Connecticut Weddings

There’s gift giving, and then there is gift giving with Sweet Whistle, an online boutique that takes wedding gifting to an entirely new level of awesome.  Imagine a modern + fresh take on telling your nearest and dearest thank you (or asking your bestie to be your bridesmaid) with carefully curated boxes that are as fun and festive as they are pretty.  Sweet Whistle “wraps an experience”… and it shows.

With Sweet Whistle, meaningful gifts just got a whole lot easier with custom packaging, fabulous customer service and a made for the occasion approach.  Think a plethora of gift pairing options to choose from, amazing personalization, direct shipping to you OR your event space and a Sweet Whistle gifting guru overseeing the entire process, guaranteeing your style and price point.  Not to mention that each curated gift from Sweet Whistle is sourced primarily from artisans in the Unites States that are known for their fabulous food or wares.  Which means those whimsically packaged boxes so meticulously put together are more than perfect for welcome boxes, turndown gifts, event favors, bridal party gifts and thank you’s.

Visit Sweet Whistle today to start your amazing journey into gifting the right way.  And don’t forget to ask them about their custom options!

What: Sweet Whistle is giving away one “The Sweetest Thing” gift box, sent with their signature “XOXO” packaging! (Value $75)

How: To enter, head on over to Sweet Whistle and leave a comment below telling us which gift package you can’t wait to order for your big day!

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on May 1, 2015!  For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, lovelies!

I’ve had a bit of a love affair with red as of late. After making the decision to add small pops of it throughout my own wedding, my cravings for this rich hue have increased and today’s fete from Robert & Kathleen Photographers is just what I need. From the bow-topped Louboutins to the red rose bouquet from Fleur De Lys Floral, it’s a classic affair that’ll keep you coming back for more.

This stunning Bride is making us blush, thanks to the handiwork of Dana Bartone & Company!

From Robert & Kathleen Photographers…The way the storm clouds rolled in, it was clear pretty early on that there would be no significant break from the rain on Nicole & Sal’s wedding day. As she was getting ready that morning with her bridesmaids, the rain pounded on the windows, alternating between intense downpours and the kind of sideways sticky rain that even umbrellas can’t shield you from.  But inside that room, there was no hint of that dreariness. It was as though Nicole herself was a virtual ray of sunshine – her complete and total joy shining on everyone around her.

It was that radiance that had drawn Sal to Nicole in the first place and when he saw her for their first look, his face lit up too.  The two of them were beaming: Nicole with her irresistible, kid-on-Christmas-morning smile, Sal with his sly smile and incredible dimples.  From the first look to their ceremony and then out on the dance floor, they were completely connected.  Sal constantly reaching for her hand, Nicole draping her arms around his neck.  And as you watched the two of them, so completely in sync and head-over-heels in love, you could tell  that theirs would be a life together that could brave any storm and brighten even the rainiest of days.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers | Floral Design: Fleur De Lys Floral | Ceremony Location: St. Mary's Church New Haven | Reception Venue: New Haven Lawn Club | Shoes: Louboutin | Hair And Makeup: Dana Bartone & Company | Band: The All Stars

This couple is just so incredibly special, and you can feel their bond through each and every image sent over by Brookelyn Photography. Their wedding was filled to the brim with meaningful details beautifully curated by Ashley Douglass, drop-dead gorgeous blooms by  Hana Floral Design and so much love you can’t help but smile – making this gallery one fabulous place to be today.

From the Event Planner, Ashley Douglas…When Caitlin and Rafe approached me, I knew their wedding would be one-of-a-kind and an opportunity to create a special day packed with meaningful details. Above all, the wedding was to be personal, whimsical, garden-like and fun. I could not have been more happy with this wedding. The wedding location sat on their family’s gorgeous piece of ocean front in Old Lyme, CT. The couple and their family were so welcoming and gracious to us all throughout the entire process. The memories for all will linger.

Caitlin and Rafe met in a permaculture design course and both are passionately dedicated to sustainable living. They work on a farm, teaching children and adults how to farm for themselves. Their wedding was a true reflection of themselves as a couple, embodying community, spirit and serving fabulously fresh organic foods harvested from the farm they work on.  The wedding weekend began Friday evening with a great bonfire on the beachfront with excellent BBQ and singing. The wedding day started out with a dip in the ocean by all, a gourmet pizza truck for lunch, then the real festivities began! Line dancing and an excellent bluegrass band entertained the night away. Caitlin (and myself) love indigo so this was a starting point. The bride’s brother made the indigo rugs for the children that they sat on at the head of the ceremony. A beautiful handmade rug was underneath them at the alter and tree stumps with flowers from Hana Floral Design lined the aisle, tree stumps that family and friends chopped down for the wedding day!  The invitation was a true labor of love as well. Printed on 100% handmade cotton, the rustic but delicate and personal nature of the invite really was a beautiful start to this wedding design. Cailtin, the bride, designed the invitation herself. We talked through the parts of the weekend and how to make the invite both not too serious while also sweet, elegant and not juvenile. We stuck with one color, lighter periwinkle letter press then found the perfect flowers from the farm to be pressed and laid at the top of the invite strung around with very thin twine. The stellar map on the invitation is as good as it gets and this too was created by the Bride! The couple loves flowers! Fresh farm flowers their friends picked dressed up the Friday night festivities and other areas of the property for the weekend. Even their Photo Booth had a vignette filled with various fresh flowers for people to select one flower that spoke to them to take their photos with. Moving on to lighting – any idea you take to Social Decor, they make magic with. I am a huge fan of cool lighting that is custom designed for the wedding at hand and I think we hit the nail on the head. The table runners were custom made as well and the fabric was intentionally found to match the bride’s lace gown. Parts of the gown were taken from her mother and grandmother’s gowns as well. Double wide table runners made the gorgeous indigo, peach, yellow and ivory flowers pop! Thyme to Cook catered the wedding and so graciously agreed to work very closely with their farm in the preparations. The food was so fresh. The catering company did a wonderful job with stations with chefs cooking in real time. Lastly, close to 30 children attended this wedding! During the day and during the wedding, we had a nature school guide come to teach and entertain the kids. They had their own little nature’s classroom with arts and crafts, bird watching and fun ghost stories!

 

Photography: Brookelyn Photography | Event Planning: Ashley Douglass Events | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Catering: A Thyme to Cook, Inc. | Lighting: Social Decor | Entertainment: Elan Artists | Tent: Sperry Tents | Linens: Table Wraps | Rentals: Sassafras Vintage Rentals

This nautical celebration had the most welcoming, relaxed elegance about it, making me quite jealous of these guests. Crafted by an uber talented team of vendors, including True Event and Gourmet Galley, the final results are nothing short of fabulous. From the beautiful blooms by Hana Floral Design, to these pics from Leila Brewster and Buzz Media’s film, this is my sort of soiree to kick off the weekend with.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/119238648 600 338]

From The Bride…  Andy and I met in Easthampton, NY through friends at a summer share house. While the timing was not right, we both made an impression on one another. When we re-met the following summer, under the same circumstances, the timing was much better. While dating, we spent several summers together “out East,” and have many happy memories there.

We got engaged after two years of dating, on a cold winter night in March. Knowing that we didn’t want to wait over a year to get married, we began planning for a fall wedding.

The Hamptons seemed like the most obvious choice for us in terms of a location, given all of our history there. Unfortunately, we came away from our venue search feeling very discouraged. As is the case so often, Andy was the voice of reason. He suggested the Connecticut coast as an alternative, where he grew up spending his summers, as his family has done for generations. I had always found it both beautiful and relaxing when we would visit, with rich New England history to boot. Images of the Long Island Sound and beautiful fall foliage as a backdrop for our big day sealed the deal.

Planning a wedding in six months was no easy task, especially for someone who had never spent much time thinking about what it might look like. The only things we knew for sure were that we wanted the wedding to truly be a reflection of who we are, and to create a seamless, memorable and fun party for our guests.

Early on, we enlisted the help of many amazing vendors to assist us. Once we selected our venue, the Guilford Yacht Club, True Event came on board to help with the design element (and, I would soon learn, so much more). I knew I wanted to play off the nautical theme of the venue, but without overdoing it. Caitlin Campbell at True Event was instrumental in finding that balance (as well as coining the term “nautical chic!”). I love color, and was was incredibly inspired by images of brightly colored floral arrangements I found online. At the same time, I loved the classic look of an all-white ceremony. Yumiko Fletcher at Hana Floral came up with the concept of introducing more color throughout the day as a way to incorporate both ideas, so I was never forced to choose. So genius! Her creations were absolutely breathtaking – definitely one of the highlights of the day. Gourmet Galley helped us craft the perfect menu of all our favorite foods, Ryan Designs provided beautiful lighting and seating, and JTT Band (headed up by a friend from college) kept our guests of all ages on the dance floor until the bitter end. And of course, the insanely talented Leila Brewster and Buzz Media team were there to capture every wonderful moment.

The most memorable part of the day, for me, was our ceremony. We wanted it to feel personal, and knew in order to achieve that we’d need an officiant that knew both of us and could speak to who we are as people and as a couple. Andy’s cousin, Marc, who had never officiated a wedding before, but who fit the bill in every other sense, was the perfect choice. His comments were intimate, warm and moving, and as Andy and I exchanged our handwritten vows, the day’s cloudy skies finally gave way to some sunshine. It was a moment I will cherish forever!

Photography: leila brewster | Videography: Buzz Media Company- Wedding Films | Coordination: TRUE Event | Event Design: TRUE Event | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Cake: JCakes | Ceremony Venue: Guilford Yacht Club | Reception Venue: Guilford Yacht Club | Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering | Hair & Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Lighting: Ryan Designs | Band: JTT | Officiant: Marc Baum | Ceremony Music: Suite Occasions Music | Transportation: Madison Beach Hotel | Transportation: First Student Charter | Tent Rental: Chase Canopy | Accommodations: Madison Beach Hotel | Attire: Romona Keveza | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper: Cheree Berry Paper | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited

In my opinion, choosing all of the accessories to complete a bridal look is almost as much fun as picking out the dress — especially when they’re from couture bridal accessory designer, Sara Gabriel! On Thursday, April 16, 2015, Gabriella New York Bridal Salon is hosting a Sara Gabriel trunk show and appearance from the designer herself. From headpieces and veils to sashes and jewelry, this is the perfect opportunity to complete your “I do” ensemble.

I mean, how gorgeous? I can’t get enough of these incredible hairpieces + jewels. Not only will brides attending the trunk show get the opportunity to meet Sara Gabriel and try on her stunning accessories, but all accessories will be 10% off for one day only! To help visualize the completed look, Facetime Beauty will be on hand to provide free hair and makeup to the brides-to-be.

To book your appointment, head over to Gabriella New York Bridal Salon. Happy accessory hunting, my dears!

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.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/103949044 600 338]

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!

Photography: Michelle Gardella Photography | Videography: DMO Films | Event Planning: Sixpence For Your Shoe | Florals: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Gown: Oscar De La Renta | Catering: Coastal Gourmet Caterers | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Hair: Naomi's Studio & Salon | DJ: Elegant Occasions DJ | Favors: Bridgewater Chocolates | Venue: Wadsworth Mansion | Tent: Sperry Tents | Ceremony Musicians: Harmonia Strings | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Stationery And Calligraphy: Lettres Stationery Of Distinction | Veil And Bridal Accessories: The White Dress by the shore

This coastal wedding has everything a girl could dream of. Gorgeous florals from Hana Floral Design, a beautiful 3-tiered wedding cake and a picture-perfect sunset. Melani Lust captured every moment from the beautiful Bride getting ready with the help of Dana Bartone & Company to the breezy, tented reception. Grab a seat lovelies, and prepare to get lost in this slice of romance!

[iframe https://player.vimeo.com/video/124057226 600 338]

From Melani Lust Photography… The bride and groom both love being by the water and visiting vineyards, so it was important to “marry” the two places for their big day. The bride’s mother scouted the area for weeks to find the perfect small lighthouse where Emily & Charlie could have their first look, and settled on this charming private home in Noank, CT. The couple had spent the year before their engagement exploring vineyards around Connecticut. On the bride’s birthday, the groom picked her up for a vineyard tour. As they sat on the dock of the lake other wine tasters watched as he proposed to her on the dock. It was be a traditional full Catholic Mass with all family members participating. The couple chose the church because it was reminiscent of a “little white chapel” and it felt so intimate inside. The day began with a first look at the lighthouse and they trolleyed to a church, we stopped to take some photos at the wharf in Mystic and then went on to the vineyard where Hana Floral used their magic to create a backdrop of pale gold, light sea blue (the color of the bridesmaids dresses), and soft pastels to welcome guests. The day became more magical as the clouds parted, rain softened and a glorious rainbow appeared over the vineyard.

From the Bride…Charlie and I met at the University of Connecticut, a hockey player and an opera singer who fell in love over small talk of Disney World, dirty martinis, and dogs. Many of our dates were on the Connecticut Wine Trail, where we would visit several wineries over the weekends to get our passports stamped, take in the beautiful scenery, and, of course, enjoy some great wine. When Charlie proposed at a vineyard one year later, Jonathan Edwards Winery was our immediate choice for a venue. We had adored Mystic, Connecticut ever since we had driven through it on a spontaneous vineyard trip. The coastal town combined the sea, the cutest white church, and was close to our vineyard reception. I envisioned romantic colors of pastel and gold against the beautiful backdrop of the vines. My favorite special touch was the vintage stamps that I tracked down for our envelopes; I wanted each one to represent something about us. For our Save the Date, I used a Metropolitan Opera stamp, a LOVE stamp, and a hockey goalie stamp. For our wedding invitation, we actually used the same exact stamps that both of our parents used for their weddings, which made them really significant. My other favorite detail was our letterpress suite–Kimberly did an amazing job helping me create our custom invitations. I loved them so much, I even fell asleep holding them once!

Photography: Melani Lust Photography | Cinematographer: Buzz Media Company- Wedding Films | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Bijou Bridal | Cake: Ana Parzych Cakes | Invitations: Kimberly FitzSimons | Ceremony Venue: Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Jonathan Edwards Winery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Russell Morin Fine Catering | Makeup: Dana Bartone & Company | Hair: Dana Bartone & Company | Calligraphy: Marcardin Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: Elephants Trunk | Antique Car/Limo Service: Viking Tours | Bridal Swarovski Wreathette: Debra Moreland | Music: Power Posse Productions | Wedding Rings: Tiffany & Co.

I do believe spring is trying to be fashionably late this year, so a wedding like this bloom-filled beauty is just what we need in New England right now. Perfectly captured by Katie Slater Photography at The Lace Factory with florals from Ashleigh’s Garden, you can soak up a little spring-time pretty to hold you over here. 

From Katie Slater Photography…Samantha and Christopher were married on a gorgeous spring day at a waterfront ceremony where tears of joy abounded. After treating their guests to a train ride to the emotional ceremony, they welcomed them with an outdoor cocktail hour at the stunning Lace Factory in Deep River, Connecticut. The day will filled with bright spring flowers, botanical accents, and the cutest bicycle you ever did see! From The Bride…We wanted a casual, intimate and vintage feel to our wedding. We focused the details on nature and the outdoors, which we both love. That’s where the trees, terrariums and birds came from. It was important to us that our guests had outdoors available to them, therefore our ceremony was outside and our venue allowed for guests to be inside and outside without missing out on the reception. Our cake toppers were my great grandmothers on my fathers side. In the lace factory my mothers wedding dress will be on mannequin, this dress was my Great Great Grandmothers and was worn by three generations on their wedding day! I will also be wearing my Great Grandomother (on my mother’s side) watch. We tried to do as much DIY as possible! Most of our stationary was purchased on Etsy.com, which we then printed and assembled ourselves. The rest, like the menus and escort cards, we created completely from scratch, and glued each feather for a special touch! A friend even designed the train tickets we provided to our guests. My bridesmaids, mother and mother in law helped me to create all of the terrariums which were used as our centerpieces. We also printed large, black and white posters of all of our parents and grandparents wedding photos which I affixed to foam board in order to create a little gallery of wedding photos to use to decorate the reception venue. All of the signage was made by us as well! A close friend of ours also provided the ceremony music, and, along with some friends of his, the cocktail hour music. This was one of the best, most raved about, part of our wedding! There were very few details that we DIDN’T do ourselves. It was important to me that our wedding felt personal and special and I felt that DIY was the best way to make that happen!

Photography: Katie Slater Photography | Floral Design: Ashleigh's Garden | Wedding Dress: David Fielden | Reception: The Lace Factory | Bridesmaids Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Cloud Nine Catering | Makeup: Bold Face Makeup | Hair: Sarah Archambault | Band: Major Motion Band | Transportation: Essex Steam Train | Day Of Coordination: William Parkinson Events | Dress Boutique: The White Dress by the shore

If you haven’t yet met Brideside, it’s time you do.  Because honestly?  They are about to change your world.  Think an array of stunning bridesmaid gowns, a could.not.be.easier ordering process, a personal stylist that knows a thing or two about helping you find the dress of your dreams AND a fabulous giveaway for your entire bridal party.  It’s your chance to win a $500 credit towards gorgeous gowns, sans drama, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. 

With one breathtaking collection after another in every style, shape and color of the rainbow, Brideside makes it easier than ever to make your besties forever happy.  Imagine shopping online in your yoga pants with a very fabulous twist – you can see the dresses in person before buying.  In other words? It’s how every girl dreams of bridesmaid dress shopping.  Here’s how it works:

Meet Your Stylist – Browsing gorgeous bridesmaid frocks online just got amazing with the help of one of Brideside’s FREE personal stylists.  Think of them as your very own wedding-style expert who will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process, from helping you create a “closet” of unique + oh-so-chic styles to keeping track of all of the specifics.  And Brideside introduced Jenny Yoo gowns this month, which means even more amazing styles to choose from.

Invite Your Besties to Your Brideside Closet – Now that you and your stylist are filling your Closet with some of the prettiest frocks imaginable, invite your bridal party to view your choices for those much-needed second opinions. And when you add or share a favorite, your stylist can see all of the happenings, so she is totally in the loop.

Try It On at Home! – Want to try on the dress before committing?  Once you have narrowed down all of the wedding loveliness to three must-have styles, Brideside will send them to you or your bridesmaids in a Brideside Box!  That means an at-home fitting party with your own shoes, jewelry and a little (or a lot!) of champagne.  Soooo fun.

Order “The One” – Now that you’ve chosen the perfect gown, you can work directly with your stylist to be sure everyone is fitted properly and that the dress of your dreams is ordered for each and every one of your ‘maids.  Oh, and it’s shipped directly to you.  It’s seriously awesome, and seriously stress-free. Seriously. I know, I know… you can’t wait to get started with Brideside.  Visit their website now or, if you live in Chicago, make an appointment with a stylist here.  You can thank us later.

What: Brideside is giving away a $500 credit to one bridal party! 

How: Simply sign up here by April 1, 2015 to be entered to win!

Who: The winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 3, 2015.

Good luck, lovelies! xo

The perfect cure for a snowy New England weekend?  A whole lot of pretty from BKB & Co., the talented team of photography and cinematography geniuses that know everything there is to know about capturing your big day, and capturing it perfectly.  From their exceptional attention to detail to their amazing customer service to the breathtaking images you’ll receive post-wedding, they’re amazing.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/116577876 600 338]

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/105754902 600 338]

From BKB & Co.… BKB & Co. is a select team of Boston wedding photographers and cinematographers specializing exclusively in weddings. Our wedding professionals are not only recognized in the industry, but also among wedding clients for our tremendous attention to detail from the moment of inquiry through the final product delivery and thereafter. Our studio was built on a simple motto – to capture each wedding as if it were our own. We are professionals at what we do and believe your wedding should be all about you enjoying your day and stress-free. We understand and value the importance of image capture and ensure your wedding photos stay timeless for you and your family for generations to come.

Founder and Creative Director Brittany K. Blando attended both the New England School of Photography and the College of Art and Design at Lesley University before opening her namesake studio in 2002. Throughout her education, Brittany developed a true passion for photographing weddings. The wedding scene in the Greater Boston area has always been vibrant and diverse, making it an exciting arena to be in. She is extremely sought-after in the New England area, even capturing the wedding of Professional Hockey Player Scott Clemmensen, beauty queen Amanda Kelly and Musician Eric Welsh of the band The Pixies. Her style is editorial imagery with photojournalistic flair, which is a style most requested by area engaged couples. Her talented work, impeccable customer service and quick turn-around time has proven to be why her studio is so highly regarded in New England.

To greater meet the needs of local couples, Brittany launched BKB & Co. in 2013 and expanded the studio’s services with the addition of talented wedding photography and wedding videography professionals. This brilliant team has taken the area by storm and has helped BKB become one of the top wedding services in all of New England. This team is truly a cohesive unit – working on weddings together and focusing on unparalleled customer service, flawless product and stellar turn-around time. Our team members are exclusive to our studio alone and have been personally trained by Brittany to provide our clientele with the images they have come to love and along with the personalized customer service the studio is known to provide.

Most recently, BKB announced the addition of a bridal stylist to the staff. With so many small details needed to be attended to on a wedding day, BKB’s bridal stylist will work alongside the BKB team to ensure any issues that may come up over the course of a wedding are resolved quickly, efficiently, and stress-free for the couple. A “day-of assistant” if you will, our stylist will handle many logistics that can sometimes overwhelm a couple or be a distraction on such a milestone day. For instance, she will distribute and pin boutonnieres and corsages, adjust your bridal gown for wedding photos, help keep the wedding day timeline on schedule, gather important individuals for photos, bustle your gown and of course, carry your favorite lipstick so you will always have it on hand throughout the day. Logistics aside, she will also be there to hold your hand and give you a shoulder to rely on.

We recommended you book the studio well-in-advance as our talented professionals have quickly become the talk in the Boston wedding scene.

BKB & Co. is located in historic Charlestown. Complimentary Garage parking available for our clients, a dock out back if you prefer to come by water taxi and of course the MBTA ferry drops in the Navy Yard.

DISCOUNT! Reserve your wedding with both the BKB & Co. photography and cinematography team and receive 5% off your contract and your choice of an Engagement Session in Charlestown Navy Yard or album upgrade!*

*Exclusive offer for SMP readers, available for new clients until April 30th, 2015 for weddings taking place in Boston, MA 2015 – 2016.

[dotted]

Welcome to the family, BKB & Co.!  We are so happy to have you! xo

There is something so unique and special about getting married in a venue that has a ton of history. Case in point — Brooklyn’s Weylin B. Seymour’s. This new (but very old) event space located at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge is located within the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building which was completed in 1875. After an award-winning restoration that wrapped up in January of 2014, this space is now ready to host some incredible celebrations.

This breathtakingly gorgeous Beaux Arts Classical building was deemed “one of the most monumental spaces surviving in New York from the Post-Civil War era” by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Located just minutes from lower Manhattan, it features a 110-ft dome decorated with a stunning original fresco, hand-cut mosaic marble floors, bank vault with original vault door imported from France in 1872 and so much more. Truthfully, Weylin B. Seymour’s is as much a conversation piece as it is a truly unique historical venue! With room to accommodate up to 350 for a wedding celebration as well as separate spaces for ceremony, cocktails and dinner + dancing, this space is a must-see.

Top it all off with high-end menu and bar packages, a dedicated service staff and custom furniture packages offering color + style options, and you’ve got what wedding dreams are made of. For more info and to start planning your big day at Weylin B. Seymour’s, head over here.

[dotted]

Photo Credits: Mercedes Noriega Photography | Heather Waraksa | Trent Bailey Photography | Durston Saylor

When Ina McConnell of IM Photo Studio is behind the camera lens, you know you’re in for breathtaking images that are as authentic as they are beautiful. The New York-based boutique photography studio approaches each event with a vision of timeless elegance and fresh, contemporary style. And the result? Well, let’s just say we can’t get enough.

I can say with full confidence that the best photos come around when your photographer really gets you and your partner; and IM Photo Studio does just that. Creative genius Ina McConnell shoots events with a full understand that weddings are a day filled with beauty and magic. Ina works to capture all the details in a way that is honest and candid. Giving clients the journalistic style that best embodies the laughter, tears and love of the big day, IM Photo Studio‘s images are reflective of each couple’s unique style, personality and story. And really, could you ask for much more? 

Pretty, pretty, pretty. Head over here to contact IM Photo Studio and get started booking your photography package. OH — there’s more! IM Photo Studio is offering a 20% discount offer to any wedding package for our readers! Simply mention this blog post when booking. 

When it came to their Big Day, this theater loving pair wanted to put on the show of a lifetime. From the softly arranged white blooms a la Green Dahlia to the Bride’s sophisticated gown, every detail evoked hollywood glamour. Carla Ten Eyck captured an evening ending with a breakfast themed dinner, and it’s all right here!

From the beautiful Bride… James and I met at our local theater; I was costuming a show that he was performing in. As we are both performers and designers, we have a lot of opinions on style and have a need for things to be visually interesting and cohesive.

We had decided on getting married in the colder months, so we knew we needed to find a venue that was beautiful both inside and out. After googling “mansions you can rent in CT” (seriously), I found the beautiful Branford House. I knew before we even visited it that it was the place we were going to get married. When we saw it in person, we were blown away by the beautiful architecture, stunning woodwork, marble fireplaces and the incredible views.

My best friend and man of honor also happens to be the most talented floral designer in the world. I knew I wanted all white, soft flowers with waxy, tropical foliage – in my head I wanted it to look like an old Fred and Ginger movie. This is all that I told Tony and he and Cat of Green Dahlia Florist blew me away. The beautiful palms on the fireplaces, the centerpieces, the arrangements on the stairs and all of those candles were everything I imagined and more. Tony also created my bouquet with inspiration from brides of yesterday. It was delicate and beautiful and the perfect complement to my dress.

I selected my Monique Lhuillier gown at The Plumed Serpent bridal shop. I loved that it was simple and elegant while being classic and sophisticated. With accessories from The White Dress by the Shore and styling by Beth Chapman, my bridal look was the perfect embodiment of 1930s style without looking like I was wearing a costume. Topped off with beauty by a dream team and I felt like the most beautiful bride in the world (as every bride should). James had a custom Joseph Abboud navy blue velvet jacket with black satin shawl collar made, which he wore with Calvin Klein tuxedo pants and a black velvet bow tie. We loved that our looks perfectly complemented our personal styles, each other and our venue.

Our menu was all based on the idea of breakfast for dinner. A Thyme to Cook brought that to life from cocktail hour bites to comforting and savory entrees and even a fantastic mimosa and bloody mary bar!

The warm and intimate ambiance was captured perfectly by the amazingly talented Carla Ten Eyck. Her photos communicate the soft glow and loving atmosphere that defined the evening while flawlessly exhibiting all the sumptuous details of the venue. Having these emotional moments preserved so beautifully is something that we will cherish forever.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck | Florist: Green Dahlia | Cake: Ana Parzych Cakes | Caterer: A Thyme to Cook, Inc. | Make-Up: Catie Bane | Hair: d.d. Nickel Makeup Studio | Band: Lapis Luna | Bowties: Anna Runa | Bridal Accessories: The White Dress by the shore | Bridal Gown: The Plumed Serpent Bridal Salon | Groom's Tuxedo Jacket: Joseph Abboud | Mansion: Branford House

A chilly + snowy weekend in New England is most definitely in need of some sunshine, so we’re delivering it the best way we know how: with a fab introduction to Lynne Reznick Photography, a talented photog that knows a thing or two about capturing the pretty. Think drop-dead gorgeous images filled with those heartwarming moments you’ll want to cherish for always.  Take a look at her stunning work below…

From Lynne Reznick Photography… I chose the tagline “A fresh perspective for your classic love story” for my business because it truly embodies the way that I work and what I aim to capture for every couple I photograph. Each couple’s story is different and the detailed planning of every wedding story deserves to be honored. That said, some of my favorite images are the ones where the unplanned happened and it is was lovely, or adorable, or quietly full of emotion. By capturing the moments big and small, expected and unexpected, I seek to tell each couple’s unique love story as it unfolds and share in a whole lot of love and laughter along the way.

[dotted]

Welcome to the family, Lynne Reznick Photography!  We are so happy to have you! xo

This wedding is honestly overflowing with details that make me swoon, but you know what really made my stomach flip? The way this Groom embraced his Bride after they said I do. It gave me the best kind of chills, so can’t thank Jeremiah And Rachel Photography enough for capturing this beautiful day in a way that truly shook me at my core. See even more here. 

From The Bride…Drew and I got married in the small town of Brookfield, CT on a cool June summer day. After a week of storms, we were a concerned that we would have to go to plan B and arrange the indoor ceremony. The morning of June 14, 2014 the sun rose and the clouds cleared. It was 74 degrees and the humidity was non existent. The day began with the bride and her bridal party traveling to NYC Red Door Salon and Spa for hair and make up, while the groom had his groomsmen join him at the house where they sat out by the pool and relaxed. The day was simply amazing and we could not have asked for anything more. Beautiful weather, family, and fantastic music.

My advice: The day goes by so fast. I felt that the entire event was over in 30 minutes. One of our favorite moments was eating appetizers before dinner while my dress was being bustled. It was a quiet moment where Drew and I could just laugh and bask in the moment.

Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography | Wedding Dress: James Clifford | Bride's Shoes: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ralph Lauren | Groom's Suit: Nordstrom | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: The Fox Hill Inn | Music: The Red Hot Horns | Paper Goods: Minted

In the wonderful world of tulle, Alexandra Grecco reigns supreme.  Imagine chic + sassy tulle skirts in array of amazing colors and lengths that will instantly turn you into one seriously stunning fashionista. Perfect for that e-shoot, bridal shower, engagement party or just a leisurely Sunday out with your sweetie, Alexandra Grecco knows a thing or two about bringing the pretty.

Based in the USA’s hippest locale, Brooklyn, all of the Alexandra Grecco pieces are made in a small factory in NYC. Each gorgeous skirt is made with six layers of tulle, are fully lined and complete with a fab silk waistband.  And if you are looking to rock an Alexandra Grecco number for every party in your wedding lineup (we don’t blame you), you can mix things up with tops, heels, accessories and one of Alexandra Grecco’s many stunning colors. Think ivory, dusty blue, pale gray, champagne and black, sea foam and lavender.  The possibilities are endless, and guaranteed to wow your guests in every which way.

Vist Alexandra Grecco to choose that oh-so-chic skirt (or skirts!) and don’t forget to use code “StylePretty15” for 20% off, valid until April 10, 2015.

Alexandra Grecco is giving away a fabulous tulle skirt to one lucky SMP reader!

What: One tulle skirt in any size or color offered. (Value $188)

How: Simply leave a comment below telling us where you would rock your fabulous Alexandra Grecco skirt!

Who: One winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 3, 2015.  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

Here’s some news that will totally make your day: the Lihi Hod bridal line is coming to Gabriella New York!  Yes, that luxe collection of drop-dead gorgeous gowns will now be offered at your favorite bridal salon; the first on the East Coast to carry this stunning array of appliquéd lace, intricate beading, flowing necklines and barely there backs.  It’s a trunk show extravaganza, lovelies, and you can’t miss a moment.

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/WZSdosBGrGY 600 338]

Sophisticated and elegant with a crazy cool bohemian twist, the Lihi Hod bridal line offers made-to-measure gowns that are guaranteed to wow.  Think silky smooth fabrics, silhouettes that enhance your every curve and a glamorous aesthetic that is all about being comfortable AND stunning.  Pair all of that beauty with a bridal salon that is known for making your heart sing with their customer service and eye for pretty and it’s a serious win-win.

Don’t miss the Lihi Hod Trunk Show happening March 6-8th, 2015 to see how a Lihi Hod gown can seriously transform your wedding and to speak with Designer Lihi in person to help create your perfect bridal moment.  Contact Gabriella New York to book your appointment.

Here at SMP headquarters any wedding with Caroline Frost behind the lens brings happy bloggers all around. Especially when said wedding is an intimate waterside gathering adorned with sweet pink accents. From the hand-painted signs, to the rosemary olive oil favors, to the Bride’s timeless Caroline Castigliano gown, every detail in the gallery is sure to be a new favorite. More here!

From Caroline Frost Photography…This detail-filled wedding was almost entirely DIYed by the bride- I love what this couple did for their charming little waterside CT wedding and I know you will too!

From the beautiful Bride…We wanted our wedding day to be simple but fun. With only 50 guests, we really felt like we got to share the day with everyone. It was the second week of April and it ended up being 70 and sunny, (even though it snowed the next week). We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day for our waterfront wedding.

We both love preppy, nautical style, and our venue was right on Greenwich Harbor with fun nautical flags and yachts. We wanted everything to feel natural and timeless, so we decided on blush, gray, white, and earthy greens. I love DIY and crafts, and since it was such a small wedding I really wanted everything our guests interacted with to have a personal touch. We designed, printed, and cut our save the dates, invites, menus, and welcome tags. We also made chalkboards and hand-painted signs, and made rosemary olive oil for our favors. We also worked with our venue to create signature cocktails that fit each of our personalities.

We met with a lot of vendors and ended up going with the people that we knew understood our vision, and who we’d want to spend this very important day with. Everyone went above and beyond and made the day so easy for us, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

My favorite moment of the day was actually before the wedding even happened. Scott and I woke up as the sun rise to sneak off and have breakfast together before the chaos hit. It was so nice to have that time together and remember that this day was about us.

Our wedding was so special to us not only because we got married, but because we packed up our life and moved to the south right when we got back from our honeymoon. It felt like we got this amazing goodbye party to see everyone we love together in one place before we left.

Photography: Caroline Frost Photography | Videographer: Branden Poe | Wedding Dress: Sell my weddding dress | Shoes: Kate Spade | Makeup: NYC Faces | Hair: Styles On B | DJ: Kaos Productions | Officiant: Rev. Louis Olivieri | Hotel: Delamar Hotel | Cake & Treats: Cake Suite | Ceremony Musicians: Premier Strings | Menus, Favors, Signs & Welcome Boxes: Bride | Photobooth: Kaos Productions

So we all know that Lovely Bride is awesome in every sense of the word; that goes without saying.  But pair that awesomeness with the romance and whimsy of the new Ivy & Aster line and the results are four days devoted to all things pretty with an Ivy & Aster showcase at both Lovely New York and Lovely Philly. It’s gorgeous gowns meets top-notch service and it all equals a can’t miss event you have to see to believe.

Known for their love of chiffon flowers, beautiful ruffles and velvety swiss dots, every last gown in the new Ivy & Aster lineup is one part sweet and one part sassy, a total twist on traditional wedding attire that we can never get enough of.  Think modern, refined silhouettes, delicate lace, luxurious silk fabrics and sweeter than sweet designs that will wow you with their crazy gorgeousness.  Just the way you want to look, and feel, on your wedding day.

The Ivy & Aster showcase event is happening this spring at both Lovely New York (March 20th-22nd) and Lovely Philly (April 10th-12th), so start making your plans now to find the dress of your dreams in their new (+ amazing) lineup.  And, bonus!  If you happen to be making the trip to sunny California, you can check out all of the pretty at Lovely Los Angeles on March 6th-8th.  Click here to book your appointments today.

In the world of gorgeous inspiration, this stunning preppy shoot reigns supreme.  It’s colorful, designed to perfection by True Event and features one of the most amazing hand-painted gowns ever from Kate McDonald Bridal.  Add in lush florals from Hana Floral Design, pretty paper goods from Tie That Binds, makeup by Jennie Fresa and the styling expertise of Beth Chapman and this, loves, is the best thing you’ll see all week.  See it all captured by Kat Harris in the full gallery.    

From Kat Harris… Fall on the East Coast is something absolutely spectacular.

What I love about an East Coast bride is her commitment to timeless elegance. She falls in love with classic silhouettes, and isn’t afraid to go bold with her accessories. Kate McDonald, of Lula Kate, hand painted our brides floral gown specifically for this shoot.

The wonderful thing about staying classy with silhouettes is it is easy to layer. We have classic A-line Lula Kate bridesmaids dresses, and it’s easy to throw on a cardigan or pashmina when it gets chilly.

Brides on the East Coast are fun, carefree, and offer that effortless chic that ladies all over hope for when designing + getting ready for their big day!

Photography: Kat Harris Photography | Design: TRUE Event | Wedding Gown: Kate McDonald Bridal | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids: Lula Kate | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Hair: Emily Reale | Venue: Inn At Stonington | Bracelet + Necklaces: Aquinnah Jewelry | Cardigans: J.Crew | Clutch: Madame Mathilde | Earrings: Haute Bride | Florists: Hana Floral Design | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper: Tie That Binds | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Stylist: The White Dress by the shore | Welcome Bags: Sea Bags