Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… A few weeks after our engagement we attended a fundraising event for Abilis in Greenwich, CT.  Every attendee was given their lunch in a mini picnic basket which I found to be adorable.  Everyone was told they could take the baskets home with them, but when the hoards of people left, many left their baskets behind.  I hurriedly found the event planners and asked if we could take the remaining baskets to reuse as our centerpieces at our wedding… twenty some odd baskets later our wedding plans were officially underway!  As a typical bride might do I scanned the pages of wedding magazines and of COURSE Style Me Pretty for inspirations. We always knew we would have our wedding in Madison, CT, one of our favorite places.  My family on both my mothers and fathers side, have been either living in or visiting Madison since 1922.  My grandmother, great aunt, aunt, and one sister were all married in The First Congregational Church of Madison, so it only seemed natural. Down the street is The Madison Beach Club where we originally intended to hold our reception, but Tropical Storm Irene had other plans for us and we ended up with a tent wedding at The Guilford Yacht Club. 

Personalized details included:

1. A guest book made out of quilt squares that my aunt is now sewing for us.
2. Pennant flags cut out of extra yellow fabric from my parent’s attic and glued onto twine found in the basement.
3. Picnic baskets with table numbers cut out of the same pattern my mom’s bridesmaids wore and glued on by my best friends.
4. Our sweet ride from the church to the reception in a 1973 Chevy pickup named “Big Blue” borrowed from our neighbors in Madison.
5. A photo booth with an African sunset back drop painted by my best friend, African stuffed animals borrowed from a local thrift shop, and instant camera given to us by Kevin’s parents.  We went to Tanzania for our honeymoon and were too excited to wait for photo opportunities!
6. Windows found in a dumpster behind our apartment which served as our seating chart and menu’s for the night, using chalk markers to write and draw with!
7. Table runners cut by hand by my mom and myself straight from a bolt of fabric until we had blisters on our hands!
8. Our entrees were fish and chips or steak and onion rings, both with a corn/tomato salad recipe of my mom’s, while dessert was blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, a recipe from my family that we make every summer in Madison.
9. My dad and I danced our first dance to Sweet Caroline while wearing red sox attire as both Kevin and my family are big Red Sox fans.
10.  My bridesmaids (my 3 sisters and best friend) sang Amazing Grace while Kevin and I lit the unity candle during our ceremony.
11. Pillows for EVERY guest made from scratch (meaning a bolt of fabric, paint, stamps, needle and thread, and stuffing) with the help of Kevin, my family and a very dear and unbelievably selfless friend while watching Christmas movies in our apartment. For the past seven years I have worked with an orphanage in Ayacucho, Peru called La Casa Hogar Los Gorriones. I have been inspired by their work and humbled by their thankfulness. We made the pillows as a “give away” item at our wedding to let our guests know that we have donated to the orphanage in honor of their presence at our wedding.  The  moto of Los Gorriones is “Sin Amor Soy Nada”, without love I am nothing, which is what we stamped on each pillow.  I hope soon to visit the orphanage for the third time myself, but for the first time with Kevin.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Flowers: Elisabeth from BLUSH floral design / Event Design: Candice Coppola from Jubilee Events / Event Planning: Jubilee Events / Ceremony Location: First Congregational Church of Madison / Reception Location: Guilford Yacht Club / Invitations: Shindigs by Two Trick Pony / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau via The White Dress By The Shore / Groomsmen’s Pocket Squares: Belles & Beaux / Groomsmen’s Ties: Vineyard Vines / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lilly Pulitzer / Ringbearers Suspenders + Bow Ties: Divine Domestication / Flower Girl Dresses: Target / Hair + Makeup: Jennie Fresa / DJ: Eturnity Band / Lighting: Ryan Designs / Tenting and Generator: Sperry Tents / Catering: Marissa of Jordan Caterers

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Post tags: Belles & Beaux, BLUSH Floral Design, Candice Coppola, Carla Ten Eyck, Connecticut, Diving Domestication, Eturnity Band, First Congregational Church of Madison, Guilford Yacht Club, Jennie Fresa, Jordan Caterers, Jubilee Events, Lilly Pulitzer, Madison, Modern Trousseau, Nautical Wedding, Ryan Designs, Shindigs by Two Trick Pony, Sperry Tents, Target, The White Dress By The Shore, Vineyard Vines
Post categories: The Blog

And because I am absolutely obsessed with all things paper – I just had to showcase the stunning stationery for this shoot crafted by Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design. Do you love? Or do you LOVE?

