The Gown

I had a really hard time when I was trying dresses on. Everything was really beautiful but I was just torn between the old, traditional me that I thought I’d be on my wedding day, and the new, fashion conscious girl that I have become. I love high fashion couture and it just didn’t seem right to ignore that! I went to the trunk show and the designer told me the dress was “made for me!” I’m sure he says that to everyone, but his French accent got me… I was sold! I feel in love with the contrast of the traditional overall appearance and the details that made it feel very high-fashion. The overall look was relatively traditional but the amazing details made it so special and very fashion forward. The asymmetrical line of the bust and the opening of the skirt to that crazy fabulous tulle- you can’t see it in the pictures, but there were crimped, pleated, and beaded pieces of tulle tumbling out of the dress. I kept saying the dress was like a mullet- business on the left, party on the right! Truly, it was an amazing piece of craftsmanship and 100% embodied who I am. That’s L-O-V-E! I was also obsessed with my poofy veil! Ah… I get excited just remembering it! Overall, my look for the day was everything I had always dreamed of. I really unleashed my inner Carrie.

Details!

The feather fascinator Ashley wore in her hair (shown in detail in our last post) is traditional with formal attire in England, where Mark is from. It was Ashley’s little homage to his heritage… plus it made her feel a little like Carrie (Bradshaw!). On her Grandfather’s altar pin, which was lovingly affixed to her bouquet: “I always joked with my Grandpa that he just had to stick around to be at my wedding. He passed away the year before we got engaged, but I knew he was there with me on my wedding day. His alter boy pin helped me to feel like he was closer.”

What you can’t see…

Just prior to the ceremony, Ashley’s nerves got the best of her. She held hands with her sister and Maid of Honor and sang — which made everyone very emotional!

Describe your wedding ceremony

Noank Baptist Church is just the most simple, beautiful, quintessential “New England” church we could dream of. The light and the surroundings were to die for. We did not have a church of our own, so finding one for the ceremony was difficult. From the first day we spoke with Reverend Paul we knew he had to marry us. His warm and caring nature truly made us feel welcome and at home there. His service was very personal, and his homily truly felt like a heart-felt conversation between the three of us and the love of our guests surrounding us just brought it all together. Halfway through my vows I starting squealing the words, which was quite embarrassing but it gave us all a little laugh! We spent so much time planning the day and the reception, but as it turned out, the ceremony itself was the most amazing part of the whole day. It just felt so true and so natural. It was beautiful. Also- one of my favorite parts of the ceremony was walking down the aisle with my dad to Mark’s favorite song. I wrote out Oasis’ “Wonderwall” to be played by my favorite instrument, the cello and surprised Mark with it. It was awesome!

Next up: The details!

The Vendors

The story of their day was told in photographs by the talented Amanda Herzberger of Orchard Cove Photography. The wedding ceremony was held at Noank Baptist Church in Groton, Connecticut with a classic New England fete at the Seamen’s Inne in Mystic. Hair and makeup for the wedding was by Deanna & Danielle of the Rob Rivers Salon in Mystic. The bride wore a magnificent gown by Cymbeline Paris, purchased at Lili Bridal in Tarzana, California. The bride’s attendants wore beautiful dark champagne colored Jim Hjelm satin dresses. The groom donned a custom tuxedo by Mattucci in Redondo Beach, California with a black and white stripped tie by Brooks Brothers. The groomsmen wore suits by John Galante. Personalized cup cakes were deliciously designed by You Take the Cake in New London. Floral design was by Adams Garden of Eden in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Guests danced the night away to music and entertainment provided by Rich Conway . The day was captured on video by Casey Moran, and the bride created the invitations and designed the wedding herself!