Middletown Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Two Wedding Photographers Tie The Knot At A European-Inspired Wedding In Connecticut

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]We selected a venue that would act as a canvas and would use color to bring it to life. I feel when done right color has no season and so our tones would be a warm wash of blush, cream, gold, burnt sienna, a blend of summer with a kiss of fall! Color plays into every aspect of a wedding from the design to the dress attire, it all has a role in your visual narrative. Since we had an intimate wedding where all of our guests were considered our wedding party we requested they too be inspired by our color palette, and they sure understood the assignment! [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Imagine being in the south of France on a late summer’s day. The cool ocean breeze making its way up to the charming cliffside villages. The florals, a feast for the eyes, as if painted by Claude Monet himself. We blended modern simplicity with the rich historic tones of the past and brought our travels abroad to a hidden gem in Connecticut, Wadsworth Mansion. As professionals in the wedding industry, we have a deep love and appreciation for events. We are inspired by each vendor’s craft and want to highlight the beauty and craftsmanship that set them apart. I believe an experience is seen, felt, and heard, and to be fully immersed is to have these moments rooted with intent. A wedding is the reflection of a couple, and after being together for a decade, we had a lot to say! Our “theme” was L’art de vivre; the frech way of living. We drew inspiration from the elegance and artistic beauty of our travels abroad, which mirrors the philosophy of the great masters who understood that art is a reflection of life itself.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]It was our 5th anniversary and we decided to celebrate with a long weekend in France. This was Joe’s first time in France so I wanted it to be special and hired a driver of a vintage Citroën DS to show us the sights. Later that night we took a train to Versailles where we would spend the day touring the gardens. Now Versailles is one of my absolute favorite sights, I seriously could spend days in those gardens. When Joe and I travel we often take portraits along our journey and this trip was no exception, I had been planning our outfits for months! It was a chilly fall morning as we made our way to the palace grounds. A thick fog had rolled in making the vast grounds invisible and creating a unique and intimate feeling. We knew the fog would lift and the crowds would pour in so we would need to find our spot to set up for tripod portraits. Once I found the spot we quickly setup and begun taking photos with a timer. I heard a sound in the distance and I look over my shoulder, when I look back I saw Joe getting down on one knee! Everything was a blurr after that as I grabbed the ring and kissed him. We spent the rest of the day walking on a cloud enjoying the gardens and each other.[/field]
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Fashion is everything which is why so much thought went into our selection and my wedding gowns! I found my ceremony gown on my first trip to Vows. I went in with one designer and silhouette in mind and came out with the opposit but stunning Martina Liana! After trying on what I thought would be my dream dress, I was underwhelmed. Dress after dress nothing felt right that’s when my stylist said she had one more in mind. It was the last dress, and the moment I put it on I knew it was the one. I had it customized to be open back with a more fitted silhouette. I paired it with Bella Bell shoes, Maison Sabben earrings and a stunning cathedral veil that shimmered in the light. However, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head that I had always thought I’d be in a form-fitted gown. I was also not a huge fan of a bustle, I mean after all when you have a train like mine it’s meant to be seen! That is when I discovered the talented designer of Bremelia. I went back and forth with her designing a reception look I could dance the night away. I wanted something that would be the complete opposite of my ceremony dress. Bre crafted the most beautiful bespoke gown that literally lite up like a star underneath the lights and it had such an impact when we came out and opened up the dancefloor to cold plays “sky full of stars”. I really wanted a full transformation with this gown and so with the help of my bridal stylist Lindsay, and makeup artist Michelle, I went from a romantic updo and A-line gown to a high-pony bold lip, fitted silhouette with a plunging neckline and high slit ready to party. If you want to be stress-free and picture-perfect having and amazing team there to keep you looking fresh, and fluffed is key! A wedding curator will allow your photographer and videographer the freedom to focus on their craft and capture stunning behind the scenes moments for you to enjoy instantly! For my reception dress I paired it with a simple badgley mischka heel and understated earring.

