Massachusetts Weddings

Oh my goodness, this wedding is like my dream wedding come true. Each and every detail is so beyond gorgeous and I’m literally dying over the fabulous images from Photo Pink! I’m loving the mix of glamourous touches juxtaposed with the pretty rustic vibe of the venue and I’m sure that the design and planning geniuses at Charmed Places had a ball with this rustic glam fete. This is totally where it’s at! Definitely click here for more.

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See this gorgeous wedding come to life thanks to the talents at Vantage Point Films:
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From the bride… I know every wedding is unique. Too many details go into them to not be and too many wedding magazines told me so. But I loved the decision we made for our officiants – our dads! – and knew just how unique it was when not one person (town clerk, venue contact, wedding planner, all guests) had heard of a (non-clergy member) dual-dad ceremony. Aside from marrying Jeff (and wearing flats), it was the best decision made that day. Though Jeff and I are both Jewish, neither of us approaches the religion from anything more than a customary perspective. On this day of ‘us’ it didn’t make sense to bring in someone to forever bind us using Hebrew that we didn’t understand and quoting beliefs that simply didn’t mean anything to us. What did mean something to us: both of our parents were still successfully married and incredibly in love. They had nearly eight decades of combined marital experience under their belts. They were both married the second weekend of June. We wanted our ceremony to be about love, about finding soul mates, and about learning what makes this work. We also opted not to break a good tradition and get married ourselves the second weekend of June.

We asked my dad first. I think my mom may have tipped him off to this as I made the mistake of mentioning it to her first. He was humbled, honored, and accepted the role, while quickly adding “But if you realize that this is as crazy as it is and want to back out, I won’t take offense.” Typical advice from my dad, who’s always been keen on making sure I knew to never feel pigeonholed growing up – with his most famous line being (when I was too young to even think of marriage): “If we’re at your wedding and about to walk down the aisle, and you feel that any part of this is off — I don’t care what’s been paid for, I don’t care how many people came in to town for you — we will turn right around, no questions asked, and figure it all out. Don’t feel pressured.” As a side note, I was lucky enough to pull him aside right before I DID actually walk down the aisle to let him know I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Jeff’s parents had a slightly different response. After sitting them both down, we told them there was something important we wanted to talk to them about. This set off an endless round of guesses. “No, we’re not having a baby,” and “No, we didn’t run off and get married already.” So by the time we got around to asking, they were totally caught off guard and a bit dumbfounded. “But … is it legal?!” This is a question Gary asked us up until our wedding day. We assured him it was, and the two dads took to the internet to become ordained Universal Life Ministers. An official card and a bumper sticker stating his new title helped to abate Gary’s fears.

We opted not to hear it ahead of time as we wanted to be in the moment and LISTEN to what they were sharing with us, rather than go through the motions of a ceremony we were all too familiar with. All four parents had endless conference calls in which my mom read my lines, Jeff’s mom read Jeff’s lines, and the dads turned their emotions into a perfect script. They had one rule: they both had to agree to what was incorporated, and if one didn’t feel it was right, it was dropped, not brought to trial. The result was magical, memorable and something that the town clerk, our wedding planner, and our guests had never witnessed before … a marriage by the dads. After Jeff was walked down the aisle by both his parents, Gary stood under the chuppah (a nod to tradition and the one concession we made to my mom who jokingly – kind of — said “But you’re both Jewish, of course you need it!”). After the bridal party made their way to the front, both my parents walked my down the aisle. My dad joined Gary, the moms brought black choir robes to their respective husbands (a touch the dads insisted upon to clearly separate their roles of ‘officiant’ and ‘dad’) and it began. The whole ceremony, every page of which I loved, was timed to 28 minutes and was nearly 40 pages long. We have a signed copy by the dads in our living room, and leaf through it often to remind ourselves of the lessons learned and that moment the four of us shared.

Wedding Photography: Emily Dryden of Photo Pink / Second Photographer: Leigh Anna Thompson / Event Planning + Coordination: Lydia FitzGerald of Charmed Places / Event Design + Florals: Linda Baldwin Flowers and Decor / Wedding Venue + Catering: Gedney Farm in New Marlborough, Massachusetts / Cinematography: Vantage Point Films / Cupcakes: Barrington Bites / Music: Soulsystem Orchestras / Wedding Invitations: The Village Invites / Wedding Dress: Gustavo Cadile / After-Party Venue: Mepal Manor

Heather Parker Photography captured a classic Boston wedding that is not only breathtaking from start to finish but also incorporating some MAJORLY awesome wedding attire. More specifically kilts. We love a nod to heritage and this tartan-infused affair is pure Scottish perfection with a dose of classic details by Gracie Lou Events and stunning florals by Faxon Green. What’s black, white and plaid all over? Why this Beantown beauty and you can see it all here.

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From the bride… It was very important that both of our cultures were recognized in our wedding.  I have Scottish heritage, which led me to live in Scotland in the first place, and it was important that Scotland was represented. The kilts were the most important piece of the puzzle — my father even wanted to wear one! Barrie’s family does not have its own tartan, so we picked one that suited the setting and the bridesmaids dresses. From day one, I was inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany’s and 1950’s New York glamor. I wanted to keep the colors to black and white with shades of green to mimic the kilts and the beautiful garden. It was important to me that the bridesmaids dresses were flattering for all five girls. They are all different shapes and sizes with different coloring, and one of my girls was six months pregnant, so it was important for them to all feel beautiful and confident. 

The flowers were also a way for us to merge our cultures. The boutonnieres were a beautiful and traditional Scottish mix of heather and official flower of Scotland, the thistle. They were tied lovingly with a ribbon my mom sourced locally. The centerpieces, bridesmaids’ flowers and flower girls’ bouquets were crafted to look like they were organically gathered from a New England field, incorporating babies breath and white hydrangea. My bouquet was designed with inspiration from The Duchess of Cambridge’s bouquet for her wedding to Prince William, but with seasonal flowers for July. I could not have planned the wedding without Elizabeth and Adrienne from Gracie Lou Events. They were able to help me with design details that would be unique and special and say something about us as a couple. For example, instead of table numbers we used cities that held special significance to our relationship.

Many of our marriage traditions are similar in America as they are in Scotland, but one exception that we were not willing to budge on was wedding cake. In Scotland, wedding cake is a dense fruit cake that is a long running tradition and joke all in one because very few people actually enjoy it. I wanted to have a super delicious wedding cake so we opted for chocolate cake with chocolate raspberry mouse instead of inedible fruit cake. We were definitely not disappointed! We wanted as many personal touches as possible and for the wedding to really have our personalities show through instead of a typical package wedding that we have all attended. Barrie wanted it to be a party and for everyone to drink and have a good time, and I wanted to make sure that there were sentimental details that would create memories to last a lifetime in addition to everyone enjoying the party. The first decision we made was that we wanted our siblings to marry us.  It was important to us that the person or people who married us had known us for a long time and knew us as a couple, so who better than our siblings? Our cake topper was also a very personal touch, but we did not know about it until our beautiful cake was revealed. My mom won the opportunity to have a handmade cake topper in our likenesses.  It was such a special touch! Aimee lovingly crafted cake toppers to look exactly like us on the big day. My mom secretly collected pictures of my dress, my veil and hair and Barrie’s kilt to make a miniature replica of us — so special!

