I’d like to compare this Connecticut wedding to a very fine wine. At first look, it’s delicious. Gorgeous. Full of beautiful detail. But the more time you spend with it, the more you see, the more you take in, and the more you appreciate. You start to notice the fantastic detail on the lovely brides gown. You start seeing the brilliance behind the escort card display. You notice the unique ridges on the apple green chargers. And you really start to appreciate all the work the couple, with the help of the best – Sixpence For Your Shoe – put into their big day. So click here for the gallery, so you can see even more.
We wanted a celebration, a chance for all of our family and friends who might never all be together again, to join with us in a weekend full of activities and parties that represented us as a couple. We felt strongly that we wanted to be able to spend time with every guest and actually enjoy those who had come from so far away to be with us so we did a weekend wedding. Golfing, a yoga class, family dinners, a huge “Boots and Boat shoes” theme BBQ/Clambake rehearsal dinner, the wedding and a good bye brunch; three days full of smiles, laughs and so many memories.
Jack and his parents have lived in the Avon area for years and knowing that it was central location for both of our families we started our search there. We must have looked at at least ten different places before we finally gave in and let Jack’s parents take us to the Avon Old Farms School, practically in Jack’s backyard. Instant connection! The school is elegant and charming, intimate and grand, rustic and refined; perfect in every way. A very “Harry Potter like” atmosphere without all the doom and gloom.
Because the hall and chapel were both very stark and simple in their decor, Sixpence and I decided that the only way to go was equally as simple but as light, airy and refined as possible……loads of white an accent of spring green. Jack’s mother kicked the color scheme off during a trip to India where she had sixteen bright green silk table runners made during a day trip to a fabric bazaar there. The flowers, chairs, chargers, napkin rings, candles and other accessories all fell into place after that. Lots of Etsy shopping and crafting by my bridesmaid’s was done to bring to life the fun details that I made sure were everywhere.
We wanted every guest to walk away from the weekend saying that they had the best time so I made sure that there were things to do and see at every turn; custom placemats, scrap tubs, drink stirrers, pillows, bibs and wet wipes at the rehearsal dinner, lawn games, vintage mason jar lanterns, custom napkin rings, a photo booth guest book, Old fashion ice cream sandwiches, popcorn and a candy bar for late night snacking during the reception.
Jack is a huge music person so he spent hours creating a play list that when executed by Rob, had everyone, old and young, on the dance floor until well after midnight. Our stationery was such a defining part of the wedding, Nicola Darrach at Lettuce Paper, patiently worked through draft after draft with us and came up with our “logo” that repeated itself throughout the weekend from the custom welcome bags to the menu tags. My uncle played music that he had written for me for the procession and recession at the ceremony, another one of my uncle’s and his family sang Jack and I a blessing, the place tags; mini chalk boards, were handmade by one of my best friend’s parents, just a few examples of the love and generosity that went into making our weekend even more special.
My dress was made for me by Modern Trousseau, I absolutely LOVED working with them, they made the whole process easy and fun. I truly think I could have worn the dress for the next week and been happy. My bridesmaid’s dresses were a fortuitous find at a boutique called Big Drop in New York. My maid of honor, Amy and I walked into the Soho boutique one night after work and bought every one they had on the spot. My shoes were Manolo Blahnik and were purchased for me by one of my best friends who was not able to come to the wedding, he wanted me to have something of him with me when I got married. Jack’s gift to his groomsmen were their Beau Ties LTD. ties and their custom Chuck Taylor’s. He had nicknames for each of them embroidered up the back. Their suits were from J.Crew and their shirts were from Charles Tyrwhitt.
Venue: Avon Old Farms School / Planning and Design: Sixpence For Your Shoe / Dress: Custom Design via Modern Trousseau / Suits: J. Crew / Ties and Pocket Squares: Beau Ties / Brides Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. & Taylor Rental of Manchester / Linens: Linen Hero / Table Runners: Custom Made in India / Florist: Just For You Floral Design Studio / Invitations and Stationery: Lettuce Paper / Napkin Rings: EAB Designs / Lighting & Photo Booth: ShinDig / Ceremony Music: Bride’s Uncle / Reception DJ: Rob Waldron, Standing Ovations / Transportation: Premier Limo / Rings: Lux Bond and Greene / Hair: Salon Naomi / Make-up: DD. Nickel / Cake: Cakes by Donna / Cinematography: Steven Fowler Films / Photography: Benoit Photography, Dolce Photography, Brian Khang Photography / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik