Massachusetts Weddings

Backyard weddings make my heart sing. They are sweet, they are darling and they are filled with so many personal touches they can’t even be listed. So it goes without saying that we just love, love, LOVE weddings likes this one from Nadine Photography. It’s impossible to look at this gallery and not smile from ear to ear, and you can see what I mean right here.

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From the Bride…I’ve dreamt up this rustic with a little bit of the southern charm, cornhole, I’ve always dreamed of a backyard wedding, most important is to capture how much fun every ones having!

Photography: Nadine Photography | Florist: Awesome Blossom | Dress: Watters And Watters | Cake: Montilio's | Church: First Parish UU | Catering: Off the Vine | DJ: DJ Raffi Events | Venue: Family's Backyard

What do you get when you combine the breathtaking locale known as The Barn At Gibbet Hill with one gorgeous + crafty bride-to-be?  Some serious pretty.  Pretty that is dripping in fabulous DIY details (I’m looking at you chalkboards, table runners and invites), rustic meets elegant stylings and a whole lot of magical moments captured by Lindsay Flanagan Photography.  See them all here.

From Lindsay Flanagan Photography… Leah and Kevin added some charming touches to their day, including the bride’s Mother’s necklace fastened to the bouquet, homemade jam from The Barn at Gibbet Hill as favors, and a candy bar at the end of the night. The bride and her mother collected all of the centerpiece vases from farm stands and antique shops. The bride also created the chalkboards, the table runners and even the invitations!

Photographer: Lindsay Flanagan Photography | Florist: Floral Arts (Mike Spano) | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo | Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister | Ceremony Venue: The Barn At Gibbet Hill | Reception Venue: The Barn At Gibbet Hill | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup Artist: Beautiful Faces By Janis | DJ: Entertainment Concepts | Groom's Suit: J.Crew | Wedding Dress Store: Flair Bridesmaid Boutique

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Narrowing down your wedding dream team is meant to be an exciting part of the wedding planning process. With so many amazingly talented and creative event purveyors out there, you want to make sure you’re selecting pros that not only fit your wedding aesthetic, but compliment your personal taste. To guarantee you’re working with a supportive and thoughtful selection of vendors, jot these questions down before your next big meeting. xoxo, SMP Blogger Bride Amelia

AVAILABILITY: When thinking of hiring a wedding planner, after you inquire about the availability of your wedding date, it’s important to ask about the most challenging wedding they’ve planned and how they handled the issues that popped up. You want to make sure your wedding vendors have strong problem solving skills.

EXPERIENCE: If you’re planning on having a larger wedding, ask certain vendors (wedding planner, venue, catering, etc) if they’ve worked with a party of your size. It’s also helpful to know if they’ve worked with your type of budget before.

PORTFOLIO: When meeting with any type of wedding vendor you should always ask to see their portfolio and a list of references. You’ll be able to get a sense of their aesthetic from past weddings and figure out if their style will be a good fit for the venue and your taste.

RESTRICTIONS: When looking for a venue, make sure to inquire about the restrictions for the space. Do they allow candles, balloons, sparklers, etc.? If any of these details are extremely important to you then you may want to rethink this particular venue option.

BACK-UP PLANS: If you plan on having an outdoor wedding, I’d recommend asking your potential wedding vendors to describe how they’ve handled an event with unfortunate weather conditions. It’s important to know how they would resolve this type of dilemma.

FEES: Before signing a contract, make sure to ask if their is a service charge on top of the bill and if so, how much will it cost.

SCHEDULE: Don’t forget to ask how many wedding/event clients the vendor will be working with during the month and weekend of your wedding. Will they be swamped in the months leading up to your Big Day or will they be able to give you a solid amount of attention?

FINE PRINT: Although this question may seem very basic, it’s important to ask for a list of every detail that is included in the vendor fee before you sign the contract.

COMMUNICATION: It’s important to hire vendors that have similar communication styles, if you’re the type of bride that wants to finalize details early in your engagement, then you should search for vendors who share that similar goal.

DAY-OF: Make sure to inquire about whether or not the exact vendor will be at your wedding. Some vendors hire day of help or will send assistants to work your wedding, if they have more than one obligation on that date.

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Photography: Cambria Grace Photography | Location: Twelve Chairs Boston

New England is the place I call home, and weddings like this one remind me of why. Captured beautifully by Betsi Ewing Studio, every gorgeous image showcases not only the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard, but also the couples’ obvious love for each other and their oh-so gorgeous day. The result? A gallery worth spending your day pursuing. Do so here.

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From Betsi Ewing Studio…Julia and Jesse officially met their sophomore year of college, at Savannah College of Art & Design. Things seemed just right from the start, and have just kept getting better. After 8 amazing years together – Jesse popped the question one very special evening (Julia’s 27th Birthday!) on Martha’s Vineyard. They continued the tradition by celebrating their commitment to one another on the Vineyard, this past September with friends and family for their wedding and look forward to continuing the tradition for years to come.

Jesse had been thinking of asking Julia to marry him since they met. And then he finally saved up enough money…On August 7, the night before Julia’s birthday, Jesse asked Julia’s parents for their blessing and permission to marry their daughter. Of course, they said “Yes!” This gave Jesse an entire day to hide the secret from Julia and attempt to act as normal as possible. Jesse, rather nervously, asked Julia if she would like to take a post-birthday dinner walk on the beach with their dogs, Chloe and Lucky. As the sun started to set, Jesse knelt down on one knee and asked for Julia’s hand in marriage. Julia, rather surprised but entirely over-joyed, answered “Yes!” They walked back from the beach to Julia’s thrilled parents, Jesse’s future in-laws, and continued the celebration with champagne and birthday cake. It is safe to say, this has been Julia’s most memorable birthday yet!

They started their wedding planning right away since they had such busy schedules but the vineyard was not the easiest place to get to. They decided to get married on September 28th, the day after Jesse’s 28th birthday. Ever since Julia was a little girl, she had dreamed of getting married on the Island and to keep the tradition going, Julia followed in her parents foot steps not only by getting married on the island but also by honoring the number 28 – as her parents wed on May 28, 1978.

There is not shortage of beautiful places to get married on the vineyard – but they found the Edgartown Lighthouse to be the best fit and it was just a quick boat ride to the yacht club – where they would have their reception From there on, Julia’s mother Patti, Kathy Miller – her mother in law, and Julia’s maid of honor, Cameron Archer helped Julia and Jesse plan the rest of the details of their Vineyard dream wedding.

A month after the wedding they moved from Manhattan NY, to Brooklyn. They now happily live in Brooklyn Heights in an exposed brick, skylit brownstone with their dog Chloe.

Florist: Island Ambiance | Wedding Dress: Jeffery Hart, Jessie Dib, Julia Ravenscroft | Cake: Val Cakes | Invitations: Terrapin Stationers | Bridesmaids Dresses: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Band: Sultans Of Swing | Ties: Ties.com | Mens Attire: Marc Jacobs | Bride's Hair + Makeup: Stephanie Freda | Bride's Veil: Her Mothers | Ceremony Coordinator: Julie Hatt | Ceremony Site: Mount Tabor Park | Rentals: Tilton Tents | Wedding Photography + Videography: BETSI EWING WEDDINGS | Yacht Club Reception: Edgartown Yacht Club

As much as I love a larger, grander affair, intimate weddings are my favorite.  There’s just something about celebrating your day with only your closest friends + family that makes me happy… and this darling Cape Cod affair?  Filling my heart with joy.  A nine person guest list, beautiful blooms from Wild Bunch Studio and moment after moment of pretty captured by Kate Preftakes.  Sigh.  See it all here.

From the Bride… Being an enthusiastic-to-passionate type, I can get very excited and wound up in the moment. So for my wedding day, I knew I needed to find a way to keep the celebration relaxed and low-key. We had scheduled later receptions with our respective hometown family, friends, and live bands in New York and Chicago. But an intimate wedding day involving just our parents, siblings, and officiant (a priest friend) proved a great way to keep the focus on each other.

My husband, Matt, had grown up summering on Cape Cod and enjoys sailing, so we made that our setting and style inspiration. A graphic designer friend, Donny Skelton, created invitations, programs, and menu cards with a modern, unstuffy take on that theme, incorporating a sailboat and diagonal stripes. I chose a corset-style dress with subtle striping to reflect the East Coast’s preppy, seaside vibe. My sister and Maid of Honor wore a statement pearl necklace. The men wore cravats—just like my stylish groom’s Italian grandfather had tied on at his wedding—and morning coats with tails. Our coral and navy color scheme, a fresh take on the standard nautical red and blue, completed the elegant coastal-infused feel.

Our ceremony was held in Cape Cod’s traditional gray shingled St. Pius X Catholic Church, which was also Matt’s family parish. My friend Tom Gibbons, now a priest in Toronto, flew in from Canada to preside. He made our ceremony personal and full of laughter. For instance, after pronouncing us husband and wife, he said, “Lynn, you may now kiss the groom.” Our nine guests tossed coral rose petals to send us off, and we drove off in a Toyota Prius with my name on the license plate. And Matt’s name had been added on through some cute surprise decorating by my siblings!

We took pictures among the sailboats at Claughlin’s Landing, a classic beach on the Cape’s southeastern tip. Then we held a post-ceremony dinner at the Chatham Bars Inn, one of the loveliest old-fashioned resorts in Massachusetts. The Captain’s Room, with its 12-person seating, was perfect. Our florist, Katie McConnell of Wild Bunch Studio, created the most beautiful table we’d ever sat around. Texturally, contrasts set things apart: a rustic stone runner against elegant candles in mercury glass; spiky orange pincushion flowers against soft spray roses.

We went around the table, and each person offered a funny or heartfelt toast. Photographer Kate Preftakes had beautifully captured the special moments of our ceremony and then our time on the beach. To finish, she caught us laughing, toasting, and occasionally tearing up during the dinner. It completed the intimate wedding day we’d imagined.

Photography: Kate Preftakes Photography | Floral Design: Wild Bunch Studio | Invitations: Donny Skelton | Reception: Chatham Bars Inn | Bridal Gown: Modern Trousseau

This next DIY project falls under the “why didn’t I think of that?” category. A do-it-yourself Valentine’s Day Bouquet? It’s kind of brilliant! Not only is it easier on the wallet, the lady (or gent) in your life is guaranteed to be swept of their feet as a result of your craftiness. Not crafty you say? Have no fear, Pollen Floral Design and Zac Wolf Photography are here to share every last step.

Red Amaryllis
Ranunculus
Piano Garden Rose
Anemone
Majolica Spray Rose
Red Cestrum
Gardenia Foliage
Leucothoe Foliage
Red Leucadendron
Sea Star Fern
Floral Tape
Various Ribbon

Prep your flowers: remove any leaves or thorns from the stem so they’re ready to be used in your bouquet. Give them a fresh diagonal cut and let them soak in water for several hours before using them.

Set out all your flowers in vases or a bucket so you have easy access to your stems.

Start by making a small cluster of flowers. I like variety in my bouquets, so I usually start with a focal flower (in this bouquet, garden roses, amaryllis and anemone) and add in some smaller flowers (ranunculus, spray rose) and filler/greenery (bouvardia, gardenia foliage).

Once you have your starting bunch, you continue to add flowers to fill out your bouquet. Try to turn the bouquet in your hand as you add so that you are building it all the way around and not just in the front. Continue turning and adding flowers until you reach your desired size.

When you are satisfied with your bouquet, wrap the floral tape securely around your stems several times.

Tie on your ribbon wrap so it covers the floral tape.

Hold the stems together and make a clean, straight cut about 8-12 inches long. Spritz the bouquet with a floral finisher (such as Crowning Glory) and put it in water until you are ready to use your bouquet. If you are leaving it overnight, put it in your refrigerator so that the life of the flowers will be preserved.

Photography: Zac Wolf Photography | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design

When rustic and vintage marry, it’s a pretty, pretty day. It must include a ruffled cake and beautiful – yet casual – lace gown. Captured by Tricia McCormack Photography and Jaclyn L Photography, this inspiration shoot from Tara Consolati is all that and vintage tea cups, stunning blooms, a perfectly patina’ed barn… you catch my drift. It’s perfection.

From the photographer… I’m proud to live in the Berkshires. I grew up here and returned here to raise my family. Every day I’m amazed by the rural beauty that surrounds us and appreciate the culture that this area attracts. Its rustic elegance is what draws so many to get married here in the Berkshire Mountains and with some of the most talented vendors in wedding industry available right in our back yard, a wedding of their dreams is easily achievable for any couple.

This styled shoot was set in the historic venue of Hancock Shaker Village. Our designer, Tara Consolati, created a vintage/rustic look featuring a gorgeous lace, A-line dress by The Cotton Bride. Our beautiful model, Molly, carried a romantic, burlap-wrapped bouquet made by Carolyn Valenti, and together, our team ROCKED this shoot on a frigid, rainy Spring day!

Photography: Jaclyn L. Photography | Photography: Tricia McCormack Photography | Wedding Gown: The Cotton Bride | Barn Lighting: Rob Alberti's Event Services | Hair/Make-up: Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club | Rentals (tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, flatware): Classical Tents | Ruffled Cake: Sarah's Cheesecakes | Stylist: Tara Consolati | Vintage Floral Arrangements: Carolyn Valenti

Nautical just so happens to be my jam. I’ve never met a monkey’s fist I didn’t like, and stripes? Forget it, love them. Needless to say, this wedding from Lauren Methia Photography has won my heart. From the beach to the flowers to that delish cake from Delicious Desserts, I’m smitten and I don’t care who knows it.

From the stunning bride… Even though my husband Mike and I met at college in Providence, Rhode Island, and now live in Connecticut, we always knew we wanted a Cape Cod wedding. My family has lived on the Cape since I was little, and Mike and I try to visit as often as we can!

For our wedding theme, we tried to mix casual and formal by choosing classic, clean designs mixed with nautical elements and bold blues and purples. The Popponesset Inn provided the perfect venue – it has a beach feel without the risks of an outdoor wedding (though we were lucky to have great weather), and everything from the views to the food was fantastic.

Lauren Methia’s photos captured our wedding in a gorgeous way, and I’m grateful to all of the other professionals who helped the day come together, like Lynn at Dear LC, who patiently created everything from our invitations to the escort cards; Lisa at Delicious Desserts, who made our cake and favors; Wilma at the Popponesset for her advice and coordination; and the many Etsy vendors who created small, beautiful elements of our wedding – to name just a few.

After months of planning and a few stressful moments on the big day, it was great to let go and have fun at our ceremony and reception. In the end, that’s what you remember. The night turned out to be exactly as we imagined thanks to our supportive family, friends, and wedding vendors!

Photographer: Lauren Methia Photography | Coordination: Cape Cod Celebrations | Flowers: Fancy Flowers | Dress: Augusta Jones | Church: St. Thomas The Apostle Chapel | Reception Venue: Popponesset Inn | Catering: Popponesset Inn | Makeup: Kimberly Richard | Hair: Artworx | Calligraphy: Megan Chapin Calligraphy | DJ: Cape Tunes | Baker: Delicious Desserts | Invitations, Table Numbers, Etc.: Dear LC

It’s a well-known fact that The Barn At Gibbet Hill is a magical place where adorable duos go to tie the knot; a place where classic details and rustic elements join forces to create some of the prettiest days you’ll ever see.  And when it’s a drop-dead gorgeous affair like this one captured by Ruth Eileen, well… happy, happy Friday.  See every beautiful moment right here in the full gallery.

And a gorgeous film from Ready Set Film?  Yes, please.

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From the Bride… There were a few big things that Justin and I knew we wanted for our wedding. We knew we wanted it to be a great celebration – a wonderfully fun day for all of our guests. And to do that, we knew we had to have a great venue, delicious food, a lively band and of course open bar, so those were the major items on our “must-have” list. We were fortunate to get all of them!

With the big items secured, it was easier to focus on all the details and with a 14-month long engagement there was plenty of time to do that. To me, the details really mattered so I obsessed over them to the point where sometimes I thought I was overdoing it – but in the end, they all added up to a beautiful day!