Wedding Photography: Heather Parker Photography / Wedding Planning: Gracie Lou Events / Flowers: Faxon Green / Venue + Catering: Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT / Wedding Gown: Pronovias / Veil: Handmade by a friend in Scotland with french lace / Bride’s Necklace + Diamond Bracelet: Borrowed from her mother / Cake: Party Favors Brookline / Cake Topper: Aimee Empey / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Wine Cork Escort Card Display: DIY / Ceremony Musician: Yacov Aviv (Boston_cello@yahoo.com) / Wedding Favors: Cookie Creatives / Hair: Tasha Manes / Makeup: Jean Carney, friend of the bride / Kilts: Kilt Rental USA / Wedding Stationery: Bride’s Father / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Shoes: Their Own / Bridesmaids’ Headbands: new look / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Katie Long, Bride’s Cousin / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Handmade in Romania, a Gift from a Bridesmaid / Flower Girls’ Shoes: Teddy Bearskins / Bride’s Shoes: ollie Snake Embossed Flat / Dress Hanger: DIY, Bride’s Mother / Ceremony Officiants: Liz Finlayson, Bride’s Sister, and Kenneth Hill, Groom’s Brother

There are so many special touches wrapped up in this charming Gloucester affair, I am not even sure where to begin.  From the bride’s beautiful bouquet to the cute as can be bunting to those beyond lovely centerpieces (mason jars + burlap + clothespins = FABULOUS), this darling soiree is boasting a bundle of heartwarming details… and each one was crafted with L.O.V.E by the sweeter than sweet bride and groom.  And if that isn’t just the best news to start off your work week, Amanda Cannon Photography was on hand to capture every last ounce of lovely… which means an entire Monday filled to the brim with pretty.  And how awesome is that?!?  Click here for more.

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From the Bride… Before I say anything else, it’s imperative that I give a shout-out to the amazing community that surrounded us on our wedding day. Our family, wedding party, guests, and vendors were amazing people who made our day exactly what we wanted it to be.

Adam and I had been dating for five years when he proposed on a blustery December day in northeastern Massachusetts. Pretty soon after, friends and family started asking us a slew of questions about the wedding date, location, etc. The two of us snuck away to a coffee shop over the holidays to discuss. Since we’re both teachers, we approached this like a unit plan, creating a list of values that we would live by through the planning process. (Example: “When in doubt, go smaller.”) These values saved us from unnecessary conflict and gave us a unified vision. One of our biggest values was to stick to our budget, and after convincing my parents to only give us a limited amount, we were off to plan.  One of our most important values was that we decided everything together. Adam was absolutely 50% of the planning process. We were excited to make this a DIY wedding, and we have a number of talented friends who we knew could help make it happen. Adam and I designed all the save-the-dates, invitations, thank you cards, etc., and we printed everything at home. We made burlap bunting and used letter stencils to paint the words DRINKS! (for the bar), DANCE, and A (heart) M for the reception space. My talented sister drew a tree for our guest book thumbprint tree. We made all of the pinwheels for the bridesmaids and moms with the help of some dear friends. We found mason jars at a local flea market, and we attached the embroidered table numbers to them with a clothespin (another reason I knew I was in love with this man: he asked me to teach him to embroider!). I baked blueberry-peach wedding cobbler the day before the wedding instead of having a traditional cake.

I’m six feet tall, and after trying on just one long dress, I knew I wanted a short one. BHLDN was the answer with their Fondant Tea dress! Our venue was just two miles from our apartment on the rocky coast of Gloucester. The same day we put down our deposit, we found some vintage postcards at a local used bookstore and used those as our save-the-dates. We didn’t want a stated theme, but went with a style of bringing the outside in. This meant projects like scavenging 85 grey rocks from a local cove (which were lovingly returned after the wedding) to serve as the base of our place cards. Adam hand-stamped all of the luggage tags, which were then tied to the rocks with pistachio-colored embroidery thread. Our niece and nephew were our “pinwheel bearers,” and instead of rings or flowers, they handed out miniature pinwheels to guests sitting on the aisle. Our favors were personalized notes to each of our guests that were hung on twine under a window at the reception. Two photographer friends of ours created a photobooth, and we scavenged costumes from etsy, friends, and a local school’s theater closet. I made my own bouquet, and it was lovingly tied with the cuff links, shamrock charm, and baby ring from my deceased grandparents. One of our good friends officiated, and he wrote the ceremony script. We worked together on our vows, which were unique but thematically tied together. One of my very favorite moments during the ceremony was when Adam and I went to hug our new in-laws, and my 6’9” dad pulled out a well-placed step-stool for Adam to stand on in order to properly hug him. We tied our rings to a rock with twine and passed them around during the ceremony as a ring warming. Our recessional song was “When You Love Somebody” by the Fruitbats, the band that was playing the night we first met. We learned how to waltz and did a surprise dance in the middle of the cocktail hour. The day was just so lovely. We are so grateful.   

Wedding Photography: Amanda Cannon Photography / Flowers: Sage Floral Studio / Flower Design: Bride and Groom / Wedding Venue: Ocean View Inn & Resort / Bride’s Dress: BHLDN / Bridemaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Vest + Pants: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Hairpiece, Necklace + Earrings: BHLDN / Paper Goods: DIY by Bride & Groom / Bride’s Ring: Etsy / Groom’s Ring: His Grandfather’s / Hair: Samantha Mountain of West End Salon & Spa / Music: Groom / Photobooth Photography: Micaelan Davis Photography / Getting Ready Pictures: Annie Greene / Alterations: Best Fit

We’re wrapping up the week in style here at SMP Massachusetts with this pretty as can be wedding by Jenny Moloney Photography. These adorable high school sweethearts celebrated their big day with so many special and meaningful touches that it’s hard to know where to begin. One thing I do know however, is that the florals by Karen Taddei of Lilacs are beyond amazing as is there super pretty custom made sweetheart tablecloth. I just love those pretty, little circles. Click here for even more!

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From the mother of the bride… Annie and Ryan’s story starts out like many others….they were high school sweethearts. In the summer of 2004, their respective churches collaborated to organize a work camp that would travel to Georgia to paint and repair run-down homes in impoverished neighborhoods. They worked together, shared this life changing experience and said their good-byes. But for Ryan, there was a lingering feeling that he wanted to know Annie better. Andrew, a mutual friend and matchmaker, and later an usher at their wedding, helped to make that happen. The rest is a love story, pure and simple. Their wedding was a reflection of what they most hold dear: family and tradition…

They were married at Christ the King Church with Father Woods, Ryan’s dean and mentor at Boston College, officiating the ceremony. Each of their siblings were in the wedding party. Ryan’s brother, Michael, and sister, Danielle, are both performers and provided the vocals for the ceremony. Four generations were present, including Ryan’s 100-year-old great-grandmother, Anna.  

Annie collected family wedding photos and frames to display “The Generations of Love” on the piano at the reception. Their vision was one of classic elegance and romance. With the backdrop of Willowbend’s lush green golf course, a vintage red barn and neutral decor in the ballroom, Annie and Ryan chose elements with unique textures in soft colors. The whimsical “Circles” tablecloth, custom made by Table Toppers, was the inspiration. Combined with the large, silky blooms of Phalaenopsis orchids and the gold accents seen in the wine goblets, vases and menu cards, the tables were a nod to Annie’s love of art and all things creative. To top it off, we experienced record-breaking warm weather in October, allowing us to enjoy the views from the venue patios. A honeymoon to Disney World was the happy ending to this fairy-tale romance. A special thanks to Jenny Moloney for capturing this special day and putting us all at ease.  You are warm, genuine and a true artist.

Photography: Jenny Moloney Photography / Venue + Catering: Willowbend Country Club / Cake: Lisa Raffael of Delicious Desserts / Florist: Karen Taddei of Lilacs / Dress: San Patrick / Bride’s Shoes: VANELi “Madora” / Bracelet: La Reine Bridal / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Linens: Table Toppers / Crystal: Rentals Unlimited / Stationery: Lynne Johnson of Inviting Company / Bride’s Hair: Shelli Rose McNamara from i.d. Salon / Bridesmaids Hair + Makeup:  Michelle Caruso and Macayla Dickie from Avante Salon / DJ: Michael Edwards of Allstar Entertainment

This wedding is the epitome of why I love my home state of Massachusetts so much. Its lush, green fields and gorgeous late summer weather are the perfect backdrop for this traditional beauty captured perfectly by Ashley O’Dell Photography. The soft color palette of pinks and greens is super romantic and we are all head over heels in love with the amazing floral displays by Le Reve Floral Design. Click here for even more!

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From the bride… The fabulous Ashley O’Dell photographed our September 3rd wedding in Waltham, Massachusetts, which is a small town near Boston. We were married at Gore Place, a Federal-era mansion, and we picked the location primarily because of the gorgeous secret garden on the grounds — it has high hedges all around and a Federal-style knot garden just outside. Our palette was vintage rose, gold, ivory and leafy green. I love the Edwardian era and tried to play up the natural garden environment as much as possible.

Working with our florist, Darcy Hammer from Le Reve Floral Designs, was one of the highlights of my planning experience — she created exquisite bouquets that were artistic and yet natural. She used a lot of ferns, fiddleheads, gorgeous peach dahlias, pale pink roses, and other beauties to reflect the natural environment, the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses, and the colors of late summer. She also created ivy wreaths for my smallest nieces to wear as crowns, and they looked like little fairies out of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” I was really into the idea of small hanging lanterns (or glowing balls of awesome, as one of my bridesmaids likes to call them), so we gathered dozens of small mason jars and created little lights to hang in the trees around the reception tent. It was a pretty sight as the late afternoon sun went down and dusk turned into night.

We stayed with the garden theme for the favors, which were wildflower seed bombs. During cocktail hour, we served peach rose bellinis, and during dinner we served a gin and St. Germain cocktail that we nicknamed the Nick and Nora, after the couple in The Thin Man movies. We both loved everything about our day, and are so glad that we took a few minutes alone right after the ceremony … it gave us a chance to drink in the feeling that we had just skydived into an amazing new phase in our lives.

Photographer: Ashley O’Dell Photography / Venue: Gore Place / Florist: Darcy Hammer of Le Reve Floral Design / Catering + Wedding Cake: Cuisine Chez Vous / Wedding Dress: Watters / Veil: BHLDN / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Jewelry: Sorrelli / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Stationery: Hello! Lucky / Makeup: Kirsten Brusse of Joli Visage / Hair: Jennifer Fusco / Officiant: Rev. Marc Fredette / Coordinator: Jonathan Wood (based in Washington, D.C. — ameaningfuldaycoordinator@gmail.com) / DJ: D’Hana Perry / Band: Billy Novick + Guy Van Duser

Boston never disappoints when it delivers a classically chic celebration. It’s a city that just knows how to throw a sophisticated soiree, and this morning we get to ooh and aww over this pretty party by Ned Jackson Photography held at the oh so gorgeous Mandarin Oriental. From the breathtaking church to the beautiful ballroom reception, no detail was missed for the dapper pair – and you can see it all in the full gallery of images!

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From Ned of Ned Jackson Photography… Not a single detail was overlooked for Kerry and Steven’s beautiful Boston wedding at the Mandarin Oriental. Kerry’s feathered shoes certainly set the tone for the rest of the day. Kerry and her bridesmaids got ready at the Mandarin Oriental while Steven and his groomsmen got ready in the couple’s beautiful apartment. From there, the ceremony was held in Boston’s North End at St. Lenoard’s Parish. The church, which is sort of tucked inconspicuously on Hanover Street, has one of the most grand ceilings of any church in Boston and provided a stunning backdrop for their vows. The altar was surrounded by beautiful white orchids and calla lilies. From there, the wedding party made a brave stop in Columbus Park in the North End to make the most of the natural light for the group shots despite the cold weather. When guests arrived in the ballroom at the Mandarin, they were not disappointed. White was certainly the theme, from the dance floor to the flowers. Orchids, orchids and more orchids covered every inch of the room. Winston Flowers did a fantastic job of varying the heights and looks of each table, while still keeping a consistent look throughout the room. The room was also lit perfectly by Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design. The lighting gave the tables the extra kick and really made the centerpieces pop. The couple’s main cake was decorated with fresh gardenia flowers – so not only did it look delicious, but it smelled fantastic as well. The groom’s cake was an homage to his hockey playing past. Guests finished off the night with mini cappuccinos and left with Boston Coffee Cakes.  It was certainly not a bad night to be a guest!

Photography: Ned Jackson Photography / Cinematography: Ready Set Film / Flowers: Winston Flowers / Event Design: Gina Anderson / Day-Of Coordination: Michelle Schaufeld of The Day Of / Ceremony Location: St. Leonard’s Church / Reception Location: Mandarin Oriental / Reception Lighting: Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Cape Cod is just the right setting for an elegant Fall wedding like this beauty shot by Lauren Methia Photography. And even more than the beachy color palette or the beautiful florals by Lilacs or the AWESOME welcome bags that the Bride crafted herself, is the sentiment behind the day. You see, aside from the typical dream-like setting that the Wequassett Inn has to offer, it also serves as a bank of childhood memories for the Bride, who grew up visiting her Grandparents on the Cape. So what better place to Marry than a spot held so dear? This little gem has a whole lot of heart and it shows in each and every image. See it all here!

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From Lauren of Lauren Methia Photography… Christina and Paul were married October 15, 2011 at the gorgeous Wequassett Inn on Cape Cod. Family and friends traveled near and far to join them on their special day. Christina grew up visiting her grandparents on Cape Cod so it holds a special place in her heart. She wore her grandmother’s brooch on her dress and designed many of the details herself, including the welcome bags/gifts, menu cards, invitations and more. The ceremony took place on the lawn overlooking the water at sunset. Everything was perfectly orchestrated by the couple, making for a beautiful fall Cape Cod wedding. Christina and Paul were amazing to work, and I’m happy to now call them friends!

Photography: Lauren Methia Photography / Venue: Wequassett Inn / Jazz Band: Stage Door Canteen / DJ: Dave Donato / Flowers: Karen Taddei of Lilacs / Cake: Konditor Meister / Videographer: Ian Travis Barnard / Wedding Gown: Jim Hjelm / Designer: Hagopian Ink (owned the bride) / Hair: Cee Cee Politano / Makeup: Ivy Vahanian

Cape Cod is a place that is near and dear to my own heart so I totally get dreaming about having the perfect seaside celebration there.  This sweet wedding by Katie Pietrowski Photography is definitely pretty close to perfect with its punchy pops of pinks and orange over nautical blues and whites.  Everything from the location to the details held special meaning to the couple and made it that much more beautiful.  See it all in the full gallery!

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From the bride… I dreamed, long before I got engaged, that someday I could be married on Cape Cod. To me, it’s more than a summer vacation destination, more than a sunny beach day, it was my permanent home for 22 years, and in some ways, it will always be my home. I was fortunate enough to find a husband who shared the same love for the Cape as I and was as set on being married there. We wasted no time finding the perfect Cape Cod location immediately after getting engaged. When we visited The Sea View in Dennisport, MA, my hometown, we both knew it was it. It was simple, fresh, bright, elegant, and had just that Cape Cod touch.  

The inspiration for our wedding day was the colors of Cape Cod in the fall. We wanted to blend the image of fall in New England with the end of the summer season on Cape Cod. I chose navy for the bridesmaid’s dresses and tan for the men’s suits to represent the colors of the sand and the ocean.  In fall, the ocean turns a deep blue, and will always remind me of the end of summer. I also wanted to save most of the colors for our flowers. Our florist was the most wonderful woman on earth. The flowers were simply stunning and were my favorite detail of the day, especially because they were not typical Cape Cod colors or arrangements but fit just perfectly into our vision. I wanted to preserve them forever! Pinks and oranges have always been my favorite colors and I am so happy at how they worked into the day. I even worked in our fraternity and sorority pins on my bouquet. Our flowers definitely put a touch of “us” in the wedding décor.  

We put a lot of focus into the “nautical” part of the Cape Cod theme. Guest table names were boat names from the harbor where my parents dock their boat in the summer. Our table name was “Shoal Mate” with our chairs adorned with hand painted “Mr”. and “Mrs.” buoys. Some of our guests even got to sit at tables of their own boats. For favors, each guest was given a gift certificate for a cone of ice cream at Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor, a local landmark where both myself and my sister, my maid of honor, have worked/work. I know they got put to good use on the warm, sunny, fall Cape Cod day. Finally, our guestbook was a framed antique map of the Cape that our guests could sign. We knew this would be the perfect way for us to remember our guests and the place that will always hold a special place in our hearts. The night ended with a candy bar for our guests to fill the late night snack cravings. The candy jars and bags were all DIY. I couldn’t have done all of this without the help of my mom. She made the beautiful 4 tier, 4 flavor wedding cake, helped with making programs, name cards (she printed them all while I punched hundreds of anchors), addressing the invitations, and more!   She made 35 lobster lollipops for our rehearsal dinner as well, and they were a hit!

Wedding Photography: Katie Pietrowski Photography / Wedding Flowers: Meredith Fancy of Fancy Flowers / Wedding Ceremony Venue: Christ the King Parish / Wedding Reception Venue: The Sea View / Wedding Shoes: Nina / Wedding Dress: Anjolique / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Hair: Ashley Bigda / Makeup: Maura McSharry / Music: DJ Danny Walsh / Transportation: Cape Destinations

I’m convinced that Boston does traditional elegance like no other city.  It’s no big surprise since the sophisticated urban landscape is rich with history and old-world charm.  This wedding at The State Room captured so perfectly by Shang Chen Photography is a classic beauty done oh-so right and is bursting with that same charming sophistication.  See it all in the full gallery!

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From Shang of Shang Chen Photography: Nicole and Jonathan planned their wedding from New York City where they met. Nicole wanted to have the wedding in Boston as she grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. Jonathan grew up in England – and moved to the U.S. after college. Nicole moved to New York after college as well. They both hoped to find and build their careers in the big city, and that they did. Little did they know that they would meet each other at work and fall in love. Things began a little shy – but there were sparks from the start. They admired one another from afar for a year. After one particular round of tennis matches with their co-workers, Nicole had beat Jonathan. Jonathan asked for a rematch, which led to drinks, dinner, and the rest is history.

Nicole’s mother knew of Longwood Events and the State Room for a long time. They loved the simplicity of the space, how it is a blank canvas, and the people at Longwood Events were great to work with. Nicole had also used Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book guide to find some of her wedding vendors. Nicole and Jonathan used a silhouette of the Boston skyline on their invitations, which also worked its way onto the programs. They were married in a very personal and touching ceremony with a skyline view of Boston’s North End. We began the day with an emotional first look where Jonathan could not get over how beautiful his bride was in her Priscilla of Boston dress and veil. The ceremony included a recounting of their love story. Jonathan’s sisters were readers, and Nicole’s brother played a Beatles song that brought the entire room to tears.

The bride and groom also worked in Jonathan’s British background – one of their signature cocktails during cocktail hour was called the “Cheeky Brit” while another one was called the “Blushing American”. Their cocktail hour playlist featured music inspired by concerts that they’d attended together, including Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Keane, MGMT, Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, just to name a few. Tables were named after locations of importance in their lives. Gorgeous, soft, and romantic roses were in the bouquets and centerpieces. The gift table featured wedding photographs from Nicole’s and Jonathan’s families. Late night snacks featured British favorites including pretzels with mustard. The favors were small British cake lollipops. All the guests danced their hearts out into the late night.

Photography: Shang Chen Photography / Venue + Catering: The State Room via Longwood Events / Rings: Deena Jewelers, LLC / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Tuxedo: Theory / Florist: John LaRoche for blueGuava / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Makeup: Faces Boston by Louise Martino / Hair: Priscilla Collins of Avanti / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Invitations + Paper: Goosefish Press / Officiant: Elly Jackson

This wedding was captured brilliantly as only davina + daniel can do. I’m literally in awe of all the gorgeous images, not to mention how fabulous this adorable couple is. I mean, really, just look at her dress and shoes…I’m loving each and every fabulous inch of this outdoor fete including all the touches of gold and milk glass. Talk about a refreshing combination! Click here for even more.

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From the bride… Cape Cod was the perfect wedding location for many reasons, one being it is pretty close to mid-way between our two homes, as I grew up in California and Andreas is from Germany, which is where we live now.  Also, my family has a long history on Cape Cod and I have always felt a deep connection to the area.  We got engaged in Cape Cod during a trip in 2010 and both knew right away that we wanted to get married there as well.  We always knew we would have a small wedding, we wanted the wedding to feel more like a great dinner party with good food and good wine and to just be surrounded by love and laughter.  We found the perfect venue, a grouping of lakeside cottages, where we could not only throw a great party, but also house our guests.  It made for a laid back long weekend for our friends to get to know each other and enjoy all of the things we love about Cape Cod.  

The Monique Lhuillier dress I wore was found at a store my friend managed after it had somehow been lost in the warehouse and been continually marked down.  I had emailed her almost the exact same dress from Monique’s runway show as an inspiration for my wedding dress, knowing it was way out of my price range.  When she stumbled upon the dress in her warehouse, she immediately sent me an email saying “I found your dress!!!!”.  As soon as I read her mail, I called her right away with my credit card number after only seeing a blurry picture she had snapped on her phone.  It was bridal fashion fate.  It fit almost perfectly and was practically free (in wedding dress terms, that is).

We switched the day around a bit and started the wedding afternoon off with cocktails, appetizers and some lawn games, rather than leading with the ceremony.  It gave us a chance to take more photos and mingle with our friends and family before we became mr and mrs.  I walked with both of my parents “down the aisle” to our favorite song, “Heartbeats” preformed by a fabulous local musician.  My uncle preformed the ceremony and incorporated a literal “tying of the knot” activity, and had each of our guests write their name on a rope and then tied each together, tying not only Andreas and me together, but our friends and family together as well.  It was a beautiful addition to our short and sweet ceremony, with our handwritten vows bringing a bit of laughter.  After the ceremony, we spent our first few moments together as husband and wife in my boat rowing around the lake and were blessed with the most amazing Cape Cod sunset ever and it was magical as the grey sky turned vibrant hues of pink and red.  We left out many wedding traditions (bouquet toss, cake cutting, first dance) because they didn’t feel like “us” and focused on what we found most important- spending the day with the people we love.   Having creative friends and family was an enormous help, as planning a wedding from another continent is not exactly an easy task, but thanks to the internet and a very helpful wedding planner (aka my mama) the weekend was a great success and certainly one of the greatest days of our lives so far.

Venue: Gibson’s on the Pond / Caterer: Sumptuous Catering / Photographers: davina + daniel / Bride’s Dresses: Monique Lhuillier + Antik Batik / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Flowers: Flowers by Mary / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Shoes: H by Hudson / Hair: TJ Hazzard / Rings: Kevin Main Jewelry / Wedding Pies:  Cottage Street Bakery + Marion’s Pie Shop / Ceremony Musician:  Fred Fried

New England weddings hold a very special place in our hearts. They’re classic in the best of ways with just the right smidgen of old world charm and with a venue like The Harvard Club mixed with forest infused florals by Bow Street Flowers, this Beantown beauty has us Bostonians falling in love all over again with our hometown. Joyelle West Photography snapped image after crazy gorgeous image and you can find them all sitting pretty in the full wedding gallery. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Joyelle of Joyelle West Photography… The elegance and grace of the Harvard Club in Boston was juxtaposed by Linzee’s idea of incorporating a forest feel into their wedding. Linzee and Eric met ages ago while in Vermont for school, so they wanted to channel a feeling of Vermont at their wedding. Bow Street Flowers did an amazing job, using moss, berries, and pinecones, as well as ferns and forest orchids native to Vermont. Finally, hundreds of tealights everywhere lit the room, and the end result was very dim and warm lighting that made the space feel intimate and romantic on this fall night.

Wedding Photography: Joyelle West Photography / Venue: The Harvard Club / Dress: Carolina Herrera / Veil: Vintage (Bride’s grandmother’s) / Flowers and Decor: Bow Street Flowers / Uplighting: Alps / Music: The Driftwood Duet

I’m totally head over heels in love with this country chic photo shoot by Studio SMC Photography not only for its gorgeous displays of florals but because it reminds me why I love Massachusetts so much. The barns, the old rock walls, the farmhouses…they are all so romantic and sweet and make for perfect backdrops on your big day. Click here for even more.

Click here to see entire image gallery!

From Studio SMC Photography: This stylized shoot took place on June 26, 2011 in western Massachusetts on the campus of Mount Holyoke College and at a private residence, both located in South Hadley. The couple, who are married, were selected for their great chemistry and gorgeousness:) All of the vendors who were chosen to be a part of this shoot are very community-minded and provide extraordinary customer service. The jewelry, in particular, is very unique and was part of the inspiration for the look and feel of our shoot.

The couple who own the house and barn (not the models) take incredible care of their home and love antiques. The red barn was rebuilt a number of years ago to complement their sweet farm house. The farm house was originally built in 1764 and has since been updated. The pergola was built with beams from the old barn before it was rebuilt. The couple love birds and have built bird houses for the property, including a replica of their barn.

This stylized shoot was coordinated by myself, Sandra Costello, the owner of Studio SMC Photography. Love fueled this project and lots of wonderful ideas. The bike, luggage and a number of other props were provided my me to add a bit of whimsy to this love fest.

Photography: Studio SMC Photography / Hair: Andrea Clifford Salon 241 / Makeup: Liz Washer / Dresses: W Too, Mimi, Jenny Yoo / Bridal shop: Bridal Heirlooms / Shoes: Dollhouse Pedalz Sandal / Suit: Men’s Warehouse / Hat and bow tie: Jackson and Connor / Bow tie: Carrot & Gibbs, pink love birds / Hat: Bailey, Brooks / Jewelry: Rebekah Brooks / Flowers: Forget Me Not Florist / Bakery: Bakery Normand / Paper goods: Essentials / Props: Studio SMC Photography

We’re welcoming in 2012 with this beautifully intimate fall wedding by Meg Brock Photography. This crafty and laid back couple decided to nix their plans of a backyard wedding in the Philadelphia area and instead invited 16 of their closest friends and family members to join them on Cape Cod. We are loving the DIY elements and how the bride and groom turned their wedding day into an entire weekend of festivities. Click here for the full story.

Click here for the entire image gallery!

From Meg Brock of Rich Meg Media: Most couples have a wedding and reception.  Jessica and Joe truly had a wedding day.  When first planning their wedding, Jessica and Joe considered  having a backyard affair near their families in the Philadelphia area. However, wanting a more intimate setting, they decided to get married in Cape Cod.  Sixteen of their closest friends and family joined them at the Whale Walk Inn for a beautiful weekend of celebrating Jessica and Joe’s love for on another.  

Everyone arrived at the Whalewalk Inn at Cape Cod by Friday evening.  The morning of the wedding was super laid back and casual.  I arrived at the B & B on Saturday morning to find the groom wearing a baseball cap, enjoying a quiet breakfast with the wedding guests.   That set the tone for their beautiful day. The ceremony took place at midday on the B & B grounds.  Afterwards, everyone, including the bride and groom, headed to the kitchen and arranged an amazing hors d’oeuvre spread which was enjoyed over a few hours on the back patio.  At the end of the night, everyone headed to a beautiful restaurant  the end of the cape for a simple, delicious dinner.      

Jessica put so much love into the day.  She handmade gorgeous invitations for everyone which included driving music and a booklet which outlined the weekends events.  She also made a terrarium for each guest to take home along with a card which explained a personal meaning.  She also added adorable lock and key charms to her bouquet and Joe’s boutonnière.

The weather was warm and perfect.  Everyone, including the bride, had expected it to be much colder.  A week after their wedding, it snowed in New England, reinforcing what a perfect day Jessica and Joe had. Jessica and Joe are such a sweet couple and it was such a pleasure to be apart of their day.

Photography: Meg Brock of Rich Meg Media / Florist: Fancy Flowers  / Sweater: Lucy Levintovich /Dress: Southern Bride via Ebay / Grooms Attire: Brooks Brothers / Hair and Make up: Silhouette Hair Salon / Ceremony Venue: The Whalewalk Inn and Spa /
Dinner Venue: The Red Inn Provincetown, MA

Happy, happy Friday, SMPers!  We know that many of you are gearing up for a fab.u.lous New Year’s celebration and we couldn’t think of a more perfect way to jump start the festivities than with this uber-stunning Boston affair by Allegro Photography.  We are loving the traditional meets modern vibe of this fantastic fête… and from the dazzling purple color palette to the breathtaking blooms by Winston Flowers to those sparkly (plus AMAZING) Kate Spade shoes, we are most certainly in the celebrating mood.  So, join us in the gallery for even more pretty, pretty inspiration and then have yourselves a Happy New Year, lovelies!  See you in 2012!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… To say that my wedding was a dream come true is an understatement. From start to finish, it was a reflection of us, our values, our style, and our love. And it turned out better than I could have imagined.

Greg and I wanted a unique, glamorous, modern, romantic wedding that celebrated love and family. After months of looking at venues in New York (where we live), we still hadn’t found the right location. At the urging of my mom, we decided to look at venues in Boston (where I’m from), so we would be sure that my side of the family could attend. Cue the Liberty Hotel. The juxtaposition of old and new, the sexy atmosphere, the amazing food, and phenomenal architecture sealed the deal. It was perfect.

At the end of the day, we wanted our wedding to reflect us and our family. Greg’s beautiful daughter Liv served as my junior bridesmaid, a role she took on with much enthusiasm and pride. My absolute favorite part of the day was during our ceremony when Greg and I presented her with a necklace with three interlocking circles – a complete surprise to her and all of our guests – that signifies our unending bond as a family. Another of my favorite moments was taking pictures with my 91-year-old grandparents. Just seeing their excitement and knowing the effort it took for them to be there made my heart practically explode. Ultimately, family was at the core of what made our wedding incredible.

I also can’t help but mention our dream team of vendors. Taylor Creative provided most of our furniture, which laid the gleaming foundation for the whole event. Sara Faella brought major glam to my wedding party – my VIP women and I all felt totally fabulous. Go Against the Grain provided our custom invitation design – it helped to set the tone in a unique way. After a negative experience with a Connecticut-based florist, we had to switch gears with only a few months to spare. Winston Flowers saved the day and worked with us to create a truly spectacular vision for the wedding. And of course, Allegro Photography was beyond wonderful from day one.

My advice for brides-to-be is to always go back to what your wedding is really about: marrying the person you love most in the world. Wedding planning may be a roller coaster, but remember to stay positive and keep focused on you as a couple, your families, and the love you share. Liv’s advice, in case you were wondering, is to have great music, lots of dancing, and tons of fun!

Wedding Photography: Allegro Photography / Wedding Venue: The Liberty Hotel / Hair + Make-up: Sara Faella + Sara’s Glam Squad / Bride’s Gown: Lazaro via Kleinfeld / Bride’s + Bridesmaids’ Earrings: TEJANI / Custom Gown Hanger: Suspended Moments by Dawn Hill Creations / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alvina Valenta via Here Comes the Bridesmaid / Junior Bridesmaid Dress: Bari Jay via Bridal Reflections / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Floral Design: Winston Flowers / Furniture Rentals: Taylor Creative / Dance Floor + Linen Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Lighting Design: Swank AV / Cake & Cupcakes: I Dream of Jeanne Cakes / Custom Cake Topper: Crystal Celebration / Ceremony Music: La Bella Musica / DJ: Seth Isaacs of Beat Train Productions / Officiant: Gary D. Fine / Invitation Design: Go Against the Grain / Invitation Printing: Lion in the Sun

Even though Massachusetts is headed for snow, freezing temps and a little more snow at some point in time, we will dig ourselves out of Winter and (fingers crossed) right on into a gorgeous Spring.  In the meantime, you can set your sites on this whimsical inspiration photographed by Summer Street Photography with design and florals by Whim Events that has our brains reeling with all the pretty possibilities that a garden wedding holds. And be sure to stop by the gallery for so much more.

After spending hours (or maybe days… who am I kidding) with this gorgeous New Jersey wedding, I can honestly say, I never would have thought it was Hurricane Irene who crashed this Pleasantdale Chateau party. The images from Susan Stripling Photography show nothing but a beautiful bride, a handsome groom, and a gorgeous, love-filled wedding. A true testament to Laura Clare Fine Floral Design‘s work. It is, seriously, one of my favorite weddings. Ever. Promise me you’ll peruse the image gallery to see why!

Oooh, and the romance is ever more present in this highlight film from Orange Films…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/30486394 601 338]

I grew up in New Jersey and always wanted to get married in my home state. We instantly fell in love with the Pleasantdale Chateau the moment we walked in. It has an intimate home-style ambiance, yet grandeur at the same time. We envisioned our wedding to be elegant and timeless, with classic tones of ivory and gold. We wanted our guests to enjoy a royal evening with gourmet food, flowing drinks and good music to dance all night.

All brides pray for good weather on their wedding day. A hurricane blowing through the Northeast never even crossed my mind throughout the planning process. When we chose August, the biggest weather concern was the groom melting in his tuxedo during the ceremony outside. Hurricane or not, the party still went on! My friends and family reassured me that the most important thing was that I was marrying the love of my life and a little rain (and maybe some wind) was not going to get in the way. I knew it was going be a perfect day the second I saw Edmond’s face during our private first meeting and all my worries disappeared. As long as we had each other, this wedding was going to be better than we imagined. We sealed this sentiment with a high-five and said “let’s do this!”

My wonderful bridesmaids entertained with cute arts & crafts while we were getting ready to keep me laughing about the circumstance. They were my lifesaver in keeping spirits light and focused on the prize of marriage. All my vendors ROCKED and made us feel like nothing was going on outside. Everyone was determined to make this the wedding of our dreams and I am truly thankful to have had such an amazing team. Edward Zilberman captured the day in the best trailer that makes me smile everytime I watch it. We were lucky to have Susan Stripling there to work her magic and capture beautiful images all indoors. And Stacey Kallenberg, my wedding planner extraordinaire pulled it all together while preventing me from panicking.

Edmond often joked the groom is only a prop at weddings. So, it was important to let his personality shine through the details as well. Boston sports is what he loves the most (second to me, of course). Our signature drink was called “The Champions” with flags of the city’s sports teams. His birthday was four days before our wedding, so I surprised him with a three-tier cake: Patriots Helmut, Red Sox Cap, Celtics basketball. The band played ‘Sweet Caroline’ as the cake was rolled into the ballroom. His reaction was priceless and one I will remember for the rest of my life. It was amusing to incorporate these details among the biggest NY sports fans on their home turf. And it’s even funnier that a girl who knows nothing about sports planned these details.

Irene was a wedding crasher who was not welcome, but she also showed us how blessed we are to have so many people who love us. We are so thankful for the people who braved the weather to share in our special day and celebrate with us. You just roll with the punches when things don’t go as planned and enjoy every minute. We had a blast and everything turned out beautifully. All our guests are still saying it was an unforgettable wedding in more ways than one. We definitely have a funny story to tell our kids one day.

Photography: Susan Stripling Photography / Cinematography: Orange Films / Flowers & Event Design: Laura Clare Fine Floral Design / Event Planning: Stacey Kallenberg, As You Wish Wedding & Event Design / Ceremony & Reception Location: Pleasantdale Chateau / Band: Craig Scott Orchestra / Invitations: Ray Chang, Roi Elfassy, Stacy Wright / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Dress: Christos / 2nd Dress: Shanghai Tang / Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale / Veil: Homa Bridal / Favors: Sweet Jane Lynn / Grooms Cake: Wendy’s Cake Art / Make-up: Danielle Arminio / Hair: Ramonda Marku

This past September we shared their cheerful and chic Cambridge nuptials but we thought this would be the perfect time of year to check out the winter engagement shot by Suzanna March Photography.  This classy couple brought their great vintage sense of style and we are delighted to see that the groom did not leave his bow tie at home!  The result is something out of an old hollywood love story and we are just smitten.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Suzanna March Photography…Pam & James’ real wedding was featured this summer on SMP Massachusetts.  Since it’s winter, I thought I would share their engagement session with you as well.  It was shot this past February, and these two stepped up their engagement session with a vintage styled shoot and killer preppy Boston location to match!

Pam’s wardrobe is from Modcloth, hair & makeup by Sara Faella’s Glam squad really pulled together this look and the adorable vintage custom banners from Lucinda (Chocolate Creative Design) were perfection! The shoot was perfectly intimate and fun! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! xo 

Photography: Suzanna March Photography /  Hair, Make-up + Styling: Sara Faella’s Glam Squad / Banners: Lucinda Wesson of Chocolate Creative Design / Vintage Cameras, Books + Fur Stool: Photographer’s Personal Collection / Her Attire: ModCloth

You’d never know from looking at these pretty images by Jenny Moloney Photography that these love birds planned their gorgeous wedding in just seven months while living on two different continents! Each and every detail is so seamless and beautiful and it fits their classic style to a T. Click here to see even more of this pretty, pretty day.

 

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride + Groom…Our relationship began in England when Lika found herself on a year-long fellowship in London where Arash was living and working. That year together flew by quicker than either one of us could have imagined but we were certain we wanted to continue our relationship. So began the daily Skype calls and rendezvous on different continents. After a year and a half of long distance, Arash proposed. We knew that we would be living in the UK and decided to have the wedding in Massachusetts.

Putting together a wedding in seven months while still being apart was not the easiest of tasks, but we were incredibly fortunate to be able to use the MIT Endicott House for our wedding venue. It turned out to be the perfect location to host a small intimate wedding for our closest family and friends who would travel from all over the globe to be there. The acres of garden provided a perfect backdrop for the outdoor ceremony which Lika wanted, while the French Manor and its old-world style reminded us of Cambridge University where Arash studied. With the location decided on, many of our design choices fell into place – an English garden themed wedding combining vintage and modern, whimsy and elegant. Having Jenny of Jenny Moloney Photography capture the event, just made sense. Her kind way and artistic style was a perfect match. We knew she would understand the atmosphere we were trying to create.

We worked together to make the many details that made the wedding our own. The flower detail on the Amsale gown inspired the drawing used on the invitations, wedding programs, and menus. Bridesmaids picked their own dresses in slate gray and the centerpieces used vintage silver goblets and tumblers that were collected over a period of several months. To top it all, Arash’s father designed the earrings that Lika wore.

It was important to us that the ceremony reflected our Persian, Russian, English, American and Jewish backgrounds. We carefully crafted the ceremony and asked friends and family to participate by reading poetry. The readings were in three different languages and guests followed along with translations provided in the programs. We also included the Persian tradition of feeding each other honey and the Jewish tradition of breaking of the glass. We couldn’t stop there and chose ‘Stand By Me’ performed by Bon Jovi in Farsi and English for our first dance and a waltz from a Russian movie classic for the father daughter dance.

It was a magical day for us both and we are thankful for all of our family, friends and vendors who helped our vision become a reality.

Venue + Catering: MIT Endicott House / Wedding Dress: Amsale via Cristina’s Bridal / Earrings: Custom design by Father of the Groom / Groom’s Suit: Ede and Ravenscroft / Floral Design: Atmosphere & Floral Design By Tammy Becker / Wedding Photography: Jenny Moloney Photography / Cupcakes: Kick Ass Cupcakes / Invitations: The Bride / DJ + Lighting: DJ Shelly Shell

I am just absolutely, positively gushing over this fresh take on the rustic chic wedding. With a modern spin and an upscale flair, this pretty fall fête held at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and beautifully captured by Kelly Dillon Photography is a gorgeous take on the rustic affair we have all come to know and love.  From the vibrant florals of Tangerine Creations to all the perfectly placed details, the gallery is full of all that is modern, fresh, rustic and fabulous!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kelly Dillon Photography…Details, details, details. That was the name of the game and they were captured perfectly by the supremely talented Kelly Dillon and (thankfully) noticed & appreciated by our friends & family. Bill proposed exactly 1 year prior to our wedding day and I had a definite vision: to get married in New England…in a tent…in the Fall, and I knew I wanted what I came to coin as an “upscale rustic chic” theme. Elm Bank was the PERFECT backdrop to our perfect day, sandwiched in between a weekend of torrential downpours and an early-season snowstorm!