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We did not have an official wedding party; however, we did invite our guests to dress within our color pallet and see gowns from Reformation, Revolve, Lulu, and more! We did order stunning tulle gowns for our flower girls from Azazie, with the gown for my daughter customized by my dress designer, Bremelia Custom Bridal, for that extra attention to detail that made it perfect for our special day.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groom’s entire look was from Suit Supply. His search was not as simple as we had expected. Originally, we purchased a tux from another designer online, but when he put it on at home, we both were underwhelmed. Although we had announced it was a black tie event, I said let’s just try going to suitsupply and see if maybe a color tux would help. We tried on a blue suit, and that didn’t work, but then he tried on their black tux, and it clicked! The fit was perfect, and the details were just right.

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When I reached out to Buck and Bloom with my vision for a renaissance still-life-inspired grazing table with marble peacock and dripping honey, they were just as excited as us and completed a stunning 12-foot masterpiece! I am known by all for my love of chic-fil-a, and so what better way than to serve it avant-garde style nuggets as a passed order! Joe and I are craft cocktail enthusiasts so having a his, hers and ours, as a selection for our guest of three craft cocktails was something we were excited to feature. With one cocktail being culturally inspired and garnished with lychee, another inspired by my wedding scent, and the third inspired by our travels abroad, we wanted to create an experience for our guests beyond the traditional bar experience.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

I really wanted to incorporate a unique floral selection with minimal greenery, full of blooms that felt light and allowed arrangements to breathe. One of the fun floral elements was our custom-built welcome sign that featured a flower box. Our bar not only had stunning florals on top but a beautiful meadow below that added a nice symmetry to the bar. Our florist, Sabrina, did an amazing job, and I was blown away by the three-foot meadow she created on the custom seating chart wall. For our reception, we chose to do a variety of centerpieces in the ballroom featuring both high and low designs. We repurposed our ceremony centerpieces for the cocktail hour by placing them at the main doors, where we would also hold our speeches. Design: As industry professionals, while we did many things in-house, like our bespoke invitation suite, which I designed, hand tore, hand foiled, and hand stuffed, to our 8-foot seating chart wall I designed and my husband built, we fully believe in entrusting other professionals in areas that may not be in your wheelhouse. With a venue like ours, we wanted to spend as much time on the outside as possible. For the ceremony, we kept it simple with two floral urns and white flowers, which tied into the giant white hydrangea bushes that were in full bloom. I knew photographically I wanted my ceremony space to be a 360 view so that my photographer and videographer had an amazing view no matter the angle. I spent a lot of time finding the perfect urns, building their pedestals, and painting them so that they were just the right proportions. Details are extremely important to me, and the last thing I wanted was my 5’2 frame to be dwarfed by an oversized urn. I was very excited to create our seating chart wall. As photographers, we couldn’t help but incorporate a fun nod to our profession and a treat for our guests. We wanted something different, and I found Papershoot, which provided rentable digital paper cameras that gave the impression of disposable but without the expense of developing film. I was really intrigued by this sustainable option, and it was a hit with our guests! Our seating chart arch was full of bells. This inspiration came from my parents. As entrepreneurs, they had this tiny bell that they would always ring with every sale. My dad said it was important to celebrate in life, even the little moments. So, I wanted to gift our guests a small bell to ring, not just for that night, but for all the little moments to come. For the cocktail hour, I put a lot of thought into the special order linens. I wanted colors that enhanced the warmth of the building vs. going with the included standard white. When I think of an event, I don’t just think of the item at hand but the bigger picture and how it will impact not just the images but the guest experience. It was important for me to transition and breathe in the spaces, which is why we went understated for the dinner in the ballroom. The space was stunning on its own, and I felt a timeless touch was all that was needed.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

We had a simple but stunning white, two-tiered cake cascading in pearls. The surprise was when you cut into the cake for a rainbow of color! Confetti cakes have been my favorite since childhood, and I always knew that one day, when I would get married, it would be with a confetti cake!

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

Since we had an intimate wedding with only 65 guests, one of our favorite parts was being able to connect with each one of them truly. We did things a little differently during our ceremony and had our officiant start off speaking to our guests from the side. We had also asked our family to switch “sides” so that my family sat on the “grooms” and he sat on the “brides.” When the ceremony started, we stood in the center, looking outward together. I was able to see the faces of the ones I loved. I was able to connect not just with him but with those who have supported us on our journey. We wrote our own vows and kept things sweet and simple. Directly after our ceremony, we went back to our cocktail hour, where we started off the celebration with a toast thanking those for being there and kicking off the party with a champagne tower! Our first dance was to You’re Still The One by Dave Moffatt (Shania Twain cover). We have been together for a decade, so this song resonates with us. We had our first look at Stephen Sanchez’s – Until I Found You, which is a song dedicated by my husband to me. And we opened up the dancefloor to coldplays- skyfull of stars. I danced with my father to Heartland ~ I loved her first, a song that I grew up singing with my dad and always cry to when I hear it now. Joe and his mom danced to the sweet song You’ll Be in My Heart, which was fitting for their relationship.

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Guest Illustrator: When we would spend time abroad, we loved meeting street artists and thought, what better gift to our guests than a custom illustration! I found sammia lynn illustration and fell in love with her work and knew she was the one. Our guests loved showing off their illustrations and it was one of the major talking points through the night.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Still life Grazing Table: I mentioned this before but it was such a visual feast! I wanted to go beyond a traditional grazing table and make it feel like a work of art. I also wanted to include the grooms culture by bringing in tropical fruits. Buck & Bloom did such an amazing job carrying out my vision with her own twist![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]A detail that goes beyond the obvious elements like our custom invitations is the quiet experience that is being felt by guests from crafting an immersive journey. From seamless transitions to the personal attention of the teams ensuring everyone feels cared for, this experience is the ultimate detail. With the rise of bridal stylists, content creators and wedding curators, guest experiences is at the forefront of wedding planning. As a wedding curator myself, I understand the importance of designing these transitions to create a sense of luxury and enchantment. From selecting the perfect music to orchestrating events that guide guests from one space to another, every detail is intentional to evoke emotion.[/field]
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BBJ La Tavola

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Modern Take on a Traditional New England Wedding at Wadsworth Mansion

