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

We marched into the beginning of 2021’s season with some trepidation. Given what the previous year held – and nearly every day leading up until our first event – we were both ready for everything and unsure if we could be ready at all. But, boy, all the uncertainties vanished once Michelle and Jared’s shoreline wedding came to life! What.a.DAY!!

Michelle and Jared’s celebration at the Saybrook Point Inn started off with 50 guests, the allowed count at the start of planning. May 2021 granted us the go-ahead to host over 100 guests in a safe, outdoor setting, and that is just what we did.

I’ll never forget Michelle’s toast to her guests that day. She said, “We could be sitting on the ground, eating pizza off of a paper towel, and I know we’d all be having the time of our lives.” That statement resonates with me daily! We all lost out on a significant amount of time with our loved ones, enjoying the moments that matter. Despite what those moments looked like, being able to celebrate joy in person was the biggest gift of all. That day, celebrate is what did! We made sure this shoreline fete looked damn good, too!

What We Love About This Shoreline Wedding

Normally, we speak endlessly about the designs we create, and while we’ll touch on this, there are so many components of this wedding that we are still not over, and it’s worth highlighting each and every one!

The Setting

We have had the pleasure of creating a handful of memorable designs at the Saybrook Point Inn, but this event stood out as we were able to host Michelle and Jared’s guests on the venue’s brand-new patio. By brand-new, I mean tiles were being placed hours before our rehearsal on the eve of their wedding!

Dinner was set under the new veranda, hugged in twinkle lights, with cocktail hour and dancing set on the private deck overlooking the docks. The setting of this shoreline wedding is the epitome of everything we crave in the days of summer.

The Design

A relaxed design with elegant touches, we combined all the elements of a nautical fete with our color palette of navy blue, white, taupe, and touches of gold and brought in an organic yet romantic aesthetic with the expertise of Beth from Blush Floral Design. The tables, both round and the extended farm table that centered the space, had romantic, bold blooms in white with greenery accents and touches of seagrass and herbs scattered throughout.

It’s easy for a wedding design to take a feminine approach, but I loved the darker accents in our floral decor’s natural details, stationery, and fashion. Texture was evident through so much of our decor, and, coupled with the rest of the experience, we ignited all five senses for our couple and guests.

The Vendor Team

We say it often, and we will say it again: we work with the best teams New England has to offer! This was the first event for many of our creatives that day, and the joy was palpable. Without a doubt, this day would not have been as classic if it missed one single member of our creative team!

Michelle & Jared

We would be remiss not to call out one of the coolest couples in the world! Truly! From the start, Michelle and Jared led all conversations and plans with generous compassion. Their goal was to create a memorable experience for their guests in a comfortable environment that was focused on good food, endless dancing, and nonstop laughing. Check, check, and check!

They are easy to love, and as much as we loved bringing their day to life, it was such a bittersweet moment to cheer them on taking the lead on “Shallow” at the end of the evening because the planning journey for their shoreline wedding was complete. Thankfully, we get to see them on their new journey with the newest member of their team – baby Jett!

Michelle, Jared, and Jett, we love you dearly and wish you all of life’s happiness and songs to sing with one another!

To see more of our favorite shoreline weddings, visit our gallery here!

forever grateful to this team!

Photography: Crystal Sullivan Photography + Athena Bludé
Ceremony + Reception Location: Saybrook Point Inn
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Blush Floral Design
Entertainment: Millennium Music + Silver Arrow Band
Dessert: Donut Crazy
Beauty: Erica Martell + Amber Papastavros
Lighting + Draping: Drape Art Designs
Rentals: PEAK Event Services, BBJ LaTavola
Table Numbers: Gauge NYC

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

Jubilee Events’ Love Affair with Home Weddings

You can control the costs because it’s at your home… Costs are not meant to surprise you, but we get it. Weddings are expensive (we will get into that topic in another blog post), but it’s important to understand what’s going into it so you can see the value coming out of it!

Regardless of the location of your wedding, costs can be controlled. It is understanding the price points of your potential vendors and the aspects that go into those costs. While there are “average” wedding costs available to you online, it’s vital to understand what goes into that “average.” Everyone is different — and for good reason!

Ask the questions to know what goes into the costs of your vendors and their packages. Some of your vendor costs may increase with home weddings, but that’s to ensure that all aspects are properly overseen and well managed, a value well received.

It won’t be as expensive because it’s not at a regular venue… This is a common assumption, but one quickly proved false. A venue has a site fee, of course, but this is the only fee you may be able to side-step when having the event at home.

Why?

There are a number of other necessities that you will need that a venue usually offers.

A venue comes with power, a roof, industrial kitchen, restrooms, flooring, lighting, a parking lot, and may even have some tables and chairs to utilize.

Your home, on the other hand, requires these additions — which are additional costs. Consider this: you are essentially building a venue from scratch. And that takes time, care, and a fine eye for details!

Circumstances are different with each home, but there are several details to consider (like the ones listed above). Simply put: having a home wedding requires you to build a venue in a matter of days, and you’ll have to rent and acquire all the necessary items to throw the bash of the year. Everything from salt and pepper shakers to parking lots.

Photo: Ali + Julie

You can have a month of coordinator for a home wedding… We highly discourage this for a home wedding as there are lists of logistics and details to oversee. Furthermore, don’t even consider a day-of coordinator. It’s entirely unfair to you to have someone step in so last minute and be able to successfully carry out your vision and day-of details as you have dreamt and planned them out to be.

It’s important to have an experienced planner on hand from start to finish. This will help alleviate a great deal of costly mistakes — errors that could have severe effects on your property or home and, more importantly, your peace of mind. A home wedding requires expert planning, which is why we want you to consider hiring a wedding planning team to be with you from start to finish.

When you wake up the next morning, you want to bask in the rings on your fingers, the speeches that were just made, and the fact that your feet are inevitably sore from keeping the dance floor packed all night! The last thing you will want to entertain is a clogged toilet, broken glass, or damage to your home or property.

Let’s face it: things happen and you want someone trusted to put the fire out before you smell the smoke.

You can invite more guests because there are no space constraints… This may be true and, hey, more power to you!! There’s nothing like celebrating something so monumental with all the people you hold near and dear to your heart. More guests directly impacts your budget as with every additional friend or family member, your costs go up. The best way to consider it is that with just one more person, your budget increases by $700, to start. Rental quantities, food and beverage costs, and even tent sizes are considered the higher (or lower) your guest count grows.

 

But, wait! There’s more:

 

To check out more of our beloved tented home weddings, visit us here!

The Best Connecticut Venues for your Fall Wedding!

Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog series have given you a glance at some of the magic Connecticut offers for your wedding day. Now, it’s time to cozy up to one of the best seasons Connecticut has to offer: Fall! A Fall Wedding in Connecticut is as anticipated as any combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

Despite what those holiday commercials say, Fall is the most wonderful time of the year! From the warm days and cool nights, right down to the foliage. It is, in my opinion, the best time of year to take advantage of the great outdoors.

Fall Wedding Venue Must-Haves and Considerations

• Indoor Options or Tenting Capabilities: You’ll see this noted on every venue list because Mother Nature is a finicky woman! While Fall tends to provide more expected weather circumstances, it’s the one thing none of us can control. If your venue lacks an indoor space (many unique locations do!), be sure there’s room to place a tent on the property. Even if your plan is to go alfresco, a rain plan is always a good idea!
• Exclusivity: Just like summer, this is a coveted time of year! Make sure you understand how many celebrations your venue hosts on any given weekend or per day!
• Noise ordinance: As we’ve said in the Spring and Summer wedding venue list, be sure to take the cutoff time for music into account, especially if your Fall wedding will be taking place outdoors in any capacity!
• Availability: The Fall is the most popular time of year for weddings here in Connecticut. Between the perfect temperatures, relative lack of destructive weather, and the foliage… Those scrumptious colors that dress our trees are quintessential postcard images and highly sought after! If a Fall wedding is what you’re after, the availability of your potential venue is something that can go quickly.
• Ways to keep your guests warm: This time of year is when we begin to see the nights get a little cooler. Infuse ways into your design to keep your guests warm. These things can include a hot cocoa bar, late-night bonfire, or custom blankets for guests to grab-and-go!

Here we have it! Read on to begin falling in love with some of Connecticut’s greatest Fall wedding venues!

 

Smith Farm Gardens

Smith Farm Gardens is one of my favorite locations for a wedding in Connecticut, no less a fall wedding, because it’s comparable to having a home wedding without having to build the venue in your own backyard! Their well-manicured gardens and grounds are noticed the moment you step foot onto the property. It’s idyllic in every sense it can be!

Set on 15 acres, your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception can host within a list of beautiful corners of this property. The vegetable and flower garden, apple orchard, or the main house with its original posts and beams and massive fireplace inside! You can certainly toast with a large number of guests here as your event takes place 100% outdoors with the capacity for a tent! To top it off, there are stunning onsite accommodations in the house, which is perfect for getting ready and hanging with your favorite people once the last song has been played.

 

Audobon in Greenwich

The Audobon, specifically the Barn at Greenwich Audobon Center is idyllic for the lovers of a rustic aesthetic. This restored 1800s structure with its original exposed beams is perfect for a smaller, yet still lively guest group of 80 – 100 guests. Apple orchards and trails hug the property, offering unique opportunities to take advantage of the layout of your entire event!

For those with a philanthropic heart, the site fee goes to not only maintaining the inherent structure of the barn but also supporting a sanctuary for nature’s smallest creatures throughout the state!

 

Mayflower Inn & Spa

There is something picturesque about saying your vows with the colors in front of a pond filled with the reflection of the Fall foliage. Postcards couldn’t paint a better picture, though I’m sure a live painter could!

