Oh, sweet Great Gatsby inspired shoot…you had me at Miu Miu crystal covered heels. Beyond that, every. single. detail. of this modern meets vintage stylized wedding by mStarr event styling + design is swoon worthy-from the too-pretty-to-eat French macarons to the organic, textural floral arrangements. Pour a glass (or two) of bubbly and get ready to Pin, there are plenty more breathtaking images by Kelly Dillon Photography in the gallery!
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From mStarr event styling + design… “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” Who doesn’t remember the line from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary classic set in the roaring 20’s? As the eagerly anticipated movie remake is due to come out in December, I thought about the opulence! the mystery! the sparkle! the garden parties! the head pieces! And I thought let’s make what’s old new again. It was important to have that Gatsby-era “feel” but with a modern twist — something that can translate to weddings of today and include components that can be replicated by others. The shoot started with a vision, then inspiration boards. And as always seems to happen, things began to morph a bit along the way with the addition of vendors and new ideas. Part of that vision included an outdoor shoot at sunset with a mansion as the backdrop. The grand mansion at Elm Bank, with its beautiful gardens surrounding it, was the perfect setting to our Gatsby-themed shoot. After consecutive days of rain (the weather channel app was not my friend that week), the skies cleared up and we got our “golden hour” shots, captured perfectly by the talented Kelly Dillon.
No doubt that details are an important part of both my professional and personal life, and this shoot wasn’t any different. I was inspired by Gatsby quotes, pictures and descriptions from the time period, elegant fashion, and nature. I wanted a shoot that was whimsical, incorporated French elements (a nod to Fitzgerald’s time in Paris) and nature (the moss and lavender became fixed in my mind), and took a different approach to stereotypical black tie elegance.
So many trusted (and helpful!) vendors were involved, and I was thrilled to find some new ones to bring on board — the beauty of this shoot simply would not have happened without each of those vendors! It came together as a stunning blend of grandeur and nature complete with furniture and vintage china rentals from New England Country Rentals, lush flowers from Tangerine Creations you want to just get lost in, delectable French macarons from C. Crowell Fine Confections, and my envisioned draped tent and chandelier brought to life by Jack Falvey Associates just to name a few. And of course the models! I loved the idea of featuring local bloggers — they’re comfortable in front of the camera, and my close friend Lani of the ever-fabulous Mon Petit Chou Chou helped style the lovely duo of Michele from Michele’s Musings and Kristen from The Boston Fashionista. Wasn’t hard to convince them to play dress up for the day and walk away with gorgeous pictures, and I’m so glad they said yes! And PS, can we swoon just a bit over the Miu Miu deco-bejeweled heels? Sending those back to Bloomingdales made for a sad day.
Wedding Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography / Wedding Venue: Elm Bank via the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley, Massachusetts / Event Planning + Styling: Emily Starr Alfano of mStarr event styling + design / Floral Design: Tangerine Creations / Wedding Invitations: Toby Dondis Ltd. / Calligraphy: Jan Boyd Calligraphy / Macarons: C. Crowell Fine Confections / Lavender Honey Caramel Favors: Iris Estell / Furniture Rentals: New England Country Rentals / Tent + Lighting: Jack Falvey Associates / Other Rentals: Peterson Party Center / Linens: Table Toppers of Newton / Fashion Styling + Model Bride: Noelani Zervas of Mon Petit Chou Chou / Model Bridesmaids: Michele of Michele’s Musings + Kristen of The Boston Fashionista / Hair: Missy Pappas of Sylvestre Franc Salon / Makeup: Zoe Markos / Clothing: Bloomingdales + Michael DePaulo / Shoes: Miu Miu / Bridal Sashes: Venust Bridal / Headbands: Untamed Petals / Wedding Rings: Laura Preshong / Vintage Plate Rentals: Making ME Event Planning Firm
My love affair with this wedding by Spring Smith Studios started with the pops of purple around every corner - I somewhat adore a perfectly-used hue (can you blame me?). Then my heart started to beat a bit faster with the way you can just feel how excited this couple is to be tying the knot, and when I wrapped my arms around the laid back yet causally elegant feeling of this fête – it was officially love. So let’s just say I started swooning over this duo’s big day from the beginning, and I have the full galley to thank for my goofy, wedding-loving grin this morning!
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From the bride… We met at a college party. He was my friend’s cousin and just visiting for the weekend. I thought he was cute, and he thought I was cute. 
We didn’t have our first kiss until the second time he visited. We fell for each other hard right away; he told me he loved me after just one month of dating. I knew pretty soon after I met Dan that he was “the one.” I had never had so much fun with someone. My favorite memories are so simple: making dinner, watching a movie and falling asleep to records together. When he asked me to marry him, he knew I was expecting it (we picked out the ring together) but he also knew I wanted to be surprised. One time, we went on a hike and we were sitting on this rock overlooking the Flatiron mountains and I was so sure he was going to propose to me then, and he didn’t! Instead he woke me up in the middle of the night and asked me to turn around. The ring was on my pillow and he asked me then. I was so surprised! And we still laugh about that time in the mountains — he says my face looked so disappointed that day! Our wedding day was perfect, so reflective of us. It was low key, classic and just fun. We didn’t want to do a formal sit-down dinner, cake cutting ceremony or have a giant bridal party. We did simple vows in the church I grew up in, followed by a big cocktail party at our favorite restaurant back east with 60 of our closest friends. Good food, drinks and some motown! I do remember the day, despite getting only 4 hours of sleep the night before! My favorite moment is a tie … seeing Dan in his suit, and me in my dress … and dancing with my Dad. Dan and I danced to the Black Keys “You’re the One.” Planning the wedding was actually fairly smooth! I think I was a little too ambitious. At one point I was going to do my own invitations, but after doing the save-the-dates, I nixed that idea. Leave lots of extra time if you plan on doing your own! Remember to laugh together … no matter what kind of day we’re having that always brings me back to why I fell in love and married him. Wedding Photography: Spring Smith Studios / Officiant: Bob Luther, Groom’s Father / Wedding Ceremony: First Congregational Church in Milton, Massachusetts / Wedding Reception, Catering, Cake + Cupcakes: Ashmont Grill in Dorchester, Massachusetts / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca via Country Weddings Bridal Boutique / Shoes: Nina / Hair: Anne Kovacs, Bride’s Mother / Makeup: Lacy Toback / Jewelry: Ann Taylor Loft / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Men’s Attire: J.Crew / Floral Design: Whole Foods Market / Wedding Stationery: The Envelope Please / Wedding Favors: Homemade Jam + Apple Butter
Even though Massachusetts is headed for snow, freezing temps and a little more snow at some point in time, we will dig ourselves out of Winter and (fingers crossed) right on into a gorgeous Spring. In the meantime, you can set your sites on this whimsical inspiration photographed by Summer Street Photography with design and florals by Whim Events that has our brains reeling with all the pretty possibilities that a garden wedding holds. And be sure to stop by the gallery for so much more.
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From Whim Events… Almost every little girl falls desperately in love with tales of Happily Ever After. Our goal for this inspiration shoot was to evoke those same childhood dreams for today’s bride, with a whimsical but modern twist on a fairy tale romance. Many of our brides come to us with dreams of a fairy tale wedding, but don’t want things to be too formal, common or forced. So, we worked to keep the elements enchantingly beautiful, yet seemingly natural. As if in an enchanted forest of a storybook, we created a natural & woodsy tone, with sweet, yet unexpected vintage elements. We wanted to inspire a magical storybook day, without going over the top.
As we began to think about what elements our storybook bride would love to have spun throughout her big day, our imagination was sparked by classic fairy tales. We found fantastic stationary by Jody Worthington (for Minted) called “Story Book”, to tell a romantic tale for guests from the moment they got their invitation. The teal and purple color pallet was inspired by the cover of the book The Secret Garden and set a whimsical tone for the design. We added birds into the mix (they did help put together Cinderella’s dress, didn’t they?!) by incorporating love birds on the tablescape, in the guest book concept and by using hand-designed birdhouse escort cards. The guest book concept was a Rapunzal tree-twine ladder for guests to leave notes, and favors were wrapped in little Alice in Wonderland-like gift boxes.
Most of our brides never want inspiration to be forced or cheesy, so we tried to use many of the elements within the garden to naturally enhance the storybook theme. And we always try to tie in elements that are special to our bride and groom (in this case, books, a locket or hand-mirror passed down from the bride’s grandmother). But, what was honestly so amazing about creating this dreamy storybook shoot was how it came to life naturally…like magic. And isn’t that what happy endings are all about?
Photography: Summer Street Photography / Coordination, Styling & Floral Design: Whim Events /
Venue: The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Gardens at Elm Bank / Hair & Make-Up: Ashley Brecken Hair Styling & Make-up Artistry / Wedding Dress: Designer, Coren Moore, the “Reese”, available at Flair BridesMaids, Boston / Hair Accessories: Flair BridesMaids Boston / Flower Girl Dress: Flair BridesMaids Boston / Junior Bridesmaid Dress & Fur Cape: Nordstrom / Invitations: Designed by Jody Worthington, exclusively for Minted / Birdhouse Escort Card Design: Jill Hoy
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