Massachusetts Weddings

A wedding infused with gorgeous gold accents has SMP written all over it. So, when this pretty little number landed in our inbox we just couldn’t wait to share it. You see, it’s a day filled with not just love but plenty of pretty. I’m talking sparkling sequined accents and one gorgeous BHLDN gown (just to name a few)! Straight from Kelly Dillon it’s a gallery of goodness and it’s all right here.

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From the beautiful Bride… Tommy and I both grew up in Weymouth; we went to High School together and graduated a year apart. We always had mutual friends and socialized with one another every so often. In our later 20’s we both bought homes in Weymouth that were only a block apart. One of my best friends was living with Tommy at the time and this is when we really started to spend more time together. We all started having a weekly dinner together on Thursday nights. I love to cook and entertain and Tommy loves to eat! Tommy always cleared his plate and would rave about my cooking. He would never let me clean a dirty dish or pan in the kitchen. I think that’s really when I started to fall for him. He would wash and I would dry and we would just talk. Our relationship really developed over food, wine and time. One of these Thursday night dinners was spent eating grilled pizza and drinking wine by a fire in my backyard. That night Tommy and I were the last ones by the fire, he kissed me and life changed for the better in an instant. We started dating and as the saying goes the rest is history.

Tommy always plans nights away for special occasions. For my 33rd birthday he planned an amazing weekend for us at the Chatham Bars Inn. It was my first time staying there and my love affair with CBI was born. Later in the year for my Mother’s birthday I planned a night away for her, my Father, Tommy and I at Chatham Bars Inn. What I did not know was Tommy had a plan of his own. My Mom and I went to Chatham early in the day to spend time together shopping, having lunch, just doing Mom and daughter stuff. Tommy “had to work” and he would drive down with my Dad later in the day. That afternoon Tommy went to my parent’s house and asked my Father for his daughter’s hand in marriage and of course my Dad agreed. That evening we had dinner reservations at the Sacred Cod, we decided to have a cocktail before in our main inn room. Tommy always starts the night with a toast, so of course when he asked us all to join him on the balcony to toast the birthday girl, I still suspected nothing. After a very touching toast to my Mother, he turned to me and told me how beautiful I looked then reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. I knew immediately he was about to propose and the only way I know how to describe what happened next is comparing it to an out of body experience. The world just went away…along with my ability to hear. I put my glass of wine down and held onto that railing tight; I thought I was going to pass out right there and then. I just remember looking down at Tommy and the most amazing ring I had ever seen in my life. I did not hear one word that came out of his mouth so I can’t really say I heard his beautiful proposal. He finally stood up, hugged me tight and that’s when I started to cry and was able to finally get out…YES, YES, YES. It was the most wonderful moment of my life, up to that point ;). We spent the rest of the night celebrating and talking wedding. We decided that night that we would have our wedding at The Chatham Bars Inn. How could we do it anywhere else? The next morning when we woke up Tommy proposed again and this time I heard every word.

The next Saturday we were back at CBI booking our wedding for November 29, 2014 in the Beach House. Two days later I found out I was pregnant with our daughter, Sadie Grace. I really didn’t have a chance to plan anything more than the date and location at that point. Learning we were having a baby in June changed my focus completely. Everything shifted to becoming a mother and planning for a baby. Being a bride definitely got put on the backburner. A few months later my sister Sara sent me a pin of a stunning dress. I knew as soon as I laid my eyes on it I had to have that dress for my wedding day. Little did I know the Isadora dress from BHLDN was sold out everywhere. After some serious internet searching and international phone calls to find the dress, I still came up with nothing. After a month or so I gave up and decided it wasn’t meant to be. But as my sister Sara always has, she came to my rescue and found me the last Isadora dress from BHLDN.

The description of the Isadora dress is “a liberal sprinkling of gold and silver sequins” and that’s exactly what inspired the theme for the wedding. Everything décor wise stemmed from the design of the dress. From our beautiful gold gilded wedding invitations to the playful escorts cards and wedding cake that were dripping with golden dots to the to the handmade gold sequin tablecloths that shimmered and caught the light beautifully, to the golden LOVE artwork that my sister and I found together. Everything just fell in place perfectly. I definitely ran with gold and glamorous and never looked back!

The flowers for the wedding were so important to me. I wanted them to be able to stand up to the boldness of the gold theme that would be running throughout the reception space, but I wanted them to be a bit more subdued and tranquil while still making a big impact. I knew I was in good hands with Kristen Erickson from Flourish. I told her exactly what I wanted and we worked together to come up with what I think were two breathtakingly beautiful table scenes. One table would feature a single large arrangement and the other was made up of three smaller arrangements. The vessels were silver mercury glass and that is how I worked the silver sequins of my dress into the décor as well. They married perfectly with gold tones of the votives with the soft candlelight. It all sat on top of ivory linen with a beautiful sheer dove gray table runner. When I walked into the reception space on our wedding night I could not have been more overjoyed. The space looked so incredibly beautiful! It sparkled and it was everything I had envisioned and more.

Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography | Florist: Flourish Floral And Event Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Reception Venue: Chatham Bars Inn | Wedding Shoes: Old Navy | Jewelry: Bloomingdales | Bridesmaids: Ralph Lauren | Makeup: Tryst Studio | Band: Gig Masters - PartyPosh

You’ve followed her style musings on her infamously chic blog, City Tonic, and now that she’s rocking a left hand ring Jessye is joining the SMP ranks as our newest Blogger Bride. She’ll be sharing the ins and outs, ups and downs, and everything in between on her road to merry matrimony. Scroll below and read on to get to know Jessye a wee bit better!

From the beautiful Bride-to-be… Hello, Style Me Pretty brides! I’m so excited to share my wedding planning adventures over the next few months as SMP’s newest blogger bride! I’m a Boston-based art director/designer and a style blogger at citytonic.com – So, I’ll be writing about bridal fashion and accessories, plus offering some creative ideas for stationary, favors and more. This September, I’m marrying my best friend and the love of my life, Kevin, on Martha’s Vineyard (woohoo!).

My first official post felt like the perfect opportunity to share a few favorites from our engagement session with the amazingly talented (and fellow blogger Bride) Cambria Grace. We had so much fun walking around Beacon Hill (where our relationship began!) on a pretty spring evening—taking in the neighborhood’s historic charm and a stunning rooftop view of the city.

I met Kevin in December of 2011 when I was working at a Boston ad agency that was known for throwing legendary holiday parties every year. At the time, Kevin had just moved to Boston from Hawaii (by way of Australia… lucky guy) and was working for the event company that happened to be planning our agency’s holiday soirée. I had noticed him around the office and jokingly told my co-workers that I thought he was cute. So, the day after the party, one of them slipped Kevin my business card (unbeknownst to me) as he was leaving. An hour later, I received a text saying: “Hey, it’s Kev!”… and I figured I might as well take a chance, even though I had never gone on a date with a total stranger before. I tried to play it cool and suggested we grab a casual weeknight dinner in Beacon Hill. A few days later, I found myself seated across from Kevin in a cozy neighborhood restaurant and immediately knew I was with someone special.

Fast forward three years, it was pouring rain on Christmas Eve and I had just gone to the gym and grocery store after a half day at work. I told Kevin I’d be home by 3:00, but I ended up doing some last-minute holiday shopping and got home two hours later than promised. I was drenched, exhausted and juggling too many grocery bags when I opened our apartment door and realized all the lights were off. There were about 200 votive candles in our living room and every surface was covered in rose petals. Our dog, Oscar, was lying on the sofa nonchalantly—but there was no sign of Kevin.

I was standing immobile in the doorway, still holding my gym bag and groceries, when he finally walked into the room looking very dapper and carrying a beautiful bouquet. He literally had to instruct me to close the door and drop my bags because I was in some crazy state of shock! Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Sadly, he had planned to film the whole thing with his GoPro, but the battery died because I arrived so late! Still—despite the snags—the proposal was more perfect than I could have imagined. I loved that it was just the two of us (plus Oscar!) in our cozy apartment. Afterwards, we celebrated at my parents’ house (they were in on the whole plan!) with champagne and an amazing Christmas Eve dinner.

I’m so excited to share this amazing wedding planning journey with you – we’re in this together! Until next time!

Photography: Cambria Grace Photography | Jessye's Blazer: Rent The Runway | Jessye's Dress (look 1): Rent The Runway | Jessye's Dress (look 2): Rent The Runway | Jessye's Shoes (look 1): M.Gemi "Cammeo" Pumps | Jessye's Shoes (look 2): Saint Laurent | Kevin's Jacket: J.Crew | Kevin's Shirt: Blank Label

This darling duo took to the streets of downtown Boston near their home for this engagement session, and couldn’t possibly look any more in love. Can you tell we’re also totally smitten with the beautiful Bride-to-be’s adorable tulle ballerina skirt?! Check out all the pics from SMP fave, Ruth Eileen, and see every adorable angle here!

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From Photographer Ruth Eileen … The shoot began at their home on Bay State road, as so much of their relationship “firsts” have taken place on the four short blocks that are Bay State Road – It is where they met (their freshman dorm at Boston University), had their first kiss, first said “I love you”, and where they are currently sharing their first apartment.

We continued on to Boston’s South End to spend some time visiting two of their favorite cafes, South End Buttery and Gaslight. One of their favorite weekend activities is to go out for brunch. For the past few years, they have been going to Gaslight for brunch almost every Saturday and The South End Buttery almost every Sunday. After brunch, they love to leisurely wander around the South End’s cute neighborhoods and fantasize about one day owning their own brownstone overlooking Union Park.

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Restaurant: Gaslight | Restaurant: South End Buttery | Skirt: Alexandra Grecco

There’s no point in hiding it; I’m absolutely obsessed with this beautiful Bride’s entire look. From that hair piece to the Elizabeth Fillmore dress found at Ceremony Boston, I’m swooning. And that bouquet by Petal Floral? The icing on one delicious cake. Lindsey Ocker was lucky enough to capture it all in person and this gallery is a Pinterest treat to us all as we enter the weekend ahead!

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From The Bride… Mark and I had been dating for six years and friends for eight when he proposed on top a mountain overlooking Frenchman’s Bay in Acadia National Park in Maine. Overjoyed, we celebrated over pumpkin beers in nearby Bar Harbor before getting on the phone to share the happy news with our family and friends. Contrary to most of the well-meaning advice we received we jumped right into wedding planning!

For a long time, I had had my heart set on a reception at the Crane Estate, a 2,100 acre property in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Growing up nearby, I spent my childhood exploring the adjacent beach and sandbars from the water on my parent’s little boat. When Mark and I started dating he quickly became a part of these adventures, so the place was special to him, too. With most of his family coming from South Carolina, I wanted to treat them to a true New England experience worthy of their trip. We knew the historic home on the Estate, the Great House, offers a panoramic view of rolling farmlands, pristine marshes, Crane Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean. The wild natural beauty of the setting contrasts perfectly with the stately house and its manicured landscaping to form the most romantic spot. We were thrilled to be able to book it for a Friday evening in September.

Taking inspiration from the venue, I knew I wanted a look that was clean and structured, but with a few elements of drama and nature. My sister and mother helped me find my beautiful Elizabeth Fillmore wedding dress at Ceremony in Boston. It was a perfect mix of architectural design and natural softness, made of a stiff floral lace accented by organza petals. I ordered a beautiful floral headpiece from Jannie Baltzer Couture Headpieces in Denmark. When it arrived it was more gorgeous than I could have imagined and came with the nicest note from Jannie. Of course, the most special touches were my veil and tulle jacket for church, which my mother sewed herself!

One of the sweetest parts of the day was being able to get ready with my bridesmaids and parents at the house I grew up in. Karla Patricia made us all look flawless and Lena of Hair that Moves did all eight of my bridesmaids’ hair before shaping mine into a gravity-defying top-knot, which stayed effortlessly in place all night. Before I knew it our trolley arrived to take my parents and us girls to our church in Newburyport, a nearby seaside town. Meanwhile, Mark and his groomsmen had gotten dressed nearby and walked to the church, where they were busy handing out our Crane Paper programs ordered through Invitations by Design, who had also helped me custom create our beautiful invitations.

As I waited outside the church with my father and sister, a group of children from the school next door stood watching at a respectful distance. They were so excited by the whole procession, so as we went inside to walk down the aisle I invited them to come closer and watch. Mark said later that his favorite part of the whole day was seeing me for the first time as the church doors opened, but that he didn’t know who all the little faces behind me belonged to! Joining him at the front of church, I felt so peaceful and happy. We were married in a lovely ceremony punctuated beautifully by classical music. Then it was time to head to the Crane Estate for the party!

My mother and I had done most of the reception planning together inspired by the idea of honoring the season and location. Mark and I took a history tour of the Great House, learning more about the story of the Crane family in order to get ideas. Like us, they loved boating, so we ordered nautical charts of coastal Cape Ann to display our escort cards. For cocktail hour we accented the back patio with brass lanterns, hurricane glasses, and gold rimmed oyster shells. When our guests arrived at the Crane Estate, they were greeted by a decadent raw bar displayed in an antique dory by Vinwood Caterers. Our signature cocktail, the “September Storm,” a nod to the rum-runners of Ipswich’s past, was passed as a string quartet played.

As the sun went down, we all went inside for a delicious dinner of prosciutto wrapped chicken and filet mignon with local fall produce. We asked Becca Olcott at Petal Floral Design to make the flowers seem as though they could have been picked wild from just outside the house. She surpassed every expectation I had with the most beautiful bouquets and arrangements of dahlias, clover, and amaranthus in creams, pinks, reds, and purple. Our awesome reception band, Search Party wowed everybody for two hours of dancing, and guests looking for a break helped themselves to cannoli-flavored cake. As the night came to an end, we sent our guests off with bags of salt-water taffy.

The day was truly perfect. Despite multiple locations and the need to move people from various hotels to church and then the venue, everything ran really smoothly, thanks to Ana of Northshore Weddings by Ana, who we hired to do day-of coordination. The weather, always unpredictable in New England, was bright and warm. Most importantly, Mark and I felt truly loved and supported as we got married, and were thankful to my parents for hosting a fabulous party to help celebrate and show our gratitude to all those that got us there. We are incredibly grateful for the beautiful photographs by Lindsey Ocker, and the video by Heirloom Pictures, both of which will make it a joy to reminisce about this wonderful day throughout our marriage.

Photography: Lindsey Ocker Photography | Videography: Heirloom Pictures | Floral Design: Petal Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore | Cake: Topsfield Bakeshop | Invitations: Invitations By Design | Ceremony Venue: Immaculate Conception | Reception Venue: Crane Estate | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Kennedy Blue | Catering: Vinwood | Make-up: Karla Patricia | Hair: Hair That Moves | Band: Search Party | Bridal Boutique: Ceremony | Day-of Coordinator: Ana Stefanovich

Within seconds upon stepping foot on Nantucket, you feel its special charm and that energy is radiating from these Clayton Austin photos. Capturing the love between these two and their rustic yet elegant affair at the Great Harbor Yacht Club, we get to soak up everything from the pretty petals to the island views – not to mention one fabulous Oscar De La Renta gown. Our day just got off on a really good foot.

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From The Bride… Nantucket is a really special place; I’ve been going there with my family since I was a little girl, and it just holds so many happy, fun memories for me. It seemed fitting to have our wedding there and share a place that we love with all the people we love. In terms of the style we chose, we shied away from doing a nautical theme and instead tried to incorporate the more natural elements of Nantucket – the gorgeous colors, sunsets, water, cobblestone streets – by having our ceremony at the old South Church in town and then our reception right on the harbor at Great Harbor Yacht Club.

My husband and I met at graduate school on the border of New Hampshire and Vermont, so our design inspiration came more from our time spent up there in the woods. Our florist coined the term “Vermont cabin chic” to describe the look, which included loose floral arrangements of whites, creams, sage greens, and ink berries housed in various glass vases, jars, wooden boxes, and silver teapots paired with flickering votive candles and tall, lighted branches throughout the room. The venue was perfect for this theme with its high wooden posts and beams and wrought iron chandeliers. To contrast the romantic, rustic feel, my dress was very tailored and structured, something I loved because it just made the wedding feel more like a special, formal event or evening soiree as opposed to just a party in a cabin, although those are always fun too.

Our band, Richard James and The Name Changers, took the party to a different level – they totally rocked and kept people on the dance floor to the end, one of our biggest priorities going into our planning process.

Photography: Clayton Austin | Videography: Meg Simone | Event Design: Nantucket Island Events | Event Planning: Nantucket Island Events | Floral Design: Flowers on Chestnut | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Ceremony Venue: Nantucket Old South Church | Reception Venue: Great Harbor Yacht Club | Catering: Great Harbor Yacht Club | Makeup: Yolanda Grant | Transportation: Highland Drivers | Tent: Nantucket Party Rentals | Dessert Bar: Petticoat Row Bakery

This soiree designed by Lauren Wells Events is a wedding that marches to the beat of its own drum. That’s right m’dears, because not only did this Boston duo choose to honor their hospitality connection on their Big Day with a foodie-driven celebration, but they also bucked tradition and married on a Monday. Surrounded by only their nearest and dearest, they enjoyed sabered champagne and s’mores while HENRY + MAC captured it all. Enjoy! 

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From The Bride…My and Andrew’s relationship began and is forever bound by our work together in the hospitality industry. It felt only right to spend the most important day of our lives at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. Getting married on a Monday surrounded by the dearest of family, friends, AND great food and beverage, complete with sabered champagne to kick off the cocktail hour and smores roasted over an open fire to finish was our idea of the perfect wedding day.

From Lauren Wells Events…Colleen and Andrew’s wedding was the most love filled and beautiful day, taking place in one of the couple’s favorite restaurants in Cambridge. The bride is a sommelier, so we played off the wine theme with florals, merlot brush calligraphy, and of course, plenty of wine! The bride even got the party started by brandishing a machete and sabering a magnum – then serving all her guests. Jenna from Love Jenna Calligraphy (and also the sister of the bride) calligraphed on the mirrors and walls, while Anne Robin calligraphed the rest of the beautiful details. Wild Folk created the amazing florals (including the hanging install over the charcuterie), and Henry + Mac captured all the goodness. It was a delicious and joyful celebration.

Photography: HENRY + MAC | Event Design: Lauren Wells Events | Event Planning: Lauren Wells Events | Floral Design: Wild Folk Studio | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Eastern Standard | Calligraphy: Anne Robin | Band: ABeez | Ceremony And Reception: Belly Wine Bar | Dinner: Blue Room | Mirror, Chalkboard, Table Number Calligraphy: Love Jenna Calligraphy

I’ll always be a fan of pretty photos (and this gallery from Hello Love Photography is chock full of them) but when I come upon a Bride whose story is so well told that I feel like I know her and her Groom, well, it doesn’t get much better than that. Brighter Lights Media captured this love live and with Mayflour Confections and White Label DJs, a good time is guaranteed. Make your Tuesday better right here!

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From the beautiful Bride… Playful, wholesome, personal – those are the three words I used as inspiration while designing our wedding day on September 28th, 2014 at The Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Walt and I met in college, and although I was a geography major and he a theater major, we share a love for art, history, mysterious things, and Michael Jackson music. Before our engagement last August in Paris, we spent two weeks exploring the Scottish and English countryside. We both have deep roots from that area, and were so awestruck by the classic gorgeousness – the rolling hills endlessly dotted with sheep, the warm people, the ancient ruins, the lush gardens. We knew our dream for our wedding day would be to combine the feeling of that place with the beauty of New England’s coastline for some of our favorite people in the world (minus the sheep, unfortunately).

We chose to have our ceremony and reception at The Crane Estate for several reasons. The winding drive there through the marshes and past grazing horses definitely echoed our drives through the UK countryside. The historic house and knockout view – complete with rolling lawns, sunken gardens, and the Atlantic Ocean – were something both Walt and I knew we wanted our guests to experience and enjoy. Most importantly though, the beach at Crane is where I played while growing up, where we take our dog, Bella, to run in the winter, as well as the first place I ever flew a plane (a life dream and first anniversary gift from Walt), so it had also become quite personal to us over the years. We had found our place.

Although the Estate itself is quite grand and even somewhat imposing, our vision for the day was a simple and sincere old-fashioned daytime family affair. Over the months of planning, sticking to that vision despite the grandeur of Crane became a fun puzzle.

First and foremost, we wanted our guests to feel completely comfortable – as though they had arrived at a friend’s home for a relaxed garden party – so we decided that as they entered through the majestic house to the lawn where the ceremony would be held, the first things they would see, hear, taste, and feel would be: ocean, acoustic guitar, basil-infused lemonade, and sunshine.

One of our favorite aspects of Crane are two massive, stone griffins that guard either side of the rear terrace. They were gifts given to the original owner of the Estate from his employees, so naturally, we had to dress those two up a bit for the occasion! Erica Gregory of Lilac and Lily Floral Design draped gorgeous green garland around their necks, as well as around the cake and sweetheart tables. She worked with us to create the feel of a typical English garden with soft arrangements of garden roses and greenery, fragrant potted lavender and other herbs, as well as large potted ferns.

While we wanted our day to be inspired by both our heritage and love of all things English and Scottish, we did our best to be subtle while infusing that into our decor. Bits of tartan ribbon could be found throughout (including bows on the back of my shoes), and our naked Victoria Sponge Cake baked by Mayflour Confections was every bit as delicious as the ones we devoured in teashops across the pond.

To create a more intimate vibe, we chose to forego a large bridal party, and instead had our closest family and friends participate in other ways. My mother served as my matron of honor and Walt’s best friend from college was his best man. My five nieces -whose ages range from 10 to 24 – were our gorgeous flower girls, complete with hand-tied floral crowns and ethereal ivory chiffon dresses. The youngest walked down the aisle in the traditional style, while the older girls handed out programs and cones filled with rose petals for post-nuptial tossing. My four nephews served as ring bearers. The youngest two carried our wedding bands down the aisle and the older assisted with the Ring Warming Ceremony led by my sister, Hayley. It was important to us that every guest there felt that they were an active part of our beginning, so having them each take a moment to hold our rings and put their well wishes into the gold is truly a treasured moment.

As Walt waited patiently in his handsome plaid Ted Baker London suit, I walked down the aisle escorted by my oldest brother carrying a bouquet of delicate roses, fresh lavender, white Scottish heather (for good luck!), dusty miller, and ranunculus wrapped in an ivory ribbon and a gold locket which held a picture of my late father. To complement my ivory silk Kelly Faetanini ‘Genevieve’ dress, I also wore the pearl earrings my father had given my mother for Christmas before he passed away when I was seven.

After officially becoming Mr. and Mrs, the day continued with our wholesome, laid-back theme. Lawn games, lounge furniture dotted with pretty floral throw pillows handmade by my mother, and fun parasols to shield the (surprisingly strong) late September sun put people in a playful mood. Our amazing friend Jesse Ciarmataro lovingly played his guitar, and before long there were children running and dancing everywhere while our guests soaked up some rays and indulged. We opted for a fun brunch-inspired menu featuring a bubbly bar with assorted fresh fruit purees, ‘Old Cuban’ signature cocktails, miniature pancake muffins, lobster rolls, yogurt parfaits, crepes (a little nod to our Parisian engagement!), and frittatas.

Walt and his friends are avid Dungeons and Dragons players, so as a surprise to him, I ordered navy blue dragon-shaped escort cards exclusively for that select group. Also, rather than seat everyone with only their friends, we did our best to thoughtfully mix people up. As an icebreaker of sorts, I had our stationer type up tented cards for their tables pointing out what everyone had in common and to hopefully get them talking. For instance, one card said, “Two of you have run Tough Mudders” and another said “Three of you are yoga teachers” – it was really fun to see what interests and experiences people from totally separate pieces of our lives share. We finished off the decor with framed pictures of our pets, family members who were no longer with us, as well as a personalized watercolor map of Ipswich.

After two heartfelt speeches by Walt’s best man and my brother, we had our first dance, and then our guests joined us on the dance floor for an impromptu ‘Thriller’ flash mob attempt. As the merriment continued, everyone cooled off with frozen espresso drinks made by the wonderful Espresso Dave. Hiring him was one of the last additions we made to our wedding plans, but we are so glad we did. An espresso cart is the perfect way to keep a dance party going!

As the afternoon was coming to a close, we both went off and changed into our going away outfits for our last dance. We were headed to Hawaii the very next morning, and as a surprise, my family bought us leis to wear as we swayed to Jack Johnson’s song “Lucky.” A traditional London cab waited for us outside, and as we walked out of the house, a husband and wife bagpiper duo played as we said our goodbyes and left to begin our adventure as husband and wife.

Handcrafting this wedding was one of the greatest joys of my life thus far. As a woman whose father passed away at such a young age, planning a wedding was challenging… something I can honestly say I’ve actually dreaded for a long time. However, when creating this day I truly tried to honor his spirit and embrace life. I worked hard to create a day that not only Walt and I would enjoy as a couple, but that would also give our most beloved family and friends a wonderful love-fueled afternoon to remember.

Not being a stereotypically thin bride myself, I will admit the pressure of gown shopping was not the most enjoyable aspect of the wedding planning experience for me. I waited until the last minute to look, and it was painful to try on samples that in no way fit… there were most definitely some tears happening. After visiting several salons, I found the team at Allegria Bridal, and I am thrilled to say I felt so unbelievably beautiful on my wedding day because of them. The gown I chose was fashion-forward despite being made in a larger size. It was light, had an amazing twirl factor, and the unique peplum detail echoed the waves of the ocean. I didn’t want to take it off!

Photography: Hello Love Photography | Cinematography: Brighter Lights Media | Event Design: Bride | Floral Design: Lilac And Lily Floral Design And Event Styling | Cake: Mayflour Confections | Bride's Shoes: Milk and Honey Shoes | Engagement Ring: Brilliant Earth | Catering: Fireside Catering | DJ : White Label DJs | Groom's Attire: Ted Baker | Wedding Venue: The Crane Estate | Bridal Boutique: Allegria Bridal | Bride's Hair: Andrew Michaels Salon & Spa | Bride's Hair Comb: Anna Marguerite | Guitarist: Jesse Ciarmataro | Invitations, Chalkboards & Signage: Fleuri Post | Lawn Games: Etsy | London Cab: London Livery | Older Flower Girl Dresses: J.Crew | Parasols: Luna Bazaar | Place Cards: JonNi Paper Goods | Ring Bearer Attire: J.Crew | Wedding Map: Laura Lavender Calligraphy & Illustration | Wedding Rings: One Stone New York | Younger Flower Girl Dress: Gowns by Ginny

I’m lucky to call New England home, especially when weddings as beautiful as this one take place in our stunning state. Graced with sunshine and salty air, this seaside celebration is filled with pretty pastel accents, a gorgeous Lovely Bridal Shop gown, and one lucky-in-love couple. Summer Street Photography was on hand to capture all the merriment and it’s waiting for you here!

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From the beautiful Bride… After spending my summers as a kid running around the beaches of Cape Cod and after Adam proposed on the rocks on Bank Street Beach, we knew we had to get married there. Chatham was such a special place for us and for my family it seemed perfect that we begin our future there together and share the fond memories with our guests. People asked us what our “theme” was all along the planning process and we never really had one, we just DIY-ed everything we could DIY, from the BAR marquee sign, to the garland hanging from the tent, and even all of the signage.

We were so unbelievably lucky to be surrounded by amazing and loving family and friends. Our officiant, Cameron Thomas, is a college friend of Adam’s and our florist, Jessica Stage-Fiesinger (of Stage Floral Styling) was the Matron of Honor and one of the bride’s very best friends, so every bit of this event was meaningful and special to us. Those vendors who weren’t before, sure became our friends by the end. Bob Oldsman of White’s Catering is one of the nicest, most fun-loving and helpful people we have encountered and everyone from Summer Street Photography (Chuck, Vina, and Kendra) made it so that we will have these memories forever.

As this was a destination wedding for all we had 4 days worth of serious help from our favorite people in order to make this day the best we could have imagined. We had been together for almost 9 years before getting married and wanted this wedding to be a reflection of our journey. Our goal was great food, great drinks, and great fun. We ended the evening with a bonfire and s’mores on the beach and ended the weekend with a hangover-curing brunch the next morning. We definitely think we succeeded in reaching our goal. Best. Day. Ever.

Photography: Summer Street Photography | Florist: Stage Floral Styling | Wedding Dress: Watters | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Food: White's Catering | DJ: Sara Williams Mobile DJ | Groom's Attire: ASOS | Wedding Venue: The Hawthorne | Bar & Farm Table Rentals: True North Rentals | Bride Earrings: BHLDN | Bride Engagement & Wedding Ring: Shiree Odiz | Bridemaids Dresses: Amsale | Cakes & Desserts: Artisan Bake Shop | Dress Customization: Sew Elegant | Groom Wedding Band: 2nd Street Ring Craft | Hair & Make-up: Lasha Keller & Juan From Elements Hair Studio Brooklyn, NY | Reception Dress: Rebecca Schoneveld | Rentals: Undercover Tent | Wedding Dress Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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New Englanders, the time has come to celebrate in true SMP style. We’ve partnered up with West Elm Fenway and we’re inviting YOU to join the revelry THIS SATURDAY! Come share the day and meet our very own Abby Larson, a few fabulous local wedding vendors, and get tips on registering. Join us on Saturday, May 2nd from 12pm – 3pm, click here to learn more and be sure to RSVP!

Meet with local vendors like Mayflour Confections, Ruth Eileen Photography, Blackbird Doughnuts, Lauren Wells Design + Styling, and Petal Floral Design! You won’t want to miss out on the festivities, we promise it’ll be an afternoon filled with fun + fabulousness. See YOU there!

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS…

Minted
Doie Lounge
Patina
Doie Lounge

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This week’s DISCOUNTS…

Squarespace
Zola
Starwood Hotels & Resorts

For our California Brides… Giveaways from Silver Time Studios and Rime Arodaky, and discount from Marmalade Sky Films 

For our Midwest Brides… Discount from WASIO photography

For our Southeast Brides… Giveaway from Rime Arodaky

For our Mid-Atlantic Brides… Discount from Goodstone Inn & Restaurant 

For our Tri-State Brides… Discount from IM Photo Studio and giveaways from Rime Arodaky

For our Australian Brides… Discount from Linneys and don’t miss the “Carats & Couture” exhibition going until May 2, 2015!

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And our WINNERS…

Congratulations to our Jenny Yoo winner Mariteremilan!

Congratulations to our Sweet Whistle winner Caroline!

It’s our lucky Friday, with not one, but two Joyelle West wonders. We loved on this elegant Rhode Island manor wedding this morning and now we’re crushing hard on this Crane Estate beauty. Held at their Italian-style barn, this celebration was bursting with rich jewel tones, reminding me why I so adore autumn weddings. This gorgeous gallery isn’t one to be missed!

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From Joyelle West… Brittany and Brandon had a timeless black and white wedding at the Barn at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. Their ceremony was in the field that was the vegetable garden in the early 1900s, and the reception was in the Italian-style barn. I was in love with the beautiful old garden, the sweeping grounds, and the light we had that day.

From The Bride… My mom and I picked all the décor, we have similar style and she knows exactly what I like so we work really well together. Many things were found on Etsy, my mom found my something blue (a pin with two cats and a blue moon) as well as the antique French mailbox for cards, which were two of my favorite elements!

The chocolate cake was decorated with stars. My cousin Jamie’s girlfriend Krista baked the macaroons, she had never baked for an event before and did such an amazing job, they were delicious and she is such a sweetheart for taking on such a big first job!

Melinda has been my hairdresser for years and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my hair for my wedding. My loose and pretty hairstyle worked so well with my hairpiece and perfectly complemented my beautiful strapless gown. My hair and my makeup, which I did myself, as well as the cat pin on my bouquet and my perfectly witchy pointy black suede kitten heeled Mary-Janes made me still feel like myself which was important.

Shelley made up the most gorgeous arrangements, especially the urns, which were lined with moss and were part of the garden ceremony and then were moved down to either side of the barn doors. The colors of the flowers were peach, pink, burgundy and white with accents of silver dusty miller and eucalyptus. My bouquet included Coral Charm peonies, Juliet garden roses, jasmine, burgundy ranunculus and silver dusty miller. Shelley designed it so it would mirror my headpiece.

Brandon and I made sure we sat down and ate delicious food together and spent most of the night dancing with each other, which is always our favorite part of weddings. We ended the night with Shout by Lulu, it is one of my favorite songs, I just love her energy and her voice and was so happy that so many people joined us on the dance floor for a happy energetic song before we said our goodbyes. We had perfect weather and an amazing night and Joyelle captured it all beautifully with her stunning photography style!

My advice to other brides would be look at other people’s weddings for ideas but make sure you stay true to your own personal style, surround yourself with people you love and blot your face during the reception (Shiseido Pureness Blotting Paper is the best!) Also, don’t have three martinis the night before your wedding if you only had sushi for dinner and (super cliché) marry your best friend!

Photography: Joyelle West Photography | Flowers: Bow Street Flowers | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cakes: Flour Bakery | Shoes: Prada | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alexandra Grecco | Hair : Melinda Brandt And Kerri Marland | Wedding Venue: The Barn At The Crane Estate | Cake Topper Stars: BHLDN | Flowergirl & Ringbearer Accessories: J.Crew | Groom’s Suit: J.Crew | Hairpiece: Twigs & Honey

When I lived in Boston, I used to walk past the Boston Public Library on Saturdays in hopes of catching a Bride walk out of that gorgeous building. And spotting a wedding like this one from Corinna Raznikov would have made my entire week. Gorgeously classic and elegant in all the right ways, this gallery is just everything. 

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Having such a passion for the beauty and history of the city, Emily and Ben chose the Boston Public Library as their wedding venue and worked together with James Hansen of the Catered Affair to produce their dream wedding. They had their expectations far exceeded and were overjoyed by how well everything turned out; right down to the tiniest of details.

Emily and Ben did a beautiful job of combining their styles and efforts to plan this modern, fresh wedding. They had so many incredible moments in their wedding from surprising their wedding party and families with a ride on a classic Boston Duck Boat to the Boston Commons, to surprising one of the groomsmen with a personalized cake for his birthday, to Emily walking down the aisle to the song “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory performed by a melodious string quartet from C-Zone entertainment.

The rain that day set a romantic, mysterious, and almost Parisian setting outside in the library’s courtyard. The couple were married under huge white umbrellas in front of the bronze cast fountain which lit up and spouted as they shared their first kiss. Mimosa, an incredible florist, did such a great job not only on the bouquets of soft pink flowers with lovely hints of dusty miller, but also on the amazing centerpieces with hydrangea, orchids and more dusty miller ( I LOVE the addition of this soft fuzzy little leaf in arrangement) atop stacked books to celebrate the venue.

Try and hear that song “Pure Imagination” song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in your head as you feast your eyes on this magic…

Come with me
And you’ll be
In a world of
Pure imagination
Take a look
And you’ll see
Into your imagination

Photography: Corinna Raznikov Photography | Videographer: Timothy Bakland | Florist: Mimosa Fresh Flower Design | Cake: Cakes for Occasions | Invitations: Paper Source | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Caterer: The Catered Affair | Makeup: Charlotte Phinney | Hair: G2O - Dailin Davila | Band: Sultans Of Swing | Venue: Boston Public Library | Bride's Dress: Augusta Jones | Men's Tuxes: Vera Wang | Programs: Wedding Paper Divas

Getting engaged is awesome. And then you have to plan a wedding. The entire thing can be totally daunting. And even though I am in the industry, and most of my friends think that it must be easy, I assure you that it is not! Maybe you are a super amazing planner and I admire you for that, but for those of you who are feeling like you need some guidance, I’m going to try and help you out.

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MY VENDOR RULES

ONE | Don’t wait to book your vendors

TWO | Find someone you connect with

THREE | Look at their blog or social media accounts

FOUR | Show a Pinterest board with 15 photos, (max!) to get your vision across.

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DONT WAIT! | When Ross and I got engaged, I emailed our wedding photographers the next morning. Only eight hours after we got engaged! It is never too early to start a conversation, especially if you have a vendor in mind that you love. With that said, I booked our photographers a year and a half before our wedding date. After that, I could relax about it, and I am so very glad I booked when I did. If you don’t know what kind of style you like, I recommend starting your photography research when you start your venue research. And as soon as you book your venue (and consequently have your date), book your photographer!

I met with a bride recently who thought that since her wedding was a year away, she didn’t have to ‘rush’ to find her vendors. This makes me so nervous for her, because there IS a rush. I hate to say it, but it is true. If you have a favorite vendor, I guarantee they are someone else’s favorite too and you don’t want to miss out on booking them. Yes, a year is a long ways away, but not in wedding world! So get to it. Email that photographer or florist you love…right now! And if they are already booked, ask for their recommendations. It is a great way to find a similar style you love, and an added bonus if they are already admired by a fellow wedding vendor!

