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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

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Post tags: Blue, Branford House, Chalkboards, Connecticut, CT, Dessert Table, Gourmet Galley, Grey, Groton, Hana Floral Design, J. Crew, Justin & Mary, Melissa Sweet, New England Wedding, Peach, Purple, Rob Rivers, Roberto Coin, Sarah True, Sperry Tents, Tented Reception, The Blue Horse, True Event, Tuscan Inspired, University of Connecticut, White, White Dress By The Shore
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

see the FULL wedding here!

Shade Tree Films shot the perfect little number to finish up this Connecticut beauty and give you a little insight into such a lovely day. So, without further ado…

Receiving the phone call from California based wedding photographer, Brian Khang, with a request to help him, and his long time love Helen, plan their Connecticut wedding was music to my ears. We have admired Brian’s work, dating back to his roots in Connecticut before moving West to make it big, and that he did. We met in person on one of their few East Coast trips and formed great bonds from the beginning. Brian has an incredible eye, a keen sense of design, and a love of beautiful things. This made planning with him and with Helen an exciting challenge! Every decision made, every component incorporated, every design element selected was carefully thought out with the aesthetics through a photographer’s eye and lens in mind. The color palette was selected early on. A vibrant mix of aqua and teal, lilac and plum, with accents of silver and cream, all feminine and sweet, set the stage for a gorgeous contrast off the rich masculinity of the interior of the Branford House Mansion, in Groton, Connecticut. A bit of preppy and a bit of whimsy, balanced with vintage nods to create a sophisticated and polished event that was down right current and fun. Honoring Helen’s Chinese heritage, the formalities began with a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony at the Griswold Inn, in Essex, Connecticut. During this ceremony, it is tradition, that Helen is formally introduced to Brian’s family, and tea is exchanged as a symbol of respect. Helen wore a stunning plum colored, peacock inspired Chinese Wedding Dress, known as a Chi Pao, Brian was quite dapper in a Teal and Gold Chinese 2 button jacket, custom made at J. Crew.

Attire was one large detail, not to go unattended. Helen wore three gowns throughout the day, her jaw dropping wedding gown, Sabelle, by Maggie Sottero, her ultra feminine Chinese Wedding Dress, and her flirty one shouldered frock for dancing. The maids kept it modern and preppy in one shouldered short dresses with floral embellishment on the trim from the Limited. Brian, known for his love of ties, especially bow ties, and vests, wore not one but two outfits as well. In addition to his Chinese Jacket, he wore a well fitting three piece suit from J.Crew, a fun bow tie from Brooks Brothers and argyle socks! The guys kept it cool in matching gray vests and pants, and various neck ties from Burberry. They kept in tune with Brian, with matching argyle socks as well! At the Branford House, guests were greeted to the seaside ceremony location, overlooking the expansive lawn and exposed rock behind the mansion. Two large garden inspired arrangements flanked the front of the ceremony space, and the rear row of chairs was dressed with ribbons, blowing in the breeze. Always fashion forward, Helen wanted the ladies to be dressed to the nines, right down to their toes, so the maids, in gorgeous heels from Aldo, stood on slices of tree stump, stained to match the Walnut chairs selected for the ceremony. The cocktail hour was fun and festive, casual and cool. Guests enjoyed American favorites both stationary and passed, while they mingled the grounds, gathered around the photobooth, and selected their escort cards, strung amidst images from Brian and Helen’s engagement session.

Inside the mansion, round tables doned rich aqua linens, topped with scalloped china, amethyst goblets, Victorian lilac lamour napkins, and modern styled silverware and chopsticks greeted guests. Two styles of centerpieces, incorporating lilacs, roses, peonies and greens, added height and variety to the grand space. Individual menus detailed the traditional eight course Chinese meal, guests were about to receive. Warm uplighting and a purple ceiling wash finished the look. As the evening progressed, guests danced away, delighted in assorted Tazo Teas, and snacked on delectable treats from a fabulous dessert buffet. Brian and Helen bid farewell to a sparkler send-off and rode off in a vintage Roadster Porsche. A spectacular end to a spectacular wedding!

Vendor Credits: Jonathan Canlas Photography / Cinematography: Shade Tree Films / Flowers: Stems Floral Design / Event Design, Planning and Coordination: Sixpence For Your Shoe / Ceremony and Reception Location: Branford House /  Mansion Caterer: American – A Thyme To Cook, Chinese – Victor Huynh / Invitations and Stationery: Papeterie / Bride’s Wedding Attire: Maggie Sottero, Chi Pao, Badgley Mischka / Groom’s Wedding Attire: J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Cole Haan / Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / DJ: Rob Waldron, Standing Ovations / Lighting: Shindig Lighting / Rentals: Party Rental, LTD., BBJ Linen, Linen Hero / Custom Wedding Dress Designer:  L’ATELIER / Classic Car Rental: Classic Cars and Byways / Officiant: Sara Carson, CT Justice of the Peace

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 30 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Thyme to Cook, Badgley Mischka, BBJ Linen, Branford House, Brooks Brothers, Cole Haan, Connecticut, J. Crew, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library, Jonathan Canlas Photography, Linen Hero, Maggie Sottero, Papeterie, Party Rental, Shade Tree Films, ShinDig Lighting, Sixpence For Your Shoes, Standing Ovations, Stems Floral Design
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start!

The precious pillow toss? The ice-cream bar? Cupcakes galore? Cute-cute-cute escort & table cards? The dichotomy of grand floral displays vs. sweet, simple blooms? The mantle filled to overflowing with floating candles? (dot, dot, dot)

Suzanne and Justin … this all started with a TIE ???

What’s another word for PERFECT ?

Thank you … to everyone involved in bringing Suzanne and Justin’s wedding to fruition. You all did an amazing job! And we are so proud to feature it on Style Me Pretty.  Any and all who contributed to their day, please let us know below!

For all of the delicious details (and so much more), Justin and Mary Marantz have posted this fabulous wedding on their site. These guys stand for all that is good, all that is beautiful … all rolled up into one awesome package.

Oh! Wait! We can’t leave out Julia! Julia is now their 2nd shooter ( or 3rd?). Her wedding was featured HERE (so detail-oriented it’s 6 parts) … and her all-time favorite vintage-themed engagement shoot HERE! Ha! Love it!  Love you guys!!

***

Branford House Mansion ~ University of Connecticut, Groton CT

A Floral Affair

Felicia’s Sweetface Pastry Shoppe

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 25 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Floral Affair, Branford House, Connecticut, Felicia's Sweetface Pastry Shoppe, Groton, Justin and Mary Marantz, Tie, University of Connecticut
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Decor, Wedding Details, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

Just in case you missed the first post {here}, Suzanne and Justin were married this month at the Branford House in Groton, CT.

Mary described them as “two people who shine from the inside out” …

Suzanne’s mom walked her to the beginning of the aisle, where Justin met her.

Her beautiful bouquet was by A Floral Affair.

Seriously. I’m right, aren’t I? It doesn’t get any better.

To answer just a couple of the questions we know you’ll ask … Suzanne’s beautiful gown is from Nicole Miller. Her necklace is her something borrowed (from a friend) and something blue, by Ralph Lauren.

Next up, the details of the day … from Justin & Mary Marantz!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Floral Affair, Branford House, Connecticut, Felicia's Sweetface Pastry Shoppe, Flowergirl, Groton, Justin Marantz Photography, Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren, ring bearer, Shawl
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style