Massachusetts Weddings

Vibrant pops of color, pinwheels and a vintage brooch bouquet are greeting us with open arms this lovely Monday morning and we have Tyra Bleek Photography and this charming Camp Kiwanee wedding to thank for starting our week off in such a wonderful way.  I am absolutely LOVING the mismatched bridesmaid dresses, the organic centerpieces and those amazing yellow heels, but my favorite part of this rustic affair?  The stunning bride and groom (plus friends and family) crafted each and every insanely gorgeous detail themselves… And all with some serious talent and some serious love.  Now that’s what I call fabulous.  Join me in the gallery for even more DIY goodness!

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From the Bride… Our whole wedding was one big art project.  I studied metal smithing in college and went on to do display and merchandising for Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.  Now I teach art at a public elementary school, so I used a lot of ideas from my own studio practice, art lessons and display work to put together all of the elements of our wedding. We enlisted the help of MANY friends.  The maid of honor lives up in Northern New Hampshire; she and her boyfriend cut all of the log risers that we used for the centerpieces.  She also helped to cut the fabric for the pennants that we strung everywhere.  Then my mother-in-law and I sewed them, and we had a stringing party with my sister-in-law.  My mom potted all of the herbs for the centerpieces and hand stamped descriptions of the plants on Popsicle sticks.  She also helped us collect vintage postcards to use for people to write notes to us instead of a guestbook.

James and I had been searching for a place that would have a summer camp feel, and we stumbled upon Camp Kiwanee.  James is a musician, and he found out from a friend that the camp hosted a bluegrass festival there.  We went to visit the camp and loved it, then went back for the festival. Besides being a beautiful location for the wedding, we loved that we could actually use the camp, so we rented out cabins on the property and continued the festivities post reception with a campfire and s’mores.

Our caterers were the amazing Dan and Silvia Moss from Above the Clouds in Billerica.  They took on our vegetarian diets as a creative challenge and ran with it.  They do completely customized menus, so we didn’t have to pick from a package; we discussed the kinds of foods we like and then they came up with some choices and we had a tasting. We ended up with some delicious appetizers, a pasta bar, and two other drool-worthy entrees.  Having a completely vegetarian wedding was something we felt strongly about, and we think just about everyone was happy with what Dan and Silvia came up with.

The stationary was a labor of love.  For our invitations I used Paper Source papers and a woodgrain stamp with white ink for the background, then a yudu machine to silkscreen the text.  I printed the menus and the table names myself and enlisted help from my sister-in-law to glue the table cards to little birch logs that James had cut.  The programs were printed by my other sister-in-law who is a graphic designer.  We had friends and family help prep the programs and pop them into handles to make paddle fans.

Our rings were a collaboration with my very talented friend Nikky Bergman.  She and I met in the undergraduate metalsmithing program at MassArt in Boston.  We worked together to design my engagement ring last year using a star ruby that my mom gave us (ruby is both James’ and my birthstone).  We designed our wedding bands with Nikky and she handcrafted everything in her Somerville studio.  She incorporated diamonds from my grandmother’s wedding band into one of my bands.

For my own flowers I made a bouquet from vintage broaches.  Some were donated by family and friends, others I had already owned.  I found a tutorial online and was able to pull it all together about a month before the wedding.  I gave each of the bridesmaids a vintage broach for their bouquets too.

The camp did not allow candles, so we made our own “firefly jars” using battery operated tea lights and repurposed jam and salsa jars we collected since our engagement.  James sprayed the jars with a frosted glass spray paint and sprayed the lids gold. We used the lights on tables and along the porch. The ceremony was also uniquely personal.  Our officiant, Jenney Gallerane is a licenced celebrant.  She also happens to be the mother of James’ best friend/best man, and one of my bridesmaids/dear friend.  She’s known James since he was born, and she worked with us to craft an intimate, sometimes whimsical ceremony that was truly special.  We had friends play music during the ceremony too.  My cousin sang “Blackbird” and “Two of Us,” by the Beatles as the processional and recessional respectively, and she sang “Moon River” when I walked in.  Our guitarist was a local musician, Clayton Willoughby who also played our cocktail hour, and brought his vintage car for us to pose with.

Wedding Photography: Tyra Bleek Photography / Wedding Venue: Camp Kiwanee / Catering: Above the Clouds / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Hair: Philip de Palma / Suits: Men’s Wearhouse / Ties: J.Crew / Rings: Nikky Bergman / Pinwheels: The Little Black Shop + Paper Polaroid / Flowers: Rhapsody in Bloom

Another wonderful week of inspiration has come to an end here on SMP Massachusetts and before you head off into the weekend sunset, we thought we’d leave you with one last dose of fabulous, courtesy of this stunning Nantucket affair by Ron Lynch Photography.  Boasting gorgeous blooms by Soiree Floral, sweet as can be bridesmaid dresses and a seriously adorable pair of polka dot heels, these uber-chic nautical nuptials planned by Unique Nantucket are just how we like to end the week… With a whole lot of pretty.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride... We always knew we would have our wedding on Nantucket. I have grown up there every summer since I was 6 months old, and it immediately became a special place for the two of us as soon as Johnny and I began to date. We had a relatively short engagement, and so we knew we had to get to work right away! Thank God for my mom, who took over the majority of planning and was amazing the entire time! She had everything booked within 2 weeks, and we could not have been more happy with all of our vendors. My parents live on the island for part of the year now, so we pretty much already knew what vendors we wanted to use, and it was a huge help to have my mom there and meeting with the vendors when we were living across the country!

We wanted some touches that made our guests think of us. My mom was our inspiration behind the homemade cookie bar. She made all of our favorite cookies, a family tradition, and we gave guests bakery bags to take home cookies as their favors. Additionally, we love to eat out, and so we named our tables after our favorite restaurants around the country. Our save the dates had a nautical knot on them, so we carried that throughout the wedding, putting them on our programs, and having knots made as the table name holders. We wanted our guests to really see some of the island, so after the ceremony we had guests walk across the street to an island staple, the Chanticleer restaurant, with its beautiful gardens, to have a glass of champagne before getting on buses to the reception.

The entire week leading up to our wedding was warm and sunny, and of course it drizzled the entire day of our wedding. We had decided we wanted to take the Yacht Club launch to the reception. When we pulled up to the dock, it wasn’t raining, so we decided to go for it – it was only a 3 minute ride. As soon as we got on the boat and pulled away, it began to downpour! We showed up to our reception soaked, but shockingly neither of us could care less! Our day was so perfect with all of our family and friends there, and everything else went off without a hitch. The band was phenomenal, and every guest was dancing the entire night.  Despite the wet boat ride, we had the perfect night!

Wedding Photography: Ron Lynch Photography / Floral Design: Soiree Floral / Event Planning: Unique Nantucket / Wedding Ceremony Location: Siasconset Union Chapel / Wedding Reception Location: Great Harbor Yacht Club / Wedding Invitations: Union Street Papery / Wedding Cake: Natasha Misanko / Hair: Darya Salon / Make-up: Meghan Sullivan of Darya Salon / Band: Sultans of Swing

Here comes the most adorable, fabulously colorful, detail-filled fête for your Thursday morning! Captured by the oh-so-talented Jen Lynne Photography and styled by could-not-be-lovelier Rhiannon at Hey Gorgeous Events, this party isn’t just pretty…it’s downright GORGEOUS, and guaranteed to put a bit fat grin on your face! Bulldogs in bow ties, ribbon streamers, an escort table worthy of pinning, chandeliers in a barn filled with pie – I could go on and on about all the little details that made my giddy meter go off the charts, but you can see it all for yourself in the full gallery of FABULOUS images!

