Four score and seven years ago… feels about the length of time since I last shared some love on the blog. There’s no better way to get back into all of the beautiful, personal weddings and events we’ve been producing, than starting with a very important element of one of our most recent – and favorite – weddings! The wedding stationery for Molly and Griffin’s September home fete brought in so much personalization. Here, we were able to feature something that no other wedding will have, and that was a grand painting of the home that everyone knew, love, and called their home that day.

We were lucky to work with the magical mind that is Karri Lee Designs, a watercolor painter and stationery artist that creates one-of-a-kind paper masterpieces. You can check out a little more of her work and why we love her here!

Molly & Griffin’s Wedding Stationery

Molly and Griffin’s wedding was held at the bride’s family’s summer home, a place that hosted many memorable celebrations throughout the years. You can feel the sentimentality of the property as soon as you step foot onsite, and it’s safe to say not a single person left that weekend without wishing they could spend more time there. A place of calm, warmth, and festivity set the stage for the aesthetic we created.

For the invitation suite, the first piece of their wedding stationery, Karri created a custom vellum wrap, depicting a landscape portrait of the family’s home, yard, and the shoreline that surrounds their property and neighborhood. This greeting image later became their escort card display backdrop, held in a custom frame by the groom himself.

Day-of Stationery

Every design and decision we make throughout the planning process is done intentionally, to ensure any idea we bring to life has purpose and value long after just the wedding day. Dressed in an array of colorful envelopes were our escort cards, carefully adhered so once removed, this piece became a keepsake hanging in the couple’s home.

The idea of using watercolor was an opportunity to evoke part of our surroundings into tangible pieces shared with guests. The beloved image of the property was used throughout the table numbers, with added intrigue in a way where guests at each table had a piece of the image instead of the full picture. A simpler square of a watercolor acted as our guests’ place cards, attached to the menu card. For a more intimate setting that provides more opportunity for a design effect, all long tables are the way to go. Be sure to check out our post on the full wedding design to see just how we curated a setting that everyone is still talking about long after the wedding day!

 

All images provided by Charlotte Jenks Lewis

A home wedding will always hold a special place in our hearts. By design, they are intimately personal, as they are set in a space that holds deep meaning for the couple and their family. That was no exception for Jason and Eli! Guests and vendors alike were hugged by such emotion, warmth, and personalization that this day holds the highest place in our memories.

Thinking back to this home wedding, three standout moments of the day shaped the essence of Jason and Eli’s wedding weekend.

Rain

Starting off strong here! In nearly every wedding weekend of 2023, rain was a guest. While unwelcome, Mother Nature showed up, and she often showed up pretty strong. While we had clear skies and radars for days, even minutes leading up to the ceremony, we were in a little pocket where the skies completely unleashed over the home. We brought guests under the tent, and with the help of the greatest vendor team to grace us that weekend, we set up their new ceremony location within a matter of seven minutes. Seven minutes! For a tented home wedding, this is a feat.

Completely unphased by what the weather was doing, Jason and Eli were watching out of the window together, cool as cucumbers getting ready for their vows. When discussing the immediate next steps together, they asked if we could hold off for about ten minutes. They were looking over the horizon, where the sun was clearly (and quickly) creeping toward us. They wanted to wait, and with the forty umbrellas we brought along with us, there was nothing but excitement to follow their direction.

When we invited guests back to the original ceremony location, there were only cheers leading everyone that way. Guests, like Jason and Eli, were there for all the right reasons. They were ready and excited to embrace our guys in all the love and support they had in them!

Family

When we curate home weddings, we get to know the couple intimately and their family, too. Homes are sacred spaces, and there are many unique nuances to consider in the scope of one day or a full weekend, so we are there for all planning partners.

It wasn’t difficult to see where these two come from. Their parents and siblings are incredible humans, a welcoming presence to anyone they meet!

We’ll never forget the ceremony recessional, once vows had wound down and everyone was heading into cocktail hour. Most commonly, we see one side of the family recess, followed by the other side of the couple’s family right behind them. In the case of Jason and Eli’s wedding, both sets of parents joined hands with one another and recessed as one full family force.

