Connecticut Weddings

There are some brides that love details, and then there are some brides that LOVE details – well let’s just say the bride of this DIY affair by Scobey Photography for Carla Ten Eyck is for SURE the latter. So much so, her wedding inspired her to launch her own event planning company! Her attention to little touches most certainly paid off, and the lovely Jennie of Jennie Fresa Beauty Library made sure the most important detail – the bride – looked completely ravishing. This personalized, DIY, beachy-chic affair left not one detailed stone unturned, and you can see it all in the gallery.

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As a Connecticut Yankee living in San Francisco, planning a wedding from across the country certainly posed its challenges – but it also made the process that much more interesting.  Having grown up by the shoreline in Connecticut and living in the northeast for most of my life, I wanted to incorporate a “New England Shoreline Wedding” theme in to our wedding day by incorporating a DIY, beachy chic feel in to all of the pieces I put together.  Our ceremony took place on my hometown green in the quintessential shoreline town of Guilford, CT, and it was so amazing to have all of our friends and family with us in a place so dear to my heart.  The aisle in the church was lined with blue mason jars, some of which were passed down from my grandmother and others which I searched high and low to find.  The blue mason jars were really the focus of my inspiration, as I grew up canning pickles and jams with my grandmother and family.  So for me, the jars didn’t just look pretty, but they also held a sentimental memory for me.  Following the church ceremony, the bridal party and immediate family walked across the green to my family’s hardware store which has been in business since 1939. We took advantage of the vintage setting with creaky hardwood floors and packed shelves with gadgets and grills lining the sidewalk outside to take some fun (and unique!) photos.  One of the funniest memories I have is my father, all dressed up in his tux, helping a customer who needed to find a battery while the rest of us posed for photos!

One of the details (of many!) I was most excited about in the planning process was the choosing the flowers.  I spent a lot of time creating inspiration boards until I found the perfect mix of rustic and elegant blooms to help give our day some added sparkle.  From eucalyptus and ranunculus (which my florist searched high and low to find in our season) to football mums and dahlias, to the yellow rose in my father’s boutonniere to honor of his two brothers who passed away from cancer; the flowers were a huge part in our day and I couldn’t have been happier with the final product.  I also wore a gardenia in my hair to honor my grandmother who recently passed away and keep her with me on my special day. Our reception took place at Pine Orchard Yacht Club on the water overlooking the Thimble Islands in Branford, CT.  Mother nature was good to us and it was an unseasonably warm late September day, so we were able to follow through with our plan for an outdoor cocktail hour with a guitar duo playing music such as Ray Lamontagne and Dave Matthews in the background while friends and family enjoyed appetizers, beer, and wine, along with our signature cocktail.  I hand-made all of the paper goods for the wedding from the menus with custom embossed silverware to the photobooth reminders to the signature cocktail cards and table numbers.

As we live in San Francisco we also wanted to incorporate our love for wine country, so we used a Nickel & Nickel wine box for all gift cards and used a burlap runner underneath our DIY beach stone placecards, which my mother, a music teacher, labored over to find and write names on during her summer off from school.  I also made our table number holders using wine corks, baker’s twine and hand-made cards featuring a favorite place under each number.  Our guest book was a vintage notebook that I found at Anthropologie, keeping in the beachy theme with cut out shells and starfish on the front.  We had photos of both sets of parents and grandparents on their wedding day spread across the table in vintage, mismatched frames. We decorated the ballroom with different sized tissue paper puff balls in 3 different shades of pink, strung with light blue and white baker’s twine. The fireplace had twinkling candles in all different sizes with eucalyptus draped along the mantle and more blue mason jars scattered about with candles inside.The overall ambiance was romantic, but captured the fun as well!

All in all, we laughed, we cried (tears of joy), we ate!, we danced, we laughed and then we danced some more.  We took hilarious photos in the photobooth (with custom-made props including pink glitter moustaches and bright yellow disco sunglasses) and caught up with friends and family whom we hadn’t seen in years. We started with “Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen and closed out with “Don’t Stop Believin” – Journey with “New York, New York” playing as guests filed out towards the shuttle buses at the end of he night.  It was the perfect day and all of my teeny tiny little details came together just as I’d hoped.  Everyone had an amazing time in our fairytale day, and to us, that was the most important part.

Reception Venue: Pine Orchard Yacht Club / Makeup: Jennie Fresa / Photographers: Graham & Ashley Scobey of Scobey Photography for Carla Ten Eyck, assistant Kristin Schueler / Wedding Gown: Ally Bridal, custom design / Veil: Bride’s mother’s / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lula Kate / Hair: Jane at Vivid Salon, Madison CT / Videographer: Michael Maler / Florist: Jennifer Hodgins at Branford Flower Shop / Cocktail Hour Guitar Duo: JA2M / Planning and Event Design: Jacin Fitzgerald (bride), lovely little details {weddings & events}

We just love this next wedding by Robert & Kathleen Photographers. LOVE. For one, it’s absolutely breathtaking – perfectly styled by the lovely Candice of Jubilee Events. Oh but the talent doesn’t stop there, no no, the expertise behind this gorgeous 4th of July affair is chock full of some of our favorite vendors – flowers by Blush Floral Design, attire by the fabulous White Dress by the Shore and scrumptious bites by Jordan Caterers – this wedding was destine for perfection from the beginning. Add an absolutely adorable couple – and ladies and gentlemen – you get a gallery of perfect images.

click here for the full wedding gallery!

From the ever so talented Robert & Kathleen…Sometimes you see a couple that were so clearly meant to find one another it makes it clear that fate really must exist. There really is no other way to explain just how remarkable it is that Saryn and Dave found each other despite quite literally living across the country from one another. It’s remarkable not just because of the distance, but because there is no way that either of them could have found anyone so clearly perfect for them even among the millions of people living in their respective cities of New York (Saryn) and LA (Dave). Because in one another they have found someone that truly understands the importance of making the perfect playlist filled with obscure 80’s hits, who will gladly spend the afternoon watching classic comedies from the ’80’s and ’90’s and promptly quote them for weeks, and who isn’t afraid to make a fool of themselves if it’ll make the other one laugh. Even more, in one another they have found what they didn’t think existed before. In Dave, Saryn found a man who still holds the door for her, sends her flowers “just because” and makes her smile every single day. In Saryn, Dave has found a woman who is not only gorgeous and intelligent, but can keep him completely captivated in conversation and make him laugh easier than anyone he’s ever known.

Together, they have a connection that is visible. When they’re together it’s almost as if they are communicating in a language all their own. When they are laughing and joking together, you can’t help but smile even if you have no idea what they’re laughing about. When they are holding hands or looking at one another, their connection is so intimate you almost feel like you’re intruding simply by standing nearby. It goes without saying that on their wedding day they were connected in an even deeper way. And you could tell that everyone in attendance could feel it too. Because for that day they were getting a glimpse into the incredible bond between Saryn and Dave. As they read their vows to one another, there was complete silence from the guests, moved by the opportunity to see what true love really looks like. It wasn’t the only time they would see it that day, of course. You could see it any time they were side-by-side, the way Dave held on to the small in Saryn’s back or how she reached for his hand. Even when they were in separate parts of the room during the reception, they would share a look or a smile here and there. And all night you could feel the energy in the room. Everyone so happy that they couldn’t help but let go and dance the night away. Celebrating not only for Saryn and Dave, but also at acknowledgment that they had seen something truly amazing that day: proof that fate and true love really do exist. And if that’s not a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Venue: Guilford Yacht Club in Guilford, CT / Event Design: Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events / Caterer: LBB members Jordan Caterers / Bridal Gown: Melissa Sweet / Bridal Shop: White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, CT / Bridesmaid Gowns: Jenny Yoo / Shoes: Nina / Flowers: Blush Floral Design / Hair & Make-Up: Dana Bartone & Company

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I have to admit I am a tad bit jealous when it comes to our next bride and groom. Not only are they completely style-savvy but they also seem to have more glamour in their pinky fingers then I have EVER had in my entire life and one glance at their Connecticut wedding is living proof. Sixpence For Your Shoe lent their keen eye for design and whipped up a perfectly styled event to match this adorable couple and all of it was captured by one of our favorite photographers, Jonathan Canlas who has sooo many more gorgeous images in the gallery. Definitely worth a look!

see the FULL wedding here!

Shade Tree Films shot the perfect little number to finish up this Connecticut beauty and give you a little insight into such a lovely day. So, without further ado…

Receiving the phone call from California based wedding photographer, Brian Khang, with a request to help him, and his long time love Helen, plan their Connecticut wedding was music to my ears. We have admired Brian’s work, dating back to his roots in Connecticut before moving West to make it big, and that he did. We met in person on one of their few East Coast trips and formed great bonds from the beginning. Brian has an incredible eye, a keen sense of design, and a love of beautiful things. This made planning with him and with Helen an exciting challenge! Every decision made, every component incorporated, every design element selected was carefully thought out with the aesthetics through a photographer’s eye and lens in mind. The color palette was selected early on. A vibrant mix of aqua and teal, lilac and plum, with accents of silver and cream, all feminine and sweet, set the stage for a gorgeous contrast off the rich masculinity of the interior of the Branford House Mansion, in Groton, Connecticut. A bit of preppy and a bit of whimsy, balanced with vintage nods to create a sophisticated and polished event that was down right current and fun. Honoring Helen’s Chinese heritage, the formalities began with a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony at the Griswold Inn, in Essex, Connecticut. During this ceremony, it is tradition, that Helen is formally introduced to Brian’s family, and tea is exchanged as a symbol of respect. Helen wore a stunning plum colored, peacock inspired Chinese Wedding Dress, known as a Chi Pao, Brian was quite dapper in a Teal and Gold Chinese 2 button jacket, custom made at J. Crew.

Attire was one large detail, not to go unattended. Helen wore three gowns throughout the day, her jaw dropping wedding gown, Sabelle, by Maggie Sottero, her ultra feminine Chinese Wedding Dress, and her flirty one shouldered frock for dancing. The maids kept it modern and preppy in one shouldered short dresses with floral embellishment on the trim from the Limited. Brian, known for his love of ties, especially bow ties, and vests, wore not one but two outfits as well. In addition to his Chinese Jacket, he wore a well fitting three piece suit from J.Crew, a fun bow tie from Brooks Brothers and argyle socks! The guys kept it cool in matching gray vests and pants, and various neck ties from Burberry. They kept in tune with Brian, with matching argyle socks as well! At the Branford House, guests were greeted to the seaside ceremony location, overlooking the expansive lawn and exposed rock behind the mansion. Two large garden inspired arrangements flanked the front of the ceremony space, and the rear row of chairs was dressed with ribbons, blowing in the breeze. Always fashion forward, Helen wanted the ladies to be dressed to the nines, right down to their toes, so the maids, in gorgeous heels from Aldo, stood on slices of tree stump, stained to match the Walnut chairs selected for the ceremony. The cocktail hour was fun and festive, casual and cool. Guests enjoyed American favorites both stationary and passed, while they mingled the grounds, gathered around the photobooth, and selected their escort cards, strung amidst images from Brian and Helen’s engagement session.

Inside the mansion, round tables doned rich aqua linens, topped with scalloped china, amethyst goblets, Victorian lilac lamour napkins, and modern styled silverware and chopsticks greeted guests. Two styles of centerpieces, incorporating lilacs, roses, peonies and greens, added height and variety to the grand space. Individual menus detailed the traditional eight course Chinese meal, guests were about to receive. Warm uplighting and a purple ceiling wash finished the look. As the evening progressed, guests danced away, delighted in assorted Tazo Teas, and snacked on delectable treats from a fabulous dessert buffet. Brian and Helen bid farewell to a sparkler send-off and rode off in a vintage Roadster Porsche. A spectacular end to a spectacular wedding!

Vendor Credits: Jonathan Canlas Photography / Cinematography: Shade Tree Films / Flowers: Stems Floral Design / Event Design, Planning and Coordination: Sixpence For Your Shoe / Ceremony and Reception Location: Branford House /  Mansion Caterer: American – A Thyme To Cook, Chinese – Victor Huynh / Invitations and Stationery: Papeterie / Bride’s Wedding Attire: Maggie Sottero, Chi Pao, Badgley Mischka / Groom’s Wedding Attire: J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Cole Haan / Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / DJ: Rob Waldron, Standing Ovations / Lighting: Shindig Lighting / Rentals: Party Rental, LTD., BBJ Linen, Linen Hero / Custom Wedding Dress Designer:  L’ATELIER / Classic Car Rental: Classic Cars and Byways / Officiant: Sara Carson, CT Justice of the Peace

Oh how I love a good love story – and this one starts way back in middle school.  Lucky for us, it has a very happy ending. With Scobey Photography for Carla Ten Eyck there to capture all the sweetness and fellow Little Black Book Member Dana Bartone as the makeup genius behind the images, how could they go wrong? It’s a classic case of boy meets girl and is a fabulous example of how classic weddings and true love never go out of style. You can see even more of this couple’s love story here…because let’s face it, everyone just loves a happy ending.

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From the talented Scobey Photography for Carla Ten Eyck… They had known each other for literally all of their lives… but the love took a little bit longer. Ryan’s boyhood crush started in middle-school, during one of their family’s yearly summer vacations to the beach. He thought she was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen… and she thought that he was a great friend. So he waited. Patiently. Several summers later, he won her heart… and he’s had it ever since.

Jennifer was the perfect DIY bride: relaxed, creative, and completely willing to roll up her sleeves. Her vision for her and Ryan’s October wedding was elegance: chandeliers, roses, purple, silver and shimmer… and she worked tirelessly to bring it all together. Piece by piece, she booked venues, crafted details, hired vendors and dreamed about her day. It was everything she had hoped for.

The ceremony took place at The Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, CT and then the reception was held at The Candlewood Inn. It was the most beautiful location: giant crystal chandeliers lined the ceiling, and a huge window allowed for a view of the sun setting over the lake. A slider-burger-bar, martini station, seated dinner and lots of dancing made up the party that lasted until the wee hours of the morning. And then there were the cakes! When Ryan is not fighting fires, he loves to fish. So, as a surprise to him, Jen had a groom’s cake made in the shape of a giant sea-bass, Steel Magnolias style. The entire day, from beginning to end, was full of love and family – and we were so blessed to be a part of it.

Photography: Scobey Photography for Carla Ten Eyck / Cinematography: Tom from Vantage Point Films / Hair Salon: Adam Broderick / Makeup Artist: Dana of Dana Bartone / Flowers: Jane from Just for You Floral Design / Ceremony Location: The Sacred Heart / Reception Location: The Candlewood Inn / Dress: Martina Liana / DJ: Alex from Jimmy Dee / Accommodations: Ethan Allen Hotel /  Bride’s Hair: Jan-Marie Sirois, Adam Broderick Salon and Spa

It is Wednesday and our submissions box is overflowing (not that we’re complaining!) which means there is a whole lot of wedding eye candy headed your way as we clear things out. It is a total win win. If you completely fall in love with a wedding, don’t forget to click on the gallery to see every nook and cranny of it.

So, without further ado, we are going to jump right into our first pretty number. Captured by Raw Photo Design, it is the complete epitome of a classic New England wedding right down to that candle clad fireplace. Total perfection if you ask us and so worth a visit to the gallery.

there is more where these lovely images came from in the gallery!

I love a theme. My mother and Aunt are clones of Martha Stewart and say that I too have the “theme gene.” I really wanted a wedding with a vintage elegance feel, that felt like a dinner party more than a wedding. We decided to keep the wedding small with only about 80 guests, half of that Johnny’s large family! I wanted a unique venue that really captured the elegance of a bygone era. As soon as I saw Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park I knew it was the perfect spot with its stunning English gardens. I did a ton of DIY projects on a fairly small budget and was inspired by so many beautiful weddings on Style Me Pretty. I searched high and low and found beautiful mercury glass vases for the niches which helped bring in the vintage charm. I created a moss covered M for my new monogram and used inexpensive silver frames to frame old photos of close family members. Ribbon draped moss wreaths on the glass double doors went to match the moss tray carrying the calligraphy escort cards.

I chose to use peaches to accent the beauty of the blush in the flowers. Johnny and I actually picked them at a nearby orchard the morning of our wedding! The peaches were so fresh and summery; they were even used in the chicken dish that was served with fresh basil and peaches. The gorgeous bouquets and the table centerpieces were done by Yumiko at Hana Floral Design while I created the extra garden rose pieces in silver mint julep cups for the ceremony and reception. All the décor really came together better than I could have hoped on the day!

Johnny and I met in a hostel in Cinque Terre, Italy the summer of 2006. I had been living in Spain and he was stationed with the US Army in Germany and we randomly booked the same hostel for weekend trips with our friends. We kept in touch and started dating a year later when he moved back to the East Coast. After 6 months of dating, Johnny decided to move to New Zealand and asked me to join him. When we moved home a year later, without jobs or a home, he surprised me with a proposal on the beach in Maine. It was perfect!

Photography: Raw Photo Design / Dress: Priscilla of Boston from White Dress by the Shore / Shoes: J.Crew / Florist: Hana Floral Design, Yumiko Fletcher / Ceremony and Reception Location: Eolia Mansion Harkness State Park Waterford, CT

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Hana Floral Design

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The moment I laid eyes on this bride’s beautiful flower halo I fell head over heels in love.  The whole wedding by Erica M Photography looks like a modern-day fairy tale.  I half expected to see a fairy godmother waving a magic wand around!  This creative couple had a super cool vision and managed to pull it perfectly from 3,000 miles away!  We love twists on tradition over here like the Polaroid escort cards and flea market finds in lieu of table numbers.  So cute!  See more imaginative, DIY inspiration in the full gallery!

Click here to see the full wedding gallery!

The planning of the wedding itself we had a year to do, but we were literally 3,000 miles away. So there was a lot of traveling involved, as well as a lot of help needed from our parents, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. But I didn’t mind flying back to Connecticut every couple of months, it was a great excuse to see everyone!

I knew that we had to have some special details mixed in with everything that would make this wedding stand out as our own. Neither my husband or I are number people, we are both artists and very visual.  After a fun few hours of brainstorming on the phone with my Mom, we came up with the idea of seating people with objects rather than numbers. Better yet, green objects! It was the main color of our wedding, as well as my favorite color. Rich and I had a great time choosing many of the items from the Alameda Flea market here in California.

Another special detail added in were personalized necklaces for each bridesmaid, Mom, and flower girl. I co-own Gold & Citrus (a jewelry business) with my now husband, and so I knew that our jewelry had to play a big role in the wedding. I wrote out descriptions of each of my bridesmaids, my Mom, Rich’s Mom, and our flower girls, and then designed a necklace for each of them based on their personalities.

Although so much happened that day, and we were on a pretty tight schedule, I have many vivid memories. The most vivid being walking down the aisle. My Dad and I were standing on the stairs waiting for our cue to come out from hiding, and trying to come up with funny things to think about so we wouldn’t lose it in front of everyone. We tried thinking of the time my Dad had to do an imitation of Lucille Ball from I love Lucy (which was hilarious), but the current moment took over and we set down the isle both teary eyed, and holding back more tears. Seeing every person that has made a great impact in my life, and everyone that I love surrounding me all at once was overwhelming. I can’t think of any other moment where all my best friends and family were surrounding me. I had my Dad on my arm, and my best friend, and future husband waiting for me at the end of the aisle. It was one of those rare brief moments where you feel absolutely satisfied and complete.

The whole experience was amazing. (Aside from my husband accidentally biting my thumb while I fed him a cupcake. He still cringes when he sees the photos of me in pain.) But when all is said and done, it absolutely was one of the best days of my life, and I will keep reliving it through the photos taken by Erica M Photography!

Wedding Photographer: Erica M Photography / Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridals / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: J.Crew, Erica / Groom’s and Groomsman’s Suits: J.Crew / Jewelry: Gold & Citrus / Wedding Reception: The Washington Club / Florist: Floré Flower Market / Caterer: J.D. Tucker’s / Wedding Cake: Cakes Unlimited / Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.

What is the recipe for a completely scrumptious wedding?  Design by Jubilee Events, flowers by BLUSH, a mouth-watering menu from Gourmet Galley and artisan chocolates from Knipschildt Chocolatier.   Top it all off with photography by Carla Ten Eyck Photography and you have your full day’s serving of loveliness.   I really should not have been allowed to check out this perfect spread on an empty stomach.  There is even more mind-blowing images from this vintage garden party with a modern touch in the full gallery!  Grab your mint gin fizz and dig right in!

Check out the full gallery for even more inspiration!

Sally and Oliver were married at the Waveny House in New Canaan, Connecticut on September 25th. Sally wore a beautiful lace Birnbaum & Bullock gown with a Maria Elena headpiece and her mother’s lace veil. Oliver and his groomsmen dawned custom grey suits with yellow ties and purple socks. The maids chose gowns in shades of grey with flower and ruffle details. They had a gorgeous evening wedding with a Jewish ceremony in the walled garden with the majestic Waveny House as a backdrop.  Guests arrived to the ceremony greeted with drinks and snacks in paper cones. Ivory pashmina’s were rolled into a rustic basket and tied with gray satin ribbon. The chuppah was planted in four garden urns with a canopy made of the families prayer shawls.

Inspired by yellow with vintage elements, we designed a garden styled affair in yellow, grey, white and black with hints of green. BLUSH created gorgeous arrangements in vintage black urns, silver mirrored vases and square concrete containers in shades of yellow. The centerpieces lined long, family styled tables with slate grey linen and white runners. Custom black and white toile napkins were folded with a menu card highlighting the evening’s meal, which included duck, short rib and mahi mahi. An oversized yellow satin bow adorned each napkin. Sally and Oliver wanted to seat their guests at each table, so we created small square place cards displayed on champagne corks with a silver headed pin. Each table had a dainty plate of chocolate artisan goodness courtesy of Knipschildt Chocolatier.

Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Clark Eno Orchestra, sipping prosecco and highballs of mint gin fizz and pomegranate margaritas.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography / Cinematography: Vintage Cinema / Flowers: BLUSH floral design / Event Design, Planning, Rentals and Day of Paper: Jubilee Events / Venue: The Waveny House / Invitations: Pulp & Honey / Shoes: Joan David / Chocolate: Knipschildt / Dress: Birnbaum & Bullock / Beauty: Dana Bartone & Co. / Catering: Gourmet Galley / Band: Clark Eno Orchestra / Headpiece: Maria Elena / Cake: Sweet Cakes, Fairfield

Happy Friday to all!  We’re going to make a quick get-away, a little early today. You see, October in Texas may not have the brilliant leaves of New England, but we have some pretty awesome ‘golden days’ of autumn anyway! So we will say a quick so-long ’til next week and leave you with this glimpse of one of Carla Ten Eyck’s (New England) weddings. Margy and Mike’s New Haven, Connecticut summer celebration is featured ~ at length ~ on Carla’s blog … the pretty-in-pink bridesmaids, Margy’s stunning wedding gown, the handsome groom in uniform, and of course Carla’s keen eye for the expected and unexpected moments that will forever be cherished!

photography by Carla Ten Eyck, Mike Romano and Rebecca Hales

See and hear ALL about Margy and Mike’s beautiful day right here on Carla Ten Eyck’s blog !

And have a super weekend!

We’re suckers for a bride in a short dress. We always get excited to see what will follow the lead of her playful frock and this wedding by IRIS Photography does not disappoint. Complete with darling handmade touches, including the bride’s bouquet made completely of vintage broaches and DIY boutonnieres made with buttons and peacock feathers. This backyard affair is so adorable you’d never even know that just hours before the wedding, the power went out at the venue… while the bride was in the shower! The couple was left without music for their ceremony, so their family and friends ended up serenading them down the aisle! Love it. That could be a new wedding tradition if you ask me!!?!

From IRIS Photography…

This DIY tented wedding at the bride’s parents’ home alongside a private CT lake included so many great details including a bouquet made entirely of vintage broaches by a UK woman found on etsy. The centerpieces incorporate vintage buttons. The wedding dress was seen by chance in a window while the bride and her sister were walking the streets of Venice. The photobooth and placecard boards were made from a tablecloth. Erin, the bride, loves bluebirds which inspired the palette of orange and blue and can be see on the custom wine labels.

From the bride…

Lee and I met in Graduate School while getting our masters as Physician’s Assistants. While were at an Emergency Medicine Conference in Tuscon we went for a moonlight walk in the desert. He told me we were going out to take pictures of the desert in the full moon. While were enjoying the stars in the cold spring night, he proposed to me as I sat on a fence. Lee is very interested in photography, he researched several vendors, but really fell in love with Jane and Mikes work.

I love my parents house on Lake Columbia. We wanted something outside and a place that was special to us, so there was really no decision to be made. We wanted something that wasn’t too fussy and was fun yet elegant. We did not have a traditional wedding in the sense that we did not have a cake, cake cutting ceremony, garter, or a very large wedding party; but, we did have family heirloom brooches in all of the bouquets and in the centerpieces. Both Lee’s family and my family went through their jewelry boxes and found as many as they could. We also had my bouquet made from antique brooches. There were also two small pin cushions in my bouquet. One had the date sewn in and the other had our initials. My sister and I made the boutonnieres from old buttons my great aunt gave us.

We lost power during the day… while I was in the shower. It was pretty memorable, having no electricity to run toilets, music, food, etc.. it made for some excitement. The generators not working didn’t help much either. The boys showered in the lake, I had to go to the inn and get ready there. I was an hour late for the wedding, but it all worked out in the end. There was no music for the recessional so our families sang as Lee and I walked down the aisle. Seeing how quickly everyone came into tune for us was really special, made us laugh and smile.

For our favors, Lee and I made our favorite wine, Sauvignon Blanc. We bottled it, corked it and designed the label to incorporate the inspiration for our color scheme, a bluebird, my favorite bird. One thoughtful couple actually gave us a new bluebird house as a gift.

Vendor Credits: Photography: IRIS Photography / Wedding Gown Designer: Moschino / Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Anne Taylor / Event Designer & Planner: My sister Kerry Hoffman and myself / Invitation Designer: Wedding Paper Divas / Catering: Chatterley’s Catering / Cake & Desserts: Candy Bar and cupcakes by Chatterley’s / Tent and Rentals: Taylor Rental / Flowers: Brides’s sister, Kerry Hoffman / Venue: Private Residence

Happy Friday to all! We’ve had a great week here on the LBB blog ~ starting out with a bang from Katie & Erik’s fab fotos of a terrific book-inspired wedding at The Mount in Lenox MA. If you didn’t see it, you don’t know what you missed! And so it only seems fitting that we should end the week with another knockout wedding from Carla Ten Eyck!

I have to admit that this summer, every time I’ve seen wedding colors centered around yellow, black and white ~ it was pretty much a no-brainer that I was going to love it! And with this wedding?  I mean, with two gorg’ dresses and two pairs of killer shoes … my gosh! Who wouldn’t?

from the bride … Long before Stephen and I were even engaged, I had a vision of my perfect wedding color scheme. It all revolved around a pair of canary yellow patent Manolo Blahnik heels and a crisp black and white damask pattern. With so many brides using the damask theme these days, I wanted to make it my own by adding an unexpected pop of color throughout the day. We envisioned a day full of laughter and special moments that was both meaningful and memorable and our wedding day turned out to be all that and more.

Carla ….. how much better could it get?

more from Portia … The church we were married in has very special meaning to us since it was the church Steve attended as a boy. We created the entire ceremony ourselves in order to put our own special touches into it. Instead of entering with the groomsmen, Steve made his entrance by escorting his parents down the aisle. Our soloist sang an unbelievable rendition of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts as each bridesmaid walked down the aisle. This was a bit of an unconventional choice as a processional but I knew that I had to have it! After the bridesmaids and flower girl, my parents entered and stood across from one another in the third pew from the door. Then it was just me behind the door waiting to make my grand entrance. I heeded everyone’s advice and took a minute to look around and really take in the feeling and emotion of that moment. Then the doors opened and I walked a few steps by myself before joining my parents for the rest of the walk down the aisle.

Steve and I wrote our own vows to each other and just as expected mine were mushy and his were funny! My favorite part of the ceremony came when we turned to acknowledge our parents. We thanked them for their love, support, hard work, and sacrifice in raising us and also for showing us what it means to love without reservation. We ended with a touching Rose Ceremony where we exchanged single red roses as our first gift to one another as husband and wife. We promised to exchange roses on every wedding anniversary as a re-commitment of the vows we had spoken and the love we will always have.

Steve and I only looked at ONE venue- The Gershon Fox Room in Hartford. The event coordinator, Jessica, was a doll to work with and helped us immensely in making our dream reception come to life. We danced our first dance to “Then” by Brad Paisley while a plasma tv displayed pictures of us while dating. I had an emotional dance with my father to “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins while the tv showed pictures of me growing up as well as pictures of our family including my little sister. The song we danced to has very special meaning because it is about a father with two daughters (just like my dad!) and how proud he feels to have them grow up and realize their dreams.

Most people were not surprised that, being the fashionista that I am, I chose to change into a shorter reception gown right before the cake cutting. I paired the ivory silk one shoulder dress with black heels and truly felt like a million bucks.

Steve and I are big time animal lovers, so in lieu of traditional favors we chose to donate to the ASPCA and had special cards at each place setting to let our guests know. I found myself fussing over the table setting more than anything else at the reception and I am so glad I did because it ended up perfect. Black linens covered each table and gorgeous hand sewn damask fabric squares sat in the center. Our wedding menu was slipped into folded canary yellow napkins which sat atop silver beaded charger plates. The finishing touch was a spectacular arrangement of football mums and spider mums in glass vases with sliced lemon pieces at the bottom.

Carla’s blog has all these ~ and SO many more beautiful images from the day! Thanks for sharing and Congrats to Portia and Steve!!

SO many more detail shots in their SMP gallery here.

