Tagged with " favors"
25 Aug
2010
Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Featured Posts, Weddings
By Candice    4 Comments

A Wedding Story: Allie & Jacob at the Old State House and Hartford Club | Hartford, Connecticut


You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear;
To-morrow ‘ill be the happiest time of all the glad New-year;
Of all the glad New-year, mother, the maddest merriest day;
For I’m to be Queen o’ the May, mother, I’m to be Queen o’ the May.


I have been waiting with baited breath to share this amazing, touching, thoughtful, and down right gorgeous may day wedding with you. It was just featured on Martha Stewart’s website and now we’re really excited to share the story of A&J, as captured by Amanda Herzberger of Orchard Cove Photography. But before we do– I need to caution you– their story is a STORY and it can’t be told in a few words. I promise you that the pictures are yummy and delicious, but the meaning behind them even more beautiful.

Allison and Jacob are the reason why I love my job so much. Not because they had a beautiful wedding with lots of sentimental and meaningful details— but because they are two amazing, lovely people with a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love story that we are so honored to share with you. To know Allie and Jacob is to know that first and foremost, they love each other. And I mean they love each other like Jack loved Rose, Richard Burton loved Elizabeth Taylor and Big loved Carrie. Yeah. It’s pretty major. Sometimes, they would write each other emails about how much they loved each other and forget that I was cc’ed on them. They are extremely creative, thoughtful people who wanted every aspect off their wedding to be a reflection of them, their lives, and their families. Allie and Jacob love Connecticut— and love the city of Hartford. They work here, are intimately involved in the community, and wanted to share our lovely rising star with their nearest and dearest, who flew in from all over the world to attend their black-tie nuptials.

They met while attending Middlebury College where Allie became the best of friends with Jacob’s sister, Jenny. Story goes, beautiful blond California Girl moves to the east coast for college and meets a handsome, studious boy from Huntington, New York… who immediately falls in love with her. She played hard to get, but finally, the two became a pair. After college, they maintained a long distance romance and wrote love letters to one another while they were apart. Not being able to stomach another moment away from each other, Allie moved to Connecticut where they settled down and started a new home in West Hartford.

The muse for Allie and Jacob’s day comes from the whimsy and jubilation of May Day. The dawing of Spring, where everything comes alive once again; the towering Maypole, with her fluttering ribbons. May Day is all about joie de vivre—and so is a Spring wedding. Allie was also inspired by a striking spode pattern from her mom’s china, which was displayed behind glass ever since she could remember. A few years before Allie and Jacob were engaged, Allie’s mom passed away to cancer. Growing up, her mom had this very special set of china that was only used for the most special occasions. Not on yearly holidays or special dinners with friends.. But REALLY special, once-in-a-lifetime kind of occasions where only the prettiest, most perfectly blue china would do. I guess you could say that in the grand list of occasions one has during a lifetime, Allison’s mom would consider the wedding of A&J as the specialist of all.

Allison and Jacob’s guests were asked to save the date with a beautiful, amazing, totally gorg save the date as designed by Cheree Berry (and our bride and groom, who were so closely involved in the paper process). Cheree is an incredible designer and put together the entire paper suite. Their save the date was a whimsical notice decorated with a maypole and the important deets, with the spode pattern blind embossed on the back. Their wedding day invitation suite was a tiffany blue edged, fanciful letter pressed art piece with lots of marvelous touches, including a passage from the may day poem above. Elizabeth Porcher Jones (our all time favorite Southern belle) was the calligraphy composer, with her light, breezy hand. All the interior envelopes addressed their guests by their nicknames, like Moo, Poopsy, and Jenny. Their guests sent back the most delightful responses— putting as much thought into their reply as Allison and Jacob had into the invites. One was even transformed into a watercolor— we LOVED looking through them!

The day began with Allie and her maids prepping in a suite at the Hartford Marriott with beauty by Jennie Fresa Beauty Library. Allie chose to wear a borrowed Vera Wang luxe gown (hereby referred to by name, which is “Holly”) as part of a sweet tradition started by her mom and god mom. When her mother Barbara married Allie’s dad, she wore her best friend Patti’s dress. And so, when Allie married Jacob, she wore Patti’s daughter’s (also named Allison) dress. It was a perfectly whimsical gown with a pleated ball skirt and springy details along the hem. Holly was paired with the daintiest veil and bolero from The White Dress by the Shore. Allie chose to wear special jewelry that was her moms, too. Her maids wore lovely floor length satin Vera Wang gowns. Shoes, of course, by Jimmy Choo.

Not to be outdone, Jacob wore a stellar tux with custom blue and white polka dot suspenders and bow tie… Perfect.

Allison and Jacob exchanged vows at place that makes my own heart skip a beat— The Old State House in Hartford. It’s such an architectural showstopper with it’s clean white trimmings, big windows with buttery light, and the giant gold chandelier. Allie and Jacob especially loved this location for it’s history and meaningfulness to the state of Connecticut. Plus, Jacob’s law firm overlooks the state house, so it’s an important piece of his daily life. Me? Well, it’s where I got married too… so I love it for all those reasons and more!

Guests arrive to the Old State House and were greeted by stunning details and décor. Allie had fabric made from the spode pattern, which were turned into fabric boutonnières and corsages for every guests. What would a black tie event be without a corsage or boutonnière? Paper lilies of the valley decorated the foyer, too. Their program was a beautiful die cut folded booklet (also by Cheree Berry) with all the important deets on the inside and little touches of romantic imagery through out.

Their ceremony was as emotional and tear-jerking as they come. In fact, Diana and I stood in the back corner and cried our little heads off, especially while they read their own vows to one another. Allie and Jacob decided not to see each other before the ceremony (which is so rare these days), so this moment of Allie walking down the aisle to Jacob with her dad was really extra special. Allie carried a gorgeous bouquet of peonies and garden roses alongside a very special hankie. Guests were surrounded with beautiful white hydrangea wreaths hung on the walls, sprigs of flowers tied with blue bows, and ribbon playfully attached to the backs of their chairs. The aisle runner was hand painted with a faint blue pattern of spode down it’s center. Perfect. Their chuppah was understated, but completely gorgeous, with blue ribbons cascading down it’s sides. The poles were tucked into big garden pots, bursting with moss and spring flowers. We had swags of boxwood garland to make the balcony above festive. Rectangular boxwood pots also sat along the window sills. Elisabeth from BLUSH floral design is responsible for all the incredible, amazing, stunning, and down right fairytale beautiful flowers.

So many details went into the ceremony, it’s hard to believe there could be more left over for the reception. When guests entered the The Hartford Club, where Allie and Jacob are members, they were not only greeted with a blue ribbon signature drink (yum! or so I hear), but also a towering maypole– also created by BLUSH and her talented team. Teacups and saucers in the spode pattern decorated cocktail tables, and a fun escort card display with calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones.

Guests wrote their wishes for Allison and Jacob and dropped them into a well.

We transformed the upstairs ballroom into a space fit for a may day celebration. Tables were bursting with whites, blues, and silver. Draped in a deep blue crinkle taffeta linen with stunning floral designs by BLUSH– big tall arrangements dripping with beautiful flowers in mercury glass vases, and lower arrangements all perfectly situated in spode tea cups, casserole dishes, fruit bowls… the list goes on. There were surrounded by candlelight and a bed of moss, flowers, and petals. So romantic. Cheree stunned us again with blue paper pennant flags which were leaping out of moss containers for table numbers, the prettiest menu cards detailing the evenings gastro delight, and a surprise waiting for guests beneath their antiqued silver charger. Ribbons in varying shades of blue danced along the backs of their silver chairs. We brought in custom lighting, draping, and even an amazing white dance floor that made the whole room take on a soft, white glow. Their cake, a five tiered white masterpiece, was the design of Ana Parzych. It had lily of the valley detailing along each tier, with a dainty cluster of lily of the valley sugar flowers on top.

The Hartford Club and Chef Kube served up an evening of spectacular spring inspired food— most notably delicious was a “leaf” of pasta (a special dish developed by the groom and chef). Yummy California wines (hand picked by the bride’s dad) and Champagne flowed through out the evening. The best man and maid of honor, both siblings to the groom, gave touching speeches all remarking on one common thing: how perfect Allison is for Jacob, and Jacob for Allison.

Important to them was not only the look, the food, and all the small details…. But also the party. Their band, David Clark and the Renegades, did NOT disappoint. As a matter of fact, they go down in history as having the best Bon Jovi rendition I’ve heard!

Jacob surprised everyone with a performance after dinner. In college, Jacob was part of an acapella group named “D8”, who serenaded our beautiful bride with a four-part musical and theatrical performance. It was outstanding— to say the least!!! Everyone absolutely loved it— myself included!

As the night came to a close, the Hartford Club passed the most yummy blue french macarons from Jerome Bouston with shots of milk. Could you not have a more perfect midnight snack? As guests left for the evening, they were given a Favors: Ben Wolff pot with borage seeds— which closely resemble our spode inspiration, but more importantly, are perfect for cooking (and in case you didn’t know, A&J also LOVE too cook and are quite good at it, too!).

And now.. on to the images.. all captured by the talented Amanda Herzberger of Orchard Cove Photography.






… and they lived happily ever after.

xoxo

Photography: Orchard Cove Photography / Planning: Jubilee Events / Floral Design & Decor: BLUSH floral design / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Maids’ Gowns: Vera Wang / Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / Veil & Accessories: The White Dress by the Shore / Paper: Cheree Berry Stationery / Ceremony: The Old State House / Reception: The Hartford Club / Cake: Ana Parzych / Band: David Clark and the Renegades / Rentals & Lighting: Jubilee Events / Film: Vantage Point Films / Ceremony Musicians: Millennium Music / Macarons: Jerome Bouston / Favors: Ben Wolff Pottery

25 Jan
2010
Posted in: Featured Posts, Weddings
By Candice    2 Comments

A Wedding Story: Rich & Veena in Stamford Connecticut

Event Ingrediants

Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events
Photography: Carrie Draghi
Ceremony & Reception Location: Hilton, Stamford Connecticut
Florist: DesiFloral
Mandap & Decor: Mandaps by Dhoom
Invitations, Table Numbers and Escort Cards: Lilah Paper
Cake: Sabina Jahic
Caterer: Coromandel
DJ/Entertainment: All Digital Mobile Music

Rich and Veena were married on June 27th, 2009 at the Hilton in Stamford, Connecticut. They were surrounded by 250 of their closest friends and family as they celebrated two ceremonies and an amazing reception! Their amazing day was photographed and documented by Carrie Draghi Photography and we had the incredible honor of coordinating and planning their wedding.

The morning began with Veena getting ready for her first ceremony with her maid of honor and mom. Dana Bartone & Co. arrived in the early morning to work on hair and makeup. The bride wore the groom’s sister’s wedding gown and veil and her maid of honor wore a gorgeous purple gown. The groom and his best man wore classic black tuxedos. Their niece and nephew took on the extremely important role of flower girl and ring bearer.

Their “western” style ceremony took place in the Hilton’s gorgeous white tent, which has beautiful chandeliers and amazing white fabric ruching. They exchanged their vows in a room filled with an incredible amount of light. Once their ceremony was complete it was time to change and get prepared for the second event of the day, their Hindu ceremony.

In keeping with traditional Hindu customs, Veena had henna tattooed on her hands and feet — along with all the female friends and family close to her. The hotel suite where the women got ready was a flutter with jewels and gorgeous colorful saris. They helped one another to dress –including soaping up each others hands to get the teeny-tiny bracelets on. Veena was absolutely gorgeous in a red sari and her mother’s jewels.

The Hindu ceremony began with the Baraat, which is aptly named for the marriage processional. While Veena was tucked away in her suite, guests gathered from the farthest point of the Hilton with the groom and made their way inside. It was an extremely jubilant march that took about an hour to complete. There was a lot of drumming (which was AMAZING) and dancing. The history behind the Baraat is the groom being escorted by the bride’s parents and his parents into the bride’s village. I imagine in an era where this really occurred, it would have taken SEVERAL hours to reach the bride. The sweetest part to this story was that Veena watched the entire processional from her suite window.

Once the groom and his guests made their way inside the hotel and reached the meeting point, elders of both the families meet and welcome the groom with garlands and aarati. Then, the ceremony was to begin. The ceremony ballroom was transformed by Dhoom in rich reds and golds. Their mandap was absolutely spectacular, as was all the floral arrangements and special details placed throughout. Once the groom and his family were settled, the brides’ parents went to escort her in.

After their ceremony guests were invited back into the white tent, which was transformed for their reception. They had tall purple floral arrangements and beautiful white lid-top boxes filled with a gold dish and Indian candies at each place setting. Veena had a henna design inscribed on their beautiful white buttercream cake.

Veena changed into the MOST beautiful purple gown. It was so intricate and beatiful with a lot of bead detailing.

The maid of honor and best man gave very touching speeches, and the bride and groom enjoyed their first dance — ‘Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay. They danced ALL night long and had an amazing grand exit at the end of the evening where their guests showered them in rose petals. It was a great way to top off the night!

Many thanks to Rich and Veena for allowing me to be apart of their amazing wedding day. It was such a joy to be with you and your families!!

5 Jan
2010
Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Real Connecticut Weddings, Weddings
By Candice    4 Comments

A Wedding Story: Harris & Soulaf at L’escale at the Delamar Hotel, Greenwich, Connecticut


Once again, this fabulous event was documented and photographed by Carla Ten Eyck with cinematography by Vantage Point Films.

After their beautiful ceremony, Harris and Soulaf’s family and friends gathered on the avenue in Greenwich at L’escale at the Delamar Hotel. L’escale is the most fabulous French restaurant I’ve been to in Connecticut and has such a quaint and luxurious atmosphere. Their chef has been on Iron Chef not once…. but twice! And I can assure you his culinary delights that evening were just as delicious as you would imagine. Their staff is beyond amazing and every detail of Soulaf and Harris’ big day was executed flawlessly! Guests sipped cocktails and ate bite-sized hors’dourves on the patio overlooking Greenwich harbor. Their escort cards were created by Lilah Paper and displayed on a beautiful purple lamour linen. Mini arrangements in antique silver urns adorned the cocktail tables.

After cocktail hour guests were invited into L’escale’s dining room to enjoy a sumptuous meal especially selected by our couple. Each table was draped in gorgeous purple linens with towering centerpieces by Jessica’s Country Flowers. Full of crystals, lavender and ivory roses, antiqued hydrangea and submerged orchids. Satellite arrangements flanked their centerpiece along with a flurry of candlelight. The custom menus were created by Lilah Paper and sat on top of a lavender napkin and antiqued silver charger. Each guest also received a silver box filled with delectable Munsons Chocolate Truffles — a Connecticut favorite! Our dear friends at Ice Matters also carved this incredible ice luge with their monogram and a design from the couture invitations that Lilah Paper created. The entire room was lit by the talented Rob of AfterHours, who also DJ’ed the entire evening.

The new Mr. & Mrs. Grannick enjoyed their first dance amongst their family and friends. Their incredible… and I mean… INCREDIBLE cake was created by the talented Ana Parzych. It was a five tier masterpiece with a custom monogram. On top were the most beautiful purple sugar flowers!!! Just when you thought their wedding couldn’t get any more beautiful…. after dinner… belly dancers!!!


My girl Laura Jordan of Jordan Dance is unbelievable. Not only she is drop dead gorgeous, but this girl can shake her hips like no ones business!!!! Her and her partner put on a 25 minute show that surprised everyone. They were AMAZING!!! After their standing ovation it was time to join in, dance, and spend the rest of the evening celebrating!!


After tossing her bouquet, Harris and Soulaf left in a gorgeous rose petal send off for their honeymoon to Hawaii. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your incredible, one-of-a-kind celebration!! It was sincerely an honor and a privilege.

Thank you again to Carla Ten Eyck for the incredible images!!

XOXOX

2 Dec
2009
Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Featured Posts, Parties & Celebrations
By Candice    7 Comments

A Napa Valley inspired bridal shower in Connecticut

I’m so very excited to finally share with you the amazing bridal shower that my mother, grandmothers and maids planned for me back in June. It was an incredible day filled with so many wonderful women. I wish I could relive that afternoon every Sunday!! My very good friends and wedding photographers, Robert and Kathleen, joined us for the day and snapped these fantastic images! The day was also featured on my favorite blog, Style Me Pretty, a while back too.

The shower took place at my grandparents home — which is over 100 years old. It is a great place where we spend many holidays and the most important of occasions. We had a fantastic June day too, and spent the first half of the afternoon out on the front veranda sipping wine and pellegrino. My mom made a delicious and refreshing sangria, and hand chose some great wines.

A lot of my favorite things were on hand… wine, cheese, delicious fruits, veggies, and my friends and family. I can’t really take any credit for the design, look, feel, or details of the day. That’s all my mom! She did such an incredible job! There were wine maps (that I did make… but that’s it!!) that told guests about the wine we were tasting from Napa, a jar for guests to recommend a vineyard for Mike and I to visit on our honeymoon, and lots of pretty signs explaining what guests were imbibing. These little touches are a great way to transform your party and do something unique and inexpensive.

The delicious menu was catered by one of our favorite local restaurants, Jesse Camilles in Naugatuck. Carla and Larry did an incredible job on the food. The menu was really light and inspired by the region: citrus grilled chicken, dill and yogurt salmon, and carpaccio. There were a variety of delicious salads to pair with the meats too (my favorite the baby spinach with goat cheese… yum!).

Nestled on the North side of the house was a variety of pretty dining tables. My mom created purple table runners and used flowy white linen on the tables. The gorgeous centerpieces were created by Lori of Flore. They featured a beautiful variety of flowers such as dahlias, purple calla lilies, green hydrangea, white roses, and purple grapes!! Are they not incredible? So beautiful! My mom had been collecting wine corks for the occasion and had them spread around as accents in various jars. I love that touch (and do it often as they make a great centerpiece). I just love all the purples, greens, white, and oranges. It’s so reminiscent of the region and all the colors we saw while we were out there.

The delish carrot cake was a design collaboration between my grandmother and the talented folks at Let’s Eat Cake.

Guests took home red velvet cupcake lollipops, all hand made by my maid of honor and bestie, Corine. They were so delicious! Something even more incredible and awesome was the fact that Corine has started her own business crafting these and other yummy confections. Check her out: lovely-lollies.com.

What an incredible bridal shower — incredible day! Thanks for letting me share. Hopefully it inspires you to do something personal and unique for your friend or daughter’s bridal shower.

xoxoxoo

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