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A Wedding Story: Kelly + Paolo at the Still River Cafe in Eastford, Connecticut

Diana — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:02:34 +0000

Back in September, Jubilee Events had one of our double-wedding weekends! While Candice, Lindsay, and Amanda were coordinating Sally and Oliver’s wedding, Jessica and I were on our way to Eastford, Connecticut where Kelly and Paolo were to celebrate their marriage. When you drove up to the Still River Cafe where the wedding was held, you almost missed it amongst all the color drenched fall trees. This picturesque little restaurant is so cozy and rustic (and serves some of the BEST cupcakes), that it was perfect for Kelly and Paolo’s rustic and antique-inspired day. The couple started the day off together, getting ready with the help of Jennie Fresa’s team at the Bird Song Inn, a little bed and breakfast close by. Close friends and family were in attendance, some of whom traveled all the way from Italy, where Kelly and Paolo were holding another ceremony back in December!

When the couple arrived, they were tucked away inside the Still River Cafe, where they were able to overlook through the restaurant’s panoramic window at their guests arriving. The ceremony took place in the corner of the lush lawn that surrounded the Cafe, where guests observed on rustic benches adorned with shepherd’s hooks, overflowing with loosely arranged flowers by Azaela Floral Design. Instead of traditional vows, Kelly and Paolo recited Dr. Seuss’s wedding vows, in which Paolo promised, “Yes, I will have, and I will hold, just as I have at this time told. Yes, I will love her all my life as now I take her as my wife” and Kelly pledged, “Yes, I will love for my whole life. Yes, I will happily be his wife!”

They recessed down the aisle to the jubilant sound of kazoos, followed by their guests to enjoy some sweet lemonade before heading inside. Their dog Bella made an appearance and could not sit still, she was so excited! Past the vintage bicycle with hydrangeas filling the basket and up the candle-lit steps, the couple and guests enjoyed an intimate reception. Christine from Azalea Floral Design really dressed up the cafe with beautiful greenery wrapped around the ceiling beams and gorgeous mini-arrangements of roses and delicate flowers in vintage medicine bottles that perfectly complimented the love letters and vintage books that were a favorite possession to both the bride and groom. Joseph Kiernan and his band performed some light music above in the loft while the wedding party dined on their choice of fresh oysters, tender beef, delicately flavored stuffed mushrooms, and savory rabbit in between sips of wine. In lieu of cake, the couple chose to treat their guests to chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate ganache frosting, cleverly decorated with orange sugar flowers. Guests enjoyed their treats as well as their favors, loaves of chocolate cake–Kelly’s favorite recipe! It was such a beautiful wedding, filled with so many family members and love, that it was hard for everyone to leave at the end of the night!

Jen Curtis from Jen Curtis Photography captured every moment beautifully!

Kelly and Paolo–Congratulations to you both!! Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your special day! Enjoy your time in Italy! XO

Credit Reel

Photography: Jen Curtis Photography
Planning & Design: Jubilee Events
Floral Design: Azalea Floral Design
Hair & Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Reception & Cupcakes: Still River Café
Celebrant: Sarah Carson
Rentals: Jubilee Events
Jazz Trio: Joseph Kiernan Jazz Trio
Paper: Handmade by the couple

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A purple, chocolate and gold invitation suite by Lilah Paper

Candice — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:42:31 +0000

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!Similar Posts:

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Vendor Spotlight: Lilah Paper

Candice — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:22:37 +0000

I love everything about Kansas City’s Lilah Paper. I found Kalyn through Style Me Pretty’s little black book many months ago and we have become e-friends rather quickly. Her style is very fresh with a bit of vintage. I really think it is uniquely her own! She recently designed these gorgeous invitations for a destination event in Vail, Colorado and I asked her to share them with our readers.

Click each picture for a larger version

The wedding is in February so the icy metallic blue on chocolate brown perfectly sets the tone for this winter wedding! The bride is having a weekend full of events, from an Aprés Ski Party to Drinks and Dessert and a Brunch on Sunday. So, needless to say, the bride had a bunch of information to be included with the invitation. To keep it clean and neatly kept together, I designed a belly band which holds a 2-sided, accordion fold booklet. Within the booklet is a schedule of events, map, wedding website for more information and a reply postcard that perforates off and is ready to stick in the mail! The graphics are a wonderful reflection of their vintage wedding in the mountains and perfectly reflect the bride and groom’s playful and outdoorsy nature.

Are they not gorgeous? I love the booklet idea. It is a refreshing difference verses the pocket fold invitation which has become so popular. I have a fun interview with Kalyn to post later next week with a peak into her Holiday line and a new addition to her wedding invitation line, so check back soon!Similar Posts:

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Warm & Cool: Cocoa, Cranberry, and Fountain Blue Inspiration Board

Candice — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:26:33 +0000

I felt inspired after seeing W Magazine’s September 2008 cover of Kate Hudson. I love the look of brown, red, and blue together and decided to make a color palate and inspiration board based on these hot colors!

The Inspiration

The Color Palate

I was inspired by the Kate Hudson W Magazine cover, but lets face it, this color combination is extremely popular right now! Open any bridal magazine or decor magazine and you are sure to see some type of variation of these colors. Bridal and event bloggers have also regularly featured their take on this color scheme. Some of my favorites? Red Details @ Elizabeth Ann Designs Blog, Raspberry & Blue @ Polka Dot Bride.com, and Color Palate Contest Entry @ Style Me Pretty.com.

The elements I love most in the inspiration board below are the delicious alternative to a wedding cake, the height defying croquembouche dusted in chocolate. They almost look like truffles, don’t they? I also love the vintage typewriter I found, which you could use to have your guests type a message for your guestbook, verses signing their names (you could frame all their signatures, words of wisdom and quotes in your home). Lastly, I love the use of cranberries as vase fillers. You can use them in a variety of ways for decor with this color scheme. You can pop them into your champagne flutes which will add a little color to your toast. Also, string them and use them along with greenery for garland swagged entry ways, church doors, or chair backs. Use them as decor on your passed appetizer trays or stations. The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy the board. I’m off to prepare for a dinner party we are having with friends. No wedding this weekend, which means I can relax and have a glass of wine!

The Inspiration Board

Bridesmaid dress “Georgia” in bright blue from J. Crew; Ceremony aisle photograph from our preferred vendor Blush (location The Old State House, Hartford, CT), Poppy & Peony Bouquet from Brides.com; Invitation from Lasoo’d Moon Designs (visit their etsy store to purchase); Wedding Gown Angel Sanchez Fall/Winter 2008 Collection; Croquembouche from MarthaStewart.com; Necklace from Tiffany.com; Cherry favors from MarthaStewart.com; Vintage blue typewriter from Three Potato Four; Cranberry vase fillers from PotteryBarn.com; Poppy centerpiece from The Real Wedding of Jill & Shane at TheKnot.com; Red napkins by Michelle Brusegaard; Tablescape by our preferred vendor Blush.Similar Posts:

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Rustic & Romantic Inspiration Board

Candice — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:42:38 +0000

I felt inspired today after getting an email debuting some of Pottery Barn’s new fall collection. I really love the colors in this pillow cover:

I came up with a fun palate based on the color combo in the pillow’s design. The main colors featured are pesto, periwinkle gray, and irish coffee with a splash of “mandy.” My inspiration board turned out to be a little rustic with a lot of romance. My favorite elements are the super chic chandeliers hung from wooden beams, the antique wooden box used as table numbers, and the old medicine bottles used as vases (…you know me!). I was also inspired by the new Williams Sonoma home collection (I got the magazine in the mail the other day… to die for!), especially the Rosemary and Olive wreath featured on their website. Wreaths are such an intimate and unexpected touch to wedding décor, don’t you think? I love using wreaths on church or venue doors, on the back of chairs, or to dress up a drab table. The Rosemary and Olive wreath theme was carried over into the back of the chairs as garland. Beautiful! I hope you enjoy it.

The Inspiration Board

Credits: Chandelier from Trendir.com; Wooden box used as table numbers from Tree Potato Four original collection; Colored pencil wedding favors from EstiloWeddings.com; Pretty Paper Journal from Tree Potato Four; Wedding Gown the amazing Jenny Lee Bridal’s Spring 2009 Collection (Style #714); Green & Pink tablescape from TheKnot.com; Monogram Wedding Cake from Instyle Weddings; Rosemary and Olive Wreath from Williams Sonoma; Medicine Bottle and Orchid tablescape from Instyle Weddings; Rosemary and Olive swagged chair backs and outdoor tablescape from Instyle Weddings; Pillow cover from Pottery Barn; Invitations from Elum (Garden Aviary Collection).Similar Posts:

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