Oh, gorgeous Massachusetts wedding… how I adore you and your lovely ways. It’s true. I am more than completely smitten with your warm tones, stunning historic location and beautiful blooms by Country Florals. Not to mention your fabulous paper goods by Russell Hite Design. (The dashing groom!) And those beyond breathtaking images captured by Jonathan Hanson/Readyluck? Brilliant. Oh, yes… I am head over heels in love with you, Massachusetts wedding. And it’s so very, very easy to see why. Click here for even more.
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From the Bride… I grew up in Massachusetts, and Russell and I spent summers in New England while we were dating, so we wanted to share the area with our out-of-town guests. We wanted to find a location that had a mix of a beautiful outdoor space for the ceremony, and an indoor space with its own historic character for the reception. We fell in love with the Commander’s Mansion, and the details in the space.
We chose to have our ceremony outside in the grape arbor, underneath the pear tree. I’d always pictured getting married outside, at sunset, and this just was perfect. Sue Elliot married us, and she had married my parents over 10 years earlier, almost to the day. It was really special for her to officiate our ceremony, since she had helped form our family once already, now she helped usher in the next stage of our family.
Our guests were able to explore the house during the cocktail hour, whether on the veranda, or in the living room. Martha Hanson of Country Florals was a key part of my day, and one of the first decisions Russell and I made while planning. I worked on Martha and Tom Hanson’s farm when I was fourteen as my first job, and our families are very close. I loved seeing her sketches for the design, and helping Martha put the finishing touches on the bride’s bouquets on the day of the wedding. It was only natural that Martha design the bouquet I carried down the aisle, and all of the arrangements that our guests admired during dinner. I wanted a rustic, unkempt elegance.
Russell and I scoured antique stores for vintage postcards to use for our invitations. We chose a mix of places we’d lived, and a collection of romantic, tongue-in-cheek postcards. For the invitations, Russell designed a custom monogram with our initials, and we hand stamped the postcards. We then printed out the invitation details on vellum, and placed this over the message area of the postcards. We loved the history that these genuine artifacts imparted to each of our guests. Many of the notes were love letters, and we loved the idea of continuing their legacy with our wedding.
After our fantastic dinner, we danced the night away to Ari of Beat Train Productions spinning awesome beats. Russell and I have really eclectic taste from old school hip hop to folk, and Ari embraced this, giving our friends and family an awesome party.
Wedding Photography: Jonathan Hanson/Readyluck / Wedding Location: The Commander’s Mansion / Catering + Cupcakes: Tastings Caterers / Floral Design: Country Florals / DJ: Ari Rosenfield of Beat Train Productions / Officiant: Sue Elliot / Hair: Keli at Style Salon / Make-up: Madison at Style Salon / Bridal Gown: Oleg Cassini / Bride’s Shoes: Penny Loves Kenny / Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse / Maid of Honor Dress: David’s Bridal / Custom Cake Topper: Itsy Bitsy Cute / Signs: Adam Schecter / Paper Goods: Russell Hite Design