A few days ago a handsome box arrived at the studio and inside were copies of this Fall’s BRIDES Connecticut magazine. The photography of our friends, Robert and Kathleen, is splashed through out the glossy pages — including our wedding with Michael and Dagney! Be sure to pick up your copy to read all the details!

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of coordinating the absolutely fabulous wedding of Veena and Rich. Their photographer, Carrie Draghi of Carrie Draghi Photography surprised me with an email of teaser pictures this morning! I’m totally psyched to be able to share them with you — they’re gorgeous!!

   

   
   

Today is Veena and Rich’s wedding in Stamford, Connecticut! I’m so excited for them and their families who have traveled great distances to be here. Veena and Rich have planned an amazing two ceremony wedding and will top off their marriage with a gorgeous reception at the Hilton in Stamford. Can’t wait to come back and share all the details from their day. For now, my assistant Audra and I are about to head out and do what we do best!! Check us out on twitter today to see what we’re up to!

I’m so excited to be able to share our invitations with you!! As many of you know, the first item I purchased for our wedding was my shoes. They’ve been my muse for the entire event and have guided me toward the most amazing gown, linens, and paper. When I set out to have our invitations designed I knew of only one designer who would be able to take my shoes and make an invitation out of them!

Paper is one of my loves, and Kalyn from Lilah Paper and I have worked together on several events and her style really compliments my own. We came up with a custom invitation suite based on a variety of different inspirational pieces that I sent her through out the process. When she sent me our first round of proofs I was blown away. It wasn’t something I had envisioned but it was exactly what I wanted — which is a true testament to her talent! Much like a proud mama, I happen to think I have the most beautiful wedding invitations ever made.

We started out with a pretty belly band holding all our paper goodness together.

Inside, a tri-fold invitation suite. It starts off with lyrics from our soon to be first dance song by Van Morrison…

Our actual letterpress invitation to the ceremony with double backing layers. Photographs cannot do it justice! It is so gorgeous!!

Our pretty letterpress enclosure cards. We’ve gotten so many compliments on the cute vintage inspired food selections. We’ve also received A LOT of interesting first dance songs!!

Our envelopes were hand written by the extremely talented Lisa Ridgely of Pen and Ink Calligraphy. I LOVE working with Lisa — she is SO good to my brides and it was so much fun to be one of hers! We chose this gorgeous red ink color for a fun pop.

I had so much fun working with Lilah Paper and absolutely love the couture suite she came up with for us. The quality was so important to me, and our invitations are above and beyond what we could have imagined. We were SO thrilled to mail them all out (except for the $.78 stamps on each one) and have gotten so many RSVP’s back. Its a joy every afternoon to run out to the mailbox!

I’ll have some prettier pro pictures after the wedding with the rest of our amazing paper!

When Mike and I thought out doing our engagement pictures we wanted to do something that was uniquely about us. We’re such a relaxed couple and we love to go with the flow and enjoy the moment. We not only wanted our engagement shoot to reflect our personalities, but the things that we love. Mike loves his fast car and his motorcycle and I love photography and clothes! Totally unrelated to one another but when you put them together its meant to be! We decided to visit The Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut for the bulk of our shoot. They were so accommodating and friendly to us and it made the most beautiful backdrop for our session. After, we headed over to Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston, Connecticut for some last minute shots.

Here are some of my absolute favorite pictures from our session with Robert and Kathleen, who did an incredible job of photographing us. There are also additional pictures posted on here on their blog!

A crazy thing is happening…. I’m getting married. Yes, I’m a planner turned bride and yes, we are a rare species! After much consideration I decided to finally share my planning process as we hit the last six weeks of planning — this when the good stuff starts happening!

That really gorgeous man who is seated next to me, above, is my fiancée, Michael. We met five years ago when a mutual friend thought we’d hit it off. We both came from two very separate worlds, and at first glance, it didn’t appear to be a match worth pursuing. We’re not afraid to share that either, as our love story isn’t something completely epic or Paramount. Our relationship was a progression that started out in conversation and grew into interest, then an attraction, and finally, love. When our photographers wrote our poignant story for their blog of our engagement pictures they called our love story a slow burn. I had never thought to put it into those words but that’s exactly what it is.

So now we’re here, five years later, planning an EPIC wedding for August 1st in Hartford, Connecticut. I’m really excited to be sharing it with you and can’t wait to reveal (some) details of what is to come. Mike and I are really excited that the final weeks are here and in no time at all, we’ll be hitched for life.

Coming up tomorrow – our engagement pictures – shot by our very talented wedding photographers and FRIENDS, Robert and Kathleen Trenske!

Last Tuesday I had the fun opportunity of modeling for Carla Ten Eyck + Team on a photo shoot they were doing at the New Haven Lawn Club (which is super dreamy by the way… all the unique rooms and spaces, plus that checkered black and white floor!), with The White Dress by the Shore, Datura, and Jennie Fresa Beauty. It was a ton of fun! I wanted to share some of the photographs of all their beautiful work, including the insane floral designs of Datura.

Courtesy Carla Ten Eyck

Arn’t they GORGEOUS??

Courtesy Erik Maziarz

Courtesy Erik Maziarz

Courtesy Erik Maziarz

Yeah…. its a shawl… made out of orchids!!

Courtesy Erik Maziarz

Courtesy Carla Ten Eyck

Can you believe this parasol made out of FLOWERS and LEAVES? It was so angelic! I want one!

Courtesy Erik Maziarz

Jennie Fresa and her studio did all the hair and make up for the day. They did an AMAZING job. Jennie is launching her own product line and used all of her products on us too!

Courtesy Erik Maziarz

All the dresses, including that fun short little white dress, were all courtesy of our friend Beth Chapman at The White Dress by the Shore. My favorite dress was the red Jenny Yoo one above…. it is so beautiful!! I’m considering ordering one for our rehearsal dinner!

To see more beautiful images visit Carla Ten Eyck, Erik Maziarz, Katie Slater, Graham Scobey and Ashley Scobey.

So.. after this post… its all about my wedding. Stay tuned!

Matt and Kim were married on May 30th, 2009 at 2:30 in the afternoon at the Assumption Church in Westport, Connecticut. Immediately following, guests enjoyed a gorgeous preppy and nautical inspired fete at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport. Kim and Matt were an amazing couple to work with! At our initial meeting I knew we’d be a good match — they wanted a preppy, tailored, and nautical wedding in blue and yellow with pops of red.

The day began with Kim getting ready at her apartment with her parents and bridesmaids. Kim had her makeup done by the talented artists at Naomi’s Makeup Studio out of West Hartford. Kim wore a gorgeous and simple Matthew Christopher satin gown with an elbow length Mantilla Veil, purchased at Bridal Trousseau on Main in Branford. Her bridal bouquet (by Peter’s Wholesale Florists in Stamford) was made up of white peonies, yellow ranunculous, and white hydrangea wrapped in yellow and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon. It was absolutely stunning!

Matt and his Groomsmen spent the later morning and early afternoon having lunch at his parents house. They wore gorgeous seersucker jackets from Brooks Brothers with a navy brooks brothers tie and khakis. The groom wore a head of ranunculous as his boutonniere and his groomsmen wore a single yellow rose. The flower girls and ringer bearer were all Matt’s nieces and they wore the most darling little red and yellow polka dot dresses!

After their beautiful ceremony at Assumption Church in Westport, Matt and Kim went to the spot that was very meaningful and sentimental to them. A place where they spent many nights watching the sun set as a couple. They love Combo Beach in Westport and try to visit at least once every weekend during the summer months. Her love of rowing and his love of the water really drew them together. After the ceremony, Kim took off her gorgeous veil and pinned a fabulous little white flower in her hair. Doesn’t she look STUNNING?

The reception was held at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport. The views? Stunning. It was obvious to them that it was the perfect location, which would marry her love of rowing and his love of the water. Guests were greeted on the blue slate patio overlooking the Saugatuck River and the docks that lead out into the water. They enjoyed Matt and Kim’s signature cocktail, the Pimms Cup, served from large sea glass canisters into high ball glasses which were garnished with a lemon wheel, cucumber spear, and a seersucker swizzle stick. Heaven.

The tablescapes were gorgeous and filled with SO many details. We used navy linen as a base, and brought in beautiful beechwood chiavari chairs with white pads from Party Rentals, Ltd out of Greenwich. Centerpieces were of one tall, french galvanized bucket filled with white peonies, ranunculous and hydrangea. They were fluffy and tightly filled — so gorgeous! There were three satellite arrangements of yellow and white gerbera daisies in smaller galvanized buckets. Each bucket had the same yellow and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon from Kim’s bouquet wrapped around them. The taller, french galvanized buckets had thick red grosgrain ribbon.

Each place setting had a rattan charger with an accompanying blue polka dot plate and clear glass saucer for the chilled gazpacho, all rented from Party Rentals, Ltd. Their navy napkins were rolled and tied onto them was a menu “tag”, which we created in the round. It had a seersucker boarder and a cute little yellow grommet, tied together with white grosgrain ribbon. Each guest received a cute little galvanized bucket filled with red swedish fish. We created red and blue favor tags with lyrics to their first dance song by U2 and tied it on with red grosgrain ribbon.

Each table was named after a New England town that held special significance to the bride and groom. Places like Westport, Newport, Nantucket, Block Island, Bar Harbor, Mystic…. we even inserted the GPS coordinates of each location onto their table sign. A fun little detail we carried through out the event — like on the custom stamp we made for their invitations!

Guests dinned on chilled gazpacho, surf and turf with filet mignon and lobster tail with steamed red potatoes and corn on the cob. There were even toothpicks on the table for pickin’ corn out of your teeth! The entire event was catered by the Club’s restaurant, Riverview Restaurant. Chef Danny and his team did a fabulous job!

Their delicious cake was made by Sweet Cakes out of Fairfield, Connecticut. Suzette did a fabulous job bringing Kim and Matt’s vision to life. The guests REALLY enjoyed the cake and complimented on how delectable it was! We displayed escort cards on a red linen wrapped cork board with some retro metal pushpins. It was perfect! We also had custom napkins, swizzle sticks, and coasters made for the event. The beautiful calligraphy was done by Lisa Ridgley of Pen and Ink Calligraphy out of Westminister, Maryland. I LOVE Lisa. She is so good to our brides and does AMAZING work! One of the little details I loved most about this wedding that you may not be able to notice was the lowercase letters we used on everything — even their yellow monogrammed letters that were tied to the back of their chairs. When I think preppy I think kate spade and j. crew, so we channeled some of their branding. A little detail that goes a LONG way! In lieu of a traditional guest book, guests also signed rowing oars. They also dropped their cards in a lobster trap.

Guests danced the night away to music provided by Jim Nuzzo of Dance to the Music Entertainment. He did an AWESOME job! Photographs are courtesy of Kelley and Todd Whittaker (website coming soon). Matt and Kim made their grand exit via a sparkler send off and rounded out the evening across the street with their family and friends, sipping Margareta’s at Vivas!

The day was captured on video by Matthew Fink of Digital Media Odyssey. He already has their teaser trailer up! Check it out below!

Thanks Matt and Kim for letting us share in your SPECTACULAR day. It was a pleasure designing your event and working with you.

This is one of my favorite weekly posts. I love to star my favorite blog posts through out the week and share them with you all. I also really enjoy reading YOUR weekly round up posts as they always point me in the direction of very talented people!

Okay, so the photograph above? I am loving this pink and navy wedding posted on The Brides Cafe Blog…. everything… the bridesmaids dresses… the flower girls cardigans… ALL of it… I LOVE IT. So much style!

I love this Mary Norton chiffon rosette purse featured on SevenEight…. it is super dreamy.

Real Simple’s advice to accessorize with shimmer instead of a scarf this season… love their choices. I agree, a little shimmer on the collar bone makes such a difference!

I have a love of chalkboards, and had to share 8 cool chalkboard finds on Real Simple’s blog.

Having an e-session soon? Take note of inspiring details from style me pretty!

A little floral inspiration from Sarah of Party Perfect. Just what you need on a gloomy and rainy day!

Love banners, especially this colorful DIY celebrate banner from Once Wed.

I’m totally drooling over these Save the Dates and Invitations from Katie and Ben posted on Brooklyn Bride… i’m such a sucker for awesome packaging!!

I love the crystals and chandeliers from this wedding featured on style me pretty.

These stylish bridal sashes posted on Classic Bride are gorgeous.. if you know me, you know I love embellished belts (with flowers!) so these are right up my alley!

I think it is pretty awesome that Jessica just recently graduated with her Master’s degree. It is even MORE awesome that she threw herself a CRAZY swanky party in Oakville, Connecticut to celebrate her life milestone! When she contacted me a few months ago to design an event for her I was really excited to do so — a nice break from weddings! We had a ton of fun developing her ideas and came up with a fabulous black and white party that included delicious cupcakes from Cakes Unlimited, submerged tulips, gerbera daisies and orchids as centerpieces from Flore Floral Design, and a rockin’ photobooth manned by the ridiculously talented Robin Dini. I also custom created an awesome 5×5 black and white invitation to her event!

We brought in some gorgeous and modern white lounge furniture, including couches, ottomans, and coffee tables. Guests dinned on a lot of yummy appetizers with some Miami flair!

And for the photobooth? I’m sorry, it is a MUST have at any event! It was a huge hit too — almost 1,000 pictures taken of all her family and friends! Here are a few of the many awesome pictures taken that night by the new photobooth queen, Robin Dini.