Massachusetts Weddings

Classic Cape Cod Wedding with Touches of Southern Charm

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Industrial

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DIY Inspired Modern

From The Brides…Our story spans the country, starting with Breanne on the beautiful Oregon coast where she grew up and Lauren in Massachusetts with her family. We were both finishing college in 2008 and unbeknownst to each other had each decided to answer our internal call to run away from home. We each knew we were looking to find ourselves, we just didn’t know we were also meant to find each other on that journey. We first met in Denver in October of 2008 and proceeded to spend our first year together the way all couples do – living, traveling, and working together while doing community service around the country. Our first kiss was in New Orleans and we measure our years together from that place and day, June 9th 2009 (just don’t ask who kissed who first). Seven years later, almost to the day, we vowed to be together for all the years to come.

I have always loved the look of botanicals and greenhouses and since living on my own become slightly obsessed with house plants. Lauren jokes that when she’s an old woman she’ll be surrounded by my years of collected house plants. We booked the warehouse because the venue told us that we could do whatever we wanted with the space. As a creative, I was sold! When planning our wedding Lauren and I cared the most about making the wedding feel like us and having the words and visual space truly mean something. We have been to weddings in the past that have it all, beautiful decor, delicious food, great music, but in the end felt like they were missing what truly made the event special. So we worked especially hard at creating a meaningful ceremony and a space that truly reflected who we are as a couple. In each home Lauren and I have lived in we have created a large gallery wall. Incorporating this into our wedding space felt so natural and true to us. For the past year we collected and curated what would be on our wedding gallery wall and we were so pleased with how it turned out. It really felt like home to us with nods to my Oregon Coast roots, our first home together in Maine, and all of our grandparents and parents who set the tone for our lives before us, and of course our favorite kitty, Hobbes!

I am a DIY-er at heart, in that if i see something I like, or that inspires me, I will learn how to do it in order to create it myself. A couple of years ago when hand lettering became trendy, I just started doing it because I thought I could. When I saw subway tiles as place cards, I picked some up at Home Depot, backed them with sticky cork board, and lettered them myself. I learned how to scan in artwork and edit it using Photoshop and Illustrator in order to create the invites I wanted, and then I kept it going with our programs and game cards.

I really wanted our programs to be unique so I decided to design them with space to copper leaf them at the top. I also made the confetti sticks and created the label for them. Lauren and I were thinking of quotes for the banner for so long leading up to the wedding and two weeks before the wedding, I saw the perfect quote. “We were together. I forget the rest.” by Walt Whitman. I loved that it would be hanging above our tables, with all our closest people gathered under it. One day I imagine no one will remember the way our program looked, which pictures were hanging on the walls, or the taste of that brown butter sage sauce. But they (and we) will remember that we were together and oh so happy.

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Despite all the months of planning, sometimes the best part of your wedding day happens organically. For Ali and Mike, it was when they snuck off to the shoreline for a few moments alone and to recharge and regroup amidst the excitement. This candid moment was a reminder of their promise, “I will settle you,” and also led to their favorite photo of the day. See it, and so many more pretty moments, caught through the lens of Sarah Der Photography, in The Vault!

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Floral Filled Botanical Garden Wedding

From The Bride & Groom…We wanted our wedding to be both effortlessly elegant and shout “Ali and Mike!” down to the last detail. Our wedding incorporated some of our favorite things: love, Richmond, and Cape Cod. When we both arrived as freshmen on the Richmond campus, we spent a year falling in love with the school and the city, and the next three years falling in love with each other. Our jobs pulled us away from Richmond after we graduated college, but something told us that our love story with Richmond wasn’t over yet. We moved back two years after graduation, and the rest is history. Richmond played a big part in our love story, and we wanted to make sure that our wedding captured not only the easy-breeze vibe of springtime at the Cape but also the city that started it all.

Ali’s family started the wedding weekend by hosting a southern cuisine-inspired brunch. At the wedding, Mike and his groomsmen wore socks with spiders on them–a nod to the University of Richmond’s mascot, the spider. At the reception, the tables were named after some of our favorite Richmond and University of Richmond locations, and the ceremony cake toppers featured a bride spider and groom spider sitting in beach chairs surrounded by edible sea shells. We captured the lightness of the Cape with a relaxed brunch wedding, complete with champagne cocktails named “The Gazebo,” after one of our favorite places on the U of R campus. We created the effortlessly elegant vibe with an outdoor cocktail hour overlooking the bay, yummy and light brunch foods, and cool blue, green, and white local blooms (our florist even used sea glass in our flower arrangements!). We used handmade ombre calligraphy for the table names and escort cards, which brought the ocean indoors. We completed the brunch-y, relaxed feel by having newspapers with crossword puzzles (all about us and our friends + family!), pencils, and mimosas + coffee for guests when they arrived at our reception.

Our favorite memories from the day are when we were able to sneak away and share a few moments alone, as husband and wife (!). One moment that stands out in particular happened immediately after the chaos of the receiving line (great to do because we got to greet our guests, but it was overwhelming!). Ali is a bit introverted, so Mike walked Ali away from the receiving line and towards the shoreline so that they could have a few moments alone. Within minutes, Ali was feeling recharged and ready to enjoy the rest of the day. It was there that the words engraved in our wedding bands, “I will settle you” became reality. This moment was captured perfectly by Sarah (our favorite picture of the day!).

We were so excited to share Cape Cod with our friends and family! Ali and her family grew up sailing, swimming, and sandcastle-ing on the Cape, and she and Mike have so many fond memories of runs on the beach and evenings spent watching the sunset over the water. We really can’t imagine a more serene and beautiful place to start our lives as Mr. and Mrs.! We also recommend getting married in either the bride or the groom’s hometown–it was so nice to be home with Ali’s family before the big day!

We must admit, planning a wedding is a BIG job, and not one that comes without complications! Our best advice to engaged couples is to constantly remember the most important part of the weekend: becoming husband and wife, which is pretty much the happiest thing in the world. We were able to channel that happiness towards some of the trickier, more emotional aspects of the reception planning, and we ended up with a wedding that was overflowing with joy, love, and light.

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Bridal 2016

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This botanical garden wedding had me at the favors, but then totally won me over with that reception. With Kelly Dillon Photography behind the lens, it’s once celebration that you’re sure to pin. Complete with wooden cutouts and custom made floral napkins, Capers Catering set the scene for guests to dwell in the dream. See it all for yourself in The Vault!

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A Seaside Watercolor Wedding That’s All About Color

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Al Fresco

From The Bride…As a local tradition, the night before Thanksgiving Eve all of Reading and North Reading alumni would head out to a local bar to meet with old friends and catch up with everyone in town. As I walked into the “Tavern” I noticed this gorgeous man simultaneously walking our way. It was hard to miss him. I remember his eyes were so blue, I couldn’t help but stare. Oddly enough, he knew my best friend who was walking in with me, so we all stopped to chat for a minute. We bump into each other a few other times that night but what really sealed the deal was a simple Facebook friend request later that evening. We chatted for a few weeks as the Christmas seasoned unfolded and finally made plans for our first on December 14th, 2011. The rest was history.

It was just another work day; wake up, shower, walk the dog and I was out the door, or so I thought. Lets fast forward to 4pm…As I sent Matt my typical text, “On my way home, what should we make for dinner”, little did I know he had a bigger plan set in motion. When I arrived home, I was greeted at the door by my doggie who happily wagged her tail and smiled ear to ear. Tucked away in her collar was little note that said, “daddy can’t get any work done in the living room, so I’ve been puppy shunned”. I laughed out loud and thought, “what could she possibly be doing that was distracting him that much?” As I opened the tightly shut pocket doors, there was Matt down on one knee surrounded by flowers, balloons, and over a dozen ring pops. We had this inside joke that when he proposed it would be with the biggest ring he could find, a ring pop lol. So it was only natural that they made an appearance.

Over the last 10 years, Matt has worked as a landscaper for a local greenhouse and garden center. I’m an interior designer by trade, so it was only natural that we found a place that combined my love for gorgeous structures and matt’s love for beautiful gardens. We came across Tower Hill Botanic Garden and instantly knew this was the place we had to have our reception. Spring would be the best season for the soft pale colors and bright greens we wanted to incorporate into our scheme. I loved the blush and mink colored dressed from BHLDN that combined a delicate lace and sheer chiffon which Matt paired with light gray suites and mahogany leather shoes. Our venue gave us the ability to bring in everything from the chairs to the dinnerware, truly a designers dream. Rather than sitting at a sweet heart table, Matt and I wanted to be surrounded by all of our bridal party and their loved ones. We dreamt up this gorgeous 24 ft. long table with an abundance of greens and delicate flowers running down the center. Each guest would receive a wooden name cutout which was placed over top of a custom made floral napkin. Our seats were decorated with flowers and a wood bride and groom sign secured with a blush pink ribbon. We wanted our guests to enjoy an abundance of food, drinks and great company.

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BHLDN

Bridal 2016

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I LOVE a bride who’s not afraid of color, so I’m pretty sure Sam and I could be best friends. Along with her love Mike, she designed a classic New England wedding by the water with no shortage of fluffy peonies, watercolor paper goods and pretty shades of pink in the mix. Peruse away in the full gallery by Kelly Dillon.

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Whimsical

From The Bride…Mike and I met on Match.com! We both joined as a New Year’s resolution; Mike had just moved back to MA from Louisiana, and I was getting back into the dating scene. Turns out, we were invited to the same New Year’s Eve party that year, but Mike didn’t go! Our first date was at Lolita, a tequila bar in Back Bay. I had never met anyone as enthusiastic as Mike; we were still chatting away when I noticed that all the chairs were up on the tables and they were waiting for us to leave so the restaurant could close! I knew immediately that Mike was special, and it didn’t take me more than a few dates to know that he was the man I was going to marry.

Four years later, my best friend (the same one who threw that infamous New Year’s Eve party) invited me to Lolita for a birthday dinner. I was having the worst day ever at work, and told Mike that I was going to have to cancel my dinner plans. He convinced me to keep them, and when I arrived at the restaurant and walked around the corner, I saw him there waiting for me! At first, I thought it was a birthday surprise, and looked past him to see who else was there. That’s when he walked towards me, got down on one knee, and said that he thought our spot was a perfect place to ask me to be his wife. The whole restaurant started cheering!!! The funny part is, it was so dark in the restaurant and I was so shocked that I didn’t even NOTICE the ring until we sat down at our table! After staring into the sparkle for about an hour and sipping some seriously delicious champagne, Mike announced that he had another surprise for me…across the restaurant, our parents, my sister and bestie/co-conspirator were waiting to celebrate with us! It was magical, romantic, perfect, and so worth the wait.

Mike proposed on Friday night, and on Sunday morning we jetted off to the Dominican Republic for a romantic getaway, which was awesome because it gave us a few days alone to let the excitement sink in, and to talk about what we wanted. We both grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts, and saw ourselves getting married outside, somewhere overlooking the water. When I stepped onto the lawn at Wequassett, I got tears in my eyes. I could see us getting married there – it was perfect!

Our first priority was securing the Lisa Love Experience as our band. Mike and I love live music, and had seen LLE perform at a wedding shortly after we started dating, and Mike told them that night that they would play at our wedding and put their business card in his wallet. Four years later, Mike still had their business card in his wallet and made good on that promise! We called immediately to make sure they were available for our chosen date. It was super important to us that the dance floor be packed at all times, and we got our wish!

Once that was done, it was all about setting the tone. Encouraging our guests to dress in black-tie turned out to be totally worth it; everyone looked amazing, and it truly gave the setting an even more special feel. Mike and my friends tease me that I “love Love”, which is so true, and I had a vision for the wedding to be super romantic; that to me means lots of beautiful flowers! I found the bridesmaids’ gowns first, and they were exactly what I wanted. I love the palette of pinks (we both mentioned my love of pink in our vows!), and the colors were perfect for a late-spring wedding. My mom and her cousin David, who is an event planner for Harvard University, helped make our dream come alive with many trips to the Boston Flower Exchange to find the perfect shades of peonies, roses and hydrangeas. Meanwhile, my mom and I made very good friends with the ladies at our local Pottery Barn, who tracked down hundreds of mercury glass votives to create a beautiful candlelit glow in the ballroom.

I love a good blog, and got a lot of great inspiration by following my favorite bloggers and local event planners on Instagram. Mike and I have very bold personalities and a lot of energy, and it was important to me that the colors and vibe of the wedding captured that. The table arrangements used bright shades of pink and orange, which looked amazing in the candle light, and were built loosely to spill out of the vases and give an organic, kind of bohemian look.

I really loved the concept of bringing the bright colors and floral theme into our invitation suite, and I wanted a custom look. Working with Cara from Modern Vintage in Sandwich was an awesome experience. We were inspired by having the ceremony on Pleasant Bay, and thought using hand-painted watercolor for the invitation suite was a great way to tie everything together and set the tone for the weekend. I am completely obsessed with how the entire suite came out, from the invitation to the hand-drawn map on the back of the amenities card, to the custom menu!

My favorite thing about our wedding was all the special little personal touches. We purchased the sweetheart table at an antique store in my hometown, so that we can have it in our house, which is really neat, and I love that this was Mike’s idea. My bouquet was tied together with a swatch of lace from my grandmother’s wedding gown, which was a wonderful way for me to have her spirit with me. Inviting friends to read hand selected poems and prayers, and serenade the audience with one of our favorite songs, was extra special and definitely lent a personal touch to the ceremony. Of course, the best part by far was writing our own vows! It was super intimate and romantic; just what we were hoping for.

BONUS: MORE WATERCOLOR WEDDING DETAILS

Watercolor Wedding Details

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Watercolor Wedding Details

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What’s Black, White and Chic All Over? This Wedding Inspiration Shoot

If ever there was a color palette that evoked instant glamour, it would be black and white. And this Willowdale Estate inspiration shoot from Annmarie Swift Photography and Always Yours Events is oozing with glamour, elegance and sophistication. From the Amanda Day Rose Paperie invites to the Maid of Honor’s chic jumpsuit, the monochromatic details of this shoot prove that black and white will never go out of style. See it all in The Vault!

From Always Yours Events… When Annmarie Swift and I dreamt up this styled inspiration shoot, our goal was to create a fine art design both “classic and charming” within an intimate, romantic space! Willowdale Estate’s black and white private dining room filled with a plethora of gorgeous natural light was an absolute perfect fit for this design, and it’s decor really provided us with so much inspiration. To create a softened, romantic look we incorporated a lovely dove gray shade into the classic black and white color palette and tied in accents of gold. The custom fine art invitation suite by Amanda Day Rose set the tone, from the deckled edges to hand drawn sketch of the Willowdale Estate to the soft gray envelopes sealed with a white heirloom wax seal. For the tablescape, I wanted to again create a design that was utterly charming and intimate, and so we set one large guest table down the center of the room with matte white embossed linens and stone washed Louis chairs from Be Our Guest. Each place setting was set with the loveliest details such as custom gray linen napkins tied with soft white hand dyed silk ribbons, deckled edge menus and escort cards calligraphed with gorgeous brush script by Becca Joas and matte gold tapered candlesticks.

An abundance of gorgeous florals in shades of white, cream and barely blush by Poppies transformed the dining room into such an enchanting space! Rory Weinberg created statement arrangements composed within matte black pedestal bowls with overflowing greenery and blooms, again combining classic with charming. Delicate smilax vines were lightly strewn through the dining room’s chandelier, and a smilax and white clematis garland was draped over bride and groom’s chairs.

The bridal party attire was hands down a favorite detail. Our stunning bride wore a Lis Simon peplum gown with a breathtaking soft and ethereal tulle skirt from Your Dream Bridal, along with elegant pumps with chic white bows by Bella Belle Shoes. And our beautiful maid of honor added a little sass in a black v-neck jumpsuit. Statement garden bouquets of soft white blooms and spring textures gathered with lovely ribbons by Ruffled Lane completed the look oh so perfectly.

What I truly loved most about this fine art design was that it was a timeless look that could work beautifully any space, whether it be an intimate private dining room to a sailcloth tent on a private estate. This inspiration shoot and vendor team was an absolute dream, and this design will forever be an AYE favorite!

A Boho Inspiration Session Fit for a Grecian Goddess

It all started with a dress. And not just any dress. No, this is the Hayley Paige “Honeycomb” dress, which inspired The I Do Scene to dream up this gorgeous “Grecian bohemian” editorial photo shoot. With a vision for a lush, intimate ceremony and tablescape design, these amazing vendors transformed Sage Market + Design‘s floral studio into the perfect photo shoot backdrop. See all the pretty from Christina Bernales in The Vault!

From The I Do Scene…What an amazing shoot this was!! I came up with the concept to create this gorgeous Mediterranean-inspired shoot after first seeing an inspired gown from Hayley Paige and my vision for “Grecian Boho” was born. I wanted to create an intimate, lush and elegant setting for the ceremony and I wanted that same feeling to carry through the tablescape décor as well. New England Country Rental provided the gorgeous rentals and when I first saw the white oval table I had to have it! I like the juxtaposition of the modern feel of the table and the organic elegant feeling I created with the tablescape décor. The china setting had a heavy Grecian style influence that I loved and paired with the mother of pearl flatware and a simple olive green cotton gauze napkin the combination made my heart skip a beat!

Sage Market + Design is an amazing little design boutique in Newburyport, Massachusetts owned by mother-daughter team, Beverly and Jordan Fowler. These ladies were a dream to collaborate with! They graciously offered their studio space as the location for the shoot and are responsible for the gorgeous floral design! The floral design for the tablescape consisted of two lush centerpieces featuring olive leaf, asparagus fern, eucalyptus, white hydrangea, white roses and white peonies and the gorgeous garland that flowed from the edge of the table and spilled onto the floor. The backdrop for the “ceremony” was a living wall of boxwood with dripping floral “lanterns” hanging from either side of the beautiful gilded sconces from Anthropologie, anchored by tall gold lanterns on the floor. The stunning bouquet mimicked the same beautiful flowers and greenery featured in the centerpieces.

Rachel Meadows of Honey Honey Calligraphy designed the beautiful watercolor-inspired stationary and lettered the gorgeously unique calligraphy! I loved the gorgeous shades of green from the paper goods that was woven throughout the design in the tablescape and ceremony backdrop.

The white linen vow book from Wedding Story Writer was the perfect heirloom piece that added just the sweetest touch of romance. I just adored this book from the first moment I laid eyes on it and was so happy to have been able to feature it.

Our beautiful model “Bride” Danielle is a real bride-to-be and one of my beautiful clients getting married next year. She excitedly transformed into our Grecian-Boho bride and brought life to this shoot. She truly was a vision in the “Honeycomb” gown from the incredible Hayley Paige. The beautiful jewelry from designer Eugenie Bee was just the right touch-I especially loved the gold bee earrings! Hairstylists Monica Tufts and Jacqueline Barone from Mirror Mirror Salon created a beautifully relaxed, yet romantic hairstyle for Danielle, and the talents of makeup artist Raena Tripp Mason highlighted her natural beauty flawlessly.

Last but certainly not least is the incredible talent you experiencing while seeing these gorgeous images. Christina Bernales is truly a visionary behind her lens. She is patient, thoughtful and is an inspiration to see in action!

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Hayley Paige

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Nautical Weddings Take Note, This is How It’s Done

There’s no better place to have a nautical wedding than Nantucket, even with Hurricane Joaquin and a Nor’easter threatening the island leading up to the big day. And, Meg and Charles’ wedding day is the ultimate nautical affair — from the Bride’s Pronovias lace wedding dress and pearl bracelet to the Groom’s Vineyard Vines bow tie to the classic New England touches throughout. Head to The Vault to see every gorgeous detail captured by the talented Brklyn View Photography!

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See How this Couple Fell in Love with their New England E-Sesh

From Brklyn View Photography…Their classic and elegant, nautical themed wedding was inspired by the happy couple’s love of one of the most beautiful islands in the north east, Nantucket. Meg and Charles spend their summers the island and it was the only place they wanted to celebrate their marriage. The weather leading up to the festivities was dismal as Hurricane Joaquin and a Nor’easter were both heading up the coast. The ferries were beginning to get cancelled the day before, flights were delayed and figuring out how to get to the island we becoming a real challenge for guests and vendors. However, on Saturday morning, the rain stopped, a little sun peeked through the clouds and the day went on with only minor glitches. Meg wore a gorgeous lace wedding dress by Pronovias and her mother’s pearl bracelet. Charles and the groomsmen wore ties from Vineyard Vines and fun mix of unexpected colored socks. They were married at the lovely Our Lady of Isle Church in town and celebrated at the gorgeous White Elephant Hotel along the water. We visited the Cru restaurant on the wharf and took over the back room for their bridal party portraits since we couldn’t photograph them outside. Being able to create several pairings in a small space is key to making their photos look amazing and every single person in their bridal party was amazing! As we walked with the Bride and Groom through town, we stopped at the famous Compass Rose before I found the cutest little nook with hanging string lights and ivy along the walls. It felt like Italy in Nantucket. Meg’s sister and Charles’ brother gave memorable speeches that had everyone, especially the bride and groom, shuffling between laughter and tears. It was one of the most touching ceremonies and celebrations I was able to photograph. Thank you so much for allowing me to document your wonderful wedding day!

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Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

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It’s time to embark on a journey — a journey through Leah and Rob’s love with a little help from Elyse Hall Photography. The engagement session started in Boston at various locations throughout the city that played a part in their relationship. From there, they went to the Bride’s hometown in Rhode Island (where they’ll be married in the fall) where they posed for more gorgeous photos, with Leah in her great grandmother’s vintage stole. See the whole day in The Vault!

From Elyse Hall Photography…Leah & Rob met and fell in love in Boston Mass, so when choosing a location for their engagement photographs what better place to photograph then where it all began. We started off in the morning wandering around Boston in the freezing weather shooting at different locations that were special for these two. From the Boston public Library to wandering the streets of Boston each adventure felt like an important part of their relationship. Later in the afternoon we even ventured over to New Hampshire where Leah is from and where their fall wedding will be taking place. I love how Leah incorporated little touches that were special for her into the shoot. Leah wore her great grandmas vintage stole and we finished the shoot off in Leah’s parent’s backyard pond. Shooting at all these important locations gave me such a wonderful connection to how they fell in love and made me so excited for their BIG day.

Photography: Elyse Hall Photography | Location: Boston MA | Location: Rye NH

They Made a Wedding Day Pact That’s So Romantic!

After a year of wedding planning, this gorgeous Bride and Groom promised each other that on their big day, they wouldn’t let the other out of their sight. From the romantic ceremony in one of Royal Sonesta Boston‘s beautiful ballrooms to dancing the night away to the tunes of Radiance, this Bride and Groom remained attached at the hip, celebrating their big day together. See it all from Zev Fisher Photography and Fade And Focus in The Vault!

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A Wedding That Pulls Off Classic With a Touch of Nautical

From The Bride…Alex and I met in college at the University of Michigan, where some of our fondest memories to date were formed. We were set up for a date party – in typical fraternity-sorority fashion – and instantly hit it off. Soon after that night, our affinity for each other grew into more and we spent the remainder of college falling in love with each other and the city of Ann Arbor, where three years after graduating, we returned with friends for an alumni weekend and Alex popped the question.

When we got engaged, we knew right away we wanted our wedding to be in Boston (where I grew up) both because we love the city and because we wanted to provide our many friends and family from New York with an easy Labor Day weekend getaway. We looked at eleven (yes, eleven!) venues in one weekend and quickly decided on the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel in Cambridge. We loved its beautiful views of Boston and its gorgeous setting directly on the Charles River. We also loved its boutique style and the contemporary art collection that permeated the space. Above all else, we cared most about our wedding feeling like us, and we felt the Royal Sonesta’s effortless vibe did exactly that.

The idea of the wedding feeling like us was our number one inspiration in the planning process. We knew it was going to be a big wedding no matter what (a whopping 260) so we focused on making it as personal and intimate as possible. We wanted it to feel warm, romantic, and inviting and accomplished just that by focusing on the details.

We used this concept to inform our choice of a summery color-pallet filled with blush, lavender, and soft grey. My eight bridesmaids wore those three colors in Monique Lhuillier’s tulle collection to achieve the romantic look we were going for. To complement my lace-detailed Pronovias gown, I wore the same veil my sister (and Matron of Honor) wore when she walked down the aisle a few years prior, which felt so special and personal to me. Alex wore a charcoal grey Hugo Boss tux, which was the perfect way for him to just ever-so-subtly stand out next to his groomsmen wearing black.

To continue with our vision of warmth and romance, we wanted the flowers to be loose and whispery and our florist did an incredible job helping us to achieve this look. Our chuppah was constructed of curly willow and lavender limonium for a full yet simple feel. In the ballroom, wooden boxes and delicate vases showcased dreamy floral arrangements filled with stunning flowers like white hydrangeas, faith roses, and seeded eucalyptus. Mercury votives and floating candles complimented the flowers on each table, and a combination of sheer fabric and bee-lighting draped from the ceiling to create an elegant look. We also decided to bring in long, wooden farm tables that lined the dance floor to help create a more intimate feel in the room.

From our wedding invitations, programs, and menus we helped to custom design, to our homemade hotel welcome bags filled with our favorite goodies, to UMichigan paraphernalia incorporated throughout the wedding night, we infused the wedding with personal touches. Our vanilla-mocha wedding cake was topped with a Michigan Wolverine bride and groom, baby pictures of us hung on each bathroom door, and wooden feathers I found from my favorite Cape Cod home-décor shop were used to enhance our cards and gift table.

On the night before the wedding, Alex and I made a pact with each other (thanks to advice from very wise friends!) that we wouldn’t let each other out of our sights on our wedding night. Though we had planned our wedding together all year long, this plan was undoubtedly the best one of them all. When I look back to the wedding, it was everything we could have possibly dreamed of and more—the love in the room, the warm speeches and remarks made throughout the night, and the infectious energy was beyond our wildest imagination. But in the end, being attached at the hip throughout the night proved to be the best possible way we could have celebrated, and was inevitably the most perfect way for the wedding to feel like us. My advice to brides-to-be would be to spend your wedding night side-by-side with your new spouse. It is so easy to get sidetracked by all the love your friends and family will have for you on your wedding night, but experiencing that incredible feeling in tandem with the best friend you just MARRIED is truly what you’ll remember forever.

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For this couple who fell in love on the island of Nantucket, it only felt right to return to where it all began. They planned a classic-as-can-be celebration infused with subtle nautical details as a nod to their beachside setting. The result? This insanely gorgeous gallery from the lens of Lacie Hansen that you can stare at All. Afternoon. Long.

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A Rustic Summer Wedding Complete with a Frozen Lemonade Stand

From The Bride… Both of us grew up traveling to Nantucket for family vacations. Joe’s grandparents had a family vacation home there and now his mom lives there year round. My parents started going to Nantucket in college and they would camp out on the beaches with my aunt and uncle. They loved it so much that they started taking us there when we were young and eventually purchased a vacation home in Madaket. Joe and I probably played on the same beaches growing up, but did not meet until summer of 2011.

Joe was living on the island year round when we met. I was just visiting for a few summer weeks. He asked me out on a date to American Seasons (a very quaint and romantic restaurant). We ended really falling for one another and spending as much time together as possible for the rest of my vacation. Things went so well that we started dating long distance (Chicago-Nantucket). We did that for a year and a half until Joe decided to move to Chicago to be with me. Even though we live in Chicago full-time, Nantucket will always be a very special place for us. It is where we first met, had our first date, and where we got married. We plan to make sure we are there for every anniversary to come.

From David M. Handy Events… A collection of round and rectangle dinner tables filled the grand ballroom at the Nantucket Hotel & Resorts. The room was enhanced with gold ballroom chairs, gorgeous gold and blush table linens, vintage chargers, table numbers and lots of romantic candlelit. To complete the look the room was washed in a warm amber color.

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When the Groom is one of the masterminds behind Dels Frozen Lemonade, New England’s favorite summer sip, you know the wedding is going to be full of fun, summer vibes. And this Massachusetts wedding so is. With a frozen lemonade cart, lawn games and music from Boston Common Band, this Willowdale Estate wedding is simply perfect. See it all from KL Imagery and Frame & Anchor in The Vault!

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From Willowdale Estate…Dell’s Frozen Lemonade is *the* summer drink in New England, and when one of the owners (Matt) married his incredibly chic bride (Whitney) they just had to have the most classic, beautiful summer celebration complete with a frozen lemonade cart, lawn games mixed with effortlessly with gorgeous formal elements.

From The Bride…My inspiration was elegant and rustic romance! ‘Elegance’ and ‘Rustic’ may seem like a strange juxtaposition, but I think it really sums up the feel behind our Wedding Day. Willowdale Estate with it’s tent, mansion, garden, and the surrounding grounds was a perfect location for this. We are both laid back and love the outdoors and wanted that reflected, as well as to provide a beautiful reception and great party that did not sacrifice the details. We had tufted couches paired with vintage seating, antique gold lanterns alongside geometric glass terrariums with moss and white and blush flowers, and white antler place card holders with gold mercury glass candles. Guests could sip on Del’s lemonade or strawberry rhubarb champagne while playing cornhole or snacking on mini lobster rolls. It really showed both sides of us!

We met in a very unique way (Whitney lived in Minnesota and Matt lived in Massachusetts but we met on a bus in Australia. Whitney got the last seat available on the bus which happened to be next to Matt. The bus broke down and we were stuck together for hours before getting to our destination…we’ve been together ever since!) We wanted our wedding day to also be uniquely “us” as well and it was those personalized touches really made the day special for us. Both of Matt’s parents are from Rhode Island so it has a special place in our hearts. Matt is owner of the Del’s Lemonade in Cumberland, RI so we had a cart serving the frozen lemonade to guests as they arrived. To showcase our love of the outdoors, moss and flowers were a theme throughout the indoors and outdoors. Our first look was on the bridge by the river running though the Willowdale Estate property. Matt enjoys hunting and fishing so antler accents were shown throughout the decor, and small antler tines were incorporated into the groomsmen’s boutonnieres. We had a sophisticated s’mores station (Whitney’s favorite treat since childhood!), and Minnesota and Massachusetts shaped cookies were given to our guests as they departed. Whitney’s mother, a talented cook, created a signature cocktail using Strawberries and Rhubarb from farms in Minnesota, which Willowdale bartenders mixed and served throughout the evening. Near the end of the evening, we served french fries and grilled cheeses from Willowdale Catering – I think our guests are still talking about them! It was the perfect snack after dancing the night away!

The Boston Common Band was amazing and made the whole day, from the beginning of the ceremony to the end of the evening, stress-free as far as music was concerned. Not only was there a DJ for the ceremony music and the full band and DJ for the reception – they also covered the cocktail hour by playing jazz music on the piano inside the mansion. They made everyone dance and had some pretty amazing moves of their own.

One of my favorite moments of the day was our first dance. Unbeknownst to us, the wedding party pocketed some of the flower petals we used during our recession down the aisle after the ceremony, and showered us with them during our first dance. Our song was “This Magic Moment” by the Drifters….and it certainly was!

Our Nephew was our ring bearer but was still too young to walk. We had the flower girl pull him down in a vintage wagon found (along with other great antiques like our victorian chair) at the Wrentham Country Store. One of my favorite gifts that was also showcased on our wedding cake table was the custom hand embroidered linen from the Etsy shop StrawberryAndIvy (Whitney’s MOH) She also designed our card box made from a vintage wooden microscope box. Dogwood Floral made absolutely beautiful and romantic flower arrangements and table scapes. She took time to listen to what I wanted, created a sample to ensure we were on the same page, and delivered above and beyond on the day of the wedding.

I also can’t say enough about our Videographer, Evan, from Frame and Anchor. From the first time we spoke to after the video was edited and sent to us, he was so informative, approachable, professional, and made us feel comfortable and involved in the process.

We took on some DIY projects too! The seating chart and other signage was created using frames, moss, and printed material. In order to create an “indoor” lounge area feel outside, we brought in furniture, a coffee table, and customized pillows to arrange under the bistro lights near the reception area. We spray painted tiny clothes pins gold and attached packets of petals to our ceremony programs for the petal toss recession. We also created packages for the kids that would be in attendance at the dinner (coloring books, etc). Because we are from different states and had family and friends coming from near and far, it was also important to us to create a sincere thank you note for everyone. We created these with the help of minted.com and slid them under the place cards. We also created a flip-flop display by the dance floor so guests could dance in comfort. The most time consuming but rewarding DIY project was creating the favors. They were cookies shaped like Massachusetts and Minnesota and decorated in icing with a small heart where our hometowns are located. They were packaged with a heart cookie in-between them and given to our guests as they departed.

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From a High School Romance to a Classic Spring Wedding

Fourteen years after one awkward adolescent car ride, this sweet Bride and Groom became husband and wife in one gorgeous spring wedding. With lavender Jenny Yoo bridesmaids’ dresses, a classic tented reception, music from Beat Train Productions and beautiful photos from White Loft Studio, you’d be majorly missing out if you didn’t head to The Vault to see all the pretty!

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An Interior Designer’s Cape Cod Wedding with To-Die-For Nautical Details

From The Bride…I grew up in a tiny suburb of Boston, Luke in Charlotte, NC. We met by chance when we were fourteen years old. Luke’s best friend from Charlotte, Justin, moved to my hometown during Freshman year of high school, we became friends, and Luke came up to visit him during the Spring. I remember Justin’s mom coming to pick me up and climbing into the back seat of her car and Luke sitting there. He was cute, with crooked teeth and wearing a Saves the Day tee shirt. I said “Hi Luke” and he, nervously, said nothing back. We spent the next few hours not speaking to each other, I pretty much didn’t speak at all the entire afternoon and made up an excuse that I had a project to do so Justin’s mom would bring me home. My friend Jess and I took a walk that afternoon and I remember telling her all about Luke, even though we literally had not spoken to one another. He happened to have the guts to talk to me on AIM, and it went from there (the original online relationship!). We became super close talking online, and we would talk on the phone for hours. Every time he came to visit Justin, it would be like starting from zero. We were so scared of each other. We had our first kiss when we were 16 in the back seat of a van full of people.

This is a really long story, how 14 years later we are married (there was a lot of time in there that we were not in touch), but fast forward to the summer of 2008, when Luke moved to New York, I was in school at the time. We never really said we were together, we just haven’t been apart since. Luke proposed to me in August of 2014 when we were in Italy on vacation. I had been on Cape Cod the weekend before with my mom, and she said to me “I wonder if he will propose to you,” which I jokingly repeated to Luke. He just responded, “I’m really sorry but you planned this trip.” I KNEW it wasn’t happening. When it did happen, we were on the side of the Arno in Florence, wandering around after dinner the second night of our trip; it was incredible, and a total surprise. The vacation felt like a honeymoon!

I wanted to get married pretty quickly, we planned the wedding for only 9 months. Everything fell into place really easily. Fruitlands Museum was the first venue we looked at, a recommendation from one of my moms patients. It is so beautiful and the people that run it are amazing. Planning our reception there couldn’t have been easier. Our ceremony was at the small church that my parents go to, it was really relaxed and pretty. There were so many details that just fell into place, which looking back I am so grateful for.

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When this gorgeous Cape Cod wedding first came across my desk, I had to do a double take to make sure it was a real wedding and not a photo shoot because it’s that pretty. But that’s no surprise considering this beautiful Bride is an interior designer. From the hanging sailboat to the scattered seashells throughout, this wedding is the definition of nautical glamour. See it all from Arielle Doneson Photography in The Vault!

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From Arielle Doneson Photography…Elizabeth and Peter met on the Cape, where Elizabeth grew up and Peter spent much of his youth. The Provincetown monument was the perfect backdrop for their nuptials as it offered a stunning 360 view of their beloved cape. As an interior designer with a discerning eye, Elizabeth styled the day to perfection with nautical objéts curated from her travels. The day started out a gray and rainy one but by the time the ceremony began it was a perfectly glorious Cape Cod day – just a photographer’s dream.

This is How You Weave a Touch of Copper in Your Wedding!

I’ll always and forever be a gold kind of girl, but I’d also be crazy to not love this season’s hottest metallic trend – copper. Think of it as gold’s stylish little sister with just the right amount of edge to step up any wedding palette. Vendors Deborah Zoe, Shannon Grant, Romanticist Studio and Beach Plum Floral Design showed us how it’s done, and there’s lots more inspiration sitting in The Vault.

From Deborah Zoe Photo…Wedding photographers, Shannon Grant and Deborah Zoe, along with a super-talented creative team collaborated together on this “Industrial Romance” inspiration shoot geared towards brides planning a modern spring wedding in Boston.

“We really wanted to evoke the sense of two becoming one by combining the soft femininity of a romantic style paired with the hard edges of an industrial space. Styled by Roberta of The Romanticist Studios, each detail was perfectly paired to have a beautiful balanced look, a fitting metaphor for marriage.

It was important to us that the details felt fashion-forward and editorial and that they represented the concept of industrial romance well. We were also enamored with the 2016 Pantone color choices and wanted to weave them into the shoot in a unique way. we decided to pair Rose Quartz and blush along with pops of Fiesta Red and copper accents. It was a color palette that felt fresh and modern to us while also giving a nod to the more feminine and classic colors of blush and pink. Incorporating the metal accents through the use of copper was a fun twist as well.

The shiny escort cards were hand cut from copper plates and lettered with an airy, white calligraphy font penned by Yennygrams. The invitation suite features blush toned paper, muted red watercolors and copper acrylic ink.

Beach Plum Floral installed a dramatic garland made of seeded eucalyptus with pops of bright red anemones, ranunculus, soft blush roses, lisianthus and subtle touches of peach colored Juliet garden roses and incorporated these same touches in the bouquet. The pops of fiesta red anemones and ranunculus were the perfect unexpected touch to these romantic arrangements. Red and peach silk ribbons were cut long to catch the air and float along with our bride.

Voted Best New Venue by the Venue Report, Warehouse XI provided the industrial backdrop with their loft-like, raw white space and natural light. Be Our Guest finished off the space with a romantic and industrial table setting with a mix of soft, organic materials and structured man-made silhouette. The pink tulle from was intentionally left raw and hand crafted with unfinished edges to showcase the linen’s organic texture and lend to it a sense of movement. The effect is as if the tulle is spilling out of the galvanized metal lid and it’s the perfect finishing element. It balances the femininity of tulle with a clean, polished manner.

Hair that moves styled a loose and wavy up-do to compliment the shoot’s romantic vibe while Amanda McCarthy Beauty gave our Bride a fresh and dewy glow with just the right amount of pop of pink on the lips. Flair Boston picked the perfect gown to accompany the shoot with a tulle gown by designer Aria.

When it came to dessert, we knew we definitely wanted to include a sampling of a local favorite, Union Square donuts. Not only are they delicious but we’ve noticed unique treats like donuts are a growing wedding day trend! In addition to the donut spread we also wanted to feature cake but in a modern and fresh way. Artisan Bake Shop ran with the industrial romance theme and created two unique cakes, one covered with a metallic copper hand painted fondant and the other was a delicious naked cake, topped with powdered sugar, and draped with the softest blooms.

Why a Fall Wedding in New England is EVERYTHING

What’s better than a local wedding filled with heart? How about a local New England wedding complete with First Mate Photo behind the lens. Now that dear readers is how you make the best even better. Add in a lovely gown from Ceremony Boston, makeup by Makeup Artistry by Liz and Wilson Stevens Productions serenading the celebration and you’ve got the makings of a masterpiece. See it all in The Vault!

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The Boston Skyline is the Most Epic Ceremony Backdrop We’ve Seen!

From The Bride…Scott and I met through mutual friends in Boston, and we had been together for nearly 5 years when we married. It was the day before my 30th birthday when Scott proposed in our first home together in Beacon Hill.

We planned for an October celebration, as there really is no better time of year to enjoy the beauty of the Berkshires. (Scott also convinced me that the Fall was perfect tux weather!)

The ceremony took place at Saint Ann’s in downtown Lenox, a small town nestled in the heart of the Berkshires. It holds a special place in my heart as my parents married in the same church nearly 35 years earlier.

Our reception was held at Cranwell’s Tudor-style mansion, the centerpiece of the 380 acre estate. Many of our guests stayed on the property in the guest rooms located throughout the resort, which made for a weekend celebration. Our after party was even held at a tavern located on the property!

In planning our wedding, we kept things true to our style, favoring details and personal touches that were inspired by the area’s natural beauty and history. My florist, Krissy Price of Pollen Floral Design helped me play out my ideas with her creativity and use of seasonal blooms (and fruit!). Our day was beautifully and authentically captured by our photographer, Rebecca Hansen of First Mate. In the end, it was perfect.

When you work in the wedding industry, getting married isn’t always a cake walk. But thanks to Cambria Grace, we got a first-hand look at what it takes to become a photographer-turned-bride. She shared snippets of her journey down the aisle, and today we’re unfolding the big day pulled together with vendors like Lauren Wells, Pollen Floral Design, Ceremony Boston and Beat Train Productions behind the scenes. Dylan & Sara captured the fun, and make sure to check out their fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner today on SMP New England!

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From The Bride…Ross and I love our home. We love our dog, our families and our house. Since graduating college together in 2011, we have made Charlestown our home and the place we run our businesses. We knew we wanted to get married here, and after an extensive Google search, we decided on a pier in the Navy Yard that looks out over the city we love!

Our wedding day was insanely fun. There is no other way to describe it. I’ve never seen our parents dance so hard before! The most important thing to us was sharing the day with our friends and family. When Lauren Wells, my maid of honor and the magical unicorn of her own design business, kindly offered to help us style the wedding, we were so excited. Krissy (Pollen Floral) also made us some unbelievable flower arrangements, and I am forever grateful for her talent!

I have so many favorite moments from the day, but one that stands out in particular is our ceremony. Ross and I were nervous about standing in front of everyone proclaiming our love (it is so daunting!) so when I finally got to him at the end of the aisle, I was so relieved. And like it was right on cue, one of the ships in the navy yard blew its horn…and then a duckboat went by us cheering and honking…and to top it off, a police boat’s sirens went off as it pulled over another boat. It was total chaos out there. I was crying from laughing so hard, which made getting through our vows way easier. Of course, Ross’ were hilarious and sweet, which is a perfect representation of him, so I laughed my way through the entire ceremony.

The weather was a major worry of mine, but the rain held off until we were all under the tent. It led one of the most romantic moments – walking home with my husband in the rain at 2am. It will forever be one of my favorite memories. For anyone planning a wedding, the best moments are often the unplanned ones and you just have to embrace them!

A Mexican Fiesta Rehearsal Dinner (on the Boston Harbor!)

Get excited, because today you’re in for a very special treat. Without further ado, we’re sharing Cambria Grace‘s wedding today on the blog! But up first is her Southwest-themed rehearsal dinner fiesta. With the Boston skyline as a backdrop, Ross and Cambria celebrated their nuptials in the most festive fashion: with coconut margaritas, tacos and delicious donuts! See the whole affair, captured by Dylan & Sara Photography, in The Vault and stay tuned for her wedding later today!

From The Bride…One of our favorite date nights is going to Loco in South Boston (which was introduced to us by my MOH, Lauren Wells)! We knew we wanted to rehearse and enjoy dinner on the pier, so we asked Loco to cater the event and they did AN AMAZING JOB! Their team were the nicest people ever, and they also happen to make very tasty food (and coconut margaritas). Mike (the co-owner) even came to make sure everything was perfect, and it really was.

Lauren and Krissy made everything look beautiful and catered to that southwestern theme, that I am especially fond of as I’m from the south. One of my favorite parts of the design was from Li Ward, who calligraphed the terracotta pot with the bar menu. I still have it and treasure it so much!

Ross and I had such a relaxing night with our friends and family, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend the night before our wedding!

Chic, Vintage Massachusetts Wedding

Beautiful to the very core, this chic wedding at the Willowdale Estate has just the perfect amount of vintage flair to make it not only lovely but interesting. With florals that will make you melt from Les Fleurs and images so pretty you can’t believe your eyes from Ramblefree Photo Co., this wedding defines stunning. See even more in the VAULT.

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