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Cranberry + Copper Winter Wedding Inspiration – Cute Pup Included!

Considering a winter wedding? Look no further than the scene before us, created by one talented team including Amy Champagne Events, Coral Pheasant, the style savvy White Dress By The Shore and one perfect pup. Charlotte Jenks Lewis captured all the beauty, infused with copper, our new go-to metallic, and cranberry, creating the most warm, inviting atmosphere you could imagine. Will Talamelli Films got in on the live action and with their clip and the Vault, we 100% approve – more this way!

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From Charlotte Jenks Lewis… There’s nothing like balancing the cool tones of winter with the rich warmth of cranberry and copper. In this inspiration shoot, realized through a collaboration by Amy Champagne Events, Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore, and Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography, we show how these intense tones warm-up an icy backdrop.
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Peruse more winter wedding inspiration here!

Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography | Videography: Will Talamelli Films | Event Styling + Design: Amy Champagne Events | Floral Design: Carrie Wilcox Floral Design | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Groom's Suit: Valentino Tailors | Venue: Ski Lodge, Mount Southington | Bride's Earrings: Maria Elena | Bridesmaid's Belt: Moyna | Bridesmaid's Earrings: Haute Bride | Cake + Desserts: Erica OBrien Cake Design | Cashmere Sweater + Lace Skirt: Ivy And Aster | Envelope Calligraphy: Ink Revival | Event Styling + Coordination: Amy Champagne Events | Fashion Styling: The White Dress by the shore | Female Models : The Beauty Within Agency | Fur + Muff: The White Dress by the shore | Hair + Make-up: Simply Gorgeous By Erin | Headpieces: Heart Of Gold Designs | Invitations + Escort Cards: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design | Male Model: Ryan Kristafer | Mule Bar Signage: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design | Sweater Dress: Ivy And Aster | Table, Pergola + Leather Drum Chandeliers: Ryan Designs | White Birch Table Runner: Etsy

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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One Wedding. Twenty Children. And One Killer Shirley Temple Bar.

SMPers, consider your day officially made because we’re about to begin a day-long party with Judy Pak. She’s the photographer behind some of the most incredible weddings to hit our pages, and today she’s sharing three “I dos” set across the country. First up? The quaintest New England wedding you ever did see with 20 (yes 20!) darling flower girls and ring bearers. It’s all the reasons we love fall with a nautical, seaside twist and an awesome crew including Hana Floral DesignDaly Planning, and Ripcord who made it happen. Hop to The Vault, and sit tight for more Judy Pak up next.

From The Bride…My husband and I met while working as lawyers in Washington, D.C. We quickly hit it off based on our shared love of music, history, and traveling, and came to discover, strangely enough, that we grew up in neighboring towns along the shoreline in southern New England. We also realized that we crossed paths multiple times in our old stomping grounds. 

The Connecticut and Rhode Island shoreline mean so much to both of us. It shaped the people we grew up to be, and in many ways defines who we are as a couple. As a result, when planning our wedding over the course of our year and a half engagement, we strove to craft a wedding weekend that highlighted the area, and was simultaneously a true reflection of us as a couple. We centered our wedding festivities around Little Narragansett Bay – the small body of water that is at the mouth of the Pawcatuck River, which forms the state line between Connecticut and Rhode Island. Positioned on either side of the Bay are the quaint seaside towns of Watch Hill, RI and Stonington, CT. We held our ceremony at beautiful seaside Watch Hill Chapel in homage to my husband’s Rhode Island roots and our reception just across the bay at Saltwater Farm Vineyard, a converted WWII-era airport hanger, near my own home town. Both venues are on either side of Little Narragansett Bay, and in fact, you can even see the top of the chapel from the balcony of the vineyard.

Our theme was seaside coastal elegance – a “wedding by the sea.” We worked with our amazing vendors to bring our vision to life, and to incorporate local, coastal, and seasonal elements. Ladyfingers Letterpress did an amazing job with their personalized invitation suite, which included hand drawn maps and illustrations of the area. They perfectly captured our theme, and laid the groundwork for the esthetic of our wedding.

We held our rehearsal dinner at The Cooked Goose, a warm and cozy restaurant that has long been one of our favorite brunch locations. It was a perfect space to make a large wedding party feel like an intimate family gathering, and the restaurant did an excellent job of crafting a menu that complemented our coastal theme.

We had a Catholic ceremony at the Watch Hill Chapel. The Judge I worked for, who is also a deacon, officiated, with the assistance of Rich’s father, who is an Episcopalian priest. My two cousins (one of whom is my godson) served as altar boys. The ceremony was unbelievably personal because were were surrounded by our families and loved ones, and all of them participated in the consecration of our marriage. We also had 20 children in our wedding, 8 bridesmaids, 7 groomsmen, and 3 ushers. Thanks to our phenomenal wedding coordinator, Daly Sanford of Daly Planning, all the children made it down the aisle flawlessly – even the 3 one year olds who were pulled in a wagon down the aisle.

My dress was a Monique Lhuillier “Azure”, which I fell in love with for being simultaneously timeless and modern. It was soft, romantic, and most importantly, fun to dance in! My bridesmaids wore champagne floor-length Monique Lhuillier bridesmaids dresses of different styles — some included touches of lace. We put our nine flower girls (ranging in age from 12 months to 10 years) in tulle ethereal long sleeve dresses from Nellystella. The flower girls wore baby’s breath flower wreath crowns — they looked like little pixies! Sam Slocum and her team did an amazing job with all of our hair and Shauntelle from Larissa Lake Makeup was incredible in doing everyone’s makeup,

Our groomsmen wore single breasted, peak lapel black tuxedos from The Black Tux — a traditional look with a modern cut. The eight junior ushers also wore black tuxes (mini-James Bonds!), and the three smallest ring bearers wore knee length pants with suspenders and bow ties, with knee socks. Rich is in the Navy and he wore is uniform–we also had a sword arch filled with our dear friends and family in the military.

We worked with our caterer, Thyme to Cook, to incorporate local and seasonal cuisine. We were even able to include produce from local farms where I grew up picking strawberries and getting our christmas tree each year, LoPresti Farm and Maple Lane Farm in Preston, Connecticut. We included locally caught seafood as well—including local bomster scallops and New England Clam Chowder. My favorite element during cocktail hour was our own Butternut Squash station, which included three unique takes on our favorite fall vegetable: Butternut and Apple soup shots, Butternut Squash Arancini, and Buttnerut Squash, Ricotta, and Sage Crostini. We served our main course family style to capture a fall harvest feel–this allowed everyone to try a bit of everything!

Our cocktail hour featured a tasting of Salt Water Farm’s fantastic selection of wines. Thyme to Cook also prepared three specialty cocktails, one named after our cat Emma (a traditional old fashioned), another after my father, the Jim n’ Tonic, (a cranberry gin and tonic), and the third after my husband’s family, the Captain Morgan, (hot apple cider with rum and a cinnamon stick). We even had a special Shirley Temple Bar for the 25 kids in attendance! We topped the evening off with hot apple cider and apple cider donuts from American’s oldest cider mill — the legendary B.F. Clyde’s in Old Mystic, CT.

Paper Tangent created all the signage for the wedding, and did a fantastic job incorporating our palette and bringing everything together. Our favorite was their cocktail sign–which featured a portrait of our cat!

Our biggest challenge was finding a photographer that could capture the feel and look we were going for. We struck gold when we found Judy Pak Photography. Her photography is soft, romantic, and timeless–we knew she would be able to highlight the beauty of the shoreline in a way that we would treasure forever. Her photos were nicely complemented by the work of our videographer, Dean Rocha, who perfectly captured the joy and beauty of our big day. Both Judy and Dean were a delight to work with!

Rich went to college for music composition, and I grew up playing piano, so we knew music would play important part of our day. Ripcord performed for our ceremony (trumpet and piano), our cocktail hour, and our reception. They even learned a song that Rich had written for me for the wedding! Ripcord was exceptional, and had all of the guests dancing all night — especially the kids.

We held our wedding in October and wanted to highlight fall by the sea without defaulting to the typical orange color scheme. Instead, with the help of Yumiko Fletcher of Hana Floral Design, we were able to craft a pallette that was seasonal and autumnal, but also soft and romantic. Our wedding colors included champagne, mauve, blush, with pops of deep wine, gold, and copper elements. We included lots of greenery in our flower arrangements, and garland on the long tables. She executed my vision flawlessly — and is a true artist and a pleasure work with.

We wanted to include a few small, personal details to tie together our theme and venue. Our tables were named for locations along the Connecticut and Rhode Island shore that held special meaning to the two of us growing up. We spray panted small white pumpkins with gold paint to create a varied ombre look and used them for escort cards. Michele Clark of Staten Island, NY did all the calligraphy for our wedding — and did an amazing job. Instead of using a traditional guest book, we had our guests sign a wine barrel, which we are using as a cocktail table in our new home. Finally, our favors were small jars of honey produced from my mother’s beehives.

The most important thing for us was to have a warm, fun wedding full of joy and surrounded by all the people we love. I can’t describe the magical feeling that overcame me during the ceremony, enveloped by the love of my family and friends, when walking down the aisle. Our wedding is something Rich and I will cherish for all of our days — and we could not have dreamed of a better day. It is true that the day goes by so quickly. However, thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the day special, we will have memories to last a lifetime.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Dean Rocha Films | Coordination: Daly Planning | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: The Plumed Serpent Bridal Salon | Cake: Lynn Palmer Cakes | Stationery: Ladyfingers Letterpress | Ceremony Venue: Watch Hill Chapel | Reception Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: The Plumed Serpent Bridal Salon | Catering: A Thyme to Cook, Inc. | Makeup: Larissa Lake | Calligraphy: Calligraphy By Michele | Lighting: Ryan Designs | Band: Ripcord | Groom's Attire: Turnbull And Asser | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Bridal Boutique: The Plumed Serpent Bridal Salon | Flower Girl Dresses: Nellystella | Flower Girl Shoes: Baby Souls | Penants: The Ritzy Rose | Programs: Luxe And Fresh | Signage: Paper Tangent | Veil: Monique Lhuillier

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Rustic + Romantic Connecticut Vineyard Wedding

Every element of this summer celebration shines on its own but put it all together, and well, pop on those sunglasses on my friends because this bash is bright! Eddie Winter from Readyluck captured all the brilliance True Event created, all the beauty by Hana Floral Design and Jennie Fresa’s hair and makeup magic, and all the tasty treats from Gourmet Galley – see these and more in our VAULT right this way!

From the Bride… Eric and I had the perfect summer Connecticut wedding. We were engaged for over two years, so had plenty of time to plan. Saltwater Farm Vineyard was the only venue we toured and we immediately knew it was the perfect casual but elegant setting for our special day. Living in California, my amazing mother and our wedding planner Sarah True from True Event handled many of the smaller details.

Our ceremony was performed between the vines by my middle school headmaster, Doug Lyons. My Maid of Honor sang “When you wish upon a star” before Eric and I recited our own vows to one another. The personal details of the ceremony were truly special. Cocktail hour on the patio was followed by dinner and dancing in the restored airplane hanger. We had spectacular New England summer weather and it was the day after the blue moon. Our wedding day could not have been any more perfect!

Vault CTA

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Find more New England nuptials here!

Photography: Readyluck | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Allegria Bridal | Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Lighting: Power Posse Productions | Band: Murray Hill Talent | Venue: Saltwater Farms Vineyard | Event Design + Coordination: TRUE Event | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Save The Dates: Minted

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Preppy Wedding Inspiration

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

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Saltwater Farm Vineyard Wedding

You know what I love?  When a bride and groom want their wedding to be one fantastic party; a party that is chock-full of yummy food, great wine and fun-filled celebrations with their closest friends and family.  This, my friends, is just that wedding… a crazy gorgeous day filled with all of the aforementioned, set against one seriously stunning Saltwater Farm Vineyard setting.  See it all captured by Justine Yandle in the full gallery.

From the Bride… From the start of our engagement all the way up until the night before the wedding – we knew we just wanted to have a really fantastic party. Great venue, great food, great cocktails, and great company to share it all with. One thing we wanted to make sure of was that the day was really personal and a reflection of us. Since our first vacation together four years prior (and still one of our favorites) was to Napa Valley, we knew we’d really love to get married at a vineyard. After stumbling upon Saltwater Farm Vineyard by accident, seeing the amazing space they had created out of an old aircraft hanger, with one of the most amazing views of the Connecticut Shore – we knew this was the spot.

September can still be pretty warm in southern New England, so we decided against jackets for Ken’s extremely large wedding crew. Picking a printed bridesmaids’ dress was a risky choice, but after seeing their dresses online and in the perfect neutral tones with a pop of peach and mint green, I knew I couldn’t say no. Ken and I also have two dogs, who we treat like children, that simply had to be part of our big day (complete with homemade dog leashes and bows). I had wanted a keyhole back dress from the start, and with some minor adjustments, I was able to find exactly what I was looking for in my Maggie Sotterro dress. And having worked in the athletic footwear/apparel material design industry for the past 10 years, it was also a MUST that I represented my current employer on my feet!

As for décor – my fiancé and I, as well as quite a few members of our wedding party and family, are all quite handy and knew DIY would be a big part of our day. With a location as beautiful as Saltwater Farm, there isn’t a lot that needs to be done! Having a graphics background certainly paid off in terms of creating such a large part of our wedding, from the invitations to the table numbers to the menus and thank you cards. My maid of honor, who is a master at antiquing, was able to find vintage lanterns at flea markets up and down the east coast, which proved to be absolutely amazing with a little bit (well, a lot…) of sanding and an array of gray spray paints. My mother is an amazing baker (and an even more amazing cupcake decorator), and a very good friend of ours simply has a knack for floral design. And finally, all the woodworking tools my fiancé and I purchased over our years together finally went to good use in making all the chalkboards, signage, birch accent pieces, as well as our amazing guestbook – three chalkboard wine bottle cut outs mounted on barnwood (yes, actually pulled off the walls from my MOH’s barn…) signed by all our guests, and now hanging on our living room walls to remind us every day of what an amazing time we had on Sept 7th.

Photography: Justine Yandle Photography | Catering: Coastal Gourmet | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Venue: Saltwater Farms Vineyard | Kennel: Tipping Rock

Elihu Island Wedding

It’s not often I get to feature a wedding on SMP where I was actually a guest, but when it happens, I can barely contain my excitement. Mostly when it was a wedding like this. One where I  literally walked around with my mouth open in awe from the ceremony to the last dance because Lindsay, the Bride (and talent behind Woma Design), had picture perfect details tucked in every corner. She teamed up with some of my favorite vendors (Stoneblossom Floral and Event DesignRuffles and Tweed and Sperry Tents to name a few), and created a day dreams are made of (for guests and Brides alike). It’s all made even better because the lovely Erin McGinn was on hand to capture every fabulous moment, and you can see it all right here. Congrats Lindsay and Matt! xoxo

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From Erin McGinn…Elihu Island, just off the coast of Stonington, CT, is one of the most special places I can imagine for a wedding. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but with its multiple accommodation options, guests get to stay together, mingle, and bond before the big day. Bride Lindsay’s background in floral design and graphic design came together perfectly to create an air of elegance with a fresh farm feel for this early fall wedding. Also notable, Lindsay chose a color palette based around the farm and the farm houses on property, allowing for an organic feel to the design where nothing felt out of place. It was a spectacular event to be a part of, made even more amazing by Lindsay and Matt, two of the nicest and sincerest people I’ve met and whose love is truly tangible.

