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From the Bride…Nate and I have been together since high school (set-up for a town dance, true story), and were married on a Sunday afternoon in our hometown almost nine years later. After months of preparation and a week of chaotic details, head colds and thundery forecasts, June 5, 2011 unfolded as one big, beautiful, blue-skied gift. My husband and I are both Masters of Divinity students at Yale, pursuing careers in ministry and the arts, so we were super excited to design the ceremony ourselves, finding ways to mix tradition with funky liturgy and personal touches. My mother, an ordained minister, officiated along with our home church pastor. Children rang chimes, and our friends played violin, piano, guitar and drums, including a gorgeous version of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Nate and I each walked down the aisle, given to one another equally by all four parents. My nephew carried our rings in the secret compartment of an antique book. The vine leaf pattern on our custom programs and invitations was designed to match the lace pattern on my dress. My “something old” gold bracelet belonged to my great-grandmother and namesake. We had four readings: two scripture (Ruth & 1 John), one poem (Whitman), and one selection of rap lyrics (“The Light” by Common). To express both our unity and individuality, we wrote half our vows together, half on our own. Celebrating communion was the first thing we did as a married couple. My father-in-law baked the bread, and Nate and I served the elements, allowing for some of the most miraculous, intimate moments of the day.

At the end of the service, everyone followed the wedding party outside, where our band surprised guests with a jazzed up version of “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands.” Flower girls passed out bubbles, and everyone surrounded us in one giant circle for the final blessing. This is my favorite memory, standing there with my new husband, literally encircled by love, support, and pure joy. Our reception was just down the road at Elm Bank (home of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society)—cocktails in the gardens, dinner and dancing in an old carriage house. The flowers were soft, simple, and whimsical: yellows, soft pinks and ivories, lots of peonies and ranunculus in fun containers. Our family friend helped mastermind the garden-party vision, finding wire plant stands, which we spray painted white and filled with potted plants that doubled as favors.

My craft-ambitions tend to surpass my actual skills at makin’ things, so my lovely bridesmaids came to the rescue to tie twine and stamp escort cards (which were clothespinned to a garden trellis). My dad took the prize for unexpected DIY extraordinaire, helping with bookmark favors I’d designed with favorite quotations (half I chose from Shakespeare, the other half from poems picked by Nate). The food was a big hit—seasonal veggies, family style sides like mac and cheese, passed mini-ice cream cones along with a traditional cake (gold with raspberry jam and lemon buttercream). Little bird salt-and-pepper-shakers I’d had in college became cake toppers. It was magical seeing all the details breathe themselves into life, but what sticks with me most is the whirl of faces, words of wonder, happy-tears and bear hugs. Nobody wanted to stop dancing, so we got the band to stick around for one more rocking set. Nate and I were the last ones to leave.

Wedding Photography: Megan Davies + Amy Hawkes of Click Imagery Photography / Ceremony Location: Wellesley Hills Congregational Church / Reception Location: Elm Bank at Massachusetts Horticultural Society / Floral Design: Fino Fresh Floral Design / Caterer: MAX Ultimate Food / Wedding Cake: The Icing on the Cake / Linen: Table Toppers of Newton / Cake Linen + Welcome Table Linen: BHLDN / Band: Theodicy Jazz Collective / Transportation: Christopher Limousine, Le Limo + Sunshine Taxi / Invitations: Paper Moss / Bookmarks: The Bride (image motifs by Paper Moss) / Potted Plants: Fino Fresh Floral Design / Make-up: Makeup by Aly / Hair: Kate Sibilia from Lisa James Salon / Wedding Gown: Kelima K / Veil: Twigs and Honey / Bride’s Shoes: Something Bleu / Wedding Bands: Sarah Perlis / Suit: Hugo Boss via Nordstrom

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: BHLDN, Christopher Limousine, Click Imagery Photography, Fino Fresh Floral Design, Hugo Boss, Kelima K, Le Limo, Lisa James Salon, Makeup by Aly, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Massachusetts Weddings, Max Ultimate Food, Nordstrom, Paper Moss, Sarah Perlis, Something Bleu, Sunshine Taxi, Table Toppers of Newton, The Icing on the Cake, Theodicy Jass Collective, twigs and honey, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church
Post categories: Massachusetts Weddings, Traditional Elegance

Couples can come into her studio and work with Sarah from concept on, to design a ring that is completely unique and one of a kind. How great is that! If you aren’t in the NY area, she also has an absolutely gorgeous array of jewelry on her website…

Check out Sarah’s online shop when you have some time…it’s definitely worth a long look! Prices range hugely, so don’t panic if you see something way outside your budget.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Sarah Perlis, Wedding Rings
Post categories: Jewelry, Wedding Favors & Gifts