Connecticut Wedding by Justin Marantz

I feel like this next wedding is a page out of some great romance film. Like Leonardo Di Caprio should be smoking a cigar and Reese Witherspoon should be rocking a sequined gown, riding an elephant in the background. Okay, maybe not an elephant but doing something fabulously glamorous. It’s the kind of wedding that just sweeps you up and makes you fall in love all over again. Thanks to the insanely beautiful photography by Justin and Mary Marantz, which doesn’t surprise me in the slightest considering they are AWESOME. Anyway, take a seat and enjoy this completely spectacular Connecticut love affair…and click here for even more gorgeousness.

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

Dini and I met and began dating in high school. We were so overjoyed to be getting married nine years later. Our main goal for the wedding was to have it be a big celebration with all the people who supported us over the years. We wanted it to be fun, personal, and beautiful.

Sarah True helped us develop a romantic garden theme with a soft herbal color palate and Tuscan accents. Yumiko of Hana Floral designed the gorgeous centerpieces, which alternated between soft, romantic blooms and lavender, artichokes, and other herbs. Gourmet Galley designed a delicious Tuscan inspired menu and put together a beautiful dessert table in place of a cake. The Branford House was the perfect place for our reception. We had dinner and dancing on the lawn, with spectacular views of Long Island Sound and Fourth of July fireworks.

It was really important to us to make our wedding a reflection of us. Dini is Greek Orthodox, so the ceremony took place at his church. My uncle is a Catholic priest, so we asked him to be a part of the wedding as well. After the ceremony, we drove away in a custom roadster that Dini’s father and grandfather had built together. The car brought us to a dock, where the whole bridal party boarded Dini’s cousin’s boat. We drove the boat to the reception site, giving us time to relax with our closest friends before the reception.

Given that Dini is a marine engineer and that we met while on our high school’s crew team, it was important for us to incorporate our love of and lives on the water. For that reason, we also replaced a traditional guest book with a pair of wooden oars that we had our guests sign. At the reception, we displayed photographs from the weddings of our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. My mom and I made favors of homemade truffles, which we put into kraft boxes and tied with sage ribbon. Our family members made Greek and Italian sweets to add to the dessert table. The personal touches made the already beautiful reception feel like it was really representative of our relationship, and we could not have had a better time celebrating with all the people we love.

Wedding Photography: Justin & Mary / Wedding Venue: Branford House / Wedding Planning: Sarah True of TRUE Event / Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering / Floral Design: Yumiko of Hana Floral Design / Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet via The White Dress by the shore / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Tenting: Sperry Tents / Jewelry: Roberto Coin / Flower Girl & Ring Bearer Attire: The Blue Horse / Hair & Makeup: Rob Rivers / DJ: Renzo / Bridesmaid Dresses: Melissa Sweet

29 Comments about “Connecticut Wedding by Justin Marantz”

1. Jessica Robinson says:

   April 25, 2011 at 1:42 pm

   very pretty!
2. Alicia@CharityWedding says:

   April 25, 2011 at 1:43 pm

   That bouquet is stunning! Everything is absolutely beautiful! I expect nothing less of True Event!
3. McKenzie Powell says:

   April 25, 2011 at 1:52 pm

   Wow! That's one lush bridal bouquet! And the tents... whoever starts a rental company in Seattle with those beauties will get all my business!
4. Katy says:

   April 25, 2011 at 1:52 pm

   The dress! So familiar yet I don't know what MS dress it is- whats the name of it? The table arrangements are gorgeous!
5. Jessica says:

   April 25, 2011 at 1:54 pm

   All the floral elements are to-die...soft and striking all in one.
6. Ashley says:

   April 25, 2011 at 2:02 pm

   Those shoes! I need those shoes. Who makes them?
7. Gina Meola says:

   April 25, 2011 at 2:07 pm

   FABULOUS detail shots!!! What an incredible compilation!! J&M ROCK!! ;)
8. lewigginton says:

   April 25, 2011 at 2:15 pm

   I am in love with the bouqet.
9. Amy says:

   April 25, 2011 at 2:17 pm

   What is the color name of the BM dresses? In love with them! As well as the brides dress, her shoes and the flowers!
10. Courtney says:

    April 25, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    hello,

    I would like to know about the grooms suit please?
11. chantal says:

    April 25, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    It is all sooo dreamy! Cool car :)
12. Beth Chapman says:

    April 25, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    The name of the gown is Heidi by Melissa Sweet. We at The White Dress by the shore were honored to dress Deanna for her big day! She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside!
13. Chandra ~ Oh Lovely Day says:

    April 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    I saw that bouquet and all I could say was 'holey moley'! It is all gorgous. GORGEOUS.
14. Kate/MagnoliaRouge says:

    April 25, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    What a stunning wedding.... so timeless. That bouquet is out of this world amazing!!
15. teamlamie says:

    April 25, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    wow, everything is so perfect. looks like the perfect day! I absolutely love every element of this wedding- GORGEOUS!
16. Shaun David says:

    April 25, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Wow, I love the car and the photography is breathtaking!
17. Eddye says:

    April 25, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    What an absolutely stellar line-up of vendors ;) The whole wedding is STUNNING!
18. Katie S says:

    April 25, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I would also love to know where the groom got his suit? I love the gray/blue combo.
19. Megan says:

    April 25, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    Just lovley!
20. Ashley Victoria Photography - Destin Wedding Photographer says:

    April 25, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    Absolutely stunning!! Justin & Mary rock my world!!
21. Nanette says:

    April 25, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    Wow, as a photographer myself I see a lot of weddings and this one stopped me in my tracks. Those Marantzes are amazing!
22. hearttypat says:

    April 25, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    this looks like a really beautiful event! Everything feels so.. light!
23. Tammynize says:

    April 26, 2011 at 2:07 am

    That bouquet is just flipping gorgeous! Can't get enough of those flowers!
24. dj services says:

    April 26, 2011 at 5:02 am

    Wow the photography is great. And reception party would be full of rocking music.
25. Carly says:

    April 26, 2011 at 8:13 am

    @Ashley -I think the shoes are last year's JCrew Blume peep toe in Natural. There are some on ebay, but selection is limited :(
26. paloma says:

    April 26, 2011 at 9:41 am

    wow! the branford house was THE perfect venue for this classic daytime wedding. i love all of the refined details!
27. Tina S says:

    April 26, 2011 at 10:13 am

    I was a coxswain for years, and I love love love the idea of incorporating rowing traditions into the wedding! I have a blade (as in, the big spoon part of the oar) from my college team that the younger women painted in the school colors and gave to me for my graduation gift. It means so much.

    What a lovely, classic East Coast wedding. And it looks like it was the perfect day for it.

    http://www.stitchingincircles.blogspot.com " rel="nofollow"> Stitching in Circles
28. Madison says:

    April 26, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Love the colour scheme of this wedding, the groom is EXACTLY how i want my groom to look (dress wise of course hehe) and the bride is gorgeous!
29. deanna says:

    April 26, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    thank you for the kind notes! the groom's suit was Hugo Boss. the gray suit with blue stripes (close up at the beginning) was actually the best man's. it was from Barney's, and i believe the label was Vaticana.