Massachusetts Weddings

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

For those of you who hold a special place in your heart dedicated to the farm wedding, today is for you. We have a beautiful Massachusetts soiree – held at the groom’s family’s farm – that is chic as it is rustic and beautiful as it is casual. Seen through Inku Photography‘s lens, the day seems to be the perfect weather, the perfect decor, and the perfect sentiment. And just for your farm loving LBBers, we’ve got a gallery featuring even more of this beautiful wedding!

Check out the whole soiree in the full image gallery!

Sara and Nathan met in 2004 while they were working for the same nonprofit (in different offices) when they happened to run into each other at a party in Berkeley. They later moved to Washington, DC, where Nathan worked as a speechwriter and communications director on Capitol Hill, and Sara attended Georgetown Law. Later Nathan moved back to California to attend the Culinary Institute of America to become a chef, and Sara stayed back east for two years to work as a public defender in Maryland.

The actual proposal took place in December of 2010, in the rainy parking lot of a kitchen-supply store not far from where Sara’s parents live (outside of Seattle). Nathan, in a trademark mix of the traditional and the non-traditional (and with good insight into the fact that she’d prefer to be the proposer rather than the proposee) told Sara that he had spoken with her dad, and that he had given Sara permission to ask Nathan whatever question she’d like. Sara proposed, and Nathan accepted.

The wedding took place on a beautiful July day on Nathan’s parents’ farm in Massachusetts. Planning a wedding in Massachusetts, when Nathan was living in California and Sara was in DC, appeared at first glance to be an overwhelming undertaking, but soon the couple enlisted the help of the team at Chive, Sustainable Event Design and Catering, which, led by Jennifer Frost, ensured that the entire planning process was enjoyable and as stress-free as these things can be. Chive’s team of planners and caterers worked intuitively, professionally, and with great creativity to provide a delicious wedding feast using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from small farmers, and to weave together a magical setting for the day’s festivities, drawing from ongoing conversations with Nathan and Sara, as well as walks around the grounds, and discussions with the various other purveyors involved in the event.

The Sultans of Swing kept the dance floor packed from before dinner until after the cops showed up around midnight, and fabulous photog Inku took the couple’s request to heart, focusing primarily on candid shots. He came away with some great ones, too, including the moment when the officiant, an old family friend, forgot that the couple hadn’t yet exchanged rings, but got so caught up in the excitement that he instructed them to kiss (this was followed by some uproarious laughter, an exchange of rings, and a second kiss…). The cutting cake was a delicious carrot cake filled with a sweetened goat-cheese frosting, and was cut with a ceremonial sword that dated back to the civil war. Wedding favors were mason jars filled with a hand-measured blend of pickling spices, accompanied by instructions for how to pickle your favorite vegetable. Guests were driven back to their hotels in a yellow school bus, and the happy couple were taken by a car and driver to a tiny beach cottage nearby, where they found that Nathan’s mom and Aunt Jodi had left them flowers and breakfast for the morning, and eventually discovered that Uncle Jamie had been by too, in order to short-sheet the bed.

Photography: Inku Photography / Event Planning & Design: Chive Events / Ceremony & Reception Location: Private Residence, South Hamilton, Massachusetts / Tent: Sperry Tents / Rentals (tables, chairs, runners, bars): New England Country Rentals / Dress: Alfred Angelo, Bellevue Bridal, WA / Suits: Zegna / Bride’s Shoes: Angela Nuran / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew / Band: The Sultans of Swing

Cape Cod weddings are magical.  Plain and simple.  And when it’s a Cape Cod affair styled to perfection by Desiree Spinner Events and boasting the world’s most adorable duo?  Well, that’s a recipe for some serious pretty.  Add in bundles of succulent-filled blooms by Petalena, a gallery overflowing with light-filled images from Kim Thiel and one smile-inducing moment after another and we have ourselves one love-filled celebration here on SMP.  Life is good.  Click here for more. 

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Ready to bask in even more pretty?  Check out this breathtaking film from Copper Clover Films below!

From the Bride Stasia… Carrie and I believe in fate. We believe in finding love when you least expect it. That’s how it happened for us. We attended the same college, Villanova University, where I was a freshman the year after Carrie had graduated. We learned of each other totally by chance when I became a sorority “little sister” to Carrie’s “little-little-little sister.” If you are familiar with sororities, you know that this made Carrie my “big-big-big-big sister.”  Through our new mutual friends, we talked on the phone that night — and it was “love-at-first-voice” for me. Our coincidental connection would be the start to an amazing long-distance friendship consisting of many e-cards, phone calls and Instant Messenger conversations that lasted for two and a half years. In 2006, Carrie came back to Villanova to pursue her masters’ degree, and our friendship blossomed into love as we became an official item. After dating for almost 4 years, I planned to propose to Carrie while skiing and throw her a secret engagement party in New York City. The plan went off without a hitch, and Carrie was both thrilled and surprised.

Next came wedding planning! As alumni of Villanova University, we are given the opportunity of marring in the beautiful chapel on campus. However, since Carrie and I are both women, we were denied this privilege that most of our other classmates enjoy. Being denied this right was especially painful because we had both dedicated so much of ourselves to the social justice and community service aspects of our university. However, we did not let this deter us from planning the perfect wedding, complete with all of our family and friends and many sustainable details. Carrie and I were married last September on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it was one of the best days of our (and our families’) lives. The weather was perfect, the guests were amazing, the words spoken were beyond lovely — and we felt God was truly present on our wedding day. We were married overlooking the beautiful ocean under a warm, late summer sun. Our guests enjoyed seasonal food, local beer and wine and a delicious, organically-made cake. We played lawn games, danced the night away to the sounds of Plaid Daddy and watched the sun set over the water. We could not have asked for a more wonderful wedding day.

As I said in my vows to Carrie, “You are my love, you are my home, you are my wife.” We choose Cape Cod because of its beauty, but more importantly, because Massachusetts is one of the six states that supports marriage equality. We did not want a domestic partnership or a civil union, something that is less and not equal. We believe our love deserves the title of a marriage. We hope that in the future, all couples will be given the right to marry, regardless of their gender, and we hope, in some small way, that our wedding story will be a part of that.

Wedding Photography: Kim Thiel Photography / Wedding Venue: The Winslow Estate in Orleans, Massachusetts / Styling + Coordination: Desiree Spinner Events / Floral Design: Petalena / Wedding Cinematography: Copper Clover Films / Bar Service + Catering: Cosmos Catering / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: The Artisan Bake Shop / Cake Topper: strawberriesandcream / Pies + Sweets: Cottage St Bakery / Wedding Invitations, Menus + Place Cards: Tulaloo / Entertainment: Plaid Daddy Band / Event Rentals, Lighting, Linens + Tent: Party Cape Cod / Linens, Lawn Games, Vintage Tea Cups + Vintage Silverware: New England Vintage Rentals / Favors: Garrett Popcorn / Ring Dish: Paloma’s Nest / Transportation: Academy Bus / Wedding Dress: Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale / Hair: Just Hair by Kris Pavao / Makeup: Blush / Hairpieces: Littlest Boutique + Paper & Silk Made / Friday Night Welcome Event: Land Ho / Rehearsal Dinner: Academy Ocean Grille

There’s no question about it…Nantucket is the most picture perfect place to hold your destination wedding. Our first case in point is this super pretty, casually chic with a touch of rustic flair wedding from Austin Gros Wedding Photography. I dare you not to want to print these gorgeous images out and hang them on your wall. Yes, they’re that good. And if you’re into handmade lovelies, you’ll find so much more to love in the form of pretty, little details. Click here for the full story!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Blake and I met when we were 15 years old, and after 12 years together, we got engaged on Surfside Beach in Nantucket. I am from Massachusetts and Blake was born and raised in Atlanta, so we knew we wanted to incorporate both our New England and Southern styles. We also knew that we wanted a small, intimate wedding with only our family and close friends. My best friend and her husband live on Nantucket, and they introduced us to this amazing place a few years ago. After getting engaged there, we knew that it was the perfect location for our destination celebration. I am the youngest of five children and Blake is the older of four, so there was no question that we wanted to spend our wedding week on Nantucket with our families. We rented houses in Surfside and were able to make it a true vacation for everyone! Blake’s father was our officiant, which was incredibly special for both of us. Our wedding party was only our family, so we held an intimate rehearsal dinner a few nights before the big day to celebrate. The night before our wedding, Blake’s parents hosted a wonderful cocktail party for all of our guests who were on the island. 

Throughout the planning we decided it was really important to incorporate our own personal touch on the day. We love the beach but also love the country and being in the mountains. Our colors were very neutral — white, black and khaki — and we tried to use natural elements such as twine and burlap. The flowers were organic arrangements of white peonies and hydrangeas. My sister (matron of honor) was nine months pregnant for our wedding, and luckily the baby was born the week after! Blake’s two sisters were my maids of honor and with my sisters pregnancy, they were all able to find the “perfect black dress.”  I handmade the invitations and thanks to my mom, my sister Kelly, and a few close friends, we tied several pieces of twine and stuffed envelopes together. I also created our ceremony programs and stamped monogrammed welcome bags filled with wine and snacks for all of our guests. Our centerpiece table names were simple fun. I used wooden frames with photographs of all the places Blake and I have visited together. I was able to put together simple table name holders with wine corks that we collected. Blake loves cupcakes, so it was obvious that a dessert table was perfect for us. We used rustic wine crates to hold cookies and cupcakes, which Blake’s aunt assembled for us. And The White Elephant was a perfect venue with its simple elegance and traditional setting on the water. The chef was able to incorporate both Southern and New England tastes in our menu with items such as pulled pork sliders on corn cakes and an arugula salad with goat cheese, bacon and potatoes. Our photographer Austin Gros flew to Nantucket from Nashville, and he was able to spend a few days with us to capture photos of us and our families from the week (including casual pictures in town and our dog Oskar).

Blake and I are both laid-back and there are a few other small “touches” that I personally loved. These included my sandals, the pockets on my wedding dress, the rustic lantern that our moms lit for our unity candle, a vintage handkerchief passed down from Blake’s grandmother, and my sister’s veil that was my something borrowed. The day was perfect for everyone. 

Wedding Photography: Austin Gros Wedding Photography / Wedding Venue: White Elephant in Nantucket, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Jacqi of Marine Home Center / Ceremony Music: Mollie Glazer + Andy Bullington / Reception Music: Brian Delac of Murray Hill Talent / Wedding Dress: Liv Harris / Bride’s Shoes: Ralph Lauren / Bride’s Veil: Borrowed from the Bride’s Sister, Handmade by Anahit of Bridal Alterations by Anahit (617-795-1940) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Juicy Couture + White House Black Market / Rehearsal Dinner + Cupcakes: American Seasons

I’m not sure if it’s the pink palette, the stunning bride in Maggie Sottero or the historical Glenn Magna Farms reception that has me seriously swooning, but this wedding from Forevercandid Photography is pretty-as-can-be.  And that gorgeous bride? She DIY-ed her sparkly kicks (how cool is that?!) You’ll want to spend some time pouring over the sweet film by McElroy Weddings and the rest of the images in the full gallery!

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… For the past four years my husband and I have lived in southwestern Connecticut. I was born and raised on the North Shore, and having the ocean nearby has always been a big part of my life. This love of the area made it easy for both my husband and me to decide that a North Shore wedding was perfect for us. We exchanged vows in the gorgeous Rose Garden at Lynch Park in Beverly. The garden has an incredible view of the ocean, and it set a beautiful backdrop to our ceremony. Throughout the week, we had been paying close attention to the weather report as rain was in the forecast. We truly lucked out because we were able to complete our “I do’s” as rain clouds approached. After the ceremony, we rushed to get all of our formal photos taken. We did not expect the storm clouds and remaining sunlight to lead to such a stunning backdrop for our photography. We planned for our wedding party and family to take an old-fashioned trolley ride to our reception site at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, and just as we loaded the trolley the skies opened up and it began to pour. We could not have been any luckier.

Having taken a tour of Glenn Magna a year before the wedding, we both knew at first sight that this was the location where our reception would be. We both loved the historical feel of the house and property. Receptions of our size are held outside under tents, but guests have full access to the house and the immaculately landscaped flower gardens on the property. Our guests enjoyed beverages and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour in the mansion before being greeted with the returning sun and not one, but two brightly shining rainbows over the reception tent. We spent the rest of the night under completely clear skies dancing and celebrating with the people that mean the most to us. We would like to thank our loving family and friends, an amazingly-gifted photographer, a skilled and energetic DJ and an incredible catering staff to having what we both consider the greatest moment and night of our lives.

Wedding Photography: Forevercandid Photography / Ceremony: Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts / Reception: Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Gordon Florist & Greenhouses / Wedding Cinematography: McElroy Weddings / Wedding Cake: Vinwood Caterers / Wedding Invitations: DIY / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Shoes: DIY

Now this is a wedding that is just as sweet as can be and it’s all set in the heart of one of my favorite cities in the country. Boston has the best of charming historical sites and gorgeous architecture and the blu Restaurant’s amazingly gigantic windows allowed these guests to soak up every bit of the gorgeous downtown. And that all came after the ceremony at the swoon-inducing College Club of Boston. See it all captured by Melissa DeSchamp Photography in our gallery right here.

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From the Bride… Greg and I live near downtown Boston, and immediate family spreads from northern NH to southern CT. Our challenge was to find a place where both families could come to enjoy the day with us. Greg and I were also determined to not spend more than $20,000 on our wedding. We had planned on having a small event with less than 70 people and really felt that we could have a beautiful wedding without cutting corners and stay within this budget. We wanted our wedding to be non-traditional in some respects (I didn’t pick colors, the bridesmaids picked their own dresses, and the guys wore suspenders of their own choosing) and traditional in others (we took our vows very seriously and wanted our parents involved in the process). We began our search in western Massachusetts at traditional wedding venues – museums, event spaces, local farms – and nothing worked within our budget that we were really excited about. I started to feel really discouraged, so on a whim, I broadened my search to the downtown Boston area and started to think outside the box. I came across blu Restaurant at The Sports Club LA. It was such a great space – very architectural and modern with almost a lounge feel. After contacting them, I learned that they had no charge to rent the space, only a food and beverage minimum. After tasting the food, Greg and I decided that this was the place for us.

Originally, we had planned to have our ceremony on their roof deck, a beautiful space that overlooked Boston Common. However, after learning that there was no “plan B” for weather, we felt it was too risky and that we should find a separate location for the ceremony. This is where we truly lucked out… After sifting through numerous churches and libraries, and finding that they would cost a small fortune, I came across The College Club of Boston. It was gorgeous. No need to decorate — the room was beautiful as is, with a baby grand piano, fireplace, period details and floral curtains. The cost of renting the space was $300. Yes, that’s correct, $300. Perfect! The money got you an hour and a half – just enough time to have a small wedding. And best of all, it was located directly across the Boston Common from our reception venue so guests could either walk through the park or take a city cab.

Our ceremony was perfect. We found a justice of the peace who asked us to answer survey questions and was able to completely customize our ceremony, crafting a “love story” for Greg and I using our own words. We had live piano music, a heartfelt ceremony and a reading by my oldest niece of E.E. Cummings’ “I Carry Your Heart in My Heart.” After the ceremony, our guests made their way to blu Restaurant’s roof deck for an extra-long cocktail hour (we gave them an hour and a half) where they could take in the sights of the Boston Common, the capital building and Beacon Hill. Again, a little quirky but worth it — you had to walk through the gym of The Sports Club LA to get to the roof deck. Thankfully, being a holiday weekend, the place was a very empty. After the cocktail hour, guests made their way to the restaurant for the first dance, dinner, speeches, an open bar, more dancing and a cupcake buffet. We surrounded the dance floor with high top tables and benches to make the dance area more of a club and keep people involved and having fun for well into the night. Overall, we wanted our guests to have fun, relax and just be there to celebrate our day, and we didn’t want to break the bank to do it. We managed to stay within our budget and have a downtown city wedding that was absolutely beautiful.

Wedding Photography: Melissa DeSchamp Photography / Ceremony: The College Club of Boston in Boston, Massachusetts / Reception + Catering: blu Restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Bow Street Flowers / Officiant: Elly Jackson of Boston Ceremonies / Bakery: Cakeology / Piano: Tony Malionek / DJ: Classic Events / Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia via Madeleine’s Daughter / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair: Shag Boston / Makeup: DIY by the Bride

When some people think of Cape Cod, they think lobsters, coastlines and Kennedy’s. When I think of Cape Cod, I think weddings. Gorgeous ones, that are simple yet classic, understated yet elegant. Ones that look just exactly like this seaside soiree at the Chatham Bars Inn and was captured so beautifully by the talented Stacey Hedman. It’s seaside chic defined, and you can see so much more right here.

From the Bride… Chris and I knew that we wanted to have our wedding celebration at a place we both felt a strong connection to. Cape Cod has a special place in our hearts with happy memories of growing up and spending our summers vacationing with family. Chatham is the quintessential Cape Cod town, and the Chatham Bars Inn is an unbelievable resort.

Instantly, we fell in love with the Beach House Grill at the Chatham Bars Inn. The character of the room was a mix of New England nautical and understated elegance, from its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the seafoam-colored bistro chairs. With such a beautiful backdrop as the sea, we decided to keep our color palette light and neutral — lots of white with subtle touches of light gray. White hydrangeas decorated our tables, and pale pink peonies filled the bouquets. I am a designer, so I enjoyed the wedding planning process. I spent weeks creating mood boards, designing the paper goods, figuring out the little (but important) details and searching for antique treasures. With the help of our wonderful vendors, family and friends, the day turned out to be more perfect than we could have ever imagined.

The day of our wedding, the weather was beautiful with a blue sky, fluffy clouds and a cool ocean breeze. It was perfect for an outdoor ceremony. We decided to have “first look” photos done before our ceremony, which was such an intimate time where we could really take a moment to enjoy the start of our amazing day … and lives together. Our family joined us afterward and really calmed any nerves we may have had with their happy faces. After our ceremony, our guests moved to the Beach House Grill deck to enjoy drinks while listening to the fabulous reggae band. Having our family and friends all together in one of our favorite places was amazing. When the music and dancing came to an end, we had sparklers send us off … well, just to across the street, where we continued the wedding festivities.

Wedding Photography: Stacey Hedman / Wedding Venue: Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts / Floral Design: New England Gardens / Catering + Dessert: Chatham Bars Inn / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Calligraphy: Li Ward of Fat Orange Cat Studio / Reggae Music: Duppy Conquerors / Wedding Dress: Martina Liana / Bride’s Shoes: BHLDN / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew

Just when I think rural Massachusetts weddings can’t get any prettier, we get a whopper of a gorgeous wedding in our mailbox. Yup, this barn wedding captured flawlessly by Kat Braman Photography has got me crushing on my home state again big-time. We’re talking super cute chicken inspired table markers, beyond beautiful flowers, and just a general sense of awesomeness that this adorable couple put together. It’s rustic chic perfection in our eyes and you can see even more right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… It was really important to Tommy and me that our wedding feel like “us.” We didn’t want anything really formal. We wanted our day to be beautiful but also put our guests at ease. Early on, we had the idea of getting married at a barn. Though we live near Boston, both of us grew up in rural areas, so a barn felt like the perfect blend of our two backgrounds. I rode horses. Tommy picked potatoes. Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm was absolutely perfect on all counts. It is also, coincidentally, one town over from where we live, and it enabled our friends and family to see the area, some for the first time. Tommy and I decided on a small wedding party — just his brother and my best friend. She and I picked the sapphire blue color for her dress, and it became a constant throughout the wedding. It created cohesion through all of the different elements. Her dress, my shoes, my sapphire earrings (as well as a sapphire necklace that Tommy surprised me with), our invitations and the favors all reflected that color.

Once we had the location settled, we started thinking more about the details. I met with Cyndi from Petals Inc, and she was so much fun to work with. I told her that I wanted really juicy, saturated colors and she went to town. She was so enthusiastic and had such great suggestions for flowers that worked with the colors I had in mind. She understood the location and my wish for the flowers to look and feel like they had just been gathered from outside. I got my family involved in collecting jars of all sizes and shapes, and Petals created centerpieces and bouquets that looked so pretty and organic. There were a lot of fun little details that helped us feel like the venue was really ours for the day. We purchased the lanterns that hung in the barn which added an extra glow. We decided to name our tables after different breeds of chickens as a nod to the location (some of my friends and family had fun choosing which chicken they wanted for their table), and Tommy and I had rooster and hen figurines as our cake topper. My maid of honor wore a pair of earrings that I’d given her when we were 12. I walked down the aisle to “Somebody to Love” by Queen (played beautifully by Bryan Hilliard and his crew from Occasional Brass & Strings), and the original version was our last song of the night. A close family friend polished up his 1975 Rolls Royce to drive me to and from the ceremony. We displayed our parents’ wedding photos, along with photos of our grandparents. Our officiant, Deacon, urged us to write some personal vows, and we were so glad that we did. All of these choices made our day feel so personal and special.

And all of this was captured by our amazing photographer, Kat. She and Tommy have known each other for years. She is not just a talented photographer, but also a godsend for a bride to have around on her wedding day. Kat was so calm, had such helpful suggestions, and knew the answers to questions I hadn’t anticipated. Each of her photos is beautiful, but our first-look photos in the orchard are my favorite. She captured perfectly all of the emotion and anticipation in that moment. To us, our wedding was the right blend of elegant and easy. We couldn’t have imagined a better outcome; everyone who participated helped us create exactly what we wanted and made sure that our guests had fun, were relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. Everything came together so well, and the whole day truly felt like it was made just for us.

Wedding Photography: Kat Braman Photography / Wedding Venue: Smith Barn in Peabody, Massachusetts / Venue Coordination: Tammy Messina (978-204-6345) / Floral Design: Cyndi of Petals Inc. / Officiant: Reverend T.S. Deacon Economos / Catering: Creative Catering / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Ceremony Music: Occasional Brass & Strings / DJ: Zeke Stern of Murray Hill Talent / Getting Ready Location: Salem Waterfront Hotel / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Wishing Well Bridal / Bride’s Hair Flower: Misun Bridal / Hair: Fringe Salon (978-745-5500) / Makeup: Laura Lanes / Film Developing + Scanning: Richard Photo Lab

I’m just going to go out and say it – I couldn’t love this wedding more if I tried. Sure, the photography by Zofia & Co. is spot on – they never disappoint. And the florals by Soiree Floral? Beyond gorgeous. The perfectly placed details by Dawn Kelly Designs? Placed perfectly. But beyond all of that, what really makes my heart just fill up with joy, is this couple. This couple that couldn’t be more in love, that couldn’t be more excited to take on the world together – it’s this couple and their obvious love and respect for each other that stands out beyond everything else…and that makes me the happiest blogger in all the land. See so much more here.

And because we just couldn’t resist sharing every little bit of this wedding weekend, here’s a peek into their rehearsal dinner…

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From Tim, a Groom… James and I met in May 2005 through a mutual friend at a graduation party in Madison, Wisconsin. James had just returned from living in Australia for a year and I was about to enter my final semester of college.  We became fast friends and for six months there was no romance involved.  As feelings began to change, our mutual friend was concerned that if a relationship didn’t work out for us, it would become awkward for her and our other friends. Seven years and a proposal later, it looks like she had nothing to worry about! On March 11, 2011 in Branson, Missouri, I woke up to a scavenger hunt around our apartment. The last clue was a jigsaw puzzle I needed to put together, which gave me an address. I drove to a house on the lake James had rented and he proposed to me. We were elated and called all our friends and family! Most people were so happy for us, but there were some who did not understand. Ultimately, most of my family did not attend the wedding because of personal, political or religious beliefs. We were disheartened at first but moved on with planning an event for us, a wedding that perfectly represented our style, our personalities and our love, regardless of anyone else’s personal beliefs.

We wanted the wedding to be traditional and classic, yet modern. My inspiration for the wedding design was a typical Nantucket house; gray and white with a pop of color to mimic the gray shingles, white shutters and colorful flowers that describe most of the houses on the island. James and I knew we both wanted to wear custom-made black tuxedos from Alton Lane in New York.  I tried to create a color palette that would make two grooms in black attire stand out! I wanted everything around us to be soft when our attire was strong. For our flowers, I wanted white with just pops of a certain color. Coral was my first choice since we were on an island and I loved the way it looked with gray and white. Dawn Kelly from Soiree Floral went the extra mile to get our favorite flower, coral peonies, so late in June for us.  The flowers were one of my favorite parts of the wedding décor. I loved the white hydrangeas and white roses with the pops of  lush peonies. Photography for the wedding was the most important for us. The best decision we made was hiring Zofia & Co. for this job. She and her assistant were amazing! Zofia captured real moments that we will cherish forever.

What was not on one of my hundreds of inspiration boards or checklists for the wedding was the emotion and love we felt the days of the weekend: the love for each other, from our parents, from our friends and family, and from our vendors. It made us realize that we could have gotten married anywhere, with no coral balloons, no peonies, no ocean front view, and it still would have been the best day of our lives. Many guests from the wedding have written to tell us how inspiring the wedding was for them. It was truly special to hear that our unconventional love inspired others.

Even after seven years, we learned a lot about each other by planning a wedding together. We are better because of it. If you can get through it, write your own vows. James and I wrote letters to each other and read them as our vows. Emotions were high, but that is the thing I will remember most about our wedding day. Be real and write from the heart. And also — be yourself at your wedding! Don’t worry about anything else except your and your partner’s love for each other, who you are as an individual and who you are together. Live in the moment.  

Wedding Photography: Zofia & Co. / Wedding Venue: Whales Watch I in Nantucket, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Soiree Floral / Event Design + Styling: Dawn Kelly Designs / Catering: Simply With Style / DJ: Phil Taylor / Rentals: Placesetters, Inc. / Grooms’ Tuxedos: Alton Lane / Groomsmen’s Attire: Express / Groomsmaids’ Dresses: Lilly Pulitzer / Hair + Makeup: Darya Salon & Spa / Menus: Amanda Day Rose Paperie

There’s nothing quite like a bundle of nautical-inspired goodness to brighten the work week – and this drop-dead gorgeous Duxbury affair?  Well, it’s a smile-inducing masterpiece from start to finish.  Filled to the brim with brightly colored hues, gorgeous blooms by Allison Phalen Floral Design and some seriously fab stylings, it’s maritime chic meets elegant fête all in one sitting.  Melissa DeSchamp Photography snapped up every last fun-filled moment and the gallery is a definite must see.  Click here for more.

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From the Bride… I get a lot of questions about planning this wedding without my mother. Of course miss my mother every single day, but in wedding planning it gave Matt and I the unique opportunity to make this truly everything we wanted and work together. My mother never would have let me get away with not having a cake! In lieu of traditional wedding favors we chose to make a donation to Joslin Diabetes Center in my mother’s memory. This was important to both Matt and I as a way to honor my mother but also bring our efforts toward healthy living into our wedding day. Duxbury Bay Maritime School was the first and only venue we looked at. The setting is just so beautiful and natural, and having the wedding in my hometown and the place Matt and I hope to one day start a family meant a lot to us.

My veil was my mother’s and had to be dyed with tea in the bath tub to match my dress. My dad, brother and Matt designed and built the chuppah we were married under from scratch (the groomsmen all pitched in to assemble it on the day of), and our florist Allison added the beautiful blue hydrangea to it without ever seeing it before. I chose Allison as my florist before we had even booked our venue! She is a friend of a friend and was such a pleasure to work with throughout this year. She really saw and carried out the vision we had.  My friend, Whitney Foley, is a graphic designer and designed all of our printed items based on the invitations we had purchased at Mark Harris Stationers. I highly recommend Mark Harris for any bride who feels overwhelmed by the process — it was so good to be able to go in  and just look at everything without the hustle and bustle of a larger store. Matt also made the knots we used to hold the table numbers. (I know, I know — most involved groom ever, only one of the many reasons I’m so lucky!) We had seem them on Etsy but then realized making them ourselves would be much more economical.  I’m not sure where we got the idea to “anchor” the place cards on the map of the bay, but we purchased the map on eBay and the stamp on Etsy to complete the idea.

Our ceremony was also uniquely ours. We wrote most of it ourselves and then each asked one of our uncles to officiate. It was important for us to feel that we were uniting not only ourselves, but also our families, and this really tied it all together and made it so special for us. Bringing in traditions from our two different religious backgrounds was easier than we thought it would be because it is a balance we work at in our every day life. It was exciting to share these traditions with our friends and family because we were able to teach them something new and give them some insight into the things that are the most important to us. Jessica Tyler of Lavishly Dunn was such a huge part of making this day come together. As you can tell there were so many elements that we were trying to bring together, and if it weren’t for her help, it might not have gone so smoothly. Melissa DeSchamp was the perfect fit as a photographer for us, not only because of her talent and style, but because we were so comfortable with her from the very start. She perfectly captured us in our natural state. This wedding was a million little things that Matt and I both love and we were so lucky to be able to share it with the people who mean the most to us.

Wedding Photography: Melissa DeSchamp Photography / Wedding Venue: Duxbury Bay Maritime School in Duxbury, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Allison Phalen Floral Design / Catering: Lavishly Dunn / Raw Bar: Island Creek Oysters / Dessert: Farfar’s Danish Ice Cream + Zaro’s Black and White Cookies / Wedding Invitations: Checkerboard via Mark Harris Stationers / Other Paper Goods: Whitney Foley, A Friend of the Bride / DJ: Dave Hodges of 5 Star Events / Table Knots: DIY by the Groom / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston via Vows / Alterations: Bridal Alterations by Anahit (617-795-1940) / Hair: Adele Madden of Salon Pisano / Makeup: Aly Stadelmann of Makeup By Aly / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Aria / Groom’s Attire: Brooks Brothers

There is something so fresh, so beautiful about this Martha’s Vineyard wedding snapped up by Kelly Dillon Photography. It’s overflowing with sweetness and filled to the brim with all the things that make me head over heels in love with summer soirees – but it’s the blushing Bride and the dapper Groom that really pull the hardest at my heart strings. Their sweet kisses and warm embraces are enough to sweep you off your feet this Monday morning, so make sure you are sitting before diving into the full gallery…

From the Bride… David and I met in 2005 at a Santa Monica restaurant known for its lively bar scene.  It was the night the Patriots won the 39th Super Bowl, and as a proud New Englander, I was donning my Boston gear… as was David.  A catcall from me (“Hey, Boston…”), a round of drinks from him, a date the following night, and a long distance relationship sparked.  I soon relocated to Virginia where David, a combat Navy officer, was stationed — and from then on, there was no city we couldn’t conquer! After David returned from a tour in Iraq, we took on Newport, Rhode Island, then Manhattan for graduate school, and then we finally made our way back home to Boston. About a year after we settled into Boston, and on my (gasp!) 30th birthday, one of our weekend hikes became a bit more memorable than all the rest. Alongside Pete, our chocolate lab, and among the birds and trees and nearby a serene lake, David asked me to share forever with him. Not on bended knee — I’ve never understood that tradition — but standing face to face as loving equals. David still laughs that through all my joyful tears and vertical head nodding, I never quite managed to actually say the word yes, which resulted in him having to ask “So is that a yes?” Yes! Yes times a thousand!

And so that started the almost year-long wedding planning process. We always knew that when the day came for us to “make it official,” it would have to be on Martha’s Vineyard. David’s family has had a house in Chilmark for about thirty years, and it’s a special place not just to him, but for me too after years of visits. It doesn’t get any more magical than the view from the Allen Sheep and Wool Farm, so we were ecstatic to learn that they would accommodate our wedding. Once we had the venue, it was time to settle on the feel of the wedding. We really wanted it to be romantic, intimate, and above all else, just downright pretty! So with that in mind, we started pulling together a vintage-glam home concept. We rented farm tables, mismatched china and silverware, lace runners and overlays, crystal chandeliers, vintage furniture and added a few DIY touches to pull it all together. We fashioned and built our escort card display after board-and-batten shutters you’d see on a house, and I hand-stamped (letter by letter!) the escort cards as I would if we were hosting a dinner party. I also wrapped the wood table numbers with yarn to give them a more homey feel (be aware – they take a LONG time to do!). As the finishing touch, our florist worked her magic and used china casserole dishes and teapots, along with vintage silver pieces, to house all the flowers.

We couldn’t be happier with the way things came together – even the weather cooperated! The beautiful, intimate feel we were going for was definitely achieved, and we were so lucky to share such an incredible day with our closest friends and family.

Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Wedding Venue: Allen Sheep and Wool Farm in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (508-645-9064) / Floral Design: Island Ambiance / Wedding Day Coordination: With Grace / Catering: V. Jaime Hamlin & Sons / Dessert Bar: Cakes by Liz + Chilmark Chocolates (508-645-3013) / Bar: Our Market (508-693-3000) / Wedding Stationery: à deux: bespoke bridal paper / Ceremony Music: Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh / Reception Band: Sultans of Swing / Tent + Rentals: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals / Vintage Rentals: New England Vintage Rentals / Chandelier Lighting: Revelation Productions / Bathrooms: Dottie’s Potties (508-693-1135) / Guest Book: M-square Press / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Madeleine’s Daughter / Bride’s Belt: Martina Liana via Madeleine’s Daughter / Bride’s Shoes: Custom by Giuseppe Zanotti / Bride’s Earrings + Bracelet: Judith Jack via Nordstrom / Hair: Sea Spa Salon / Makeup: Zoe Loves Makeup / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Siri via Flair Boston / Groom’s Suit + Men’s Ties: Brooks Brothers / Rings: Custom by Barmakian Jewelers

I’ve always had a love for books, complete with a true fascination for libraries and all things Dewey Decimal system. So when I saw this wedding from Hello Love Photography, I just knew that all the pretty pictures would delight my book-loving heart. Filled to the brim with the sweetest accents of books and literary love, this wedding has everything you could want with the perfect touch of old school and tradition at the Harvard Faculty Club. Find the full wedding in our gallery right here.

