There’s something about a modern, black and white, with a side of fierce design aesthetic that we love! It seems like Love Inc. felt the same way because they have featured our photo shoot that took place at The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford, Connecticut!

Designing this shoot was a treat — a slight departure from our usual approach to creating wedding specific content. While our inspiration normally begins with the venue — our surroundings and natural aesthetic, this shoot began with the couple. We wanted to focus more on their story and dynamic as that’s what the wedding day is really all about: the two people we are there to celebrate. From there, the other pieces would come together.

Check us out!!

Take a peek here and get soaked up in all the sexy, sequin goodness! Thank you to the team at Love Inc. for sharing such an inspiring day and collection of ideas and stay tuned to the blog for the full spread!

the A-team

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Venue: The Goodwin Hotel, Hartford
Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Persephone Floral
Beauty: Catie Bane for Willow Salon
Suits: Valentino Tailors
Styling: Beth Chapman Styling
Cake: Sugar Therapy
Gowns: Ines de Santo and Theia via The White Dress by the Shore
Maid’s Dresses: Hayley Paige, Jenny Yoo via The White Dress by the Shore
Accessories: Sara Gabriel
Rentals: PEAK Event Services
Linen: Nuage Designs

invitation image courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine

What happens when THE paper designer for all the fabulous, high end clients gets married herself? Well, pure art! Our friend and bride, Vanessa Kreckel of the acclaimed company Two Paper Dolls married her wife, Lauren in a beautiful Maine destination wedding. Vanessa is known for designing some of the most gorgeous, luxurious, and outside the box invitations and paper suites. Her work will drop your jaw the ground and invite you back for more! She definitely knocked it out of the park with her own invites and stationery — so we wanted to share some of the magic!

Wooden Invitations: The Details

Vanessa & Lauren’s guests received this beautiful destination wedding invitation suite (I still have mine y’all it was THAT pretty!). The focal point is the wooden invitation, laser engraved with all the details of their wedding.

Tying into the vibe they created was a bit of unconventional verbiage: Lauren Elizabeth Martin and Vanessa Diane Kreckel together with our children, Landon and Cash, invite you to celebrate the greatest love we have ever known as we get married in a beautiful place, surrounded by beautiful people. Truer words have not been spoken. The suite was perfectly summed up with: dress snappy, be comfortable, you’ll be in a lot of pictures.

The accompanying cards included a double-sided letterpress itinerary card, a letterpress RSVP card and a wooden tag in the shape of the state of Maine that bore the following quote from Tao: the journey is the reward. An envelope liner with vintage drawings from Maine’s cost was nestled into a clean, ivory envelope. The most perfect touch was the rainbow color story of vintage stamps, a collection that varied across each envelope.

We absolutely LOVED these invitations! Aside from the custom language that graced the suite, the texture and unique details of each piece created such an impact for all. It invited everyone to prepare for all the love and excitement that they witnessed on that June day and became a special keepsake that none of us will be letting go anytime soon!

Happy 2020 friends!! Now that we are in a new decade and a new year – one that is sure to go unmatched, by the way – we wanted to talk about Pantone Color of the Year: Classic Blue. Now, when they first announced this color we didn’t have much feeling. Truthfully, we were hoping for something vibrant as we have dubbed this year one for color! The more we thought about it, the more we warmed up to it, so here’s a few ways the Jubilee Events team celebrates the color Classic Blue!

1. Fashion

photo: carla ten eyck // floral: blush floral design // beauty: larissa lake and co.

photo: alicia ann photographers // suit: aldo’s house of formals

photo: alicia ann photographers // dresses: jenny yoo

photo: carla ten eyck // tuxedos: tom ford

Blue is a go-to color for our fashion picks! It’s classic, as the Pantone color name implies, but it’s flattering and fitting for those warmer season weddings. Our eyes certainly pop for a blue suit with a black lapel!

2. Stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // stationery: coral pheasant stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // stationery: coral pheasant stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // stationery: coral pheasant stationery

stationery: coral pheasant stationery

Blue provides a strong presentation for stationery and used in abundance or as an accent, it rounds out any design!

3. Table Design

When I think Classic Blue, my mind instantly flies to the tables we’ve designed. This is where the Pantone color proves to be timeless and versatile!

photos: carla ten eyck // linen + rentals: party rental ltd.

4. Linens + Rentals

photo: brooke allison photography // lounge furniture: gather and lounge // linens: la tavola linen

photos: carla ten eyck // linen + rentals: party rental ltd.

This Pantone color of the year is perfect for linens and rentals! Not only do they make accent pieces, like flowers, candles, and table details really pop, but they also hide any food or drink mishaps perfectly well!

5. Decor + Other Fun Details

photo: orchard cove photography // floral: blush floral design

photo: carla ten eyck // napkin: coral pheasant stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // cake:

If the Pantone Color of the Year is part of your color palette, then there are endless possibilities for your design elements. Through signage, custom cocktail napkins, displays, cake and confections, and more, this color will bring your aesthetic to life!

See more of our favorite Pantone color inspired weddings here!

1. SPIKED APPLE CIDER: Am I the only gal who eagerly awaits when the grocery store starts selling jugs of apple cider? Didn’t think so. One of our favorite ways to incorporate Fall into your menu is through an adult bev. Consider serving warm apple cider, spiked with your favorite bourbon, and garnished with a cinnamon stick. It’s sure to keep your guests warm (in more ways than one!).

2. BUTTERNUT SQUASH BISQUE SHOOTERS: Served hot or cold, these sweet + savory appetizers are perfect for cocktail hour. Serve them in a shot glass or a small cup

6. MAC N’ CHEESE: OK, Mac n’ Cheese isn’t necessarily Fall — but remember, carbs don’t count. Serve up an adult version of this favorite childhood dish by adding an adult approved meat: bacon. In fact, we recommend bacon in nearly every dish you serve at your wedding.

It is one of the most exceptional parts of our job to witness and celebrate a couple coming together and celebrating the next part of their adventure surrounded by their loved ones. It may top the list, really! We’re witness to one of the most monumental and intimate events in a family’s life, something we call ourselves lucky for. When Carats & Cake featured the dear Amanda and John‘s mansion wedding at the Branford House this past week, we were easily reminded of this sentiment and afforded the opportunity to relive one of the most special, personal days — and one of the BEST dance crowds — we’ve ever been a part of!

The Couple

A little bit about Amanda and John… we love them!! And it’s just that. They are our people and we thoroughly enjoyed every element of this process with them and especially on the day of. They’re down-to-earth, kind, and so excited about planning an experience that they and their guests would enjoy. And boy did they!!

They’re also not scared of a bit of adventure, which we all celebrated when these two stopped traffic on the Mystic Bridge for a few photos. Yes, you read that correctly… they stopped traffic on the Mystic Bridge for a few smiles and even more jaw-dropping reactions from their crew — vendors, wedding party, and strangers alike! Thanking our lucky stars for the beautiful soul that is Brooke Allison, as she captured and embraced every moment of this as our couple did.

The Design at the Mansion

The Branford House is one of our most favorite spaces to work with and every design we have created within this property has become a timeless favorite. When we began mansion wedding design, Amanda described her day as embodying a classic, art-deco, romantic, nature-inspired. I remember her giggling because, how could that make sense, she asked. It does, though! We can always make sense of the array of images and words in your mind and that, to us, is one of the coolest aspects of design!

Through our floral decor with the amazing Blush Floral Design, black and white checkered dance floor, and the most romantic color palette of blush, taupe, cream, gold, and pops of navy and slate blue, we created an aesthetic that made our hearts sing and will continue to do so for eternity! Add in the most amazing stationery design from Coral Pheasant Stationery to set the tone for this momentous occasion, complete with a wood grained invitation that awakened the senses and we had a celebration on our hands.

The Best of the Best

Looking at Amanda and John’s photos, there were so many that I could call my favorite, but the ones that stood out the most — other than these two stopping the world in their tracks on the Mystic Bridge — were the photos of everyone dancing. The life and enjoyment on their faces and happiness behind their experience. Also, this bridal party has been unofficially adopted as our hype squad for all events and projects in life, wedding related or not! It’s safe to say we all found ourselves cheering and smiling when surrounded by this crew!

Amanda and John, THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving us the most fortunate chance to be a part of your story and be in the presence of such happiness. We are the luckiest ones to have been surrounded by so much love that day and we hope that’s a feeling that stays with you always!! Here’s to many more days, weeks, and years smiling, laughing, and dancing together. XOXO

For other amazing Branford House weddings, check us out here!

credit reel

Photography: Brooke Allison
Ceremony Location: Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Mystic
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Blush Floral Design
Reception Location: The Branford House
Catering: David Alan Hospitality
Reception Entertainment: DJ Eko
Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery
Beauty: Rob Rivers Salon and Spa
Lighting: Drape Art Designs
Bride’s Gown: Made With Love from The White Dress by the Shore
Bride’s Accessories: Love Bird Bridal Boutique
Alterations: deMelis Atelier
Rentals: La Tavola Linen, PEAK Event Services, Gather + Lounge
Trolley: Rockstar Limo

Erica and Jacob’s Classic Home Wedding Inspired by the Water

We love a good home wedding! Logistics are what we thrive on and there is really no better design than the one we derive from learning about our couple. What makes it better is when that couple is as cool and thoughtful as Erica and Jacob. We’re saying it now, but Erica is going to save the world one day!! She comes from a family of kick-assers so I knew I was standing in front of greatness the first time I met her and Jacob, who always had a way of making you feel like good times were at hand.

The Signature Details

Our design was inspired by no better place than our surroundings! With Erica’s family home set waterside, we brought in the colors we’d find throughout the scenery like blues and greens, mixed with some seasonal inspiration, like blush and plum. Being waterside always has a way of making you feel fresh and relaxed and that was a vibe we maintained at this shoreline wedding, up to the very last dance under string lights.

With a raw bar brimming to the top with fresh oysters, scallops, shrimp and more as well as a full pie bar from A Thyme to Cook, guests were in for a literal treat. We couldn’t get enough of Erica and Jacob cutting their pie. Not the biggest fans of cake, they brought in their own personal twist on tradition, which guests are still talking about today! The menu is always one of the most exciting parts to develop because there are so many avenues to travel down based on your season, background, and wedding setting. It’s the unspoken language of love!

One of my favorite details?! Our guest book featuring messages in a bottle. Guests wrote sweet love notes to the beautiful couple to uncover and revisit long after their momentous day! How fun!

Erica and Jacob, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your magic, experiencing such a breathtaking space, and for being a part of such priceless moments with your family. We look forward to seeing all you amazing souls accomplish!! XOXO

For more information and inspiration for your home wedding, be sure to visit our helpful tips and tricks here!

Saira and Kai’s Summer Garden Wedding

We just adore a sweet summer garden wedding and there is truly no place better to set the scene than the Grace Mayflower Inn + Spa. Add the charming Saira and Kai to the mix and we knew it would be nothing short of perfection!

We were granted the very lucky opportunity to collaborate with Saira, one of the sweetest, kindest people I’ve ever had the chance to know. But really, that’s how all of our couples are so we fit well together right away. Over the course of the planning period, Saira and Kai were living and traveling in between New Mexico and Hawaii as Kai is active duty military. Being that these two are worldly travelers and know an amazing place when they visit one, they had their heart set on the Mayflower Inn from the day Kai popped the question!

It’s natural to assume that planning a wedding from such a distance would present its own set of challenges and difficulties, but being able to learn more about who Saira and Kai are, as well as the vision they had in mind only added to how personalized their day was — and how much fun we had building their wedding weekend!

The Sweet Details!

Surrounded by meticulously cared for gardens, the Mayflower Inn set the inspiration for our blush, ivory, and green aesthetic. Perfecting this summer wedding was the floral texture present in our stationery, linens, and, of course, floral decor!

My favorite detail? The escort card display that we created to replicate Saira’s bouquet Just For You Floral Designs hand crafted. Instead of finding a space to preserve her bouquet amidst their packing and travels, we designed this as momentum that will forever remind the of the memories they created on that warm summer day.

Saira and Kai, thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing us to be part of your adventure! We look forward to following your travels and seeing all the excitement life has in store for you! XOXOXO

You’ve had an introductory peek at the Chatfield Hollow Inn, but now it’s time to see just how perfectly this is set up for a wedding or event! Right before we spent the evening with some of our industry friends, we played in the clusters of ferns and BEAUTIFUL birch trees to highlight the property in all its glory.

If words and photos could do this space justice, then we would write about it and share images all day long! Every part of the property has been so meticulously cared for and designed, making it one of the most unique wedding venues our state has to offer. The owner and designer of Chatfield Hollow B and B, Ken, knows how unique each of his couples are and wants to be sure his space offers the same opportunity for customization. So much so that he has a variety of spaces for your ceremony or reception based on your guest count. Each one has been hand built so each of your guests are able to fully experience the beauty behind this location.

As a working farm, this special Connecticut wedding venue offers its couples and vendors the chance to use pieces of the property as part of your day. Their fully operational mushroom garden, peach and apple trees can be enjoyed through your food and beverage menu no matter the season. My favorite part? The peony garden gushing with bright pink and purple peonies that don’t just make a beautiful photo, but an even more stunning aspect of your design!

Our girl Chelsea from Everthine Bridal Boutique with a little behind-the-scenes touch ups. Sometimes all the pieces are just as easy to love as the final product.

Those.FERNS!! They are everywhere around the property, creating the perfect nooks for photos, a first look, or even your ceremony. Even some texture for a bouquet!

And this is Chelsea in all that ferny glory!!

Say hi to Danielle from Gather and Lounge, who has the best collection of vintage furniture and accent decor.

Besides the yards of ferns lining the property, Chatfield Hollow Inn offers an array of ceremony locations, all which have been carefully designed for beautiful views, guest comfortability, and timeless memories. Take a peek at the photos below (thank you, Carla Ten Eyck!!) to get an idea of the magic behind this space!!

This “house” below is the gym at Chatfield Hollow Inn — nicest gym you’ve ever seen right?! It’s also a perfect area for some of your wedding party to get ready!

Chatfield Hollow Inn: A New Connecticut Wedding Venue

Connecticut is home to a variety of unique wedding locations, many of which we’ve been sharing on the blog lately — check a few out here! This state proudly boasts lush vineyards, historic landmarks, and natural barn settings. One of the newest venues is Chatfield Hollow Inn, a one-of-a-kind lodge set on acres of a working farm. Not to be confused with Chatfield Hollow State Park (about 10 minutes away), this charming bed and breakfast is anything but ordinary — lovingly described as “mid century modern meets Daniel Boone” — a very subtle way to say rustic modern eye candy. It’s impossible to take it all in properly during your first visit!

As you pull into this well kept property, you’ll drive through a long, tree-lined driveway, past the fern groves and peony gardens up to the koi pond set right in front of the house. Greenhouses growing assorted veggies and hand built homes to wild birds are just a few of the other things that make this venue stand out. Check out more on their farm here!

The most notable element of Chatfield Hollow Inn is their team. The owner, Ken, is a creative soul whose eye developed the property from the ground up. His team is unlike any other we’ve had the chance to know. Mitch, Tema, and Keith are so inviting and such warm personalities that you’ll find any reason to come spend a weekend at this property!

Chatfield Hollow Inn’s Intro to the Event Industry

Last Spring, we had the opportunity to partner with this venue and fellow vendors to showcase the space to close friends and colleagues, giving a mere taste of what this location is capable of. Set under the clear top tent, we treated ourselves to fresh fare from Riverhouse Catering — much of which was grown on site at the farm. Guests were able to immerse themselves in tours around the inn’s surroundings, some of which include rows of apple trees, rose gardens, and wild mushrooms. Understanding the process of how they grow each is outstanding and they would love to share the story with you at any time!

We start by sharing that evening with you! Our next post provides some inspiration, an introduction of sorts, to what the venue offers its visitors, because there’s no wedding like a Chatfield Hollow Wedding!

VENDOR REEL

Design and Planning: Jubilee Events
Catering: Riverhouse Catering
Tent Decor + Lighting: Drape Art Designs
Furniture: Gather and Lounge
Floral Goodness: Jakkelyn Iris Flowers
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck