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

From Krystal, half of Studio Foto … Paul (the other half of Studio Foto) and Sarah (the lovely bride) have known each other since they were little, and I’ve known Sarah for as long as I’ve known Paul. It was amazing to be there, not only as friends to witness their marriage, but as their “fotographers,” capturing a really special day in the life of this beautiful couple. Their wedding was so personal, homemade and heartfelt.

Almost everything about their wedding was DIY. Ella, Sarah’s mum, made her daughter’s gorgeous wedding gown by hand. She and her friends came together to hand stitch the pearls onto Sarah’s veil, and Ella even decorated a pair of darling ballet flats to adorn Sarah’s feet on her wedding day. All the food and flowers were locally grown (lots on the couple’s own farm). The entire wedding took place at the farm, making it even more special.

Check out Studio Foto’s blog for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this wedding!

My husband and I run Red Fire Farm, a wonderful certified organic farm in Western Mass, where we grow all kinds of vegetables, flowers, some fruit, and eggs from pasture-raised chickens. Amidst the seasons of getting the CSA farm shares all harvested, and winter markets full of bounty, and our crews running smoothly, we weren’t sure if we’d have time to get married in any proper way. I thought at first we could just go to the courthouse and check it off our list!

On our farm there’s this field we call the Faraway Little Hill field, down a bumpy farm road, over a stream, bordering on the old beaver pond and a neighbor’s woodland. The natural world, the land, living ecosystems and outdoor beauty, have always been the strongest source of spirituality for us. When I asked myself what place I wanted to create a marriage, I saw it had to be outside. The Faraway Little Hill Field fit the bill just right.

In the spring, we planned and planted a garden there, in a semi-circle, to be the backdrop of the ceremony. We used plants that would be in bloom for our wedding date in September, and every week of the summer went up to weed and water and fix things together.

This field is indeed far away, so we had to figure out how to get everyone out there. One of our neighbors has a hay wagon, so we hooked that up to the tractor, and planned timed rides down to the field leaving from the barn, which everyone got details about in the invitation. There’s also a path, and walking outside is a beautiful thing, so we made a hand-drawn map as part of the program.

Planning our wedding started with the food, naturally, because we are farmers. It was the easiest part! So the wedding had to happen at the peak of vegetable season. It was easy to think about the dream meal – and very hard to say no to any of our favorite vegetables! Everything we grow has charms and delicious potential, and we had to whittle it down to our favorites, finding ways to showcase their best features in ways that would be somewhat simple to prepare and serve.

I think weddings, in many of their facets, are a celebration of community, and an affirming of community. For us it was very important to source the parts of our wedding from people and farms that we care about. In so many ways this is strengthening.

Photography: Studio Foto / Catering: Locally grown food from Red Fire Farm, Hillman Farm, West Country Cider, & Wine Trail in the Finger Lakes. Cooking by Isis Masoud, Devon Johnson, and Brendon Fitzgerald / Flowers: Organic flowers from Red Fire Farm designed by Joanne and Carol Norris / Location: The Faraway Little Hill Field at Red Fire Farm / Reception Location: Red Fire Farm / Invitations: DIY / Shoes: DIY / Dress: DIY

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Post tags: Barn Wedding, DIY Invitations, DIY Projects, DIY Wedding Dress, farm wedding, Maryland, Organic, Red Fire Farm, Studio Foto
Post categories: DIY Fashion Accessories, DIY Projects, DIY Wedding Decor, DIY Wedding Invitations and Stationery, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

First ~ a really SWEET story from Taylor!

The morning of our wedding, Paul and Krystal came over to present my parents with a project we had been working on together earlier that year. They had never received a wedding album of their own, they only had original proofs. Krystal worked to scan and edit all the images for them and create the most special wedding gift for them–an album of their own with their wedding images… over 25 years later!

My most cherished memory is walking down the aisle at the church. It was a very special moment to walk with my father and see the faces of everyone who has been a part of shaping my life. During the ceremony I presented Jeff with his late Grandfather’s wedding band to wear as his own, inscribed with both wedding dates.

I was born and raised in Newport and knew I would be married there. Jeff and I also knew it would be the perfect destination wedding for our out of town guests, allowing us to incorporate our personalities while sharing our favorite things about our City by the Sea.

Our wedding revolved around “classic Newport,”  with inspiration from our church (the same church where John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier were married). We followed a very classic black and white color scheme with accents of cobalt blue and deep purple.

We wanted the reception to be reminiscent of an old Newport Ball and fell in love with Belcourt Castle. The space allowed us to have a very unique format to the wedding, creating an intimate dinner space downstairs and then dancing upstairs afterward upstairs. The courtyard was a wonderful area for the cocktail hour as well as a place to return, later for after dinner drinks and cigars! Lounge spaces throughout the venue provided the perfect finishing touch!

The day was full of wonderful memories and unexpected surprises. My father surprised us by singing a song with the band that brought everyone to their feet!  I had also always planned to change into a second reception dress during the evening. All of my bridesmaids found matching fringe dresses in black and changed with me ~ such a fun way to get the dancing started!

Looking back on the day there is not a thing we would change, we danced the night away with all of our family and friends around us and the entire weekend was everything we had imaged it would be thanks to our amazing vendors. I hope every bride feels on her wedding day the love and happiness we felt that day.

Our sincere congratulations to Taylor and Jeff ~ and a huge thanks to Krystal and Paul at Studio Foto!

Studio Foto is available to capture your dream day ~ wherever that may be!

The Photographers: Krystal & Paul at Studio Foto / The Wedding Planner : Richard Carbotti / The Wedding Dress : Monique Lhuillier / The Bridal Salon: Hannelores Bridal Salon / The Shoes : Martinez Valero / The Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist: Kim Smith-Reid from Kira Salon, Newport / The Rings : Taylor is Blue Nile; Jeff’s was his grandfather’s wedding band / The Groom’s Attire : Viking Tuxedo / The Ceremony Site : St Mary’s Church, Newport RI / The Stationery : Trial by Cupcakes Calligraphy / The Officiant : Father Richard Walsh / The Reception Venue : Belcourt Castle / The Floral Design : Perfect Surroundings / The Food : Blackstone Catering / The Cake : Fatoullis Bakery / The Music : Souled Out (band) / The Lighting Designer : Perfect Surroundings

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Post tags: Studio Foto
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

So many beautiful shots from Taylor and Jeff’s wedding at Belcourt Castle … Studio Foto continued it right here!

See you later with the full feature on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog!

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Post tags: Becourt Castle, Newport, Rhode Island, Studio Foto
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

From Studio Foto…

A little while ago we met Ash and Kaitlin in Boston for their Love Shoot. Krystal and I were super excited because we knew that we were going to shoot in the Wang Theatre. What we didn’t know was what Ash and Kaitlin had up their sleeves.  Just as we arrived we heard from Kaitlin that they decided to theme their shoot after their favorite TV show MAD MEN. Many of you know that we don’t really watch TV, so I quickly googled MAD MEN. Who wouldn’t want to shoot a theme based around that show! And the surprises didn’t stop there. When we were introduced to the theatre manager, we were told we could use the entire theater- yes, indeed- the stage, the dressing rooms- all of it! We were pumped needless to say!

Ash and Kaitlin rocked this photo shoot. It’s provocative, sexy, and really, really fun. The Wang is an awesome theatre and could not have been more perfect for this couple’s engagement session. What a place to let yourself really fall into character!?!

These two were fantastic. They totally worked their outfits (love her hot shoes, by the way!) and the Mad Men-esque attitude for this shoot…the results could not have been better. Click here to see even more of the fabulous e-session on Studio Foto’s blog. Thanks to Paul and Krystal for sharing this kiler e-session with us and congratulations to Ash an Kaitlin on their engagement!

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Post tags: Boston, Engagement Shoots, Mad Men, Massachusetts Weddings, Studio Foto, Vintage E-Session, Wang Theatre
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Emily & Joe were married this summer at The Mansion At Bald Hill in Connecticut …

Emily’s daughter, Summer was the flower girl and ring bearer. (See what I mean about the sweetest of moments?)

For all the details and all the pretty … head on over to StudioFoto’s Blog to see Emily & Joe’s beautiful summer wedding in Connecticut!

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Post tags: Bald Head Inn, Casablanca, Connecticut, Studio Foto
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

Case in point. You can hire Studio Foto to capture your wedding photos, that are sure to be just as gorgeous as these babies (shameless plug, I know). Second, you can let perfect cupcakes take center stage on a table that is cohesive in color and style. You can add giant balloons for a SUPER cost effective pop of gorgeousness.You can throw in a couple of banners and paper poms to up the fabulousness antee. Oh and you can see that shoving a fistful of cake into your mouth is actually quite adorable. The options are endless!

photographs by the awesome and talented Studio Foto

Thank you so much to Cookie Magazine for featuring our little party. And to the Hostess Blog for sharing a FUN DIY project with their readers. And of course, to the amazingly talented Paul and Krystal at Studio Foto for yet again, giving us memories that will last a lifetime. You guys are the best!!

Oh and for those of you that are still itching for a little more…I am doing DIY projects from the event over on the Style Circle a little later today!

Lots more fun coming up!

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Post tags: Audrey's Party, Daisy and Dots, Studio Foto, Sweet of Boston
Post categories: The Blog