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From the Bride… My husband and I are big book nerds — he even proposed in his parents’ library in Minnesota using a hollowed-out book to hold the ring — so it was only natural that we would gravitate toward a literary-themed wedding. We had the wedding ceremony at the beautiful St. Paul Catholic Church in Harvard Square, and our reception venue was the Harvard Faculty Club, which fit in perfectly with the overall look and feel of the wedding reception. If I could sum up the theme wedding, it would be “quirky vintage.” Because both our venues were already pretty ornate, we went with a neutral color palette (gray, beige, blush pink) and just added DIY touches to everything. I made paper garlands out of old book pages and escort cards out of library card pockets, and our guest book was a “time capsule” where we asked our guests to write predictions on cards about where we’d be in five, 10 and 15 years. Our centerpieces were made of cool, old books from Goodwill, our menus were clipped to Penguin book-inspired post cards, and my mother-in-law made the cake topper. And, of course, we had a photo booth! Our guests ended up wearing most of the props all night. All brides say the day goes by SO fast, and I have to say, they don’t lie. I look back on that day through the gorgeous photos from my awesome photographer, and still think, “Whoa, was that a dream?”

Wedding Photography: Hello Love Photography / Ceremony: St. Paul Catholic Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts / Reception: Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts / Floral Design: A Whole Bunch Flower Market / Wedding Cinematography: Well Spun Weddings / DJ: Upside Media / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet / Hair + Makeup: Eye4Beauty

It would be an understatement to say we totally have a crush on this adorable wedding! It’s rustic refined with pretty moss, bright pops of florals and plenty of hand made touches. Person + Killian Photography captured all the details like those super cute seed packet table assignments. See each and every last detail right here in the full gallery!

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From Person + Killian Photography… The couple wanted to mix classic and elegant elements into the rustic feel of their day. The entire wedding took place at Moraine Farm in Beverly, Massachusetts. Guests enjoyed cocktails in mason jars, and the seating charts were packets of herbs. The tables were topped with gorgeous floral arrangements in tall glass vases, and various planted herbs served as table numbers. The couple incorporated chalkboard dinner menus, burlap and mason jars to add to the rustic farm feel. This was definitely a crowd that was ready to party, and after heartfelt toasts, the couple danced the night away! The send-off was adorable as well. The guests lined the outside of the estate, and the newlyweds walked through the tunnel of sparklers and into to the awaiting trolley!

Wedding Photography: Person + Killian Photography / Wedding Venue: The Estate at Moraine Farm in Beverly, Massachusetts / Wedding Planning: JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions  / Floral Design: Chad Michael Peters / Wedding Cinematography: GENERATIONS Cinemastories / Catering: Fireside Catering / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: Smock / Entertainment: Kahootz Band / Linens + Lighting: Event Co. via Fireside Catering / Transportation: Salem Trolley Company / Getting Ready Venue: Hawthorn Hotel / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet via Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Hair: Luiz Filho / Makeup: Katrina Hess

Sometimes all it takes is just one gorgeous moment, one breathtaking setting, one stop-you-in-your-tracks image to fall head over heels in love.  Just one.  And when we spotted this next take-your-breath-away photo captured by Leah Haydock Photography, well… we were done for.  Absolutely done. Because this is the kind of moment that sends your head into a total tailspin and serious shivers through every last ounce of your wedding lovin’ soul.  It’s just that good.  So, join us for a day of non-stop swooning and then stop by the gallery for sooo much more.

Photography: Leah Haydock Photography / Locations: Newburyport, Boston Public Garden + Boston Public Library / Bride’s Gown: BCBG Max Azria / Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co. / Hair: Hair That Moves / Makeup: Joya Beauty / Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein

Not only are we loving the fresh color palette of this wedding, we’re loving some of the super cute and personal touches they added to make their day more them. For instance, the table numbers (simple, double sided Ikea frames) were filled with pictures from the bride and groom when they were kids. So table 3, had pics of each of them when they were 3 years old. Super cute, no?! Audrey Courchesne Photography captured these and all the other details and there’s so much more to see from this pretty, pretty day right here in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… Ryan and I fell in love with the Renaissance Club in Haverhill the first time we saw it. We loved the idea of getting married just beyond the 18th green of the golf course, underneath an early evening sun with our family and closest friends. The day of the wedding passed by quickly – my bridesmaids, my mother and I spent it in the club’s bridal suite getting our hair and makeup done by one of my best friends. The guys enjoyed a brunch at the club in the morning and spent time at their hotel pool before returning to the Renaissance to put on their suits, ties and smiles.

Ryan and I knew we’d be emotional the moment we saw each other so we opted to do a “first look” a couple hours before the ceremony. As my sisters carried my train down the stairs and outside where Ryan was waiting, his back turned to me, I was overwhelmed by an excitement I had never felt before. When Ryan turned around, we just held each other. Our time was finally here.

When it came time to walk down the aisle and meet Ryan once again, my dad kept his word and made sure I was laughing and smiling the whole time. At the end of the aisle, along with Ryan, stood the minister and my godfather. He baptized me, married my parents, and married my grandfather and his second wife. This third generation marriage was a first for him, making the day all the more significant for all of us.  I couldn’t help but notice in the months leading up to it all how much he reminded me of my grandfather, who passed away in 2008. The two were so close and having Morgan standing there with me — guiding me, marrying me — confirmed that my grandfather was there with us, too.

Our colors — navy and green — reflected our vibrant and fun personality and were the perfect accents to the ivory reception room with its high ceilings, classic linens and chiavari chairs. At every turn, there was a reminder of how our lives had wound together to bring us to this moment. Our table numbers were double-sided picture frames with photos of each of us at that particular age. The centerpieces included Casablanca lilies – my favorite flower, thanks to Ryan, who surprised me with a bouquet of them after I temporarily moved from Boston to New York City for work. We tried to squeeze in time to enjoy the wonderful dinner but between visiting with guests, cutting the cake, and our spectacular DJ, we found ourselves happily on our feet most of the night. Our new life together started better than we could have imagined.