From the Bride, Lindsay…Most of the summers of my life have been spent boating around the waters of Little Narragansett Bay. Growing up on the water shaped my life, and is something that Matt and I immediately bonded over when we first met. When it came time to choose a venue to gather friends and family for such an important day, one of the first things that came to mind was wanting to include the ocean. Elihu Island is right around the river bend from where I grew up, has a unique, laid back charm, and is a place that we could show our out of town guests why we love the area so much. It just felt like the perfect fit!

Working within the wedding industry, you’d think that I would have dreamed up my fantasy wedding long ago…so not the case! I didn’t really have a plan, so I put all my faith into my favorite vendor clients, who have really made this day so special with their extra touches. We are blessed to have such talented friends who have made us feel so loved on this special day.

Photography: Erin McGinn | Event Planning: Adrienne O'Connor of Ruffles and Tweed | Floral Design: Stoneblossom | Wedding Dress: Andria Bird Bride | Cake: Mystic Market | Catering: B&M Clambake Co. | Hair and Makeup: Natural Creations | Transportation: First Student | Tent: Sperry Tents | Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Dress Designer: Nicole Miller | Generator/Sound: Power Possee | Invitations and Paper Design: Woma Design | Music: The Honky Tonk Knights | Raw Bar: Behan Family Farms | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Tent Decor: Exquisite Events | Video: Tyler Ray

Saltwater Farm Vineyard Wedding from Eric Brushett Photography

This wedding had me at three words: Saltwater Farm Vineyard, aka, the pretty little Connecticut locale perfect for celebrating some downright awesome nuptials.  Because this is a place where gorgeous outdoor ceremonies play hand in hand with amazing receptions literally overflowing with lovely, and today’s shining example is this beautiful gem of a day captured by Eric Brushett Photography.  It’s natural + glamorous stylings meets all kinds of happy and you can see it all right here in the full gallery.

From Eric Brushett Photography… Jenn and George got married at the incredible Saltwater Water Farm Vineyard in Stonington, CT. It was a hot, sunny, and beautiful day for a wedding. The day started in the vineyard’s bridal suite that overlooks the entirety of the property. From there we went down into the vineyard for the ceremony, and then moved into the old airplane hanger turned wedding venue.

Jenn and George’s love for each other really came out during two very emotional speeches before the dinner service, and carried all the way through the rest of the night.

My favorite moment of the day was when I caught Jenn and George dancing with each other off to the side of the wedding in front of a wall of wine bottles. I clicked on a long lens and snapped three photos before I left them alone to enjoy each other. It was a truly candid moment, and I was honored to be able to photograph it.

Photography: Eric Brushett Photography | Catering: Coastal Gourmet | Wedding Venue: Saltwater Farms Vineyard

Stonington, Connecticut Real Wedding

When it comes right down to it, there’s little I love more than a fun pop of color. And when that punchy little hue happens to be yellow layered atop a gray and ivory color scheme, you know the wedding will be something special. And let’s face it. With such a killer color combo, design by TRUE Event and blooms from Hana Floral, this wedding was bound to be nothing less than fabulous. Let Maggie Conley’s photos inspire the start of your Wedding Wednesday and see even more right over here.

From the Bride…On August 17, 2012 my dream wedding came to life! With a unique and gorgeous setting, an amazing team of professionals, and the perfect man everything came together to make a magical wedding day. I knew right from the start that I did not want to be married in a wedding hall or country club. Since we were not going to be married in a church, I looked for a setting where we could say our vows in nature…I wanted something rustic and romantic- someplace truly “us.” Saltwater Farm Vineyard was that place! We were married right in between the vines, had a lively cocktail hour on the patio overlooking the vineyard and partied into the night inside the transformed wooden airplane hanger. Perfection! I knew the key to having a stress-free day was assembling the perfect team of vendors and wedding professionals, the type of people I would want as friends in my everyday life! My dream team included event planner Sarah True, photogropher, Maggie Conley, florist Yumiko from Hana Floral Design, caterers Gourmet Galley and DJ Doug from Power Posee to name a few! Each and every one of these people was kind, calm, professional and so very talented! I also hoped that my obsession and attention to detail would make our wedding something really special and I believe we pulled it off without a hitch! Everyone commented on how personal, warm and unique our day was. Many even said it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been to! With a gray and yellow color scheme, a lot of vintage lacey details, homemade elements, framed photos of loved ones, etc. we were able to create our ideal atmosphere!

