Known fact: we always have a little prep in our step here at Jubilee Events! We set out to create some inspiration for a preppy, nautical Connecticut wedding. Cue all the stripes, dark navy, bold red and a sprinkle of glitter (because we love to glam up our nautical looks!).

This photoshoot originally appeared in The Connecticut Bride a few moons ago, but we recently created more content for it, as it was suppose to be in our new book, The White Dress: Destinations. Sadly, this chapter didn’t make it into our book because there just wasn’t enough room!

There is something nostalgic about summers in New England— perhaps that’s because we grew up there, spending our summers chasing the very last bit of warmth before we prepared for Fall and Winter.

When we think of summer in New England, we think of lobster rolls, sail boats, Sperry shoes and quaint coastal beach towns. Our inspiration was anchors, stripes, bows, pennant flags and all things wonderfully preppy. We peppered this shoot with a hint of sparkle in the fashion, invitations, cake, and tablescape, coining the term “nautical glamour.” Add in a little romance and a sailboat named Valentine, and you have a classic wedding that even Jackie Kennedy would approve of.

Grab your set of pearls and a blue blazer, and let’s see what New England has to offer.

Get the Look: Preppy & Nautical Connecticut Wedding

The key to achieving this look is to keep your color counts to a minimum. We chose navy blue, bright red, and yellow as our primary colors with hints of gold. We color blocked these bold colors where we could, which makes them pop but doesn’t feel overwhelming.

When I think of New England—one of the first things that comes to mind is preppy patterns! We mixed a yellow chevron with a blue polka dot and a navy and white striped ribbon. Since nautical glamour inspired us, we added in a touch of sparkle with this gold sequin linen. Mixing patterns can be challenging, but by keep the colors complementary, this style works effortlessly.

Preppy & Nautical Connecticut Wedding: The Details

Nichole Michel, our paper designer, created a preppy suite after my own heart! Make your paper fun and don’t be afraid to present a traditional invitation in a unique way. Here, Nichole created a sleeve for our invitation and embellished it with a yellow anchor and a gold glitter detail. The website card is my favorite detail in this suite; red glittery stock + a pennant flag tag makes sure your guests remember where to look up the deets about your wedding weekend!

Our brass compasses make a clever favor for our guests– and keeps with our nautical theme. Favors for your wedding are very subjective, and you can look to the following places for ideas: your overall theme or style or something that you love that you want to your guests to experience.

Our table design was rich with different details and a lot of color. We kept to our navy, red, yellow, gold and white palette and infused those colors into the flowers, linens and containers. I love the sprinkling of gold glitter, a nod to our nauti glam inspiration, and the fun nautical rope.

The backs of chairs are a great place to add a finishing touch or little detail. We added a clutch of poppies with a nautical knot, and some striped and sequin linen to our center chairs. For our two end chairs, a simple but impactful gold sequin chair cover elevated the look! If you don’t have the budget to decorate every chair, consider designing an element for every other chair or just the head table / sweetheart table chairs.

Preppy & Nautical Connecticut Wedding; The Fashion

Stylist Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the shore wanted to show versatility in fashion for this look, so she styled a variety of wedding looks that compliment our theme. From a short lace dress with red kate spade wedges, to a more classic long gown with clean lines– her eye proves that this theme is as versatile as they come.

We kept hair and makeup classic; up-dos with soft makeup and a bold red and pink lip.

 

 

Want to see more preppy & nautical Connecticut weddings? Hit up more on our archives!

CREDIT REEL

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Table Design: Jubilee Events
Fashion Styling: Beth Chapman Styling
Beauty: Dana Bartone & Co
Gowns: The White Dress by the shore
Cake: A Little Imagination Cakes
Floral Design: Green Dahlia
Paper Story: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design
Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.
Location: The Florence Griswold Museum, The Griswold Inn, Dreamscapes Design Group

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I’m certain we will never tire of seeing these breathtaking photos of Amy and Scott’s big day, which you can see right here!! With Newport, Rhode Island as the perfect setting and all the right personal touches, this will go down in history books as one of our all time faves!

Thank you to the fabulous ladies over at Carats & Cake for sharing this special event! XOXO

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Amy and Scott are two wonderful people that you cannot help but adore the moment you meet them! Right away I knew that we would have an incredible adventure planning and designing their wedding together. Without a doubt, their Eisenhower House wedding was a day we still get giddy over!

Their hearts, made of gold, always took such great care of their guests’ experience, making sure that every aspect of their wedding was something for everyone to look forward to and enjoy to it’s full extent. They were so invested in every step of the process and it truly showed on the big day! Amy and Scott so perfectly exemplified while planning a wedding is so FUN!! They embraced every step, loved talking through ideas and questions, and also placed their guests’ experience at the forefront of their thoughts, which is an element we always lead our plans with!

The Eisenhower House: Design

Amy and Scott’s design was a perfect reflection of one of their favorite places they enjoyed every year – Newport, Rhode Island! Fort Adams, where the Eisenhower House is set happened to be the where our couple spent many weekends picnicking on the lawn, watching the sailboats drift by. Naturally, we developed a classic, nautical inspiration, set on the lawn of the historic yellow house, complete with the most elegant sailcloth tent from Newport Tents (just wait until you see the epic draping and to-die-for crystal chandeliers!). The views of the historic Pell Bridge added the perfect touch to an already perfect evening!

Flowers are a staple in our couple’s love story, so there was no better person to go to than the wildly talented Sayles Livingston Design. She created the most luxurious centerpieces full of blush, ivory, and cream buds bursting up from champagne rich tables. Pops of gold graced our tables and, my favorite element, the gold foiled script on our invitations and stationery courtesy of the immeasurably talented designer, Nichole of Coral Pheasant Stationery!

We were graced with the most colorful sunset that evening, bidding farewell to the most perfect Newport wedding and couple. Amy and Scott, we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with you, to spend time getting to know you, and eating pounds of cake with an array of fresh buttercream and fillings. We miss you dearly and wish you the very best first anniversary in the coming weeks and many more exciting adventures in the decades to come! XO!!

CREDIT REEL

Photography: Armor + Martel
Ceremony Location: St. Augustin’s Church
Reception Location: The Eisenhower House
Event Planning + Design:  Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Sayles Livingston Design
Videography: Vantage Point Films
Catering: Blackstone Caterers
Music: The Sultans of Swing
Bride’s gown: Marchesa from Ultimate Bride
Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery
Hair and Makeup: Dana Bartone + Co.
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jenny Yoo
Cake: Confectionery Designs
Groom’s suit: custom Salvatore Ferragamo
Tent: Newport Tent
Tent Decor + Lighting: Ryan Designs
Rentals: La Tavola Linen, Rentals Unlimited / PEAK Event Services

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As one of our favorite publications, Bliss Celebrations Magazine, prepares to launch its 2015 issue this week, I thought we ought to blog our photoshoot for their 2014 cover! I know– how belated– right? Well the truth is, every time I sat down to blog all this gorgeousness I got overwhelmed by the vast number of beautiful images from Carla Ten Eyck and all the pretty details we put together with the best team. No, seriously. I tried and tried, but looking through these hundreds of pictures I couldn’t figure out where to start!

The concept for this photoshoot was from a white and gold t-shirt I bought at j.crew with pineapples on it. Then, I found myself flipping through InStyle Magazine and saw the most preciously branded cans of sangria. Don’t ask me how we managed to pull off such a fabulous photoshoot from those two sources of inspiration– but this will go down as one of my absolute favorite collaborations with a team of wedding creatives who pour every ounce of their energy into making something beautiful!

That is the best part about doing these editorial photoshoots– the creative team. I always find myself leaving, with my car bursting at the seems with props (which were neatly packed on the way there, but somehow, nothing seems to fit back the way you had it the first time!), feeling utterly fulfilled and down-right awestruck at the level of talent I’ve managed to find myself amongst. When I opened our company in 2007 I never thought for a million years our work would be featured, but even moreso, I never thought how a creative team such as this would bring such happiness into the soul of my career!

This shoot is filled with so much joyful prettiness, but there are some things I want to point out as my favorites. When I called Diane Guadett after showing her the inspiration and said, “what do you think of a floral table runner?”, she loved the idea. Never in my wildest dreams did I think she would bring the mother of all floral table runners, filed with hundreds of vibrantly colored flowers. When she walked in, I think Carla Ten Eyck almost had a brain aneurysm. It was so fantastically gorgeous and over the top, yet in these images, feels so natural and wondrous.

There is no denying how much our company loves working with Nichole Michel of Coral Pheasant. Every project we have the opportunity to work on with her, be it with clients or photoshoots, she always blows us away. Nichole thinks about every meticulous detail as it relates to what she’s going to produce– and has the ability to see beyond what the inspiration is and make it her own. For this photoshoot she literally took my breath away. And then she showed up with all these quirky bits and pieces from her vast collection of estate sale winnings (she has the stamina to find cool stuff everywhere– the side of the road, in the dumpster, at some tag sale in your neighborhood– I can never understand how she gets so lucky! I only find baby cribs with 5 year old spit-up and old thigh masters) like the bronze candelabras and that animal figurine, which I embarrassingly don’t know what type of animal it is. For this paper story, she was on hand to style every frame that Carla took, and spent hours on the floor perfectly tweaking each piece of paper until she was happy with it.

We invited Rick of Emily’s Catering to be part of this shoot not only because we love him to pieces, but because he is doing some wonderful things with our clients’ events. He was food styling his heart out and did a tremendous job! Tracking down mini bottles of Makers Mark (Carla’s second aneurysm of the day), mini bottles of St. Germain and Don Julio. I respect Rick because he is a chef first, and a caterer second, always wanting to wow and impress our clients on any event we recommend him for.

My fashion partner in crime, Beth Chapman, never disappoints. She can put together any kind of style, from boho to Jackie O and it works. As with me, this photoshoot was intrinsically Beth: lady-like bows, stripes, pearls, big hair buns and rose colored cheeks. There is no fashion stylist in the state of Connecticut who has the foresight, dedication, and genuine passion for what she does.

Our friends at Ryan Designs provided these fabulous bars (which they built originally for us!) with bronze sequin fronts, the custom sequin chandeliers and the gorgeous crystal chandeliers above Libby’s dessert display. To say we love the team at Ryan Designs is an understatement. They are the best in the business and add so much beauty to our events– and we couldn’t do what we do without them. Plus, they are the kindest most genuine people you will ever come across.

I hope you enjoy these gorgeous images from Carla Ten Eyck below. It goes without saying how much we love working with her! :)

CREDIT REEL

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Overall Shoot Design & Planning: Candice Coppola, Jubilee Events
Dessert Table Styling: Libby Basile, Jubilee Events
Bar Cart Styling: Diana Chouinard, Jubilee Events
Fashion Styling: Beth Chapman, The White Dress by the shore
Paper Story & Styling: Nichole Michel, Coral Pheasant
Makeup: Jennie Fresa
Hair: Catie Bane
Floral Design: Diane Guadett
Food Styling: Emily’s Catering
Bars & Chandeliers: Ryan Designs
Table, Chairs, Dessert Table, Book Shelf & Bar Backs: Luxe Event Rentals
Wedding Cake: Ana Parzych
Cookies & Cupcakes: Sweet Maria’s
French Macarons: Le Petit France
Linen: La Tavola Linen
Tableware: Party Rental Ltd.
Specialty Glassware: Juliska
Location: The Loading Dock, Stamford CT

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Brooks and Kevin’s wedding was amazing– the preppy details, the delicious pub style food for dinner, the gorgeous color story and of course, their wonderful family and friends. I  enjoyed working with them both on this day and we could have never anticipated that Hurricane Sandy would send their wedding plans into a tailspin, leaving their original wedding reception location heavily damaged. In two weeks time we had to make a huge change and thankfully, the wonderful team at The Guilford Yacht Club came to our rescue! Now, looking back, I couldn’t picture their wedding anywhere else.