My mom was such a champion for our big day and spent hours talking and planning over all the tiny details. I wanted it to feel really personal so a lot of them were homemade and special to us. I had my grandmother’s thimble in my bouquet (she was a seamstress) as she was the one who introduced us. And the favors were tiny jars of jam made by my aunt and her daughter-in-law. My mom and I spent a week with them at their home in NC finishing up the jars by tying little scraps of fabric on with twine and adding the “CJ” label. While there, we also purchased a large role of burlap that my aunt then made into long table runners for the round reception tables. We started collecting the little glass jars at various spots and even found an old wooden crate we could use to stack the jams.

The creativity didn’t stop when we returned home to Boston and we spent every weekend combing through craft stores and antique shops collecting all of the essential details that comprised our day.

Justin and I were very happy with the way the day came together and felt that it was as near perfect as it could possibly be. People always say it’s the best day of your life and for us, it truly was. We were surrounded by all of the people we love most in the world in a beautiful setting as we committed ourselves to one another for life – there isn’t anything better than that!

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Videographer: readyset[film] | Floral Design: Flourish - Kathryn Liebowitz | Wedding Dress: Wtoo | Cake: Konditor Meister | Invitations: Happy Frog | Ceremony Venue: St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Barn At Gibbet Hill | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Wtoo | Hair & Makeup: Special Event Beauty | Band: Wilson Stevens

Four words: Gatsby garden party… aka, a guaranteed day of pretty with vintage details, glamorous stylings and lush, gorgeous florals combining to make one seriously amazing party.  Think vibrant pink blooms from Ford Flowers, a divine gown from Madeline’s Daughter and all sorts of beautiful moments captured by Lindsey Ocker Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… When Matt first proposed, we agreed that we were going to take it slow and enjoy being engaged. We looked a few places online and decided to go see the Hellenic Center in Ipswich and completely fell in love with it. I loved the fireplaces, chandeliers and beautiful grounds in the back. It was smooth sailing from there. Everything just seemed to fall into place. Next I needed to find the dress. I had a vision in my head of what I wanted and I walked out with a completely different dress. I loved its vintage glamour feel and it gave me a great idea for a theme for the wedding. “The Great Gatsby” is one of my favorite books and I always dreamed of attending a famous Gatsby Garden Party. Our guests got to sip cocktails on the grounds with old friends and meet some new ones. We visited some antique stores to add some vintage details to the ballroom. I met with the florist (who is one of my best friends and a bridesmaid) and told her my vision of garden flowers and they went above and beyond anything I ever expected.

Matt and I are opposites when it comes to a lot of things. I am easy-going and say yes to everything while he is more realistic and thinks things through. That helped kept each other balanced during the planning. More importantly, we had fun and didn’t take it all too seriously. We wanted it to be the best party we have ever been to. We took time to pick out favorite songs for the DJ, made sure our favorite drinks were at the bar and remembered that it was about us. I am so grateful for Matt’s support for every idea I had and how he did everything he could to make it happen.

It is hard to decide what my favorite part of the wedding was because it seems like every part was my favorite. Walking down the aisle was an experience I will never forget. I was so happy and I couldn’t wait to see Matt. I practically ran down the aisle. His face when I got there was my one of my favorite moments. I couldn’t stop smiling and he was holding back tears. That is when it all felt real.

I didn’t stop smiling all day from the First Dance until the last dance when all our best friends were huddled around us as we sang “Young Forever.” I would do it all over again the exact same way. I haven’t stopped looking at the pictures and remembering how lucky and happy I am to have married Matt and had a perfect wedding.

Photography: Lindsey Ocker Photography | Flowers: Ford Flowers | Dress: Madeline's Daughter | Cake: Eat Cake! | Ceremony: Immaculate Conception | Reception: The Hellenic Center | Make-up: Makeup by Sarah Alicea | Hair: Brittany Lambert

This is the sort of classic wedding that I live for: a stunning Boston Harbor Hotel affair with glistening water views and a traditional ballroom reception that will take your breath away.  It’s lush florals from Centre Pieces Design meets crisp navy and green hues meets all kinds of magic snapped up by the always amazing Captured Photography by Jenny.  See them all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Andrew and I met on our first day of work right out of college. We quickly fell in love, and 5 years later, I was ecstatic when he decided to pop the question. I had dreamed about planning my wedding since I was about 4 years old, and the bright, historic Boston Harbor Hotel had always been at the top of my list of wedding venues. To probably no ones surprise, the Boston Harbor Hotel ended up being the first and last venue we toured, and the rest is history! Until… I started planning all of the details! Boy those details add up. Wedding planning quickly became my “other” full-time job, but as the day approached, everything came together. I wore a Lea Ann Belter dress, and my bridesmaids wore blue chiffon dresses while Andrew and his groomsmen wore classy black, white and silver tuxes… a tribute to the colors of our two colleges, Duke and Georgetown.

Andrew and I met for a “first look” right on the wharf down by the water, and after some pictures alongside the harbor and under the cavernous Boston Harbor Hotel dome, we prepared to start our wedding ceremony in the Wharf Room. The ceremony had special meaning for us, as Andrew and I put it together ourselves and the officiant was none other than my younger brother, Connor Green. Connor knocked it out of the park and gave us exactly what we wanted: a highly personal, fun and memorable ceremony. After an all-too-quick cocktail hour up on the rotunda above the dome, we returned to the Wharf Room to find it had been transformed into a stunningly elegant ballroom. As I addressed the crowd after our first dance, I couldn’t help but cry just a bit, thanking my parents, the rest of my family, Andrew’s family, and our friends for making the night a reality. All of the little details I had obsessed over for the better part of a year had come together into a wedding so perfect, my dreams as a child couldn’t come close. The night flew by, but I made sure to stop, soak it up, and make sure that I would remember it for a lifetime. We look forward to reliving that joyous night for years to come through our pictures thanks to Captured Photography by Jenny (the most amazing photographers), and many unforgettable memories.

Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny | Floral Design: Centre Pieces Design | Dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Flagship Boutique | Hair: Jessie Heroux | Band: Hip Pocket Orchestra | Venue: Boston Harbor Hotel

Every day is pretty special here at SMP, but when a beautiful bride rocks her grandmother’s wedding gown AND fills her day with some of the sweetest DIY details you will ever see, well… we consider that extra special.  Because this is a wedding that takes pretty, pretty stylings and mixes them with bundles of love-filled moments.  See them all captured by Jessica Love Photography right here.

From Jessica Love Photography… Rebecca and Noah were married in Western Massachusetts. Filled with DIY, farm-inspired details and wide open spaces. The reception was held at the Boisvert house, and the ceremony on the campus of which Noah went to high school. They only open their chapel to alumni.

Rebecca wore her grandmother’s dress (the long sleeves) for the ceremony, and changed into a more modern, comfortable dress for her reception. The couple met teaching in Africa, and have recently relocated to the US.

Photography: Jessica Love Photography | Ceremony: Private High School | Reception: Boisvert House | Bride's Ceremony Dress: Vintage | Decor: DIY

This wedding is pure perfection.  A stunning Cape Cod affair with drop-dead gorgeous details (think beautiful blooms from Lilacs Florals + breathtaking views) and one of the happiest bride and grooms you will ever meet (their First Look was epic).  It’s a Wequassett Resort and Golf Club day that will definitely go down in history and you can see it all captured by Deborah Zoe in the full gallery.

From Deborah Zoe Photography… There is nothing quite like the charm of a Cape Cod wedding. And Lauren and Patrick’s wedding at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club fit the bill perfectly. Navy blue blazers, preppy Vineyard Vine ties, a lace detailed dress, clear blue skies and an ocean view, what more could you ask for?!

Well, an amazing couple of course!! Lauren and Patrick are quite the pair. Lauren with her bubbly and effervescent personality, Patrick with his humor and friendly charm. Together they epitomize warmth, kindness and a genuine spirit. On their wedding day, friends and family could not say enough about this beautiful couple (and Lauren’s infamous dance moves). Witnessing these two together those words could not have rang more true. Lauren and Patrick are truly one of a kind.

Photographer: Deborah Zoe Photography | Videographer: Harborview Studios | Florist: Lilacs | Invitations: William Arthur | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: L'elite Boston | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club | Hair Stylist: Lindsay Griffin | Lighting: Ormonde Productions | Band: Night Shift Entertainment | Ties: Vineyard Vines | Groomsmen's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Bridal Boutique: Allegria Bridal | Bridal Gown: Augusta Jones | Hair Clip: Luxe Deluxe - Etsy | Instrumentalists: Intermezzo Chamber Players | Linens and Placesettings: Be Our Guest | Make Up Artist: Kimberly Fosher | Resort and Golf Club: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

This is traditional elegance done oh-so-right; a Fairmont Battery Wharf affair where vibrant blooms from Poppy Floral mix and mingle with crazy gorgeous views and an Amsale gown that will take your breath away.  It’s the kind of day where dancing the night away is atotal given and love-filled moments fill our gallery by the thousands.  See every beautiful second captured by Deborah Zoe right here.

From Deborah Zoe Photography… I often joke that I married my husband for his sister. Being an only child I just love having a sister, someone to get my nails done with, someone to be girly with, the sister I always wanted. I simply adore the extended family I gained when I became a wife.

That’s the way it is with Michael and Kristyn. It wasn’t just Michael and Kristyn who were getting married, it was an entire family affair. The Berry’s laughed with the Maiorca’s. The Maiorca’s cried along with the Berry’s. There were hugs and tears and kisses for everyone and each family member greeted the other with open arms and warm hearts. It was incredible to see how these two families joined together all because two people fell in love.

It was a beautiful day on Boston Harbor and as Michael and Kiki said “I Do!”, boats tooted their horns and people cheered while music played across the water. It seemed like the entire city of Boston was celebrating with them.

From the Bride… Probably my favorite part of the wedding was the ceremony. I loved being out by the Battery Wharf in Boston, standing in front of the water, our friends and family surrounding us. A good friend of ours married us, an MIT professor and former housemaster of our undergrad dorm.

Mike is part Mexican and we used the Mexican coin ceremony “Las Arras” as part of our own ceremony. The groom gives the bride thirteen coins, but Mike had some of the coins handmade specially for us. One was a wooden coin. One side had the NY fire department symbol, and the other side had the Long Beach fire department symbol in dedication to my grandpa who was the NY firefighter. I loved that he had coins made to represent our own relationship.

We chose Norah Jones’ “Everybody Needs A Best Friend,” for our first dance. Not too slow, light-hearted, fun, silly… it describes our relationship well. We had a big group of people on the dance floor till the very end of the night, and between mingling with people, Mike and I were out there dancing for a lot of it too! My last memory from the night was Mike dipping as we were encircled by friends and family while the last song played!