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Wedding Photography: Maggie Conley | Wedding Design + Coordinaton: TRUE Event | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard | Paper: Paper Moss | Catering: Gourmet Galley | Cup Cakes: J. Cakes  | Lighting: Power Posse Productions | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited + La Tavola + Sassafrass Vintage Rentals | Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: TinMan Music | Reception Music: DJ Doug from Power Posse Productions | Makeup: Essie Cohen, Xpressive Faces | Hair: Brittany Digiacomo

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Connecticut Wedding at Saltwater Farm Vineyard from Crista Acosta

No question about it, this wedding is gorgeous.  From the breathtaking vineyard setting to the beautiful blooms by Branford Flower Shop to the bride’s dazzling Lazaro gown, every last moment captured by Crista Acosta just screams pretty.  And it’s amazing.  But, if I had to (HAD to) narrow down a favorite detail, it would most definitely be the replica Green Monster seating chart these two cuties lovingly DIYed as an ode to their first Red Sox date.  It’s a sweet dash of personality that I happen to l.o.v.e and you can see it all (and more!) in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Justin and I met in college and by our senior year made it “official”. Five and a half years into our relationship Justin surprised me by proposing with a scrapbook he made of some of our favorite memories throughout our relationship. We decided on a long engagement of just under two years to enjoy being engaged (and to save up some money)!

Even though we had a long engagement we did get started looking at venues right away. When we pulled up to Saltwater Farm Vineyard we breathed a sigh of relief, we both knew this was where we wanted to start our married life together. We also loved the idea that after the wedding we could visit the vineyard any time we wanted to relive our special day. 

We thought the best way to do that was by incorporating a mix of our favorite things through personal details. Justin spraypainted recycled wine bottles in a chalkboard spray paint to use as the table numbers and decoration throughout the Vineyard. We worked with a local florist to create simple yet beautiful centerpieces in galvanized buckets and milk glass vases. My mom and sisters came over almost every weekend the months leading up to the wedding to help with the fun details. We made the “Mimosa Bar” sign for the bridal suite, champagne glasses with each bridesmaids initials, the tank tops we wore while getting ready and the “Love is sweet” sign we hung above the dessert table. Justin’s mom made the wooden signs with some of our favorite love and wedding related quotes. Justin has always been more creative then he likes to admit, so when I came to him struggling with how to display our seating chart at the wedding he came up with the idea to replicate the Green Monster to show the actual score from the first Red Sox game we went to together. We are huge Red Sox fans and even had our engagements pictures done around Fenway so I loved the idea I just wasn’t sure if we’d have time to do it. Justin took on the task all himself and created an awesome replica equipped with our “starting lineup” which listed each guest like a player on the baseball roster. To make our ceremony extra special and romantic we had a guy singing on the guitar “Marry You” by Bruno Mars when we walked down the aisle and we wrote our own vows, which had us all in tears!

Looking back I can say the day was everything we were hoping it would be, the food was great, the drinks were flowing, the guests were dancing and the details were worth all of the hard work we put into them. More then anything else I married the love of my life and at the end of the day it was all I could have asked for.

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Wedding Photography: Crista Acosta | Wedding Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard in  Stonington, Connecticut | Wedding Cinematography: Jim Altieri from Vintage Cinema | Floral Design: Branford Flower Shop | Caterer: Blackstone Caterer | Invitations: Minted | Furniture Rental: Ryan Designs | Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Madeline’s Daughter | Shoes: DSW

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Elihu Island Wedding from Carla Ten Eyck Photography

Julie Morawski of Carla Ten Eyck Photography emailed me to let me know she had the, hands down, most amazing wedding for me. And then she sent me this. It’s perfection in every sweet vintage detail, and I’m inclined to agree with Julie, especially after spotting the amazing floral design from Sayles Livingston Flowers. It’s goosebumps wrapped up in happy grins, and the gallery? Forget about it. Amazing.

From Julie Morawski of Carla Ten Eyck PhotographyHave you ever been a part of something that makes you so happy, you feel like you could spontaneously combust? I guess that’s a bit dramatic but really, {love}fest was a dream come true. Leah and Jeff are just darling. I met Leah about a year ago at a coffee shop, and the moment that we started talking, it was decided that we were soul sisters. I knew that her wedding would be something very special.

Jazz, Ryan, and I arrived at Elihu Ssland bright-eyed for Leah and Jeff’s big day and we were met with pure beauty. Everything. was. beautiful. The amount of joy packed onto this little island was overwhelming. I still smile just thinking about it.

Mr. and Mrs. Love, congratulations again. I wish you two a lifetime of {love}, happiness, and adventure.

Photography: Julie Morawski, Jasmine Balgobin, and Ryan Lamb for Carla Ten Eyck Photography / Event Planner: Ruffles & Tweed / Florist: Sayles Livingston Flowers / Band: Livewire Entertainment / Photobooth: Photobooth Planet / Caterer: B&M Catering Company / Tent: Sperry Tents / Bride’s Dress: La Fleur by Anne Barge

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Connecticut Wedding at Saltwater Farm Vineyard by Justin & Mary

If drop dead gorgeous florals, pretty navy blue bridesmaids dresses, and beautiful vineyard settings are your cup of tea, then your in for an amazing treat this morning! You can’t even tell from the amazing images from Justin & Mary that this couple said their I Do’s just hours before Hurricane Irene hit the Connecticut coast. These two, along with their wedding party and guests are cool as cucumbers. And lucky for them, the storm held off until after their out of this world pretty outdoor ceremony! Click here for all the rest!

From Justin & MaryAnnie and Uri were married the weekend Hurricane Irene hit the Connecticut coastline. The week leading up to the wedding, Annie and Uri were planning hurricane back-up plans. The tent they had booked was definitely out. But to hold the ceremony outside or in? The day came, with Irene quickly approaching, and Annie made the call to hold the ceremony outside anyway. And the hurricane held off for a few more hours. 