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From Hey Gorgeous Events…I first met Kelli, a few months prior to her big day, when she was looking for some last-minute help tying in personal touches and managing some logistical details for her wedding. Right away I became completely smitten with not only her appreciation for all the small details that make an event shine, but her love and admiration for her now husband, Brandon. For those few months prior to their August wedding, we had so much fun bringing together everything that would make their wedding feel romantic, relaxed and memorable.

Kelli and Brandon’s big day started out with a laid back and delicious lunch hosted by the mother of the groom in Lakeview, Michigan. The old-style barn and vintage surroundings on the property set the tone perfectly for the couple as they got ready for their first look. After a few formal portraits with the bridal party, Jen of Jen Lynne Photography used the cloudy skies and on and off again weather to her advantage to capture the most dreamy and romantic photos of the soon to be newlyweds.

The bride picked a fresh color palette of fuchsia and tangerine in an effort to celebrate the final days of summer. The pops of color from the bridesmaids dresses and the ranunculus, garden roses and dahlia bouquets looked stunning against the altar of the sanctuary in Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street church. Close to 180 of their closest friends and family watched the two say their vows before helping me orchestrate a surprise – and very exciting – ribbon wand following the ceremony. The ring bearer proudly carried a handmade sign with the phrase “Here Comes The Carlsons!” as the bridal party paraded downtown for more photos and guests headed over the cocktail hour and reception at St. Cecelia’s music center. Once guests arrived at the venue they were greeted with little vignettes, styled perfectly to reflect not only the couple’s fun personalities and loving nature, but also their professional careers; their escort table blended Kelli’s job as a teacher and Brandon’s gig as a bean farmer into one fun display for guests. Everyone absolutely loved finding their pencil flags that directed them to their seats. A top the mantle of the fireplace, was an elementary school chalkboard with a handwritten quote, and clipped onto pieces of twine across the mantle, were hand stamped clothes pegs displaying photos from the couple’s engagement shoot.

Upstairs where dinner was served, sat centerpieces filled with brightly hued, textured blooms that sat within wood boxes the bride white washed herself. The head table’s box was actually constructed out of old barn wood that bride had found at the farm. Tables were named after different types of beans to honor the groom’s work, and in lieu of a traditional guest book, guests were asked to fill out Mad Libs that the couple could reflect back on for years to come. At each place setting was a pack of beans from the family farm, with a label on the back detailing an Italian soup recipe and a label on the front that read “Love Is Souper.” Hanging from the bride and groom’s chairs were their initials, covered in a patterned favored by the bride. Their delicious cake, which was made for them as a gift from a family friend, sat behind them on a cocktail table, adorned with the most perfect sugar flowers created to mimic the flowers in the bridesmaid’s bouquets. Instead of a champagne toast, guests were able to enjoy sparkling cider straight from the town where Kelli and Brandon first said I love you. At the end of the night after hours of dancing, lots of photo booth fun and a late night snack bar comprised of Auntie Anne’s pretzels and dipping sauces, the bride and groom departed with a sparkler send off late into the August night, marking the end of a completely perfect day for two very special people. These photos by Jen truly capture how incredible Kelli and Brandon’s wedding day was.

Wedding Photography: Jen Lynne Photography / Styling, Planning + Coordination: Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events / Reception Location: St. Cecelia’s Music Center / Ceremony Location: Fountain Street Church / Catering: The Gilmore Collection / Beverage Service: Martha’s Vineyard / Florist: Gail Vander Laan Florist / Wedding Cake: Family Friend / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Entertainment: Moments in Time Disc Jockeys / Chair Covers: Special Occasions West / Stationery: A Pinch of Spice / Wedding Gown: Bridal Elegance / Limo Service: Dadds Limo / Veil: David’s Bridal

I think my heart has a special place reserved for bow ties – because the minute I see their dapper little selves, I get a little too giddy for my own good. So when you pair bright yellow bow ties with one of my all time favorite color palettes in one of my all time favorite cities, you can only imagine what kind of happy dance I am doing over here. Lucky for all of us, Suzanna March Photography was there to capture all the chic details and fill the gallery full of fab so we can all do a little happy dance today!

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From Suzanna March Photography…As a wedding photographer, I’ll admit I typically tear up once at every wedding.  What can I say?  I’m a sucker for a good love story!  Pam and James, on the other hand, had me tearing up just about on the half hour.  They have a great loves story.  One of the unconventional ones.  One of the ones with history, passion, and fight.  One of the ones that has earned it’s enduring quality.  And because of that, even though I’ve never known them separately, they seem like they must have always been together.  They are that couple that you just want to put in your bag and take them home with you!  They are instant friends and loving parents!

Pam & James got married at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, MA. The bride and groom chose a yellow and grey color palette, which fit their personalities to a tee.  Bright yellow shoes and bow ties and vibrant bouquets and boutonnieres from Bow Street Flowers popped on the grey dresses and suits.  And the bride had yellow parasols for her bridesmaids which made for a great prop for the girls AND the guys!  It was a beautiful day, not a dry eye in the house.  A good friend of the couple married them and they put just as much care into each song played and each vow read as they did the adorable details.

Wedding Photography: Suzanna March Photography / Floral Design: Bow Street Flowers / Event Design, Planning + Invitations: Fandangle Events / Ceremony + Reception Location: Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center / Wedding Dress: Emerald Bridal via Cristina’s Bridal

I have a serious obsession with historical buildings (yep, I am a nerd), so when I saw that these beyond lovely Salem nuptials were held at Hamilton Hall (Originally built in 1805!), I literally jumped for joy.  And the giddiness didn’t stop there, because each and every amazing moment crafted by the geniuses at EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design is out-of-this-world fabulous… And most definitely of the jumping for joy kind.  And with a fresh color palette of yellow and blue, gorgeous lantern centerpieces, stunning florals by Studio 539 Flowers and breathtaking images by Eric Barry Photography, there’s so much more lovely just waiting to be adored.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design… Jackie and Carolyn were thrilled to be engaged, but they lived in Atlanta, Georgia where same-sex marriage is not legal. The couple immediately thought of Massachusetts, which not only recognizes same-sex marriages, it is where Carolyn attended college at Boston University, and where they both had personal ties – making it the perfect destination wedding! They wanted a venue that had elegance as well as a historical feel to match the region. What could be more perfect than Hamilton Hall in historic Salem, Mass.?

Originally built in 1805 as an assembly hall, Hamilton Hall was named in honor of the famous American forefather, Alexander Hamilton, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971. The design of the Grand Ballroom has unique detailed touches with imported Russian mirrors, Palladian (European style) windows, and Italian sconces and chandeliers. The old kitchen, known as the Brick Hearth Room, has the original oven built into the wall. Altogether, this captured the old New England essence perfectly. Jackie and Carolyn were very excited to incorporate the history of New England into their special day.

