Massachusetts Weddings

If you’ve been known to do a little happy dance when the perfect wedding, deserving of a little jig, comes along then get ready to break out your dancing shoes. Because this fusion wedding is so absolutely beautiful and lively I haven’t been able to stop my happy feet. When a team of pros including EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design, Jeri Solomon Floral Design, Allegro Photography, and so many more team up to create, it never falls short of magic, and this is not the exception. Click here for the full gallery – where you can see all of this gorgeous soiree, including the stunning transition to a more western party!

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From the bride … Our wedding day was exactly what we wanted—a joyous celebration to kick off our new life together.  We both loved how the Hindu traditions we incorporated helped make our wedding day so exciting and fun.  For example, the baraat—where Dan’s friends and family escort him to the ceremony in a lively procession—was such an amazing way for Dan to make his entrance.  We are also very happy that we wrote our own vows.  It was such a heartfelt part of the ceremony, and we were later told that there was hardly a dry eye among our guests!  The fun continued into the reception where Tupper Manor provided an elegant backdrop to all the festivities.  Music is very important to us, and we were so thrilled that we had such a fantastic dance party.  It was an incredibly special day, and the best thing about it was the outpouring of love and support we received from our friends and family.

From EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design … Working on Priyanka and Dan’s wedding was truly a special experience at EFD Creative. Because of their different backgrounds, the couple wanted to create an experience that infused Priyanka’s Indian traditions with a traditional American-style wedding.

The inspiration for the wedding started with color, and the couple was excited to incorporate jeweled tones for the look and feel. Priyanka’s family was making several trips to India, so I spent time working with them on specific items to bring back, including the cocktail hour table linens and other décor.

The overall idea was to have the beginning of the event focus on Indian traditions, which included the Dohl player leading the groom with his family members into the wedding service. As the evening progressed, we transitioned it to an American-style wedding where Priyanka changed into a classic white gown. We started with a beautiful Indian ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour that thematically carried through many of the elements of Indian design, but highlighted a classic American-style décor. This was accomplished by using the same color tones to bring it all together and adding a final touch with Indian jeweled boxes as the favor at each seat.

In order to naturally merge these two cultures into one experience with an overarching look and feel, we had to make sure everything down to the smallest detail supported our theme, without overwhelming the guests or having the two cultures compete for attention. The transitions had to be stunning, but subtle so we could tell the story of this couple from two different backgrounds falling in love and now becoming one.

Photography: Allegro Photography / Wedding Planning & Design: EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design / Florist: Jeri Solomon Floral Design / Hair & Make-up: Wedding Tresses / Cookies: Cookie Creatives / DJ & Lighting: DJ Raffi / Cake: Jenny’s Wedding Cakes / Invitations: Allure Invitations / Photobooth: Photobooth Favors / Venue: Tupper Manor / Cinematography: Long Haul Films

As you gear up for your Thanksgiving feasts and as you watch the big parade, I hope that your appetite is just as ready for beautiful images from The 2654 Project as it is for turkey, because this wedding at Lyceum Hall – which just so happens to be as historical as it is gorgeous – is the perfect inspiration for budget-friendly and exquisitely creative weddings alike. Hands down, my most favorite part of the day would have to be the darling first look that expresses so truly these lovebirds and their love for each other. And you can see every bit in the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… Carey and I met in 2007 back when he owned a coffee and juice bar named Fuel in the heart of downtown Salem. My girlfriends and I would go in for lunch and lattes, and I thought he was so handsome and sweet but that he was married. After frequenting Fuel for about a year, I learned that the woman who I thought was his wife was actually one of his business partners. One of my friends convinced him to come out with us for drinks over Memorial Day weekend, and I guess you can say the rest is history. Carey proposed in June 2011 after four years together, and we were both excited to plan a wedding day that reflected who we are while keeping it simple and sticking to a budget. First item on the list: finding a venue that matched our style. I didn’t want a space where the decor dictated what colors or style would look good, so when we decided on Lyceum Hall, an event space upstairs from a popular restaurant in Salem. I felt like we hit the jackpot — an absolutely gorgeous space that was filled to the brim with charm and history, that was beautiful on its own, and was also crazy budget friendly. The rental fee to have our ceremony and reception there was only $500 — yes, you read that correctly!

Once the venue and date was set (8/11/12), I got right to work on all of the DIY projects that I had in mind. My wedding dress was all lace, and we chose blush pink and gray as our wedding colors, so I wanted to carry all three of those throughout the decor. My bridesmaids and I decorated mason jars with yarn wraps and ribbon bows for floral arrangements in the main room, wrapped mason jars with lace to burn candles in, and glued hand-cut flags to paper straws to be placed at the bar. I designed our guest book using the photos from our engagement shoot that our guests wrote words of wisdom and advice in, and we had a candle printed to honor my father who passed away when I was a little girl. I loved working on all of the little details and then getting to see everything come together — it was truly a labor of love.

Continuing with our DIY theme, my uncle applied for a one day solemnizer license, and he married us. Having someone who really knows us perform our wedding ceremony was so amazing. He included personal stories about me as a kid and some of his own memories of Carey and me, and it made the ceremony that much more heartfelt. Standing there holding Carey’s hand and listening to my uncles advice about how to have a lasting marriage is one of my favorite memories of the day. The best piece of advice that I got was “Just remember, you don’t HAVE to do anything.” I didn’t do a bouquet toss or a garter toss, and we had cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake — just a few of the things that some people thought were weird. Keep it simple: focus on the things that are important to the two of you and everything else will fall into place.

