Pair a foodie bride and her handsome beau with a fab team of vendors that includes Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design, BLUSH Floral Design and Jubilee Events (to name a few) and the results are this: a beyond breathtaking day that boasts classic details, beautiful colors and soooo much pretty captured by Binaryflips Photography, it will make your head swoon. Join me in the gallery for more.
From the Bride… When Lev and I first started planning our wedding, we fell in love with the Wadsworth Mansion (near my hometown in CT) before we even saw it in person. We liked that there were multiple rooms for guests to explore, as if it was our own private retreat (albeit a very fancy one!), and the way the mansion was set off from the road and surrounded by trees and gardens.
Once we had decided on a location, it helped set the tone for everything else: classic, elegant and romantic. To complement the interior of the mansion, we settled on a color palette of dove gray, blush and cream—plus a touch of gold—that felt airy and light, but still muted enough for October. I was also inspired by Laduree and their gorgeous pastel packaging.
Lev and I agreed we wouldn’t spend a lot of money on gifts for the morning of the wedding, but we wanted to do something small. We were doing long-distance for most of the year leading up to the wedding, and for about 6 months of that, Lev had been recording little clips of himself along the way—and turned it into the sweetest video. I ended up giving him a vintage compass, since he is my biggest supporter and, cheesy as it may sound, the one who always helps me find my way.
Despite some early rain and gloom, the weather that day—which also happens to be my grandmother’s birthday—ended up being beautiful. The whole place was washed in this gorgeous golden light. Our ceremony was led by Mary Coburn on the lawn behind the mansion, and months later, I still receive compliments on the incredible job she did. She has an amazing way of getting to know you, capturing the spirit of a relationship and bringing people together.
Bouquets and arrangements contained lush blooms like garden roses, ranunculus and dahlias. For texture and a slightly vintage feel, we added dusty miller, silver brunia berries and gold-dusted scabiosia pods (a really lovely touch from Elizabeth of Blush Floral Design). We decorated our placecard table with vintage cake stands and compote dishes collected over time, plus loose and floating flowers, votive candles and ribbons.
I have a killer sweet tooth, so good dessert was a must! Later in the night, we re-purposed the cake stands for a display of cream puffs, oatmeal-maple whoopie pies, pumpkin cheesecake squares, mini pecan pies and macarons in blush and cream. Our wedding cake featured a single, whimsical sugar bloom that was gold in the middle with pale pink petals fading into ivory.
Our invitations incorporated two design elements—a wreath and a bow—and two patterns—lattice and damask—that were used throughout our reception. The wreath was used for our table numbers and programs, and an actual wreath was hung on the front door of the Wadsworth. There were pink bows on my shoes and bows tied to our seats at the table. Finally, the lattice print from the invites appeared our dessert labels, while the damask print appeared on our menus.
My bridesmaids wore soft and subdued shades of pink, cream and gray by Amsale and Donna Morgan. Everyone wore their hair at least partially down, which was sort of a spur-of-the-moment decision—but I loved the way the casual hair styles contrasted with the guys’ formal tuxedos and bow ties.
My dress was a ball gown by Liancarlo. I tried on an embarrassing amount of dresses until I fell in love with its delicate, crystal-studded bodice and flowing, ethereal skirt. My earrings were a gift from my grandmother, who was given them by my grandfather on my mom’s wedding day. My something borrowed was my grandfather’s wedding ring, and my something blue was a ring my mom gave me some 15 years ago that I’ve been wearing ever since. Both of these were tied to my bouquet.
A few other personal touches we added to the wedding were a guestbook filled with handmade envelopes in different patterns and colors for guests to leave us notes, a display of family pictures, and signature cocktails (a pear drink I make every winter, and a Brazilian coffee drink that satisfies Lev’s coffee addiction and relates to one of his favorite trips). At the end of the night, guests helped themselves to a Connecticut classic—Foxon Park White Birch Beer—and freshly-popped popcorn in two different flavors: salted butter and caramel cashew.
My best advice to brides is to enjoy the planning process as much as possible. Spend some time sifting through ideas and thinking about how you envision the day before you dive in—and then take it on little by little. And, make it your own. Everything doesn’t have to match perfectly. In fact, it will feel more organic if it doesn’t! Then, once the day arrives, let go of all those little details and focus instead on savoring every moment.
Photography: BINARYFLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY | Coordination: Jubilee Events | Floral Design: Blush Floral Design Studio | Cake: Ana Parzych Cakes | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering | Makeup: d.d. Nickel Makeup Studio | Hair And Makeup: Naomi's Studio & Salon | Calligraphy: Graceline Art | Lighting: Rob Alberti's Event Services | DJ: Rob Alberti's Event Services | Tuxedos: Valentino Tailors | Officiant: Mary Coburn | Transportation: Premier Limousine | Tent: Ct Rental Center | Bride's Dress: Liancarlo | Bridesmaid Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Chandeliers/Draping: Ryan Designs | Day-of Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design | Macarons: Le Petit France | Mansion: Wadsworth Mansion | Musicians: Millenium Music | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola