Connecticut Weddings

June 9, 2010

A Wedding Story: Jamar & Nika in New Haven, Connecticut

Photography: Erik Maziarz and Carla Ten Eyck for Carla Ten Eyck Photography
Ceremony & Reception: The New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven, Connecticut
Floral Design by: BLUSH Floral Design
Event Design, Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events
Lighting Design: Rob Alberti
Entertainment: Bon Musique and Elan Artists
Cake: Madison Chocolates
Favors: Jubilee Events
Gown: Vera Wang
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Maid’s Gown: Vineyard
Invitations & Paper: Lilah Paper
Calligraphy: Michelle Dowling

Nika and Jamar were married on a Friday evening in April.. much to the surprise of their guests! We worked for nearly a year on the big surprise their guest would encounter at their lavish “engagement party” at the New Haven Lawn Club in downtown New Haven. Only a select few family members and their bridal party knew about what was going to take place!

The design of their wedding was inspired by art deco, vintage french artwork, and the ambiance of the New Haven Lawn Club. Nika and I worked together to come up with the rich and colorful story of whites, silver, purple and red with a punch of hot pink for good measure! Here is our inspiration board that we designed for her and Jamar:

The story of Nika and Jamar began after being introduced by a mutual friend. It took some time for the two of them to get together after their first meeting… but once they did, it didn’t take them long to realize what a match they truly were. Fast forward a few years later and the two exchanged vows in a dim, candle lit ballroom surrounded by over a hundred of their nearest and dearest friends.

The day began warm and sunny— the perfect kind of day to have an “engagement” party! Nika and her Maid of Honor spent the afternoon getting ready in the bridal suite at the New Haven Lawn Club, with Jennie Fresa on make up.

When Elisabeth delivered Nika’s gorgeous white and green bouquet, filled with peonies, she cried! Peonies are Nika’s favorite flower, and with all the delay in travel after the Volcano eruption, we were not sure if peonies would be available… but Elisabeth was able to make magic happen! What an emotional surprise that lead to so many more on this very, very special day.

Below is a picture if Nika after seeing her best friend and Maid of Honor all dressed in her gorgeous, one shoulder purple Vineyard frock. Let me tell you, these two girls– soul sisters. They have such love and affection for one another– lifelong and dear friends!

Once her hair and makeup was complete, it was time to get her into one of the most beautiful Vera Wang gowns I have ever seen. It fit her like a glove and she looked absolutely radiant! Meanwhile, Jamar and his Best Man were getting ready for when Jamar would see Nika for the first time.. but right before that, we took Nika out front for some gorgeous (and quick!) bridal portraits.

Can a bride get any more beautiful?

Here Amanda and I are dashing to get her back inside before any early bird guests see!

Nika and Jamar chose to see one another before the ceremony and had an intimate first look just outside the room where they were going to be married. First looks are always emotional, sweet, and memorable moments.

Guests were gathering in the foyer to the Lawn Club, greeted with champagne and friendly smiles. Meanwhile, just beyond the wall, we were lighting the candles and putting the finishing touches on the gorgeous ceremony. I love Jamar’s boutonniere– a white rose with berries and a fiddle head fern. Nika’s Maid of Honor held a bouquet with seasonal purple flowers and red ranunculous. All of the flowers were absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was flanked by two enormous garden urns, spilling over with seasonal white flowers such as hydrangea, ranunculous, and tulips. BLUSH designed the arrangements with tall branches and pussy willows, which mercury glass candle holders hung from. Hundreds of votive candles lined every sill and mantle through out the room.

Moments before the ceremony we hid the bride and groom away from sight and finally opened the doors into the party. Guests walked in expecting to see an engagement party but were met with a romantic ceremony! Here are some of their reactions upon entering the room for the first time! Nika and Jamar were listening in the opposite room to their guests’ reaction as they came in.

As the ceremony began, the bride was escorted down the aisle by her father to a trio of Canon D. The assembled guests rose as they saw her– an incredible and awesome moment!

They exchanged vows, officiated by Nika’s late grandmother’s Reverend, who they had flown in from Virgina. It was very meaningful for them to be married by Reverend Talley, who gave a beautiful ceremony.

Right after the ceremony guests were greeted to the sounds of vintage French music wafting from the ballroom… Nika and Jamar hired the most incredible band, Bon Musique, to entertain at their reception. The Lawn Club catered a delicious cocktail and hor’dourve affair complete with a martini station, risotto station, and more delicious delights! Since their party was all about sumptuous finger foods, yummy cocktails, and dancing– we designed the room to have a nice cocktail party feel! BLUSH designed gorgeous table and mantel decor in purple flowers with red ranunculous, tucked in beautiful mercury glass vessels.

Rob Alberti lit the room in shades of purple and pink!

There were touching toasts by the Reverend Talley and their best man and maid of honor.

Nika’s sorority sister’s sang One True Delta and then the band rocked the night away until the last candle flickered out. What a great way to end an amazing day!

Nika and Jamar– it was such a sincere pleasure to work with you. Thank you for allowing Jubilee to be apart of your families personal history. Nothing but success, joy, love and happiness to you both!

You can also see this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty!

xoxo

  1. Katie Slater says:

    This is so great, you did a fabulous job Candice! So, so pretty!!!

  2. What a fun idea! I love the guests’ reactions. Great work!

  3. Surely these people are models! They are absolutely gorgeous! Fantabu-tastic work again, Candace!

  4. Inspiring work, Candice! I love that they surprised their guests with their wedding. And that wedding cake is stunningly beautiful.

  5. Erika Gregory says:

    OMgoodness, Candice! You have done it again. This wedding is stunning.
    I felt as if I were in the room with them sharing their moment. What a wonderful surprise.

  6. Suzanne says:

    What an incredibly beautiful wedding!

  7. wendy g says:

    Nika you look so beautiful! And I love your dress and your veil. Just perfect. So glad it all worked out, I’m happy for you and Jamar. And yes, my brother’s graduation was worth it. Class president and Valedictorian!

  8. Leah Melone says:

    This is so cool. I am amazed at all the detail included in this post! I Had so much fun looking through all of the pictures from this wedding. Thank you for sharing! Your entire website and blog is very impressive! Thanks!

  9. peony lady says:

    What great pictures of everybody! And the PEONY bouquet – stunning! Ilovepeonies and wished that I’ve known about peonies when I got married. Thanks for the wonderful post. By the way, I love peonies so much I opened a peony farm in washington state.

  10. vencanice says:

    Amazing wedding photos. All photos with all details are so nice and beautiful. The bride is so beautiful and happy. You did fantastic work.

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