A Chic Winter Wedding at Boston’s Mandarin Hotel

Lauren Megerdichian
December 31, 2024
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Black, White, Gold, Beige[/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Jessica Hennessey Weddings imagined a sophisticated winter wedding in the heart of the city at the luxurious Mandarin Hotel. This design exuded modern elegance with a chic palette of black, white, and gold, capturing a timeless sophistication that is both bold and glamorous.

A crisp neutral floral palette, accented with rosey hues and deep burgundy accents lent a fresh, wintry feel, while a mix of sleek black and gold linens elevated each table setting, creating a stunning contrast. Tall glass candle holders cast a warm, ambient glow, reflecting softly off of polished gold accents throughout the space.

Modern, overhead floral installations set an enchanted garden tone for an unforgettable evening. With every detail, from minimalist place cards to a classic white-tiered cake adorned with floral accents, this winter wedding at the Mandarin is a celebration of modern chic sophistication.[/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]From Gianna + Craig: We had the most perfect low-key proposal on Christmas Eve! We were spending time with our families in the kitchen when Craig said he had something he wanted to show me in the living room. Every year we had purchased a new ornament for our Christmas tree to grow a collection together, but that year, we had not purchased one. Walking into the living room, Craig told me he went and bought an ornament to add to our collection and told me to look for it. Once I found it, he mentioned what it represented and then started to talk about our future together. He then dropped down on one knee and proposed! I’m sure many couples can relate when we say the rest was a bit of a blur because of the rush of emotions we were both feeling, but it was the perfect evening. We were able to experience the intimate moment of having our proposal be just us two then having our families come in and celebrate afterwards. [/field]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]From Gianna: I had ideas on what I was looking for in a wedding gown, and this dress exceeded all of those expectations. At Reem Acra, I first saw this dress with my mom, mother in law, sister and aunt and it blew me away. Toward the end of the appointment, the dress consultant said she had one more dress to show me that didn’t have long sleeves (something I really wanted) but thought it perfectly fit the vibe of our wedding. The second she brought the dress in and took it out of the bag, I had a jolt in my body and said “I think that is my dress.” I know it is cliche, but it really was a pinch me moment. I tried it on and everyone had a rush of emotions and also felt it was the one. Since it was my third appointment trying on dresses, though, I was very nervous to say it was the dress because there are just so many options and I was afraid I didn’t try on enough. I went on to try more dresses but ultimately kept comparing all other ones to that one. I then knew that was my dress and went to try it back on. I had the same feelings as I did when I first tried it on and knew it was my dress! We were able to add custom gloves for a sleeve effect, which made it even that more special!

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Going with the sleek sophistication theme, the long, mismatched black bridesmaids gowns were a perfect fit.[/field]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]From Gianna + Craig: We wanted to make sure people always had access to food and drink with little to no wait throughout the night. With that in mind, we added another bar in the Mandarin’s cocktail space and had both passed hors d’oeuvres and extra stations during cocktail hour. The Mandarin provided the best drinks and most delicious food! We still get compliments from people on how the food for cocktail hour and dinner was the best food they have ever had at a wedding. It’s truly top notch![/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Gianna + Craig’s wedding design radiated refined elegance and luxury, transforming the Mandarin Ballroom into a sanctuary of modern sophistication. It was super important to them that their wedding feel winter and not holiday-focused, considering their date was early December. We created an opulent canopy of lush florals, blending neutral floral, soft rosey tones, and deep crimson accents, created two ethereal overhead installations that captivated guests and elevated the room ambiance with the feeling they were looking to achieve.

The tablescapes were draped in rich, black velvet and shimmery gold linens, perfectly offset by gilded chargers that added a lavish touch of grandeur. Delicate taper candles in sleek glass cylinders cast a warm, ambient glow, enhancing the intimate yet opulent atmosphere. Low, meticulously arranged floral compositions mirrored the overhead blooms, unifying the design with a sense of balance and artistry.

Every detail curated with Gianna + Craig was meant to evoke a feeling of upscale, contemporary elegance, creating a truly memorable and sophisticated city wedding experience. Molly Anne Photography captured this feeling in the most perfect way![/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]From Gianna + Craig: We chose a private cake cutting! The day is such a whirlwind of a day that we wanted to have a private moment between us. Everything happens so fast and we felt this was a way for us to reconnect and soak in the day just us two with no audience. After our room reveal, we got to cut it together and get a delicious taste just the two of us before the night’s festivities continued.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Leslie Lee Floral Design’s overhead floral installations were a statement of understated luxury and meticulous craftsmanship. Cascading from the Ryan Designs ceiling trellis, each arrangement featured a carefully curated neutral palette, punctuated by deep burgundy and crimson blooms for contrast. The lush, cascading greenery added texture and volume, creating a suspended canopy that softened the space while introducing a refined, gardenesque element. Each stem and smilax branch was strategically placed to create a balanced, layered effect that felt both abundant and intentional. The installations hovered just above eye level, inviting guests to immerse in the details up close. [/field]

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