Massachusetts Weddings

Springtime in New England can be quite tricky weather wise, but this adorable couple didn’t let the dark skies ruin their outdoor wedding ceremony. In fact, as soon as their I do’s were said, the sun broke through and the day turned right bright and sunny! The pops of green and white are so refreshing and speak beautifully to the beauty of spring in New England. Carla Ten Eyck Photography captured each and every lovely detail and you can see it all unfold right here in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride: From the moment Todd and I got engaged, we both knew that we wanted to get married in our home state of CT, have part or all of our wedding outdoors and that we didn’t want our reception to be in a traditional venue. After hours and hours of searching online (long distance wedding planning), we made appointments at a few venues on weekends we knew we would be in CT. From the moment we stepped onto the grounds at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills in Middletown, we knew that this was the place for us – from the rustic, old barn to the blooming green willow trees and the small pond.  

Planning a wedding from over 500 miles away was not an easy task. Thankfully we have the most amazing family and friends in CT that were there to help me at the drop of a hat. The majority of my wedding inspiration came from wedding blogs and the rustic feel of the Barns. Since green is my favorite color and we were married in the spring, I decided on a chartreuse Lula Kate bridesmaid dress for my girls with matching ties for the groomsmen. Our wedding was full of DIY projects from our custom made wood wedding invitations and table numbers (made by my husband – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrd2fZhU8O4), to the seating chart and signage and paperie. We even had a friend of ours brew our very own Wedding Day IPA that was served at the reception. For the head table, I bought burlap to use as the table runner, my florist placed a piece of driftwood on top of it and filled mugs from Anthropolgie that spelled “LOVE” with beautiful green, white and yellow flowers. For the reception and cocktail tables, we used mason jars, which I collected over time, filled with hydrangeas, tulips, ranunculus, and gerbera daisies with votive candles as accents.

With a sky so daunting, it looked like the bottom would fall out at any given moment; we kept the ceremony outside with the pond and willow trees as the backdrop.  As soon as the “I do’s” were said, the sun came beaming through the clouds, it was the most amazing moment of the day for me. The whole day was absolutely perfect – lots of love, laughs, friends, family, food and drinks. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. And over a year later we look back at the photos and reminisce about it. I am extremely thankful we had the amazing Carla Ten Eyck there to capture.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography  / Flowers: Stylish Blooms / Event Planning: Traci from CT Wedding Group / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills / DJ: Tim from Rob Albert Event Services / Hair: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library– Kelly Sharkey / Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library-Lindsay Messina / Dress: Jim Hjelm / Cake: Kelly’s Sweet Rewards

The rocky Maine coast meets delicate, vintage details in this next seaside stunner by Brea McDonald Photography.  And let me tell you lovelies, this one’s got it all: preppy vibe, dreamy paper goods…and that VEIL-don’t even get me started on that veil!  Throw in two adorable pups + a jaw-dropping ocean backdrop and I’m pretty sure you’ll be sticking around to peruse the rest of the wedding goodness in the gallery!

 Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride…Born and raised in Maine, I grew up spending summers on Mount Desert Island, the foggy weather, craggy rocks, and sweeping island views make it one of my favorite places on earth. I was thrilled when Bryce fell in love with the area on our first trip to Maine together eight years ago. Though we were living in Washington, DC when we got engaged, when it came time to pick a location for our wedding we knew immediately that we wanted to get married in Maine and specifically on Mount Desert. A wedding was the perfect excuse to gather all of our favorite people in one of our favorite places, even if it was a bit out of the way. We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of our love for each other and for our friends and family.

The decision of where to have the wedding ceremony and reception was easy–I had daydreamed of getting married at the Asticou Inn since I was a little girl. The historic charm of the inn–with its grey shingled exterior,deck and lawn with harbor views, and mural filled dining room–were brimming with possibilities. I tried to include as many thoughtful and personalized details in our wedding ceremony and events but given the natural beauty and charm of the Inn I tried to pick design elements that would complement and celebrate what Maine and the Asticou had to offer. Rather than try to transform the space into something it wasn’t we played up the decor the Asticou already had which included a gorgeous floral mural painted on the dining room wall and a bright coral bar room which matched our wedding colors perfectly.

We also wanted to include our friends and family as much as possible–my cousin Percy Bright of Jersey Ice Cream Co. and his amazing graphic designer friend Hillary Cribben designed our invitations and provided the templates for my DIY wedding signage and programs; my aunt Frida lent me her vintage Priscilla of Boston Veil; my other aunt Eleanor loaned me her diamond earrings; and family members hosted wonderful welcome lunch and farewell brunch for us. Family friend and local Maine artist Johanna Hoffman painted the beautiful signs that directed guests to the ceremony and to cocktail hour. While Carol Ford of Cranberry Island Kitchen provided the delicious clam shaped whoopie pies we served instead of a traditional wedding cake.

For the ceremony we chose to be married outdoors on the back lawn looking out onto the harbor. Getting married outside also allowed us to incorporate our two border terriers, Fenway and Wrigley, into the celebration where they stole the show as our ringbearers. Since the pups couldn’t be at the cocktail hour we named our signature cocktails–the Fenway Fizz and Wrigley’s Whippet Dreams–after them.

Knowing how cold Maine evenings can get we provided a basket of pashmina’s in our wedding colors (Navy, Papaya, and Grey) so our female guests could enjoy the night without freezing cold. Bryce made sure the guys were taken care of and had cigars on hand for those who wanted to partake. We also made sure there were plenty of flip flops available so people could kick off their shoes and dance the night away with us.

Wedding Photography: Brea McDonald Photography / Wedding Venue: Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor, Maine /  Dress: Marisa from Madeline’s Daughter  / Veil: Vintage Priscilla of Boston / Whoopie Pies: Cranberry Island Kitchens / Wedding Stationery: Hillary Cribben & Percival Bright (for more info hillarycribben@gmail.com) / Cocktail Napkins & Matchbooks: Foryourparty.com / Escort Cards: Paper Presentation / Calligraphy: Johanna Hoffman / Table Numbers & Programs: DIY / Ceremony Music: Noreen Silver & Anatole Wieck from Bangor, Maine / DJ: Dana Lavertu / Hair: Heidi Tucker, New Image Salon / Flowers: Sweet Pea Gardens / Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar Loungerie / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groomsmen’s Ties: Charles Trywhitt / Groomsmen’s Khakis: Castaway Clothing / Painted Signs: Johanna Hoffman, Maine Artist

Weddings can be super expensive (I know I’m preaching to the choir here!) but with some creativity and a little bit of elbow grease, you can find ways to cut some dollars here and there. Drawing inspiration from the beach and place cards from the sea (literally!) this couple created the wedding of their dreams on a very tight budget. Printing her paper goodies, using found clam shells as table numbers and arranging her own florals, this bride wrote the book on DIY style! Dip your toes in the full gallery by Forevercandid Photography.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My name is Amy Partridge, and my husband’s name is Scott. The beach has always been one of my favorite places on earth, so it seemed only right to have a beach themed wedding. I find that its the small details that make a wedding, so that is what I focused a lot of my attention on. As both my husband and I were right out of college, we were on a strict, tight budget. And with me being so obsessed with all the small details, I figured I’d do a lot of it myself to save money. I’ve always been somewhat of a crafty person, so I did a lot of these crafts myself, some with the help of family and friends. 

I did all the paper stuff myself. I purchased cardstock in bulk and used that to create my invitations, programs, menu cards, favor tags, and then I used leftover scraps for thank you cards. We saved a huge chunk of change by doing that ourselves. Another idea I had was for my “escort cards.” I assigned my family members to collect medium-sized clam shells anytime they went to the beach. When I had enough, I cleaned them off, painted them with a pearl colored paint from Michael’s and then wrote each name and table number on a shell. This was essentially free — I just had to pay for the paint marker and the pearl paint. The table numbers were very similar idea. I had large clam shells cleaned, painted with the same pearl paint, and painted table numbers on them. Again, this was essentially free since I found the shells on the beach.

My older sister Lori has a natural talent with floral arrangements. With her background experience with this, we purchased flowers through Stop & Shop and Shaw’s floral departments and did our own bouquets. We spent the afternoon before the wedding putting them together. I am still obsessed with the way they turned out — they were perfect! My husband and I are so happy with the way our wedding turned out. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing! I am so happy I was able to do so much DIY and save so much money. A lot of people think that they can’t have a nice wedding on a small budget, but I believe that I’m proof that it can be done!

Wedding Photography: Forevercandid Photography / Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Pocasset in Pocasset, Massachusetts / Reception: The Flying Bridge Restaurant in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Centerpiece Floral Design: Just For You Florist & Gifts / Bouquets: The Bride’s Sister, Lori Hannon, with Flowers via Stop & Shop + Shaw’s / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: DIY by the Bride with Cardstock via Paper and More / Escort Cards + Table Numbers: DIY by the Bride / Favors: Grandma LuLu’s Cookies / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: DSW

We can’t publish them all, but if I could I would definitely show you every.single.photo from this charming affair by Corinna Raznikov Photography. Luckily, we’ve got just the right amount of excellence to share from a relaxed yet elegant wedding planned by Tangorra Wedding Planning. I go nuts over nautical so this adorable couple really won me over with their fresh twist on the classic look. You should definitely head over to the full gallery on this one!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… One Wednesday night in New York, Adam and I were both out with friends in the East Village and a chance meeting brought us together. After countless dinner dates at the best NY spots (Adam’s a big foodie), concerts in Central Park, road trips out to Montauk (I love music and always enjoys the beach) and spending time with our families in Stony Point, Wilmington and Marblehead, a romance was born. Four years later, we were planning a wedding!

Marblehead is a charming 18th century New England community north of Boston. The town has special meaning for my family, and over time, Adam grew to love the beautiful old homes, historical significance of the area and the spectacular harbor. We planned an action-packed weekend for guests over Memorial Day weekend with a Friday night rehearsal dinner, schooner day sail, clambake Saturday night capped off by the wedding and reception on Sunday night. We lucked out with fantastic weather. In terms of the theme for the evening, we wanted to play off the beautiful views and nautical history of Marblehead and maintain a relaxed elegance throughout.  We were married at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church followed by a reception on the Marblehead “neck” at the Corinthian Yacht Club, where the views are particularly gorgeous. For the bouquets, peonies have long been a favorite of mine, so we paired a few types of them with colorful roses, pale pink hydrangea and freesia. Wade Whitmore of Marblehead did a fantastic job on those. For my dress and shoes, I chose Elizabeth Fillmore and Manolo Blahnik with the bridesmaids wearing J.Crew dresses of their choosing in a gorgeous peach tone. Hair and makeup was by The Makeup Artists. The men wore Hugo Boss tuxedos with great Vineyard Vines bow ties. For the reception, great food and music were the most important. We were honored to feature my mother, aunt and cousins as vocalists throughout the evening, as well a number of great performances by friends at the church. Later, the band Guilty Pleasure kept everyone dancing to the very end of the night. Reception flowers were courtesy of the Flower House and featured tall vases of spirea with shorter vases of peonies.

We couldn’t have hosted our family and friends for the fabulous weekend without the help of Megan Whithead of Tangorra Wedding Planning — she was wonderful. And the images we will treasure for a lifetime are thanks to Corinna Raznikov. Stephanie Pecoraro of Corinthian Yacht Club managed the entire reception and was exceptional.

Wedding Photography: Corinna Raznikov Photography / Ceremony: Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Marblehead, Massachusetts / Reception: Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts / Reception Management: Stephanie Pecoraro of Corinthian Yacht Club / Wedding Coordination: Megan Whithead of Tangorra Wedding Planning / Bouquets: Wade Whitmore (781-631-2062) / Other Floral Design: Flower House / Wedding Cake: Jenny’s Wedding Cakes / Band: Guilty Pleasure / Wedding Invitations: ESpecial Day (302-658-4993) / Save-the-Dates: Regas NY / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Hair + Makeup: Zoe + Tiffany of The Makeup Artists / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Men’s Tuxedos: Hugo Boss / Men’s Bow Ties: Vineyard Vines

I.Love.Engagement Photos. They’re a perfect opportunity to bridge the gap from when cupid strikes to married life and the best way to document one of the most fun times in a couple’s relationship. Speaking of fun, how adorably head over heels does this couple look in these classic yet fresh photos by (once like a spark) photography. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop gawking at the bride-to-be’s uh-mazing ballerina flats (and overall mad sense of style). There are so many more great shots from the session you shouldn’t miss. Head over to the full gallery for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride-to-Be… When looking for a photographer for our engagement and wedding, I knew I wanted something journalistic. I also wanted something that was hip without being overly buried in trends — something fresh and modern, yet still sophisticated. After finding (once like a spark) photography, I knew we had found our match. My first thought was to style a shoot using elements of our relationship — for example, John used a chalkboard in his proposal, which could have easily made an appearance. In the end, we decided to keep it simple. We wanted our relationship to speak for itself, and we decided props would only get in the way of the things that really matter. What we ended up with is a beautiful story that represents many layers of our relationship. We are grateful to Graham and to (once like a spark) for capturing our feelings in such a fresh, organic way.

Photography: Graham of (once like a spark) photography / Location: Boston Navy Yard, Boston Harbor + Boston Harbor Ferry, All in Boston, Massachusetts

We can’t think of a better thing to do on this rainy, dreary morning in Massachusetts than to brighten it up with some talented folks. So grab another mug of coffee, because it’s time to cozy up with Dear LC and Kor Floral. We love them like family, and we can’t wait for you to get to know them too. So let’s get right to it!

If there is one thing that makes our hearts pitter patter over here at SMP HQ – it’s pretty paper products. We swoon for stationery and Dear LC whips up just the kind of prettiness we can’t get enough of. We are thrilled to have them join our family – and we are pretty sure you will become instant BFFs with them once you stop by their site!

About Dear LC…Dear LC’s Wedding Collection is a line of 14 statement-making wedding invitation suites—launched in December 2011 by owner and designer Lynn Caputo, a custom wedding invitation designer for more than 4 years.  The Collection offers a contemporary twist on the traditional by combining upscale elegance and sophistication with bold, geometric designs and striking color.  

“Couples today know that their wedding invitations are more than just simple pieces of paper,” says Caputo.  “They offer a first glimpse into couple’s style as husband and wife. They want something fabulous, something that truly captures that style and embraces the spirit of their wedding.  That’s why it was important to me that Dear LC provide a variety of customization options and embellishments; allowing couples to create the perfect invitation that is truly ‘them.’”

Dear LC offers an extensive range of customization and color options, as well as a large selection of colored envelopes.  Each of the invitation suites in Dear LC’s Wedding Collection features coordinating response cards, 28 colored envelope and 29 envelope liner options, thank you cards, accommodations cards, reception cards, direction cards, and pocket options.  Liners and belly bands are available in 28 colors or coordinating patterns to match the designs.  Dear LC also offers 28 different fonts, as well as custom designs.  Each suite in the Dear LC Wedding Collection features coordinating response cards, colored envelope options, thank you cards, accommodations cards, reception cards, direction cards, envelope liners and the ability to add an Accent Layer for a fresh pop of color or one of two Pocket options to keep everything organized!

Win 100 FREE Invitations and Response Cards (with envelopes) from the Dear LC Wedding Collection (valued at $444). To enter, please visit Dear LC’s website, browse through the Collection and leave a comment by July 5, 2012 on this post, letting us know which design you would love to win! Perfect timing for Fall brides!!

Next up is Kor Floral, and you are just going to DIE over their work. It’s beyond. They think outside of the flower arranging box, and the result is pure perfection. You don’t have to take our word for, stop by their site to see for yourself!

About Kor Floral…Kor Floral is a unique floral design service for discerning clients. Kor Floral’s focus is the client experience, striving to create floral pieces that are not only beautiful but also reflective of the client’s personality and tastes.

Kor Floral’s work is best described as ‘living art.’ Alexandra Kadar, owner and artist behind Kor Floral is an innovator in her field with over ten years of experience. Understanding the language of flowers and marveling at their power to captivate people, Alexandra’s work is truly inspired. Kor Floral uses a wide variety of mediums, textures, colors, and shapes to add luxury and a sense of adventure to each client’s event.

In producing sophisticated artistic floral pieces and delivering the highest level of personalized service available, Kor Floral is attempting to redefine what people have come to expect in the floral design market.  All pieces are designed and handcrafted specifically for the client, ensuring that each client has a one of kind experience. To view Kor Floral’s portfolio, please visit us online at www.korfloral.com

We will offer all SMP brides 15% off any wedding booked by the end of this year!

From the bottom of our wedding-loving hearts, welcome to the SMP Massachusetts family! We are thrilled to have you!

 

I love that this couple got married in an apple orchard, just as the trees were reaching full bloom. There’s really nothing more New Englandy than that! Guests were even invited to roam the grounds and pick their own apples. The bride’s lace gown is beyond beautiful and fits her venue to a T. Andrea Burns Photography captured all the moments beautifully and you can see even more right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My husband Arik and I were married September 17, 2011 at Quonquont Farm in Whately Massachusetts. Our names are palindromes: Arik and Kira. We started dating in 2003, and I was so happy when we finally tied the knot near my hometown in Western Massachusetts. Arik’s family is from California, and we had many guests coming in from all over the country, so I wanted people to have a classic New England experience. Quonquont Farm was the perfect venue: a pick-your-own apple orchard with scenic views and a pretty barn for the party.

The ceremony was set in the orchard, surrounded by the apple trees, which were in full bloom. We had a friend perform the ceremony in front of about 120 guests. A folk duo played music for the ceremony to give the wedding an upbeat, country feel. My dress was completely lace and with lace covered buttons on the back (my favorite part). It had a vintage look appropriate for the natural setting. I wore handmade pearl cluster earrings from Etsy. 

I was finishing my Master of Architecture degree when we got engaged, and it was impossible for me to hand over the design work to someone else or simply pick something. I made the ceremony programs, menus and place cards for the wedding using a palette of steel, cream, black and fig. We got stainless steel cake platters and set the long tables with the cakes as well as flowers in galvanized steel buckets. I put the menus in white IKEA frames and also placed them on the table. For favors, we made little boxes of assorted caramels from the local chocolate shop and left them by the door with a bushel of apples for guests.

Wedding Photography: Andrea Burns Photography / Wedding Venue: Quonquont Farm in Whately, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Annmary Boruchowski of Dandelions / Event Design + Planning: DIY by the Bride / Catering: Blue Heron Restaurant & Catering / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride / Menu Frames: IKEA / Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles via Anthropologie / Bride’s Earrings: Etsy

You know those really fun couples who, come rain or shine, are always smiling and having fun? This is one of them. There are so many picture perfect photos by Summer Street Photography from the adorable flower girls to a quiet moment with the bride and her mom – All of which will bring a smile and tear to your eye. You should definitely check out full gallery here for more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Annie and Kevin are two comedians from New York City.  They met working at the famous toy store FAO Schwarz six years ago where they both worked as characters — a toy soldier and a princess. They were wed May 4th at Saint Francis Catholic Church in Dracut, Massachusetts, the church where the groom grew up.  Afterward, they traveled by trolley to the beautiful Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm in Peabody, Massachusetts. 

Wedding Photography: Summer Street Photography / Ceremony: St. Francis Catholic Church in Dracut, Massachusetts / Reception: Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm in Peabody, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Bloomings / Catering: Creative Catering /  Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Band: The Free Downloads / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Banana Republic / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Groom’s Suit: Zara

Beglittered orange, anyone? Yes please. Don’t mind if Blue Ivy do (no, not Jay and Bey’s babe, the event design team, silly). We know mom said not to play with your food, but these Forevercandid Photography shots say it’s not just OK, it’s down right pretty.  Using bedazzled paint dipped fruits and handwritten sweet-nothings-penned-upon plates, they’re proving edibles have equal rights as their Twig floral counterparts in the wedding centerpiece world. Really, how could the banana gram ever not belong in your wedding album? You’ll be wondering the same thing after you see the rest of the full shoot!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

The idea behind the shoot was to help engaged couples remember that flowers aren’t the only thing worth honoring on their tabletops. We felt that honoring the food we eat had earned the right to act as display pieces, showing off the beauty in the food that takes care of us and dazzling with a touch of sparkle that would certainly enhance the energy at a table. We then felt that loving WORDS were a romantic element that would truly define the purpose of the wedding, so much that we really wanted to implement these selected phrases in as many places as possible.  The dishes became the original starting point — we purchased dishes and used a porcelain pen to then write custom phrases on each dish so that every guest would have a different loving element to the table. From story-telling to casual endearing phrases we felt that this idea was going to bring that added new touch to a tabletop. It grew from there that the words on fruit would be brilliant, thanks to Chelsea, one of our project team members at Blue Ivy! Words were then combined to be “tattooed” on the wrists on the bride and groom, along with putting words where they generally aren’t, so the final thought was to make the dessert spoon the actual “place card.”

Taking it one step further, the main staple to this project was the concept of dipping everything in paint! We were all about “dipping,” so from the jars, the flatware, barware to the salt and pepper, the dipping in paint was officially a MUST for everything. So we used our summer colors and alternated them between the different table pieces making everything have its own POP. The final piece was certainly the glitter, causing endless shimmer from all angles. Of course, the trick was to have the glitter where it generally wouldn’t be found, so the fruit and tableware were the lucky pieces to be shimmered on with designs of half glitter and half dipped paint, or glitter stripes, glitter dipping, glitter edging, capping, rimming and enhancing. It then occurred to use the food in the same colors as our theme so that it would naturally simply enhance the colors we were wanting to display.

For furniture, our setting was on a dock surrounded by water in this beautiful area of Boston called “The Esplanade,” where we felt it was a must to make our table a raw wood color that went well with the natural environment sticking out amongst the boat-filled backdrop. The fun difference that we added to this plan was a to take the bench of the table and dressing it up. We took branches from a bush nearby, covered them with a lavender netting that matched our colors, “ballet laced” the bench to make the cover stable and equally flat, and voila, we had a padded cushion. Instead of going crazy on a ceremony backdrop, we were fortunate enough to access boats nearby and used one for the bride and groom to have as the location of their vows, aiming to share with couples that natural locations with props already available would suit beautifully for a ceremony. The most important part to note was that, in person, the glitter sparkling in the sun was absolutely captivating and GORGEOUS! Blue Ivy will definitely be using this idea much more often in the coming seasons.

Photography: Forevercandid Photography / Location: Community Boating Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts / Event Design + Planning: Blue Ivy / Floral Design: Twig / Cupcakes: Isabelle’s Curly Cakes / Rentals: New England Country Rentals / Wedding Dress: Liancarlo via L’elite Boston / Hair + Makeup: Bree Rosemark of Blushing Brides / Groom’s Suit: Russo’s Tux Shop

We’re wrapping up another gorgeous week here at SMP Massachusetts with this pretty, purple infused, indoor fete. This beautiful bride got her DIY on and made so many elements for her big day including jewelry for herself and her besties, place cards, programs, and even tears of joy tissue packets! Talk about talent! Michael Brook Photography captured each moment and detail and you can see it all right here in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Michael Brook Photography… Becky and Todd crafted a wedding day that seamlessly combined stylish contemporary elements and their families’ histories. The warmth imbued in the whole production wasn’t the least bit surprising after getting to know them at their engagement shoot.

Becky’s satin dress fit in with the modern lounge furniture at the reception. One of the most special elements was the collection of family wedding photos Todd and Becky displayed in the lobby. They had several generations represented — parents to great grandparents. And the warm wood beam ceiling and glowing fireplace matched perfectly the display of their families’ wedding portraits and traditional eastern European money dance (both of their families are Slovak and Hungarian). How it works: the wedding guests line up for a chance to dance a polka with the bride. Each guest “paid” for this opportunity and placed a dollar or so in a cigar box, then they got a prize at the end of the dance (in their case, it was the choice of a lollipop or a cigar — the real tradition was to take a shot of liquor). Becky said jokingly that it was, “awkward and fun at the same time!”

Becky also handmade several elements. She made her own bracelet, bridesmaid jewelry, place cards, pomanders that lined the aisle, programs, tears of joy tissue packets, and card box. 

Wedding Photography: Michael Brook Photography / Wedding Venue: The Villa in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Blooms of Hope / Wedding Cinematography: Jason Harmon Films / Wedding Programs: Allure Invitations / Wedding Cake: Dessert Works / Ceremony Music: Gilded Harps / DJ: Greg Cappozi of C-Zone Music / Bride’s Bracelet, Bridesmaids’ Jewelry, Place Cards, Aisle Pomanders, Programs, Tissue Packets + Card Box: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Jasmine Bridal via Hillary’s (Now Closed) / Hair: Johanna McGillicuddy of G2O Salon / Tuxedos: Domenic’s Tux

Oh, sweet Great Gatsby inspired shoot…you had me at Miu Miu crystal covered heels. Beyond that, every. single. detail. of this modern meets vintage stylized wedding by mStarr event styling + design is swoon worthy-from the too-pretty-to-eat French macarons to the organic, textural floral arrangements. Pour a glass (or two) of bubbly and get ready to Pin, there are plenty more breathtaking images by Kelly Dillon Photography in the gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From mStarr event styling + design… “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” Who doesn’t remember the line from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary classic set in the roaring 20’s? As the eagerly anticipated movie remake is due to come out in December, I thought about the opulence! the mystery! the sparkle! the garden parties! the head pieces! And I thought let’s make what’s old new again. It was important to have that Gatsby-era “feel” but with a modern twist — something that can translate to weddings of today and include components that can be replicated by others. The shoot started with a vision, then inspiration boards. And as always seems to happen, things began to morph a bit along the way with the addition of vendors and new ideas. Part of that vision included an outdoor shoot at sunset with a mansion as the backdrop. The grand mansion at Elm Bank, with its beautiful gardens surrounding it, was the perfect setting to our Gatsby-themed shoot. After consecutive days of rain (the weather channel app was not my friend that week), the skies cleared up and we got our “golden hour” shots, captured perfectly by the talented Kelly Dillon.

No doubt that details are an important part of both my professional and personal life, and this shoot wasn’t any different. I was inspired by Gatsby quotes, pictures and descriptions from the time period, elegant fashion, and nature. I wanted a shoot that was whimsical, incorporated French elements (a nod to Fitzgerald’s time in Paris) and nature (the moss and lavender became fixed in my mind), and took a different approach to stereotypical black tie elegance.

So many trusted (and helpful!) vendors were involved, and I was thrilled to find some new ones to bring on board — the beauty of this shoot simply would not have happened without each of those vendors! It came together as a stunning blend of grandeur and nature complete with furniture and vintage china rentals from New England Country Rentals, lush flowers from Tangerine Creations you want to just get lost in, delectable French macarons from C. Crowell Fine Confections, and my envisioned draped tent and chandelier brought to life by Jack Falvey Associates just to name a few. And of course the models! I loved the idea of featuring local bloggers — they’re comfortable in front of the camera, and my close friend Lani of the ever-fabulous Mon Petit Chou Chou helped style the lovely duo of Michele from Michele’s Musings and Kristen from The Boston Fashionista. Wasn’t hard to convince them to play dress up for the day and walk away with gorgeous pictures, and I’m so glad they said yes! And PS, can we swoon just a bit over the Miu Miu deco-bejeweled heels? Sending those back to Bloomingdales made for a sad day.

Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography /  Wedding Venue: Elm Bank via the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley, Massachusetts / Event Planning + Styling: Emily Starr Alfano of mStarr event styling + design / Floral Design: Tangerine Creations / Wedding Invitations: Toby Dondis Ltd. / Calligraphy: Jan Boyd Calligraphy / Macarons: C. Crowell Fine Confections / Lavender Honey Caramel Favors: Iris Estell / Furniture Rentals: New England Country Rentals / Tent + Lighting: Jack Falvey Associates / Other Rentals: Peterson Party Center / Linens: Table Toppers of Newton / Fashion Styling + Model Bride: Noelani Zervas of Mon Petit Chou Chou / Model Bridesmaids: Michele of Michele’s Musings + Kristen of The Boston Fashionista / Hair: Missy Pappas of Sylvestre Franc Salon / Makeup: Zoe Markos / Clothing: Bloomingdales + Michael DePaulo / Shoes: Miu Miu / Bridal Sashes: Venust Bridal / Headbands: Untamed Petals / Wedding Rings: Laura Preshong / Vintage Plate Rentals: Making Me Events

Bare feet in the grass strolling down the aisle to your future husband with a harpist strumming in the background. Now that is how you do a backyard wedding. Tory Williams Photography captured this Gloucester affair from bare foot start to yummy cupcake eating finish. It’s casual in the most elegant of ways as all good New England beach weddings should be and you can see it all  right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Six years ago, Matt’s sister, Megan, set her big brother and me up on a blind date, thinking we would hit it off. Her instincts were right! Matt and I have been together ever since. Our family-oriented nature brought us together, and because of those shared values, we wanted our wedding to be very intimate and personal. We tried to involve family members at every step, and for us, that is what made our wedding such a special day. My Uncle Jerry and Aunt Ruth offered up their oceanfront yard as a possible location for our big day. We couldn’t have been more grateful for this — the romantic, sweeping views and shared memories of the peaceful spot made the day that much more heartwarming. 

The laid-back style I wanted of my wedding would not have come together so beautifully without the fashion sense and good taste of my sister, Aimee. We did not want the traditional pinks and purples for our wedding colors. Instead I loved the blue and coral/orange color combination and the preppy charm of seersucker stripes. Thanks to Aimee’s design and the creative talents by many family members, every DIY project turned out perfect and added a very personal touch to the day. I walked down the aisle barefoot with my brother by my side and my coral-clad sister leading the way. Matt’s sister Megan, who introduced us, acted as our justice of the peace. As we exchanged vows, Matt’s older sister Melissa sang and played the guitar. There was not a dry eye in the crowd. As the ceremony ended, my cousin’s catering company passed around hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and many of my second cousins did the serving. It felt amazing to have our families and friends there, supporting us and smiling along with us as we celebrated our love for one another. Then we headed to the reception, where we had an indoor celebration surrounded by spectacular ocean views. We wanted it to be informal and one big party, and it was! There was no assigned seating or formal dinner. My cousin’s catering company set up food stations, and our guests were able to mingle around high top tables or take a seat at a table surrounding the lively dance floor. The night was not just focused on us, but the opportunity to have our favorite people all hanging out and having great time.

Jessie, a good friend of mine, offered to set up a photo booth, and it was such a hit. I love all the pictures that came from it. They make me laugh and cry, thinking of the great memories all of us shared. Our main photographer, Tory, captured our wedding better than I could have ever imagined. The day was simple and perfect just as I wanted.

Wedding Photography: Tory Williams Photography / Ceremony: The Home of the Bride’s Aunt & Uncle in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts / Reception: The Elks at Bass Rocks in Gloucester, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Ward’s Florist and Greenhouse / Catering: Kelli Petri Catering / Cupcakes: Truly Jorg’s Patisserie / Harpist: Carol Littlefield McIntyre / DJ: Russ McQueen Entertainment / Seersucker Floral Bouquet Wraps, Thank You Notes, Wedding Invitations, Beach Rocks, Ceremony Programs, Decorative Vases + Water Bottles: DIY / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Nina

The most important detail of any wedding is the celebration of love and devotion that two people have for one another.  So when a little rain, or an entire hurricane, heads your way there’s no need to panic because at the end of the day you’ll still be married to your true love.  Of course, it also helps to have an extraordinary team of vendors like this one who magically made this English garden party-inspired wedding by Click Imagery a reality despite Hurricane Irene.  It captures the romantic, sweet love that one finds in Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre and I am just smitten.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, so what does a hurricane on your wedding day mean?

Mike proposed to me at our favorite beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts. We stumbled upon Good Harbor Beach years back during one of our trips to Gloucester for fresh seafood at The Causeway. Ever since we adopted our beloved dog, Roscoe, we love going back to Good Harbor to let him play and run around in the sand. Needless to say, Roscoe was with us the day we got engaged. Being half British, I have been exposed to and developed a love for period pieces such as Pride and Prejudice from a very young age, which shaped my vision for an English garden wedding. Our venue, a historical mansion called the Commander’s Mansion and its beautiful grounds, fit this vision perfectly.

I loved the entire planning process, which I attribute largely to our fabulous vendors who were all just amazing to work with. One of the highlights for us was designing the centerpieces. Mike and I visited antique stores to find antique/vintage glass vases for the flowers so each would be unique. I worked closely with a dear friend of ours to design the floral arrangements, which she constructed for us as a wedding gift. Another planning highlight was picking out our place settings, which consisted of mismatched pieces of English-inspired china and vintage glassware. It was little touches like this that added to our English garden ambiance. Of course the fascinators my British female family members were wearing helped too.

As our wedding day, August 27, 2011, approached, Hurricane Irene decided to make her way up the east coast. One would think that torrential rain on the day of your English garden-inspired wedding would put a bit of a damper on the day. Fortunately, my amazing vendors seamlessly made last minute changes, which luckily only entailed moving the outdoor ceremony underneath the tent. Our amazingly talented photographers were even able to make the rain disappear in many of our photos, along with managing to make it beautiful in others. As soon as we heard the string duet begin playing, we put the rain behind us and lost ourselves in our very personalized wedding ceremony, which very fittingly included a water ceremony. It was amazing to be surrounded by friends, family, and our dog. Roscoe was an integral part of our wedding day, as he was the star of many of the photos, along with being the best ring bearer around. He even celebrated with us as we were pronounced husband and wife, letting out a woof while everyone else applauded. After the ceremony, the cocktail hour proceeded inside the beautiful mansion, followed by the reception under the beautiful (and dry) marquee. In a way, Hurricane Irene united our guests as they stayed underneath the tent and celebrated with us all night. Our wedding day was perfect (and certainly unforgettable), hurricane and all.

Wedding Photography: Click Imagery / Wedding Venue: Commander’s Mansion in Watertown, Massachusetts / Wedding Coordination: EFD Creative / Floral Design: Busy Bee Florist / Centerpieces: Tricia Medas / Officiant: Reverend LisaAnn Donegan / Catering: Green Olive Catering / Wedding Cake: Susan Berejik / Beer + Wine: D&L Liquors / Ceremony Music: Riverview Chamber Players / Cocktail Hour Music: Joe McMahon Trio / DJ: DJ Monster Carl / Transportation: Local Motion of Boston / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) via Vows / Veil: Custom / Hair: Andrea Walters / Makeup: Michel Krump

I was never that little girl who fantasized about her dream wedding but I’ve definitely become an adult who does (even though my own wedding happened almost two years ago!) Of course, my dream wedding changes on a daily basis – from modern to rustic to classic – since we feature so many gorgeous celebrations but this elegant Boston soiree from Shannon Grant Photography has skyrocketed to the top of the list.  See all the beautiful details in the full gallery!

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From Shannon Grant Photography.. This wedding was so elegant and classically beautiful — it’s definitely one of my favorites of 2011. In the heart of Boston, Andrea and Mark’s families and friends gathered from all over the world to celebrate with them. I LOVE the Slovakian traditions that were integrated into the day. For example, a plate was smashed outside the reception, and the couple had to sweep it up while guests kicked pieces away to make it more difficult! Also, the bride’s custom made gown was stunning. From beginning to end, the day was full of grace and gorgeous classic elegance!

Wedding Photography: Shannon Grant Photography / Reception: Hampshire House in Boston, Massachusetts / Getting Ready Location: Taj Boston / Wedding Dress: Custom

Cherry blossoms: fresh pink quintessential East Coast Spring prettiness on a stick. Coincidentally, that sums up the beauty of this ocean front Chatham Bars Inn Cape Cod ceremony captured by Dreamlove photography. Mix in a glowing bride in a modernized mod chic sheath and this recipe yields classic style with vintage vibes. The lush warm colored Lilac desgined florals are punctuated by a crackling fire and even warmer personal touches, from the bride and grooms beaming exchanges to grandmother’s jewelry. See all of the warm springiness in the full gallery!

See the FULL gallery right here!

From Dreamlove Wedding Photography… Emily and Adrian tied the knot at the gorgeous Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The ocean always provides an amazing backdrop for pictures, but with white wooden arches and pink cherry trees in bloom lining stone staircases, this place was perfect for pictures. Emily, a fantastic journalist, and Adrian, an amazing climate scientist, seemed to be made for each other! And despite the fact that they were showered with several life-altering events all in the span of a few months — from getting engaged, to finding out they were going to have a baby, to Adrian being offered a job halfway across the country — this couple still managed to have the wedding of their dreams. And it was dreamy! Emily found a simply stunning dress at Kleinfeld and paired it with coral colors in the bridesmaids dresses for a classic Cape Cod affair. Cherry blossoms decorated an arbor behind them during the ceremony and were blended with long-stemmed pink and peach tulips for table centerpieces that took our breath away! A vintage table held the guestbook and gifts, and a crackling fire provided the perfect ambiance to the evening. All in all, a swoon-worthy wedding on the Cape that still has us giddy with picture-perfect adoration.

From the Bride… We decided to get married on the Cape because, unlike 99% of couples who also get married here, we actually live here! The Chatham Bars Inn was a no-brainer because I first went there as a little girl, even before my family moved to the area, and so it has sentimental value, plus it’s just so gorgeous with its grand entrance and sweeping views of the ocean. My favorite part of the day was definitely the ceremony, which I was actually the most nervous for (and kind of dreading, as I am so not a center-of-attention kind of person). But when I walked in and saw the cherry blossom arbor, it just took my breath away — what a wonderful surprise. And of course, seeing Adrian up there calmed my nerves, and I was able to just hold his hands and enjoy it all. I’m just glad I made my vows short and sweet, because there was no way they would have been coherent through my tears if they was any longer!

Adrian and I actually met online in 2010. I had sworn off meeting people in bars (gets kind of old once you hit 30), and it’s beyond difficult to meet other young people on Cape Cod (all 12 of them!) any other way. He had a really old Match profile up which didn’t even include a picture of himself, but I contacted him anyway because it said he was from Woods Hole, and that’s where all the brainy scientists live. I figured he had to be halfway intelligent, and plus, he had a really articulate description of himself on it. So I contacted him, but he was still up in Alaska above the Arctic Circle doing research (as he does every summer), so we just traded emails for a month or so until he got back. Then when he did, we had our first date at a restaurant in Falmouth that almost didn’t happen — I didn’t see him when I arrived, thought he had blown it off and almost left myself! But he caught me on the way out, and the rest is history.

