing barn floors, washing windows, cleaning up alpaca poop (yes, you read that correctly) and mowing the lawn over and over again is what consumed our lives the weeks leading up to the wedding (Thank you to the family and friends that helped!). But, I would do it all again in a heartbeat… it was worth every second.
The foundation of the event was comprised of a large 40×120 tent connected by a large 4-sided bar to a rustic barn (Home to 25 alpacas only a week prior!). The tent covered an arrangement of square and rectangle dinner tables, covered with teal tablecloths, lime napkins and a burlap runner. Mason jars with single lime hydrangea and orange dahlias floated down the center of each table, complimented by hand written name tag napkin rings, crafty station-style menus and homemade wine with our custom-designed alpaca label as the table number.
Connecting the reception tent to the barn was our large square bar (which might have been my favorite detail). I knew that I didn’t want the traditional roll-in bars that are normally used at outdoor events and get crowded within 10 minutes. I wanted the bar to be a focal point of the event and more of a social area; a place for people to mingle. Using long high-top tables, a large square bar was configured, covered in lime green linens and bar stools at each end. Against the barn was an extension of the bar… the Sangria table. This table featured a Sangria Jug, filled with homemade sangria and mason jars with striped straws for guests to serve and enjoy. As guests entered the barn they encountered cocktail tables and twinkle lights and straw bale seating areas with homemade throw pillows, designed and sewn by my talented sister, Erin. On the north side of the barn we had a cigar lounge, with 10 lime green Adirondack chairs facing beautiful Mount Sugarloaf.
Although the event had an overall “rustic feel,” I wanted to compliment the tans/browns with some bright summery colors. My color-scheme was teal/lime/orange. My bridesmaids wore comfy cotton Calvin Klein dresses in teal and carried the most beautiful bouquets I’ve ever seen, made up of green hydrangea, peach roses, orange circus roses and hypercimumberries. The groomsmen wore khaki linen Perry Ellis suits, lime green ties and had orange circus rose boutonnieres. Everyone looked absolutely gorgeous and the colors and outfits truly complemented each other! All in all, the event was spectacular and surpassed my expectations. As my husband said from the start, “I don’t care where we get married, I just want to invite everyone I love and for it to be memorable.” Well, mission accomplished for sure.
Wedding Photography: Melissa Robotti Photography / Flowers: Atkins Farm / Wedding Ceremony Location: Grace Church / Wedding Reception Location: Family Farm / Hair + Make-up: Vici Hair Studio & Beauty Bar / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Dress: Customized by La Reine Bridal / Bridesmaid Dress: Calvin Klein / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Perry Ellis / Wedding Cake + Pies: Atkins Farm / Caterer: Smithsonian Catering / Paper Products (Menus, Labels, Programs, etc.): Homemade / DJ: Jerry Gemme