Tagged with " new england"
8 Dec
2009
Posted in: Reception Sites
By Candice    3 Comments

Venue Spotlight: Priam Vineyards in Colchester, Connecticut

I was introduced to Priam Vineyards recently and had an opportunity to visit their property and speak with the owners. I just fell in love with the location! As you know, the Connecticut Wine Trail has grown in popularity and Priam Vineyards is the most magical and romantic site for a wedding, nestled in the Salmon River watershed area of Colchester, Connecticut. They have a breathtaking 35 mile view of the New England countryside and their property is composed of 40 acres — with 24 acres of grapes in production. The winery was built into the hillside at the base of the vineyard, as a New England style barn (which is pictured above). It is the ideal site for a vineyard style affair and they have several locations on their property — which can appeal to a smaller wedding and a large, tented soiree! Their tasting room and adjoining patio is an amazing location for small and intimate affairs of under 100 guests. Their upper field can hold larger guest sizes and is perfect for a tented event. They have several on site ceremony locations too, which make use of the gorgeous backdrop of rolling New England hills and grape vines.

The folks at Priam Vineyards believe in supporting local small businesses and farmers. They are also an eco-conscience property. To learn more about hosting your event at Priam visit their website!

3 Feb
2009
Posted in: Featured Posts, Real Connecticut Weddings
By Candice    2 Comments

Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark in Mystic

I was so excited to hear about the wedding of Ashley and Mark from their photographer Amanda of Orchard Cove Photography. I remembered seeing their wedding on her blog a few months ago and I’m so thrilled that we can feature it here!

Ashely Kilpatrick and Mark Hodson were married on September 20th, 2008 in a jubilant ceremony at the Noank Baptist Church in Groton, Connecticut. Later on in the day, their 140 guests gathered to celebrate at the Seamen’s Inne in Mystic, Connecticut. I love Ashley & Mark’s wedding for all the personal touches they incorporated and its “Old England” (check out some of the guests fun hats!) meets “New England” vibe. Plus, WAIT until you hear all about the amazing Cymbeline dress she wore — her wedding day look is definitely glam couture and we love it!

How did you two meet?

Mark and I worked together at Major League Soccer Camps in Mystic, Connecticut. We were friends for several years before we started dating.

How did he propose?

Mark and I were visiting his family in England for the holidays [and] he took me to York Mister, which I had been dying to see. It’s an absolutely incredible cathedral where he graduated college. With the holiday season and amazing scenery, he got down on one knee in a quiet corner of the cathedral and asked me to be his wife.

Next up: The ceremony…

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

  1. Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark in Mystic
  2. Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark | The Ceremony
  3. Real Connecticut Wedding: Ashley & Mark | The Details & Reception
Next in series
3 Sep
2008
Posted in: Connecticut Events, Reception Sites, Vendor Spotlight
By Candice    6 Comments

Ceremony & Reception Venue Spotlight: The Old State House

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!

oldstatehouse4.jpgFor 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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