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Jubilee Events…We had so much fun designing this brightly colored, playful and fun styled shoot inspired by croquet! In shades of coral, bright blue and grey, we drew inspiration from the vintage croquet set I picked up at a flea market in Massachusetts. Some of my favorite details from this shoot are the groom’s seersucker J. Crew suit with a pocket square designed by Datura: A Modern Garden which is made from rose petals and lillies of the valley! I also love the stellar paper from Coral Pheasant, especially our “bow tie” paper details on the champagne glasses, accordion fold menu cards and  intricate favor boxes.

Our tablescape was draped in a gorgeous coral pea de soie linen with clean and modern ghost chairs from Rentals Unlimited. Datura: A Modern Garden created a dramatic floral centerpiece using old, vintage marble lamp bases. We played on our theme of prep and used bow ties in the paper and real ties as chair decor.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Model Styling + Fashion: The White Dress by the Shore / Flowers: Datura – A Modern Garden / Event Design + Planning: Jubilee Events / Hair + Make-up: Dana Bartone & Company / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Ocean House / Invitations: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress: Modern Trousseau / Rentals: Rentals Unlimited of Newport / Cake: Toria Dolce Fine Desserts / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Bow Tie: Southern Proper

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Post tags: Badgley Mischka, Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Coral Pheasant Stationary & Design, Dana Bartone & Company, Datura: A Modern Garden, Inspiration Shoot, J. Crew, Jubilee Events, Massachusetts Weddings, Modern Trousseau, Rentals Unlimited Boston, Southern Proper, The Ocean House, The White Dress By The Shore, Toria Dolce Fine Desserts
Post categories: Cape Cod Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings, Photo Shoot

Unexpected intense summer thunderstorms didn’t stop photographer Carla and hubby Dave Ten Eyck from renewing their vows at Carla’s childhood home and their current studio and home in Hartford, CT.  The wedding was orchestrated by a team of vendors belonging to the members of the Little Black Book, including Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Studio Foto, Jubilee Events, Datura: A Modern Garden, Dana Bartone & Co, The White Dress by the Shore, and RAW Photo Design.

Details of this wedding were anchored in Carla and Dave’s strong sense of family, her mother Georgianne’s memory, her Mexican heritage and her passion of photography. Carla looked stunning in her tea length dress by Siri and head piece by The White Dress By the Shore. The bridal party, consisting of her children Jack and Georgie and studio members, wore her studio colors – pink and brown. The gowns were from The White Dress By the Shore.

Colorful star and globe shaped lanterns swayed in the breeze, lighting the wooden picnic table that was once Carla’s dinning room table growing up.  The wooden table set up was reminiscent of a dia de Los Muertos altar in Mexico, and was peppered with Carla’s mother’s china, pictures of Carla’s studio members and roses given to Carla’s mother for Mother’s Day.

Amongst family photos, various old cameras were displayed, owned by Carla and her father. Friends wrote well wishes on paper tags and hung them on a Blue Atlas Cedar wishing tree, the tree that Carla gave her husband Dave as his original wedding gift (almost 12 years ago). The words written all described words of wisdom for a strong and lasting marriage. Rodney, their cat and Mexican Food. Yes. Keys to a successful marriage for sure!

To escape the rain, the ceremony was held on the front porch, as guests held umbrellas and snapped pictures. Childhood friend, Susannah McGlamery who officiated the ceremony, reread the same words she spoke at their first wedding years before.

Bouquets by Datura, A Modern Garden, included pink peonies, queen anne’s lace (one of Carla’s mother’s favorite flower), ranunculus and garden roses.  Guests enjoyed pizza and gelato from The Pizza Truck while relaxing on furniture from Ryan Designs.  When the festivities were over, guests left with Carla’s aunt Donna’s homemade “Keep it spicy” hot pepper jelly.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Growing Tree Photography, DeCarlo Photo Studio, RAW Photo Design, Studio Foto / Wedding Dress: Siri at The White Dress by the Shore / Hair & Makeup: Dana Bartone & Co. / Officiant: Susannah McGlamery / Flowers: Datura: A Modern Garden / Cake: Hope from A Little Imagination Cakes / Video: Jim Altieri, Vintage Cinema / Brides Jewelry: Custom made by Aquina, The White Dress by the Shore / Maids Jewels: Perception Jewelry / Lanterns & Furniture: Ryan Designs / Brides Shoes: Bagdley Mischka / Day of Coordination: Jubilee Events

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Post tags: A Little Imagination Cakes, Bagdley Mischka, Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Chinese Lanterns, Color Palette Pink Brown, Connecticut, Cupcakes, Dana Bartone & Co., Datura: A Modern Garden, DeCarlo Photo Studio, Flower girls, Growing Tree Photography, Hartfort, jam, Jubilee Events, Lanterns, Perception Jewelry, Rain, Rainy Day Wedding, Raw Photo Design, Ring Bearers, Ryan Designs, Siri, Studio Foto, Swings, The White Dress By The Shore, Vintage Chic, Vintage Cinema, Vow Renewal, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

C10: Tik Tok from Jim Altieri on Vimeo.

If you are anything like me, that was just the first time of many that you will watch that video. I love it, I love the laid back, chill atmosphere, and I love the rockstar that is Carla Ten Eyck. I’m telling you now, the rest of the wedding is just as awesome. Think amazing florals, creekside romance, the cutest little flower girl ever, and lots and lots of pink. And the best news? We’ll be back here bright and early Monday morning to share it with you. I will see you then!

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Growing Tree Photography, DeCarlo Photo Studio, RAW Photo Design, Studio Foto / Wedding Dress: Siri at The White Dress by the Shore / Hair & Makeup: Dana Bartone & Co. / Officiant: Susannah McGlamery / Flowers: Datura: A Modern Garden / Cake: Hope from A Little Imagination Cakes / Video: Jim Altieri, Vintage Cinema / Brides Jewelry: Custom made by Aquina, The White Dress by the Shore / Maids Jewels: Perception Jewelry / Lanterns & Furniture: Ryan Designs / Brides Shoes: Bagdley Mischka / Day of Coordination: Jubilee Events

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Post tags: A Little Imagination Cakes, Aquina, Bagdley Mischka, Carla Ten Eyck Photogrpahy, Dana Bartone & Co., Datura: A Modern Garden, DeCarlo Photo Studio, Growing Tree Photography, Jubilee Events, Ke$ha, Perception Jewelry, Raw Photo Design, Ryan Designs, Siri, Studio Foto, The White Dress By The Shore, Vintage Cinema, Wedding Cinematography, Wedding Video
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

Clark totally surprised me on our first date when I opened my door and found him outside, smiling, and holding a beautiful bouquet of pink and purple tulips and a small black box.  I was totally flattered by the amazing flowers.  We had chatted on the phone on the days leading up to our date, and I had told Clark that I loved office supplies, which I chalk up to being an elementary school teacher.  I knew that this date was different and I knew that Clark really “got me” when I opened the box he brought for me and found a Staples “Easy Button!” We ended up talking the whole night at an Italian restaurant, and when they were getting ready to close, we took our date to an all-night diner where we shared dessert.  We had an instant connection and quickly realized that we were meant to be together.

Clark has the ability to make me smile like no one else can, and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.  There are some ways that we are completely different; I have a type-A personality, and Clark is more laid back and able to calm me down.  Clark will also take time to think through his decisions, and I am much more spontaneous… which is why Clark’s proposal almost didn’t work!

In late June of 2009, Clark had purchased a beautiful diamond ring and decided to propose on a summer evening on the beach near our apartment.  The only problem is that when Clark decided it was finally time, it rained for an entire week!  When it finally stopped raining, Clark took me to the beach and brought a nice picnic.  We were enjoying ourselves, but many of my elementary students were there with their families and we kept getting interrupted.  We finally finished dinner and headed home.  Once we got home and got settled, Clark got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

I knew that I wanted to incorporated pink and purple into our wedding, inspired by those beautiful tulips from our first date.  We decided that we wanted to have a wedding that was traditional, classic, romantic, and elegant but full of fun touches that it made it our own.

Photographers: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Hair: Catie Bane from Dana Bartone & Company / Make-up: Amy Fiordelisi from Dana Bartone & Company / Flowers: Elisabeth Zemetis from Blush Floral Design / Bridal Gown: Modern Trousseau / Lace Bolero: Modern Trousseau / Ceremony Location: Assumption Church / Reception Location: New Haven Lawn Club / Event Planning & Design: Candice Coppola from Jubilee Events / Reception Lighting: Rob Alberti from After Hours / Reception Entertainment: Bales Gitlin Band / Cupcakes: Sweet Cakes

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Post tags: After Hours, Art Deco, Assumption Church, Bales Gitlin Band, BLUSH Floral Design, Color Palette Purple Pink, Connecticut, Cookies, Dana Bartone & Company, Jubilee Events, Mondern Trousseau, New Haven, New Haven Lawn Club, Robert & Kathleen Photographers, Sweet Cakes, Vintage Chic, Wedding Bouquet, Wedding Photographers, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Jubilee Events… This was a great photo shoot that derived from a more personal stance than most shoots. This was such a fun, personal photoshoot that was rich with color and details– allowing us to express our fun side. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday full of life and energy—an element we wanted to portray. We coupled it with another tradition, Day of the Dead, and honed in on the spirit of this culture.

Our models, Alicia and Carlos were a great addition to our team for the day—hats off to those shoes that Alicia brought and, of course, the dress, expertly chosen by The White Dress by the shore!  Tony constructed a bouquet and arrangement that, as always, was a beautiful hit and bursting with color! Your eyes can get lost for hours looking at all of the trinkets and pieces we included—each one with a different meaning and purpose behind it.

Our good friend and photographer, Carla Ten Eyck brought in several artifacts from her family’s history, like sugar skulls, masks, colorful lanterns and flags as a nod to the Dia de los Muertos altar, or Day of the Dead, meant to celebrate and remember lost loved ones. Both Carla and Tony Palmieri from Datura – A Modern Garden, brought special notes to include their mothers, quite easily making this shoot even more meaningful to our hearts.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Model Styling & Jewelry: Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the shore / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet (Billie) via The White Dress by the shore / Flowers: Datura – A Modern Garden / Event Design: Diana Chouinard of Jubilee Events / Invitations: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design / Beauty: Dana Bartone & Company / Bride’s Head Piece: Twigs & Honey / Mini Gourmet Donuts: Tastease, Hartford, CT / Original Artwork: Carlos Hernandez Chavez

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blue, Carla Ten Eyck, Carlos Hernandez Chavez, Cinco de Mayo, Connecticut, Coral Pheasant Stationary & Design, Dana Bartone & Co., Datura: A Modern Garden, Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, Jubilee Events, Photo Shoot, Purple, Red, Tastease, The White Dress By The Shore, Twigs & Honey, Vibrant Colors, Yellow
Post categories: Photo Shoot

All the fab rentals came from our favorite Luxe Event Rentals!

We weren’t quite done with this lovely fest, so when we heard the talented team at Vantage Point Films was on hand for the wedding, and had an amazingly beautiful highlight film, we were all over that. Want to see it?

Melissa and Peter | The Highlight Film from Vantage Point Films on Vimeo

From Jubilee Events … Melissa and Peter were married on a chilly November evening in Greenwich on the harbor, with a beautiful vintage / deco wedding style. Their ceremony was held in a local church with 200 of their closest family and friends. The altar was dressed with two massive fall foliage trees dripping with candles and lanterns as designed by Datura – A Modern Garden. The aisles were flanked with custom iron lanterns and nearly 200 candles.

Melissa and Peter’s reception was held at L’escale, a world famous restaurant in downtown Greenwich with the most delicious french food! Guests dined in a ballroom filled with thousands of candles and gorgeous long and round tables with beautiful branch centerpieces.

From Datura – A Modern Garden … It was clear from the first moment I met Melissa that her bouquet had to be something special. We chose white paphiopedilum orchids which were so fresh and perfect, we decided to accent them with only a single green trick dianthus at the center and a few spirals of grass at the base. For her attendants, we chose bronze cymbidium stems with uluhe fern shoots and grass.

For the ceremony, we brought in 14 foot beech trees at their autumn peak and strung Moroccan lanterns from the branches. We lined the aisle with fresh autumn leaves and accented with over sized lanterns.

At L’escale, we chose two centerpiece styles: we countered a white orchid and candle component composition in slender stemware and gathering vases with an art-deco style branch centerpiece strung with white vanda orchids and votives in blown glass globes. For their sweetheart table, we designed a custom branch cascade with willow and orchids.

Photography: Katie Slater for Carla Ten Eyck Photography / Cinematography: Vantage Point Films / Flowers: Datura – A Modern Garden / Event Planning & Design: Jubilee Events / Reception Location: L’escale at the Delamar Hotel / Dress: Claire Pettibone / Beauty: Jill Imbruogo and Arlene Cole / Bridesmaid Dresses & Jewelrey: J. Crew / Cupcakes: Great Cakes of Westport / Uplighting: Shoreline AV / Lounge Furniture: Luxe Event Rentals / Band: Vali Entertainment

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Post tags: Art Deco, Cara Ten Eyck Photography, Claire Pettibone, Connecticut, Datura: A Modern Garden, Delamar Hotel, J. Crew, Jubilee Events, L'escale, Luxe Event Rentals, Shoreline AV, Vali Entertainment, Vantage Point Films, Vintage, Winter Wedding
Post categories: Bouquets, Centerpieces, Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Cinematography, Wedding Decor, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Jubilee Events… A wedding with so many carefully thought out details: that was the story of Anna and Matt. They started their planning journey with a rocky start– troubled by hardships. Luckily, they entered a contest on Style Me Pretty and were chosen to receive a wedding with support by a lot of special vendors, including Jessica’s Country Flowers, who organized the give-a-way and designed all of their flowers.

They were destined to have an Alice in Wonderland styled wedding on the last weekend of summer, surrounded by 150 of their nearest and dearest. Mostly do-it-yourself, they took on a ton of projects to truly make their wedding their own. From fabric pennant flags that the bride sewed, to the wedding paper suite expertly designed by the groom (with a little help from an amazing illustrator Krista Wildermuth). Perhaps the most amazing piece of homemade décor was the antique door we suspended above their long, family style head table with dozens of antique medicine bottles hanging above like a chandelier. The sweetest part of their story is they were inspired by so many blogs and other couples!

In this kind of styled event, we were inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland and took some visual cues: pearls that the bride wore, “eat me” and “drink me” signs, a play on cards using them as favors and being inspired by them with their cake, the use of zinnias and dahlias in their flowers. But overall, Anna and Matt wanted a colorful, fun, and quirky look that represented them as a couple. We used fun and playful colors— aqua, blue, pink, red, and shades of silver to bring their vision to life.

Their ceremony took place just a stones throw from where the bride grew up at a little, teeny tiny church called Hope Valley Church. A hydrangea covered wreath greeted guests at the steeple and sweet music from a duo of violins prompted the ceremony, where Anna was escorted down the aisle by her dad. She wore an absolutely gorgeous gown with ruffles that cascaded down the back… And layers, and layers of vintage pearls collected from flea markets & antique shops. A cage veil and pretty fascinator, all from The White Dress by the Shore. Matt wore a Versace suit and tie with a pair of custom chuck taylors.

After the ceremony, guests blew bubbles and saw the newly weds off to their epic reception— complete with gorgeous tablescapes designed by us full of sweet little details, and a lot of fun. The bride and groom had their hand on every piece of décor for their wedding— we scouted vintage china used to serve guests dinner at flea markets (Brimfield, to be exact!) together and borrowed unique pieces from Anna’s father— a man who loves antiques! Each guest plucked their escort card from an antique barn door from Anna’s home that Matt hammered vintage nails into. A tag with their name on it, affixed to a skeleton key, guided them to their table. After dinner, they danced the night away with family and friends into the wee hours!

Wedding Photography: Raw Photo Design / Flowers: Jessica’s Country Flowers / Event Design & Planning: Jubilee Events / Ceremony Location: Hope Valley Church, Amston, CT / Reception Location: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills / Custom Lighting: Rob Alberti / Wedding Invitations: DIY by Bride & Groom / Monogram: Krista Wildermuth / Wedding Dress & Veil: Vineyard Collection by Priscilla of Boston via The White Dress by the Shore / Wedding Cake: Kelly’s Sweet Rewards / Makeup: Blush Couture Design / Ceremony Music: Millennium Music / DJ: DJ Derek / Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen / Hair: Andrea’s Hair Studio, Glastonbury, CT / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo via The White Dress by the Shore / Calligraphy: Jondahl Meotti

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Post tags: Alice in Wonderland, Amston, Andrea's Hair Studio, Aqua, Barn Reception, Blue, Blush Couture Design, Chuck Taylors, Connecticut, DIY Details, DJ Derek, Hope Valley Church, Jenny Yoo, Jessica's Country Flowers, Jondahl Meotti, Jubilee Events, Kelly's Sweet Rewards, Krista Wildermuth, Millennium Music, Pink, Raw Photo Design, Red, Rob Alberti, Stuart Weitzmen, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills, The White Dress By The Shore, Vineyard Collection by Priscilla of Boston, Vintage Details
Post categories: Whimsical