Wedding Photography: The 2654 Project / Wedding Venue + Catering: Lyceum Hall at 43 Church in Salem, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Karla Cassidy Designs / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Amanda Oakleaf Cakes / Ceremony + Reception Music: DJ JT Stevens / Mr. & Mrs. Chair Signs: Always in Season on Etsy / Lace Bunting Cake Topper and Lace Flag Cupcake Picks: Jaden Rain Inspired on Etsy / “I Do” Cupcake Picks: Vintage Twee / Wedding Dress: Watters via Madeleine’s Daughter / Bride’s Veil: Borrowed from Her Sister-in-Law / Bride’s Earrings: Carolee via Macy’s / Bride’s Shoes: Lulu Townsend via DSW / Hair + Makeup: From Hair to Eternity: Special Day by Carolina / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters via Blushing Bride / Men’s Tuxedos: Ralph Lauren via J. Gibley Tuxedos

Winter weddings are definitely some of the most spectacular. Everywhere you turn, it seems the whole world has dressed up for the big occasion, as if it is trying to mirror the Bride’s radiance in lacy icicles and a shimmery white blanket of snow. And the wintry wonderland that is this wedding from Bharat Parmar Photography is the perfect illustration of such beauty. Amidst a gorgeous snowfall outside, The Barn at Gibbet Hill made great refuge for these guests with its warmth, rustic wooden interior and those wonderfully elegant chandeliers. Cozy up with the full wedding in the gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Dave and I met in middle school and have been best friends our whole life. We started dating in January our senior year of college, had our daughter Olivia in October of 2009, got engaged in January of 2010, and decided January 2011 would be the perfect time for our winter wedding! We fell in love with the idea of a barn wedding because of the natural character the barn has, and when we saw The Barn at Gibbet Hill, we knew it was the place we had always dreamed of. The ambiance and food made everyone feel right at home. We were lucky enough to have a snowstorm blow through days before the wedding, covering the entire field with fresh white powder, and minutes after our ceremony, a light snow sprinkled down, allowing our photographer to catch some amazing shots in the snow!  I always love the idea of a DIY project and created mostly everything in the wedding: the invitations, decor, table numbers, card holder, place cards, menu cards, candy/desert table, mason jar luminaries, etc. It has even sparked the creation of my business on Etsy! 

Wedding Photography: Bharat Parmar Photography / Wedding Venue: The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Andrea D’Amelio Floral Design / Cupcakes: Shabby Chic — A Sweets Boutique / DJ: Charles Mercer of Entertainment Specialists / Transportation: M & L Transit Systems / Accommodations: Radisson Hotel Nashua / Wedding Dress: Watters “Victoria” via Madeleine’s Daughter / Jewelry: Nordstrom / Hair: Carrie of Cassandra’s Salon / Makeup: Katrina Hess / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Betsey Johnson “Queen of Hearts”

You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if you tried. I mean, I can’t get over it. Every image here is stunning and every detail is perfectly in tune with the one before it and it makes me giddy to look through this wedding from Alanna Scully Photography. There are all of these little stories and notes delightfully tucked away throughout the reception on playfully designed paper from Dulce Press that is just oh-so-perfect for a Massachusetts wedding. You can see all of them and more in the gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Alanna Scully Photography… From the minute Hannah contacted me (about 24 hours after she got engaged!), I was excited to shoot her wedding. Hannah is one of those people in life who you immediately become friends with. I’m not sure if it’s her infectious laugh, her hilarious sense of humor, her kindness and warmth to everyone she comes in contact with, or a combination of all three, but she truly became one of my favorite brides very quickly. As soon as I met Joe, I felt the same way, and I felt honored that they had both chosen me as their photographer. They were married in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, at the prep school Hannah attended years ago, and although their love story actually started in Vermont (in the same town where I will be moving next year!), Mattapoisett was a perfect place for them to become husband and wife. They held their tented reception on Hannah’s aunt’s waterfront property, and friends and relatives from both Vermont and Massachusetts danced the night away in a beautiful Sperry tent. And when they weren’t dancing, they were enjoying the delicious s’mores bar set up by Crazy Chefs Caterers. It was the perfect nautical celebration for Hannah and Joe.

Wedding Photography: Alanna Scully Photography / Ceremony: The Bride’s Former School in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts / Reception: The Home of the Bride’s Aunt in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts / Wedding Coordination: Cape Cod Celebrations / Floral Design: Tangent Floral and Garden Design / Catering: The Crazy Chefs Caterers / Wedding Cake: Delicious Desserts / Wedding Paper Goods: Dulce Press / DJ: City Lights / Favors: Seeds of Happiness / Tent: Sperry Tents / Wedding Dress: James Clifford Collection via Platinum Bridal Boutique / Hair + Makeup: Sister’s Hair & Skin Care

Good morning, SMPers and welcome to my new obsession – a pretty little Boston wedding that I am positive you will love.  The perfect combo of uber-romantic details and a to-die-for modern aesthetic, it’s the world’s most beautiful bride, her dashing groom and one magical moment after another captured by Avenna Studios, including those lush blooms by Winston Flowers and that masterpiece of a gown by Monique Lhuillier.  Did I mention I was obsessed?  See so much more right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Dan and I met in NYC a few years ago at a pre-Deadmau5 rave party held at my apartment. At the time, I was living with my brother, who asked me that day if it was ok for one of the guests to bring a “cool” co-worker. That coworker was, big surprise, Dan. The first impression I had of Dan when I opened the door that fateful night was, “What a cute, sweaty boy!” (He is three years younger than me!) I immediately fell for his toothy smile and floppy hair. The sweat was due to walking up the 10 flights of stairs since our elevator was down. That night, we danced the night away and pretty much have been together ever since.

Because I am a fine art photographer, designing a gorgeous wedding was important to me — I had to fulfill high expectations! I had two different directions that I wanted to go in — the first, and more primal, was my desire for a romantic, lush, more traditional wedding. My second was to keep things fresh and modern. With the latter in mind, I immediately knew that I wanted to hold my wedding at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Since it had been built several years earlier, I was fascinated by its modern architecture, jetting over the industrial Boston Harbor. Dan loves all things with straight lines (or influenced by Bauhaus), so this venue was right up his alley. However, the cool, clean aesthetic did not match my vision of something lush and romantic. 