For smaller, more intimate celebrations, the Mayflower offers The Garden Room and The Tap Room which have been recently renovated to create a space you’ll never want to leave. For groups up to about 150, you can host your loved ones in their brand-new custom tent, tucked privately behind the spa alongside the property’s pond. Not only are onsite accommodations available, but this venue is also the perfect location for a full weekend buyout as there are personalized amenities to appeal to any type of adventurer! I love how easily this property lends itself to a destination wedding as the onsite offerings, most notably the spa and surrounding trails allow for enjoyable getaways no matter the interests of your guest group!

photo: Carla Ten Eyck // planning + design: Jubilee Events // floral: Blush Floral Design // tent decor: Drape Art Designs

 

Chatfield Hollow Inn

Also known as the Chatfield Hollow B+B, this natural oasis offers a variety of ceremony locations. Choose between their two ponds, fruit orchard, grassy meadows, or birch grove to start. Imagine being snuggled in among all the colorful foliage, or having a small breeze carry some leaves around you and your guests during your vows. Just like a pretty snowfall without the cold and wet!

Along with the clear top tent on-site for up to 150 guests, the property — including their charming inn — belongs to you the entire weekend. With fully functioning flower and food gardens, you have the opportunity to bring the freshest details to your menu or decor, found right on site. The amenities and care this location provides is unparalleled and ideal for a variety of design approaches for your fall wedding!

photo: Carla Ten Eyck Photography

 

Jonathan Edwards Winery

Located in North Stonington (not to be confused with the beautiful town of Stonington), Jonathan Edwards offers all the lush, rolling greens that a vineyard should. Hugged by trees that provide a colorful splash of Fall foliage vibrantly welcomes guests to the property. The winery includes a tent for dining and dancing all night long for up to 200 of your friends and family. Additionally, their rustic barrel room is perfect for a smaller affair – even that back up rain plan we mentioned! Their tasting room and the wrap-around porch are the best way to take in the views of your entire wedding day in addition to enjoying their wine that is produced during this season.

Entering the Fall season reintroduces you to those sinfully-favorite foods that we all love to indulge in! Surrounding Jonathan Edwards Winery are several local farms that your caterer can partner with to create a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table dining experience for you and your guests!

photo: Robert Norman Photography // planning + design: Jubilee Events // floral: Just For You Floral Design // lighting: Ryan Designs

 

Gallaher Mansion

Having enjoyed the most amazing Fall wedding at the Gallaher Mansion, it’s no wonder why this venue sits comfortably on our list! The Gallaher Mansion provides a timeless setting and romantic views indoors and out. Open to hosting 100 guests inside the gorgeous stone monument or 200+ on their tented terrace, the Gallaher offers some rentals and several other amenities to help make the day your own!

Pro tip: take advantage of the side garden and sprawling lawn for photos or other moments of your wedding day to create a big impact for your guests!

photo: Anaise Prince Photography

South Farms

One of the most iconic farm venues in Connecticut, exclusively reserved for weddings and celebrations taking place onsite! Set a little more inland in Morris, South Farms is one of our favorite family-run farm venues! Once you step foot on the property, you’ll know exactly why! Not only do they offer the parlor, hayloft, bull room, and stone barn, plus their brand new Garage, opening the opportunity to their couples to host just under 50 guests all the way up to 175. Whether rustic, natural, or industrial, this space offers so much to its clients and exceeds your wildest dreams!

 

Graybarns on the Silvermine River

Where luxury meets comfort! The Graybarns is the first venue I think of for the perfect intimate wedding. Able to accommodate up to 75 guests, you and your guests can enjoy a variety of settings throughout the property, including their courtyard, the barn, the tavern, and the porch. I anticipate seeing a surplus of more intimate events with our couples this year and beyond. This venue is the perfect location to make it your own for the weekend!

As if the venue wasn’t enough to love as is, they have the most flavorful and memorable menus to enjoy, something that certainly impacts the overall experience imparted on you and your guests! Their onsite accommodations make getting ready and other weekend events seamless and relaxing.

 

Winvian Farm

This storied estate offers multiple sites and venues on its unique property, prepared to host you and your loved ones with their onsite accommodations. This charming site is 113 acres of rolling lawns, stone walls, wildflower meadows and enchanted woodlands, all of which are in their full, lush, colorful state during the Fall, making an impactful statement for your wedding weekend experience!

With the level of opportunity of Winvian Farm, you can host more intimate celebrations to grander affairs with larger guest counts. I love how easily this property lends itself to a destination wedding as the amenities, most notably the spa and surrounding trails allow for enjoyable getaways no matter the interests of your guest group!

 

Chamard Vineyards

Another popular vineyard, but this time located right in Clinton. Whether you’re hosting an intimate celebration of 30 guests up to a bash of 150 of your loved ones, the vineyard has several outdoor and indoor locations for your ceremony or reception. As an added bonus to the local wine you can enjoy, Chamard is responsible for your fresh culinary experience. While quiet and set back, the vineyard is not far from the center of town, so some noise ordinance rules may apply!