Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes and for this event planner and bride-to-be it came in the form of two rustically chic chairs. “Great Gatsby” style has a fabulous ring to it, doesn’t it? Just reading her eloquent description below will make you swoon, as will the images by Alissa Keane Photography. All of the personal touches from the mason jars, hay bales to the lovely lavender and floral arrangements by Nicole’s Greenhouse & Florist make my heart skip a beat. Be sure to head to the full gallery for more homegrown wonderfulness.
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From the Bride… Dan and I were married at my parents’ house in a small, rural town in New Hampshire. While getting married in Washington, DC, where we now live, might have been easier logistically, Dan grew up in Rhode Island, and I spent my childhood in that same house, so it only seemed right to start our lives together here, under the New England sky on a summer afternoon. As an event planner, I was excited to handle all the planning ourselves. At first though, I had a hard time relaying my vision to others. Luckily my good friend and I made a stop at one of our favorite furniture stores early on in the planning, and found something that helped… we turned the corner and literally gasped as we ran into the most gorgeous chairs which just so happened to be in the lavender and gold colors we had chosen for the wedding. They were the epitome of the vision I had in my mind, of this “rustic elegance” I was striving for. From there, everything fell into place and was centered around these beautiful chairs.
Twine, tall curly willows and fresh sprigs of lavender, paired with silky gold linens and crystal candlesticks. I dreamed of a summer garden party, Great Gatsby style. At the same time, I wanted relaxed and comfortable. Hay bales for cocktail hour seating, cupcakes with fresh berries, jars of homemade jam for table cards. The memories during the planning are endless… the phone calls with my mom at least once a day; my dad taking it upon himself to level off a large area of our back field for the tent; my aunt using her creative talents to help us put together our invitations; my grandmother painstakingly tying bows onto chairs; our close friends helping us stuff invitations; Dan’s best friend putting us in touch with an old friend of his who ended up being our photographer; my roommate at the time calling me every time she was at a craft store; and, of course, my dad introducing me to his friend the dress designer, who ended up custom-making my dress. We really couldn’t have had more fun if we tried.
Because of all the people who helped share the joy with us along the way, everything had so much more meaning. People’s love, support and generosity was, and still is, simply overwhelming. We encountered people who will forever be a part of our lives, just because they were nice enough to share in our happiness and wanted to help make our wedding day the most amazing day of our lives. We feel so blessed, because it truly was. In the end, everything turned out exactly as we had envisioned… a beautiful, touching ceremony, surprising our wedding party with an ice cream pit stop at my favorite childhood ice cream stand, cocktail hour on the lawn under the open sky and dancing all night under a beautiful tent in the middle of our back field. A mix of burlap and lace, lanterns and mason jars, a wooden spool for a cake table next to a couture, checkered dance floor. All underneath a summer sky, and most importantly, surrounded by those we love.
Wedding Photography: Alissa Keane Photography / Ceremony: Sacred Heart Church in Concord, New Hampshire (603-225-6942) / Reception: Dell Lea Weddings & Events (The Bride’s Family Home) in Chichester, New Hampshire / Floral Design: Nicole’s Greenhouse & Florist / Event Design + Planning: The Bride / Wedding Day Coordination + Management: Ryan Hayes of Blue Canary Events / Catering: Liberty Lane Catering / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Jacques Fine European Pastries / Wedding Invitations: DoubleClick Designs / Music: The Free Downloads / Wedding Dress: AJ Silva via Bravo Boutique in Concord, New Hampshire (603-856-7382) / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: Salon K / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay / Men’s Suits: Perry Ellis