Nika and Jamar were married on a Friday evening in April.. much to the surprise of their guests! We worked for nearly a year on the big surprise their guest would encounter at their lavish “engagement party” at the New Haven Lawn Club in downtown New Haven. Only a select few family members and their bridal party knew about what was going to take place!

The design of their wedding was inspired by art deco, vintage french artwork, and the ambiance of the New Haven Lawn Club. Nika and I worked together to come up with the rich and colorful story of whites, silver, purple and red with a punch of hot pink for good measure! Here is our inspiration board that we designed for her and Jamar:

The story of Nika and Jamar began after being introduced by a mutual friend. It took some time for the two of them to get together after their first meeting… but once they did, it didn’t take them long to realize what a match they truly were. Fast forward a few years later and the two exchanged vows in a dim, candle lit ballroom surrounded by over a hundred of their nearest and dearest friends.

The day began warm and sunny— the perfect kind of day to have an “engagement” party! Nika and her Maid of Honor spent the afternoon getting ready in the bridal suite at the New Haven Lawn Club, with Jennie Fresa on make up.

When Elisabeth delivered Nika’s gorgeous white and green bouquet, filled with peonies, she cried! Peonies are Nika’s favorite flower, and with all the delay in travel after the Volcano eruption, we were not sure if peonies would be available… but Elisabeth was able to make magic happen! What an emotional surprise that lead to so many more on this very, very special day.

Below is a picture if Nika after seeing her best friend and Maid of Honor all dressed in her gorgeous, one shoulder purple Vineyard frock. Let me tell you, these two girls– soul sisters. They have such love and affection for one another– lifelong and dear friends!

Once her hair and makeup was complete, it was time to get her into one of the most beautiful Vera Wang gowns I have ever seen. It fit her like a glove and she looked absolutely radiant! Meanwhile, Jamar and his Best Man were getting ready for when Jamar would see Nika for the first time.. but right before that, we took Nika out front for some gorgeous (and quick!) bridal portraits.

Can a bride get any more beautiful?

Here Amanda and I are dashing to get her back inside before any early bird guests see!

Nika and Jamar chose to see one another before the ceremony and had an intimate first look just outside the room where they were going to be married. First looks are always emotional, sweet, and memorable moments.

Guests were gathering in the foyer to the Lawn Club, greeted with champagne and friendly smiles. Meanwhile, just beyond the wall, we were lighting the candles and putting the finishing touches on the gorgeous ceremony. I love Jamar’s boutonniere– a white rose with berries and a fiddle head fern. Nika’s Maid of Honor held a bouquet with seasonal purple flowers and red ranunculous. All of the flowers were absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was flanked by two enormous garden urns, spilling over with seasonal white flowers such as hydrangea, ranunculous, and tulips. BLUSH designed the arrangements with tall branches and pussy willows, which mercury glass candle holders hung from. Hundreds of votive candles lined every sill and mantle through out the room.

Moments before the ceremony we hid the bride and groom away from sight and finally opened the doors into the party. Guests walked in expecting to see an engagement party but were met with a romantic ceremony! Here are some of their reactions upon entering the room for the first time! Nika and Jamar were listening in the opposite room to their guests’ reaction as they came in.

As the ceremony began, the bride was escorted down the aisle by her father to a trio of Canon D. The assembled guests rose as they saw her– an incredible and awesome moment!

They exchanged vows, officiated by Nika’s late grandmother’s Reverend, who they had flown in from Virgina. It was very meaningful for them to be married by Reverend Talley, who gave a beautiful ceremony.

Right after the ceremony guests were greeted to the sounds of vintage French music wafting from the ballroom… Nika and Jamar hired the most incredible band, Bon Musique, to entertain at their reception. The Lawn Club catered a delicious cocktail and hor’dourve affair complete with a martini station, risotto station, and more delicious delights! Since their party was all about sumptuous finger foods, yummy cocktails, and dancing– we designed the room to have a nice cocktail party feel! BLUSH designed gorgeous table and mantel decor in purple flowers with red ranunculous, tucked in beautiful mercury glass vessels.

Rob Alberti lit the room in shades of purple and pink!

There were touching toasts by the Reverend Talley and their best man and maid of honor.

Nika’s sorority sister’s sang One True Delta and then the band rocked the night away until the last candle flickered out. What a great way to end an amazing day!

Nika and Jamar– it was such a sincere pleasure to work with you. Thank you for allowing Jubilee to be apart of your families personal history. Nothing but success, joy, love and happiness to you both!

You can also see this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty!

xoxoSimilar Posts:

• Yesterday was Nika & Jamar’s SURPRISE Wedding Day!
• A Wedding Story: Joseph & Marin in in New Haven, Connecticut
• A Wedding Story: Rich & Veena in Stamford Connecticut
• Today is Jennifer & Clark’s Wedding Day!
• A Wedding Story: Saryn + David at the Guilford Yacht Club, Guilford Connecticut

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While away our fun, spring inspired tablescape we created at The Society Room bridal show was featured on Style Me Pretty! I thought there was no better time than to share this with you know as Spring is in full swing. We shared an awesome booth space with the incredibly talented Datura: A Modern Garden and Carla Ten Eyck Photography. Tony and I collaborated on this fun and whimsical set up with touches of pink, gold, and ivory.

Have I ever mentioned that Tony and Cat from Datura: A Modern Garden are complete geniuses? They created all the floral decor for our booth– including the branch and greens centerpiece “umbrella” that rained beautiful purple orchids down onto our tablescape. Gorg!! I love our little touches of cucumber water on the table and lemonade and apricot squares on the sweet table. We were inspired by spring and wanted to creative a festive garden party inside.

We had an amazing dress on display by Melissa Sweet, available at The White Dress by the Shore.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Flowers: Datura: A Modern Garden / Event Design: Jubilee Events / Location: The Society Room, Hartford, Connecticut  / Invitations: Posh Paperie / Linens: Gala Cloths / Cake & Confections: Kim’s Cottage Confections / Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones
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• Graduation Photoshoot at Elizabeth Park in Hartford, Connecticut
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• Jubilee Events featured on the COVER of Connecticut Bride and in 4 page fashion spread!
• Jubilee Events featured on the COVER of Gala Weddings Magazine!
• Calling all New England Couples: Inspiration to Reality Inspiration Board Challenge!

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Jubilee Events is proud to be taking part in a SPRING themed Inspiration to Reality shoot for Style Me Pretty! This is the chance to have your wedding designed by an amazing group of vendors!! We’ll be working with Carla Ten Eyck, The White Dress by the Shore, Datura: A Modern Garden, and Dana Bartone along with MANY other amazing wedding professionals from Connecticut to put together a Photoshoot inspired by YOU!

All you need to do is create a user account at StyleMePretty.com. As a member of their “style circle”, you the ability to create amazing inspiration boards using their inventory of images.

Create a SPRING inspired inspiration board and save it with the title, “Spring Inspiration Board Challenge.”

Tune into our blogs on February 15th as we choose the winner, whose board will be interpreted for an upcoming Photoshoot that will be featured on Style Me Pretty.
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• Inspiration Board: Preppy in Pink with Salmon Rose, Contessa, and Rose Dust
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I spied these really gorgeous spring arrangements on Blush Floral Design’s super fabulous blog the other day and wanted to share! Elisabeth has such amazing style and I love everything she creates. Major talent! I love the lilacs — they are my favorite flower and so in bloom right now. I love when you drive down some of our country roads with the window open and you can smell them! Similar Posts:

• Vintage French Inspired Photoshoot with Carla Ten Eyck, Part I
• A Wedding Story: Liz & Jayson in Norwalk, Connecticut
• A Wedding Story: Jamar & Nika in New Haven, Connecticut
• A Spring Inspired Tablescape Featured on Style Me Pretty
• Vintage French Inspired Photoshoot with Carla Ten Eyck, Part II

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Tablescapes 1, 2, 3, 4 6 from Country Living; 5 from Martha Steward; 7 from Brides.

Similar Posts:

• A Wedding Story: Jamar & Nika in New Haven, Connecticut
• The Hottest Colors of Spring
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• Vintage French Inspired Photoshoot with Carla Ten Eyck, Part II
• A Wedding Story: Liz & Jayson in Norwalk, Connecticut

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Sweet! I can’t wait for spring and I know all of our spring brides are itching for a little inspiration. Pantone released its spring 2009 color report late last year and I have to say I am a bit surprised at the color choices. Fuscha Red, Salmon Rose, and Rose Dust round out the pinks (you can see our use of some of these colors in our recent Preppy in Pink color palate / design board). I absolutely LOVE Super Lemon and Lucite Green — yellow is going to be a hot color for 2009. Other colors include Palace Blue, Dark Citron, Lavender, Vibrant Green, and Slate Gray.

Which colors are your favorite and are you incorperating any of them into your fabulous fete? Please dish!Similar Posts:

• Inspiration Board: Pear & Canary Meet Wine Country
• Spring Centerpieces from Blush Floral Design
• Inspiring Spring Tablescapes
• A Wedding Story: Matt & Kim in Westport, Connecticut
• A Wedding Story: Sally & Oliver at The Waveny House in New Canaan, Connecticut

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