3 Feb
2009

Posted in: Real Connecticut Weddings
By Candice

Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark | The Ceremony

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!

Part of the Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark in Mystic series

Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark in Mystic
Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark | The Ceremony
Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark | The Details & Reception

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31 Dec
2008

Posted in: Photography
By Candice

1 Comment

Connecticut Weddings 2008: The Ceremony

I’m not sure that this collection of pictures needs an introduction. They are the reason why we do what we do! Here are some of my favorite snapshots from the literal “I Do’s” of this year. Leading off the post is my absolute favorite picture, which I gush about to Rob Trenske on a daily basis. No really, I do. I don’t know why I love this picture so much — maybe it is the movement of the picture, the way the couple is locked in an unscripted kiss, the bubbles, the the vintage colors, or the guests’ silhouettes in the background.

Another favorite of mine is from Rob & Kathleen Trenske, too. This photograph shows the pure jubilation and love of that first kiss as man and wife (check out their family rejoicing in the background!)

And now for more equally amazing ceremony moments…

Photographs courtesy of Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Robin Dini Photography, RAW Photo Design, RJT Pictures, Lam Photography, and Justin & Mary Marantz.

Part of the Connecticut Weddings 2008: A Year in Review series

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13 Oct
2008

Posted in: Reception Sites, Vendor Spotlight
By Candice

6 Comments

Ceremony/Reception Vendor Spotlight: Tyrone Farm

A few days ago I had the opportunity to visit Tyrone Farm in Pomfret, Connecticut for one of my clients. As I drove up to the picturesque property it easily became one of my top ten must see wedding venues. The property is, in one word, spectacular. The mountain views are amazing and must be killer right now overlook the foliage. I spent my time talking with Ian, the properties site manager and wedding coordinator. He told me about the farms history and how it had been in his family for quite some time. It was very interesting to talk with him about their unique story and learn how they came to offer the farm for weddings and other events.

I love Tyrone Farm for a number of reasons – one being their commitment to being eco-friendly. First, they’ve invested in solar technology, which supplies most of the properties’ energy. How amazing is that? They also grow and tend a number of beautiful pesticide free flower gardens, which eliminates the need for some to purchase flower arrangements. Their flower gardens really are beautiful, too. So much so that I inquired if Ian’s brother, who works on the gardens, was a landscape architect (which he isn’t – just naturally talented!). Ian also mentioned that they are looking into growing their own herbs which they might offer to event caterers to use in their dishes. On the property they also have an eco-friendly guest cottage which was developed and built in a factory in Denmark. The guest cottage is great feature because you can get ready there, have out of town guests stay there, or in a worst case scenario, someone who has had one too many can crash safely for the night.

Tyrone Farm also supports local businesses and artisans. For those who know me, you know that I am a huge proponent of using local vendors, businesses, and talented people for my events. I admire when venues appreciate the importance of supporting the local community in every event they do.

During my visit I took a tour of the property and admired all the details and little touches that Tyrone Farm has to offer. They have several spaces that are ideal for ceremony locations with beautiful focal points and, of course, gorgeous gardens. Their reception locations are also unique because they offer the best of both worlds. They have a gorgeous horse barn that many couples use as their dining and dancing area. They also have a blue stone terrace off the main house that overlooks the horse trails and beautiful mountains of Connecticut (although it could be Massachusetts or Rhode Island – I’m not sure which direction you’re pointed in!) The best part? The patio is already tented and stays covered during wedding season, so there is no need to bring in tent rentals and deal with the added cost. I don’t have the exact specifications on the tents size, but I am almost sure it will seat 150 comfortably for dinner.

All these different spaces are like different rooms that you can use to create a unique atmosphere for your guests. A wedding that has several different locations on one property, like Tyrone Farm, just works better in my opinion. You can have cocktail hour amongst the gardens, dinner on the blue stone terrace, and an after hours lounge with dancing in the barn.

I’m looking forward to coordinating and designing a wedding at Tyrone Farm and urge our readers who are looking for all of the above to give them a call and schedule a tour! I love their commitment to the environment, their support of the local community, and how they’ve kept the integrity of their families farm. I’ll leave you with some pictures that I lifted from their website.

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3 Sep
2008

Posted in: Connecticut Events, Reception Sites, Vendor Spotlight
By Candice

6 Comments

Ceremony & Reception Venue Spotlight: The Old State House

Photograph courtesy of Carla Ten Eyck

I had the opportunity to tour the Old State House in Hartford this past Saturday afternoon. Elisabeth from Blush Floral tipped me off to this special location a few weeks ago. It is an absolutely amazing venue that should be on your list of unique and interesting places for your wedding ceremony or reception. It is right smack dab in the middle of downtown on Main Street, only a stone’s throw away from some very popular Hartford wedding spots (a.k.a. the Goodwin Hotel, Wadsworth Museum, and Gershon Fox Room to name a few). They offer both indoor and outdoor ceremony options and you can rent out the state house for the reception!

For indoor ceremonies the wedding would take place in the luminous court room on the main floor. Words cannot describe how beautiful this room is – and the light that floods the antique hardwood floors and white columns in truly amazing. The windows are two stories high and look out onto our beautiful capitol city. I love the acoustics in the room too – they are very pronounced and dramatic. Plus, look at that chandelier! It is four times bigger than it looks in person!

Outdoor ceremonies take place on the front lawn, overlooking the beautiful architecture of the state house. There is also an option for a tented reception on this beautiful lawn, which is enclosed by an antique wrought iron fence and gate. I especially loved the spiral staircase outside, which I unfortunately have no pictures of. But the staircase makes for beautiful bridal portraits and photographs.

The state house also has a few empty rooms that are on a smaller scale than the court room, but are equally beautiful. The front lobby would make for a beautiful cocktail area and I loved the dramatic staircases leading up to the second story and the checkered marble floors. The rooms to the left would be great for an afterhours lounge or photobooth. The court room is turned over after the ceremony for the reception. I believe it can seat 85 persons comfortably for a sit down dinner with 120 for a standing cocktail reception. What I love best is the historical significance that the Old State House provides to your wedding ceremony.

Many thanks to Carla for letting me use the beautiful photographs she took at a recent wedding at The Old State House!

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