You would never know that this botanical affair so beautifully captured by Jen Huang came together in under 4 months. Oh, but it did. With planner Copper Cricket Events leading the charge, a gorgeous historic estate was procured and the rest quickly fell into place. KD&J Botanica designed an alfresco celebration filled with layers of lush florals, and elegant details that all started with a ceremony held in front of a 100 year old hydrangea bush. See it all unfold right here.
From Jen, the photographer… I loved shooting this late summer wedding in Connecticut. The feminine details, the lush botanicals, the historic venue! It is so rare to see weddings al fresco on the east coast, this couple lucked out with the beautiful weather and sunlight! Everything about this wedding was intimate, fresh and gorgeous, not to mention they were just about the most romantic couple I’ve ever photographed.
From Rebecca, the planner: I first met the bride and groom in June and knew that I had to work quickly, with the wedding date set for early September. With not a lot of availability in venue choices at this late date, I reached out to some close friends and asked if they would be willing to host a wedding on their charming estate property.
The property, located in Redding, CT, built in the early 1900’s, consists of the main house with it’s exquisite French Normandy inspired architecture, a beautiful carriage house & adjacent antique barn. The bride, a confessed “lover of everything French” fell in love with the location at first glance.
We quickly got to planning with less than 12 weeks total to pull it all together. With the help of Katherine Jacob from KD&J Botanica, the design elements quickly took shape.
Holding my breath, I reached out to Jen Huang Photography in the hopes that she might be available and she was, just like that we had the beginnings of an amazing wedding on our hands.
The ceremony was held in front of one hundred year old hydrangea bushes which looked spectacular in full bloom. Wrought iron garden urns lined the aisle, filled with garden roses, lambs ear & andromeda. Large scale arrangements incorporating the stunning hydrangeas were placed at the entrance to the site.
Food was a very important element for this globetrotting couple and we wanted to weave the local farm produce and products into a menu that also incorporate their Italian heritage & love of French cuisine. Our team has a passion for farm to table fare, so we were excited to take this eclectic menu to the next level. Using local farms to source peaches for the salad course, lamb for the passed hors d’oeuvres and chicken for the entrée incorporating fresh herbs and thoughtful presentation of all the ingredients.
Bistro lighting zigzagged the blue sky above the dining tables and dance floor below. The Carriage House doors were opened on both sides with a cozy and charming lounge set up in front of the fireplace and a Champagne bar tucked in the corner. The other side housed the bountiful buffet dinner stations with an epicurean tea bar with Mariage Frères teas in a variety of flavors and Laduree macarons.
The wedding cake took center stage in the main hallway of the carriage house, not too far from the artfully arrangement escort card board draped with vines & dark chocolate velvet ribbon.
The dinner tables had thoughtful place settings using a wooden charger, custom linen napkins tied with velvet ribbon and a sprig of snowberries. Fresh whole and cut figs picked up the beautiful tones of the centerpieces that contained café au lait dahlias, chocolate cosmos, astilbe, lambs ear, garden roses & andromeda. Dark plum throw blankets were put on the backs of the chairs to warm up guests as the autumn evening turned to nighttime. A few fire pits were set up in-between the dining and bar area complete with the requisite s’mores station.
A custom bar built out of reclaimed wood was draped with hops vine & tucked into the opening of the barn doors. Illuminated by hanging lanterns & overlooking the dance floor, this quickly became the place to hang out.
The bride and groom stole a few private moments just down the road at New Pond Farm, sneaking in some beautiful photos with the rolling landscape as the backdrop and the belted Galloway cattle nearby to chaperone.
Photographer: Jen Huang Photography | Planner: Copper Cricket Events | Wedding Cake: Aux Delices Cakes | Caterer: Spread Out Catering | Make Up: Debra Hazan | Hair: Nancy Vargovchik | DJ: Tyler Kemp | Transportation: Test | Bistro Lighting : Vivid Events | Ceremony Chairs and Linens: Party Rental LTD | Farm Scenes: New Pond Farm | Florals and Design: KD&J Botanica | Portable Restrooms: Stone Industries | Rentals: Abbey Tent And Party Rentals