Planning Their Home Wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, we’ve always led the process with the mentality that our clients don’t know what they don’t know. Nor should they! We have experience in all facets of events to lend to our couples to ensure the efficiency, personalization, and success of their celebrations. That list grows exponentially when you’re building a venue from scratch, which is a home wedding!

This planning process was the kind we dream about with our clients, and though we know they’ll never have to plan their own wedding again, we’d jokingly rush to go back if we ever had the offer! They were invested in planning and loved understanding how everything worked to come together. They asked questions out of curiosity, explored levels of their day that reflected who they are, and engaged with everyone and everything that was a part of it.

Happy first anniversary, Jason and Eli! Wishing you two a hundred more years of happiness, adventure, and sun among the stormy skies! XOXO

Be sure to check out our favorite tented weddings here!

TOP-TIER TEAM:

Photography: Madison Abbey Photography
Event Planning & Design: Jubilee Events
Flowers: Halcyon Heroine
Entertainment: CZone Entertainment, Divina Artisti
Cake: Wingates Cakes
Catering: Blackstone Caterers
Tent Decor & Bar: Ryan Designs
Rentals: PEAK Event Services
Stationery: Karri Lee Designs
Tent: Sperry Tents

 

Happy six months to Lauren and Timmy! Today, we are celebrating their Castle Hill Inn wedding on our blog. In case you missed the photos in their freshly added gallery, we have the full story here with all of the timeless details for you to eat up!

Our bride, Lauren, is a dear friend and colleague in the wedding industry. She is a fashion icon in our eyes, and it is safe to say we were feverishly waiting for her and Tim’s day to see what she’d be donning. In true Lauren fashion, she served all the looks with her custom Anne Barge gown. You’ll need a moment to soak in her bow. If you look this up in the dictionary, it is notably set beside bomb dot com!

What is a Bridal Dresser?

We first met Lauren at The White Dress by the Shore, our favorite Connecticut-based dress shop for all wedding dresses, Mother-of-the-occasion dresses, accessories, and more. Their team is incredible, and you’ll want to add them all to your family after meeting them one time!

One of the ancillary services the TWD offers is headed by the owner, Beth Chapman. Born out of the need to enhance a very personal and important moment of the wedding was Beth Chapman Styling, a bridal dressing service.  A bridal stylist assists clients in selecting their wedding wardrobe. They often shop with their clients, helping them curate their look and attend fitting to ensure the perfect fit.

A bridal dresser is present on the wedding day (or full weekend) to ensure the full fashion suite is prepared before it graces all of your guests. Your bridal dresser ensures that all garments are steamed and pressed. They assist the couple and wedding party in dressing, styling the portraits, bustling the gown, and, most notably, taking care of all fashion emergencies. We’ve gained a wealth of information on this topic, and it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible stylists we work with!

Lauren herself has been a stylist at several of our weddings and always adds a sense of peace and camaraderie and enhances the day in countless ways! Now celebrating her (and witnessing her fashion!) was a treat!

A Classic Newport Wedding at Castle Hill Inn

Lauren and Tim are gorgeous human beings – inside and out. They are the definition of sunshine – you instantly feel brighter and warmer in their presence. Their smiles are infectious, and their joy is contagious. It is not difficult to discern how their wedding party is comprised of relationships spanning decades!

Their love is timeless, so it was fitting that we had a wedding reflecting the same aesthetic. Set in quintessential Newport at Castle Hill Inn, our couple hosted about 225 loved ones. With a crisp, classic color palette of white and ivory with touches of gold and greenery, guests were wrapped up in a celebration that felt like Lauren and Tim. I remember standing back and saying, “This is so them!”

In a recent blog post, we talked about the considerations of hosting a large wedding and a small wedding. Check that blog post out here. As I wrote those tips for couples, I had Lauren and Tim’s Castle Hill Inn celebration in the back of my mind. Tim is one of eleven children, all incredibly smart, successful, kind, and an instant friend. His parents are each one of eight children, so mixed with the Italian backgrounds on both sides, this was a fete to remember.

A Love Note to Lauren and Tim

Every time we revisit this wedding, we can’t help but do the same with the list of things we love at this wedding! The day was immaculate – the weather was perfect, but everyone’s joy was palpable, and that spread far and wide. The fashion was top-tier, which, of course!! The best part of all is Laure and Tim. They’re the couple we’re long obsessed with. We love them beyond words and manifest so many more Laure and Tims in our world as they’re so outstandingly wonderful!

Lauren and Tim (and Gail and family!!), thank you for letting us be a part of such an iconic day! Love you the most!

 

TOP-TIER CREATIVE TEAM:

Photography: Melissa Stimpson Photography
Reception Location: Castle Hill Inn
Event Planning: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Flowers by Justine
Entertainment: DJ Lion King + Divina Artisti
Cake: Konditor Meister
Cinema: Vantage Point Films
Beauty: Glamour Cosmetics, Upstyle
Tent Decor: Ryan Designs
Rentals: PEAK Event Services, Ryan Designs
Stationery: Coral Pheasant
Styling: Beth Chapman Styling
Dress: Custom Anne Barge

It is love day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by sharing one of our favorite love stories! Alex and Sam’s destination-inspired tent wedding is one that will forever hold a top spot in our hearts. There’s an endless list of reasons, starting with their impeccable style and ending with, most notably, the incredible humans they are. Their love, kindness, warmth, humor, down-to-earth sensibility, and hold of what is most important in life are unmatched. We are grateful for them and even more privileged to have brought one of our favorite tent weddings to fruition!

A & S’s Destination-Inspired Tent Wedding

When I first saw Alex and Sam’s venue, it was like driving up to a tucked-away garden in the French countryside. The Highfield Club has a tree-lined driveway that leads into an old stone house with ivy climbing up the exterior. The nature of this house is inherently historical, full of generations who belong to this club and depicting architecture that dates back decades. It provided the perfect backdrop to our Sperry Tent, which was filled with romantic long tables, some of a deep walnut and others dressed in a textural velvet linen.

Lined down the tables was a mix of arrangements, mostly smaller and delicate but filled with texture in white florals and greenery. Elisabeth from Blush Floral Design nailed it and mixed a variety of candles within for added ambiance. Our space hosted close to 200 guests, all of whom are close, longtime friends and family members, but filled the tables in a very intimate and close-knit way.

The Tea House is a treat with its floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors that sit on three sides of the house. A fireplace in the corner fills the room with all the cozy scents of cooler nights. Here we hung parasols to connect the guests to our tent set on the sprawling green lawn of the venue.

What We Remember & Love Most from this Tent Wedding

As we said, this wedding is incredibly special and will always have a grip on our hearts. There was so much to love and appreciate about the process and, of course, the wedding day. We cannot let a moment go by without calling out what we’ll remember most from this monumental celebration!

• Our bride and groom, Alex and Sam! Not only are these two stunning humans, but they are the easiest duo to celebrate. It’s no wonder how so many equally amazing people surround them. They attract the best because they are the best!
• Our Mother of the Bride, Joanne. Boy, is she #momgoals !! We worked closely with her from start to finish, and the love she has for her kids is something I’ll remember when I have kids of my own. She also leaves such an impact on everyone she meets because she is as joyful and gracious as she is thoughtful!
• Alex and Sam’s family! You see how we feel about Joanne, so it’s not difficult to discern how the rest of this family became an extended part of our own. I belong to their fan club because they are SO much fun!
• Dancing on stage with the band at the close of the wedding. You read that right – this crowd never faltered from a lively party atmosphere, and joining the band on stage to close out the night might have been better than the last time I saw Earth, Wind, and Fire live!
• The design! This tent wedding is one we often reference, and we cannot thank the creative team we partnered with to bring it to life!

A Thank You

Toward the close of dinner, our Mother of the Bride requested every vendor to join her on the dance floor. Naturally, we were all nervous because we are used to being behind the scenes. Our magic happens undercover. It’s widely felt and experienced, but we don’t take center stage to show how it’s done.

We all obliged and filed out onto the dance floor, unsure of what was next. My body is nervously shaking just a bit, thinking back to this, but the outcome was one of the most phenomenal events we’ve ever been a part of as a creative team. She thanked us each by name (both company name and by individuals) for bringing this event together. For allowing her, the couple, their family, and all friends present to be present and enjoy this experience. We all received a standing ovation, and since then, my cheeks have always been bright red when thinking about this.

