I’m not sure which is cooler: the fact that the bride’s dad is a preacher and both walked her down the aisle and performed the ceremony or the amazing dinner-party-esque reception that followed at the gorgeous L’Andana. It’s a toss up for sure, but one thing is certain and that’s the fact that we can’t stop smiling at this adorable couple. See the rest captured by Scott Zuehlke Photography right here in the full gallery.
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From the Bride… After six years of dating, Anthony and I got engaged on a bright, sunny day in New Hampshire on a weekend camping trip. We talked about what was important for our wedding — we wanted a personal and intimate ceremony, a reception that felt like a dinner party, a focus on time with family and friends, and to have it all in a rustically elegant space. I searched online for months trying to find the perfect location. Originally I’d wanted an old, historic building, but when I saw L’Andana’s gorgeous wood floors and tables, its floor-to-ceiling fireplace and phenomenal ambiance, I knew we had to see it. We went there for dinner to celebrate our engagement, and the second I walked in, before we even got past the hostess stand, I knew it was THE place. The rest of the wedding just fell into place.
My parents came to visit Boston from Minnesota where I grew up, so I’d decided that I would get my dress that weekend — no matter what. We ended up at Priscilla of Boston, and though I didn’t see anything that worked, as we were leaving I spied the most unique dress on another girl’s rack of dresses to try on. I waited a half hour until she put it back and then stood in that dress for another half an hour until I decided to jump. (It fit off the rack, or so I thought until their AMAZING seamstress made it fit like a glove and added the shoulder ruffle just from a description I dreamed up). My flowers were made by an outstandingly creative artist — out of silk. I’d see bouquets I loved online and they all turned out to be hers, so I was able to tell her my vision and she made it better than I could have imagined. There were tons of little details I spent hours and hours planning for, but the wedding weekend itself was the absolute best moments, minutes, hours, and days of my life. My grandparents, who I hadn’t seen in years, flew in from Oregon, and aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, nephews, and friends came from all around the US. We enjoyed a big family dinner Thursday night, bachelorette party Friday night, rehearsal dinner Saturday (which was nearly as amazing as the reception), and then the wedding on Sunday. Looking at Anthony through all of this, we just kept smiling with happiness and thankfulness that we had each other and were surrounded by everyone we love. We’d been counting down the days until we’d finally be married, and then when it was the day, we just focused on enjoying it together. We did a first look photo shoot at the park prior to the wedding so that we could get all of the pictures out of the way.
The ceremony was especially meaningful because not only did we pick all of the readings, hymns, and vows, but my father was also able to walk me down the aisle, then preach the sermon and perform the rights as he did for each of my siblings. Anthony and I took that message to heart and continue to read those words for inspiration and direction. Finally, the reception … what can I say except that it was absolutely perfect with a dream location and ambiance and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. We danced our first dance and just tried to take it all in, and as the night went by, our goofy smiles got bigger and bigger until we couldn’t help but cry from happiness after all of the guests had left. We finally got in the car to go downtown Boston to the gorgeous IX Beacon Hotel before flying out to our honeymoon in Spain the following day. It was the best day of our lives, but better than that, it was the starting of our life together, which is the most amazing thing of all.
Wedding Photography: Scott Zuehlke Photography / Ceremony: Pinewood Lutheran Church in Burlington, Massachusetts / Reception: L’Andana in Burlington, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Floral Verde / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Veil: Etsy / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: ModCloth