We were fortunate to know many of our fabulous vendors beforehand (and boy did we have a lot of them!) and I wanted to be as hands-on as possible, so I took on the role of both bride & planner. We started with the concept and stayed pretty true to it throughout the process, but it definitely evolved in terms of colors and certain elements. Style Me Pretty was like my bible and I should note that I still continue to stalk this site every day!

Of utmost importance was a day that was personal, filled with joy & love, and that it was very unique and very “us”. I appreciate certain traditions but I was always thinking: how can we make them our own? It truly did come down to the details and many were DIY-chosen projects that I wanted to take on myself. This was a time my creativity had no boundaries and I loved it! The end result was a representation of me & Bill as a couple and as individuals.

With the help from our floral genius, Orly from Tangerine Creations, we were able to bring typical Fall colors into the bouquets & boutonnieres, as well as the cocktail/lounge area. We wanted a WOW factor though so behind the separating sheer pipe & drape was a reception area in contrast to those colors…soft taupes, ivories, deep purples and LOTS of branches and candles. The lighting provided a soft glow everywhere, and a branch go-bo projected beautifully on the drapes. The final product was utterly romantic & rustic but also fresh and totally “New England”.

I found some birch tree curtains at Ikea of all places and knew immediately I wanted to use them on some of the tables as runners. I also knew that I wanted tables in different shapes with different linens & centerpieces. Bill and I both wanted a fun head table and we ended up creating the most gorgeous long table from 3 whitewash farm tables (thank you New England Country Rentals!) that stood out from the other square & circle tables.

The day was whimsical, romantic and lively, and made so memorable by any # of things…the modern take on the Jewish 7 Blessings, the most gorgeous chuppah I’ve ever seen, the guys wearing Chuck Taylors, the girls wearing different dresses with custom shoe clips (Etsy was my go-to for everything!), my something “blue” in the form of Bill’s blue baby bracelet woven into my bouquet…and some unexpected details such as serving pumpkin beer in mason jars with cinnamon sugar rims, assigning tree names to each table, enclosing a “what’s happening card” I designed in the napkins instead of a menu card, or the most unbelievably tasty and beautiful dessert spread instead of a traditional cake (why stop at one flavor when you can have 4? And apple cider donuts! And candy! Okay you get the point).

I could go on and on but what it came down to was an unforgettable day far more beautiful & more fun than we could’ve imagined (the dance floor was packed thanks to a fabulous band & DJ…we even saw guests munching on salmon & noodles out of takeout boxes while standing in line for the photobooth!) I had so much fun that I even forgot to change into my blue sparkly Converse for dancing! All in all, it was a perfect blending of our families & friends and I desperately miss planning it already! Most importantly, guests can say it was totally “emily and bill.”

Wedding Dress: Manuel Mota for Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Lavender / Bride’s Bracelet: BHLDN / Shoe Clips: b. poetic / Make-up: Zoe Kalaitzidis Markos via Boston Bridal Lounge / Hair: Missy Pappas / Groom + Groomsmen Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylors / Bridesmaid Dresses: Melissa Sweet + Priscilla of Boston / Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Venue: Massachusetts Horticultural Society / Floral Design: Tangerine Creations / Caterer: La Bonne Maison / Cupcakes: Party Favors / Rentals: Peterson Party Center, Table Toppers + New England Country Rentals / Band: Eye 2 Eye / DJ: DJ Wyatt / Lighting: Jack Falvey & Associates / Photobooth: Boston Photobooth Rental

Welcome back to another fabulous week of wedding inspiration at Style Me Pretty Massachusetts!  We are heading north across the border today for a lovely New Hampshire wedding by Sweet Tea Photography.  This darling bride and groom made an effort to marry their own individual styles for their perfect wedding.  The result is simple elegance at its best.  It is formal but not too fussy, romantic, thoughtful and sweet all at the same time.  Just charming!  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Sweet Tea Photography…On September 2nd, 2011, Amy Powers and Nate Powers married at The Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield New Hampshire. The White Mountains made a lovely backdrop for their ceremony.  Amy & Nate met in high school but didn’t begin dating until after they reconnected at a New Years Party in 2007.

From the Bride…Initially I set two requirements for a wedding venue. First, there had to be accommodation within walking distance of the reception so guests would not have to be concerned about driving or waiting for a shuttle. Second, I wanted the reception space to have windows and not feel like a conference room. This narrowed the options significantly! Once the list was down to three, I ultimately chose the Mountain View Grand because of the beautiful location, the charming details only found in a historic building, and the excellent service.

In planning and designing my wedding, I stalked Martha Stewart Wedding, Vera Wang’s blog, and Style Me Pretty! I also interrogated my cousins, sister, and friends who have been married. Regarding look and feel, I am very feminine and I like pretty things, Nate is very functional and minimalist. I wanted formal, he wanted casual. In an effort to marry our tastes as well as ourselves, I kept channeling “simple elegance”. Nothing over the top or ornate, just simply elegant. A garden theme evolved through the process as well since the ceremony was going to be next to a garden, the reception was in the garden room, the flowers were garden roses, and the favors were honey. We stuck to basic ideas with lovely details. My biggest inspiration, however, was my dress, which was what ultimately set off the simple elegance train of thought. Groom aside, it was my favorite wedding detail. If I were to be a dress- that is what I would look like. 

I chose to wear ballet flats rather than heels on my wedding day. My first thought was a pair of lovely heels. However, upon further consideration I knew I was going to want to switch to flats part way through the reception, and then I would be tripping over my dress! Not to mention, I wasn’t convinced I would be able to walk in heels on the grass, you never know how wet the ground will be etc. So on to plan B. I have always loved ballet, despite my complete lack of talent! Plus I love pink. I thought It would be pretty to have the little bits of pink peeking out, not to mention they were comfortable! I was able to dance all night.

My favorite part of the wedding day was when the groom and groomsmen gave an impromptu performance! They are all talented musicians.

I would tell future brides that: Organization, schedules, spreadsheets, checklists, will keep you calm. Just remember it is a joyous occasion, and allow the whole process to be fun! It doesn’t need to be stressful. Stay on top of it, do little bits every day. Allow people to help when you need it, and politely decline when you don’t. Remember you cannot make everyone happy. Someone will have their feelings get hurt, and someone will be mad at you about something. It’s inevitable, but you cannot let it ruin your process or your day. They’ll either get over it, or they won’t. And if they don’t, that’s on them.

Wedding Photography: Sweet Tea Photography / Wedding Gown: Amsale / Bridesmaid Gowns: J.Crew / Groom + Groomsmen Suit: Studio Suits / Caterer: Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa / Floral Design: Blooming Vineyards / Wedding Cake: White Mountain Cupcakery / Invitations: AB Paperie