Alex, Sam, Joanne, George, and family, we cannot thank you enough. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your history, and thank you for opening your doors to such a memorable and positive planning process. We all look forward to continuing to celebrate you every day!

Care to check out other tent weddings we love so much?! Follow the link and treat your eyes!

The Crew We’re Most Grateful For:

Photography: Madison Abbey Photography
Reception Location: The Highfield Club
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Blush Floral Design
Entertainment: Silver Arrow Band
Catering: Marketplace Catering
Cake: Cutie Pies
Libations: Citrus and Rye Events
Cinema: Light Mill Film Studios
Beauty: Lyndsay Simon Beauty
Tent: Greenwich Tent Co.
Tent Decor: EZ Occasions
Rentals: PEAK Event Services, Nuage Designs
Stationery: Coral Pheasant
Styling: Beth Chapman Styling
Dress: Monique Lhullier

I spoke with a dear friend and colleague just the other day about how we have so many incredible weddings to share here. 2021 was a year, to say the least. By now, we know the magnitude of what 2020 pushed into 2021 and how it affected weddings and life in other ways. Katy and Dan are among our many couples who were forced to postpone their wedding, but the way everything came together so beautifully is a testament to what these two deserve! Their Stone Acres Farm wedding was every ounce of perfection, and I truly believe that’s in large part to who they are.

A Stone Acres Farm Experience

Their wedding was set on the most incredible September day. You know, the kind where it’s right in between Summer and Fall. The ceremony was held in the garden, with the reception under a sailcloth Sperry Tent. If you’ve ever been to Stone Acres, then you know how quintessential their grounds are, not needing to be enhanced by much at all.

Having spent so much of their life on the Groton shoreline, it only made sense to incorporate some type of nautical nod. We accomplished this with classic tones of navy, slate, and serenity blue, softened with white, ivory, and touches of blush throughout the floral decor. Our favorite part of our designs is the incorporated personality; here, we did that by way of patterns and textures. From the playful blue, slate, and gray linens to the wildflower-like arrangements by the incredible Hana Floral Design. The wooden chargers and mismatched rattan lanterns suspended throughout the tent. It’s safe to say this wedding was all of our something blue! It’s a timeless design, something we’ll love for years and trends to come!

My favorite part of this Stone Acres Farm wedding was not a singular design detail. It was not Miss Maisy making her appearance for the ceremony with her sweet floral collar. It was the absolute outpouring of love we witnessed from everyone present! You can see this in the wedding party photos, years of friendship coming together to celebrate Katy and Dan. You could feel this in the toasts, which evoked the most heartfelt emotion that embraced everyone. We witnessed this in Katy and Dan’s brother performing a song for them and their guests to set off the liveliest dance crew we’ve seen down by the shore!

That and Katy’s reception and afterparty dress! That bow!!

 

Katy and Dan, thank you and your families so much for allowing us to be a part of such an exceptional weekend! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to create this setting for you and your loved ones. Most of all, thank you for the memories! I’m sure they can’t hold a flame to yours, but we will try. XOXO

 

For more of our tented, shoreline, and Stone Acres Farm weddings, visit our galleries here!

the A team!

Photography: Maggie Conley Photography
Ceremony + Reception Location: Stone Acres Farm
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Hana Floral Design
Entertainment: Silver Arrow Band
Catering + Cake: A Thyme to Cook
Cinema: Henry Loves Hazel
Beauty: Erica Martell, Upstyle Co.
Tent Decor: Ryan Designs
Rentals: PEAK Event Services, La Tavola Linen
Stationery: Karri Lee Designs

I’m not hesitant to say I’m happy to bid this year farewell but I’m not exactly shoving it out the door either. This year had a long list of positives! Many of these moments came from our 2021 weddings, something we’re keen on sharing with you here!

I’m sure it’s no secret by now that the 2021 wedding season was an uphill climb on the most treacherous mountain no matter which way you tried to trek it. There was a great deal of heartache, challenges that seemed insurmountable, and so.many.times where all we could say was, “WTF!!” Of course, the shortages are the cherry on top of this anguish sundae – not a flavor I’d like to try again, thank you!