Their wedding dresses were classically timeless…soft and flowing. To bring in elements that enhanced the feel of the era, tea was the theme for favors and place cards were displayed in loose tea, which not only looked beautiful but also left an aroma in the air. The wedding was in early April. Bright yellows and blues were the accent colors along with lanterns (think Paul Revere) placed on each table. The lanterns alternated between flowers inside the lantern encircled by candles, or a candle inside the lantern surrounded by old milk bottles filled with flowers. The brown pin-tuck linen and gold chiavari chairs finished the look. The signature drink of the evening was none other than “The Alexander Hamilton.” Instead of a traditional guest book, the couple continued with the theme by having a restored old-fashioned typewriter displayed with matching note paper. Guests enjoyed typing out special messages to be later placed in a memory album.

Jackie and Carolyn’s wedding offers a great example of how to incorporate the charm of a bygone era through a few well thought-out touches and the right venue. While New England has so many options for an early American-style wedding, the wonderful appeal of New England is its diversity. Between the history, the scenic beaches and mountains, and the four seasons, New England offers the perfect destination for any type of wedding.

Wedding Photography: Eric Barry Photography / Event Design + Planning: EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design / Floral Design: Studio 539 Flowers / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Calligraphy: Megan Chapin Calligraphy / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Hamilton Hall / Wedding Dress: Anjolique / Wedding Cake: Bella Cakes / Beauty: radiance AVEDA / Caterers: Vinwood / Rentals: Peterson Party Center / Transportation: Local Motion of Boston

I had some serious chill action happening as I watched this exquisite video by Kiss the Bride Films.  Not only is the cinematography absolutely breathtaking but the reading, the music and the sweet-as-can-be couple make such a beautiful and touching combination.  And the details, oh the details, they are absolutely as divine as the film itself from the birch elements to the gorgeous flowers!

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From Kiss The Bride Films…The celebration was all about rustic elegance — a view of the mountains, a birchwood chuppah assembled by the mother of the bride and draped with ivy and honeysuckle, bouquets of lavender and cascades of pure white orchids.The incredibly affectionate couple laughed throughout the simplified modern Jewish ceremony, which was marked by moments of beautiful intimacy.

Afterwards, guests sipped cocktails as the sun set behind the pines. At the reception, decadent desserts boasted the couples’ monogram (and caricatures!) on a table appropriately marked “Love is Sweet”. Kiss the Bride Films was so excited to work with the talented photographer Jen Huang. Her professionalism, positivity and sense of fun made her the perfect partner. Jackie and Brandon were a dream to film — and with two cinematographers, we were able to capture their love story from every gorgeous angle.

Wedding Photography: Jen Huang Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Kiss The Bride Films / Ceremony + Reception Location: Cranwell Resort and Golf Club

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One of the great things about living in Massachusetts is the close proximity to all of the beautiful places in New England. When I was engaged I must have dragged my sister and fiancé all over New England, including Maine, before finally settling on a little barn in New Hampshire, but I’ll never forget the rustic beauty we encountered in Maine. It’s just the perfect location for a wedding. And this next wedding, with gorgeous images from Michelle Turner Photography is the proof. I can literally smell the fresh, crisp, clean air in these images and I’m totally head over heels for all the nature inspired decor. See even more here!

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From Michelle Turner Photography…Martha and Eliot met while they were both stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine.  Several years, base reassignments, and deployments separated them, but their wedding day marked the beginning of their life together, as they were both finally assigned to Virginia- at the same base again for the first time since Brunswick NAS.  Their ceremony site was situated overlooking the Penobscot River at historic Fort Knox in Maine- this picturesque piece of American history served as the beautiful backdrop for these two active duty naval aviators.  Martha and Eliot radiated love throughout the day, smiling and laughing at each other constantly.  The ceremony was punctuated by moments of tenderness and humor- they had several surprises for each other, and Eliot (and most of the guests in attendance) was first surprised and then delighted as the cannons were fired upon the pronouncement of the two as husband and wife.  Likewise, Martha was surprised by the two antique vehicles (one of them an antique Mack Truck!) which appeared to whisk her to and from the reception site.  The fireworks display and sparkler exit was a surprise to all of the guests, who enjoyed each and every unexpected turn of the wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Michelle Turner Photography / Ceremony Location: Fort Knox / Event Planning + Reception Location: The Retreat at French’s Point / Tent: Sperry Seacoast Tents / Flowers: Branch Pond Flowers / Fireworks: Central Maine Pyrotechnics / Wedding Dress: Lea Ann Belter / Jacket: Sandi McKeen

How perfect is this next fall-inspired wedding by Joyelle West Photography?  It just screams autumn in New England with the bright mix of colors reminiscent of the changing leaves, the adorable use of pumpkins throughout the decor from the invitations to the ceremony seats and the falling leaves cascading down the wedding cake.  Guests were even treated to a Massachusetts staple during the cold weather months – hot apple cider!  There is so much charm and personality to be found in each and every detail. See them all in the full gallery!

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From Joyelle West Photography…The Great House at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA was the setting for the lovely fall wedding of Julie and Patrick. The ceremony was outdoors on the Grand Allée, a series of rolling hills on the lawn that ends with a view of the ocean. The reception was held inside the mansion, overlooking the wildlife refuge and winding salt marshes.

Julie and Patrick incorporated elements of New England in the fall – they offered guests warm apple cider; the colors of their wedding were yellow, orange, and sapphire blue; and pumpkins decorated everything, from their invitations, to the chairs at the ceremony, to the ceremony steps, to the table décor. Julie and Patrick met at Harvard University, so they used places at Harvard that were special to them as table names. They also both worked at Let’s Go, a series of travel books that is published by Harvard students, so they used the Let’s Go logo as placecards. The final autumn touch was the cake, which was decorated with branches and falling leaves of yellow, orange, and red.

Wedding Photography: Joyelle West Photography / Florist: Dana Markos / Wedding Cake: Cakes for Occasions / Invitations: Smudge Ink / Caterer: Timothy S. Hopkins Catering / Hair + Make-up: Carolina Velasco / Favors: Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie / Rolls Royce: Sir Charles Limousine / Venue: The Great House at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

You just know when you go to a wedding at The Rod and Gun Club that it’s gonna be a good time! I love this laid back couple’s approach to their big day…they just wanted to create a fun day that everyone would remember. Summer Street Photography was on hand to capture all the pretty-pretty details like the beautiful lace dress that the bride’s grandmother handmade, the gorgeous bunches of hydrangeas, and the wonderful and no doubt delicious display of donuts. I’m telling you, this wedding is quickly climbing to the top of my charts! Click here for even more of this fun and festive day!

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From the Bride….When Seth proposed to me in August of last year with his ridiculously sweet video, it completely set the tone for the wedding we would have. No matter what we did, we knew it had to be fun. I tried not to over-complicate things and stuck with one bridesmaid (my sister), one groomsman (Seth’s brother). The hardest part was finding the reception venue that fit in our budget and style. We did our best to get the most bang for our buck, while at the same time not losing our sanity. We highly recommend our vendors from that day, Kendra and Matt at Summer Street Photography, DJ Ken, Jillian at New England Rentals, and Brian at Maynard Rod and Gun Club. They were all absolutely phenomenal!

From Summer Street Photography…When we arrived at the Rod and Gun Club in Maynard, Massachusetts and heard rifles firing in the distance, we knew it was going to be an awesome wedding. They choose elements that truly reflected their warm, laid-back personalities such as opting for a doughnut dessert spread over a traditional wedding cake, having her grandmother hand make her wedding gown, installing a guest photo booth under a moose head mount and serving barbecue on vintage place settings. After the sweetest first look we’ve ever seen, we headed to the church stopping to capture a few portraits of them at their favorite roadside ice cream stand and apple orchard. Following the joyful and teary eyed ceremony they headed back to the Rod and Gun Club to be showered with loving toasts from their friends and family. We stole them away from the dance party just in time to capture a few sunset portraits in a nearby field of goldenrod flowers. An awesome wedding indeed.

Wedding Photography: Summer Street Photography / Day of Coordination, Decor + Rentals: New England Vintage / Ceremony Location: St. Rose of Lima / Reception Location: Maynard Rod and Gun Club / Flowers: Mugford’s Flower Shoppe / Catering: Firefly’s BBQ / Donuts: Kane’s Donuts / DJ: DJ Ken Drew / Invitation Printing: Arnold’s Copy and Printing / Wedding Dress: Bride’s Grandmother / Fabric & Dress Notions: F&S Fabrics / Bride’s Hair Flowers: EmersonMade / Bride’s Shoes: Frye Boots / Groom’s Shoes: Converse / Groom’s Shirt: Rochester Big and Tall

Engagement Shoots are such a great way to get your feet wet in front of the camera before the big day and of course, the bonus is having fantastic images of you are fiance that don’t involve a big, white dress. (Believe me, you’ll have plenty of those pretty images too.) Kelly Dillon Photography snapped today’s engagement delights and they are about as cute as you can get. The couple, the Massachusetts coastline, the old boat… it is a blast of New England goodness and you can see the FULL engagement right here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Our engagement shoot was one of the most memorable days I have had since Aaron and I got engaged back in February.  While we are busy planning our dream “Winter Wonderland” wedding it was fun to do something completely different for our engagement shoot and just enjoy the beautiful weather and each other.  Our wedding will be glamorous and formal so we went with a more laid back, casual and simple engagement shoot.

Kelly Dillon was so fabulous and wonderful to work with and thank you to Rita Sorrentino of Chanel cosmetics for doing my make-up and making me feel beautiful!  Thank you also to my loving parents and my incredible team from Hopple Popple for making this wedding planning experience so memorable!

From Hopple Popple…Beautiful, radiating warmth, magnetic, glowing …words which aptly describe Lacey and Aaron, and as well, words which describe their upcoming wedding in so many ways.  While creating their “Winter Wonderland”, filled with a warm  candle-lit glow and the sparkle of ice and snow, they are always focused on their guests having a fun, warm and memorable experience.  We feel confident that their family and friends will “feel the love”!

Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Event Planning: Hopple Popple

Megan Davies + Amy Hawkes of Click Imagery Photography have stolen our hearts with this number. It is a breath of fresh, Massachusetts air and filled with so many lovely details along with the perfect smidgen of bright yellow. Fino Fresh Floral Design added their flare for gorgeous floral arranging and rounding up the package of all out pretty is the loveliest stationery courtesy of Paper Moss. Yes, this is what we like to call a natural beauty and it’s all yours to devour in the full gallery.

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From the Bride…Nate and I have been together since high school (set-up for a town dance, true story), and were married on a Sunday afternoon in our hometown almost nine years later. After months of preparation and a week of chaotic details, head colds and thundery forecasts, June 5, 2011 unfolded as one big, beautiful, blue-skied gift. My husband and I are both Masters of Divinity students at Yale, pursuing careers in ministry and the arts, so we were super excited to design the ceremony ourselves, finding ways to mix tradition with funky liturgy and personal touches. My mother, an ordained minister, officiated along with our home church pastor. Children rang chimes, and our friends played violin, piano, guitar and drums, including a gorgeous version of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Nate and I each walked down the aisle, given to one another equally by all four parents. My nephew carried our rings in the secret compartment of an antique book. The vine leaf pattern on our custom programs and invitations was designed to match the lace pattern on my dress. My “something old” gold bracelet belonged to my great-grandmother and namesake. We had four readings: two scripture (Ruth & 1 John), one poem (Whitman), and one selection of rap lyrics (“The Light” by Common). To express both our unity and individuality, we wrote half our vows together, half on our own. Celebrating communion was the first thing we did as a married couple. My father-in-law baked the bread, and Nate and I served the elements, allowing for some of the most miraculous, intimate moments of the day.

At the end of the service, everyone followed the wedding party outside, where our band surprised guests with a jazzed up version of “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands.” Flower girls passed out bubbles, and everyone surrounded us in one giant circle for the final blessing. This is my favorite memory, standing there with my new husband, literally encircled by love, support, and pure joy. Our reception was just down the road at Elm Bank (home of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society)—cocktails in the gardens, dinner and dancing in an old carriage house. The flowers were soft, simple, and whimsical: yellows, soft pinks and ivories, lots of peonies and ranunculus in fun containers. Our family friend helped mastermind the garden-party vision, finding wire plant stands, which we spray painted white and filled with potted plants that doubled as favors.

My craft-ambitions tend to surpass my actual skills at makin’ things, so my lovely bridesmaids came to the rescue to tie twine and stamp escort cards (which were clothespinned to a garden trellis). My dad took the prize for unexpected DIY extraordinaire, helping with bookmark favors I’d designed with favorite quotations (half I chose from Shakespeare, the other half from poems picked by Nate). The food was a big hit—seasonal veggies, family style sides like mac and cheese, passed mini-ice cream cones along with a traditional cake (gold with raspberry jam and lemon buttercream). Little bird salt-and-pepper-shakers I’d had in college became cake toppers. It was magical seeing all the details breathe themselves into life, but what sticks with me most is the whirl of faces, words of wonder, happy-tears and bear hugs. Nobody wanted to stop dancing, so we got the band to stick around for one more rocking set. Nate and I were the last ones to leave.

Wedding Photography: Megan Davies + Amy Hawkes of Click Imagery Photography / Ceremony Location: Wellesley Hills Congregational Church / Reception Location: Elm Bank at Massachusetts Horticultural Society / Floral Design: Fino Fresh Floral Design / Caterer: MAX Ultimate Food / Wedding Cake: The Icing on the Cake / Linen: Table Toppers of Newton / Cake Linen + Welcome Table Linen: BHLDN / Band: Theodicy Jazz Collective / Transportation: Christopher Limousine, Le Limo + Sunshine Taxi / Invitations: Paper Moss / Bookmarks: The Bride (image motifs by Paper Moss) / Potted Plants: Fino Fresh Floral Design / Make-up: Makeup by Aly / Hair: Kate Sibilia from Lisa James Salon / Wedding Gown: Kelima K / Veil: Twigs and Honey / Bride’s Shoes: Something Bleu / Wedding Bands: Sarah Perlis / Suit: Hugo Boss via Nordstrom

I lived in Boston for many years – so after seeing this gorgeous island affair by Hannah Persson Photo, I am kicking myself for never taking a little day trip to the Harbor Islands! It looks like an absolutely stunning place for an east coast clambake wedding, and these pictures are the proof that my theory is dead on. Plus, any wedding that serves up lobster and clams makes my seafood-loving soul swoon! I highly recommend that you taking a little day trip to the full gallery of images to soak it all in!

