Inspired by Alma: Vintage Purple and Bronze Inspiration Board
Generous and gorgeous bride Alma bid on our donated services for an auction to raise money for Wish Upon a Wedding, a non-profit charity founded on the principle of giving someone with a terminal illness the opportunity to marry the love of their life. I was so excited to design an inspiration board for her– focusing on the gorgeous color story she had developed of purples. With some adjectives and a few images to go on, I designed the below inspiration board!
{ purple prada shoes from dress, design & decor; marion cotillard in vogue july 2010 from stylefrizz; purple bouquet and elegant branch centerpiece by caplan miller events and via style me pretty; carnation arrangements in mercury glass with mirrored balls by blush floral design; groom with bouquet via jubilee events as photographed by carla ten eyck and designed by just for you floral design; majorily gorg purple interior via the simply luxurious life; pretty bride with maids dressed in purple via style me pretty; vintage rolls royce via style me pretty }
I guess purple has been inspiring me for longer than I realized. Thank you so much Alma for supporting such a wonderful cause. xxoo~
A Wedding Story: Liz & Jayson in Norwalk, Connecticut
Liz and Jayson were married on July 11th, 2009 at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut. They were surrounded by so much love and support and celebrated their union with their loving family and friends. The Maritime Aquarium is a special place for them — it is the site of their third date. I loved being a part of Liz and Jayson’s wedding which was filled with so many unique and meaningful touches.
Robert and Kathleen Trenske spent the entire day documenting their love story. The day began with Liz and her ‘maids getting ready at their gorgeous apartment in Norwalk. The guys were somewhere close by fluffing their collars and added on their cuff links.

Liz had the most gorgeous wedding gown. I was so in love the first time I saw it at one of her fittings! It was so delicate with lace, a bit of sparkle, and swiss dot fabric. What made it even more beautiful was Liz herself — she just beamed every time she put it on. It was a true testimonial that the woman makes the dress. Look how radiant she is! I absolutely love this photograph that Rob and Kathleen captured of Liz’s mom putting her veil on. Can’t you see the excitement there?

Once Liz and her ‘maids were all ready she went outside into the center courtyard to meet her groom. Their first look was filled with so much emotion!

After it was on to the ceremony at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut. Liz’s bouquet was filled with white Calla Lily’s and little sea shells that my good friend, Elisabeth from BLUSH floral design, created. I created their wedding day paper, include their blue and silver programs. It detailed their love story and the significance of the Aquarium and also explained the various parts of their Jewish ceremony.

As guests began to arrive, Liz and Jayson held their Ketubah signing ceremony nearby. Surrounded by their parents and closest friends, along with their Rabbi, it was a beautiful ceremony. Once complete, it was time to head down the aisle! We took them through the inner workings of the Aquarium to smuggle them away from guests’ eyes.

The ceremony location inside the Aquarium is actually the cafeteria. I know. Hard to believe, right? Elisabeth from BLUSH created this AMAZING chuppah out of flowy white organza fabric and tightly arranged white hydrangea and carnations. It was the most gorgeous chuppah I’ve ever seen! When we set out to design something for this space I loved the contrast of the white against the brick, wood, and metal. The chuppah really stands out and looks so romantic and dreamy. Elisabeth scattered some rose petals and we lined each window sill with a ton of floating and votive candles to add to the romantic glow of the room. It was heavenly!
Their ceremony was so touching. Jayson sang “Grow Old Along with Me” to his bride! One of my favorite moments, that I simply have to share, was right before the ceremony as the processional was ending. It was just me and Liz at the bottom of the staircase. As the music changed to U2, “All I Want is You”, it was time for her to go. She looked at me and took my arm and said, “Oh my god Candice… this is really it!!! It’s here!!” I get all emotional thinking about it!! It was such an incredible moment for me as their coordinator and reaffirms how honored and privileged I feel to be so intimately involved in my couple’s wedding day. Truly a moment I’ll never forget!

After the ceremony Liz and Jayson joined their guests for cocktail hour. Guests mingled up the pathway of native fish tanks, shark tanks, and lots of sea critters and creatures. We had passed wine and champagne with yummy and delicious food from Phillip Stone Caterers. Can you imagine sipping champagne and watching the sharks circle around their tank? It was so unique!!

Some details from their reception: Elisabeth from BLUSH used three different style arrangements on the tables — one with beautiful white flowers, another with white flowers submerged in cylindar vases with blue sea glass and candles, and another arrangement of a hurricane vase filled with sea glass and candles. I love the combination! She created a fun escort card display of silver painted fish netting, blue sea glass, and flowers. Jubilee created the escort cards out of hand drawn vintage fish on pretty blue card stock.
Their friend, a graphic designer, and created this fish monogram for their wedding. We used that monogram on a ton of fun paper items, like custom cocktail napkins, their programs, favor tags, save the dates and invitations. It was a fun way to tie it all together!
Their favors were Hawaiian sea salt in metal tins, tied with silver ribbon and a favor tag. Their cake was a gorgeous, modern two-tiered blue fondant cake from SoNo Baking Company. They purchased the cutest little fish bowl cake topper, too!

Liz and Jayson’s reception was fun, delicious, and emotional! Their friends and parents gave touching testimonials of their relationship and good nature. Liz and Jayson really are one of the nicest couples I’ve had the opportunity of working with. They danced the night away with friends, celebrated the hora, and ended the evening with one final dance.
Big thank you to Robert and Kathleen Trenske for capturing the essence of their day and allowing me to share the photographs with you!
Thank you SO much Liz and Jayson for allowing me to become a part of your history. It was such an honor and a pleasure working with you!! xoxo
A Wedding Story: Joseph & Marin in in New Haven, Connecticut

Jubilee Events coordinated the wedding of Marin and Joseph, who were married in a beautiful and intimate ceremony in the gardens at the Elizabethan Club at Yale University on a Sunday morning in August with a luncheon reception at the historic Union League Cafe.
Event Ingredients
Photography: Wendy G. Photography
Make up: Jennie Fresa
Hair: Once Upon a Bride
Floral Design: Blush Floral Design
Cake & Catering: The Union League Cafe
Ceremony Musicians: The Amherst String Ensemble
Reception Guitarist: Anna Lisa E. Wald

The bride wore an amazing gown by Monique Lhuillier that just fluttered in the sunny morning breeze. She had on gorgeous Christian Louboutin ballet flats, a veil with a Maria Elena ribbon headband. They had a great looking bridal party — the bridesmaids all chose a dress in a pretty shade of blue. I love the contrast and personality that each individual girl offers! The groom wore a handsome suit from Brooks Brothers and the groomsmen all wore blue striped Brooks Brothers ties.


Marin and Joseph met and fell in love while attending Yale University and wanted to incorporate their love of New Haven into their wedding. I really admired the beautiful and amazing garden behind the Elizabethan Club, which houses original Shakespearean folios and quartos (so romantic!). In the back garden there is a bust of Shakespeare, with an inscription that reads: “I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine..”



Guests arrived into this secret downtown New Haven Garden with beautiful purple flower carnation pomanders on shepherds hooks and chairs. Strung alongside were White Dendrobium orchids and ribbons that fluttered from the trees. The sounds of The Amherst String Ensemble filled the air. Guests found small wicker fans at their seats for cooling themselves (it was hot!) The bride carried a bouquet of antique purple roses mixed with hypericum berries alongside her grandmother’s vintage hankie. It was so gorgeous and romantic!
Marin and Joseph’s interfaith ceremony incorporated some Jewish traditions, like the signing of the Ketubah and breaking of the glass. Their close friends and professors spoke about their love and marriage and the ceremony was officiated by their friend, Judge Jose Cabranes.




After their ceremony guests were handed maps of New Haven and walked from the Elizabethan Club to enjoy a delicious lunch at one of my favorite New Haven restaurants, Union League Cafe. Guests enjoyed music by guitarist, Anna Lisa E. Wald and floral design by my good friend Elisabeth of Blush Floral Design. Guests took home delicious tea favors from Harney & Sons.
A big congratulations to Marin and Joseph!! What an amazing and beautiful wedding. Thanks to all of their spectacular vendors, especially Wendy G. Photography, Blush Floral Design, the staff at the Elizabethan Club, and The Union League Cafe for making Joseph and Marin’s wedding simply one-of-a-kind.
xoxo
Holiday Centerpiece: Carnations
Elisabeth from BLUSH floral design posted a fabulous purple centerpiece on her blog and I wanted to share. I just love these carnations in varying shades of purple. Believe it or not, carnations in bulk (like these) can look so gorgeous. The key is to use a lot and make your centerpiece very full. I agree with Elisabeth, too, that with these flowers the you can use the container to dictate the style of the arrangement. You can use square chunky vases, tall cylinders, old candy jars or medicine bottles, or mint julep cups. Although, I really love the antiqued vessels she used. And the sequin balls? Gorgeous! They’ll sparkle too in candlelight and are a touch of necessary glamour.
If you’re too busy for arrangements this season, give Elisabeth a call. Blush is offering holiday inspired arrangements at a really fabulous price. Get all the details here!












