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

A Modern Garden Love Story

We were just creeping up on summer of last year when we received a call asking us to design a shoot to inspire events in those warmer summer months and we were elated, to say the least! With carte blanche to create our aesthetic and assemble a team of the best of the best, we hit the ground running and developed the most colorful, cheerful modern garden inspired setting, taking place on the grounds of the GORGEOUS Blithewold Mansion and Gardens. Fit for an outdoor wedding, mansion soiree, or garden affair, we’ve developed enough eye candy to make you want to wrap yourself up in this shoot!

The Inspiration + Design

Starting with shades of pink and all citrus tones, we developed a modern garden inspiration perfect for any Spring or Summer event. Of course, we are big proponents of color so we certainly support the idea of featuring this palette any time of year!

With colorful florals and natural textures to juxtapose the clean lines of fashion and backgrounds, our team produced a whimsical, modern concept to perfectly inspire your garden party.

The Fashion

While fashion is another aspect to bring in your personality, it’s also the best source of inspiration for your design because it perfectly represents you! Beth Chapman Styling and the team from The White Dress by the Shore, as always, completed our look with the most fitting gowns, complete with all the texture and romance we need. That cape! Need we say more?!

Ready for a classic Belle Mer wedding that is full of bold accents, super personalized details and romantic views? Buckle up, because Kate and Richard’s nuptials have all that and more.

Kate and Richard knew they wanted a Newport wedding. They wanted lots of bright color—Kate was set on feminine tones of pink and mauve, while Richard wanted navy blue to be included. They wanted to surprise guests with fun accents, like personalized table numbers that featured their baby photos and cocktail napkins with interesting facts about their relationship. Richard wanted popcorn and cotton candy and Kate wanted tightly composed bouquets of fresh seasonal blooms in pink and white. Most of all, they wanted to host a party for their family and loved ones that was fun and full of life!

Kate and Richard’s beginning can be described in a similar fashion. The two grew up a few blocks away from each other in the town of East Lyme. However, they didn’t officially meet until Kate’s freshman year of college at UConn where they were both attending. Is there anything more fun and full of life than a serendipitous meeting at a college party? We think not!

For their wedding day, we teamed up with Stoneblossom Floral and Event Design to bring Kate’s bright and beautiful vision to life. Joyce helped select the just-right shade of pink hydrangea that would pop in Belle Mer’s all-white ballroom. We added beautiful roses in shades of lavender and mauve and balanced the look with crisp navy blue napkins and sleek silver-rimmed china from Peak Event Services. Four long mirrored tables made a statement in the center of the ballroom where the band, FlipSide, had guests on their feet from the moment the doors opened. What’s more, beautiful paper details from Roseville Designs and custom bike table number holders handmade by the groom added an extra special touch to the evening.

We also incorporated bikes into their invitation suite, which was custom designed by Roseville Designs. Richard was working as the marketing manager for a mountain bike park in New Hampshire and biking still plays a huge role in their lives. See, I told you these two were fun!

Kate and Richard were not the only ones who wanted to surprise guests with unexpected and thoughtful touches. Kate’s mom, Tricia, had a big surprise in store—an airplane to fly over the cocktail hour with a banner congratulating the newlyweds! When Tricia called to let me in on this detail I saw exactly where Kate got her energy and love for life. These ladies really know how to make a statement!

Thanks to Carla Ten Eyck, we can relive this day over and over through the stunning imagery she captured. Have a look below!

VENDOR REEL

Design and Planning: Libby, Jubilee Events
Officiant: John Pence, Brother in Law of Kate
Hair and makeup: Simply Gorgeous by Erin Infantino
Dress: Anne Barge via The White Dress by the Shore
Musicians: Golden Scrolls
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Video: Lucent Wedding Films
Florist: Stoneblossom
Band: Murray Hill, Flipside
Rentals: PEAK Event Services
Paper: Roseville Designs

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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After a few dreary days, this stunner is just what we needed to add a little sparkle to our day! Thank you to the incredible team over at Carats and Cake for sharing the beautiful wedding of Katie and Aaron! This duo and their unforgettable wedding party and family kicked off summer with their big day at Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island.

We are forever inspired by these photos that fill us with such warmth and we are excited to share them with you more!

Photography: ERIN MCGINN PHOTOGRAPHY
DJ: DJ MAX BAUN
Day of Stationery/ Invitations: JAR OF IDEAS DESIGN, BY INVITATION ONLY DESIGN
Beauty: JENNIE KAY BEAUTY
Cake: FATULLI’S
Floral Design: GREENLION DESIGN
Photobooth: PHOTOBOOTH PLANET

We’ve been holding onto this wedding for a while now and are so excited to finally share the beautiful images from Joshua Behan. Lauren and Matt picked a picture perfect day, on Labor Day weekend, to get married. They were surrounded by loving family and friends who flew in from all over the map to witness this special day.

Originally from Michigan, Lauren and Matt actually began their great story in middle school where they met for the first time at a party. They went on to date through high school—how romantic is it that they went to the prom together!

They had both fallen in love with New England during the many visits to Mystic, CT, where Lauren’s grandparents live. It was there that they decided on having a destination event—a classic New England wedding at the Ocean House at Watch Hill. Thanks to Lauren’s mom, an interior designer, the final details came into place with absolute perfection. From the sophisticated cream and blush color story that was brought to life with romantic flowers from Hana Floral Design and an (almost) too good to eat cake from Ana Parzych to the movie-esqe backdrop of the Ocean House, it was a day to be remembered.

We were so honored to be a part of Lauren and Matt’s wedding day and to work with them throughout the planning process as they planned from afar. Joshua Behan was there to capture it all on film. Here are some of our favorite images from him.

VENDOR REEL

Hair: Allison Barbera Beauty
Makeup: Dianna Quagenti
Photography:Joshua Behan Photography
Venue and Catering: Ocean House
Cake:Ana Parzych Cakes
Florist:Hana Floral Design
Jazz Quartet: Nick DiMaria
Band: Wilson Stevens Productions, Boss
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited and La Tavola Fine Linens

I’m so excited to share with you a fun and colorful photoshoot we did at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Carla Ten Eyck and I hosted a 3 day workshop at the Ocean House before it was open to the public. We had the wonderful opportunity to teach photographers and planners the ins and outs of working as a creative team to produce an editorial photoshoot. Our preppy, new england inspired shoot below was the work that I collaborated on with our amazingly talented vendors who contributed so generously to our workshop and shoot!

We were inspired by the classic, preppy and fun look of bow ties, seersucker and bright colors. Some highlights from this shoot are all the incredible corals and blue colors that Tony magnificently worked into the tablescape arrangements and bouquets. Seriously… are you kidding? The irises? Amazing! And the incredible paper that Nichole from Coral Pheasant created– folded menu cards with covers, customized favor / place card boxes with unique paper flowers on top, mini bow ties that decorated our champagne glasses… need I go on?!

We also scored an incredible pink vintage bike thanks to our friend Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the shore, who styled our models for the shoot from head to two. We LOVE this lace Modern Trousseau gown!

I just have to say, one more time, how grateful we are to the amazing and talented vendors who contributed so generously to our shoot. We love the way it turned out and are so excited to share! Thanks to Style Me Pretty for the lovely feature… and to see more images… head over to our gallery.. and also see Coral Pheasant’s blog post on the shoot.

XXOO!

Credit Reel

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Model Styling + Fashion: The White Dress by the Shore
Flowers: Datura – A Modern Garden
Event Design + Planning: Jubilee Events
Hair + Make-up: Dana Bartone & Company
Ceremony + Reception Location: The Ocean House
Invitations: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Dress: Modern Trousseau
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited of Newport
Cake: Toria Dolce Fine Desserts
Groom’s Suit: J.Crew
Bow Tie: Southern Proper

Leigh and Kelsey were married on a gorgeous and warm Monday afternoon in June at Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island. Not even a trip to the hospital on wedding day (fear not– everything ended up being okay!) could deter these two from celebrating their love for one another. They were surrounded by an incredible group of close family and friends and shared an intimate afternoon of laughs, love, and celebration! Leigh and Kelsey spent dozens of hours crafting their wedding, which was filled with personal paper touches. It was an eclectic mix of vibrant colors against a clean, modern backdrop. A huge thank you to the incomparable Carla Ten Eyck and her team for these stunning images!

Credit Reel

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Planning: Jubilee Events
Location: Belle Mer
Floral Design: Datura: A Modern Garden
Paper & Invitations: Leigh & Kelsey
Officiant: Rev Steph
Bridal Gowns: The White Dress by the shore

Back in May Carla Ten Eyck and I hosted our Collaborate and Create workshop in Watch Hill, Rhode Island at the newly restored Ocean House. Our final mini shoot of the day was inspired by our amazing photographic attendee, Nelly Soares from Lumina Images, who was inspired by the her surroundings and the Kennedy’s! We designed an on-the-fly shoot in the romantic drizzling rain with a gorgeous Priscilla of Boston gown, regal tablescape in purples and blues with lots of calligraphy touches. I absolutely adore the floral design of Jane from Just for You… the purple lilacs? My favorite flower!!!  This shoot is proof positive that you can create anything no matter the conditions or time constraints! It also is a tribute to great team work. I just love the beauty, romance, and simplicity of this preppy shoot. Be sure to see a full list of credits for all the amazing vendors who we are so honored to constantly have the opportunity to create with. Enjoy!

Photography – Carla Ten Eyck Photography and Lumina Images
Design – Jubilee Events
Model Styling & Accessories – The White Dress by the Shore
Location – The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Floral Design – Just For You
Calligraphy – Elizabeth Porcher Jones
Beauty & Hair – Dana Bartone & Co.
Chairs, Table, Linens, and Placeware – Rentals Unlimited
Tie – Southern Proper

Jacket: Crittenden & Co.
Paper – Stonington Paperie
Gown – Priscilla of Boston