I decided to combine my two creative visions with the goal to have the juxtaposition create energy. Using a soft palette of blush, gray and white, I made sure that all decorations and style choices fit with into an ethereal and vintage style (my blush Monique Lhuillier dress was the starting point for the rest of the design). Our letterpress invitations are a good example of mixing both the clean modern and the soft romantic design. The cards had a simple, letterpressed sans serif font and no decoration and were wrapped in a Japanese blush paper and chiffon ribbon and addressed with traditional calligraphy. For the actually wedding, Diana of SD Events came up with the idea of the chandeliers hanging from fabric matching the theme, which was genius! The loose flower arrangements helped soften the atmosphere, and the gorgeous ombre cake is yet another example of our vision realized. To add my own artistic merit, I created an abstract video of springtime blooming flowers that was projected on screens above seating cards and the guest book. Beside the guest book was a display of photographs I compiled of family weddings from both Dan’s family and my own.

I was amazed at how this wedding ended up fulfilling my desire to have a dream wedding — transforming a cool, minimalist setting of the ICA into an enchanted, modern fairytale. Dan and wrote our own vows to each other, which I believe hold powerful guidance for when we hit tough times in our journey through life together. After that was dinner and lots of dancing. I cannot say enough good things about our band, Starlight Orchestras, who traveled up from NYC. By the end of the night, both Dan and I were soaked with sweat on the dance floor, just like the night we met.

Wedding Photography: Avenna Studios Photography / Wedding Venue: Boston Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, Massachusetts / Event Design: DIY by the Bride / Event Planning: Diana Hoffman of SD Events / Floral Design: Ben Newbold of Winston Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Buzz Media Company / Wedding Cake: Jenny’s Wedding Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Smudge Ink / Programs + Menus: DIY by the Bride / Music: Rebecca Blake of Starlight Orchestras / Rentals: Be Our Guest / Glass Tent: Peterson Party Center / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Dior / Makeup: Kim Fosher / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale

I’m at that age where friends are getting engaged left and right. And having been a bride just one year ago, I’m often asked for planning advice! The number one thing I tell a bride-to-be is: choose vendors you love and trust and then let them do their thing!  That is exactly what this Cape Cod couple did for their “nothing fussy or complicated” Wequassett Resort and Golf Club nuptials and the result was simply stunning. Nicole Chaput Photography captured every last detail and you can see it all right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Chris and I were married at Wequassett Resort on Cape Cod on July 7, 2012, on a humid but otherwise perfect day that was exactly three years, two months, and one day after our first date. We were so excited as our wedding day approached, for the usual reasons of course, but also because weddings play a big role in our lives together. Chris is a wedding photographer by trade, and we actually met when he was hired to photograph my cousin’s wedding (yes, I was a bridesmaid!). A friendship, and eventually love, blossomed as he photographed my sister’s and several additional cousins’ and family friends’ weddings in the years that followed. We both spent lots of time on Cape Cod as children and have wonderful memories of times we’ve spent together down Cape. Chris has worked at Wequassett too many times to count, and deeply respects his friend (and catering director) Kalson Pang’s talent when it comes to coordinating flawless events. Having our wedding on Wequasset’s Croquet Lawn overlooking Pleasant Bay was a dream come true, especially because of the beautiful, deeply-personal ceremony written and delivered by Rev. Kathleen Geagan, complete with an original comedic poem telling the story of our courtship. 

What mattered most to us was that our wedding day be laid-back and that we be surrounded by our closest friends and family. Most of our vendors were dear friends with whom Chris has worked for years and years, which made planning about as stress-free as it can be. Our philosophy in planning a wedding was to hire talented people, give them a little bit of guidance, and then just trust them to do what they do best! The only rule was “Nothing fussy or complicated.” We kept things simple with an intimate bridal party (just our best man and matron of honor) and low floral arrangements, and we also kept things fun with a make your own ice cream sundae bar and a band (the unbelievable K2) that kept the dance floor packed all night. Our gorgeous photographs were taken by the very talented Nicole Chaput (with help from Eileen Nelson). We were so comfortable and calm having two good friends behind the cameras and by our side throughout the day. All of our lovely paper products were custom-designed from scratch by our dear friend Donna Kim, who incorporated photos Chris had taken at Wequasset years earlier into our invitations, programs, seating board and favor thank you tags. Our cake (lemon filling!) and cake truffle favors were lovingly crafted by the superbly-talented and hilarious Lisa Raffael. Our stunning florals were whipped up by Karen Taddei of Lilacs who took our vague vision (purple, green and wood) and hit an absolute home run. The birch arbor in the ceremony space was particularly breathtaking set against the blue expanse of Pleasant Bay.

Our wedding day was everything we dreamed it could be–relaxed, lovely, and filled with joy. We were surrounded by friends and family from near and far, and that was truly the greatest gift!

Wedding Photography: Nicole Chaput Photography / Second Shooter: Eileen Nelson Photography / Wedding Venue: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Karen Taddei of Lilacs / Event Coordination: Kalson Pang of Wequassett Resort and Golf Club / Officiant: Rev. Kathleen Geagan of Soulful Wedding Ceremonies / Wedding Cake + Cake Truffle Favors: Lisa Raffael of Delicious Desserts / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: Donna Kim of The Perfect Details  (Featuring Photos by the Groom) / String Quartet: Fensgate Chamber Players / Band: K2 / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via Country Weddings Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Jewelry: Nadri via Nordstrom / Bride’s Shoes + Hair Pin: Nina / Bride’s Purple Ring: Her Late Grandmother’s / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George / Matron of Honor’s Dress: Jennifer Reale Design / Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers / Groom’s Shoes: Johnston & Murphy / Groom’s Tie: J.Crew / Best Man’s + Father of Groom’s Ties: Brooks Brothers / Engagement Ring: Grafstein Diamond Corp. in New York City / Wedding Bands: Ross Simons

I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend with two great friends who have just moved up to Boston. I had never been there before and while my husband and I discussed our favorite neighborhoods of the beautiful, historic city we visited during our stay, we both agreed that South End topped them all. And this wedding from Kelly Dillon Photography shows exactly why this charming little neighborhood made such a fond impression on us. Perfectly traditional with a flair for the gorgeous, one word to describe this whole wedding would be captivating. And you can see it all in the gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Chris and I both moved to New England to attend Northeastern University. We met when I was a freshman and Chris a junior. We fell in love with Boston and have made the city our home. Both our families are spread across the continent, so it made the most sense to have our wedding here. It was extra special to us to share “our” city with our family and friends. We chose to marry in the large cathedral in our South End neighborhood, taking pictures in front of our home and celebrating with sunset cocktails over the Boston harbor. My vision for the wedding was to keep it clean and contemporary, using a simple color palette and modern typefaces. I chose to do groupings of single flowers in green and white, including hydrangea, roses, lilies,and bells of Ireland as a nod to Chris’ heritage. Overall, the entire day was a beautiful success, and I could not have asked for anything more.

Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Ceremony: Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Massachusetts / Reception: The Harborview Ballroom at Boston Marriott Long Wharf / Floral Design: Flou(-e)r / Wedding Cake: Montilio’s Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Paper Source / Transportation: Christopher Limousine / Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Hair + Makeup: Sara’s Glam Squad Salon / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Groom’s Attire: Brooks Brothers

It’s the quintessential Cape Cod wedding – navy blue and nantucket red – and we’re in love. The bride just so happens to be the cutest I’ve run across in my time as a wedding blogger, and her big day is just as sweet as she is. With Jenny Moloney Photography behind the camera, we’re able to enjoy the gallery like we were actually at this fun, fun wedding. Click here to see it all!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Well, I grew up sailing with my family. My dad was the captain of the sailing team when he was at the Naval Academy. Kurt swam for the Naval Academy. He has always been in the water since he was little. As for Cape Cod, my uncles have a cottage in Orleans, MA, that I’ve visited to since I was a little girl. I fell in love with Saint Christopher’s as a small girl and told my Uncle Frank that one day I would get married in that church. 

When we were planning our wedding, we both decided it was important to treat our guests on our special day. We wanted them to know how much we appreciate all their love and support over the years. So we planned a wedding week. We had a golf day with lunch at Mahoney’s Grill for the men and a spa day with lunch at the Beacon Room and a night in Provincetown and a party bus for the ladies. All guests were invited to our rehearsal dinner lobster bake. As for the big day, we had a morning wedding ceremony followed by a beautiful sunny afternoon reception in a big white tent. We had Italian influences, honoring my Italian heritage (my grandmother is 100% Italian), starting with the prosecco to the main course and ending with the italian pastries from Modern pastry in Boston. We didn’t want the day to end at sunset so we planned a pub crawl through Orleans for our guests and hired a party bus to take us to popular spots like the Lost Dog and Land Ho! We said farewell to our guests with a wonderful Newlywed Brunch on Sunday before the journey back home.

My mother was the ultimate wedding planner or as she tells me, she brought to life the ideas and inspirations I came up with. Being on the Cape, I knew our colors would be Navy and Nantucket Red. From there, I spent any free time during my surgical internship planning. I got ideas from Pinterest, Style Me Pretty, Snipet & Ink, Handmade Weddings, Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine.

The idea for the invitations came from the book Handmade Weddings. My mom found nautical charts at a store in Houston and cut out each of the outer envelopes by hand. I think my dad helped with a few too! Kurt made the labels and we had the invitations and save the date printed by Paper Source.

Photography: Jenny Moloney Photography / Venue: Captain Heman Smith House, Orleans, MA / Florist: Flowers by Mary / Dress: Pronovias “Alma,” Love Couture Bridal / Shoes: “Charm” Navy Kate Spade glitter slingbacks, Neiman Marcus / Earrings: Petit Alhambra Van Cleef & Arpels / Chapel Veil: handmade by bride’s mother / Reception Veil: handmade by bride’s mother and groom’s grandmother / Cake Topper: Over the Top Studio on Etsy / Table numbers and signs: Paper Source / Invitations: Paper Source / Guestbook: Mixbook.com / Reception Fascinators: Dillard’s / Bowties: Nantucket Red Oxford Stripe Bow ties by High Cotton / Flower girls’ Dresses: Laura Ashley / Wedding party hair: Hair Affinity / Wedding party make-up: Brenda King Chatham Beauty / Candy Bags & Koozie Design: My Sweet Life / Catering: Shannon Mahoney, Sumptuous Events & Catering / Pennant Flags & Tissue Paper Flowers: DIY

Everything, and I mean everything, about this wedding is adorably perfect and I love it, I love it, I love it. Yes, I know I said it three times, but once is simply not enough to explain the adoration I have for every single part of these nuptials at Bourne Farm, from the vows written on the most darling teeny tiny scrolls to the ahhhh-mazing image from Dreamlove Photography of these newlyweds riding off into the distance in a classic car made by the groom himself and every glorious detail in between. And you can see them all right here in the gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Dreamlove Photography… On Cape Cod, most couples either have a coastal beach wedding or a more inland rustic farm wedding — Nicole and Winslow opted for both. They began the day with an intimate ceremony with their closest friends and family, saying “I do” with their handwritten vows on tiny curled scrolls of paper. Then, after an amazing coastal portrait photography session, they joined in at the reception at Bourne Farm, a rustic estate-like wedding venue on the cape. Nicole and Winslow’s wedding incorporated so many little heartfelt details: she wore the shawl for portraits that was her mother’s on her wedding day, a rosary from her late brother was wrapped around her bouquet, Winslow escorted her away after the ceremony in an amazing vintage car that he built himself, and hundreds of old photographs were strung up around the cocktail area in the Bourne Farm barn.

From the Bride… My favorite part about my wedding is when my husband pulled me aside while everyone was on the dance floor and asked me to take a minute just to look around. Look at our parents, our family, our friends, all our hard work… Being able to slow down and see it all and take it all in is a moment that I will never forget. The best advice I can pass along is prepare for all that you can, let go of everything you have no control over and if at the end of the day you are married to your best friend, than that is truly all that matters. And remember, there will come a point that you have done all that you can — don’t miss this crucial moment because it is from here that you must enjoy every single second. It will go by in a flash.

Wedding Photography: Dreamlove Photography / Wedding Venue: Bourne Farm in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Allen’s House of Flowers / Catering: The Casual Gourmet / Wedding Cake: Krista Malayter, A Family Friend / Wedding Invitations: Jen Simpson Design / DJ: Keith Lemire / Cake Topper: Jordyluxe / Guest Book: Totally Salinda / Guest Book Props: The Manic Moose / Wedding Dress + Shrug: Alvina Valenta / Bride’s Shoes: Michael Kors / Bride’s Necklace: Tiffany & Co. / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal + L.K. Bennett / Men’s Suits: Jos A. Bank / Bride’s Engagement Ring: An Heirloom from the Groom’s Family / Wedding Bands: Long’s

Love works in mysterious ways and for this darling duo it was chance 10 minute meeting and a 5 hour first date (!) that led to a lifetime of romance.  So, when choosing the perfect spot for their engagement session, it was a total no-brainer… Main Street in Plymouth, the location of that very first date and an uber-gorgeous backdrop to boot.  Thankfully for us, Ruth Eileen Photography was on hand to snap up all of the lovely… and the gallery?  One fabulous way to spend a Monday.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride-to-Be… Justin and I chose Main Street in Plymouth because Sam Diegos was the spot of our first date, and we had such a great time together there. It was actually a pretty big date for more than just your usual reasons. We’d met about eight months prior when he was the ICU nurse taking care of my grandmother at a local hospital. She was actually our matchmaker and told him he had to meet her granddaughter. She was even able to get his number later for me. But unfortunately, we had trouble meeting up at first; life got in the way and we each had a lot going on. I thought it was never going to happen and actually deleted his number. Then in late September he reached out again via Facebook and we were finally able to set a date at Sam Diegos for dinner on October 16, 2008. I think we were both pretty nervous when that night rolled around (I know he had a drink or two before I met him there). We’d talked on the phone several times but we hadn’t actually seen each other since mid-January that same year — and that was only for 10 minutes! But luckily, as fate would have it, the date went very smoothly, and we hit it off immediately. Justin was so easy to talk to and dinner expanded to drinks at a bar across the street. The whole thing lasted 5 hours! And that was that. We’ve been happy ever since and can’t wait to get married next August. I love going back to Sam Diegos because we always remember how it’s where everything started for us. Plus the food is delicious! We felt it was only right to have our photos taken at the spot where our journey began.

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography / Location: Plymouth, Massachusetts / Hair + Makeup: Beehive the Salon

We’re totally crushing on this pretty wedding and all its bright pops of yellow. And can we talk for a moment about the super talented bride who rolled and folded hundreds of paper flowers, (with help from her sister!) to mix in with all their CSA flowers. Oh, how we love those swirly little flowers! Shang Chen Photography captured all the elegant details and there’s tons more to see right here in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Shang Chen Photography… Featuring an ever-gorgeous yellow and gray color palette to tons and eye-popping handmade DIY goodness, Lynn and Chris’s wedding at the Lyman Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts, was stunning. When Lynn first booked me, she expressed to me how important it was for her guests to have a very enjoyable day with a laid-back atmosphere. Her dream came true when the weather was spectacular on her wedding day, allowing for a sun-soaked outdoor ceremony. Lynn and Chris had an emotional first look in the library of The Lyman Estate, where Lynn cried as Chris told her how beautiful she was in her A-line Liv Harris gown. The best part of the details of this were the hand-made flowers. Lynn and her sister painstakingly folded, rolled and put together the gorgeous paper flowers you see featured in the centerpieces, which are mixed with blooms from Red Fire Farm, where Lynn and Chris were members of the CSA. Bumble Bee Landing, a talented florist in the Boston area, added to the vintage appeal of the wedding with a luscious bridal bouquet of peonies, succulents and cala lilies. A kusudama wreath made of hundreds of individually-folded flowers greeted guests as they entered the mansion. And a super bright and fun pinwheel photo booth complemented the evening experience. Lynn and Chris and their fun family and friends danced all the way to the end of the night.

Wedding Photography: Shang Chen Photography / Second Shooter: Ashley Stelzer / Wedding Venue: The Lyman Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts / Personal Flowers: Bumble Bee Landing / Centerpieces: Red Fire Farm / Catering + Wedding Cake: Cuisine Chez Vous / Wedding Invitations, Photo Booth + Paper Flowers: DIY / DJ: Max of C-Zone Music / Wedding Dress: Liv Harris via Vows Bridal Outlet / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair + Makeup: From Hair to Eternity / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Groom’s Tuxedo: Russo Tux / Rings: Barmakian Jewelers

As a native of Massachusetts, I thought I knew every barn in the state that held weddings. Turns out I was wrong and missed one heck of a fabulous venue. Behold the beyond beautiful Quonquont Farm in Whatley. I’m totally smitten and once you get cozy with all the drop dead gorgeous images by Love + Perry Photography, we know you will be too. This wedding is perfection in every sense of the word. See it all right here.

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From Love + Perry Photography… We loved Leyla and Julian’s wedding for the sheer emotion you can see radiating from everyone. It’s so apparent in all the photos how happy and loved the couple were. They got married at Quontquont Farm and Orchard in Whatley, Massachusetts, on a warm, sunny afternoon with friends and family from all over the world.

Leyla is half British, half Palestinian, and Julian is Colombian. They took so many awesome traditions from both sides. Leyla’s mother wore a giant (very English) hat. Leyla’s father led a traditional Palestinian drum tabla from the ceremony site. Julian’s cousin did a reading in Spanish. The couple danced a salsa for their first dance. We couldn’t get over how simply gorgeous everything was. All of the paper goods were designed by Julian, who is a graphic designer. The flowers were arranged by Leyla’s mother, and both Leyla and her sister’s dresses were made by a close friend.

Wedding Photography: Love + Perry Photography / Wedding Venue: Quonquont Farm in Whatley, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Ruth Moushabeck (The Bride’s Mother) /  Catering: Seth Mias / Wedding Cake: Woodstar Cafe / Wedding Invitations: Julian Ramirez (The Groom) / Wedding Dress: A Friend

Inspired by her love of The Secret Garden, this bride planned one heck of a fairy tale wedding, if I do say so myself. From the stacks of antique books covered in moss, to the brass keys that led guests to their seats, this wedding is all about the perfect little details. Oh, and the fact that they held both the ceremony and reception at the Boston Public Library? Well, that just makes it off the hook fantastic! Sweet Monday Photography captured all the details and trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this gallery!

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From Sweet Monday Photography… Maggie’s inspiration for her wedding was a favorite childhood book, “The Secret Garden,” so the florals were designed with an English garden in mind (lots of roses, vines, moss, etc.), and there were keys to escort people to their seats. She wanted classic elegance and glamour, and the Boston Public Library is one of the most stunning venues in Boston. There were lots of other book-themed elements throughout the day, such as the paper suite, moss-covered books stacked among the florals on the tables, the pop-up book they had welcoming people into the ceremony and table numbers at the reception. Chris owns a sock company, so he provided the party favors “just in case the night knocked your socks off.” Maggie works in the fashion industry so we knew she was going to bring it with her dress — her fresh-off-the-runway Oscar de la Renta did not disappoint!

Wedding Photography: Sweet Monday Photography / Wedding Venue: Boston Public Library / Event Coordination: James Hansen of The Catered Affair / Floral Design: Twig / Wedding Cinematography: Lance of Lucky Quarter Productions / Wedding Cake: The Catered Affair / Wedding Invitations: Side Show Press / Programs, Menus, Table Numbers, Tags + Other Paper Goods: Lynn Graham Designs / Calligraphy: Gail Gardner / Ceremony Music: Anna Talpe (talpe.anna@gmail.com) / Band: Eye to Eye via Wilson Stevens Productions / Favors: Oberon Socks / Lighting: Alps / Rentals: Jennifer of Be Our Guest / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta via BleuBelle Bridal / Bride’s Second Dress: Custom by Cavortress / Hair: Mario Russo Salon / Makeup: Rose Fortuna via Mario Russo Salon / Groom’s Tuxedo: Hugo Boss / Pop-up Book: LoveAndFound

This is no ordinary backyard wedding, lovelies. This little number is just oh-so-spectacular and these darling images from Studio SMC Photography and the most colorful and magnificent florals from Forget me not Florist have just sent me right over the moon. And you know you’re in for a good, genuine celebration when a bride’s woodworking skills combined with the couple’s gratitude for friends and family result in handmade wooden corkscrews for each guest. Oh, and cannoli too? Shut.the.front.door. See every moment of this endearing fête in our gallery right here.

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From Christa, A Bride… Although Dawn and I eloped in our backyard earlier this spring, we wanted to find a way to include our closest family and friends in the celebration of our wedding. If you know us, you know that we love our home and our connection to our gardens because we live in an old farmhouse in South Hadley, Massachusetts. So, a simple, DIY, outdoor garden party at home seemed in order.

Wanting the event to have a relaxed and rustic feel, we outfitted the backyard with vintage-inspired flea market finds. Burlap table runners, natural-toned bamboo plates and birch wood utensils kept things simple and added to the casual, outdoor theme. With antique mason jars as centerpieces, Forget me not Florist perfectly captured our vision with elegant arrangements. During a wedding shower weekend we dubbed “sisterpalooza,” my sisters and I began preparations in earnest, crafting bunting in shades of blue that would hang from the pergola. Knowing any backyard party isn’t complete without lawn games, my sisters gave us the perfect gift for the occasion: an Etsy-inspired “Keep Calm Marry On” corn hole toss, which added spirited play to the gathering. We wanted folks to relax and have fun.

For us, the most special part of the day was the moment we surprised our guests with a re-enactment of our elopement ceremony. Almost nine years to the day of our first meeting, we exchanged our vows once again in front of our closest family and friends. A local jewelry designer, Rebekah Brooks, had perfectly melded our individual styles in creating truly unique, matching bands for the occasion. Our photographer, Sandra Costello, used her passion, talent and artful eye to flawlessly capture our story in the details of the day (and she also happens to be one of the family!). Her images beautifully show the joy and excitement of our day. As a keepsake for our guests, Dawn combined her love for woodworking and wine, creating handmade corkscrew favors for all. In the end, most meaningful to us, was that the day’s celebration only came together through the combined efforts of our family and friends who joined us with such enthusiasm in hosting our late summer afternoon of good food, fun and merriment. It was a day we will always treasure.

Wedding Photography: Studio SMC Photography / Wedding Venue: The Couple’s Home in South Hadley, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Forget me not Florist / Catering: Bottega Cucina / Tent + Rentals: Michael’s Party Rentals / Rings: Rebekah Brooks

Allow me to cut to the chase: This wedding by Dreamlove Photography is a dream! The country chic Crane Estate served as the ultimate backdrop for Audrey’s Flower Shop to enhance the luxe surroundings. And let’s face it, the brides Marisa dress plus her girls Alice and Olivia numbers look like they were a match made in wedding fashion heaven. For more dream worthy images, check out the full gallery here.

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From the Bride… Andrew and I got engaged in August 2011 and wanted to get married in the Summer of 2012. I am originally from Boston and Andrew grew up in the Bay Area, where we met and currently live. We initially struggled with where to have our wedding because we wanted to include my grandparents, who are in their 90’s and are unable to travel, but we worried about our ability to plan a wedding from across the country. Ultimately, we decided that including family was more important than ease of planning, and we chose the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a neighboring town of Annisquam, where I spent summers growing up. I read and heard many people say during the planning process that “it is all about the details,” but Andrew and I were all about simplicity so we went with a natural look.  My advice to brides planning their weddings is that you should go with your gut and plan the wedding that will make you both happy. Planning a wedding can be stressful and a lot of work, but do your best to embrace the excitement and enthusiasm everyone has for you because it comes from their love for you. 

Our favorite parts of the day were seeing each other for the first time; our first dance sung by one of our best friends, Aoife O’Donovan; being surrounded by our amazing family and friends and feeling so much love … and our impromptu afterparty at Rockfish in Newburyport.

Wedding Photography: Dreamlove Photography / Wedding Venue: The Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts / Wedding Planning: Tracy Kelly of Tangorra Wedding Planning / Floral Design: Audrey’s Flower Shop / Catering + Wedding Cake: Swartz Catering Company / Wedding Paper Goods: Paper and Parcel / Band: Night Shift / Wedding Dress: Marisa via L’elite / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Bride’s Engagement Ring: Kern’s Jewelry / Bride’s Wedding Band: Adamas Fine Jewelry / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alice and Olivia / Groom’s Suit: Theory / Groom’s Wedding Band: Derco Jewelers / Hair: Lindsay Griffin Boston Hairstylist / Makeup: Kerri Herlihy

The Barn at Gibbet Hill and its beautiful grounds never, ever cease to amaze and captivate my wedding-loving heart. Every image of this wedding from Tony Spinelli Photography is great enough to sweep me off my feet and take me away from reality, straight to wedding paradise. There lives these two sweethearts and their perfectly rustic celebration complete with cascading layers of lovely from Paloma Blanca and the most charming of gift bags around. See all of the lovely in the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… Back when I first became engaged, I fell in love with the mason jar “theme.” I hadn’t seen it done all that much at that point and certainly within my family, we STRICTLY use mason jars for jarring tomato sauce and pickled foods. My parents were born in Italy, and once I shared my wedding details with them, they were a little confused… “You want to use mason jars for what, now?” Ever the rebel, I knew I picked a detail I could run with. I suppose the mason jars were the first detail I had in mind, and from there, the other things just fell into place.

Our venue was a natural choice for my husband, Steven, and I. We fell in love with the venue for its classic, rustic elegance. (Exposed beams? Done!) We knew for sure that we didn’t want a large room in a hotel, and while we would have loved to be married on a beach, most of the venues we looked at were large rooms part of hotels. We wanted the feel to be more intimate, relaxed and fun. The venue had been recommended to me by my sister’s friend when Steven and I first started dating. Being a natural planner, and knowing where our relationship was headed (I guessed right!), I bookmarked the venue page for a later date…

One of the best pieces of wedding planning advice I received was, “If you think of your guests first, they are sure to have a great time.” I thought about what I would like to see at the wedding and what makes a wedding memorable for me. To me, this meant allowing our guests to see a glimpse of who Steven and I are together, what we like to do, our spirit… A lot of my details were DIY projects and my inspiration largely came from Style Me Pretty! Looking at the weddings on this site made my jaw drop daily, and I knew I had some serious work to do for my own wedding! I am a graphic designer by day, which came in handy with my invitations and various other signage around the venue. Our table numbers or table “names” were various cities and countries we traveled to together over the course of our relationship; each frame included when we traveled there and “fun facts” about the area. I created various props on a stick for my guests, including your standard mustache, eyewear and pipes. This tied in nicely with the cigar roller we hired after dinner. Our mason jars were filled with our signature drink of prosecco, peach juice and mint — light enough to drink all night! Wedding madlibs were provided so guests could get silly (they are also SO funny to read when you get home!). Both of my grandparents have passed away, and in their honor I hung a fedora (which my grandfather always used to wear) tied with my grandmother’s scarf and hung it on a pew in church. The fedora was then brought with us to the reception, and I love all of the pictures of my family dancing in the fedora. They couldn’t physically be at the wedding, but were certainly there in spirit. Steven and I felt such an overwhelming sense of love the entire day. We were surrounded by people who love and care about us all smiling and having a great time, and I just don’t think there is a more important detail than that.

Wedding Photography: Tony Spinelli Photography / Wedding Venue: The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Flou(-e)r / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca (4150) / Hair: Philip Ciampa / Makeup: Naz Kupelian

This wedding may be all about the romance, but that doesn’t mean that this beautiful couple doesn’t have a sense of humor or know how to celebrate in style. They surprised their wedding party by stopping at a dive bar after the ceremony and before the reception! Now that sounds like fun! Allegro Photography captured all the pretty and fun moments, like the Wedding Crashers quotes hidden throughout the reception. Click here for even more!

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From the Bride… We wanted a venue that felt unique, welcoming and charming in a rustic elegant kind of way. We had originally explored barns and vineyards but when we found Lord Thompson Manor, we realized it would be a lot easier to bring the rustic into that elegant setting than make a rustic barn look elegant, if you know what I mean. :) LTM is such a beautiful backdrop I didn’t want to take away from it by having some over-the-top theme or color scheme, so we stuck to neutrals, leaning towards burlap, white and moss colors, antique-looking elements and, to add a pop of summery color, we found the peach bridesmaids’ dresses and felt that would play nicely into our vision. Birch was another element I knew I wanted. LTM reminds me of the house I grew up in, and we had a ton of birch trees in the yard. I just love the bark and how it looked with the other elements of our planning. Plus, when I found my cake inspiration I was certain it needed to fit in. We were able to use real birch bark (thanks to Jackie) that was soaked and molded into things like the flower girl baskets, the cones that were used to throw petals on us while walking out the church, the CARDS sign on the antique suitcase we used to collect gifts, the flower pots used for center pieces, and then Jackie also placed big pieces of birch trees throughout to bring it home.

We wanted a romantic feel to things, which we achieved through the venue, but also by bringing in tons of candles, the chandeliers in the trees and the MUSIC (huge for us). We felt that really set things apart and made the day much more romantic than it would have been had it been a top 40 cover band. We also did some arts and crafts and made our “pearls of wisdom” bottles for each table with quotes about love. We also wanted to make sure we didn’t lose sight of ourselves and who we are as a couple. We love romance but in our relationship, it always is balanced with a healthy dose of humor, which is why we added in the Wedding Crashers quotes (fun fact: NO ONE but Steve, me and my mom knew those would be hidden throughout the party. It was a nice surprise for guests; Steve hid them Saturday morning after getting ready, and my mom was only looped in to help with printing), the go flip yourself booth and, of course, our other surprise: the stop at the dive bar. The dive bar between ceremony and reception is becoming a family tradition — we did it at my older brother’s wedding and as the second of six kids to get married in my family I’m hoping it keeps up. Again, no one knew we were doing that other than the people who absolutely needed to know.

Wedding Photography: Allegro Photography / Ceremony: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster, Massachusetts / Reception: Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, Connecticut / Floral Design: Lord Thompson Manor / Event Design: The Bride + Lord Thompson Manor / Wedding Invitations: Pickett’s Press / Save-the-Dates: Swiss Cottage Designs / Band: Chris Gillespie / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Hair + Makeup: Priscilla of Kiss Spa / Groom’s Tuxedo: Custom by Doyle + Mueser

Forgive me if I’m drooling over here while writing this post, but I simply cannot help myself as I am looking through all of the images from Aubrey Greene Photography of this delightful and delicious Cape Cod wedding. Lobster? Yes, please. Pies? Give me all that you have. Treats Catering and Marion’s Pie Shop, expect a visit from me soon. And roll all of those delectable ingredients into a day that is everything Cape Cod and adorably colorful and you’ve got yourself a wedding that is truly out-of-this-world. See every bit of it in the gallery right here.

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From Aubrey Greene Photography… Family was the most important thing to Jillian and Matt when it came to their wedding. They selected a venue that fit their budget and would allow them to invite all their loved ones, but their goal was to make it not feel like you were at an Elks Lodge. Jillian and Matt succeeded perfectly in creating the perfect Cape Cod wedding! All the pictures were taken at the historic Orleans windmill, and the reception took place in the picnic area next to the Eastham Elks Lodge. The reception was filled with beautiful blue glass vases filled with wildflowers and pops of yellow from bowls filled with lemons. A hanging, handwritten chalkboard sign let guests know where they were seated, and the scent of lavender filled the air. Jillian and Matt also went non-traditional with hosting a classic Cape Cod clambake and serving 10 different kinds of pie as dessert, complete with personalized forks and pie birds that Jillian found on Etsy. Jillian called her wedding simple, but I thought it was nothing short of extraordinary.

Wedding Photography: Aubrey Greene Photography / Ceremony: St. Joan of Arc in Orleans, Massachusetts / Reception: Elks Lodge in Eastham, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Stacy of Saint Aubin Nurseries / Catering: Treats Catering / Baker: Marion’s Pie Shop / Wedding Dress: Ann Taylor / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair + Makeup: Salon Silhouette / Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers

It goes without saying – we love ourselves a fab proposal here at SMP.  So when the oh-so-wonderful team at Cape Cod Celebrations sent along this gorgeous inspiration shoot, well… let’s just say we were all caps HAPPY.  A stunning waterside setting, sweet treats from Cape Cod Lollicakes and beyond amazing images captured by Stacey Hedman… it’s all the inspiration you’ll ever need.  So, pay close attention you soon-to-be fiancés – you’ll definitely want to take notes on all of this pretty.  Click here for more.

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From Cape Cod Celebrations… Recently we launched proposal planning on the cape, so we kicked it off with a beautiful photo shoot at the train bridge on the Cape Cod Canal. We wanted to choose a location that was not “typical Cape Cod,” and we loved the structure and grandiosity of the bridges — the true gateway to Cape Cod. We set the scene with a table for two right on the canal on a perfect evening with the train bridge as the backdrop. Cheese, crackers, champagne and Cape Cod Lollicakes adorned the table for the “newly engaged couple.” The photos were meant to convey the couple strolling along the canal, then happening upon the table where the question was popped with an amazing background. We really wanted to show off what we can do with an amazing location and an amazing photographer — Stacey was awesome!

Photography: Stacey Hedman / Photo Shoot Location: Cape Cod Canal in Massachusetts / Event Design: Cape Cod Celebrations / Floral Design: Patrice R. Milley Floral Designers / Lollicakes: Cape Cod Lollicakes

I know I’ve professed my love for Cape Cod before, but when Alanna Scully Photography sends us a wedding as lovely as this one, my affinity continues to grow. Take the rustic beaches of the Chequessett Yacht & Country Club, toss in some pretty as can be petals by Fancy Flowers by Meredith and a head-over-heels in bride + groom, and we’ve got a nautical wedding fairytale. Click here for so much more!

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From Alanna Scully Photography… When Diana and Jay first inquired with me about their Wellfleet wedding, I was beyond excited. I grew up going to Wellfleet every summer with my dad’s family, and it has always held a special place in my heart. There is something about the cape that is so beautiful and timeless, and that really makes it a perfect spot to have a wedding  It’s a great spot to go with your family, it’s a great place to go for a road trip with friends, and it is a perfect place to start your new life as husband and wife. Diana and Jay chose the Chequessett Yacht and Country Club as their ceremony and reception spot, and as soon as I arrived, I could see why they chose it. It is very charming and also right on the water. The club house was a great spot for dinner and toasting the happy couple, and the boathouse was perfect for dancing the night away. Although the rain threatened us early in the day, the skies cleared for Jay and Diana’s beach ceremony, and we got a beautiful night for a beautiful couple.

Wedding Photography: Alanna Scully Photography / Second Shooter: Melissa DeSchamp Photography / Wedding Venue: Chequessett Yacht & Country Club in Wellfleet, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Fancy Flowers by Meredith / Catering: Sumptuous Events & Catering / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Band: Groove Authority / Wedding Dress: Watters via Country Weddings Bridal Boutique / Hair + Makeup: Ashley Brecken