A Wedding Story: Jessica & Frank at Ethel Walker Chapel in Simsbury, Connecticut

Jessica and Frank are one of my all time favorite couples; they smiled from the moment their wedding day started until their very last dance. It was truly a joyful, happy, jubilant celebration… not to mention they both have amazingly kind, generous, and fun families (which explains why they are perfect for each other!). Jessica and Frank met through mutual friends and the rest… Well, now, it’s history. Big thanks to Johnny Arguedas, their talented photographer, for generously sharing their images with us! We also can’t wait to see the incredible video by Vantage Point Films, who was there to capture the moving photography for the day.

Both from Connecticut, they chose to have a huge Connecticut wedding at The Riverview in Simsbury with 361 (to be precise!) of their closest family and friends. Living half of the year in Florida, they planned a spectacular wedding amongst many frequent flyer miles and long distance phone calls.

Their color story was hot pink, deep purple, black and white. We used patterned damask through out their design in their paper story, linens, and even lighting. Jessica was very inspired by her jeweled gown and we incorporated crystals through out the event, too. They also wanted to incorporate their love for horses, which they breed and race, so we worked with Jessica to add those special details through out the wedding.

She wore a jewel encrusted satin drop waist Kenneth Pool with detailing on the bodice and waist. Even her chapel length veil was studded in crystals! Her maids wore floor length Priscilla of Boston mermaid fit gowns with a beautiful crystal broach at the back. Datura: A Modern Garden is responsible for the floral artistry for the entire event, creating bouquets filled with lush pink flowers and crystals.

Their ceremony was interfaith with a Rabbi and Bishop performing the vow exchange, drawing from both of their religious backgrounds. I loved that Jessica kept the symbolism of the Jewish chuppah, which was designed by Datura: A Modern Garden. A four posted structure, the Chuppah symbolizes the home that Jessica and Frank will build together. It was an open aired structure with hand strung crystals and orchids. Pink pomander balls lined the aisle at the Ethel Walker Chapel where they exchanged vows.

We transformed The Riverview in Simsbury by turning the ballroom around for their fantastic band out of Manhattan, Attitude. Jessica and Frank really wanted to showcase their entertainment, so with our colleagues from ShorelineAV, we built a stage in the otherwise unoccupied alcove and brought in our own black and white checkered dance floor. Rob Alberti lit up the room in varying shades of pinks, purples, and amber. He created a custom damask pattern to wash the air wall and a gobo for the band stand. Guests first enjoyed cocktail hour underneath the great white tent with a cigar roller from The Connecticut Cigar Company and a quartet of classic and pop music from Millennium Music. A martini bar was set up with a gorgeous horse ice luge by the talented artists at Ice Matters.

We hung tag escort cards from a branch arrangement with beautiful white calligraphy on rich hot pink card stock by Michelle Dowling. Jessica and Frank chose a gorgeous purple pintuck with a shimmer to be the basis for their centerpieces, which were varying with pink floral pomanders, floating candles, submerged purple orchids. They were introduced into the room for the first time to A Call to the Post amist a large cheer from their 360 guests and went immediately into their first dance. Heartfelt speeches were given by their sibilings (and also maid of honor / best men)… Who spoke about what a loving couple they are to each other and their families.

They may go down in history as having the largest hora we’ve ever seen…. And boy, it went on for a good half hour!

The night ended with a delicious venetian station with made-to-order crepes and gelato, amongst the Riverview’s incredible chocolate and pastry menu.

Jessica and Frank— it was truly and honor to be part of your wedding day! We wish you all the best that life has to offer… And can’t wait to see what the future brings! Xo!

Jul 23, 2010 | Categories: Headline, Weddings, a jubilee event | Tags: black, bouquets, cake, chuppah, cigar roller, connecticut, crystals, custom lighting, damask, Datura: A Modern Garden, ethel walker chapel, horses, hot pink, ice luge, interfaith ceremony, jewels, johnny arguedas, kenneth pool, martini bar, orchids, parasols, pink, pintuck, pomanders, priscilla of boston, purple, rob alberti, shoreline AV, simsbury, the riverview, uplighting, vantage point films, venetian display, white | 1 Comment »