A Wedding Story: Anna & Matt at The Barns in Middletown, Connecticut
A wedding with so many carefully thought out details: that was the story of Anna and Matt. They started their planning journey with a rocky start– troubled by hardships. Luckily, they entered a contest on Style Me Pretty and were chosen to receive a wedding with support by a lot of special vendors, including Jessica’s Country Flowers, who organized the give-a-way and designed all of their flowers.
They were destined to have an Alice in Wonderland styled wedding on the last weekend of summer, surrounded by 150 of their nearest and dearest. Mostly do-it-yourself, they took on a ton of projects to truly make their wedding their own. From fabric pennant flags that the bride sewed, to the wedding paper suite expertly designed by the groom (with a little help from an amazing illustrator Krista Wildermuth). Perhaps the most amazing piece of homemade décor was the antique door we suspended above their long, family style head table with dozens of antique medicine bottles hanging above like a chandelier. The sweetest part of their story is they were inspired by so many blogs and other couples!
In this kind of styled event, we were inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland and took some visual cues: pearls that the bride wore, “eat me” and “drink me” signs, a play on cards using them as favors and being inspired by them with their cake, the use of zinnias and dahlias in their flowers. But overall, Anna and Matt wanted a colorful, fun, and quirky look that represented them as a couple. We used fun and playful colors— aqua, blue, pink, red, and shades of silver to bring their vision to life.
Their ceremony took place just a stones throw from where the bride grew up at a little, teeny tiny church called Hope Valley Church. A hydrangea covered wreath greeted guests at the steeple and sweet music from a duo of violins prompted the ceremony, where Anna was escorted down the aisle by her dad. She wore an absolutely gorgeous gown with ruffles that cascaded down the back… And layers, and layers of vintage pearls collected from flea markets & antique shops. A cage veil and pretty fascinator, all from The White Dress by the Shore. Matt wore a Versace suit and tie with a pair of custom chuck taylors.
After the ceremony, guests blew bubbles and saw the newly weds off to their epic reception— complete with gorgeous tablescapes designed by us full of sweet little details, and a lot of fun. The bride and groom had their hand on every piece of décor for their wedding— we scouted vintage china used to serve guests dinner at flea markets (Brimfield, to be exact!) together and borrowed unique pieces from Anna’s father— a man who loves antiques! Each guest plucked their escort card from an antique barn door from Anna’s home that Matt hammered vintage nails into. A tag with their name on it, affixed to a skeleton key, guided them to their table. After dinner, they danced the night away with family and friends into the wee hours!
Big props to my friends at Raw Photo Design for sharing so generously these stunning images!
What seems like yesterday was so long ago– congratulations Anna and Matt! We feel so honored to have been part of your journey and are exceptionally grateful for your friendship.
Credit Reel
Wedding Photography: Raw Photo Design
Event Design & Planning: Jubilee Events
Flowers: Jessica’s Country Flowers
Wedding Dress & Veil: Vineyard Collection by Priscilla of Boston via The White Dress by the Shore
Ceremony Location: Hope Valley Church, Amston, CT
Reception Location: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
Custom Lighting: Rob Alberti
Wedding Invitations: DIY by Bride & Groom
Monogram: Krista Wildermuth
Wedding Cake: Kelly’s Sweet Rewards
Makeup: Blush Couture Design
Ceremony Music: Millennium Music
DJ: DJ Derek
Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen
Hair: Andrea’s Hair Studio, Glastonbury, CT
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo via The White Dress by the Shore
Calligraphy: Jondahl Meotti
On Royal Street: French Inspired Photoshoot in New Orleans | Part III
For the last post of 2010 I thought we’d end on where our adventures began this year with the final installment from our New Orleans Shoot! You can see the beginning of our shoot here, and the second feature here. There were so many beautiful and gorgeous details — from the dramatic linen draping on the table, pinned with fabric, paper, and real flowers– to the amazing desserts designed by Sucre. I especially love the escort card display on someone’s front door shutters, which was styled on a whim as we were looking for the right backdrop!
Enjoy! xoxo
Credit Reel
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck & Co. (Katie Slater & Sara Code-Kroll too)
Design & Styling: Jubilee Events
Location: Royal Street & The Cornstalk Hotel
Fashion & Styling: The White Dress by the Shore
Floral Design: Datura: A Modern Garden
Hair & Makeup: Jennie Fresa & The Beauty Library
Cinematography: Vantage Point Films
Musicians: Dr. Jazz and the New Orleans Sounds
Confections: Sucre
Groom’s Tux: Perlis
Shoes: MADELiNE Shoes & Poetic License Shoes
Paper: Posh Paperie
Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones Calligraphy
Custom Headpieces & Floral Sashes: Twigs and Honey
Vintage Jewels: Karen Lindner Designs
Jewelry: Haute Bride
Linens: Gala Cloths
Custom China & Napkins: Sarah Drake Design
Pink Candelabras: Nachtmann & Riedel
Champagne: Pommery Gold POP Champagne
Cake Stands: Iacoli & Mcallister
Vintage Birds: Orange & Blossom
Vintage Umbrellas: Bella Umbrella
On Royal Street: French Inspired Photoshoot in New Orleans | Part II
I’m so excited to share part two of our shoot in New Orleans, recently featured in Southern Weddings! The second half of our day led us down Royal Street, where we shut it down with an amazing band, tablescape, confetti parade, and lots of photoshoot magic. Some of my favorite details are the floral hat, shoes and ranunculous earrings by Datura: A Modern Garden; the gorgeous floral head piece with feathers by Twigs and Honey, a bouquet with a collar of tulle, and the incredible mixture of floral details pinned to our tablescape– both fabric, paper, and real. LOVE!
Here is the first look at images and details from that day! Amazing photography by the team at Carla Ten Eyck Photography.
Credit Reel
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck & Co. (Katie Slater & Sara Code-Kroll too)
Design & Styling: Jubilee Events
Location: Royal Street & The Cornstalk Hotel
Fashion & Styling: The White Dress by the Shore
Floral Design: Datura: A Modern Garden
Hair & Makeup: Jennie Fresa & The Beauty Library
Cinematography: Vantage Point Films
Musicians: Dr. Jazz and the New Orleans Sounds
Confections: Sucre
Groom’s Tux: Perlis
Shoes: MADELiNE Shoes & Poetic License Shoes
Paper: Posh Paperie
Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones Calligraphy
Custom Headpieces & Floral Sashes: Twigs and Honey
Vintage Jewels: Karen Lindner Designs
Jewelry: Haute Bride
Linens: Gala Cloths
Custom China & Napkins: Sarah Drake Design
Pink Candelabras: Nachtmann & Riedel
Champagne: Pommery Gold POP Champagne
Cake Stands:
Vintage Birds: Orange & Blossom
Vintage Umbrellas: Bella Umbrella
so much more to come xo!
A Wedding Story: Danielle & John in Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Danielle and John were engaged while on a holiday in Paris…. and so it inspired their Parisian fete on June 19, 2010. We took little dainty touches of French style and weaved them through out the day. What can be said about Danielle? Well, she’s beautiful… inside and out… and with her style, charm, and sincerity, she is easily one of the most gorgeous brides I’ve ever seen. Together, they are one of the sweetest, most down to earth couples we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Big thanks to Carla Ten Eyck and her amazing team (Katie & Rebecca!) for these beautiful photographs that truly capture the essence and color of the day! All the day of coordination was brilliantly put together by our associate planners Jessica and Diana. Danielle and her beautiful mom, along with her maids, got ready in a suite at the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa. They were made even more beautiful by the talented Jennie Fresa and her Beauty Library team.
Their color story was jubilant and dramatic— shades of hot pink, feather, jadite, lilac, coal and sunflower. At my first meeting with Danielle and John, they showed me this beautiful inspiration board by 100 Layer Cake that stood as the muse for their colorful wedding. She wore the prettiest tea-length, ruffle Melissa Sweet gown from The White Dress by the Shore with aqua heals and a birdcage veil. She even had her hair in a playful English braid. Her maids each dressed in a different color chiffon dress from j.crew and carried bouquets bursting with color and florals like fern, fiddle heads and pink dahlias. The ever talented Elisabeth and her team from BLUSH floral studio created all the beautiful floral decor. Danielle carried a garden bouquet with a mixture of fluffy white flowers like dahlias, peonies and garden roses.
Prior to the ceremony Danielle and John had their first look in this dreamy, lovely, country-side setting. So pretty– even John’s wayward boutonniere!
Danielle and John exchanged vows overlooking long aisle sound, surrounded by nearly 200 of their family and friends. Their friends and family flew in from all over the world to be there for their amazing celebration– including Danielle’s beautiful grandmother. Hot pink rose petals lined the aisle and two elegant branch arrangements in coal colored urns flanked the rock wall. Friends read from Brown Penny by William Butler Yeats. We designed a gorgeous program on mint colored paper inspired by Laduree.
Their reception, held at the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, immediately followed cocktail hour where guests enjoyed music by their string trio. The ballroom was transformed by Rob Alberti and his amazing lighting in shades of pinks, purple and amber. They had coal colored urns of flowers with rich colors spilled over on the tables dressed in ribbon taffeta. Inspired by a French tea party, gold encrusted bone china adorned the tables with playful mix-matched plates and ornate polished silver. The menu was designed on mint colored stock with hand stamped gold flourishes! Guests took home delicious pink boxes filled with French macaroons from Le Petit France of West Hartford, flavored in raspberry and pistachio.
Guests ate a delicious white buttercream cake provided by Saybrook Point Inn & Spa and a special West Indies’ cake that had been soaking in liquor for amount six months…. no exaggeration! Yum!









Congratulations to you both! We couldn’t be more happier for you and feel more honored to be part of your wedding day (and all the other festivities!). Life has amazing, wonderful things in store for the two of you and we can’t wait to see where it takes you. Big xoxo!
Ceremony & Reception Location: Saybrook Point Inn & Spa | Event Planning / Design / Rentals: Jubilee Events | Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography | Gown & Accessories: The White Dress by the Shore Floral Decor & Design: BLUSH floral design | Lighting / Entertainment: Rob Alberti | Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library | Macaroons: Le Petit France Bakery | Maid’s Gowns: j. crew | Wedding Paper: Jubilee Events