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From Hannah Persson Photo…This wedding took place on Thompson Island, only a quick half-hour ferry ride from Long Wharf. Starting off your big day with a beautiful ferry ride puts everyone in even greater spirits. The weather was beautiful, the guests were so happy, and Jeff and Andrea were so in love.  The colors were a perfect summer combination of orange and blue/teal. Thompson Island has so many beautiful old buildings. The one in particular where Andrea got ready had beautiful natural light streaming through old wooden windows. The ceremony took place on the edge of the Island, where you could clearly see across the water to Boston’s beautiful skyline. One of the fun parts was riding around in golf carts all over the Island, scouting out locations to shoot with the bride and groom.

After the ceremony, we took about an hour and drove to several separate locations for the couple pics– two of my favorites being a very old sail boat sitting in the grass and an old stone wine cellar. The amount of photo ops on this island was astounding. Everywhere I looked, I wanted to take pictures. It was like being on a magical extension of beautiful Boston. The people running the Island were so fantastic and so competent. The lobsters were incredible, the details were perfect, and ending the day late at night with everyone on the ferry together, heading towards the Boston skyline was unbelievable. Such a great night and unforgettable.

Wedding Photography: Hannah Persson Photo / Wedding Coordinator of the Island: Denise Roaf / Events Director of the Island: Jim Scully / Hair + Make-up: DIY / Location: Thompson Island of the Harbor Islands

There are few things I love more than a nautical New England affair, so it goes without saying that I am a very, very happy blogger this lovely Wednesday morning, all thanks to the uber-amazing Soiree Floral and those beautiful blooms.  Yes, this gorgeous Nantucket affair is filled to the brim with floral lovely and that’s just the beginning.  From the fabulous bridesmaid dresses (I want one) to the charming chapel and a beautiful lace Valentino gown, I am officially smitten with every ounce of maritime goodness perfectly coordinated by Jimmy Jaksic.  Lucky for us, Cary Hazlegrove was there to capture all of the pretty, so don’t miss a moment.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… It couldn’t have been a more perfect day; not a cloud in the sky, a morning hike up to Altar Rock, sandwiches from Something Natural, a beautiful day on Cisco Beach, a visit to Bartlett Farms, ending with a sunset picnic at Great Point. It was a quintessential Nantucket day and unbeknownst to me the beginning of the next chapter of my life. It was slightly before 8, as the sun was setting that Douglas asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. Not an hour later, we had decided Nantucket was the obvious choice for our wedding the following summer. Two days later, we were sitting across the table from Jimmy Jaksic, who would quickly become our best friend over the next year. Jimmy is one in a million. Anyone fortunate enough to meet him, immediately falls in love with his quick wit and warm heart. Jimmy came to us by way of recommendation from family friend, Cary Hazlegrove.  Jimmy and Cary’s guidance proved invaluable as we compiled our wedding vendor list.

Our wedding day provided everyone with a glimpse of Nantucket fog.  While hazy all day, the light rain cleared as Darya of Darya Salon and her team along with makeup artist Meghan Sullivan arrived in Sconset to work their magic for the bridal party. It was a lovely afternoon filled with laughter, food and drink; while, Douglas and his groomsmen had their own gathering down the road. In the blink of an eye it was close to 5 o’clock and I would be walking down the aisle towards the love of my life.  The wedding ceremony was very important to us. We spent hours with Hank Bristol, a lifelong friend and Deacon, to help make our service very personal.  We had lost two of our parents to cancer and wanted to weave their memory into our service.  We chose a hymn based on a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Douglas’s Mom’s favorite Saint.  Then we honored my Father’s Scottish heritage by having a bagpiper play during our recessional.  A highlight of the ceremony was during our vows the first glimpse of sunshine in two days began glistening through the Chapel windows shining down on Douglas and I.

The celebration continued at Sankaty Head Golf Club where Dawn Kelly of Soiree Floral accented the room with three different table designs using flowers and Placesetters’ linens.  The floral arrangements on the tables were magnificent and reflected the flowers used in the bridal party’s bouquets. Dawn’s talent depicted an aura of “simple, classic, elegance” exactly what we had envisioned. The Sankaty Club prepared a delicious meal highlighted by their incredible raw and sushi bars on the porch. The service was impeccable and everything ran seamlessly.  Our wedding cake prepared by Pam Goddard was spectacular with a traditional basket weave wedding cake and a groom’s cake which was an exact replica of Douglas’s race car.  The night was complete as we danced the night away with our family and friends to the wonderful music of Boston-based Beantown. As Douglas and I approach our two month anniversary, we continue to smile as we reflect on our wonderful wedding on Nantucket.  Thanks to the talented Cary Hazlegrove and Jordi Cabre we are able to re-live our wonderful day through the spectacular photographs. We are so amazed how they captured our wedding so perfectly.  As we reflect on the entire journey, the only thing we miss are the daily emails and phone calls with the wonderful people who came into our lives as vendors and transformed into friendships.  Our families want to thank these people, especially Jimmy, for going above and beyond to make our wedding a dream come true.

Wedding Coordinator: Jimmy Jaksic / Ceremony Location: Siasconset Union Chapel / Reception Location: Sankaty Head Golf Club / Floral Design: Soiree Floral / Wedding Photography: Cary Hazlegrove / Hair: Darya Afshari of Darya Salon / Make-up: Meghan Sullivan of Darya Salon / Music: Beantown / Wedding + Groom Cakes: Pam Goddard / Linens: Placesetters / Printing: The Pleasure of Your Company + Tiffany / Welcome Bags: Ack Gift Bags / Wedding Dress: Valentino / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo

I do believe this lovely bride is my new fashion icon.  Yes, indeed.  Any bride that can rock the coolest of hats from BHLDN (and one that I have been obsessing over for quite some time now), the most beautiful of wedding gowns from Mikaella Bridal and an all caps GORGEOUS bracelet via Rent The Runway is most definitely my new hero.  And to top it all off, she married her very own Prince Charming in an oh-so-lovely Cambridge soiree, complete with beautiful blue and white blooms crafted by Lauren Keene, bridesmaids wearing fascinators and billy ball boutonnieres.  Seriously.  Awesome.  And with stunning image after stunning image by Jo Cush Photography, this amazing wedding just made my day (and week).  Don’t miss a moment of pretty.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… Nick and I got engaged on Christmas morning- he surprised me in our living room with a sparkly star-shaped box inside was a blue plastic ring that said XOXO… long story short he picked up the real sparkly ring a week later and gave it to me in the same spot. We decided on a long engagement so that Nick’s family and friends could make the trip from England and so we could save money in order to help pay for the occasion.  During the year and a half leading up to June 11, 2011 I had the misfortune of my grandfather passing away.  I always pictured my wedding day with him there smiling at me being his charming and warm self.  To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement, but it put wedding planning into perspective and on the day I absolutely felt his spirit and warmth in the room.  Also, it gave my Mum and I a chance to be more creative and figure out a way to still include the past and people who had passed without being morbid.  We put a meaningful note about Papa and Nick’s Father Jim on the back of our wedding programs and surrounded our wedding cake with our parents and grandparents wedding pictures.  I love how my photographer Jo Cush captured pictures of our wedding cake but also incorporated  the framed photographs in the background.

During the planning process we decided the key parts would be a unique venue (The Charles Hotel), restaurant quality food (they didn’t disappoint) and open bar- once that was all decided Nick bowed out and I took over planning all details to create a personal and meaningful wedding day for us.  Since the majority of our budget was spent on food and booze I had to improvise the rest.  Etsy became my best friend and with a little luck, some amazing vendors and family support it came together without a hitch.  It was the most special and sweet day of our lives. Since both Nick and I are not religious we opted to have our best friend marry us- he did such a remarkable job and everyone said the ceremony was “so us”.  I was so happy that we didn’t conform to what a traditional wedding is and instead made it our own because at the end of the day a wedding is about the couple who is getting married.  I really wanted to incorporate hats and fascinators for me and my bridesmaids because Nick is from England and that is a popular style of wedding attire.  I loved being a bride and had such a fun time dressing up and marrying the love of my life.  My favorite part of the evening was during dinner, I was able to take a moment and take it all in- all our favorite people from far and wide in one room celebrating us as a newly married couple.

Wedding Photography + Photo Booth: Jo Cush Photography / Flowers: Lauren Keane Floral Design / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Location + Event Planning: The Charles Hotel / Wedding Invitations: Sandskirpts / Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal / Bracelet: Rent The Runway / Bride’s Hat: BHLDN / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bari Jay / Bridesmaids Fascinator: Custom via Owllamode / Hair: Shag Boston / Makeup: Danielle King Nordstrom Burlington / Photo Booth Props: ThePaperStache + MaroDesigns + LindenLovebirds / Escort Cards, Menu, Table Numbers + Programs: Lamaworks / Petal Cones: Cami’s Paperie Customized Paper Goods / Vintage Inspired Handkerchiefs: Gift Wagon / Stickers on Favors: Timelesspaperco / Favor Bags: Bellaterra / Guest Book Tree: Tkd4673 / Flower Girl Dresses + Headband: J.Crew / Groom’s + Groomsmen Tie: The Tie Bar

There’s nothing more romantic than an elopement filled with beautifully colored roses, an adorable fluffy dog, and a stroll through Boston Commons in the middle of July. This sweet couple wasn’t totally alone in their elopement because they invited their immediate family and I love how impromptu, yet perfectly planned their day was. Lynette Boyle Photography captured all the pretty details handled by the beautiful bride and there’s so much more here in the full gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Chris and I live in Norwalk, CT and got married 7/22 in Boston at city hall.  We have VERY large families and after being together for 5 years, 2 of them engaged we decided to have a surprise elopement.  My parents had planned a trip up north from South Carolina and we decided just a few days before they came that we would get married during their visit.  With very little time (less than a week) we pulled together a city hall ceremony followed by dinner at Rialto in Cambridge with our parents, my brother (his wife), his sister (her boyfriend), his grandparents & aunt and that’s it.

Currently I’m the Content Director for Teroforma (teroforma.com) & style their collateral, catalogs & blog, prior to that I was a stylist for Food & Wine Magazine as well as Martha Stewart.  I couldn’t have a “non” styled event even if it was an elopement.   Since styling is my background I insisted on making all the details (I also continue to freelance as a stylist).

The day before I went to the NYC flower market where I bought my flowers.  I knew the day would be hot so I wanted flowers that would hold up plus its slim pickings in July for flowers.  I ended up with roses (my last choice) but after seeing the color pallet I wouldn’t have had it any other way + they lasted.  We ended up getting married on the hottest day in history for Boston and even the next day they looked fantastic.  That night after a little send off dinner with a few friends I went back home to make the details a put the flowers together.

Some of the details included my necklace to coordinate with my pink and purple colors, monograms & hankies. I tried to pull together an intimate wedding with all the touches I would have wanted in a larger wedding.

Photography: Lynette Boyle Photography / Make-up: Kacie Corbelle / Dinner + Wedding Cake: Rialto / All Other Details: Lauren Fister

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Newport is such a fab little destination wedding location for New Englanders. Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Boston and the likes, and full of style and history – Newport produces loads of pretty. And this wedding by Lisa Rigby Photography at Belle Mer is most definitely pretty. SUPER pretty. Overflowing with flowers from Stoneblossom and stylish details around every corner, it’s pretty and THEN some! See it all for yourself in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…John proposed one year to the day after our first weekend away together at our favorite NYC hotel. I was completely surprised and over the moon happy. On our way home from celebrating our engagement that evening I found myself in front of an all night news stand buying wedding magazines. I couldn’t believe it was my turn to not just pass by this section but to finally start the fabulous adventure of planning our wedding. Being that John and I are both originally from NY but currently live in Boston we decided on a location that was half way between our two homes and Newport, RI was the perfect fit. We decided to do a mini-destination wedding in this beautiful seaside town. Belle Mer was our first appointment and we fell in love.Our wedding theme came easily to us since the venue was on the ocean and we booked a summer date, we wanted a modern seaside chic wedding filled with lots of personal touches that reflected our style. After securing the color scheme and choosing the bridesmaid dresses we went with a navy, bright purple and white color palette with accents of aqua.

Following Style Me Pretty religiously throughout the planning process I was inspired by so many beautiful weddings and took details that I liked and then put our own spin and style on them. I learned what I wanted our photographs to look like and knew I wanted both photos and film to capture our emotions on the big day. Lisa Rigby and Still Motion were the two best vendors who really understood that. Flowers and paper goods were my next obsessions. I wanted peonies & hydrangea everywhere an Stone Blossom seemed as giddy as I was planning out an all white floral palette with the only color being my wedding bouquet. Miss Pickles Press worked with me over the course of a year designing all the paper items and dreamed up the exact look we wanted for our modern wedding. Details were so important to us and we really felt made the wedding special to John and me. I envisioned beautiful pillows, frames, apothecary jars, mirrors, vases everywhere and was able to find them all on Etsy. Every Etsy vendor I worked with was amazing and really gave me custom items to match our wedding. I was constantly surprised when everything came out better then I had imagined.

On the day of the wedding we had the most beautiful weather and everything went as we exactly as we had planned. It was the best overwhelming feeling of love and happiness we have ever felt and will always remember. We will be forever grateful to everyone who helped make all of our dreams come true on our special day!

Wedding Photography: Lisa Rigby Photography / Film Makers: StillMotion / Venue: Belle Mer / Floral Design: Stoneblossom / Wedding Cake + Groom’s Cake: Confectionery Designs / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via Kleinfelds / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale via L’Élite / Band: Night Rhythm / Cocktail Hour Band: Steel Rhythm / Save the Date: Cheree Berry Paper / Wedding Invitations + Day of Paper Items: Miss Pickles Press / Navy + Aqua Pillows: Willa Skye Home / White + Navy LOVE Pillow: Wrap it Up LLC / Table Frames: Frame it by Jill / Hammered Silver Items: West Elm / Bridesmaid Rings: Toosis / LOVE Dishes: Say Your Piece / Wedding Mugs: Timeless Creations / Ring Pillow: Giggle Room / Silver Urchin Escort Card Holders: Gallery 360 / H&J Wood Letters: Compulsive Collection / Vases for Drink Stirrers: CB2 / Tote Bag Design: QA Design

Elegance, pure, simple and just the way we like it, is in full swing throughout this lovely Boston wedding.  The beautiful ballroom is perfectly decorated with gilded details and unexpected touches like the fun keys found as part of the escort cards.  Unique Weddings by Alexis really brought the pretty in full force when they designed this beauty and Grazier Photography magically captured every delightful moment.  See them all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Matt and I met in high school. We first started “dating” the summer going into our sophomore year.  Since we didn’t have cell phones back then to exchange numbers or text messages, poor Matt had called about 15 other Ryan Families in the phone book before he got to the right one to ask me out on our first date! Thank goodness he didn’t stop after just a few wrong numbers!  We were inseparable throughout high school. Back then, even though we were young, we were smart enough to know we had something special.  We knew we would get married some day. It’s written in our yearbooks! We moved into our first place together in Charlestown about 3 years ago.  Charlestown is such a beautiful part of Boston.  We fell in love with it right away and it will always hold a very dear place in our hearts as it is where we started our life together.

I looked to Style Me Pretty, Etsy and other local blogs for inspiration and ideas.  Every detail fell into place.  It had all the charm and romance we had hoped for. It was a grand celebration after a very personal and beautiful ceremony.  Having the wedding in the Oval Room at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel was far more special and significant to Matt and I than one might initially think. Almost ten years to the day, in June 2001, Matt and I had danced the night away together at our Senior Prom in the Oval room at The Fairmont Copley.  We had told each other then how much we loved each other but I don’t think either of us would have guessed that we’d be dancing there again at our wedding some day. It was a beautiful reminder of where our journey started and how far we’ve come together.

Standing next to Matt while he thanked our guests for sharing our wedding day with us and thinking how lucky I was that he was now my husband.  Then watching him sing his heart out with the band to one of his favorite Bruce songs, Glory Days! RC Uplighting set off the most amazing confetti bomb over the crowd as Matt was jumping off the stage at the end of the song.  It was priceless!! And lastly… The sun coming out that day.  My grandmother whom I was very close with had passed away shortly after Matt and I were engaged. Throughout our entire engagement I would pray to her for help and guidance through the planning process.  The weather report said the wedding day was going to be overcast with chances of thunderstorms all day and night.  Luckily the rain held out the entire day and at 5:30pm on the dot, the sun came out!  I’ll never forget being on the Trolley, passing the Public Gardens on the way to the church and the sun coming through the clouds. It was amazing and as I tried to hold back tears I looked at my Mom and told her I had asked Nanny for a little sunshine.  She came through like always!

Venue: Fairmont Copley Plaza / Church: St Mary’s in Charlestown / Wedding Planner + Designer: Unique Weddings by Alexis / Wedding Photography: Grazier Photography / Wedding Videography: Artistic Wedding Video Group / Wedding Cake: Cakes to Remember / Lighting: RC Uplighting / Florist: Bella Floral Design / Linen + Chair Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Hair Stylist: Kristine Collines / Make-up: Lynne Avallone / Invitations: Blush Design Studios / Bridal Gown: Priscilla’s of Boston / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bridal Reflections / Men’s Tuxedo: MW Tux / Jeweler: Barmakian / Favors: Sweet Cupcakes / Band: Kahootz / Bagpiper: Ed O’Callaghan / Transportation: Beantown Trolley, Brush Hill Tours / Rehearsal Dinner: Wine Cellar at Mooo Restaurant

There’s just something so classic and beautiful about Cape Cod weddings that I just can’t seem to get enough of them and this wedding is certainly no exception. This laid back, beautiful bride gave her groom-to-be the reins on setting the stage for their big day and based all the design and color around his custom made suit by Franklin + Gower. The groom’s great taste in color paid off and the proof is in the pretty, pretty images by Zev Fisher Photography filled with gorgeous shades of blues and greens. This wedding is casual Cape Cod elegance at its best and if you want to see more, just click right here!

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From the Bride…Most people who know Dave would say that he has an eccentric and colorful wardrobe stocked full of Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer and any other companies that create pink, purple or turquoise men’s clothing. He also has a penchant for customized clothing, and had his dress shirt for the wedding monogrammed with our initials (B+D) along with our wedding date. Unlike most traditional planning situations, the groom’s choice of attire was the inspiration for the entire wedding. He found a unique company, Franklin + Gower, which creates custom tuxedo-like pants and blazers using the fabrics of your choice. After checking out the merchandise during a trip to Los Angeles, he settled on a turquoise, lime green, white and periwinkle blue pattern. Not only would it be used in the groom and groomsmen’s pants, but their bow ties were made of the same fabric, and the fathers had pocket squares lined in the material. F+G graciously provided extra fabric, which enabled us to wrap the bridesmaids’ bouquets and give the wedding party a cohesive look. However, the clothes were only the beginning as the pattern was also used on the invitations, menu cards, thank you cards, and cake. The linens were color coordinated to match using periwinkle blue and lime green throughout the ballroom.

Because the feeling was fun and casual, we wanted our flowers and the decor to evoke the same vibe. With the expert help of Patrice Milley, we chose non-traditional centerpieces for all of the guest tables that were made of grapewood pieces with orchids and small bunches of flowers attached to the branches and surrounded by candles. The giant head table of 27 ran through the center of the room and was adorned with vases of towering curly willow, low arrangements of white and green flowers such as hydrangeas and roses, and a multitude of votive candles. For the ceremony, Patrice enhanced the outdoor setting with an airy birch branch chuppah and birch containers placed along the aisle, overflowing with white and green flowers. Because of our different religious backgrounds, we wanted the ceremony to be non-denominational yet also incorporate elements from both traditions. A close family friend, Judge Gary Nickerson, performed the ceremony and we stood under a chuppah, the traditional Jewish wedding canopy. Dave also broke the glass at the closing of the ceremony, and we later signed a ketubah. In honor of my Irish roots, Judge Nickerson read an Irish blessing, and we asked guests to participate in a Celtic Pebble Toss during the reception.

Many of the other details could not have been accomplished without the help of our dear family and friends in addition to a little of our own elbow grease. Dave’s parents collected rocks along the shores of Little Compton beaches that were used as place cards. His father built the wooden containers used to hold the sand for their display. He also built the signs used to direct guests to the ceremony and reception, which my father then painted in our colors. Local artist, Greg Vaughn, did the lettering on the signs. With the help of a dear friend, Ben Closson, we created a custom monogram that was used on our stationery, cake and cocktail napkins. Ben also designed several signs and the menu cards. Another friend and designer, Jill Pertuso, created the cards that acknowledged our donation to the MSPCA in lieu of favors. Dave and I hand collected approximately ten pounds of sea glass on the shores of Cheung Chau, an island in Hong Kong. Small vases filled with the glass and floating orchids decorated the cocktail tables. In recognition of Dave’s love of sailing, and the company that he created with his father, each table was named after a different knot, and knot boards with hand tied knots were taken as keepsakes by many guests. Guests were also treated to a special performance of Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel and More Than a Woman by R&B legend, Grammy winner and family friend, Ralph Tavares. At the end of the evening, we rode away in ultimate style as my father gave us his 1980 limited edition MG, which was the first car that he and my mom bought together.

Wedding Photography: Zev Fisher Photography / Floral Design: Patrice R. Milley / Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet / Bride’s Shoes: Burberry / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit + Groomsmen Pants: Franklin + Gower / Shirt: Alabaster & Chess / Groom’s Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider / Venue + Catering: Ocean Edge Resort / Wedding Cake: Casual Gourmet / Chair + Linen Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Menu Cards: Ben Closson / Band: Men in Black / Special Musical Guest: Ralph Tavares / Ceremony Musicians: Boston String Quartet / Hair + Make-up: The Makeup Artists / Officiant: Judge Gary Nickerson

For the Girls
By Erica Corsano, Senior Curator, Gilt City Boston

I’ve never been one of those girls who spends her teenagehood flipping through bridal magazines while dreaming about her future Prince Charming. In fact, most things bridal make me cringe. Having said that, I do plan on being a bride someday (hint, hint, BF reading this) and when that magical day finally arrives, I hope to find ways to make it unique, counter-culture and truly special. Here are my quick picks for bridesmaid outings and gifting options that will help those of you who already have a ring on your finger do just that.

Boston Bridal Lounge
This is one of Boston’s only true spaces dedicated to all things bridal. Have your bridesmaids gather there to meet your makeup artist, dress designer and jeweler— all in one place. Part concierge service, part showroom, the space was designed to make it easier for brides (and their bridesmaids) meet with the various vendors involved in planning the perfect wedding.

Exhale at the Fairmont Battery Wharf
The newest Exhale in the area is at the beautiful waterfront Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel. This branch of the national spa/fitness chain, has a special room meant for entertaining with scenic views of the harbor.  Gather with your bridesmaids to nibble, drink, chat, and relax after your day if pampering at Exhale’s spa.

Salon Jean Pierre
This is a one-stop-beauty and accessorizing shop right on Newbury street. Sit back, sip, nibble, and get beautified. From cuts and colors, to treatments, extensions, blow-outs, nails and makeup, have your best friends around you for your bridal hair test—and let them join in on the beautification action. The icing on the cake? Their’s a built-in accessories pop-up boutique called Elisha Daniels, where you can pick out pieces to gift your gals or just shop for fun.

Boston Duck Tours
Yes, I said it, duck tours. Be a tourist in your own town. Here’s why: you can actually rent your own duck tour bus/boat for a few hundred dollars and customize the tour. End at your favorite restaurant for a champagne reception. There’s nothing cheesy or touristy about that, darling.

M. Flynn
Started a few years back by two local sisters, this South End boutique sells adorable, preppy-chic jewelry and small gift items. They’ve worked with brides across the country to create bridesmaids gifts that will be worn long after your special day. If you’re looking for custom jewelry design, hit up their adjacent showroom, which also features bridal jewelry and accessories.

Diseno
This South American-inspired home goods and gift shop is right on the edge of Boston’s South End. Find ethnic goods from around the world including housewares, music and accessories. This is the perfect place for the world-traveling, hippie-chic bride to find unique gifts for her bridesmaids (or decorate her new post-marital digs).

Good
Good is a true, modern-day curiosity shop with a perfectly-edited selection of jewelry, artwork, scarves, home items, unisex goodies and so much more. Most of the merchandise is unique or one-of-a-kind, making it perfect for gifting gals and guys alike.

Twilight
This award-winning boutique sells the best party dresses in town. Agree on a color and have the girls pick out a dress that suits their style and shape—a non-traditional route to bridesmaids dresses. Or, have the stylish gals that work there plan a shopping night for you and your nearest and dearest, which includes drinks, nibbles and major discounts.

Portobello Road
A fashion boutique-meets-florist shop, this Chestnut Hill gem is filled with an array of fabulous clothing, jewelry and home items. The overall look and vibe is hippie-glam, that’s somehow more “Boston” than “L.A.”. Favorites include: vintage-inspired glassware, bohemian-chic baubles and ultra-cool plant terrariums—all perfect for gifting.

And there you have it! A go-to-guide for your and bridesmaids for the ultimate days of pampering, sight seeing and shopping!

There are so many things I love about this wedding, I am not quite sure where to begin.  I could start with those centerpieces that were designed by the bride and groom, complete with hanging candles, crystals and a whole lot of wow.  Or I could mention the beautiful color palette of brown and green and the bride’s stunning J.Crew gown, which I absolutely adore.  OR I could just skip right ahead to those amazing photos by Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography, which have completely blown me away with their beauty.  Seriously gorgeous.  Yes, there is definitely a lot to love about this fabulous soiree, so prepare yourself for all of the pretty and join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… We wanted every aspect of our wedding to be filled with significance and ultimately be a reflection of what matters most to us, our faith, family and our friends.  The primary motif of our wedding was light, symbolizing what we believe Christ to be to our world. Since both Gerhard and I are trained as architects, the MIT chapel was the perfect location for our ceremony. Not only was the chapel, designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, an excellent example of mid-century modern chapels, the scale and atmosphere of the interior were also ideally suited for what we envisioned. Against the dark backdrop of undulating brick walls, beams of bright light stream down, cascading off the sculpture and onto the white altar, bathing those taking part in the ceremony in bright white light. Our vows were written by ourselves and performed partly in English and partly Afrikaans, and with a striking performance by our violinist and cellist the result was an unforgettable ceremony.

After considering several venues for our reception we decided on the fellowship hall at Redeemer Fellowship Church, our church in Watertown. The double volume space of this recently renovated hall provided a classic setting with a warm atmosphere. Here we had ample opportunities to add special touches to the space through the addition of custom made, but meaningful decorations.  We designed and fabricated the centerpieces and chandeliers ourselves. Crystal strings provided a sense of verticality, tying the glass chandeliers and bent wood centerpieces together. The scattered tea-lights and suspended candles added a soft glow to the room, and as the night became darker the glow became brighter. Our combined well wishes and guest book consisted of photos from our courtship our guests wrote messages on that we intend to bind in a book. As a thank you gift we gave each guest a small canvas bag filled with traditional South African Rooibos tea and a rusk.

Broadway Gourmet provided a delicious barbeque dinner, ending it with their chocolate filled red velvet cupcakes guests couldn’t get enough of. Thank you to Deborah Teo, our cellist, and Susie Kim our violinist. A big thank you to Mikhail Glabets for capturing this, one the most important days in our lives, in such a beautiful fashion. Your work speaks for itself, and it speaks to us, every time we look at the photos.

Wedding Photography: Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: MIT Chapel / Wedding Reception Location: Redeemer Fellowship Church / Catering & Cupcakes: Broadway Gourmet / Bridal Party Flowers: Petali Flowers / Small Topper Cake: Yum Bunnies Cakery / Orchid Plants: Mahoney’s Garden Center / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Hair: Franco’s Hair Studio / Wedding Design & Decor: DIY / Table Floral Arrangements & Centerpieces: DIY / Wedding Program & Invitations: DIY / Favors: DIY