Wedding Photography: Justin & Mary / Wedding Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington, Connecticut / Floral Design: Hana Floral Design / DJ: Power Posse Productions / Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering / Wedding Cake: Felicia’s Sweetface Pastry Shoppe / Wedding Dress: The White Dress by the Shore / Makeup + Hair: Jennie Fresa — Makeup and Skincare Boutiquerie

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Elihu Island Wedding by Anna Sawin Photography + Ruffles and Tweed

This wedding reminds of the oh-so-many reasons why I love New England. I’m totally transfixed by this wedding’s natural and rustic beauty captured to perfection by Anna Sawin Photography and designed beautifully by Ruffles & Tweed. The pretty plum hues and Ikat pillows totally had me at hello as did the simple and sweet programs, the amazing invites, (did you see those envelope liners?!) and the myraid of textures throughout the design…I could go on and on, but I’m sure you really just want to see the entire day unfold right here in the gallery, and frankly, I don’t blame you!

And be sure to check out the amazing video from Buzz Media Company:

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I don’t know how Tim and I got so lucky to stumble upon Elihu Island, but the second we did, we knew it was the place. There is a magic and energy and a natural, wild beauty to the Island that makes it unlike anywhere else. It was also perfectly suited what we wanted our wedding to be: relaxed and rustic but still elegant, full of warmth and personal touches, and truly reflective of both Tim and me. Luckily for us, the island brought with it a bonus: Adrienne O’Connor of Ruffles & Tweed, and Lucinda Wesson of Chocolate Creative Design. They are both brilliantly creative, know the island inside and out, and were experts at helping to translate the vague adjectives we kept repeating (“Indian summer” and “breezy” were two of my go-to’s!) into a tangible vision. They also steered us toward our all-star vendors: Hana Floral Design, Gourmet Galley Catering and Anna Sawin, photographer extraordinaire, who is not only masterful with her camera but brought a special warmth and calm to a sometimes crazy experience. Before the wedding, working with Lucinda on our paper really helped get things off the ground. Her creativity is in a league of its own, she has exceptional taste, and without fail produces unique, custom creations that totally eclipse your expectations. Lucinda and Adrienne had me post images on Tumblr—of everything from pillows to jewelry, dresses to fonts and invitations—to get a sense of what kind of aesthetic I was after. It was through this process that we nailed down ikat prints as a theme that carried through the whole event. I really think the save-the-dates not only helped set the tone for the wedding, but it was the first real visual I had to connect to and build off of.

All of my favorite aspects of the wedding were tiny details. There were moments where I worried that I was too caught up in the details, but those touches were all the things that I loved the most. A few examples: On a whim, Lucinda sprinkled lavender from her garden into the envelopes with our invitations; our flower girls carried their flowers in adorable vintage pails; we had a Pickle Bar!; hand-painted wooden signs pointed people to Beers on the Beach, Dinner & Dancing, etc.; for our escort cards I made Polaroids of each guest, mostly with Tim or I from throughout the years, which Adrienne brilliantly thought to hang on clothesline wrapped around a giant tree; we wrote little bios of each member of the wedding party for the program; and for favors, we included a pouch of saffron along with a card featuring a paella recipe from my grandma and a drawing by my grandpa. There was a lot of thought and love put into all those little details, and they still make me happy to think about.

Lastly, the truck! There’s a vintage pick-up truck on the island that I had hoped to use somehow, and a month or so before the wedding we found out that we could, although Adrienne told me that exactly how would be a surprise. Sure enough, she and Lucinda created a free-standing little world of Anthropologie up there — with lighting and ikat pillows, a rug, bright parasols, beers on ice, you name it. And we had wooden steps built so people could climb up. It had tons of antique-y charm and was totally extraordinary. The best part was that people actually used it! They took pictures up there, smoked cigars — it was hopping all night. At the end of the day, I could not have been happier to see all the little details and ideas come to life, and the best part was sharing it with the people we love the most in the world. It was everything we could have hoped for, with a little Elihu magic sprinkled in. 

Wedding Photography: Anna Sawin + Nicki Pardo for Anna Sawin Photography / Wedding Venue: Elihu Island, A Private Island Off the Coast of Stonington, Connecticut / Floral Design: Hana Floral Design / Event Design: Chocolate Creative Design + Ruffles & Tweed / Event Planning, Ikat Pillows + Table Toppers: Ruffles & Tweed / Wedding Invitations, Map, Programs, Cupcake Tags + Favor Bags: Chocolate Creative Design / Wedding Cinematography: Buzz Media Company / Catering + Cupcakes: Gourmet Galley / Band: New York City Swing / Tent: Sperry Tents / Wedding Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair: W Salon / Makeup: Jennie Fresa

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Modern Vineyard Wedding

To say Sarah of TRUE Event is as sweet as they come would be the understatement of the year. To say that she is be-YOND talented would be the understatement of the century. So when she teams up with the likes of Hana Floral Design, Paper Moss, Jennie Fresa and Anna Sawin Photography – well, we enter a level of talent that cannot be measured. It’s just can’t. You only need one little peek at this modern vineyard masterpiece to grasp all design genius, but believe me when I say you’ll want to take more than a peek at all the amazing details in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And just when you thought it can’t get any better, here is this darling couple’s must-see wedding film by Buzz Media Company

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From the Bride…Marcos and I met in 2004 when we were both undergrads at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. So six years later after Marcos proposed in Oahu, Hawaii and the wedding-venue hunt was on, it was a no-brainer that we’d wed in the home state of our alma mater. Or at least that was our original plan. We looked at venues in Providence, Watch Hill and everywhere in between. However, during our search for the perfect spot to tie the knot we got completely sidetracked and stumbled upon Saltwater Farm Vineyard, a gorgeous restored and revamped World War II era airplane hangar in Stonington, Connecticut. I majored in architectural studies at Brown and worked at ELLE DECOR magazine so naturally I fell in love with the unique design and beautiful setting. The structure’s exterior is modern and sleek, its interior is warm and open—the perfect blank canvas—and the entire structure oozes history. But those things aren’t necessarily what grabbed me. The fact that the colleague of one of my all-time favorite architects, Walter Gropius, designed the structure was the selling point. The one caveat: September 3, 2011, Labor Day weekend, was the only date available for months, and months, and months. We could either take it and start planning immediately or leave it and wait until late 2012. The holiday date was no deterrent for us; instead, was saw it as an opportunity to spend a long weekend with the people we love most.

From the moment we happened upon the vineyard with only one available date in 2011 we just knew everything else would fall into place. Before we left the venue on that summer day in 2010, Marcos and I were already settled on a palette of yellow and gray with pops of black, white, Lucite, and sparkle to play off the modern aspects of the sleek, silver structure. The trick would be finding the resources in the area to help up accomplish our vision. And the second I walked into Sarah True’s office—floors sheathed in a black-and-white zebra area rug, surfaces punctuated with pops of yellow—I knew she was our lady. We bonded over our shared love of yellow, our obsession with Philippe Starck Ghost chairs, and the importance of making family and friends feel as loved as possible on our wedding day.

Sarah encouraged me to happily obsess over every last wedding detail. From the bridesmaid’s handmade necklaces and custom yellow-and-gray clutches to the groomsmen’s coordinating ties and vintage typewriter-key cufflinks, every element was carefully and caringly curated… down to our entire team of amazingly talented vendors. Without them, Marcos and my wedding day wouldn’t have tasted so delicious, sounded so beautiful, looked so pulled together, and been captured so stunningly in photos and video.

From Sarah of TRUE EventWe fell head over heels in love with Stephanie and Marcos’ wedding from the beginning. Taking place at one of our favorite venues, Saltwater Farm Vineyard in the historic town of Stonington, Connecticut, Stephanie and Marcos’ modern, chic affair was a such a joy to be a part of. With the ceremony set in front of the vineyards and the vintage World War II hanger behind them, the location was ideal for an early September wedding. They wanted to play with a pretty color palette of yellow, gray, black and white and throw in fun details such as chevron and polka dot patterns. Hello, gorgeous! Soft gray linens mixed with lucite chairs for the cocktail reception while beautiful buttery yellow linens were brought in for the reception, adding such a graceful pop of color to the room. From Washi tape used to hang escort cards to chevron baskets for the flip flops to the signature cocktails, served with orange and gray striped straws, vibrant colors and patterns were used in every last detail. Fun, whimsical features, such as a photo booth complete with props and a candy bar for favors, were a hit with all the guests. The pops of color continued with Stephanie’s bridesmaids, who wore the cutest yellow heels with their darling gray dresses. The lovely bride joined them later on in the night, sporting a short white dress and sassy yellow heels. A gal after our own hearts! Stephanie and Marcos looked absolutely stunning as they celebrated such a joyous night with friends and family.

Wedding Photography: Anna Sawin Photography and Nicki Pardo / Wedding Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington, Connecticut / Event Design + Planning: Sarah True of TRUE Event / Floral Design: Hana Floral Design / Cinematography: Buzz Media Company / Wedding Invitations + Paper: Paper Moss / Calligraphy: Mara Zepeda of Neither Snow / Justice of the Peace: Marie Tyler Wiley / Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Felicia’s SweetFace Pastry Shoppe (860-464-0311) / Custom-Made Cake Stand: Iacoli & McAllister / Macarons: Bisous, Ciao. / Brazilian Brigadeiro Desserts: Brigadeiro Bakery / Photo Booth: Photobooth Planet / Photo Booth Props: PartyGoodies / Music + Entertainment: Power Posse Productions (212-489-5225) / Ceremony String Quartet: Suite Occasions / Cocktail Hour Band: JA2M / Chevron Lucite Trays: Tilly Maison / Monogrammed Lucite Card Tray: Dabney Lee of The Well Appointed House / Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Reception Dress: Amsale via Jaehee Bridal / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Pour La Victoire / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Marc Jacobs / Hair + Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Handmade Necklaces: Stavroula / Bridesmaids’ Custom Clutches: MyCreativeThreads / Men’s Suits: J.Crew / Linens: La Tavola

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Saltwater Farm Vineyard Wedding from Raw Photo Design

I dare any of you to spend ten minutes with this wedding and not want to crawl right into the overcast, but so happy and bright, Connecticut wedding. It’s impossible. The wedding is so beautiful, and Raw Photo Design did a phenomenal job capturing the ambiance, that I have had the urge to jump into my computer screen and celebrate with these two beautiful people since I first opened it. But since that isn’t possible, you will find me, all day, hanging out in the full image gallery. Care to join?

Lots of people say that they are shocked when their boyfriend proposes.  I was really shocked though!  Sam and I had never talked about getting married, nor did I have any idea of what type of wedding I would want some day… On October 9, 2009, Sam surprised me on a quiet night at home with a beautiful new jacket – and a gorgeous ring inside.  From there the whirlwind began!

When we started looking at venues, I knew I wanted a different type of location (no reception hall or ballroom for us).  After looking at 13 venues, a caterer told us about Saltwater Farm Vineyard.  It was late at night on a Friday night, we didn’t have an appointment and there was still no permanent lighting installed inside.  The amazing owners came and met us with flashlights and we were instantly in love.  The other thing that made us book it was seeing the Inn at Stonington.  We were lucky enough to stay there for our whole wedding weekend with our immediate family and bridal party.  The management staff there is amazing and really made our wedding weekend extra magical for us.

Our photographer was easy – we knew we wanted Raw Photo Design and booked them a year and a half in advance.  My father was relentless that we must get a band, so we found the amazing ETA Music through a friend and were thrilled they had the date open!  Everything else really fell into place.  Sam and I are both very simple but love a vintage, rustic style so that was what we tried to stick with.  From lantern centerpieces, to acoustic classic rock cocktail music, to a warm fireplace, pretty much everything turned out how we wanted. The best part of our wedding was that we had an absolute blast!!  It will always be a day to remember for us!

Photography: Raw Photo Design / Flowers: It’s So Ranunculus / Caterer: Gourmet Galley / Ceremony and Reception Location: Saltwater Farm Vineyard / Band: ETA Music / Hotel: Inn at Stonington / Shoes: Bridal by Butter / Dress:  Siri / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lela Rose

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Summer Wedding In Connecticut At Jonathan Edwards Winery

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!!

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Weddings: The Creative Process

I usually don’t blog about regionally specific events, but since this one is so amazing (and since yours truly will be there), I thought I would make an exception to the rule. If you are in the New England area, cancel all of your plans for this weekend. The AMAZING crew at True and Wesson has put together one of the most incredible luxury bridal showcases, focusing their concept on using the 5 senses to plan your wedding.

5 senses event

Images above were shot by the amazing Justin and Mary Marantz for the White Dress by the Shore

Wedding shops like the White Dress by the Shore, Gourmet Galley Catering, Stonington Design and Paperie, Hana Floral Designs, Maggie Conley, Two Birds Bridesmaids and Sugarbelle Cakes are going to giving mini lessons on how to infuse your wedding with everything beautiful. I honestly cannot wait to see what these talented vendors have put together and I really hope to see you there!

The event will be held at the Salt Water Farm Vineyard in Stonington on Sunday, May 3rd from 1-5PM. Tickets can be purchased right here with the first 50 people getting gift bags!

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Real Wedding: Deirdre and Jay, VII

Thank you so much to the amazingly talented Erica and Tiffany of Adeline & Grace Photography for sending us today’s featured wedding. If you haven’t already checked out their site and their blog, you absolutely must, as they are both filled to the brim with eye candy and ideas.

And of course, thank you so much to Dierdre and Jay for letting us share in the celebration!

adeline and grace photography real wedding

Oh and we had a few people asking about Erin’s stunning make-up…well, it was crafted by the ridiculously talented Jennie Fresa. She is a must have if you are in the Connecticut area!

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

Real Wedding: Deirdre and Jay, VI

Now on to the really fun part…the reception! From blue and white Japanese lanterns to tables named after island that were significant to the bride and groom, this reception was all about fun, family and of course, romance. It was about creating a super chic space, without taking themselves too seriously, which I completely love.

dierdre and jay

Absolutely beautiful! There is more to come from Adeline & Grace so stay tuned!

{to see the full gallery, click here!}


Real Wedding: Deirdre and Jay, V

A few more pictures and ridiculously great details from today’s featured wedding…

dierdre and jay

Okay, I kind of want to BE that bride and kind of want to marry that groom! Throw in some knock-out bridesmaids, the most gorgeous flowers and a huge oak tree…umm, fairytale? I am thrilled that Tiffany and Erica of Adeline & Grace sent us this wedding. It has me feeling so in love!

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

Real Wedding: Deirdre and Jay, IV

Loving today’s featured wedding, sent to us by Tiffany and Erica of Adeline & Grace Photography. The team shoots weddings all over the world, though specializes in the West Coast and East Coast respectively. This particular wedding took place on Elihu, a private island that only hosts 4 weddings per year, in Stonington, Connecticut.

adeline and grace photography real wedding

I love that they pulled in Island style elements, but in a really beautiful, understated way. From the letterpressed invitations, which were done by Soho Letterpress, to the perfectly chic navy and green color palette, every detail is about easy, laid back style. Love that.

So much more to come!

{to see the full gallery, click here!}