There were also moments that made us stop and take it all in – even if all we were taking in was a half of a breath. There were days that made us grateful and experiences that made us better. We witnessed just as many smiles as we did happy tears, moments in time that will quite honestly live in my mind forever. I saved this one right here on our IG feed because I knew I wanted to look back on any chance I could get. Really, when I need it most!

Reliving our 2021 weddings through our images is a gift! Every time I pour over these moments, I catch something new that overwhelms my heart and makes me so thankful for our couples, their families, and our incredible vendor teams. The trust they’ve all instilled in us is a gift itself and one we don’t take lightly.

Enjoy the happiness and the sweet spots! Some of the coolest and greatest people we know are sprinkled throughout!

Photographer: Crystal Sullivan Photography

Photographer: Brooke Allison Photography

Photographer: Melanie Ruth Photography

Photographer: Jennifer Bach Photography

Photographer: Julia Jane Studios

Photographer: Keeley Abigail Photography

Photographer: Emily Kirke Photography

Photographer: Evergreen Weddings

Photographer: Maggie Conley Photography

Photographer: Robert Norman Photography

Photographer: Madison Abbey Photography

Photographer: Joanna Fisher Photography

Photographer: Carla Ten Eyck Photography

Photographer: Haley O’Callaghan Photography

Photographer: Sam Bufalo Photography

2020 was a doozy for all of us, which goes without saying, I’m sure. A bright spot of the year? Justine and Kevin’s intimate Jonathan Edwards wedding. Here we are, almost a year later, and our hearts are still full whenever we reminisce over the moments we shared with this couple and their loved ones!

Initially set for 200 guests under the big top, Justine and Kevin would eventually shift the way the year required. They adjusted to hosting about twenty dear friends and family, still under the gorgeous Sperry Tent at Jonathan Edwards Winery. Staring with a sweet ceremony in downtown Mystic, this couple made their mark on many that day! Taking the town’s streets as they walked to their ceremony, passersby felt the joy pouring from their day!

French Country Garden – Inspired Jonathan Edwards Wedding

By hosting a more personalized guest group, we could design a day more reflective of Justine and Kevin’s ultimate wish list. The palette we had was rich with pink tones in blush and coral with a healthy helping of neutral ivory, cream, and gold. Greenery was abundant and lush, as no garden-inspired winery wedding is complete without it! So, while scaling down, we leveled up the color, adding more celebratory tones of yellow, blue, and lavender. Hugging around the shades of pink and coral, the palette would match the vibrance that is Justine and Kevin together (a close second to their smiles)!

We’re suckers for long tables, so guests wined and dined around an extended farm table at this Jonathan Edwards wedding. The ultimate scene-setter as it sat beneath a canopy of romantic twinkle lights that wrapped around nearly every inch of our space. Making it completely unforgettable: the warmth of our guests exceptionally thrilled to be able to celebrate the love of our couple!

It’s near impossible to pinpoint our favorite detail. It may land between their beloved pup, Zeus, or the edible flowers detailed around the entire cake. Their reaction to the grand reveal of the tent may take the No. 1 slot; though, it’s neck and neck with the most amazing creative team ever!

 

Justine and Kevin, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We are not only grateful to have been trusted with your day but also to celebrate you fully! It was a true joy to get to know you and see this come to life! Our hearts may never come down!

 

To see another amazing micro-weddings, visit us here! For more Jonathan Edwards weddings, feast your eyes here!

the all-star team!

Photography: Brooke Allison Photography
Ceremony + Reception Location: Jonathan Edwards Winery
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Flowers by Justine
Entertainment: Protegé
Catering + Cake: A Thyme to Cook
Cinema: DMO Films
Beauty: Brianna Adams, Izzy B
Lighting: Drape Art Designs
Rentals: PEAK Event Services, La Tavola Linen
Ceremony Location: St. Patrick’s Church – Mystic

It is with great pleasure that I share this wedding with you! We all know well the damper that came with 2020 and how it affected the wedding world. There was a heavy helping of heartbreak and loss felt everywhere — not a single person went unscathed. A bright spot of 2020? This gorgeous Westport wedding celebrating Liz, Leo, and the loved ones who shared that perfect September day with us!

Liz + Leo’s Tented Wedding Design

Though our celebration was originally slated for May 2020, we created a color palette and aesthetic fitting for any season. Taking inspiration from our surroundings, I chose a cool yet sophisticated serenity paired with slate for the base of much of our design.  Accents of white, ivory, gold, mauve, blush, and rose brought a touch of femininity to this fete.

I remember creating this design proposal and falling madly in love with the color palette and aesthetic! It is elegant yet alive, dabbled with contemporary yet luxurious details. You know how much we love a tented wedding, so this was just another reason to count ourselves lucky and grateful!

Now the design of this tented Westport wedding is just the start of our list of things to swoon over! Liz and Leo’s relationship is rich with tradition, made evident by the joy their family brought to the day. Thinking of the number of generations present on the big day and the love surrounding this couple makes us agree with the groom’s sentiment. When discussing the possibility to have to postpone again, Leo affirmed that, no matter what, their September date was their day. Despite what it could look like, the most important thing was celebrating themselves.

I am so grateful that we got to bring this day to life and celebrate our couple. After a year of postponements, uncertainties, navigating rules that were constantly changing — some canceling each other out, seeing the pure joy on everyone’s face made every moment worth it!

Featured!

Even more exciting news? Leo and Liz are featured on Carats and Cake! Check them out here! We hope you enjoy reliving their day as much as we do. There’s not a single element you won’t fall head over heels for!

Liz and Leo, thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your legacy, and for allowing us to see this milestone come to life!! Wishing you all the love, happiness, and celebration that was present on your day for the next 100 years!

Big thanks to our Vendor Team!

Photography: Mobile Video + Production
Ceremony + Reception Location: The Inn at Longshore
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Stems Flower Design
Entertainment: CZone Entertainment
Catering: On the Marc
Cake: Sarah + Simon Cake Design
Beauty: Erica Martell + Renee Russo
Lighting + Draping: Shindig Lighting
Rentals: PEAK Event Services,
Cinema: Vantage Point Films

We might sound like a broken record, but it’s worth saying over and over again: we love tented weddings! Tented weddings are a trend we’ve seen double in the wedding world, and it’s one I hope continues. The level of personalization this setting lends to couples celebrating such a milestone moment is the beginning of what makes them so special!

What’s not to love about weddings under the big top?! The list goes on and on, but for us, it starts with the fact that tented weddings tend to take place at a location deeply personal to the couple. Oftentimes our tented weddings take place at home, the most special of locations. We also plan weddings at iconic venues where the tent further enhances the property for an unforgettable fete. Either way, the location of your reception carries significance to your story and relationship. This is what opens the door to thousands of design possibilities. Seeing where it began and where you ended up is one of the most gratifying processes you’ll be a part of!

Tied with the meaningful location is the ability to personalize the overall experience for you and your guests, and experience matters! Straight from the mouths of guests at past events, the most memorable celebrations they’ve attended are those reflective of the couple they’re honoring. Incorporating your story and who you are into the design of the space makes it intrinsically more successful. Not to mention impactful for your loved ones! It’s what leads to memories everyone carries with them for years to come.

Start Planning Your Tented Wedding

Now, we consider ourselves experts when it comes to tented weddings. The finer nuances that come along with this style of celebration are something we’re known well for. We crave getting our hands dirty with logistics, complemented further by our custom designs, tailored to each of our couples celebrating their journey. It’s true: take a peek at some of our favorite weddings and designs here. No two are alike!

Have you been considering planning a tented wedding? Maybe you’re a little overwhelmed by where to start, and that’s perfectly normal! There’s a plethora of information out there, so we rounded up a few myths and truths to consider as you begin planning your fete. Check out our handy blog post – Tips and Tricks for Hosting Your Home Wedding in Connecticut – that will surely get you started on the right foot. Even if your event won’t be held at home, there is plenty of pertinent information related to a successful tented soiree!

Now, to show you just how much we LOVE a good tented wedding, we’ve rounded up our Top 5 favorite tented weddings from years past! It was nearly impossible to narrow down this too-good-to-be-true list, but we did our best. Check them out, and follow the links to read the full story for each day! They’re sure to leave a mark on your heart the way they did ours!

Our Top 5 Favorite Tented Weddings by Jubilee Events

 

1. Organic Summer Wedding in Washington, Connecticut

This one will always have my heart, and there’s a good reason why it’s listed first on this list and first in our galleries! This summer bash is one of the first among many of our home, tented weddings, and it was an easy one to infuse our couple into. Taking place in the bride’s family’s own backyard, we positioned the ceremony around the notable Oak tree, which was later incorporated in much of our stationery. The moment guests stepped onto this property, they were hugged by the love everyone shared for the couple, and that kind of energy is infectious!

After the ceremony, guests sipped and noshed fresh bites around the pool. This area was so lush and relaxing that it was all too easy for guests to immerse themselves in their experience. Following everyone’s favorite hour, guests transcended down the hill to our clear top tent, inviting them into this modern, organic garden-inspired fete we had created!

I will say that this tented wedding took place at the tail end of August, so many people would be wary to have a clear top tent for fear of creating a greenhouse effect. We knew just how to eliminate that possibility, ensuring the canvas was decked with a smattering of fans, so delicate no one noticed anything but the cool breeze. Of course, we took into account where the sun set and its position in the sky come dinner time! As I said, we understand the finer nuances of an amazing tented celebration!

The only thing cooler than the breeze lightly sweeping through guests was the couple themselves, cutting a rug on our dance floor, which happened to be their tennis court. That’s right! And we got to paint it blush pink! I’ll never forget the excitement surrounding that conversation.

photos: Carla Ten Eyck // floral: Blush Floral Design // lighting + tent decor: Ryan Designs

 

2. Colorful Backyard Bash in Newtown, Connecticut

Truth: I don’t know where to begin when sharing this day with you! There were so many moments, not just on the wedding day but throughout planning that make your heart burst. The first being when I met the bride, Nicole. I pulled into the driveway circling her childhood sunshine-yellow home as she burst out the front door with purple hair. She was the warmest and kindest soul and I knew instantly that this was going to be an insanely amazing day! I couldn’t even prepare myself!

When we first spoke about the design, Nicole and Mark said they wanted it to be “a colorful explosion of Princess Peach’s castle.” Some may question this, but to me, this was all a part of who Nicole and Mark are, and infusing couples into their design is the epitome of how we create!

There isn’t a color scheme we’ve met that we didn’t like but I’ll say I just adored how their palette makes me feel. Between the strands of colorful ribbon, partnered with the vibrant buds literally bursting from our tables, this is a treat for the eyes! Color has a way of inspiring energy and happiness, and their day was in no short supply of joy. This will forever be one of my all-time favorite tented weddings. I am eternally grateful to Nicole, Mark, and their family for granting me the opportunity to bring it to life!

photos: Emily Kirke Photography // floral: Botanique // tent: Greenwich Tent Co. // tent decor: Drape Art Designs

 

3. Romantic Shoreline Mansion Wedding at the Branford House in Groton, Connecticut

Another warm, generous, kind, beyond easy-to-love couple and Father of the Bride, which means an even more amazing shoreline celebration! You’ll notice we aren’t hesitant to add a splash of color into our tented weddings, and this design was no exception. Inspired by a painting in her dad’s Stonington, CT home, our bride wanted a fete that carried a romantic, warm twist on a nautical aesthetic.

Swagged throughout our Sperry Tent was fabric in berry tones, blush pink, and soft ivory to bring in some vibrant summer tones. Our draping set the stage for the lush floral chandelier, surrounded by more classic crystal chandeliers that watched over guests as they danced throughout the evening.

Our tent was set on the back lawn of the iconic Branford House, which we enjoyed for cocktail hour and, later on, an after-dinner lounge and bar scene. The mansion is every bit regal and romantic with the right levels of drama. Our canvas top was finessed with the same aesthetic as we designed our home for the evening. As gorgeous as the Branford House is, the back lawn is a bit uneven. To ensure everyone’s comfort, we worked with our company to create a platform for our flooring, allowing a level surface. This is one of the most important first steps when building your tented wedding and this is why we add significant time into our planning duties to ensure every detail is correct. It’s also exactly why we partner with some of the best tent companies around!!

photos: Carla Ten Eyck // floral: Blush Floral Design // tent decor + lighting: Drape Art Designs

4. Elegant Green + White Home Wedding in Bridgewater, Connecticut

This tented wedding is a truly special one! Our gorgeous couple and most fabulous mother of the bride gave us carte blanche to do what we do best! Created an entire experience around the couple complete with all the touches we knew would make a thoughtful impact on everyone in attendance.

This entire family is one of the kindest and most generous, which made sense that their venue came about from a friend who offered their home and the barn onsite for everyone to enjoy that evening! We wanted a green and white palette, touches of gold, and a transformation to our tent as unforgettable as the hilltop views from our ceremony setting. Check, check, and check!

When it comes to home, tented weddings there are many ways to create a sensible and fun flow to the day, but they all come equipped with a potential challenge or consideration that could negatively impact your day. Having backup weather plans is a must, and oftentimes this means extra tents on standby allowing you to protect people and things. When Mother Nature is on her best behavior, there’s plenty of room to wow guests with your surroundings, tucking the tent against your home or lush garden. Or, in this case, set atop a hill overlooking the entire town. Imagine the miles of Fall leaves just starting to color? Books don’t even write it this good!

photos: Ali + Julie // floral: Hana Floral Design // tent: Greenwich Tent Co. // tent decor + lighting: Drape Art Designs

 

 

5. Berry-toned Fall Wedding in Hamden, Connecticut

What do you get when you combine a love for fall colors, a sense of whimsy, and a literal lifetime of memories spread throughout your wedding location? This wedding right here!

Taking place in the bride’s own backyard, our Sperry Tent was tucked perfectly beside the pool house her dad and hubby built by hand. We added some magic by covering our canvas top with twinkle lights, covering every inch and adding bounds of romance as the night wore on. Highlighted by the ambiance were all of our fall hues – a mixture of warm berry tones coupled with cool blue shades throughout our floral decor, stationery, and table details! The pictures speak a thousand words!

One logistic we had to consider with this wedding: cocktail hour was going to take place right beside our reception tent. No matter how close these events take place, we always like to opt for a grand reveal of the tent – and our clients agree! We also want our couples and their families to get the first glimpse at their tent, untouched from bags, jackets, and shoes that may grace the chairs and floors. For Jordan and Mike, we created a draped wall around the perimeter of the tent, allowing guests to immerse themselves into cocktail hour while coming together for a jaw-dropping moment when we removed our temporary wall.

photos: Carla Ten Eyck // floral: Blush Floral Design // tent: Greenwich Tent Co. // tent decor + lighting: Drape Art Designs

 

BONUS!!

We told you: impossible to narrow down the list. For a little added eye candy, here’s our last favorite for this post!

Peach-Inspired Summer Tented Wedding at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut

Inspired by this late summer fruit, our design was knocked out of the park! You’ll look at these photos and fall in love instantly. Why wouldn’t you? This day was fresh, bright, and it encompassed a quintessential summer wedding vibe!

What you can’t see in these photos are all the blood, sweat, and tears – primarily the second two – that went into managing the weather bestowed upon us that weekend! The day this wedding took place was the day Hurricane Irene showed up in town. While she wasn’t one of the more damaging storms, she certainly left her mark!

High winds coupled with torrential rain are not only the least ideal scenario for a tented wedding, it can become entirely unsafe and damaging to the property and surroundings. The evening before, the Jubilee Events team worked together to contact every single vendor and guest to shift the wedding several hours earlier. Everyone enjoyed the day, completely untouched by what was to come later, and once the last sip of champagne was had, we bid guests a safe adieu and we deconstructed the wedding in a blink of an eye. Breaking down a wedding is always a sad finish, but this one certainly gave us a sense of accomplishment as everyone was imparted with the right memories for this weekend!

photos: Carla Ten Eyck // floral: Blush Floral Design

 

We hope you enjoyed these tented celebrations as much as we did – in creating them, celebrating them, and reliving them! Even more, we hope you are excited about planning your own tented wedding! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us! XO