Wedding Photography: Audrey Courchesne Photography / Wedding Venue: Renaissance Club in Haverhill, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Lynn Curcio of F… as in Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Folster Video / Wedding Cake: Jacques Fine European Pastries / Calligraphy: Lettering by Liz / DJ: Rick Bowie of Get Down Tonight Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Winnie Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: J. Despres of Roffi Salon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lynn Lugo / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Nina / Groom’s Suit: Joseph Abboud / Groom’s Tie: Brooks Brothers

You know a wedding is going to be off the charts fun when the bride and groom met performing in an off-Broadway show. They pulled out all the stops for their big day and we’re certain that this was one heck of a party judging by the oh-so-fab images from James Johnson Photography. Everyone pitched in to ensure that their favorite couple had a day they won’t soon forget. See all the pretty (and silly!) moments right here in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… We are a Brooklyn couple who met performing in an off-off broadway show. We wanted our wedding to reflect the vibrant, quirky, playful silliness that has defined our relationship from the very first rehearsal. I wasn’t sure what I wanted beyond lots of friends, family, feathers, glitter and color – oh, and all without breaking the bank of course!

The Coonamessett Inn was the perfect backdrop to our dream day. The wedding program was done like a Broadway playbill, a theme we carried over into our tables. Each table had a theme relating to us or our family, with embarrassing photos and kitschy knick-knacks. A playbill with the seating arrangements was even framed in an amazing silver frame I found laying on the streets of Brooklyn. We dipped into our uber-creative family and friends to double as “vendors.” James Johnson did our beautiful photography, and Ryan McLaughlin totally got our Motown vibe as he DJ’d our favorite jams – even as my dad and I boogied down the aisle to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” and rocked out a tango for our father/daughter dance. Jane Kelley, another family friend, officiated our self-penned vows.

Jeff at Verde Floral Design totally understood my Vegas-showgirl-meets-classy-1940’s-glamour vision. Our bouquets were bursting with orchids, feathers, glitter and David Austin roses. Half of the tables sported Verde’s bouquets, and the other half  were hurricane’s from the Christmas Tree Shop and candles we decoupaged with glitter. The Christmas Tree Shop also supplied the apothecary-style vases we filled with my favorite guilty pleasure: CANDY! A bedazzled clothesline hung above our sweetheart table with even more incriminating photos from the years before we met each other. Overall, it was an unforgettable day full of breakout “performances,” love, silliness and family.

Wedding Photography: James Johnson Photography / Wedding Venue: The Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Verde Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Digital Imaging of Cape Cod / Wedding Cake: The Casual Gourmet / Wedding Invitations + Party Tickets: A. Flood of Paper / DJ: Ryan McLaughlin of Party For a Lifetime / Photo Booth: Nantucket Photobooth / Wedding Dresses: Watters + Ivy & Aster via at Lovely Bridal Shop / Bride’s Head Piece: BHLDN / Bride’s Shoes: Anthropologie / Bridal Party Dresses: J.Crew + Marshalls / Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Melissa Jane Boutique

I have such a soft spot for a wedding inspired by a beautiful location, and an even softer spot when that location is the exact place where the couple met and fell in love!  These images from Kylie Lynn Photography embody not only the love between this bride and groom, but also the jaw-dropping Charlemont scenery that acted as the backdrop for their nuptials. Lovelies, there’s so much more paroosing to do in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… We wanted a very personal feel to our wedding, and we started with our location. We met and fell in love while we were both working at a boarding school in western Massachusetts, so we knew that is where we wanted to get married. Luckily for us, it is also one of the most beautiful areas in the world! We knew Warfield House was the perfect venue as soon as we saw it — it was not only beautiful, but our families and wedding party could also stay on site in the two B&B houses on the farm. It made everything feel cozy, and we also loved the ceremony space looking out over the mountains and the outdoor pavilion for the reception. We were so lucky that my aunt, Erica Savereid, is an amazing florist and went so over the top with the amazing flowers she did for us. We had collected tons of jars over the years that my fiance used as glasses in his bachelor days, so we made those our centerpiece containers. Erica put together a mix of hydrangeas, roses and mums in green and white for us to complement the colors we chose — navy, white and green. We liked the simple and summery feel of those colors, and the flowers brought it together perfectly. She also put together the beautiful bouquets, the greens around our ceremony gazebo and the flowers on our cake. We also wanted to incorporate our families in other ways, so Gary wore his grandfather’s watch, and I placed by grandmother’s brooch on my bouquet. We got really excited about doing some DIY projects for our wedding because of how personal it made everything feel. My fiance nailed together the escort card board, and I painted our names and the wedding date on the top. We strung the escort cards on the board with tiny clothespins. Gary also built the sign, which I painted. Both were made from reclaimed wood that we found laying around or were given by friends. The best part of this whole experience for us was sharing it with our family and friends. The people are really what make the experience, and we felt so grateful for the amazing group of people who shared in our wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Kylie Lynn Photography / Wedding Venue: Warfield House Inn in Charlemont, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Erica Savereid of The Flower Market (845-855-5335 — The Bride’s Aunt) / Event Design + Planning: DIY / Catering: Hillside Pizza / Wedding Cake: 2nd Street Bakery / Wedding Invitations: 123PRINT / Ceremony Musician: Jennie McAvoy / Reception Band: The Free Downloads / Rentals: Redeker Rentals / Entrance Sign + Escort Card Board: DIY / Bride’s Earrings, Sweetheart Table Runner + Groom’s Tie Clip: Etsy / Getting Ready Location: Blue Heron Farm / Wedding Dress: Unknown Designer via Bridal Corner / Bride’s Sash + Alterations: Bridal Corner / Bride’s Shoes: Gap / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: Chelsea Gwynne / Hair: Andrea Waller + Katie Clifford of Salon 241 / Makeup: Alex Paulsen of Salon 241 / Groom’s Suit: Miller Bros. — Newton / Men’s Ties: Me and Matilda / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Handmade by the Groom’s Mother

As if I wasn’t already head-over-heels in love with Cape Cod, here comes a stunner from Samantha Melanson Photography that exudes New England charm! A classic navy and green palette-with pops of pink-was carried through from the preppy day-of paper goods by A Seaside Invitation to the jaw-dropping peony bouquets by Fancy Flowers…and how cute is the BHLDN clamshell ring holder?! There are so many more thoughtful details to feast your eyes on right here!

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From the Bride… Growing up, I wasn’t the girl who envisioned her dream wedding. However, once Sean proposed in the Dominican Republic, I was immediately brought back to my childhood as I thought about my journey to finding the man of my dreams. That journey to this amazing day was my inspiration for my vision of our wedding celebration. It was important to me that every detail was representative of something meaningful or of a special moment that led us to finding each other. Then tragedy struck. In early June 2011, a tornado swept through my hometown and caused severe destruction to an area of Massachusetts for which this weather is a foreign concept. The tornado took with it a beloved white birch tree that was always a symbol of childhood to me when I returned home. Therefore, I used white birch tree as a detail throughout the wedding to hold our table cards and the guests place cards to honor our journey to each other.