Madison is an important town to Brooks and her family– she spent many summers as a kid visiting her grandparents’ beautiful home on the water. So, when it came time deciding on the location of her and Kevin’s wedding, they knew that this town with special meaning was the perfect place. The ceremony was held in the heart of town at The First Congregational Church. Brooks and Kevin drove off in their neighbors old Chevy pick up truck for a stellar party at The Guilford Yacht Club.

I loved Brooks’ attention to detail. She really owned some projects and made them her own– everything from the custom pillows she made for each guests, the hand lettered table assignments and signs through out the wedding (does she not have GORGEOUS penmanship?! I told her to start her own business!), and the pennant flags she sewed which we draped throughout our bar tent! Inside the main tent we had long, family style dining with custom made fabric runners (also by Brooks!) and the centerpieces were baskets filled with flowers, designed by Blush Floral Design. It was one of the most beautiful and creative ideas and the baskets were reused from another event in her family!

Guests dinned on a menu truly inspired by pub food like Fish n’ Chips and NY Strip, with condiments designed into the table decor. We even had bowls of homemade mini pickles on the table for guests to enjoy!

See the beautiful images and details as captured by Carla Ten Eyck and her team below. x!

CREDIT REEL

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Planning, Coordination & Rentals: Jubilee Events
Tent: Sperry Tents Greenwich
Lighting: Ryan Designs
Beauty: Jennie Fresa
Catering & Reception: The Guilford Yacht Club
Floral Design: BLUSH Floral Design
Calligraphy & Paper: The Bride
Bridal Boutique: The White Dress by the shore
Bluegrass Band: Chasing Blue

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This week we’re blogging the wedding weekend of Nicole and Patrick– and there are a ton of details! I can’t wait to share their gorgeous wedding with you tomorrow, but up first, is their sweet rehearsal dinner at Skippers Dock in Stonington Borough. This location was the perfect backdrop for a preppy, nautical seaside welcome dinner with their closest family and friends. Nicole wanted to design something that was completely different from their wedding the next day, and loved the idea of doing a deep navy and bright pink. Yumiko from Hana Floral Design created these vibrant arrangements of pink peonies for each table, wrapped with blue and white polka dot ribbon. We chose a canvas like linen from La Tavola Linen in a pretty rope pattern for the tables, bright fuchsia dupionique napkins, and polka dot plates for each plate setting. Nichole from Coral Pheasant created all the paper for the day, including custom lobster bibs for each guest!

Patrick is a recent graduate at Yale University and Nicole wanted to surprise him with a grooms cake inspired by the Yale Bulldog. Didn’t Hope from A Little Imagination Cakes knock it out of the park?

I want to specially thank our intern Emily for assisting me on this event, the wonderful staff at Skippers Dock for all their help, and my girl Carla Ten Eyck for taking such beautiful pictures. Enjoy!

CREDIT REEL

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Design, Planning & Rentals: Jubilee Events
Location: Skippers Dock, Stonington Borough
Floral Design: Hana Floral Design
Linens: La Tavola Linens
Grooms Cake: A Little Imagination Cakes
Paper Story: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design

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Happy Thursday lovelies! Today we have a real treat for you on the blog and a wedding design that is close to my heart. You remember Megan & Mike’s Lobster Bake rehearsal dinner we posted last week, right? Well now it’s time for the wedding day! When Megan walked into my office and said she loved all things kate spade she was not kidding. What she also didn’t realize is that she was basically my fashion soul sister and she couldn’t have chosen a better designer and planner for her day. We seriously hit it off from the start (I would forward her KS secret sale coupon codes and she the same to me!) and planning her and Mike’s wedding was a joy.

We started out with a pink and blue color palette, mixed in fun patterns like chevron and stripes, and dropped a bow where necessary and never lost sight of glitter and confetti. Nichole at Coral Pheasant nailed her invitation– and to date– it is still one of my personal favorites. Megan and Mike wanted the day to be fun, bright and colorful and we achieved just that!

Some of my favorite details of the day are the napkin bows at each place setting, the floral arrangements wrapped in blue chevron fabric, the escort card posted that said “Lets get this party started!”, the gorgeous confections table with so many details and yumminess, the confetti dropped into glass vases for flowers, and Megan’s gorgeous gown.

I also loved the cake by Ana Paryzch— simple yet detailed with white confetti and gold trim. Look at this gorgeous sketch she provided below!

Thank you to Bruce Plotkin for the wonderful images below. Enjoy! xx

Credit Reel

Design, Rentals & Planning: Jubilee Events
Photography: Bruce Plotkin Photography
Reception Venue: The Inn at Longshore
Floral Design: BLUSH Floral Design
Beauty: Jennie Fresa
Paper Story: Coral Pheasant
Cake: Ana Parzych
Confections: Le Petit France
Cupcakes: Sugarbelle
Lighting: Rob Alberti
Entertainment: The Short Bus
Lounge Furniture: Ryan Designs

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I’m so excited to share with you the wedding weekend of Megan and Mike. The weekend started with a wedding  rehearsal dinner at Penfield Pavilion in Fairfield, Connecticut. We worked together on their Lobster-themed, super preppy rehearsal dinner for several months. The Penfield Pavilion in Fairfield has just undergone a major renovation. The location is on Fairfield Beach and with the natural nautical touches, it was easy to bring in our favorite preppy nautical elements.

The design included handsome blue seersucker linens on the dining tables and playful navy rope linens for cocktail hour overlooking the water. Our tablescapes were brightened by yellow and white centerpieces in metal buckets, created by Elisabeth from BLUSH Floral. The table numbers were mini chalk board signs, naming each table after one of Megan and Mike’s favorite New England destinations!

The menu was your classic lobster bake with big red buckets on the tables for lobster shells (and cute instructions designed by Coral Pheasant on how to crack open those suckas!), bibs to catch any lobster dribbles (also designed by Coral Pheasant) and red lobster crackers which was also a guest favor. The fantastic team responsible for all that Lobster and Corn on the Cob was Outdoor Cookers.

The evening was rounded out by one of our favorite photographers, Mr. Bruce Plotkin, on hand to document the entire weekend. Thank you Bruce for these wonderful images!

CREDIT REEL

Planning, Rentals & Design: Jubilee Events
Photography: Bruce Plotkin
Catering: Outdoor Cookers
Floral Design: BLUSH Floral
Paper Story: Coral Pheasant

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If you didn’t automatically fall in love with Ali and Max when you saw their Tennessee BBQ rehearsal dinner, get ready to. Their wedding at the Wee Burn Beach Club in Rowayton, CT, was an affair that we won’t soon forget. Ali’s high-styled preppy look was the perfect jumping off point for the design. We love the neutral color and the bright, bold pop of red, which showed up in the calligraphy, the wedding party’s attire and wrapped around the bouquets. Carla Ten Eyck captured the day and all its perfection. See all the pretty details below.

One of our favorite moments from the day was when Ali and Max snuck away to dig up a bottle of bourbon they had buried in the sand one month earlier. It’s said that doing so will ensure good weather on the wedding day. It must have worked because that day was absolutely perfect! It took them a while to find the bottle, but we loved how serious they both were about all the digging!

Vendor Reel
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Venue : Wee Burn Beach Club, Rowayton, CT
Stationery: Gus and Ruby
Makeup: Jennie Fresa
Hair: Lanphier
Cake: Palmers
Florist: Elegant Effects