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Sage, Cream, and Gold. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]When we started planning the wedding we knew pretty early on that we would be getting married in Connecticut. Once we chose our venue (the stunning Wadsworth Mansion) our goal became to design a wedding around the beauty and history of the venue. We really wanted to have a modern take on the traditional New England wedding.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]I am a YouTuber (@therudgefam) and lifestyle instagrammer (@terryannmelisa), and I am always getting content! Michael suggested that we do a staycation in the city of Boston where we lived at the time. He booked us a room at the Godfrey Hotel, a spa day, dinner reservations at many of the restaurants we had always been meaning to try but never ended up trying. It was a long weekend filled with so many fun activities! In between our reservations, Mike suggested we go to Acorn Street to take pictures for my blog. Acorn Street in Boston is the most photographed street in America. I always wanted to see it in person so I was very excited to go! When we arrived Mike seemed a little fidgety, but I was so excited to finally see Acorn Street that I didn’t think much of it. After admiring the area for a bit, Mike started taking photos of me for my blog. He was getting very into it, insisting that he get all of my angles! At one point, he gets down on the ground to take a photo from a lower angle. Before I knew it, he was on one knee and reaching into his pocket. I was absolutely shocked when he pulled the ring out. It’s one of the happiest moments of my life! Now we go back to Acorn Street every year on the anniversary of our engagement (October 25th) and recreate our last photo there as boyfriend and girlfriend![/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]I was so inspired by Meaghan Markle’s wedding reception dress. The halter silhouette seemed so classic to me, and I definitely wanted to go that route with a bit of a twist! I chose style C525 from Allure Bridals Couture collection. The halter silhouette was exactly what I was looking for, the fit and flare style was flattering. What I really fell in love with was the beading which I felt matched/complimented the old Hollywood glam of our venue.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]All of the bridesmaid dresses are from Jenny Yoo. I wanted the girls to wear sage, satin dresses. Jenny Yoo had the most style options for dresses in that color and fabric. It was so important to me that my closest friends felt comfortable and beautiful in the dress they would be wearing. With all of the style options Jenny Yoo had, my bridesmaids were able to choose the style that best fit them and their body. A couple of them have actually re-worn their dress to other weddings![/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Michael definitely wanted to wear a tuxedo but wanted to stand apart from his groomsmen. He chose a dark blue tuxedo with a satin shawl lapel from Bonobos. His shirt had a fun white monochromatic floral detail. All of the groomsmen rented their tuxes from The Black Tux which shipped the tuxes 10 days before the wedding so everyone could have enough time to make any changes![/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Mike and I really wanted our guests to enjoy all aspects of the meal. I would describe the food we chose as elevated comfort foods! The passed hor d’oeuvres included chicken and waffles, grilled cheese and tomato soup, cheeseburger sliders, and short rib buttermilk biscuits. It was decadent and delicious! Our signature drinks were Mint Juleps (my husband’s fave), and a twist on my favorite drink the French 75. We named it the Mexican 75 because I had the bartenders switch out the gin for tequila (my personal favorite). We had an open bar, so needless to say, everyone had a great time![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]We wanted our floral design to be simple but impactful! So we had baby’s breath lining the aisle. We had beautiful greenery down the length of the reception seating, and huge plumes of baby’s breath cascading down the end of each row of seating. Additionally, we had baby’s breath and beautiful white roses affixed to the pipe and drapes that arched over banquet seating. I thought it was simple and so beautiful! Our florist Petal & Wren nailed our vision! For my bouquet I had beautiful white roses.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We had a minimal “naked” cake. The twist was the cake and the icing were raspberry flavored! It was soooooo delicious![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We got married in the summer of 2021. There were still so many Covid protocols in place, and it was also the peak of the Bridgerton frenzy! I took a chance and asked if we could have our wedding reception on the lawn of the Wadsworth Mansion. Instead of going the circular table route, I worked with my wedding planner Angie, at A Perfect Soiree, to have two long rows of banquet seating. At the very last minute I thought it would be absolutely beautiful to add pipe and drapes to the seating. I imagined how beautiful it would be to have long white, sheer drapes fluttering in the wind as our guests ate on the lawn of this amazing mansion. I am still to this day, so pleased that our vendors were able to bring the vision to life. The seating is definitely my favorite aspect of the wedding![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]It was a dream of mine to have a string quartet play while I walked down the aisle. Ariana Strings is the second vendor we booked after booking our venue. I walked down the aisle to a beautiful string rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love which was one of my dad’s favorite songs.[/field]
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Karina Mekel Photography

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This Blush-Hued Affair is What Romantic Dreams are Made Of

News flash: we love a little romance. So this blush-hued beauty captured by the uber-talented Elena Wolfe? Basically everything. From the stunning barn setting to the adorable bride and groom to the mismatched maids. See every breathtaking moment (including a gorgeous cake from J Cakes) in THE VAULT right this way.

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Travis and Lindsay were both enrolled as freshman at North Carolina’s East Carolina University in fall 2007. Lindsay, a North Carolina native, pledged Alpha Phi sorority in her first year of college. It was through one of her good fraternity friends that she met Travis, a native of Stamford, Connecticut. Lindsay and Travis remained friends throughout their early college years until they began dating during their junior year. During their final years of college, Lindsay and Travis remained head-over-heels for each other. After graduating in 2011, Travis and Lindsay moved back to their hometowns. They continued dating through a long distance relationship until Lindsay made the decision to move north in 2012.

For their last vacation of summer 2014, Travis and Lindsay adventured to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was on this trip that their lives would forever change. After a romantic dinner on their first night stay, Travis suggested for them both to sit out on their balcony and look at the stars. Little did Lindsay know, Travis was about to ask her a big question. Travis gently sat Lindsay down in the one of the outdoor balcony chairs, where he then leaned in for a kiss. He followed by gazing into her eyes and speaking sweet words, elaborating on how their relationship has blossomed over the past five years and he truly could not envision himself without her. After vowing himself to remain hers forever, Travis got down on one knee and asked Lindsay to marry him. Of course, she said “YES!”

Lindsay anticipated a longer engagement because she had envisioned her wedding day since she was a little girl. During the year and a half that she and Travis were engaged, she planned her wedding herself, without the help of a wedding planner. The theme she wanted for her spring wedding day was timeless romance. This elegant setting was expressed throughout many details of her and Travis’s special day.

The bridesmaids sparkled in various styles of Adrianna Papell and Aidan Mattox light pink dresses, while the bride stunned in an ivory Judd Waddell fit and flare gown, featuring a lace bodice and beaded belt. To finish off her romantic look, the bride also donned a cathedral length veil lined with matching lace.

Lindsay and Travis chose to be wed at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and their reception followed at the Barns at Wesleyan. Both venues fit her romantic vision perfectly. Her soft color palette consisted of blush pinks, ivories and gold. Lush peonies and garden roses were the focus of her floral arrangements. Dim lit tree branches and an array of family wedding photos were highlights of the cocktail area, while dramatic chandeliers and opulent sheer fabric hung lavishly from the ceilings in the main dining area.

Travis and Lindsay’s love for one another was captured from the moment they laid eyes on one another at their first look at the Wadsworth Mansion to the very end of the night. The newlyweds said their goodbyes under a sparkler send off, and then jumped into a vintage 1965 Rolls Royce. It was then they began their next chapter of their happily ever after.

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Photography

Elena Wolfe Photography

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Wedding Dresses

Adrianna Papell

Spring 2015

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Elegant Summer Estate Wedding

I have a soft spot for the color blue. And while I’ve yet to meet a shade I dislike, French blue in particular is special; it’ll be showing up at my own upcoming nuptials. So when I see it in other weddings, I take note, and this wedding by Sixpence For Your Shoe and Hana Floral Design didn’t disappoint. Filled to the brim with beauty, Michelle Gardella and DMO Films got it all on camera for us to enjoy in this gallery here.

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From Sixpence For Your Shoe… Linnea and Joey have an amazing presence together. Head over heels in love, beautiful inside and out, being around them makes everyone feel welcomed and happy. We sought to design a wedding that captured their warm hearts and welcoming spirit, as well as both backgrounds and all the places they had lived both apart and together. They dreamed of a wedding that was sophisticated but accessible, polished yet whimsical, and we worked to translate this vision through garden style florals, fanciful linen and witty details. The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate could not have been a more ideal venue to host their event, from the dinner party ambiance of the ballrooms inside, to dancing away the night under bistro bulb lighting outside. It was just like hosting a gathering at their own home.

The ceremony was breathtaking. Yumiko from Hana Floral Design truly outdid herself with the magnificent florals that framed the couple and they read personalized vows to one another. After the ceremony, guests were able to enjoy cocktail hour throughout the estate as they munched on creative bites such as grilled pizzas and toasted the couple with their signature drink, “The Sydney Crush.” When the guests were invited indoors for dinner, we revealed an incredibly romantic setting. The palette of French Blue, chartreuse, blush and taupe created a lovely balance against the ballroom grandeur. My favorite detail was the lush garland on the head table with soft peony and flickering candles. It was a showstopper! Guests danced the night away to two minute beats under the Sperry Pagoda tent and refreshed with ice cream sundaes. Chocolate favors with a cheeky saying from Charles M. Schulz bid guests a sweet farewell. The end result was one of our favorite events of all time and we were so lucky to have Michelle Gardella and DMO Films to capture it flawlessly.

From The Bride… When my fiance and I were envisioning our wedding, we wanted there to be an air of elegance and sophistication. As we were bringing together guests from both the Rockies and the East Coast, we wanted to create an atmosphere that was intimate, warm and inviting. We described the theme of our wedding to be “accessibly elegant.” The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate captured the exact feeling that we wanted to evoke. We wanted there to be an element of the outdoors but knowing the weather in Connecticut can be unpredictable, needed to have a back up plan…the “Pagoda” tent from Sperry was the perfect option!

Lindsay, our wedding planner extraordinaire from Sixpence For Your Shoe, helped to turn our vision into reality. With an all-star cast of vendors the day was simply magical! We could not have asked for a better group of people to work with for our wedding.

We wanted our wedding to be as personal to our eight year long relationship as possible. A few of the ways that we tried to accomplish this was to incorporate Joey’s Colorado roots with my Connecticut upbringing. Our beers were all from Colorado, the welcome bags contained only products made in Connecticut and we had delicious Bridgewater Chocolate’s serve as our wedding favors! Our signature drink was called “The Sydney Crush” as a nod to our meeting in Sydney, Australia. Having my high-school history teacher serve as our officiant only felt natural! And at the end of the evening luminary were placed around the mansion as a non to the childhood Christmas tradition in my hometown.

Our favorite part of the day was the toasts (and part roasts) given to us by our siblings and parents! The biggest compliment we got from numerous guests was that they all felt like they were part of our family… we could not have asked for anything more. It was the most amazing day of our lives!

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Hana Floral Design

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Classic Mansion Wedding

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.

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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.

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Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

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Donna Morgan

Bridesmaids

Bridal

Mother of the Bride

Donna Morgan Collection - Core Chiffon

Donna Morgan Collection - Core Lace

Donna Morgan Collection - Serenity

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Glamorous Secret Garden Inspiration

Fact: when The Secret Garden and a talented team of vendors join forces, it’s downright magical. Think the beauty stylings of Dana Bartone & Company, fab paper goods from Coral Pheasant and crazy gorgeous event design by A Polished Plan… all coming together in a day that seamlessly mixes vintage romance and rustic elegance all in one setting. See it all captured by Greg Lewis right here.

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Seasons

Summer Weddings

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Outdoor Weddings

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Al Fresco Classic Weddings Vintage

From A Polished Plan… The inspiration for the design of this styled photo shoot was the desire to put a modern twist on a ‘Secret Garden’ concept. The Wadsworth Mansion is a very popular wedding destination in Connecticut, but is not generally known for it’s outdoor event space, aside from the lawn area for ceremonies. Our design team was approached to create an inspirational photo shoot to highlight the beauty of the under utilized outdoor locations on the property.

We infused an abundance of earthy and natural elements that are normally found in a backyard garden setting with more formal and glamorous elements found in an upscale wedding or event. Rustic wood tones, earthy garden greenery, watering cans and shades of vintage patina copper were arranged side by side in the design with sophisticated and highly textured linens, bold yet romantic flowers in shades of raspberry and peach, and even a crystal chandelier al fresco.

The highlights of the tabletop design include vintage seed packets perched in amber sorbet bowls, ombre shades of green vintage flatware, luxurious textured linens reminiscent of garden florals, and copper chivari chairs. The floral design is simple in nature and highlight gorgeous late summer flowers grown from a local CT dahlia farm in bold color shades of pinks, peaches, and raspberry. All of the vintage containers for the centerpiece are in various patina shades of copper. Delicately strung above the table is a crystal chandelier hanging from grapevine rope.

Together with a vintage cocktail hour seating arrangment, an intimate ceremony set-up in a sunken rock garden, elegant and refined bridal fashions, and a gorgeous “naked” wedding cake, they create a beautiful story of a earthy garden party meets an upscale chic soiree.

Middletown Barn Wedding from Carla Ten Eyck

I’m going to try my hardest to not be Miss Bossy, but really, you simply must save some time today for the rest of this absolutely stunning wedding (right here in the gallery). Julie Morawski of Carla Ten Eyck has brought me to goosebumps with her beautiful images of this perfect day. The bride could not be more stunning (thank you Dana Bartone & Company), the groom’s happiness level is obviously at it’s peak, and the soiree seems to have been tied together with the prettiest of black and white striped bows.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

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Rustic Weddings

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Romantic

From the lovely bride… So much of what made our wedding special was in the details. From the quintessential New England ambiance that reflected our upbringings (I’m from Connecticut; Ryan grew up on Cape Cod) to the level of color coordination, I spent much of our year-long engagement obsessing over all the little things. With the help of my parents, my husband, and many friends for the prep work, and then of course our amazing vendors, all of my ideas came together to truly bring the vision to life. Looking back, I am so thankful for all the details and for our fantastic photographer Julie who made sure none of it will be forgotten!

When looking for venues, we knew we wanted something a bit untraditional that could be a blank canvas for all of my colorful ideas. The Barns at Wesleyan Hills ended up being the perfect venue for us – minutes from my childhood home, surrounded by beautiful grounds, and full of potential. Despite the reception being held in a barn, I did not want the event to feel overly rustic. No mason jars, no twine, and certainly no burlap. Instead, I opted for bold black-and-white accents that helped strengthen and modernize the otherwise vintage space. I think the juxtaposition of elegant with rustic turned out so beautiful and also reflected our personal styles well. The peachy sunset colors offset by the stark contrast of blacks and whites made for a palate that was sophisticated, fun, and full of whimsy.

Since I spend my free time putting together a baking blog, I knew all of our guests were expecting fantastic desserts and creative touches throughout the night. Although I left most of the baking up to the professionals, I actually did make the 100 escort card cookies myself. My Dad helped me build the wire frame to hang them for display, and all together it made for an extremely personal and delicious element to our guests’ experience. The dessert table itself – thoughtfully assembled in our colors and favorite flavors – was titled “Ryan and Erica’s Sweet Tooth” as a fun reference to my blog’s name.

Some people may question why brides put so much effort into an event that only lasts several hours, but I learned that the planning, especially when it involves family and friends, is almost just as special as the wedding itself. My husband and I are planners at our core, so we definitely were in our element the past year making our massive wedding to-do list and slowly but surely crossing off every item. But my favorite part of the wedding ended up being the ceremony, which actually involved the least amount of planning. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t have planned Ryan’s eyes tearing up as he read his vows. The stripes, flowers, and touches of gold were beautiful, but in the end, it was the immense amount of love and emotion surrounding us that day that I’ll remember the most. Thank you Style Me Pretty for inspiring me to create the wedding of my dreams and for letting me share mine with you today!

Middletown, Connecticut Wedding from Carla Ten Eyck + Jubilee Events

Oh my goodness, do we have something super gorgeous to share with you loves this morning. It’s a gorgeous bride, stunning venue, cupcakes to make your sweet tooth ache, and AMAZING photography from Carla Ten Eyck all wrapped up in one beautiful, beautiful wedding. It’s wedded perfection from Jubilee Events. It’s a gallery that will make you smile for days!

We couldn’t let this wedding get away without just a little more from Buzz Media Company…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/50410989 601 338]

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Adam truly is my better half. He is calm to my crazy, faith to my fear, play to my work.

For those of you who know me, you know I’m not particularly wonderful when I’m hungry! It was memorial day weekend, and Adam told me on Sunday we were going to go pick up his dog Tucker in Goshen and meet our friends Emma and Bryan for a hike in Kent, Connecticut. Spending time in the Northwest corner with Tuck is one of our favorite things to do! Adam woke me at about 7am on Sunday and said he was taking me out to breakfast, I didn’t realize that meant driving all the way up to West Cornwall before I could eat! Needless to say, I was a tad cranky. Adam didn’t give it away at all, he didn’t seem nervous if anything he was more patient and affectionate then usual. We ate a delicious country breakfast at the Wandering Moose Cafe next to the Covered Bridge and after walked over to Adam’s truck to leave to pick up Tucker. When we got to the truck Adam grabbed his camera and said he wanted to take a picture of me in front of the bridge, I turned around to look at the bridge and when I turned back around, Adam was down on one knee, he had pulled the ring out of the camera case and he already had tears in his eyes!

I started to giggle nervously as I was caught off guard and Adam proposed to me! I instantly said “YES” and he jumped up to hug me. It was an amazingly beautiful summer day in front of a gorgeous setting and was the perfect proposal representing the things we love doing together.

We both knew from the beginning that we wanted something different then a traditional venue. Neither of us really fit the mold of ballroom, country club, castle people. Adam is a true country boy and I loved the idea of picking a venue that felt warm, cozy and had the potential to be really individualized. The Barns was the only venue we looked at, once we saw it, I knew that was where I wanted to get married.

The inspiration really came from the venue. We hated the idea of feeling cookie cutter, like going through a catalouge and just picking out napkin colors and flower colors and having none of our personality shine through. All the little touches came out of the ideas whirling around in my head that our fabulous vendors seemed to have the ability to make sense of. The Save The Dates are one of our favorite touches that really allowed us to bring the “country/rustic” feeling throughout the whole wedding by giving us the wood heart to play with.

We were really fortunate in that our Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) was designed and executed by Adam’s brother. This allowed Adam’s family to be a part of the Jewish wedding traditions and also now we have a one of a kind Ketubah which is really a stunning piece of artwork. Many of the guests at our wedding had never been to a jewish wedding so I loved the way the program was done to explain each of the traditions and also in looking at the photos taken during the Hora you just get a sense of how much joy was in the room at that moment.

Obviously one of my most vivid moments is the fact that our Rabbi forgot his pants and had to borrow from one of the catering staff. That’s not a story that many people get to tell. He somehow morphed that fiasco into an anecdote on the importance of communication in a marriage and it is a lesson that will always make me laugh. I love the photos of myself laughing under the willow tree, of all the crying (my brother and Adam’s brother were pretty much sobbing through the whole ceremony and toasts), of the women at the wedding doing the choreographed dance and of all the kids at our wedding!

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Cinematography: Mike Cyr of Buzz Media Company / Flowers: Blush Floral Design / Event Planning + Design: Candice Dowling Coppola, Jubilee Events / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills / Dress: Jim Hjelm from Kleinfeld Bridal / Bridesmaids: LuLaKate / DJ: The Rhythm Shop / Officiant: Rabbi Brian Leiken / Hair and Makeup: Dana Bartone and Company, hair Catie Bane and makeup, Danielle Santagata / Cake: A Little Imagination Cakes

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Jim Hjelm

Fall 2015

Spring 2016 Collection

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Lulakate

2015 Classic Bridesmaids

2015 Luxe/Crepe Bridesmaids

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Spring Wedding At The Wadsworth Mansion From Robert and Kathleen

from Robert and Kathleen’s blog … In our line of work, it’s not unusual to be completely surrounded by raw emotion. The way the groom’s voice cracks when he reads his vows, the deep breath a bride takes just before taking that first step down the aisle … For us, it’s one of the true perks of our job! One of the occupational hazards, though is that sometimes, the emotion gets to us, too. We can usually see it coming ~ when you have a couple whose connection is so evident that you feel it, even before you see them together! You feel it in the energy in the room while they’re each getting ready, in the excitement of the guests as they sit down for the ceremony. And as much as you prepare yourself, sometimes it just catches you off guard. There are little moments in every wedding that get to either one of us, but it’s not often that the very same moment touches us both ~ Rob and I ~ at the very same time. Julia and Avi’s wedding was the exception … – Robert and Kathleen Photographers

Robert and Kathleen Trenske are a husband and wife team who have the keen ability to capture all the details with big, bold clarity and all the emotions with a finesse and skill that few others have. And when you read their blog, you can just tell that they are really, fully consumed in every wedding that they shoot. On their blog, they share stories, not only of the day, but of the bride and groom … and you can just tell that thru the process, they’ve become friends!