Ease and effortlessness are achieved only after a great deal of effort. Which is why when we come across a wedding as beautiful and considered as this, we take a moment to appreciate the finer details, like bridesmaids bouquets of succulents perfectly hued to the pink and grey color scheme. The wife/husband duo from Grazier Photography agree, and were lucky enough to be there to capture the event.
From Grazier Photography… Our favorite weddings are the ones where the couple gets a standing ovation when they exit the ceremony. Portia and Matt’s wedding was dreamy. We fell in love with these two long before their wedding day, and their celebration just cinched the deal. Portia added thoughtful and beautiful design elements at every turn – always imbued with meaning, natural beauty, and a sense of truth and authenticity. Everything was lovely but not overdone, tangible, and tied together with my new favorite Italian word ‘sprezzatura’: (Miriam Webster: ‘perfect conduct or performance of something (as an artistic endeavor) without apparent effort.’ They were good looking and they dressed sharp. But more important than decor or looks, they lived in the moment, savoring each part of the day with a profound sense of joy. Their relaxed and superbly happy attitude was infectious, and really drove home to my hubbie Matt and I as we worked that THIS is why we love to photograph weddings.
From the bride… Matt and I wanted a wedding venue and vendors that would highlight the natural beauty of the area and show our friends and family (many of whom had never visited New England) why we love living here. When we visited the Willowdale Estate in Bradley Palmer State Park, we knew it would be the perfect location. It was elegant while still reflecting our easy-going attitude and love of the outdoors. We felt like ourselves there and knew our guests would feel welcomed and relaxed.
We didn’t want to compete with the natural beauty of the site so we opted for décor and flowers that reflected the area such as potted herbs, topiaries, and seasonal flowers. New England Country Rentals provided gorgeous farm tables, reclaimed wooden church pews, and chalkboards for the ceremony program and seating assignments.
Our good friend was kind enough to marry us, and our parents (who each share 35+ years of marriage!), siblings and closest friends stood beside us, which made our ceremony personal and intimate. We also made sure to include our dog “Georgia” as our “flower girl” -dressed in a fantastic flower collar made by E.H. Floral.
Our dinner was served station style and featured local/seasonal produce. This gave the evening a more relaxed feel and allowed guests to spend more time on the dance floor (celebrating National Dance Day!) District 21 kept the party going all night- seeing Matt’s grandparents dancing the night away with us was one of our favorite (and most inspiring) moments of the evening. And just in case anyone is wondering how many bridesmaids can fit into the Grazier Photobooth….. the answer is 9…. trust me!
Photography: Grazier Photography | Flowers: Emily Herzig Floral Studio | Rings: Ginsberg Jewelers | Rings: Deprisco Jewelers | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Bridesmaids Dresses: Diane Von Furstenberg | Makeup: Dianna Quagenti | Hair: Eric Charles Will Charles Salon | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Ceremony Music: David Newsam | Transportation: Michaels Limousine And Transportation | Bride's Attire: Monique Lhuillier | Chalkboard Calligraphy: Dear Rose Studio | Cufflinks: Waxwing Jewelry | Furniture: New England Country Rentals | Music: Night Shift Entertainment | Popcorn Favors: Iowa Popcorn Company | Table Numbers: Sixpence Press | Willowdale Estate: Willowdale Estate