FIND SOMEONE YOU CONNECT WITH | My absolute favorite client meetings are the ones where we realize hours have passed and we’ve barely discussed photography. Having brides and grooms I connect with is important to me, and I think it’s important to them as well! As the photographer, I am your shadow on your wedding day. You want to find someone that you a. like and b. get along with. And if you become friends, that’s even better! Choosing my vendors was easy, because I am already friends with both Lauren and Krissy. I am thankful to have them- we get along really well and I feel comfortable bouncing ideas off of them. This is pretty important when planning your wedding, because it is you and your fiancées big day! Good communication = happy bride + happy vendors!

LOOK AT THEIR BLOG AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS | If you feel like you are totally overwhelmed by websites, I recommend checking out the vendors’ blog or social media accounts, like Facebook and Instagram. Often it will help you a. feel more connected with them/get to know their personality and b. get a sense of what their current work looks like. This can help determine what you really want in a vendor, and should make the decision making process a bit easier.

GETTING YOUR VISION ACROSS | One of the things I did with Lauren was make a Pinterest board with 15 images, MAX! It was really hard, let me tell you. But narrowing it down to some images you love will help get the ultimate vision of your wedding across to your planner and florist. And even if you aren’t working with a planner or stylist, it will help you stick to a certain vision and determine what is important to you and your fiancé. There are so many awesome options out there, so its easy to get distracted and start pinning like a crazy person. I’ve been there. Don’t do it.

BONUS TIP: If you are doing a lot of DIY, make a schedule in the months leading up to the wedding to get it done! You don’t want to be glue-gunning 2 hours before your Rehearsal Dinner. Plan in advance.

Photography: Li Ward | Event Stylist: Lauren Wells Events | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design | Calligraphy: Li Ward

Once Labor Day passes, the crowds quickly dissipate from Cape Cod, but the beauty of the region is still as strong as ever. This fall wedding, captured by Kate Preftakes, is made chicer in the crisp autumn air, with sparkling bridesmaids in shades of champagne and silver. Wychmere Beach Club was the perfect backdrop for this beautiful bash and this gallery has me rethinking when beach season really is best.

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From Kate Preftakes Photography… Stacy and Mike were married on a brisk November day at the gorgeous Wychmere Beach Club on Cape Cod. I loved everything about these two and their traditional Greek wedding! They were surrounded by an abundance of family members, many all the way from Greece. Stacy and Mike were both so calm and happy all day which made the wedding even more fun. And oh, that dress!! Isn’t it fabulous?! The ceremony was incredibly beautiful and I so enjoyed the gorgeous church and all the traditional aspects of the service. We ran to the beach after it was done for some very quick, very cold portraits in the dark! Their bridal party was truly wonderful, never complaining and being so helpful to us. Not to mention gorgeous!! The girls wore dresses from several different designers.

The Wychmere is a stunning venue. The room itself is so pretty with the beams and sophisticated beach feel. But, what made it even more incredible, is that you are literally on a dock, so when you look out the windows you are looking straight down at water. Boats are going by and waving and it just feels like Cape Cod! This was a super fun crowd and the party was going all night! Everyone was up and dancing, and throwing money, and hugging and kissing, and you just couldn’t help but want to join in the fun. What an incredible way to begin a marriage, surrounded by so much love and happiness! (See more at: http://www.preftakesphoto.com/blog/stacy-mike-married-wychmere-beach-club/#sthash.YZkLIsU7.dpuf)

From The Bride… From the start we knew we wanted our wedding to be unique but still focus on our family values and traditions. We took different approaches, from our creative wedding booklet invitations to a mix and match theme with the bridal party and decor. Focusing on a neutral palette and letting the beauty of the people, the church and the venue shine through. We honored our Greek traditions by getting married at a Greek Orthodox Church nearby and our celebration after was focused on ensuring our friends and family had fun and memorable experience that truly represented us as a couple. We added a vintage Cape Cod touch using traditional lobster traps, buoys, scallop shells, sand and natural branches and lanterns to tie into the theme, making it an overall Cape Cod experience.

Photography: Kate Preftakes Photography | Floral Design: Beach Plum Floral | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Konditor Meister | Invitations: Wedding Paperie | Reception Venue: Wychmere Beach Club: A Longwood Venue | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Band: Bear Fight

I was first introduced to Gustav Klimt during college art history classes and haven’t forgotten about him since, and this styled shoot by Sixpence For Your Shoe was the most gorgeous reminder of what a fan I am of his enchanting work. Eric Foley photographed every intricate detail, from Coral Pheasant’s stationery suite to Azalea Floral Design’s beautiful blooms. Fall in love with art all over again right here!

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From Sixpence For Your Shoe… Inspired by the vibrant colors, golden tones and the sensual portrayal of love, our styled shoot based on Gustav Klimt came together through a layering of textures, colors, elements and ideas reminiscent of the artist and his glorious paintings.

We immediately set our eyes on Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount, as the style of the art nouveau movement lends itself so well to the venue’s architecture and gardens. Given that Klimt’s subjects were primarily the female, we chose to represent this concept with a same sex couple. Both gorgeous brides were styled by Everthine Bridal Boutique and wore gowns that were so different and yet so complementary to each other. We loved how the Jenny Packham Lina with soft draping yet sexy plunging neckline played with Anna Campbell Genevieve, with its graceful fitting and exquisite beaded detailing. Intricate golden jewelry from Aquinnah added a touch of glamour.

We chose the 1902 stable location for our tablescape, captivated by the European exterior and rustic interior. A black antique table was dressed with a richly detailed golden linen, the most delicious turquoise china, a wild floral garland and artistic candle stands. Azalea designed a stunning cascade of flowers suspended from above to re-create Klimt’s melting of colors. One favorite detail is the “Life is short, Eat dessert first” tags for the truffles at each place setting, a playful nod to all those that dive into their favors as soon as they are seated, along with a bit erotic love as illustrated through chocolate.

When it came to designing the stationery suite, our genius designer Coral Pheasant was most inspired by the luxe china and Klimt’s art. The scallop border on the invitation is evocative of the china pattern and the loose and languid font that felt like it was penned by the artist himself. A painterly floral liner adds softness to the suite. The stamps were arranged them in the lower corner allowing the address to span across the top; an unexpected element that brings whimsy to the design.

The cake featured a decadent red frosting with gold leaf accent. And saving the best of last, watercolor truffles on a wooden painter’s palette.

Photography: Eric Foley Photography | Event Design: Sixpence For Your Shoe | Floral Design: Azalea Floral Design | Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design | Jewelry: Aquinnah Jewelry | Hair & Makeup: Simply Gorgeous By Erin | Bridal Boutique: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Linens: Nuage Designs | Location: The Mount | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Sweets: Taste By Spellbound

There are so many vintage touches to the Berkshires wedding, I don’t even know where to start! From the brides clutch & simple BHLDN gown, to the vintage jewelry box, this elegant wedding embraces its surrounding in a unique way. Captured by Julia Jane Studios, yummy pies and food by Mezze, and soft blooms from Berkshire Flower Co, be sure to see all the details here!

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From the Bride… Tim and I were high school sweethearts, and remained friends throughout the years. One morning, after a late night of writing in graduate school, I felt compelled to email Tim and see how he was doing. I couldn’t explain why, but I just felt it was suddenly right to catch up with him. As it turns out, my instinct was spot on, and a few weeks later he visited me. The rest, as they say, is history.

We chose Chesterwood in Stockbridge, MA as the venue for our wedding because of its beautiful grounds and the fact that it was the home and studio of the American sculptor, Daniel Chester French. As an art historian, I was particularly attracted to Chesterwood’s history, and we both fell in love with the gardens when we visited. Our wedding was a small but elegant affair, the weather was divine, and the grounds gorgeous. A string duo provided a beautiful sonic backdrop of classical music during the ceremony, signature cocktail hour, and romantic al fresco dinner, held on the patio of the artist’s studio.

In planning our event, we kept things simple, favoring details and personal touches that spoke to us; privileging sincerity and elegance over prescription. As the day drew to an end, our guests delighted in a spectacular sunset overlooking the Berkshire mountains, and all the details were captured beautifully by our photographer, Julia Gargano (Julia Jane Studios)

Photography: Julia jane Studios | Floral Design: Berkshire Flower Co | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Ceremony Venue: Chesterwood | Reception Venue: Chesterwood | Catering: Mezze Catering + Events | Groom's Attire: Tom James | Ceremony Music: Rosamund Duo | Earrings : Gaberiela Kiss | Getting Ready Location: Red Lion Inn | Second Shooter : Pardo Photo

Weddings that give us a little peek into the personalities of the couple saying “I do” always rank among my favorite. And when they happen to take place at the gorgeous Boston Public Library, that’s just a beautiful bonus. Hello Love Photography gave us a look into this oh-so-special day for this lovely couple, and thanks to vendors like The Catered Affair, Beat Train Productions and Tables And Tulips I’m pretty sure everything little thing was perfect. See even more here.

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From the beautiful Bride… Kyle and I met for the first time when we were both interviewing for medical school. We went to the same undergraduate university, but had never met before then. We dated for the remainder of senior year before leaping into a long-distance relationship during medical school, and we finally tied the knot as we were about to graduate.

One of our favorite things to do over the years when we would visit each other is to eat! We love food, and spent a lot of time trying out new recipes and going to great restaurants. And as students, we inevitably spent the other majority of our time studying together – at home, at coffee shops, and at the library. Therefore, when we were looking for a wedding venue, we wanted a place that reflected the “nerdy foodies” that we are – so the Boston Public Library was a perfect fit. From the moment we saw the beautifully designed plates presented by the Catered Affairs in a magazine, we knew that we had to visit the library’s courtyard restaurant. After our experience, we knew we were in expert hands that are not only devoted to the taste but are creative culinary artists.

Not only was the library a place of intellect, it also spoke to my background in Architectural Engineering and Kyle’s love of history. The BPL is architecturally stunning with its classical Italian style atrium courtyard with its iconic columns, arches, and marble. With its status as the first large free municipal library in the U.S. and recognition as a national historic landmark, it is any history buff’s dream.

When designing the details of our wedding, we wanted a wedding that was elegant, romantic and intimate, that reflected who we were, as well as who we are now. The menu was picked to combine our Texas roots, with accents of BBQ pulled pork and breakfast tacos, with our current New England living with a touch of lobster bisque and wedding favors from Boston institution, Mike’s Pastry.

The wedding cake is a nod to our months spent in Sicily during a summer of medical school where the specialty dessert was the Sette Veli, which was also the cake Kyle had proposed with. We wanted an intimate affair with our closest family and friends who have been with us through the worst and the best, have seen us grow over the years and supported us in our pursuits. We hoped that our celebration would reflect the characteristics that are unique to us and shows our appreciation for our guests.

Photography: Hello Love Photography | Floral Design: Table & Tulip | Catering: The Catered Affair | Makeup: Amanda McCarthy Beauty | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Venue: Boston Public Library

This is what I’m calling nautical with a twist.  A pretty little seaside affair with beautiful details and a sophistication that only New England’s finest vendors could craft.  Think Chocolate Creative Design, Sayles Livingston Flowers and Urban Lace Events all coming together to create a Cape Cod worthy affair with a hint of golden glamour.  See it all captured by Brian Dorsey Studios right here.

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From Urban Lace Events… The Bride and Groom live in New York City, but have spent many holidays and weekends in Cape Cod where the groom enjoyed childhood summers with his family. When choosing a wedding venue, the couple desired a location where friends and family could come together for a relaxing getaway. After visiting Chatham Bars Inn, the couple fell in love with its seaside location and elegant yet relaxing atmosphere.

With its seaside location, the couple envisioned a reception with a nautical feel. We see a lot of nautically designed weddings each year so we really wanted to elevate it and create a design with originality and sophistication. With Lucinda Wesson from Chocolate Creative Design on board to create the wedding paper, we knew it would be just that! The couples favorite detail was the Save the Dates that included a beautiful custom designed fabric pouch complete with a brass “porthole” and map of Cape Cod. The bride loved how the save the date set the tone for the wedding and got guest excited for the big day. The pattern used for the save the dates was carried throughout the wedding with the custom made table runners, menu cards, and wrapping paper for the bridal party gifts.

Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios | Event Design: Urban Lace Events | Event Planning: Urban Lace Events | Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Design | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Church | Reception Venue: Chatham Bars Inn | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Band: Dexter Lake Club Band | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Invitations and Save The Dates: Chocolate Creative Design | Trolley: Cape Destinations

When this Boston Marathon bombing survivor fell in love with his recovery nurse at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a wedding in the city that brought them together – even under the worst of circumstances – only felt fitting. They called on their favorite local vendors for a summer celebration at the Hyatt Regency Boston, and the result was a day of love and triumph over tragedy all captured by Prudente Photographers. Scroll below for the must-watch clip by I Do Films and beautiful words straight from the Bride.

From The Bride… Our fairytale wedding was a whirlwind. While our start was hardly a fairytale beginning, James and I still reel in the love that we feel for each other, the love that we feel from the city of Boston and all of those that came together to make our dreams come true. We wed a little over a year after my now husband headed to the Boston Marathon finish line with five childhood friends. A Boston Marathon bombing survivor, James and I met while he was receiving treatment at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. We instantly connected.

Coming together in a mere six months, our wedding was coordinated and held at Hyatt Regency Boston and tended to by top, Boston-area vendors. The morning of the wedding, we headed over to G2o Spa + Salon via Uber. G20 styled us to perfection with soft, sophisticated, side swept, up-style and natural, dewy and sun-kissed make-up that set the tone for a captivating smoky eye. MiniLuxe continued the pampering with manis and pedis with their Boston-inspired polishes. My bridesmaids donned navy LulaKate Pearl dresses compliments of Bella Bridesmaid and I wore an Allure Couture gown from Bella Sera Bridal Boutique.

James didn’t look so bad himself! He dazzled in a custom-made, two button, navy, Brooks Brothers suit, a made-to-measure option that was proudly made in Haverhill, MA. Our gentlemen and groomsmen were dressed personally by menswear designer and chief creative director of Men’s Wearhouse, Joseph Abboud! 

We exchanged vows on Hyatt Regency Boston’s outdoor Nantucket terrace overlooking the cityscape of Boston. James surprised me with gorgeous, sweeping linens from Design Light Co. that flowed above us during the ceremony. The light breeze seemed to highlight the feeling of love in the air, as Carol Merletti of Wedding of Your Desire, our officiant and main supporter of our marriage from the start, married us. We wanted our day to be as intimate as possible, a marriage of our individual tastes as well as a focus on our life together, past and present. We opted for an elegant Nantucket theme, because that is where we spent so much of our time. 

The vision was honed by wedding planner Rachael Gross of lolagraceEVENTS, who married navy and silver accents and took our visions and made them real. New England Country Rentals executed our fairytale vision with top-tier products to include platinum accents of stunning silver-rimmed tableware and knotted flatware. Ryan Designs, The Fine Print and Design Light Co., provided integral décor and design elements. Goosefish Press personalized hand-fed, antique letterpress invitations with a classic script and vintage-inspired engraved font with inks mixed by hand. Custom design day-of stationery, signage and custom logo were provided by Lynn Graham Designs featuring whimsical calligraphy by The Fine Print.

Even the flowers were symbolic of our theme: Blooms of Hope’s imaginative, seafaring and romantic floral arrangements perfectly enhanced the day in a show of protection, pure love, beauty and strength. My aunt’s business Twisted Stems, provided my bouquet and incorporated a piece of my mother’s wedding dress into the design!

After the ceremony we retired to an intimate reception and cocktail hour in Hyatt Regency Boston’s Adrienne Salon and Grand Ballroom. Crooner Antonio Cassisi wowed with Italian sounds during cocktail hour. Which was my absolute favorite – it was so romantic! The best part of the wedding is that I get to relive it each day! Prudente Photography’s gorgeous photos encompassed the emotion and personality of the day and videographer, I Do Films, told our storyline to perfection, looking for the beautiful moments and setting them in perfect arrangement. A wedding is a day that brides and grooms treasure forever—to us that is an understatement. We will forever love and cherish all of those who made our special dream come true.

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Photography: Prudente Photographers | Videographer : I Do Films | Wedding Planner: LolagraceEVENTS | Floral Design: Blooms Of Hope | Wedding Dress: Bella Sera Bridal Boutique | Cake: Montilio's | Invitations: Goosefish Press | Calligraphy: Fine Print Calligraphy | DJ: DJ Chris Roxx | Grooms Attire: Brooks Brothers | Transportation: Old Town Trolley | Transportation : Uber | Hotel: Hyatt Regency Boston | Beauty Services Hair And Makeup: G20 Spa + Salon | Beverage: Samuel Adams | Bouquet & Boutonniere: Hope Stanley | Bridal Jewelry: M. Flynn | Bridesmaid Gowns: Bella Bridesmaid | Champagne Vendor: Cupcake Vineyards | Custom Signage And Couple's Monogram: Lynn Graham Designs | Dance Lessons: Arthur Murray Dance Studios | Event Decor: Ryan Designs | Groomsmen's Custom-made Suits : 9tailors | Honeymoon: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa | Honeymoon: The Grand Hyatt Kauai | Honeymoon: Andaz Maui At Wailea | Justice Of The Peace: Wedding Of Your Desire | Musician: Rob Flax | Musician: Eric Law | Nail Design : MiniLuxe | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: TRADE | Renowned Tenor & Crooner: Antonio Cassisi | Rentals: New England Country Rentals | Shoes, Ties And Dress Shirts For The Groomsmen Donated By: Men's Wearhouse | Spirits : Bacardi | Unity Sculpture: Unity In Glass | Wedding Design Elements: DesignLightCo. | Wine Vendor: Terlato Family Vineyards

Oh the Dutch and their still life. They know a thing or two about painting gorgeous arrangements and now Calico Floriculture & Design is bringing those florals to life. Captured by Cambria Grace, this simple how to walks you through the steps of crafting an elegant, bountiful Spring arrangement complete with a list of must have florals. Click here for more.

From Calico Floriculture & Design… Dutch floral still life paintings provide much inspiration for arrangements filled with various colors and textures. If you look back to the paintings of Dutch artists during the Golden Age you will find a wild and luscious floral style.

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• Peach and Yellow Icelandic Poppies
• Peach, White, and Pink Ranunculus
• Blue and Red Anemones
• Purple Hellebores
• Seeded Eucalyptus
• Blue Muscari
• Orange Butterfly Flower
• White Daffodils
• Red Tulips

First begin, filling your vessel with some base green foliage. I like to use greenery that grows around farm such as cedar, eastern hemlock, spruce, and juniper branches.

You will notice that Dutch still life floral paintings tend to be filled with many different kinds of flowers, this is the fun part! Collect many different sizes, shapes and colors to work with. Notice I have chosen a peach Icelandic Poppy to be a main focal point in the arrangement. I like to choose one or two large flowers so either a poppy, garden rose, large ranunculus, or even a dahlia to be the spotlight flower which I will place off center. I generally never want to place a large flower right in the center because it will then draw too much attention.

Once I have my base foliage and large core flowers selected and placed, I begin to build up the arrangement. I start off with shorter stemmed flowers then move out from there. To mimic the Dutch style, I want to make sure to not leave too many empty spaces. I want to create a full and lush arrangement perfect for spring.

Photography: Cambria Grace Photography | Floral Design: Calico Floriculture & Design | Venue: Ceremony | Ceramics: Meghan Flynn

I’ll never get sick of weddings at the Boston Public Library, every single one makes me downright giddy. There is something about the building that elevates any and every celebration and this elegant fall wedding is a perfect example. With rich jewel tones and a regal air about the whole affair, not to mention the amazing menus from The Catered Affair, this soiree makes me love the venue even more. BKB & Co. captured it all and these pics are just pure magic.

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From BKB & Co… One of the most sought-after Boston wedding venues has become the Boston Public Library. And it’s no wonder! The BPL has just about everything a couple would want – stunning spaces, a central location, rich in history, and I have to say, a terrific place to have unbelievable wedding photos! That’s why I was thrilled to be a part of Brett and David’s wedding at the BPL. There’s nothing like a fall wedding in downtown Boston – especially Copley Square!

Brett, a physician, certainly has brains and beauty! She looked absolutely beautiful in her gown by David Tutera. The lace overlay on the bodice was simply gorgeous! The bride carried a bouquet of deep red calla lilies designed by Table & Tulip. That beautiful red color was also carried throughout the event. David looked handsome in a traditional tuxedo and black bow tie from Alabaster & Chess.

Most of the wedding planning was done by Brett’s mother. She did a beautiful job creating an intimate, romantic evening. The reception was held in the beautiful Guastavino Room. There were retro and vintage elements scattered throughout the night, such as the card catalogs, which everyone LOVED! But she also incorporated some modern touches such as up-lighting by Boston Uplights, a candy display, a cigar roller, and cupcakes by I Dream of Jeanne. The best modern touch of all, though, was the bride’s gown change. Yes, you read that right! Brett changed into the most stunning gold reception dress. Not only was it beautiful, but it fit her like a glove. Simply gorgeous!

Catering was provided by the famed Catered Affair, who is the exclusive caterer for BPL. Oh, and did I mention the clever Gray’s Anatomy book placed on the table with Brett’s medical school friends that each guest could sign. How cute is that?

Brett and David are wonderful, down to earth people. In fact, they simply joined with their guests as they entered the reception! I loved the fabulous toasts by the Maid of Honor and Best Man. It was also lovely to hear Brett’s father speak of how proud he was of his daughter. So sweet!

At the end of the day, this wedding was truly about friends and family gathering to support this beautiful couple and enjoy a super-fabulous and elegant dinner party.

Photography: BKB & Co. | Floral Design: Table & Tulip | Wedding Dress: David Tutera | Cupcakes: I Dream of Jeanne Cakes | Invitations: Paper Source | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Waters Creek | Catering: The Catered Affair | Lighting: Boston Uplights | Band: Night Shift Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Alabaster & Chess | Wedding Venue: Boston Public Library | Cigar Roller : Boston Cigar Factory | Photography Studio Location: Bkh Photo