Reception: The Gershon Fox Room
Church: First Church of Christ West Hartford
Day of Wedding Coordination: Always and Forever Weddings
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck with Mike and Rebecca
Videography: Inspiration in Motion
Cake: Modern Pastry Shop
Flowers: Azalea Floral Design
Invitations: Jessica’s Design Shop on Etsy
DJ: Allstar DJ
Limo: Carriage Limousine
Makeup and hair: Naomi’s Salon
Bridesmaid dresses: After Six
Tuxedo Rental: J.T. Ghamo
Wedding gown: Marisa
Reception dress: A.B.S. Alan Schwartz
Bride’s shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Bride’s jewelry: Tiffany & Co and Cartier

Shopping for my wedding dress was one of my favorite experiences during my engagement.   I love my wedding dress.  A lot.  But I have to admit that today’s Connecticut wedding has me  head over heels for this polka dot Melissa Sweet dress.  It’s ADORABLE, isn’t it?  And do you know what makes any wedding dress that much more adorable?  You guessed it –  a pair of Jimmy Choos!  Sigh.  Fabulous fashion aside, Carolyn and Jamie’s classic wedding, shot by Orchard Cove Photography, is a whirlwind of elegant style.  But as even Carolyn admits – it all started with that dress!Fear not, more pictures from this incredibly fashionable wedding here! xoxo Chantale from La Belle Bride

see more of the pretty details in the gallery

From our bride, Carolyn:

With the help of my mom and our amazing wedding planner, Lindsay, the style molded into vintage, garden and whimsy. Much of the decor was actually chosen with my dress in mind. It’s a gorgeous ivory modified A-line gown by Melissa Sweet. It has a sweetheart neckline, and the bottom flares out when I spin around. The material is actually a swiss dot organza with layers of silk charmeuse underneath. I wore a blush colored feather in my hair and a birdcage veil, and my shoes, a maryjane peep toe in a champagne sparkle material by Jimmy Choo, are my favorite. Jamie and his men wore classic black tuxedos with slim black ties, and Jamie decided against any sort of boutonniere or pocket square. The maids wore celery green silk chantung dresses with ivory sashes by Kathlin Argiro. They each chose a slightly different style, and we tied the sash to look similar to my own.

We had lots of ranunculus, peonies, hydrangeas, and roses in shades of white, cream, and blush with hosta leaves and lambs ears in our bouquets and centerpieces. The centerpieces were a mix of tall candelabras and shorter varieties. The fireplace was filled with tall ivory pillar candles, and the mantle was lined with a mix of tall ivory pillars and silver candlesticks with tapers. The linens were a minty green. We had silver dot chargers topped with ivory swiss dot napkins, and we chose these awesome whitewash chiavari’s. We had silver frames holding our placecards on ribbons, and our planner let us borrow her antique birdcage for our cards.

We were open to many different areas around New England for our wedding, and trust me – we looked at SO many places! We decided ultimately that we didn’t want to go out-of-state so we tried to focus on the areas of Connecticut that were special and appealing to us, one of them being New Haven. I was originally interested in the style of New Haven Lawn Club because it had a classic brick exterior with large archways, original floor-to-ceiling, paned windows, very high ceilings, and a hardwood floor in the ballroom. When I saw the huge art deco chandeliers, wall sconces and giant, breathtaking mirror over the fireplace that ties into the look of the chandeliers, I was sold.

I was told these fixtures have survived two fires since the forties, and I just imagine fabulous parties in there back in the day! That’s an atmosphere that we definitely wanted for our wedding. My mother let me where my great-grandmother’s blue topaz ring as my something old, borrowed, and blue. Also, I chose to have my mom and dad walk me down the aisle, which was special to me. I asked my mom to do a toast for us, and I danced to Angel in my Arms with my Dad, which is a song that he chose for us about a dad giving his daughter away on her wedding day.

Jamie danced with his mom to Sweet Baby James, which is what she used to sing to him when he was a baby. One of my most vivid memories of the day was seeing Jamie for the first time at our “first look”. I thought it might be weird to just see each other and talk while getting our picture taken, but it was very calming and private. We took so many pictures together and with the bridal party so it got the fun started early. It was wonderful to know that when I walked down the aisle, I no longer had to worry about seeing Jamie for the first time in front of everyone.

Ceremony & Reception Venue: New Haven Long Club /  Photography: Orchard Cove Photography /  Event Planning & Invitations : Lindsay from Sixpence Events /  Florist : Marcy of Dragonfly Events /  DJ : Rob Waldron of Standing Ovations /  Ceremony Music : Millenium Music /  Lighting : Dan of ShinDig Lighting /  Table Linens : BBJ Linens /  Videography : Dominick Boucher of Life Videos  /  Carolyn’s Dress : Melissa Sweet via The White Dress by the Shore /  Bridesmaid’s Dresses : Kathlin Argiro /  Hair & Makeup : Candice & Tonya of Naomi’s Studio & Salon /  Cake: Creative Cakes by Donna

Consider this an official plea. I am literally on my hands and knees begging one you crafty brides out there to design a wedding JUST. LIKE. THIS. I mean, a lemon and lime bouquet? Mini key lime tarts? Homemade lemonade and handpicked flowers? Hello gorgeous. This is the latest photography workshop by the beloved duo, Justin & Mary Marantz. And being the fabulous SMP contributors that they are, they’ve filled it to the brim with SO many ideas and inspirations that you can apply to your own big day. Oh and for you budding photographers out there…they’ve even included a few photography tips to ensure that you capture the details with as much beauty and style as humanly possible. Click here to see SO much more!

From Justin & Mary Marantz…

When we first started planning the workshop we had a completely different theme in mind altogether!  But the morning we were going to post the design board, we started our day with a quick peek at Style Me Pretty as we usually do!  Lo and behold, the gorgeous wedding being featured that morning was spot on for what we had put together. Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, we decided to head back to the drawing board and pow wow a quick redesign. We knew we wanted to keep the vintage southern feel of the original design so we kept the bride and groom’s attire and the mint juleps.  We love it when a couple uses fruit to compliment their flowers so we added a picture of lemons to the design board and the theme just sort of took off! We wanted to have a workshop full of DIY details that brides could easily put together for their own weddings so we looked for some fun projects to put into the design board, combined with some more lemonade-y details like crates, beverage jars, and a vintage sign. I think it turned out better than we ever could have hoped!  The design board ended up looking like this: click here.

When we put together a workshop we want it to be as much like the real deal as possible.  We start with getting ready and move right through to the last dance.  When we plan the reception, we make sure to keep in mind all of the little details that make a wedding extra special. That means we plan everything from table settings to good night favors.

The lemonade theme really let us have fun this time.  We started with the idea of an afternoon wedding and wanted to transform the carousel house into a southern lemonade luncheon. We wanted the tone set as soon as the guests walked through the door, so we decided to do a little something extra for the placecards.  We made them using lemons and small green envelopes, finished off with red bows to add a pop of color to the otherwise green and yellow pallet.   We enhanced the Summery, relaxed mood by decorating with home made paper flag garlands, tissue paper pom poms, and a lemonade stand that could double as a favor display and a desert table.  For favors, we had made candied lemon peels and put them in little burlap bags made by Stonington Paperie propped up with some lemon stick candy.  For a touch of unexpected whimsy we used miniature lemon merangue pies and key lime tartlets for dessert.   To enhance the scene even further, we made homemade lemonade in vintage looking bottles and placed them around the reception.  We also added  extra limes and lemons, mason jars full of wildflowers, and a few homemade signs that read, lemonade 5 cents.

We love it when our couples go the extra mile and plan something fun for portraits.  We added flags with fun sayings on them, cute polka dot glasses, and a lemon and lime bouquet so our bridal party had some extra things to work with. The lemonade stand was also a really great “set” for them to play with.  We attached the lemonade sign to dowels and used the stand for some of our portraits.   It was tons of fun!!

Although we did most of the planning ourselves, (we even put together the flowers!!) we needed some expert help to complete our vision.  Stonington Paperie made us some amazing details including the menus, favor bags, and bottle tags.  Traci Romano jumped in and designed our table for us and it looked stunning!  We also had Purdy Hill Bakery put together some mini key lime tartlets and lemon merangue pies for us at the last minute and they were just perfection!!

We also owe a huge thank you to The White Dress by the Shore for providing the Bride’s gown and the Bride’s Maid’s dresses and jewelry.  To Larissa Lake who made the stunning hair pieces and necklace for the Bride, and to Professional Makeup by DiLieto who did a fabulous job for us!!  We also have to send a huge thank you to our friend, Alicia Candelora of No Eye Has Seen Photography and our bride Jil, whose help was immeasurable!

The posts for our DIY extravaganza are here: Candied Lemon Peels / Mint Juleps / Old Fashioned Lemonade / Pom Poms / Flag Garlands / Bridal Party Flags

A little info for newly minted photographers on how we shot the details…

The carousel house has amazing light so we used natural light to shoot most of the details.  When shooting details, we prefer to use side lighting to create depth and also try to get as close as we can to showcase unexpected angles. We’re also shooting those wide open (with the 50 1.4 or 85 1.4) for low depth of field and really creamy pictures. When we shoot the couple, we look for slices of life to capture. We look at the way a couple holds their mint juleps as they lean in to one another, or how his grandfather’s watch catches the light when he pulls her close.  For us, slices of life are just as important as the big picture!!  When it’s time to process our images, we try to keep it clean and simple.  Most of our processing actually happens in camera raw and then we season our images with minimal actions that are lowered to about 10 percent each.  We want all of our images to look clean and enduring.

The end results just blew us away and we can’t wait until the next workshop!!

Photography: Justin & Mary Marantz / Fashion + Styling: Beth at The White Dress by the Shore / Paper Goods: Stonington Paperie / Table Design: Traci Romano / Baked Goods: Purdy Hill Bakery / Hairpieces: Larissa Lake / Venue: The Carousel House at Lighthouse Point, New Haven, CT / Make-Up: Professional Makeup by Dilieto

If you’re dreaming of a garden inspired wedding filled to the brim with sweet, girly details that will make your guests swoon…today is your very lucky day. The New England team of vendors headed up by Paper Moss and Megan Chapin Calligraphy, with photography by Public Image Photography and florals by Studio 539 Flowers, designed a Garden inspired shoot that will make your heart go pitter patter. Seriously. It’s so stinking pretty, I kind of want to steal every last detail for my wedding re-do. My favorite part, aside from the insanely gorgeous invitation suite that Paper Moss crafted? The milk and cookies. I kind of think every wedding should have milk and cookie favors. To see TONS of additional details, click right here.

click right here to see so many more details!

From Paper Moss…It has been quite the adventure bringing this fabulous inspiration board to life and we are thrilled to share it with all of you! Our photo shoot’s theme, ‘Vintage Country Chic’, is a timeless juxtaposition of historical inspiration, elements of nature and a hint of sophistication. After sharing our vision with a power team of New England based wedding professionals, we set them loose to use their expertise and our vision came right into place.

We aimed to create a whimsical and romantic ambiance which was a perfect match for our jeweler and florist. We worked together to combine intricate details such as varying textures, bringing together antiques and sprinkling items that reflect the bride and groom throughout the scene. Our venue of choice was an old farmhouse in Connecticut that effortlessly enhanced all aspects of our shoot. (I mean, who wouldn’t like a dresser or wedding cake in the middle of a field, right?) We fell in love with the wedding gown and its hints of vintage decor, beautifully paired with chandelier earrings. And the bridal bouquet? We think it speaks for itself.

And of course… the stationery. Keeping in mind that the invitations set the tone of the wedding itself, we wanted these to be unique to the Vintage Country Chic concept. The monogram key logo was partially inspired by a quote by Frederick Saunders that we recently heard at a wedding:

“My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We’ll lock them up together,
And throw away the key.”

Those words have stuck with us in the months since and while scavenging through antique markets upon a box of old fashioned keys, well… that sealed the deal! Paper Moss is always up for thinking outside the box, but in this case, we started with the box and worked around that. Invitations and coordinating handkerchiefs were printed on linen, while all other letter pressed enclosures tucked sweetly in a custom monogrammed muslin bag that encompassed the natural, country look we were aiming for. Sprigs of lavender and rosemary were placed throughout the wedding, and we wanted there to be a presence of that in the invites. Filling the boxes with lavender buds, we rolled the linen invitation and tied it with bakers twine, topping it off with vintage stamps and contrasting white calligraphy. (Who said you had to be a traditional bride to like calligraphy?) From writing on window panes to tags, it is the perfect final touch.

The planning and execution of this SMP opportunity was more fun than we could have imagined.

A HUGE and hearty SMP thank you to all of the vendors who participated in this shoot…

Stationery & Event Details: Paper Moss / Calligraphy: Megan Chapin Calligraphy / Venue: Tyrone Farm, CT  / Photographer & Models: Public Image Photography / Floral Design: Studio 539 Flowers / Jewelry: Dugan Custom Jewelers / Cake & Cookies: Sweet Sophistications / Hair & Make Up: Christy Lee / Bridal Gown: Wedding Belle NYC / Hair Accessories: Untamed Petals / Printed Textiles: Artful Beginnings

Happy Friday wedding gurus! We’ve had a pretty great week on SMP so we wanted to wrap things up with something equally great. And there’s nothing better on a Friday morning than feasting on a little bit of inspiration…the From Inspiration to Reality kind. Where our favorite vendors turn one of your inspiration boards into a real shoot, complete with a million steal worth ideas for your own wedding. So, before we get to all of the wedding goodness, here’s a look at the board that Style Circle member Chocoloka designed…

It’s garden-y gorgeousness with details that are one part vintage, one part total girl. And just wait until you see the shoot that it inspired. Headed up by Little Black Book member Paper Moss, this little number is ALL about the details. Coming up in 2 seconds!

A quick look at the vendors who participated in this shoot…

Stationery & Event Details: Paper Moss / Calligraphy: Megan Chapin Calligraphy / Venue: Tyrone Farm, CT  / Photographer & Models: Public Image Photography / Floral Design: Studio 539 Flowers / Jewelry: Dugan Custom Jewelers / Cake & Cookies: Sweet Sophistications / Hair & Make Up: Christy Lee / Bridal Gown: Augusta Jones from Wedding Belle NYC / Hair Accessories: Untamed Petals / Printed Textiles: Artful Beginnings

Carla Ten Eyck, one of the most talented photographers around, sent us this next little gem. This wedding has a dash of classic mixed with a tad of rock n’ roll and a stylish bride rocking an amazingly ruffled Betsy Johnson number. Swoon, swoon, swoon. And as if the dress weren’t enough to get your motor running, you should take a gander at those gorgeous blue velvet shoes. Not only is the attire fantastic, but this style savvy couple is also incredibly in love and it shows. Beautiful couple, beautiful day. We love that around here.

{click here for the FULL wedding gallery}

Alicia and Jack got married at the Gershon Fox Room in Hartford, Connecticut. All of the images were taken in and around Hartford using the major city landmarks including the Bushnell Park Carousel, the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, and Bushnell Park.

From the Bride:

The necklace was my great-grandmother’s actually, from the 20s or 30s. My dad’s grandmother, that was my “something borrowed,” and I guess my something old as well.  The shoes are Moschino Cheap & Chic, obviously my “something blue”… I lusted after them for quite some time, and for a while I was way more excited about them than the dress itself, or anything else Bridey for that matter. In the end, the dress did have a special place in my heart though. It is Betsey Johnson. I’ve been obsessed with her work since the first time I had to get a dress for a Bat Mitzvah when I was thirteen. I tried to go thru the motions of going to the bridal shop and trying the dresses and veils but getting married in Betsey was what I secretly pictured all along and the petticoat underneath was my “something old” from a cool vintage shop in LA.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Venue: Gershon Fox Room / Flowers:Lane and Lenge / Dress: Betsy Johnson / Shoes: Moschino Cheap & Chic / Makeup and Hair: Anna Briggs / Bracelet: Tarina Tarantino /

This Connecticut wedding is perfect for many, many different reasons. First, it is beyond sweet and charming. Second it is a complete family affair with a ton of DIY straight from the heart and last but certainly not least, it was all executed for under 10k which most of us know, is no small feat. And the best part? The bride has left some great tips below on how to save money and still throw a gorgeous wedding. Photographed by Public Image, this wedding is a trifecta of pretty goodness and we are soaking every last detail in.

{click here for the FULL wedding gallery}

Daniel proposed on July 21st, and after a little encouragement from our family and friends we decided on an October wedding at my family’s home in Connecticut. The decision to have a Connecticut wedding (we live in Boston) was largely influenced by the fact that my father had passed away the previous December, and it was important for us to honor his memory while still creating a day that was a joyful celebration of our marriage. Ultimately, having the wedding at home created a strong sense of my dad’s presence. After we decided on the at home wedding, Daniel had the idea to replace lighting a unity candle with planting a tree, both to honor my father (who obsessively planted trees) and symbolize the beginning or our lives together. We chose to plant Mt. Laurel, which was my dad’s favorite flower and the inspiration for my name. In addition, we used a piece of my father’s artwork, a print of birch trees, as the cover of our programs. I love that when I look at our wedding photos, even though my dad is not in them, I am surrounded by all things he planted, built, designed and collected.

We knew we wanted a intimate and relaxed wedding, so along with our families we did most of the work ourselves. The few vendors we used, for food and photography, were already friends or acquaintances, which kept the informal, at home feel. Daniel and I printed the invitations and programs ourselves, scoured antique stores and flea markets for decorations, and spent many, many hours working in the yard. My lovely sisters made and canned the apple butter for favors, and my very talented sister-in-law did all of the flowers. We also had a large group to help with set up the day before and morning of the wedding. We can’t thank our friends and family enough for all of the time, energy and support they gave to us during the planning stage. With their help we were able to create a wedding that was as beautiful as it was joyful. I think my sister-in-law described our wedding best when she said, “After an incredibly difficult year filled with loss and sadness, Laura and Dan’s marriage was a beautiful reminder that joy cannot by snuffed out by despair.”

A few ways we saved money…

Flowers: We saved a ton of money by having my amazing sister-in-law do our flowers. We purchased the flowers for the bridal party bouquets wholesale online, but the rest of the flowers came from local farms and the grocery store. Choosing to use seasonal, native flowers was a large part of keeping the floral budget affordable.

Alcohol: We saved money by limiting the alcohol selection to beer and wine. For beer we had Yuengling, which is delicious, cheap and a treat for our guests because it is not sold in New England (a guest from Pennsylvania supplied it). To add some variety we supplemented the Yuengling with pumpkin ale and hard cider. When it came to the wine the owner of a local store supplied a selection of reds and whites and allowed us to return any unopened bottles. As an added bonus, he lent us tubs to store the wine and gave us a key to his ice chest.

Decor: When it came to decorations our best resources were Etsy, thrift stores/flea markets and our backyards. I learned that in New England it is best to visit flea markets at the end of the summer, because the vendors don’t want to store their stuff all winter and practically give it away (like two case of mason jars for five dollars)! Also, our budget forced us to be creative with what we already owned and the natural resources around us. As a result, some of my favorite decorations cost almost nothing. For example, I used my button collection on the place cards and collected sycamore bark from my street for table numbers. Also, I was able to scale back some ideas I had seen on StyleMePretty. I loved the idea of making my own napkins, but because of the cost of fabric and amount of sewing it would require we chose instead to use squares of fabric to ground our centerpieces. I was happy with the look, and my grandmother (upon Daniel’s suggestion) incorporated the fabric into a wedding quilt she made for us.

When it came to photography we chose NOT to save money. It was important to us to have beautiful images of our big day and spending more money on our photographer was one of the best decisions we made.

Overall, because of our time and budget constraints we had to be flexible when planning. This turned out to be a blessing because some of the things I liked most about our wedding came together when our original idea didn’t work out. During the planning stage a friend liked to remind me that it wasn’t about the wedding, it was about the marriage. There were times when I had to step back and remember that the important thing was the sacredness of our vows and the joy in our union, not my table decorations. Keeping the celebration of our marriage as the focus allowed me to enjoy the day fully and that joy is what I remember most about our day and what I think shines through in our pictures.

Photography: Ricky Chapman of Public Image / Wedding Dress: WToo / Hair: Maryanne Warzecho of Cahoots Hair Design / Hairpiece: Whichgoose /  Ties: Rokgear / Customized Birch Tube: Little Retreats / Caterer: Nick’s Catering / Cake: Cakes Unlimited / Ceremony Musicians: Dave Swanson, Jonathan Cook, Melissa Rae

Jennifer and Frank were married in Stonington, Connecticut last summer at the beautiful Jonathan Edwards Winery. Jessica of Jessica’s Country Flowers made sure they were surrounded by lots and lots of gorgeousness!

photography courtesy of Alissa Dinneen

The details from Jessica …

We hung ivory and pale pink Chinese lanterns around the perimeter of the tent. They alternated square and round tables throughout the tent, which added much interest. Clean, crisp white linens were a nice touch for a summer evening wedding. Bright, vibrant flowers were the perfect touch. Tall centerpieces in a slender vase filled with a stem of cymbidium orchids and water with an arrangement at top of white hydrangea and an abundance of roses. Low centerpieces were in a footed chocolate/copper urn and were lush. Coastal Gourmet provided all catering, the wedding cake , tent and all other rentals. The bride’s bouquet was hand-tied and consisted of pink dahlias, ‘Anna’ and ‘vendella’ roses. I wrapped the stems with ivory raw silk and added a vintage shoe buckle and weaved the ribbon through. The girls bouquets were similar but, with ‘latin breeze’ roses and mini green hydrangea in addition to give them a little more pop of color. The bride’s wedding gown was strapless ivory lace with a satin ribbon and beautiful crystal beading ~ a Jim Hjelm gown.  Her earrings were crystal chandelier and a crystal cuff bracelet from a Swarovski boutique at Westfarms mall. She did her own make-up because our makeup artist couldn’t find the hotel in time!!

Photography~ Alissa Dinneen Photography; Flowers & Event Design~ Jessica’s Country Flowers; Catering~ Coastal Gourmet, Mystic, CT; Venue~ Jonathan Edwards Winery, Stonington, CT; Dress~ Jim Hjelm, Mariella Creations, Rocky Hill, CT

Jessica’s weddings are always filled to the brim with the loveliest mix of drama and sweet simplicity … from her centerpieces to her bouquets and everywhere in between. She now has a blog with lots of advice on planning your wedding flowers {here} and is just finishing up a book on wedding floral design ~ Enchanted Weddings. Can’t wait to see it!!

Hmmm…how do I describe this next wedding sent to us by crazy talented Carla Ten Eyck? Pure and unadulterated AWESOMENESS comes to mind. Donna and Andrew, the stylish bride and groom, created a rustic affair full of unique personal touches completely crafted by hand and so uniquely them. I must say, I am left yearning for a wheat bouquet to call my own. Be sure to visit the gallery for even more DIY inspiration from this artistic duo.

{Click here for the FULL wedding gallery}

All of the DIY details from the Bride:

We are both creative. I am a graphic designer and Andrew designs and builds store window displays for the fashion industry. I designed our save the dates, programs and thank you cards. He built the trellis and took care of tracking down and ordering lighting, etc. I really felt this was our chance to do and make everything on our own and just be so completely us.

Our inspiration came from blogs, Etsy and magazines from which I placed together mood boards. Many things just sort of came together and they miraculously went hand-in-hand with our rustic October theme. We sort of just did what we wanted and hoped it would work well together, but didn’t stress over it. We had planned on having the ceremony outside in Middletown, CT. It was beautiful in new England in October and we both love the fall. The day we got married, it was actually the stormiest, rainiest of days which we totally hadn’t planned on but which resulted in the most amazing photos and awesome memories.

Our photographer was amazing. She gave me the contact info for the dressmaker I used and also for our florist. We shopped thrift and craft stores near and far to collect all the glass centerpieces of which the florist made the most epic centerpiece terrariums of odd flowers and vegetables. I picked a creative and talented florist, told him we wanted terratium centerpieces, ferns somewhere and wheat bouquets for the bridesmaids and the rest was all his creativity. (Using wheat and vegetables is creative and easy on the budget). We also sliced a tree trunk to provide the centerpieces with a tree base.

We made our table markers from scrap barn wood and old cinema letters I had saved for no particular reason for years. We sprayed them white and glued them on. For wedding favors, I bought plastic party wishbones in bulk, spray painted them gold  and attached thank you banners. I thought it was kind of fun to get people to interact. It was fun seeing people cart off table letters, centerpieces and wishbones to their cars afterwards. We used the leftover wood to make an arrow sign to point out the props and the wishing tree.

For the wishing tree, we dragged a huge branch out of my parents’ backyard and secured it to a wall in the back of the barn next to the gift table. The place cards, which doubled as our wishes, were made out of large tags with string. We stamped one side, wrote our guests’ names and leaned them against pine cones. I also glued origami flowers (which Andrew’s sister made and mailed to us from Florida) on random ones to spruce up the display. We placed a sign on the table asking our guests to write wishes or thoughts on the back of their tags and hang them on the tree.

It was really fun doing everything ourselves. We got to make things together and be creative together. Everything meant so much more on our wedding day because so many things we personally made or thought of. Andrew spent the entire morning with friends hanging the lighting and building the trellis. It was so amazing walking in that room for the first time and seeing him surrounded by all the work we had done together. It was so beautiful. I also loved having family involved like my grandma embroidering the ring holder or Andrew’s mom making his bow tie and his sister making the origami flowers for the pine cones.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Venue: The Barns at Wesleyan Hill / Flowers: Datura: A Modern Garden / Dress: Jane Wilson-Marquis/ Necklace: Moon and Lola

I remember spending hours as a little girl wondering what my last name would be when I eventually met my prince charming (please tell me I wasn’t the only one).  Well I must say, the lovely bride of this adorable wedding got lucky.  Not only is her new last name Chick awesome, it also made for a absolutely perfect wedding theme.  I am a complete sucker for wedding themes, particularly when they are executed with such personality. Thanks to IRIS Photography for bringing us this darling gem.  – XOXO, (the other) Abby from Life in the Super Burbs.

A few words from the chic bride, Nicole:

Our wedding was exactly everything we wanted: small, unique, part traditional, part modern and intimate.  We wanted it to feel like a garden party and everything fell exactly into place.  We looked at a lot of nontraditional venues in Connecticut.  The minute we set foot on the grounds of the Webb Barn in Wethersfield Connecticut, we knew we found our spot.  We got married under a huge tree on the lawn, had cocktail hour on the patio and dinner and dancing was in the barn.  The grounds were so green at beginning of May and our guests loved walking around and having room to move.

Tony and I have been together for ten years so we had plenty of time to figure out the exact wedding we wanted.  We knew we wanted a unique menu and Emily’s Catering did a fantastic job.  We had a bar-b-que menu, which ended up being a buffet because there was a grill station.  Guests were able to order steak, chicken, scallop kabobs, lobsters and/or grilled veggies!  There was also a buffet of summer salads.  We had cupcakes for dessert along with a shortcake station. There was so much food for 40 people!

The music was also unique.  We knew we wanted a band and decided a swing band would be very different.  Joe Holmes Swing Band far exceeded our expectations.  They played wonderful music all night that not only allowed our guests to join us on the dance floor but it was also wonderful music to enjoy with the conversation.  They also provided the music during the ceremony and cocktail hour.  They even accommodated our special request for the recessional song: “Linus and Lucy” from The Peanuts.

We also had many small touches that really made the wedding “ours”.  Tony’s (and now my J) last name is Chick so we decided to have a “Chick” theme for most of our paper stuff.  Jen from Little Lady Studios was amazing to work with.  She created everything from our Save-the-Dates and invitations to our programs and guest cards.  The “Chicks” were adorable and done very tastefully without being too themey. The yellow and sage green from the paper products were weaved throughout the entire wedding especially in our flowers from Just for You Floral Design.  I also got a lot of our small touches from Etsy.  Our “The Chicks” chair sashes were from MadameMonogram.  Our ring bowl was from Palomasnest and our cupcake toppers were from goosegrease

I could go on about our wedding for days.  I loved of every second of planning and am so thrilled to have our beautiful pictures from Jane and Mike Shauck of Iris Photo.  They captured every moment without us even feeling like they were there.  I will always remember the day as one where I never stopped smiling and thanks to them, I have pictures I will treasure forever showcasing our special day.

Photographer: IRIS Photography/ Venue: Webb Barn, Wethersfield CT/ Caterer: Emily’s Catering, Bristol CT / Hair and makeup: Naomi Martinez, West Hartford CT/ Custom chair sash: Madame Monogram/ Ring bearer bowl: Paloma’s Nest/ Bridal party clothing: J. Crew

This next feature has a tad bit of everything – bagpipes, peonies, margaritas, a mariachi band and an ENTIRE island for all of the festivities. You wouldn’t think these elements would blend together so beautifully but they so completely and totally do. Captured by the talented Corinna Raznikov, this fete is sure to put a smile on your face. Don’t forget to hop on over to the gallery for more from this island extravaganza.

{Click here for the FULL wedding gallery}

Music played a big part in our special day. Starting with the bagpipes (a nod to christopher’s Scottish background), followed by my maid of honor singing the Beatles classic ‘In my Life’ during the ceremony,  to our first dance to Bobby Darin’s ‘Beyond the Sea’ which we also tied in with our save the date and invitations. The island really is a place removed from everywhere else- its a magical place beyond the sea. . .and happy we’ll be! My father named me after the song ‘sara smile’ by hall & oates. I never imagined dancing with him to anything else.

The mariachis at the cocktail hour recognized my brother in law and the beautiful, fun, vibrant culture he has introduced to our lives ( we went to Cabo San Lucas for our honeymoon). As a surprise to my husband, I sang ‘forever in blue jeans’ by Neil Diamond. I am somewhat infamous among our friends and family for my “unique” ( it may be out of tune, but it has heart!) kareoke rendition of this song and it was one of my favorite parts of the night. He turned peony pink and then jumped right up front and danced around as I realized I had just married my biggest fan.

From pizza and margaritas to our fondue dessert (the first meal Chris ever made for me and our Valentine’s Day tradition)   … my mother’s milk glass vases as centerpieces…to my uncle Ernie’s specially written poem… to my Dad’s best friend’s vintage T-bird serving as our getaway car (which I rode in during a town parade when I was 8)…the day was very meaningful and was comprised of a ton of personal touches.”

Photographer: Corinna Raznikov Photography / Venue: Island Farm on Elihu Island – off the coast of Stonington, CT / Attire: The White Dress by the Shore / Event Planners: Lucinda Wesson and Sarah Loomis Crawford / Caterer: Gourmet Galley / Florist: Zuzu’s Petals and Hana Floral Design / Stationery: Stonington Paperie

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