My grandfather, through his life lessons, has made a large impact on the woman I am today. For the past fourteen years, my family has honored his memory through one of his passions: we have held an annual charity golf tournament. In addition, he would take his family and our family growing up would vacation in the lower Cape Cod area. My parents now own a home there. Therefore, our choice of location at a golf resort in Brewster, Massachusetts and the beautiful Ocean’s Edge Mansion was a no-brainer for us. I come from a golf-loving family and had introduced Sean to game when we were dating. It is a hobby we both enjoy together. I had often driven by the mansion and resort in admiration of the grounds and was thrilled when we decided that was the spot for us. We organized a golf outing the day before of course. My grandmother made the white chocolate golf ball lollipop favors.

In addition to his indirect influence on the location, my grandfather always preferred handkerchiefs over tissues. My mother gave me one of his to be my something old at my bridal shower accompanied by a tearful poem. I carried this with my bouquet to honor him. In addition, I had personalized handkerchiefs embroidered for my mom, dad, grandmother and groom, expressing how special they each were to me on this day of joy. Sean is a huge sports fan and former baseball player so his love of the Red Sox cannot be contained. Therefore, I was thrilled when our best man honored us with a Red Sox home jersey signed by our entire wedding party. The number was representative of our wedding date, the jersey of their friendship and fond memories and the signatures assure us our friends and family will always be close. I surprised Sean with the groom’s cake represented as baseball cupcakes. I’m a New York Yankees fan and wanted to acknowledge the rivalry in our union.

It was important to Sean and I that not only do we honor pastimes but also create an heirloom or tradition for our family. We were drawn to the loving cup ceremony which comes from the Celtic tradition. We drank to our past, present and our future. We found the loving cup at an antique shop on the famous Route 6A across from our venue. We hope to honor our anniversary each year with the cup and eventually pass it down. Overall, I’m proud and thrilled of how our celebration turned out and that we were surrounded by all of loved ones and honored those loved ones that couldn’t be with us. I’m so thankful and grateful to all of the vendors and people that worked with us to truly make this the celebration of our dreams!

Wedding Photography: Samantha Melanson Photography / Ceremony: The Terrace at Ocean Edge Mansion / Reception: BayPines Pavillon at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club / Event Design: The Bride + Jamie Bohlin of Cape Cod Celebrations / Event Planning: Jamie Bohlin of Cape Cod Celebrations + Jennifer McAnaw at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club / Floral Design: Fancy Flowers / Officiant: Rev. Faith Lavender / Cinematography: The Bride’s Cousin / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: The Casual Gourmet / Wedding Invitations + Coasters: Steel Petal Press / Programs + Table Cards: Kendra Wallin of A Seaside Invitation / Postcard Reply Cards + Save-the-Dates: beyond design / Calligraphy: Rose Bonjourni / Coasters: Steel Petal Press / Ring Holder: BHLDN / Straws: Crate & Barrel / Golfball Lollipop Favors: The Bride’s Grandmother / White Birch Card Holders: The Vermont Branch Company / Embroidered Handkerchiefs: Chrissy’s Creations / Wedding Dress: Rivini via Solutions Bridal / Bride’s Wedding Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Bride’s Second Dress: Jill Stuart / Bride’s Dance Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Veil: A busy mother / Bride’s Bracelets: Borrowed from the Matron of Honor’s Grandmother / Bride’s Bouquet Handkerchief: Her Grandfather’s / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Belts: Simple Silhouettes via Bella Bridesmaid / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: Blue Sunflowers / Bridesmaids’ Bracelets: Alex & Ani / Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers / Groom’s Shoes: Bruno Magli / Groom’s Fedora: Biltmore / Cufflinks: Konstantine / Ties: Thomas Pink / Groomsmen’s Socks: Brooks Brothers / Ring Bearer’s Outfit: Brooks Brothers + Nordstrom

Keeping the city they love front and center on their wedding day, this Boston couple chose the beautiful Seaport Hotel to host their modern celebration. I’m crushing like crazy on the bride’s Kate Spade stunners and her gorgeous Pronovias gown which fit this chic celebration to a T!  Summer Street Photography keeps the pretty coming in the full gallery and don’t miss the sweet film from The Pixel Perfection! 

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From the Bride… Boston is our home. Jay proposed to me on the Boston Harbor Walks, which is across the street  from where we live. We always knew we wanted to have our reception at the Seaport Hotel ,which is two blocks from our apartment. We had our reception in the Lighthouse Room. We wanted a room with lots of windows and the Lighthouse Room was just that — a beautiful room with floor-to-ceiling windows and amazing views of Boston. Everything for our wedding fell into place for us perfectly. My husband and I wanted our reception to be a fun-filled party! We had an amazing band that kept everyone out of their seats and dancing all night long. We had a photo booth, fun signature cocktails (S’more-tinis and a St. Germain cocktail) and a cookie table of Italian and Greek cookies.  

Our wedding day is one of our most memorable days. It was filled with laughter, love, family and friends. We were lucky to be able to get married in the same church my parents were married at over 30 years ago. Having the memory of exchanging vows with Jay on the same altar my parents did will always hold a special place in my heart. We danced the night away and got to share this day with the people that we love the most. We feel very blessed.

Wedding Photography: Summer Street Photography / Ceremony: St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield, Massachusetts / Reception: Seaport Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts / Wedding Cinematography: The Pixel Perfection / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Wedding Invitations: Checkerboard via The Paper Store / Save-the-Dates: Stinkerpants / Band: Boston Common Band / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair: Jennifer Tawa Hair Design / Makeup: Karla Patricia / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy

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Peacock Blue: Quite possibly the world’s prettiest color and it’s one of the main colors in this sweet soirée by Jay Sansone Photography. I am completely smitten with the pairing of yellow bouquets by Nolan’s Flowers & Gifts to the David’s Bridal bridesmaids dresses – perfecto! Speaking of perfect, be sure to head to the full gallery for more.

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This rustic wedding, set in the small town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, at the Five Bridge Inn, features yellow, gray and peacock blue as its main colors. Lindsay and Brian used mason jars to serve their signature cocktails and tied in their colors with yellow and gray paper straws. The groomsmen wore gray tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse with yellow boutonnieres, and the bridesmaids wore beautiful summer dresses in “peacock” from David’s Bridal. The bride wore a beautiful organza dress, also from David’s Bridal. They created their favors and place cards by dipping the bottoms of wine glasses in chalkboard paint and then writing the guests’ name and table numbers on each one. The table numbers were placed on two bottles of wine at each table! The pops of yellow really made this wedding such a beautiful day!

Wedding Photography: Jay Sansone Photography / Ceremony: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Seekonk, Massachusetts / Reception: Five Bridge Inn in Rehoboth, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Nolan’s Flowers & Gifts / Event Design: Designs by Lisa / Catering: Young’s Catering / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: DSW / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal