Being in the industry was both a blessing and a burden for me while Michael and I set out to plan our amazing wedding. As you can imagine, being constantly immersed in the loveliness of the wedding world posed unique challenges for me when it came to the look and feel for our wedding. Our color story rose out of my muse – my shoes – and my love for purple. Purple, gold, with pops of red and white. Another source of inspiration was the song my parents danced to at their wedding, Frank Sinatra’s “The Best is Yet to Come”. With these bits as our inspiration, we set out to plan the big day.

We met while living in Hartford, Connecticut – so it seemed only fitting to travel back there to be married. Hartford holds so many great memories for us and was the place where we fell in love. I wore a custom Modern Trousseau gown and was outfitted with all my lovely accessories by the girls at the White Dress. I wanted to walk down the aisle with something meaningful and secret sewn into my dress… “Live the life you’ve imagined.” There were special touches with me – a vintage hanky, my grandmothers pearl bracelet, and of course, my muse for our entire wedding. My Natalie Portman shoes.

Our ceremony was so incredible – our favorite part of the entire day. Our officiant was a close family friend who we’ve known for many, many years. She wrote the most beautiful ceremony that was partially inspired by the lovely writings of our photographers who had posted our engagement session with our love story on their website.

My shoes and the location of our reception really inspired the wedding. The G. Fox Department store was a major brand in New England and its headquarters were in Hartford. In fact, our bridesmaids dressed in little black dresses as that was what the women who worked for G. Fox wore to the department store. Our wedding reception was literally held in an old department store. While there were no more beauty counters or cash registers you can certainly feel the building buzzing with shoppers, smell vintage Chanel, or ride the original escalators. Our guests enjoyed vintage style cocktails in the mezzanine area which overlooks the large atrium we reserved for dancing. Our escort cards, with designs by Lilah Paper and calligraphy by Lisa Ridgely, where pinned to vintage black frames I ensconced with purple fabric. Guests left us notes and words of wisdom on vintage Hartford post cards, too.

Our florist, Jessica, created varying centerpieces and arrangements for dinning, using a variety of purple and white flowers. Our head table had flowers in eclectic containers down the center. It was absolutely stunning. We had over 50 tapper candles burning on the table as well. We chose to do a long, family style head table which I always recommend to our clients. On each table were bottles of Francis Ford Coppola wine – our favorite for obvious reasons! I can’t tell you how amazing it was to imbibe our favorite wine with our closest friends and celebrate our marriage!

We had the most delicious cake – chocolate and raspberry. I love wedding cakes, but for myself, I knew that I didn’t want anything traditional. I wanted something rich, architectural, and just plan delicious. Our four-tiered chocolate masterpiece, by Modern Pastry, was topped with handmade gold painted banners that Lisa calligraphed our inspiration… the best is yet to come. Our first dance was to Van Morrison’s Someone Like You, with a special line in the last verse…. “and lately I have realized, the best is yet to come.” After dinner we danced the night away and ended the evening on a high kicking note.

Planning by Jubilee Events / Wedding gown, accessories and attire by Modern Trousseau from The White Dress by the Shore, Clinton Connecticut  / Makeup & Hair by Dana Bartone & Co.  / Floral Décor by Jessica’s Country Flowers / Photography by Robert and Kathleen Photographers / Cinematography by Vantage Point Films / Ceremony Location by The Old State House, Hartford Connecticut / Reception Location by The Old G. Fox Department Store / Caterer by Marquee Events & Catering / Bridesmaids Gowns by White House Black Market / Cake & Confections by Modern Pastry, Hartford / Invitations & Paper by Lilah Paper / Calligraphy by Lisa Ridgely

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 48 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Candice Dowling, Connecticut, G. Fox Department Store, Hartford, Jubilee Events, Lilah Paper, Lisa Ridgely, Modern Pastry, Modern Trousseau, Robert and Kathleen Photographers, The White Dress By The Shore, Vantage Point Films
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Ok, back to the cute, cute nautical inspired wedding that we are featuring.

More from the lovely and HUGELY talented Candice Dowling, the planner behind the day…

The tablescapes were gorgeous and filled with SO many details. We used navy linen as a base, and brought in beautiful beech wood chiavari chairs with white pads from Party Rentals, Ltd out of Greenwich. Centerpieces were of one tall, French galvanized bucket filled with white peonies, ranunculus and hydrangea. They were fluffy and tightly filled — so gorgeous! There were three satellite arrangements of yellow and white gerbera daisies in smaller galvanized buckets. Each bucket had the same yellow and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon from Kim’s bouquet wrapped around them. The taller, French galvanized buckets had thick red grosgrain ribbon.

Each place setting had a rattan charger with an accompanying blue polka dot plate and clear glass saucer for the chilled gazpacho, all rented from Party Rentals, Ltd. Their navy napkins were rolled and tied onto them was a menu “tag”, which we created in the round. It had a seersucker boarder and a cute little yellow grommet, tied together with white grosgrain ribbon. Each guest received a cute little galvanized bucket filled with red Swedish fish. We created red and blue favor tags with lyrics to their first dance song by U2 and tied it on with red grosgrain ribbon.

Each table was named after a New England town that held special significance to the bride and groom. Places like Westport, Newport, Nantucket, Block Island, Bar Harbor, Mystic…. we even inserted the GPS coordinates of each location onto their table sign. A fun little detail we carried throughout the event — like on the custom stamp we made for their invitations!

Guests dined on chilled gazpacho, surf and turf with filet mignon and lobster tail with steamed red potatoes and corn on the cob. There were even toothpicks on the table for pickin’ corn out of your teeth! The entire event was catered by the Club’s restaurant, Riverview Restaurant. Chef Danny and his team did a fabulous job!

More on the way!

to see the full gallery, click here!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blue Hill At Stone Barns, Candice Dowling, Connecticut, Events Jubilee, Nautical, New York Weddings, Paul Rich Studio, Pocantico Hills
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Photographs are courtesy of Kelley and Todd Whittaker (website coming soon)

More details from Candice…

After their beautiful ceremony at Assumption Church in Westport, Matt and Kim went to the spot that was very meaningful and sentimental to them. A place where they spent many nights watching the sun set as a couple. They love Combo Beach in Westport and try to visit at least once every weekend during the summer months. Her love of rowing and his love of the water really drew them together. After the ceremony, Kim took off her gorgeous veil and pinned a fabulous little white flower in her hair. Doesn’t she look STUNNING?

The reception was held at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport. The views? Stunning. It was obvious to them that it was the perfect location, which would marry her love of rowing and his love of the water. Guests were greeted on the blue slate patio overlooking the Saugatuck River and the docks that lead out into the water. They enjoyed Matt and Kim’s signature cocktail, the Pimms Cup, served from large sea glass canisters into high ball glasses which were garnished with a lemon wheel, cucumber spear, and a seersucker swizzle stick. Heaven.

We displayed escort cards on a red linen wrapped cork board with some retro metal pushpins. It was perfect! We also had custom napkins, swizzle sticks, and coasters made for the event. The beautiful calligraphy was done by Lisa Ridgley of Pen and Ink Calligraphy out of Westminister, Maryland. I LOVE Lisa. She is so good to our brides and does AMAZING work!

to see the full gallery, click here!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blue Hill At Stone Barns, Candice Dowling, Connecticut, Jubilee Events, Nautical, New York Weddings, Paul Rich Studio, Pen and Ink Calligraphy, Pocantico Hills
Post categories: Casual Elegance