Photography: Deborah Zoe Photography | Floral Design: Poppy Floral | Wedding Gown: Amsale | Stationery: DIY (made By A Friend, Designed By The Groom) | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids Dresses: Watters | DJ: Entertainment Specialists | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: MIT Chapel | Hotel: Fairmont Battery Wharf | Bridal Shop: Vows | Catter: Fairmont Battery Wharf

Gorgeous light, a gorgeous couple and gorgeous images from Mikhail Glabets make for one seriously gorgeous post. And it’s a post we get to sit and devour as long as we possibly like. So join me in this stunning gallery for some serious engagement session inspiration, it’s overflowing with pretty.

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From the Bride…Rob and I met over eight years ago and it wasn’t long after that we both discovered our shared love of Cape Cod. The best part about living in Massachusetts is surviving the winter and looking forward to spending some time on the Cape’s outer beaches. We love spending time on the outer cape, from Cahoon Hollow all the way up to Race Point, and especially love catching the sunset in Provincetown. The outer Cape’s natural beauty can’t be matched so between that and how much fun P-town is, naturally we decided to get married there. Two weeks before our wedding, Rob and I headed out to Truro with a group of our friends. After hitting the beach all day to soak up some sun and play volleyball, we showered up, grabbed stuff to BBQ and headed out to do Rob’s absolute favorite thing – take the cars oversand onto Race Point.

Photography: Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography | Apparel: Brooks Brothers | Location: Race Point Beach

I’m a total sucker for romance, so this sweet Plymouth affair?  Right up my alley.  Filled to the brim with soft pink hues, lush florals from Flair! Floral and those smile-inducing details that really make your heart sing (hello fab paper products from Papela), it’s the kind of day that romance lovers like me can’t get enough of… and it’s sooo pretty.  See it all captured by Melissa Deschamp in the full gallery.

From the Bride… My husband-to-be sweetly obliged to blush pinks, champagne gold, and cream accents throughout our late summer, early fall wedding in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Plymouth is a quaint beach town on the South Shore of Massachusetts – not yet the Cape but just close enough to the bridge that its visitors still enjoy salt water harbor views, mom-and-pop ice cream shoppes, and seaside restaurants. We knew we wanted our bridal party to soak in Plymouth’s appeal, so we started our wedding weekend with golfing, the spa, and a dinner at East Bay Grille – right in downtown Plymouth harbor. Our guests staying over with us for the weekend had Plymouth-themed Welcome gifts waiting for them at their arrival: a lobster ornament, bottle of champagne, some salt water taffy, and a penny for wishing on Plymouth Rock. The morning of the wedding, some of our groomsmen went fishing off the Jetti while the girls gathered at a local salon for hair and makeup. Because of the beautiful, late September weather and close proximity of the church to the hotel & downtown Plymouth, some of our wedding party and guests were able to walk to St. Peter’s for our wedding ceremony.

My romantic, candlelit-themed wedding was played out in our details. My girls wore long, blush chiffon dresses, while I wore a fitted, lace wedding gown and my late mother’s cathedral wedding veil. I had my mother’s engagement diamond made into a drop necklace that I also wore on my wedding day, along with my late grandmother’s gold wedding band on my left ring finger for good luck. My new husband’s wedding band was made from a gold wedding band of my mother’s that we had fitted for him, reminding us of the love surrounding us.

We took care at our reception to make our guests feel welcome and appreciated. Guests’ names and table numbers were printed on miniature blush flags and fashioned to paper drinking straws, serving as their seating number as they entered our cocktail space and were handed our signature pink cocktail: a Seabreeze. Another table at cocktail hour was adorned with wedding photos of our parents and grandparents and gold, glittered letters declaring “L-O-V-E” spread throughout the photos. Our hand-painted chevron photobooth “wall” that was such a hit with our guests was built from scratch by my husband who spent his summer weekends perfecting it.

Within the room, tables were filled with lush flowers, candles burning in gold mercury glass vases, and a pile of hand-tied stationery on which our guests could write us wedding advice and “mail” it to us in a mailbox we fashioned on another table at the reception. My husband and I, sitting at a sweetheart table, were toasted by our dearest friends as we sat with signs adorning the backs of our chairs: “I do” and “Me too”. We danced to an old favorite of my mom’s: “You’re In My Heart” by Rod Stewart. Our gold, cream and blush striped wedding cake was topped with miniature blush hearts made by hand.

At the end of the night, it wasn’t all of the small details that I spent our engagement prepping for that made our wedding day feel so romantic and full of love – it was the love of all of our friends and family who spent the weekend with us. Our dance floor was filled with our guests before dinner was even served. The little details will be forgotten over the years, but the energy of our friends and family is one of the details of the day we will never forget.

Photography: Melissa Deschamp | Flowers: Flair! Floral | Wedding Dress: Vows | Church: St. Peter's Parish | Reception Venue: Pinehills Pavilion | Catering: East Bay Grille | Hair & Makeup: Aristocracy Salon | Bed & Breakfast: Jesse Harlow House | Invitations, Wedding Signage: Papela

This wedding looks like soooo much fun.  Like one of those weddings where friends and family members are having an absolute blast, and love is seriously bursting from every image.  It’s the kind of day you totally dream about having AND want each of your friends to have, too… it’s just that awesome.  See just what I mean in the full gallery captured by Veronica Lola Photography… and prepare to fall in love.

From Veronica Lola Photography… This stunning Martha’s Vineyard wedding is what I dream of. I was so excited because we had similar visions and tastes and I knew we were a perfect fit. This radiant couple had Shawn and I head over heels in love with them towards the end of the night. From their hilarious escort cards (a silly Polaroid of each guest) to their bottle of Jameson and carafe of pickle juice on each table to their beautiful wildflowers in tins, I was in my heaven. We loved how there were so many personal touches that meant so much to them as a couple. It makes me really adore and appreciate what I’m shooting, and I also really get to know my bride & groom.

Even with the rain, Jessica and her vintage lace dress were jaw-dropping. Their guests danced under the stars and enjoyed a traditional New England lobster bake. Perfection.

From the Bride… Glenn proposed on the day we baptized Hays. We had a small group of family and friends in to share the day. At the party afterwards he shocked me by getting down on one knee. I wasn’t expecting it. Furthermore when he opened the box I saw that the ring was from a designer in London I had fallen in love with years ago. As a single girl on a vacation in London, I went to the Malcolm Betts flagship store and tried on rings with the designer. I picked out my favorite and saved the id number on a business card. Six years later I am staring at the ring on my hand. I later found out that Glenn found the card, contacted Malcolm, the ring had sold, and they recreated it from scratch. It was so thoughtful and special.

Photography: Veronica Lola Photography | Event Planning: Birdie Boots & Bones | Wedding Dress: Shareen Vintage | Bakery: Momofuku Milk Bar | Ceremony Venue: Castle Hill Lighthouse | Reception Venue: The Duck Inn | Catering: Bill Smith's Clambake | Makeup: Katie D Make Up | Band: Johnny Hoy And The Bluefish | Equipment Rentals: Big Sky Tent & Party Rentals | Head Piece: Doloris Petunia

There’s just no denying it – this wedding is pure perfection.  Pure perfection thought up by a beautiful (+ creative) bride and one seriously talented group of New England vendors.  Think Atheneum Creative, Mezze Catering, Daughter of Design and Search Party (just to name a few), all coming together to create a rustic chic meets uber-romantic kind of day.  Oh, and the gallery captured by Ashley O’Dell Photography?  Simply amazing.  Join me there for all of the pretty.

And a little something special from David Bettencourt?  Yes, please.

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From the Bride… Phil and I met in high school, almost exactly twenty years before our wedding day — though it took an online dating site to finally get us to go out years later. After waiting almost twenty years, we wasted very little time before deciding we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

I work as a theatre director and producer, so the moment we got engaged (okay, maybe even before) I threw myself into wedding planning like I was putting together my biggest production ever. Phil took to calling it “Kate’s greatest show in four acts.”

We are both lucky enough to have brilliant, gorgeous, articulate younger sisters who we asked to co-officiate. We loved working with them to plan our ceremony, and the result proved so personal and unique—we were even able to maintain all of the Jewish traditions that we found meaningful.

We found Stonover Farm very early on and immediately knew it was the perfect setting for our wedding. I had gotten to know the Berkshires having worked for many summers at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. And being a deep lover of food and restaurants, I had become a devoted customer of the wonderful Mezze Bistro in Williamstown… so when we found out they were the preferred caterer for Stonover Farm, it seemed like fate. Dawn, our coordinator from Mezze, introduced us to the astonishing Crocus Hale for flowers and the genius Julie Seitel for lighting – and together we created something of a progressive party. The ceremony took place on the ramp of Stonover’s beautifully restored 19th century barn, cocktails were by the duck pond, then across the road to a sailcloth tent for dinner, then back to the barn for dessert and dancing, and finally to a bonfire out on the grass for s’mores and late night snacks.

Probably the most unexpected part of the wedding came later in the night when it was supposedly time to throw the bouquet. 14 months before the wedding, Phil proposed by reciting one of our favorite poems – Kite, by Rives – to me from memory. I wanted to find a creative way of returning the sentiment, and so I convinced my friends who write musicals to compose a song for me to sing to Phil at the reception. I’ve never really kept a secret from him before, but behind his back I recruited all the bridesmaids and groomsmen to back me up, and we were able to surprise him with a gift that was truly memorable – an original song called “Just So You Know.”

I will admit that there were a few moments over the course of the planning that I wondered why we hadn’t just saved the stress and money and eloped, but spending that weekend surrounded by the people in the world that mean the most to us, celebrating our love and enjoying each other… it was the happiest I had ever felt.

Photography: Ashley O'Dell Photography | Videography: David Bettencourt | Event Planning: Daughter of Design | Floral Design: Crocus Hale | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: A.W. Confections | Ceremony Venue: Stonover Farm Bed & Breakfast | Reception Venue: Stonover Farm Bed & Breakfast | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Mezze Catering + Events | Makeup: Virginia Bradley Linzee | Hair: Styles On B | Calligraphy: Meant To Be Calligraphy | Lighting: Seitel Lighting | Ketubah: Ketubah Graphia | Musicians: Wilson Stevens | Paper Designs: Atheneum Creative | Rentals: Classical Tents

Nantucket weddings are in a league of their own. When it comes to nautical soirees, that pretty little island ranks supreme, and this wedding from Jesse Starr Photography is the perfect example. It’s pure New England prepster perfection, and there is so much more waiting for you right here.

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From Jesse Starr Photography…Jen and Greg got married on October 13th, 2013 at the Great Harbor Yacht Club in Nantucket, MA. Jen immediately fell in love with Nantucket on her first visit to Greg’s family house on the island and wanted to have the island feel permeate her entire wedding. The details took inspiration from the couple’s hobbies like fishing and boating and they incorporated a nautical theme throughout. They literally and figuratively ‘tied the knot’ during the ceremony by tying a fisherman’s knot binding them together. One of my favorite elements was the matching Sperry Top-Siders they wore after the ceremony. Jen and Greg were one of those couples that made the photography so easy because they were so outwardly in love and ecstatic to be with each other forever. They were all about the photography and we spent time at various parts of the island throughout the wedding day, going to Main St. and Brant Point Lighthouse for variety outside the venue. We also did a day after session at the cranberry bog and down on the beach where Jen and Greg were thrilled to get in the water! 

From the Bride…Greg and I met in college and quickly got to know each other during our late night study sessions. Greg talked highly of his friends and family and soon invited me to travel with him to the East Coast. It was an offer I couldn’t pass up and ended up flying halfway across the country. First stop on the travel adventure? Nantucket! I immediately fell in love (even more with him, his family and the island). It’s a quaint and classic New England town and something this mountain girl had never seen before.

After six years of dating and visiting the island frequently, Greg finally proposed. He made the day so special by sharing some of our favorite activities together…we fished, enjoyed the Nantucket Cranberry Festival and drove out on the beach to the very tip of the island. Greg got down on one knee at the top of Great Point Lighthouse at sunset and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.

A year later we wanted to share the same excitement and memorable time with our family and friends. Most of our guests had never been to the island and we wanted them to feel the charm of Nantucket…our wedding theme was definitely inspired by the classic island look and feel. Our colors were navy and Nantucket red. Our attire was traditional suits and dresses. We also wore “his and her” Sperry Top Siders. Our arrangements were hydrangeas and sea grass, which are island staples. We created signs to help lead guests, which were made out of weathered wood similar to the shingles you would find on the buildings. And our ceremony took place on the water where we love to spend time together. There were so many meaningful moments + details…we tied a fisherman’s knot during the ceremony, signifying the joining of our lives. Our dog was the best “man” and wore a bow tie and collar that matched Greg’s attire! After a cocktail hour that featured a classic raw bar, guests entered the reception where a slideshow greeted them with pictures of us and our love ones. Tables were decorated with hydrangeas centerpieces, Nantucket road signs with different villages in place of table numbers, nautical knots and fudge from a local shop. The reception was full of laughter, dancing and picture taking in the photobooth!

Our wedding was perfect and extremely special to us, and the details were fun to work on but made the day that much more special. We will forever remember this beautiful day with the amazing pictures captured by our wonderful photographer, Jesse Starr!

Photography: Jesse Starr Photography | Videography: Border Free Productions/ Kristen Kellogg | Floral Design: Flowers on Chestnut | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Cake: Simply with Style | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Simply with Style | Groomsmen Attire: Ralph Lauren | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Great Harbor Yacht Club | Hair and Makeup Artist: Darya Salon & Spa | Photo Booth: Nantucket Photobooth | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: The Wauwinet Inn

Saturdays are made for swooning. With calendars cleared and no work in sight, it’s the very best time to cozy up to a wedding and get to know some our of newest advertisers just a wee bit better. Joining the ranks this week? Aster B. Flowers and Ladylike Love. They’re two of New England’s top notch wedding whizzes and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome them to the SMP family!

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First up, the lovelies of Aster B. Flowers! They can whip up wedding bloomage like nobody’s business and we for one, are major fans. Prepare to swoon as you snag a glimpse at their work below.

From Aster B. Flowers… Your wedding day is a fun and exciting time – a time to truly express your personality and style as a couple. The small details you choose can say so much, particularly flowers. Flowers can be playful or polished, wild or composed, colorful or subdued. They can evoke a mood, a feeling, an intention. Aster B. Flowers is a small flower farm on Massachusetts’ North Shore. We grow local, seasonal, organic flowers for weddings and events. We offer full service floral design, as well as cut flowers by the bucket for couples who prefer to create their own arrangements or bouquets.

Aster B. is happy to announce it’s newest offering for summer 2014: flower parties! Gather some friends or family and come spend a few hours on the farm learning the basics of floral design, having fun and creating memories. This is a perfect activity for bridal parties or bachelorettes. Contact us to discuss your vision and budget and we will create a custom package just for you.

Aster B. Flowers is offering every SMP bride that books by March 31, 2014 a complimentary bag of flower petals for their wedding, a $25 value. Just mention “SMP Gift” in your inquiry.

Photography: Melissa Glorieux + Wayne E. Chinnock Photography Co.

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If there’s ever a time to bring a fashion consultant into your life, it’s during the engagement process. From bridal showers, to the bachelorette party, and every event in between, the outfits make all the difference. *Enter* the experts at Ladylike Love who specialize in making sure you look fabulous from “I will” to “I do!”

From Ladylike Love… As an experienced bridal professional, I want to share my passion with brides-to-be looking for a fashion companion for all of the events surrounding her wedding. Ladylike Love offers personalized services to brides and her bridal party including styling, gown selection, day-of dressing and unique accessories. I even have accessories for pets! Visit our website or send us a message to find out more information about how we can work together to find you the perfect wedding day look!

Specializing in wedding day bridal assisting. This includes pick-up and delivery of garments, pressing out any wrinkles, dressing, lacing, zipping, and buttoning. I also oversee the formal photography sessions to ensure perfect results. Ladylike also offers editorial fashion styling, engagement photo assistance and rehearsal dinner fashion selection.

Photography: Briana Moore Photography + Erika Follansbee Photography

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Welcome loves! So thrilled to call you family! xoxo