New Hampshire Wedding at Seacoast Science Center by By Emily B. Event Design

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From Kristin Burgess of by emily b. event design... Blue skies and a swift breeze greeted us at the Seacoast Science Center on the morning of September 4th. We strung ivory tissue poms in the ceiling of the tent, decorated the chandeliers with seeded eucalyptus, rolled out handmade fabric runners, placed over 150 pears (that the groom had picked before the couple left their home in Philadelphia) on plates, constructed a dessert table overflowing with sweets and essentially dotted the entire property with pops of Breanna and Nate’s color scheme. One of my very favorite things about this day began when we first arrived. My associate and I carried an old, turquoise door (which came out of my husband’s childhood home) to the designated ceremony site. It was to be the altar. We constructed a stand and pounded stakes into the ground to be sure said door didn’t come crashing down during their vows. We then left the door and moved onto other tasks under the tent on the other side of the property. Since the Seacoast Science Center is open to the public all day, visitors began milling around and there was a sufficient amount of confusion and intrigue happening around the door, which stood alone near the edge of the water. I watched from the tent as people peeked behind it, walked around it, and took photos in front of it, and when it came time to decorate it hours later, I came across a collection of four heart-shaped rocks that a passerby had propped up against it. Needless to say, I left the rocks in place for the duration of the ceremony and sent them home with the bride and groom the next day.  

From the Bride... Nathan and I crossed paths nine years ago while attending college in Rochester, New York. It was a chance meeting that started while I was watching a movie with a friend in Nathan’s dorm building. Nerves got the best of us though, and we didn’t end up speaking until a few weeks later over Thanksgiving break. I had to spend a night in the hospital, so I called Nathan and we talked on the phone for hours. We made plans to see The Nutcracker together when we returned to campus the following week. From that night, everything else was history. Come Christmas break, Nathan made last-minute plans to ring in the New Year with me in New Hampshire. And with that trip came along the added pressure of meeting my parents. To ease his nerves, I had told them I knew Nathan for a few months rather than a few weeks. But not surprisingly, Nathan won them over. Six years and 350-plus miles later, our relationship came full circle when Nathan proposed on the New Hampshire seacoast at dawn.

It was the morning of December 11, 2009, when we were visiting my family on the coast of New Hampshire for a long weekend. Regardless of the elements, at the early hour of 6:20 a.m., we bundled up, grabbed the camera and headed to the beach to watch the sun rise. Just past Odiorne Point, we pulled over to a rocky area and Nathan grabbed my hand and walked me down just in time for the sun to rise. I managed to capture a few photos just before the battery died – and Nathan popped the question. At just the right moment, he got down on one knee and said the words every girl dreams of hearing. Without hesitation, I said yes. Time – and the weather – stood still while we sat and enjoyed the view and the moment for just a bit longer. We collected a few rocks from the beach on the way back to the car as a reminder of that special day.



Wedding Photography: Brittany Blando of BKB Photography / Wedding Venue: Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire / Venue Contact: Ashley Stokes (603-436-8043 ext 14) / Wedding Planning: Kristin Burgess of by emily b. event design / Floral Design: Betsy Scott of Flower Kiosk / Catering: Tom Marshall of Mizuna / Wedding Cake + Pastries: Tom of Jacques Fine European Pastries / Officiant: Cindy Lovett of Simply Special Weddings / Rentals: Ashley Parkin of Exeter Events & Tents / Blank Invitation Stationery: Cards & Pockets / Guitarist: Larry Etscovitz of Cuzin Richard Entertainment / DJ: Scott Langlois of Cuzin Richard Entertainment / Table Numbers, Birdcage Refinishing, "Thank You" Sign + Seating Chart & Menu Chalkboards: DIY / Paper Poms: DIY by the Groom / Wedding Stationery: DIY by the Bride / Centerpiece Vases: Collected by the Bride + Donated by Family Members / Wooden Candle Circles: DIY by the Groom's Father / Table Runners, Pennant Banners, Photo Booth Backdrop, Bride's Wedding Dress Heart + Men's Ties: DIY by the Bride's Mother / Rehearsal Dinner: Red Hook Brewery / Wedding Dress: Watters via Madeleine’s Daughter / Bride's Crystal Sash: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride's Veil + Flower Hairpiece: Twigs & Honey / Bride's Earrings + Cocktail Ring: Kendra Scott / Bride's Shoes: Seychelles / Hair, Makeup + Nails: The du.da Salon / Bridesmaid Dresses + Sandals: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit, Shirt & Belt: J.Crew