I’ve always had a soft spot for historic homes – I could literally spend a week straight touring majestic mansions across the country. But give me a jaw-droppingly beautiful historic home like The Mount and pair it with a stunning meets traditional affair like this one planned by Christine Wheat Special Events and, well… happiness ensues, my friends. See it all captured by Elario Photography right here.
From Elario Photography… I am so excited to share this wedding with you! This one was a stunner on all levels. It rained all day and it didn’t effect the couple one bit! Sara and Eddie were the perfect bride and groom, so humble and in love. The ceremony took place at Our Lady of Victory in Troy, New York. We then headed to The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. As we drove in my jaw dropped. The drive in was gorgeous. Everything was so GREEN from all the rain and then I saw the front of Edith Whartons Home, WOW! This place was built in 1902 and really is just amazing. Not only was the outside pristine, the inside was, as well. We opted to do the majority of shooting indoors because of the rain and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Sara and Eddie were the kind of couple you need on a day like this. They were down to shoot outside, rain or shine, so we did for a little bit before cocktail hour began. The reception details were absolutely beautiful. Among the beautiful flowers were details Sara worked extremely hard on. Menu signage, seating charts and personalized scrolls for each guest at their seat. Nothing was overlooked.
From the Bride… Ed proposed to me in front of the Bryant Park fountain in New York City – up until the day I married him, it was the best day of my life! With its casual cafe tables and manicured gardens, Bryant Park becomes this romantic escape in the middle of Manhattan. Musicians and artists roam the pathways while delicious meals and drinks are served within ivy covered terraces. This set the scene for our wedding day; casually elegant, romantic and artistic!
To us, the ceremony was the most important part of the day. Where we could choose each scripture, hymn and prayer that was used. Once we decided to have it at Ed’s church in Troy, NY, finding the venue was the next step. Where could we find a space like no other that eludes the three characteristics we found in the place that had become so important to us!? The Mount in Lenox, MA (Edith Wharton’s home) was love at first sight. From the moment you enter the grounds and travel down this windy driveway you will be in AWE. But, my breath was really taken away when The Mount appears behind the trees. The gardens are what attracted us, but with rain in the forecast we were able to take in the true glory inside of Wharton’s estate. (But, sneak outside for a few shots in the rain!)
We focused on our family and friends when designing the day; setting the tone from the beginning with our stationery. Soft colors in our Save the Date photo and an elegant twist on the classic invitation suite by adding painted gold edges. I also did all the address calligraphy by hand and created a painted version of the tree lined walkway at The Mount (the Lime Walk – which became a reoccurring theme). That piece of art was incorporated into the Welcome Bags on custom stickers, welcome envelope, the wedding program, and a custom scroll at each place setting (I had the best time making all of these details come to life!).
For the bridal party, Ed and I chose each of the gifts. He chose monogrammed belts, a black bow tie and socks for the gents. For the ladies, I chose pearl earrings in macaron boxes (I’m a sucker for Laduree), robes and custom flutes. Kaitlin and Jacqueline (from Strut Spalontique) brought a sense of cohesiveness to the ladies mix and matched dresses by keeping the beauty similar. Along with the matching earrings and bouquets! (I let all the ladies choose their own dress within a champagne/cream/blush color palette!) To keep everything running smoothly, we had Christine and her dream team there to coordinate. I HIGHLY recommend having a day of coordinator!
After the ceremony, trolleys shuttled everyone to and from The Mount; allowing each person to take in the incredible surroundings. The Rosamund Trio was there to lend a musical touch during cocktail hour as well as, Giavana, our live painter, to give them another perspective of the main house (since cocktail hour was moved inside, they couldn’t see the back of the home from the garden). For a more personal touch, I drew drink menus, a main menu, a dessert menu and seating arrangements for our guests (all on antique family mirrors and frames). Our florist, Kris Ann, and her team transformed the terrace for dinner (even with the rain walls down!). We chose three different table settings with three different linens and center pieces (all neutral whites and creams with greenery and candles); it was all very textural. I personalized place card tags and connected them to each scroll using the same ribbon I cut for the programs and welcome bags. I brought the gardens on to the terrace by creating table numbers made from moss and attached them to mirrors. We had our musical genius, DJ Sam, there for hilarious introductions (add Avicii and the Harlem Shake together) and during dinner to create a casual cafe feel playing French cafe music who then made the flawless transition to one massive dance party! The first dances, the toasts and the cake cutting all happened on the dance floor. Joe Elario Photography (JP, Joe and Hayden) and Nuvue Cinema (John and Will) were with us every step of the way that day, capturing the most incredible moments and doing it with ease. We had the best time and would do it over and over again if we could!
Photography: Elario Photography Inc | Cinematography: NuVue Cinema | Event Planning: Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm | Flowers: Fleurtacious Designs | Dress: Amsale | Ceremony Location: Our Lady Of Victory, Troy, NY | Reception Location: The Mount | Shoes: Valentino | Invitation Design: The Bride | Invitation Printing: Crane & Co.