Massachusetts Weddings

Oh what I would give to sit at the Chicken table at this wedding! Or Cow, Deer or Horse! Yes, that’s right – All tables were named after farm animals at this woodsy Smolak Farms wedding, and the most adorable escort cards clipped to strings around trees guided guests to their seats. This couple used the power of Etsy.com to create the most adorable barnyard-inspired details, and the green and blue tones are the perfect complement to their outdoor surroundings. Check out the full gallery of images here, every moment captured by the talented Hannah Persson Photo.

From Hannah Persson Photo… A bluegrass tro led the guests from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. It looked like a little celebration parade. Smolak Farms in North Andover, Massachusetts, is seriously adorable. There is an ice-cream place and petting zoo on the grounds, adding to the cuteness. The tables were decorated with pictures of oh-so-cute farm animals. So many gorgeous details from creatives at Etsy. All in all, a magical day.

Wedding Photography: Hannah Persson Photo / Second Photographer: Lauren Naujalis / Wedding Venue: Smolak Farms in North Andover, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Dogwood Floral Design / Catering: David’s Catering / Pies + Ice Cream: Smolak Farms / Cookies: DIY by Friends + Family / Wedding Invitations: VO Handmade / Ketubah: Urban Collective / Map Guestbook: DefineDesign11 / Papel Picado Flags: AyMujer / Musicians: Bill Jubett, April Jubett + Ben Weiss / DJ: Nick of Beat Train Productions / Wedding Dress: Liv Harris / Bride’s Necklace: Macy’s / Hair: Alternatives Hair Studio / Makeup: Laura Fleming, A Friend of the Bride

It’s almost impossible to imagine a backyard as amazing as this one. We’re talking serious gorgeousness here! And even though the entire day was planned outside and the rain gods poured down on the lucky couple, their series of fabulous tents by Sperry Tents kept everyone, including their four legged friends, nice and dry. This dog friendly wedding was captured perfectly by Lisa Rigby Photography and there’s even more pretty right here in the full gallery!

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From Lisa Rigby Photography… This 280 guest wedding was held in Abby’s parents’ incredible backyard in Norwell, Massachusetts, on June 2, 2012. Abby is a veterinarian, so animals were an important part of their day. Their two dogs served as ring bearer and flower girl, and we took some time to take some photos with her horse, Minnie. For most of their wedding day, it was raining. There were torrential downpours for much of the day. I think the special thing about this wedding was the incredible tent system that was constructed by Sperry Tents. These tents were absolutely amazing — four or five tents in all.

From the Bride… My mom spent the whole year leading up to the wedding getting the house and gardens looking spectacular. She was so good at grasping the big picture of the day I was hoping for, then filling in all the details I inevitably forgot about. When the wedding day came, we were all able to sit back and enjoy it completely because my mom had thought of everything. Also, our animals are a huge part of our lives, so we wanted to include them as part of our ceremony. Many of our friends feel the same about their pets, so our wedding was dog-friendly and designed with our two-legged and four-legged guests in mind.

Wedding Photography: Lisa Rigby Photography / Wedding Venue: The Bride’s Parents’ Home in Norwell, Massachusetts / Wedding Coordination: Wendy Joblon Events / Wedding Cinematography: Meg Simone Wedding Films / Catering: The Catered Affair / Decor + Rentals: Exquisite Events of Newport  and New England Country Rentals / Lighting: Ormonde Productions / Tents: Sperry Tents / Entertainment: Wilson Stevens / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Bride’s Shoes: Me Too / Groom’s Suit: Jos. A. Bank / Rings: Tacori

The Beantown girl in me is swelling with pride over this engagement. Not because I photographed it or even because I know this couple. Nope, none of the above. Only because this shoot captured by Deborah Zoe and featuring one very smitten couple makes Boston look pretty fabulous. Whether dressed to the nines, out and about in Back Bay or casualin it up for a Red Sox game, Boston is the real city of Love and the full gallery is proof. See it all here.

From Deborah Zoe Photography… Diana and Jon love the city and wanted to have their engagement session downtown. We spent the afternoon wondering the neighborhood around Fenway, enjoying the sites before the start of a game. With a quick outfit change, we were off to Beacon Street in the Back Bay for a more urban, chic feel. Diana and Jon couldn’t stop giggling the entire afternoon. It’s such a joy to photograph two people so in love! They sure made the city streets look good that day!

Photography: Deborah Zoe Photography / Location: Boston, Massachusetts

When this bride and groom searched for a wedding venue that felt like a backyard bash, they landed on Glen Magna Farms. It looks a little more like a yard in heaven, and the dreamy blooms by Petalena add to that and then some. It’s easy to get lost in this other worldly pretty place, but don’t miss the stationary made by the beautiful bride herself. We have all the best of the best Lisa Rigby Photography pics from this heavenly day, so get ready to ascend away in the full gallery!

From the Bride… We knew we wanted our wedding to be in an outdoor setting where we could have the ceremony and reception but also have a great “Plan B” in case it rained. I was looking at houses that were part of the National Historic Society and that’s how I found about Glen Magna. The house’s beautiful staircase, among other details, resonated with my personal design aesthetic. I decided to have the escort table, guest book, and pictures displayed throughout the house, inviting people to walk through the house as well as enjoy the outside. Ultimately, we were looking for a place that felt like it could be an intimate backyard wedding and suited us as a couple.

Picking songs for the wedding was difficult as we are both huge music fans but have different tastes. Something that we both agreed on was that we wanted to chose songs that would be different then the wedding standards and that we wanted the ceremony to be personal. We felt that one way to make it more personal was to have our friend play a few interpretations of our favorite songs that spoke to us as a couple.  For the wedding party processional we chose an Emmy Lou Harris song: “A Love That Will Never Grow Old.” Instead of a traditional wedding march I chose “Lullaby” by the Dixie Chicks, which has a nice tempo to walk down the aisle to and is a very sweet love song. Sanjay is a huge Nick Cave fan and introduced me to the song “Breathless,” and we decided to have that song be the recessional. We struggled with picking our first dance song but then finally landed on Mugison’s version of “Little Trip to Heaven.” Our wedding party was to introduced into the tent to “Having A Party” by Sam Cooke. We felt that would be a great way to start the party after the cocktail hour, which featured a great selection of jazz music. We included Jai Malas in our ceremony because it is a tradition in Sanjay’s family. We also had a white elephant on display because Sanjay loves elephants and having one with the trunk up is considered good luck. There were a pair of little white elephants on the groom’s cake.

My advice to other couples planning weddings is to laugh together as much as possible during the process. Make date nights out of tastings, dance lessons, etc. Work with vendors you trust and share your vision. Take breaks. Divide and conquer using something like shared google documents and calendars to communicate with one another.  On the day of the wedding, take a few moments to take it all in, eat for fifteen minutes, and have a slice of cake!

Wedding Photography: Lisa Rigby Photography / Wedding Venue: Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Apryl Sahadi of Petalena / Ceremony Garlands: Fancy Florist / Catering: Harvest Catering / Wedding Cake: Jenny’s Wedding Cakes / Wedding Stationery: DIY by the Bride / DJ: James McNally of Fred Pappalardo Disc Jockeys / Chocolate Bumblebee Favors: L.A. Burdick Chocolate / Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Engagement Ring: Vintage / Hair + Makeup: Lisette Murphy / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier / Maid of Honor’s Dress: Betsey Johnson / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Shoes: John Fluevog / Groom’s Wedding Band: Bostonian Jewlers / Ring Bearer’s Box: Rustic Blend

We simply can’t stop raving about the perfect peony gorgeousness of this New England wedding. And let’s face it – A girl can never have too many peonies! These amazing blossoms paired with a subtle nautical influence created this effortless beachfront affair at Popponesset Inn, sprinkled with personal touches. It doesn’t hurt that the love these two share is literally radiating from each and every photo, thanks to the unbelievable talent of Kelly Dillon Photography. The full gallery of images is simply a must.

From the Bride… Although Matt and I went to high school together, we didn’t officially meet until bumping into each other one day at a coffee shop in the North End of Boston. I had just moved in across the street from where Matt was working, and the next morning I decided to go to the local coffee shop to take in the scenes and grab a cup of coffee. To my surprise, in walked Matt McCarthy, fully dressed in his construction boots, helmet and safety glasses. He ordered himself a coffee and bagel in the thickest Boston accent I had heard. We caught each others eyes, made small talk, and off he went. All summer long we would bump into each other, or as Matt puts it, he would “position himself to bump into me.” In the fall, he asked me to a Celtics game and from that point on, we were inseparable.

I travel for work Monday through Friday, and at the time, I was actually traveling across the country to California weekly. It was Friday the 13th and I had just taken a red eye home from the west coast. There was something different about Matt all day — I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I just thought, “Wow, he really must have missed me this week.” Everything he tried to do — take me out to dinner, take the dog for a walk, walk along the Charles River in the city, I shot down or told him we could later. I was just so busy on my phone and computer catching up with work. He just smiled, said, “okay” and patiently sat on the couch waiting for me to finish up. Finally I felt so bad, I got up from my desk and walked over to the couch to snuggle with him. I told him how much I loved him, and he did the same and told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. As I was saying, “I know, I want to spend the rest of my life with you too,” he pulled out the ring from his pocket and said, “Okay, so will you marry me?!” He was so cute — he just couldn’t wait any longer! Needless to say, we took the dog for a walk along the Charles River in the city and went out to dinner that night. My lucky day — Friday the 13th. :)

Matt and I always knew we wanted a beach wedding down the cape. The very first (and only) venue we looked at was the Popponesset Inn in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and right then, we knew it was the place. We knew we definitely didn’t feel the need to do a nautical-themed wedding because we were already at the beach. We just wanted to complement the natural beauty by adding an organic, simple and chic feel to the venue. Because I had 8 bridesmaids, I decided that I would just have them wear any black cocktail dress they wanted to. This way they could spend as little or as much as they wanted and wear whatever they felt most comfortable in. I have always loved peonies and how they are so feminine and delicate.  I decided on blush pink, white and black as our colors. I bought about 21 yards of burlap and made my own table runners and ring bearer pillows to help accentuate the organic feel I was going for. I also fell in love with the blue top mason jars I found for the centerpieces. Our two dogs are the other loves of our lives, and we knew we wanted to incorporate them in the wedding somehow. What better way than to have two signature drinks named after them? Guests were enjoying “Louie’s Lemonade” and “Champagne Charlie” all night long! I picked up organic nautical pieces along the way, such as driftwood garland and signs, and I found a really cool box we used as a cake stand. It was actually Matt’s idea to have the table numbers as Cape Cod towns! We printed out pictures online of the “Welcome to” signs and framed them in $1 white frames from IKEA. When we met with Boston Uplights, Paul really helped pull everything together for us. We had spotlights on the centerpieces at each table, enormous paper lanterns hanging from the tented ceiling and separate lighting on the dance floor. The whole ambiance was romantic and chic. Everything had come together so beautifully, and the night far exceeded our expectations.

Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Wedding Venue: Popponesset Inn in Mashpee, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Regan Ballantyne of Inspired Designs / Lighting: Boston Uplights / Wedding Dress: Aire Barcelona via Helene’s Bridal Shop / Rings + Earrings: Barmakian Jewelers Bracelet: Swarovski / Hair: Salon Monroe / Makeup: Girly Junk

Willowdale Estate has got to be one of the prettiest places in Massachusetts to get married. Not only are the grounds amazing and lend for a breathtaking outdoor ceremony, the stone craftsman style house is to die for! This adorable couple knew right away that this was the perfect place for them to say their I Do’s and by looking at the pretty images by Alexandra Roberts Photography, you’ll totally see why. Click here for even more!

From the Bride… Our wedding took place at Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, Massachusetts. When we first visited the site, we knew right away this was the perfect spot for our wedding. The grounds are breathtaking, and the stone house is perfect. Following the venue’s advice, we timed the ceremony to coincide with the setting sun, which worked out perfectly. We were bathed in beautiful, warm sunlight, and it felt magical. 

In keeping with the vintage feel of the estate, we kept our decorations rustic and fun, using mostly antiques, including birdcages, old frames, urns, soda crates, chests and fun beaded bird napkin rings that doubled as favors for our guests. (We had extras so that everyone could have a complete set.) My mother sewed the table linens from bold, orange-patterned fabric that helped tie together our kelly green and dark orange theme. (No pink at this wedding!) In lieu of a guest book, we created a “message in a bottle” table, where our guests wrote little notes to us, tied them with twine and dropped them into a vintage water jug. We’ve had such a blast over the past few months shaking them out gradually and reading the sweet, touching, wise, and often hilarious messages that people left us throughout the night. 

My husband and I LOVE food and drinks — we are huge foodies, and our wedding certainly reflected this! Both of us grew up on the coast in New England (me near Boston, Ira in Maine), so a raw bar was essential! Our signature drink was a delicious and refreshing vintage-inspired Honey Lemon Sidecar. We also featured a late-night ice cream bar and fry cones with dipping sauces. After dancing and drinking for hours it was a great treat to end the night.

Wedding Photography: Alexandra Roberts Photography / Wedding Venue: Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Stephanie’s Floral Design / Event Design: DIY by the Bride / Event Planning: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Wedding Invitations, Programs + Menus: DIY by the Bride / Ceremony Music: The Goodtime String Band / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Necklace: Kate Spade

Gazing at this cheerful romantic Willowdale Estate wedding makes for one happy Monday morning. This crafty bride in a too-chic BHLDN sheath- who originally thought she was missing the bride gene- DIY’ed the adorable meus, programs, escort cards, signs, and the majorly drool-worthy table numbers. Allison Phalen Floral Design provided the pastel blooms that push the pretty over the top, and Joyelle West Photography shot it all, so start your week off right here in the full gallery!

From the Bride… Ironcially, I was not the a bride who had always envisioned her wedding day since she was a little girl, but somewhere throughout the planning process, I became completely enthralled with all the elements. Shortly after getting engaged in Paris on the last day of a European backpacking trip, my then-fiance and I went venue searching and immediately knew the Willowdale Estate was the winner. Once the date was set for a May wedding, I created a vision of a soft, spring garden theme and found myself being drawn to a palette of cream, blush pink, soft peach and seafoam green. We wanted the day to have a natural, laid-back feel filled with elegant touches, and the Willowdale Estate set the stage perfectly. Everything flowed from the ceremony in the courtyard out back, to the cocktail hour inside and the reception in the tent. Luckily we were blessed with a warm, sun-filled, New England day, and we could not have been happier.

My biggest DIY project was the antique picture frame table numbers. I collected mismatched picture frames and various sheets of scrapbook paper that matched my color scheme, then applied the paper over the frame glass as the number backing. Wooden numbers were spray painted neutral colors and glued onto the scrap book paper. Each one was done in a different color pattern, but they all blended together nicely and helped to add an additional pop of color on the tables.

Music was very important as I wanted people out of their seats and on the dance floor. Throughout dinner, the DJ played old school R&B/soul music filled with classic hits that put people in the dancing mood. Once the party started, we had requested him to play a mix of the top pop/dance hits from different genres with disco, ’80s & ’90s to satisfy everyone from grandma to the teenage cousins.

We continue to receive so many lovely compliments from our guests, and it is such a great feeling when people acknowledge the hard work that was put into the planning as I really tried to think of each element from the guests’ perspective. At the end of the day, all the planning, crafting and organizing were worth it, and it really was the best day of our lives. It was such a great experience to have everyone we cared about together and celebrate with us and share our memories for years to come.

Wedding Photography: Joyelle West Photography / Wedding Venue: Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Allison Phalen Floral Design / Wedding Cake: The Icing on the Cake / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Save-the-Dates + Sign-In Frame: Devin Hunt Illustration / Menus, Programs, Escort Cards, Bar Signage, “Here Comes the Bride” Flag + Table Numbers: DIY by the Bride / Favor Tags, Drink Straws, “Cards” Sign + Bride’s Veil: Etsy / Favors: Macaron Sweeterie / LOVE Mugs: Anthopologie / Escort Card Décor + Setup: Allison Phalen Floral Design / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Bracelet: Haute Bride / Earrings: Nadri / Rings: Santisi & Bove / Hair: Hair by Cathleen Foster / Makeup: Joya Beauty / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Tuxedo: JoS. A. Bank / Men’s Ties + Pocket Squares: Bows ‘N Ties / Guest Book Poster: Save the Dates By Devin Hunt Illustration

Your Friday morning just got a whole lot prettier thanks to our friends at Summer Street Photography! Seriously, this wedding is insanely gorgeous and filled to the brim with the most perfectly perfect traditional touches that it makes me want to have a wedding do-over, like immediately. Dogwood Floral Design totally outdid themselves and with so many pretty arrangements, it’s pretty much impossible to pick a favorite. Click here for even more!

From the Bride… Brian and I met during our sophomore year at Wake Forest. We spent the next three years getting to know each other as we grew up and enjoyed college life. After we graduated, I stayed in North Carolina for graduate school, and Brian moved to Connecticut to begin his career. Living a plane ride away from each other was difficult, but it made our relationship so much stronger. After I finished graduate school, I took a job in New York City and eventually moved to Connecticut. Around the time of our five year anniversary, Brian and I went to Barcelona for the week of New Year’s Eve. After a long day of sight-seeing, Brian and I went to a restaurant of his choice, Pla in Barri Gotic. After enjoying a fantastic meal in the privacy of the restaurant’s loft, the waitress brought what I thought was the dessert menu. Instead, the menu look-a-like was a message from Brian about our relationship and his hopes for our future together. By the time I finished reading, Brian was next to me on one knee. We celebrated our engagement among thousands of strangers and the infectious excitement of New Year’s Eve in Barcelona. It was a great start to our wedding journey.

Shortly after our engagement, we began looking for a venue in the Boston area, where I grew up. We looked at many great venues, but when we arrived at Turner Hill in Ipswich, we knew it was perfect for us. As our planning progressed, we were inspired by the garden ceremony location, and had a vision of a sun-filled, elegant, garden-brought-indoors dinner in the open-air tent, with soft green linens and fresh, colorful, naturally-composed flowers. The ballroom of the mansion at Turner Hill is also very beautiful, so we planned to move inside for dessert and dancing where guests would have access to all of the rooms, so they could either dance in the ballroom or chat with friends in a more quiet space. It was important to us that our wedding was enjoyable for us and our guests, but also personal and thoughtful. We wanted our guests to feel like they were a part of our wedding, not just observers. As our wedding approached, all of our plans were in place. However, we watched the ten day forecast, and it became certain that our garden ceremony and open-air dinner were not in Mother Nature’s plans. I was initially very upset that our wedding wouldn’t be exactly as we had envisioned. As we rehearsed the ceremony in the dining room of the mansion, the “Plan B” location, I was suddenly overcome with the emotion of the wedding itself and the love of our family and friends, and I was perfectly fine with the change in plans. The resulting ceremony was cozy, intimate, and full of love, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Even as the rain poured down (and sideways), it was very important to us to do our first look and portraits in natural light. Summer Street Photography was amazing. They found two covered locations for us to take photos, and they braved the rain to photograph our bouquets and signature cocktail (the Clark Royale) outside! 

My favorite part of the day was when my eyes met Brian’s as I walked down the aisle. At that moment, my nervousness about the day faded, and our love and commitment to one another were all that mattered. I could sense that Brian was feeling the same thing. Some of our guests have told me that moment was powerful for them as well, but for a different reason. My father passed away when I was young, and it was really important to us to incorporate his memory into our ceremony and celebration without taking away from the joyful nature of the day. I chose to honor him by walking myself down the aisle, and I like to think that he escorted me in spirit. We also had a wedding band made for me with diamonds from jewelry that my dad gave my mom. I wear it every day, and it serves a special reminder of him. Although our wedding ceremony and celebration did not go exactly as planned due to the weather, we couldn’t have been happier with the result. The ceremony was warm and full of love. We danced the night away and celebrated the beginning of our next chapter with all of the people that we love most. We feel very fortunate.

Wedding Photography: Summer Street Photography / Wedding Venue: Turner Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts / Wedding Consulting: Blue Ivy Events / Floral Design: Dogwood Floral Design / Catering: Vinwood Caterers / Wedding Cake: Jenny’s Wedding Cakes / Wedding Invitations, Menus + Favor Cards: Checkerboard via Wedding Essentials by Ulrike / Programs, Signs + Escort Cards: Custom via Wedding Essentials by Ulrike / Ceremony Music: Washington Calvo Harp and Flute Duo / Reception Music: Night Rhythm, Featuring Rebecca, Meyer & Jerome / Dinner Music: Night Rhythm Jazz Trio / Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via The Plumed Serpent Bridal / Bride’s Headpieces: Sara Gabriel via The Plumed Serpent Bridal / Bride’s Brooch: Toni Federici via The Plumed Serpent Bridal / Bride’s Hair: Updo’s by Ann / Bride’s Makeup: Makeovers by Ligia / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) via Bella Bridesmaid / Groom’s Tuxedo: JoS. A. Bank / Groom’s Shirt: Custom via Fairfield Clothiers

Chatham Bars Inn plays host to some of the most impeccable New England style weddings, and this Alden Blair Events affair is another one for the books. Patrice R. Milley Floral Designers provided pretty pink and cream florals complete with blush colored sea urchin shells: the perfect nautical bouquet touch. The bride and groom created preppy ribbon wands, and the personal touches didn’t stop there, or at the custom broach and pearl bracelets gifted to the bridesmaids. During the ceremony, the couple put cards to each other along with bottles of wine in a box to open on their five-year or to help smooth a rough patch if it should happen before then. If their marriage is anywhere near as lovely as it looked through Emily Sterne Photography‘s lens, we don’t think they’ll being drinking up before the next half decade. See all the breathtaking Cape shots and personal props here in the full gallery!

From the Bride… Seth and I are from New Rochelle, New York, but my family and I have vacationed on Cape Cod for the past 25 years, and it has become a second home to us. So when Seth and I got engaged, I could not envision having the wedding anywhere else. Deciding where and when to have it was also easy. We could not think of a more perfect place than the Chatham Bars Inn. Opened in 1914, it exudes old-world class and elegance while offering breathtaking views of the water. We thought Memorial Day weekend would be the perfect time to have our destination wedding so our guests could enjoy the different aspects of Cape Cod without feeling rushed. Over the two days leading up to the wedding, we organized a beach day, a mini golf competition (guys vs. girls) and a clambake rehearsal dinner overlooking Cape Cod Bay. However, my favorite pre-wedding festivity was the karaoke and s’mores party my parents hosted in their backyard the night before the wedding. Guests had a chance to get to know each other while toasting a marshmallow, and it was hilarious to watch my mother and father sing “I Got You Babe.” The party would have gone all night if the police hadn’t kindly shut us down.

Our beautiful venue inspired our vintage seaside theme, and we conveyed it through touches of pink, navy, silver and gold. The hotel, with its gorgeous ocean views, offered such a beautiful backdrop that we did not need much in the way of decorations, but I made sure to include a lot of personal touches. I am lucky enough to have many wonderful people in my life who helped bring all the details together. My mother and I scoured wedding blogs for inspiration (Style Me Pretty being my number one source) and visited many craft stores around New York. My sister, who is studying graphic design in college, made our gorgeous wedding poster, as well as all the table names, which were each assigned a different type of whale — a nod to all the whale watches we have taken in Cape Cod. She and my husband also helped put together the menus, programs, and escort cards, while my friends assembled ribbon wands that all the guests waved as we went down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. All the groomsmen had on lobster socks and cufflinks made out of used New York Yankee baseballs (even though we were in New England, we still had to represent New York). I gave my bridesmaids and my mother bracelets that my brother designed and constructed from my great-grandmother’s brooches. Our ceremony took place on the front lawn of the Chatham Bars Inn, and as guests arrived, they were greeted with water with lemon, oranges or cucumber, a program and a ribbon wand. During the ceremony, Seth and I had placed a bottle of wine in a box along with cards we had written to each other. On our five year anniversary, or if we hit a rough patch before then, we will open the box, drink the wine, read the cards and remember how in love we were on the day we got married. As for favors, we offered a candy bar that was inspired by our favorite candy shop in Chatham.  

Overall, the day was magical. Everything seemed to come together effortlessly and even the weather, which originally had been forecast as rain, was perfect. The day went above and beyond anything we could have ever hoped for. We were so fortunate to have so many of the people we love come together in one of our favorite places. Everyone had a great time, and they are already asking when we can do it all again. Looking back, my happiness for that day is only succeeded by the love I have for Seth.

Wedding Photography: Emily Sterne Photography / Wedding Venue: Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts / Event Planning: Jessica Harris of Alden Blair Events / Floral Design: Patrice R. Milley Floral Designers / Officiant: The Bride’s Uncle / Catering + Wedding Cake: Chatham Bars Inn / Ceremony Music: Driftwood / Reception Music: Cape Tunes / Wedding Dress: Sophia Moncelli via Kleinfeld / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George

Happy fourth of July SMP Massachusetts! In honor of this fab summer holiday, we thought we’d share with you this adorable couple’s e-session. They sashayed all around the city with Mikhail Glabets Photography and got some seriously silly, not to mention totally gorgeous pics, and lucky for us there’s even more right here in the full gallery!

From Mikhail Glabets Photography… From Tufts University to the Seaport, Four Point Channel and South Boston, we had a blast chasing after light and having a great time.

From the sparkly Jimmy Choo stilettos to the gorgeous tablescapes filled with roses, hydrangeas, and peonies, this Boston Harbor Hotel wedding is downright gorgeous. There are so many details that we are seriously dying over, one of which are those quirky mustache flask groomsmen gifts. How amazing are those? They are a fun contrast to this beautiful, elegant day which was photographed perfectly by Captured Photography by Jenny. It really doesn’t get any prettier than this! See it all here in the gorgeous gallery.

From the Bride… I moved to Boston in 2009 hoping for a fresh start. I was also hoping to find love. I was lucky enough to accomplish both things rather quickly. Eric and I met only a few months after I had settled in, and it didn’t take long before we both knew that we were meant for each other. No one makes me laugh or smile quite like my new husband. Our friends and family were surprised when we chose Boston for our wedding location. I am originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, a city that provides quite a lovely backdrop for beach weddings. Yet, I had completely fallen in love with Boston’s historic charm, unique architecture and classic New England vibe. Boston was my new home, the place where I met the love of my life, and the city I hope to raise a family in. We couldn’t imagine a better city to celebrate our marriage.

When we toured the Boston Harbor Hotel as a possible venue, we were immediately awestruck and inspired by its tall ceilings, simple elegance and the beautiful Wharf Room with its giant harbor-facing windows. The off-white walls were just the right canvas to create the affair we had in mind. The Rowes Wharf at the BHH also boasts a large arch and rotunda known as “the gateway to the city.” Standing under it just felt so majestic that we could easily imagine taking amazing pictures there with our wedding party and family. We wanted to go for a feeling of classic elegance, which led me to a color palette of black and white with a touch of red. The wedding party wore black and the bridesmaids carried bouquets of red roses, which really popped against the light red brick and green tones of the Rowes Wharf.

Our ceremony took place in the Wharf Room just before sundown. When I entered the room, I felt magical in the midst of all the natural light radiating through the floor to ceiling windows behind our chuppah. The ceremony included many special details: the yarmulkes worn by the groomsmen were hand crocheted by my 82-year-old grandmother, our kiddush Cup has been in my family for four generations, and I was able to be married with my grandmother’s wedding ring. The most beautiful part of our ceremony was all of the love in the room emanating from our family and friends. Our reception felt like a fairytale. Also in the Wharf Room, the décor, crafted by our florist, Designing Images, created the most gorgeous atmosphere. The room was illuminated with red up-lights and a variety of arrangements with roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and larkspur. The most important thing to us was to have a really fun party! We definitely accomplished our goal. We had some special performances including our first dance, a choreographed Viennese Waltz, and a sweet ballad that I sang to my husband. Instead of a traditional photo booth, we had a Flip Book Booth, by FlipChix of Cape Cod. Our guests were able to film a short video, using really silly props. The videos were transformed into a flip book for them to keep as a memento of our special day. One of my bridesmaids designed the covers for the flipbooks as well as the “tickets” we placed on our tables, which were such special details to me. Our band, Soho, kept our crowd dancing all night. We consistently heard from several people that they were the best band they have seen at a wedding.To top it all off, we’re left with gorgeous memories of our day, thanks to the images from Captured Photography by Jenny! All of the time and research we spent picking each vendor really paid off. They were all did a phenomenal job. We feel so blessed to have had such a beautiful, romantic, elegant, and fun beginning to our marriage!

Wedding Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Wedding Venue: The Wharf Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Designing Images / Event Coordination: The Day Of / Officiant: Rabbi Messing / Wedding Cinematography: Memories in High Def / Wedding Cake: The Icing on the Cake / Wedding Stationery + Paper Goods: Unique Unusuals / Linens: Table Toppers of Newton / Chair Rentals: The Perfect Setting at Felicia’s / Wedding Band: Soho via Nightshift Entertainment / Flipbook Booth: FlipChix / Wedding Dress: Birnbaum & Bullock / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Hair: Chuck of Gretta Cole / Hair + Makeup: Rachael Berkowitz

When you’ve got an architectural firm all your own, you know a thing or two about good design…and in this case, the proof is in all the pretty, yellow details. The sweet lemon inspired decor, along with all the cute craft paper goodness was all DIY and we are loving each and every inch. Blonde Cow Photography captured the day perfectly and there is so much more to see right here in the full gallery!

From Blonde Cow Photography… This wedding was located at the Cambridge Boat Club, right on the Charles River. The spring flowers were puffing with prettiness as the rowers were zig-zagging down the quiet peaceful river. My heart skipped a beat when I arrived at this beautiful location. Every little detail was made with love — so many little details went into this wedding that has been dreamed of since the couple met many years ago. I’m in love with the bay window setup and all the shades of yellow, as well as the “cheese” cake made of local cheeses near the couple’s farm in New Hampshire! 

We photographed their small wedding with family down in Florida. This sweet couple became our friends, and we flew up to Boston to photograph their magical day! They have been together for many years and have a fine residential architectural firm in Cambridge, which is where they live. It was our first time in Boston/Cambridge area, and my gosh, was it ever a dream come true!

Wedding Photography: Blonde Cow Photography / Wedding Venue: Cambridge Boat Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens / Event Design + Planning: Sonia Lackey / Decor + Paper Goods: DIY / Catering: Becky Rodgers / Wedding Cake: Alberto Cabre of Casa B / Wedding Dress: Ann Taylor “Georgina”

Traditional affairs will never go out of style. Case in point, this gorgeous bride outfitted by Gabriella New York Bridal Salon. She’s the epitome of classic elegance and her wedding is simply beautiful! Jocelyn Filley Photography captured all the goodness and trust me when I say there’s a whole lot more just waiting to inspire you in the gallery! Click here for more!

From the Bride… The proposal was wonderful. Patrick was a White House Fellow a few years ago, so a friend (Ron) who works there now organized access to the Rose Garden, and he got down on one knee there! We actually saw Marine One land and the President step out onto the lawn through the window of the Oval Office about five minutes before he popped the question. Secret Service were all in on the secret and congratulated us as we walked around the grounds. A favorite detail is that the day before, we met Ron for a coffee. Patrick made up a story that Ron was hungry. We got him a roast beef sandwich. Patrick put the ring in the bag with the roast beef sandwich so Ron could bring it into the West Wing for us (in case Patrick had to empty his pockets during security). 

Our theme was an all-American wedding. Our rehearsal dinner was on Veteran’s Day, we were engaged at the White House, and Patrick is a vet. We had many active duty and retired military at the wedding, including many in our families. As favors, we gave out American flag lapel pins and ruby, sapphire and diamond toy rings. As far as flowers, I love organic looking arrangements, nothing too shaped or sculpted. My mother gave me a pocket book on the morning of the wedding. She had been given the same purse by her mother-in-law the morning my parents were married.  Inside were camera, lip gloss, room key, and my grandmother’s handkerchief. My favorite wedding day memory was dancing non-stop!

My advice for brides-to be: the ceremony is the wedding, and the reception is a party. Listen to the words of the officiant carefully, and take your vows to heart. Then surround yourself with your very best friends and family to eat, drink, dance, celebrate and make your first moments as a married couple a standard by which to live the rest of your days!

Wedding Photography: Jocelyn Filley Photography / Ceremony: Saint Cecilia Parish in Boston, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Missy Kasnet / Wedding Cinematography: Rosemary Jenseth of AfterImage Productions / Wedding Stationery: Paper Chase Gifts / Music: The Sultans of Swing / Lodging: The Copley Square Hotel, The Westin Copley Place / Transportation: Trolleys via Super Duck Tour / Wedding Dress: Angel Sanchez via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Bride’s Veil: Sara Gabriel via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Bride’s Sapphire & Opal Earrings: From Her Great-Grandmother / Bride’s Gold & Diamond Bracelet: From Her Grandmother / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Hair + Makeup: Joanna Davis of Jon Val in Groveland, Massachusetts (978-373-1180) / Matron of Honor’s Attire: Sue Wong / Groom’s Tuxedo: Custom via Maxwell’s Clothiers / Groomsman’s Tie: Vineyard Vines

Sometimes young love realized at boarding school turns into full blown “we want to spend the rest of our lives together” love and this couple knows full well how that goes. Their rekindled romance was celebrated at Wequassett Resort and Golf Club (try saying that five times fast) in Cape Cod with nods to Philips Exeter Academy, the boarding school where they first met, woven throughout. From Exeter key chains gifted as favors to tables named after the buildings and spots where they grew up, this is one celebration with a whole lot of history. Kelly Dillon Photography snapped this affair that was years in the making and you can see it all unfold right here.

From Kelly Dillon Photography… Carly and Greg dated for four years while they attended boarding school at Philips Exeter Academy. After high school, they went their separate ways: Carly to Georgetown University in Washington DC and Greg to Amherst College. For nine years, they barely kept in touch — until they rekindled their romance at their 10-year high school reunion. They found out in January that they were having a baby, and Greg proposed in February on the beach on Cape Cod. It was snowing, and their bulldog was running around chasing sticks. Wanting to get married before the baby was due in September, they chose Wequassett Beach Resort as most Cape venues were already booked for the summer, and they were available on the date they wanted. Keeping with the theme of high school sweethearts, you’ll see their table cards for centerpieces are various buildings and memories from the Philips Exeter Academy campus. They also used Philips Exeter key chains as the take-home gift. The florals matched the bridesmaids dresses perfectly!

Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Wedding Venue: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Saint Aubin Nurseries / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Earrings: James Murray Jewelry / Hair: Jennifer Fusco / Makeup: Blush / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jessica Simpson

You’re certainly in for a special treat today because this adorable Cohasset wedding is bringing the fun and then some. We’re loving this bride’s style from her larger than life flower hairpiece to her sweet as can be dress covered in tulle…there’s really nothing not to love. Hello Love Photography captured all the colorful moments including the bride and groom getting heart confettti bombed on their way back down the aisle. LOVE it! Click here for more!

From Hello Love Photography… Sami and Nick’s wedding matched their colorful personalities so perfectly! They are the kindest, funniest, most vibrant couple, and that was absolutely reflected in their beautiful day. Their wedding was held at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset and was a true celebration of them. Sami included lots of clever DIY details — she made a beautiful ring pillow from vintage napkins, made felt flower pins for the guests to take home, and she and her sisters hand-punched buckets of confetti to toss after the ceremony! Sami’s beautiful dress was also vintage. She ordered it sight unseen, and it fit her perfectly when it arrived. We were able to whisk Sami and Nick away to a carousel where they used to spend time together while as a dating couple in high school for some bridal portraits. It was so much fun to take some photos where Sami and Nick had spent time having fun together years before! The wedding day was such a fun celebration, and it ended in an awesome karaoke rendition of Meatloaf’s “I Would do Anything for Love” sung by the bride herself. It was an honor to be a part of Sami and Nick’s wedding!

Wedding Photography: Hello Love Photography / Wedding Venue: Red Lion Inn Resort in Cohasset, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Jennifer Allen + Jessica Lyon / Officiant: The Bride’s Father / DJ: Jim McCarthy / Wedding Invitation Handkerchiefs: Benign Objects / Wedding Invitation Hand-Drawn Map: Aaron Tetzlaff / Wedding Programs + Paper Bags: Extravagant Exits / Felt Flower Pin Favors: DIY by the Bride / Snickerdoodle Cookie Favors: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Cookie Label Stamp: Green Garden Stamps / Cat Wedding Cake Topper: Melabo / Vintage Handkerchief Ring Pillow: DIY by the Bride / Table Lanterns + Jars: Michaels + IKEA / Heart Confetti: DIY by the Bride + Her Sisters / Wedding Dress: Timeless Vixen Vintage on Etsy (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Vivienne Westwood “Lady Dragon” / Bride’s Floral Headpiece: ban.do / Hair: Hernan Salon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ann Taylor Bridal / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Nest Pretty Things / Bridesmaids’ La La Love You Posters: Sparkle Power / Bridesmaids’ To Have and To Hold Totes: Melangerie Inc. / Groom’s Suit: Nordstrom / Groom’s Bow Tie: Something’s Hiding Here (Formerly Forage)

I love a bride with a vision for her wedding day – especially when the vision is full of New England charm, DIY touches and 90-gallons of home-brewed beer! So, naturally, I’m head-over-heels for this lovely outdoor affair by Dreamlove Photography. But don’t stop here, inspiration is coming out of the woodwork in the full gallery!

From Dreamlove Photography… When we first met with Leslie and Jon, we knew that our styles were going to mesh well! They chose the Estate at Moraine Farm as their venue and had some of the most unique details we’ve had the honor of documenting! Their ceremony was held across from the main house on the farm, with a classic New England pine tree forest backdrop. One of our favorite things about this wedding was the seating “cards” table that Leslie designed, using yellow Billy Ball flowers and her mom’s vintage wooden boxes overflowing with moss. Guests loved the idea of “picking” their flower for their table, and it made for a pretty nice prop for the photos of their rings! One of Jon’s groomsmen also brewed 90 gallons of beer for the wedding day and designed a special menu with beers such as, “It’s Going To Be A Wheat Wedding,” and “Pucker Up Cherry Stout.” The Estate at Moraine Farm also had some stunning spots for rustic portraits. One of our favorite pictures from the day was the shot of Leslie and Jon beneath towering pine trees with branches that gracefully arched over them. 

From the Bride… Jon and I met on a chilly Wednesday night in the middle of December in 2009. Frustrated with myself for forgetting to cancel my automatically renewing match.com subscription, I decided to take one last look and made one last “wink” before giving up all hope. Within 12 hours Jon responded with an email, and 1.5 years later, we were engaged.  

I loved everything about our wedding day, from my handsome and loving fiance to the impromptu plane fly over just as we were announced husband and wife. But one of my favorite moments of the day was seeing the reality of everything that we had planned. While we all hope our ideas are brilliant, there is always the fear that our ideas won’t be as amazing as they are in our head. I was very happy and quite relieved to see that all our ideas were a huge success! When planning an outdoor wedding, it is easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated with nature, so my advice to those hoping to be married outside is to find a venue that has an “in case of rain” option that you are comfortable with. We hit the jackpot with the weather, but had it rained — the indoor ceremony location would have been just as perfect. 

Wedding Photography: Dreamlove Photography / Wedding Venue: The Estate at Moraine Farm in Beverly, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Karla Cassidy Designs / Catering: Fireside Catering / Desserts: Cupcake Cafe & Bakery (978-922-9720) / Cupcake Topper: Enamour Weddings / Wedding Invitations: Gus & Ruby Letterpress / Guest Book: Suzy Shoppe / Wedding Sign: Birdhouse Boutique / Thank You Banner: joyful joyful / DJ: Craig Sopo / Wedding Dress: Watters “Lasara” / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Jewelry: Chan Luu / Hair: Kelly Marie Hair / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Otis B Jewelry / Pashminas: Wedding Wraps / Menswear: Jos. A. Bank / Engagement Ring: Barba Fine Jewelers in Warren, Ohio (330-856-6605) / Bride’s Wedding Band: Shreve, Crump & Low / Groom’s Wedding Band: TitaniumKnights

Wow! I’m not even sure where or how to begin talking about this drop.dead.gorgeous wedding reception film by Michael and Tricia Films. This super model couple was married in India but wanted to share the celebration with all their friends and family in Boston so they threw one heck of a pretty party! You’ve seriously never seen a more bright and beautiful reception than this one. We’re loving each and every sparkly moment of this film. I watched it over and over this morning and I bet you will too! Enjoy!

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From Michael and Tricia Films… Amar and Arti were married in India and wanted to have a Boston reception for their friends and family here. It was an amazing event with some of the most beautiful decor we had ever seen. The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Boston Sheraton, which had been completely transformed by Design House Decor. We set up a time lapse to capture the transformation and it became a central part of their film.  

The details were amazing, from the centerpieces with candles, pink roses, white hydrangea, calla lilies, and white dendrobium orchids, to the stage that was constructed with drapery and plush seating. Plasma TVs were placed throughout the room to show the video of the couple’s wedding in India. The guests danced late into the night with music from DJs Unlimited South Asia and enjoyed the buffet of Indian food from Gourmet India.

Wedding Photography: Susan Stripling / Reception Venue: Sheraton Boston Hotel / Wedding Cinematography: Michael and Tricia Films / Floral Design: Design House Decor + Pink Orchid Weddings / Event Design: Design House Decor / Event Planning: Pink Orchid Weddings / Catering: Gourmet India / Wedding Cake: Jenny’s Wedding Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Pink Orchid Weddings / Entertainment: DJs Unlimited South Asia

Some soirees have just the right mix of class and sass, and this Belle Mer wedding is all that and a bag of chips. It’s no surprise that the bride and groom are both creative types, with artistic friends to boot, like the bridesmaid who did their floral design to the maid of honor and bride’s sister who made the stationery. Snap! Photography got all the good stuff for our viewing pleasure, including the bride’s premium Wayne Cooper party dress punctuated by jewel encrusted Christian Louboutins. Get ready to crave a coastal trip after you see all the rest in the full gallery!

Click here to see the FULL wedding!

From the Bride…Matt asked me to marry him on the morning of our one year anniversary. That day was already special because it was the day our families were to meet for the first time. That night is one of our favorite memories. Two families coming together with laughter, love and admiration. It was confirmation that we were meant to be, in the sweetest way. Style and design are very important to us both. Matt is influenced by rustic materials, vintage objects and classic style. I am drawn to modern and streamlined design. Matt works in men’s fashion and I in hotel design…..we wanted our wedding to reflect our personal style and taste. Most importantly we wanted our friends and family to have fun! Our main goal was to have great food/drinks, beautiful location and cool/subtle design moments. We were both drawn to a coastal wedding destination. Newport,RI was the perfect location. We had our ceremony and reception at Belle Mer. We walked into the space and instantly fell in love….it was everything we were looking for a stunning view, rustic touches and a modern asthetic. I’ve learned in my business that design is in the details. With the help of my creative ladies, my sister Arielle-graphic designer, my best bud Gretchen-floral/event designer and my mom Noreen-who has taught me” grace under pressure” and how to throw a kick … Party, my wedding dreams were realized. Our design inspiration was a blend of modern, textural and elegant elements. The color palette was creamy white with hints of blush and silver sparkles. Their were subtle touches of Blush in my bridesmaids shoes, candy and card tables, up- lighting and flowers. Sparkle elements were in our mercury glass vases, table numbers, name cards and takeaways. Our flowers were an array of varieties that were billowy, soft and lush. My wedding dress was enveloped in dupioni silk flowers and our cupcakes had peony inspired frosting to match my dress. Layers of color and varying luxe paper was seen in our name cards, dessert labels and table numbers. Our guests raved about the personal touches we put into to our evening…some of which were having signature cocktails named after our favorite vacations and our prized possession Prince Baby Wiggleston 1st, our 3-legged mini labradoodle. Others were my fabulous sister and brother in-law surprised us with a beautiful photo montage that hung over our dessert table, mini sliders that were passed after a night of competitive dancing and pei-cabs to take our guests to the after party. We feel so blessed with all of the vendors that helped us achieve such a magical night…Belle Mer, Snap RI, Scrumptions Bakery and Jennie Kay beauty to name a few….amazing!!!!

Photography: Snap! Photography / Flowers: A Bridesmaid /Event Design: the Bride and a Bridesmaid /Event Planning: Venessa Hoyle of Belle Mer /Ceremony & Reception Location:  Belle Mer, Newport, RI / Invitations & Stationery Design: Arielle Dworkin (Maid of Honor and Bride’s Sister) / Letter Press Printer: Studio of Fire  / Bride’s Party Shoes:  Christian Louboutin / Wedding Dress: Liv Harris /
Party Dress: Wayne Cooper /Sweet Table: Scrumptions / Entertainment: Murray Hill Talent /Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss, Carey Grant

As a self proclaimed book nerd and native Bostonian, I have to admit that I was super excited when I saw this adorable rainy day e-session by Sweet Monday Photography! These two architect love birds are getting married in Mexico later this year and I’m sure they’ll have sunnier skies there. But we sort of like that it rained because the umbrellas add a fun pop of color! What do you think? Click here for more.

From Sweet Monday Photography: Serena and Wendall are having a destination wedding in Mexico this fall, so they wanted to do their engagement session in their home town of Boston. Because they both went to architecture school, they chose the structurally stunning Boston Public Library as the back drop for their pictures. On the day of the session it poured from sun up to sun down, but that just enhanced the romance and drama of the library and its surroundings. There will be plenty of time for sunny photos in Mexico!

When I think of Cape Cod, my mind immediately escapes to a sandy shore line, white-washed wood and clean lines. Well, this Wychmere Beach Club wedding shot by Meredith Perdue hit all my coastal high notes! A green and white floral palette by New England Gardens kept the event light and airy allowing the adorable bride and groom to really steal the show (along with their bow-tie clad yellow lab)! Grab a cup of chowda and sail on over to the rest of the gallery!

Click here for the FULL gallery!

Matt & Melissa, college sweethearts, were married at the beautiful Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port, Massachusetts earlier this spring. Having spent a lot of time on Cape Cod with each other since they first began dating as students at UNH, a wedding on the Cape seemed to be quite fitting for these two! Their beloved yellow lab, Henry, joined Matt & Melissa on the beach for a few photos and even donned a handsome J.Crew bow tie!

After their outdoor ceremony on the Wychmere lawn overlooking the harbor, Matt & Melissa were joined by their family and friends upstairs in the light-filled Ocean Room. Arrangements of various white flowers – peonies, ranunculus, and tulips, to name a few – filled the tables, further brightening up the cheerful reception room. Matt & Melissa spent the evening dancing with their family and friends, soaking up every bit of their lovely day, before jetting off to Belize for their honeymoon!

Photographer: Meredith Perdue / Venue: Wychmere Beach Club  / Wedding Flowers: New England Gardens / DJ: Nilton Freitas