Wedding Photography: Dreamlove Wedding Photography / Wedding Venue: Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod / Wedding Planning: Allison Wildes Liset / Floral Design: Lilacs / Catering + Wedding Cake: Chatham Bars Inn / DJ: Dave Donato / Wedding Dress: Le Sposa di Gio via Kleinfeld Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Jewelry: Vintage from Her Grandmother / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George & Associates / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Rings: Blue Nile

Right off the bat this adorable, childhood sweetheart couple knew they wanted a huge celebration for their big day. But they didn’t want it to feel big and cold so they took the time to write each and every guest hand written notes to go at their place setting. That’s over three hundred heart-felt hellos and such a fabulous idea! I’m loving their traditional chic affair and the stunning images by Zev Fisher Photography that go along with it. Click here for more!

 Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I have been dreaming of becoming Mrs. Rachel Klausner since I was an awkward, tomboy tween. Moshe and I have known each other since middle school. After watching from a distance, I strategically waited through my middle school awkwardness to initiate any sort of contact— when my braces would be long gone and I had the patience to start wearing contacts. When I was in ninth grade, and Moshe was a year ahead, we started dating. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was then, and I still can’t believe how lucky I am now. After we broke up in high school, I was sure it was done for good. Years later, we found each other while we were in college and never looked back. After three years of long-distance dating throughout college, Moshe proposed during one of our summers home in Boston. Because we had so many years of incredible memories in beautiful Beantown, Moshe proposed at the end of a seven-stop scavenger hunt with some incredible rhyming poems that took us down memory lane to some of the most meaningful places in our years together.

When we started planning our wedding we had a few criteria: First, we LOVE Boston so that was a must. (We ended up picking the State Room as our venue because you can see the city and harbor from every angle!) Second, we have large families and this was definitely going to be a Big Fat Jewish Wedding — 330 guests partied hard! Third, we wanted to incorporate a lot of Jewish traditions. A Bedeken, where the groom veils the bride; A Tisch where two witnesses sign the Jewish marriage contract, which was beautifully painted by Moshe’s aunt; and The Chuppah and the Jewish ceremonial rituals — my brother officiated, which made it even more special! Fourth, our design aesthetic was keep it simple — the flowers, the chuppah, the invitations, everything! Lastly, we really wanted to try and make everything really personal so there were a few DIY projects that were absolutely necessary… I love graphic design, so making our own invitations was a must. We had our best friend, Meirav Gebler, design a beautiful laser cut with the Boston skyline and a quote from the Song of Songs. I laid out the invites, processional cards and blessing cards, and we laser cut Meirav’s design into everything. She did such an incredible job, and they turned out beautiful! Another DIY project that my younger sister and I worked on was making lace votives. I had some leftover navy lace from a project, and with glue dots, we wrapped the lace around 150 votives — they looked awesome lit up! We wanted all of our 300+ guests to make sure we appreciated their company, so we wrote personal notes in each of their mini envelope place cards. We made some posters that were backlit, which included the invitation design, the Song of Songs quote and the “contract” that two of my closest friends wrote when we were fourteen years old stating that one day Moshe and I would get married — definitely glad I kept that one!

When I look back at our wedding day, I am elated. On the day of the wedding, it was hard to notice anything but the incredible man that I was about to marry. Thank God we have pictures to show us how beautiful the wedding was, how incredible each and every one of our vendors was and how awesome the dancing was!

Wedding Photography: Zev Fisher Photography / Wedding Venue: The State Room in Boston, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Michele Bernard / Officiant: Gabi Spiewak, The Bride’s Brother / Band: Yitzy Spinner Band / Wedding Invitation Design: Meirav Gebler / Ketubah: Hannah Dresner, The Groom’s Aunt / Ampersand: Rivalry Time / Table Numbers: ZCreateDesign / Place Card Calligraphy: Kristen Henderson Calligraphy / “Can’t Wait To Be Your Wife” Card: CookieBits / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca + Customization / Bride’s Headband: Lucia Bella / Bride’s Veil: Bella Bridal Veils / Bride’s Heels: Nine West / Bride’s Sneakers: Converse via Nordstrom / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Custom / Bridesmaids’ Dresses Fabric: B&J Fabrics / Hair + Makeup: Marlo + Jennifer of The Makeup Artists

It only makes sense that this darling couple, who met and fell in love in high school, would choose a hometown wedding to celebrate their sweet love and commitment for one another.  They even chose a venue that they, and many of their guests, had stayed at during school field trips making the whole day that much more meaningful.  The rustic, woodsy details they incorporated into their charming day, like the tree stump escort cards and cake stand, are perfect for this Plymouth, lakeside setting.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Brett and I met in high school during my freshman year. It was that “football player meets cheerleader” kind of love story. We dated throughout school then went our separate ways for college. A few years later, we found ourselves back in each others arms again — until becoming united in marriage!

Brett had arranged a birthday cookout for me on the weekend he planned to propose. The night before the party, we went to our favorite fried clam shack on the north shore of Massachusetts, Farnham’s of Essex. This was our special something that we had shared together on warm summer nights since getting our driver’s license in high school! In keeping with tradition, we went to Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea to take a walk in the sand. Brett seemed more indecisive than usual, not knowing which way he wanted to walk. Suddenly, he dropped to one knee, sharing his love for me with a ring in hand. Of course, I said “Yes!” and as we were hugging each other I heard this “clicking” sound in the background. Brett spun me around to reveal hidden photographers who had caught the entire proposal on film! The excitement of the proposal carried into the following day at my birthday celebration turned impromptu engagement party!

After opting not to fly away to Hawaii to wed in a small celebration, we decided to host a hometown wedding with our best friends and family! The venue we chose was actually an overnight field trip location that we attended during fifth grade, along with many of the invited wedding guests. We knew it would be a “blast from the past.” Guests were invited to sleep over in cabins that lined the lakeside. Our wedding had a destination feel to it while remaining in our home state of Massachusetts. Since we were at a campsite by the lake, we went with a rustic, woodsy, camp theme: s’mores, birch vases, logs and a tree stump cake stand. Following the lakeside ceremony was a party in the lodge. The night ended with a bonfire on the beach, where we listened to music and roasted marshmallows. Some guests found themselves in kayaks on the lake as well! We were inspired by the talents of our friends and were able to make our wedding personable by including many of them in the ceremony music, first dance song, DJ, photography and cinematography.

Wedding Photography: Jesse Vuona + Sarah Kate Vuona / Wedding Venue: Bournedale Function Facility “Camp Bournedale” in Plymouth, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Karen Keough / Wedding Cinematography: John Graziano / Catering: Bournedale Function Facility / Wedding Cake: D’Amicis Bakery / Wedding Stationery: Rhonda Kaloutas of Peek-A-Boo Invitations / Photo Booth Props: PartyGoodies / “Love is Sweet” Banner for Dessert Table: LazyCaterpillar / Country Wedding Fabric Bunting: AFeteBeckons / “Thank You” Wooden Heart Sign Chalkboards: Save on Crafts / Escort Card Table Display, Ribbon Curtain Dessert Display Backdrop, Burlap Signage + Dessert Table Cake Stands: DIY / Painting of Bride & Groom Over Fireplace: Jen Guertin of Anchor Steam Tattoo Gallery / DJ: Evan Kenney of Bodega Girls / Wedding Dress: Pronovias “Fauna” / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka “Kiwi” / Bride’s Feathered Hair Clips, Earrings + Bracelet: Handmade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: madebysam2 / Hair: Catie Michaud + Jillian Carbone of Vanity Hair Salon / Makeup: Stephanie Acciacca / Groom’s Tuxedo: Calvin Klein / Photo Booth: Enjoy Photobooth

A destination wedding in the great state of Maine is most definitely an idea that I can get on board with – and this breathtaking Camp Hammond affair has me thoroughly convinced that it’s the only way to go.  From that gorgeous lace gown to the unique, rustic touches to the cutest EVER bride and groom, every.last.moment is seriously brimming with lovely… and I can’t get enough.  Emily Delamater Photography snapped up all of the pretty and it’s a magical wonderland we won’t soon forget.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Emily Delamater Photography… Artichoke, moss and cabbage bouquets, lace overlay, birch bark, a venue straight out of a Hemingway novel, dark wood, quirky centerpieces, and the coming together of a British and an American family. When Katherine contacted me to inquire about photographing her wedding, I was so excited! She and Tim live in Oxfordshire, England, where Tim is from, but they decided to have the wedding in Maine near Katherine’s family. Tim is in a ska band — they actually met at one of his shows — so great music and a relaxed atmosphere were really important to the couple. A rockabilly band played original tunes and Johnny Cash all through the night, occasionally lending the mic to the groom or one of his many musical guests. It was a favorite of mine from the season — such a great environment, such fun and unique details, such a fantastic couple.

Wedding Photography: Emily Delamater Photography / Ceremony: Foreside Community Church in Falmouth, Maine / Reception: Camp Hammond in Yarmouth, Maine / Floral Design: Snell Family Farm / Band: Sean Mencher and His Rhythm Kings / Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville

I have a confession to make… I am totally and completely obsessed with Duxbury. I dream about moving to this quaint little seaside town, fixing up a Cape house and living a charmed life full of family time and gorgeous views. And these two are totally living my dream complete with a beautiful daughter and one little fur baby. Lauren Methia captured this family in their natural surroundings, just doing what they do best, being crazy adorable. Doesn’t it make you want to move to Duxbury?!?! See more of the shoot here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Lauren of Lauren Methia Photography … This engagement session in Duxbury, Massachusetts, was with Ashley and Peter, who are getting married in July at Castle Hill in lovely Newport, Rhode Island. They chose to do the engagement session in Duxbury where they both grew up and now live. Ashley and Peter were wonderful to work with, easy going, fun and knew how to have a good time. Their session was very laid back — they wanted Peter’s daughter to join for part of it. This made it feel like not only an engagement session but a family portrait session which added to the relaxed vibe.

Photography: Lauren Methia Photography / Location: Duxbury, Massachusetts

Classic, sophisticated and downright amazing – this stunning Boston affair has it ALL.  Gorgeous bridesmaid frocks, sweet college sweethearts, a glorious confetti send-off and one very awesome pair of sparkly Loubs.  Now that’s what I call a serious recipe for fabulous.  And with all of this traditional goodness taking place at the breathtaking Boston Park Plaza Hotel and boasting a gallery filled to the brim with beautiful images by Zev Fisher Photography, we’re in for one VERY lovely Friday.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My husband and I met in college, when we were in the same business class. He proposed about five years later, and I knew right away that I wanted to get married in Boston. In addition to being our home, it’s a gorgeous old city with a lot of charm. Boston was the inspiration for my wedding style. I wanted our wedding to be as timeless as the city I love. Our ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End. The church is a stunning Gothic cathedral and is the largest Catholic church in New England. It was quite a large church for 200 guests! The church was built in the 1800s and does not have air conditioning. Kevin and I provided fans for all of our guests to use during our warm, summer ceremony. One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when my little sister sang the Ave Maria. My sister has a beautiful voice, and it meant so much to me that she sang at our ceremony. After the ceremony, our guests loaded up onto Boston Trolley Tour buses and were taken to the reception. Our reception was at the Boston Park Plaza. We knew we wanted a hotel wedding to better accommodate our many out of town guests. And I just fell in love with the glamorous Park Plaza ballroom!

Luckily, our wedding turned out to be everything I dreamed it would be. I wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of us as a couple — and it was! Right down to the tables that we named after bands Kevin and I have seen together in concert. All of the details I carefully planned came together beautifully. I owe so much of this to our phenomenal vendors.

What was most unique about our wedding was that it was an international affair. My mother’s side of the family is from Venezuela. My father’s side of the family is from Lebanon. My handsome husband is of Irish descent. Our guests came to Boston from about 17 different states and 10 different countries. We infused our cultures in many different ways. At the entrance to our reception, we framed a sign that said “Welcome” in the languages of all guests in attendance. Our wedding programs were printed in both English and Spanish. We had an Irish bagpiper play for our guests outside the church after the ceremony. Our tablecloths and napkins were spun with gold thread and purchased in Beirut, Lebanon. And we had a surprise Venezuelan salsa band play for an hour of our reception! More than anything, our wedding was just plain fun. And at the end of the reception, we surprised our guests with confetti cannons! 

Wedding Photography: Zev Fisher Photography / Photography Assistant: Gretjen Helene Photography / Wedding Venue: Boston Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Dana Markos Events / Wedding Cinematography: McElroy Weddings / Wedding Invitations: Inviting Company / Wedding Cake Montilio’s / DJ: Mike Amado of Entertainment Specialists / Confetti Cannons: Gateway Productions / Lighting: Boston Uplights / Wedding Dress: Amalia Carrara (Eve of Milady) / Reception Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair + Makeup: Special Event Beauty / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Impression Bridal / Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse