Nicole and Mark’s Summer Tented Home Wedding

The very first moment I met Nicole, she welcomed me with the biggest ear-to-ear smile, lavender hair, and a 50s style hoop skirt with cartoon kittens decked all over. Surrounded by their nearest and dearest from all stages of life and family, we celebrated a love that was ten years in the making and there was no better place than Nicole’s childhood home. And that day? Just as unique and memorable as this out-of-this-world duo! This summer tented home wedding holds a special place in my heart and this couple and family sits directly beside it!

Though Nicole and Mark had been a part of each other’s adventure for ten years, their friendship began many many years beforehand, so much so that their siblings are friends and had been with one another since childhood. You can only imagine how celebrated this day was, as it marked a significant moment in so many lives and stories that were present!

They and their family are a group of people that make you feel exceptional. You’re welcomed with open, gracious arms, and the most infectious smiles and playful banter. Their day was just as incredible!

The Design…

When asking how they would describe their day, Nicole confidently replied, “like Princess Peach’s magic kingdom. A celebration of color!” Nicole and Mark’s design made me declare the season to come the year for color! The wedding gods must have heard me because I’ve seen an explosion of color through decor.

I LOVE that couples are infusing their energy into their aesthetic! In the coming days, you’ll see a series of posts that further share the elements of their day and how it boasted their story together. A tented home wedding affords us a blank canvas, which allows us to flex our creative muscles even more and add more personality to this custom day. See more of our tented weddings here!

The Photos…

If ever there were a summer tented home wedding that captured our hearts, this one will forever be it and we cannot thank Emily Kirke enough for capturing its true essence! Nicole and Mark, thank you so much for giving us the incredible opportunity to be a part of such a historic day for you and your family! We look forward to celebrating you for years to come!!

credit reel

Photography: Emily Kirke Photography
Ceremony + Reception Location: private home in Newtown, CT
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Botanique NYC
Cake: Sarah + Simon Cake Design
Catering: Riverhouse Catering
Reception Entertainment: DJ Eko
Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery
Beauty: Erica Martell
Ribbon + Draping: Drape Art Designs
Love Cat Illustrations: Salvador Vega Jr
Rentals: La Tavola Linen, PEAK Event Services, Gather + Lounge
Tent: Greenwich Tent Co

It’s no secret that wedding insurance is a hot topic with us at Jubilee Events! We discuss a policy — rather insist on one — with every single one of our couples! You can track the evidence here and here. Your wedding day is a moment in your history that you invest so much in, both financially and emotionally! The best gift you can give yourselves is protection for you and your day.

What is Wedding Insurance and Do I Need It?

Merely suggesting a policy was a thing of the past, especially after we celebrated a wedding smack dab in the middle of Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy! As years went on, we’ve experienced just about every type of scenario that could cause a wedding to be cancelled or postponed. Now, it’s the first step we manage with our clients once their date and venue are booked! Think about it: you insure the things you invest in, not just financially, but also with your time. Your home, your cars, your jewelry! These things carry sentimental value and your wedding day falls under the same category.

In light of what’s currently happening in our world with COVID-19, we are seeing many couples forced to postpone their wedding and modify their plans entirely. As overwhelming, stressful, and heartbreaking as it is, this serves as a wonderful example for how insurance — especially a cancellation policy — has your back!

To answer our own question: YES! You do need wedding insurance, specifically a liability policy and a cancellation policy.

What’s the Difference Between Policies?

• Liability Insurance: Generally required from your venue, this pays for damages that may occur at your location during the event in which you or your guests are responsible. It can even cover medical costs should a guest be injured or fall ill at your event. We always see this coverage include liquor liability and if it’s not automatically included, ask your provider about adding it on. Your caterer or bar provider will carry the same policy, but this will further protect you in the case an unfortunate situation arises due to a drunken guest during or following the event.

• Cancellation Policy: This protects you in case you have to cancel or postpone your wedding for any reason outside of your control. Some of these examples include illness, military deployment, weather, strike, injury, and more. It protects your investments you’ve made and covers those nonperishables, like food and flowers! If even goes beyond that cancelled or postponed date by aiding in costs towards a new venue.

Both cover you in different ways, but provide the same sense of protection you will need. All of those worst case scenarios, unexpected blunders, and mishaps that somehow happen, insurance is there for you.

What Does a Cancellation Policy Cover?

Great question — I’m so glad you asked!

A CANCELLATION POLICY COVERS:

• severe weather – this would render it impossible for venues to operate or guests and professionals to travel to your event
• sudden illness of an immediate family member
• lost/ nonrefundable deposits – this covers you in the event that a venue or vendor goes out of business. It also protects you in the event any part of your wedding weekend is cancelled or postponed due to matters outside of your control
• damaged wedding attire
• damage to wedding photos or videos
• damaged or stolen gifts
• extra expenses – for example, a last minute rental of emergency backup generators for a venue that’s lost power

A CANCELLATION POLICY DOES NOT COVER:

• loss or theft of wedding rings – many wedding insurance policies cover special jewelry, but your wedding bands do not fall under this category! These should be covered under a homeowner’s policy.
• inclement weather – while rain during during an outdoor wedding is nowhere on the list of ideals, this would not be covered
• recovering a deposit after switching to a different vendor by own choice

Where Should I Get Wedding Insurance?

We always recommend WedSafe, though we see many who add a policy under their home or auto insurance. The best thing we can advise is to get a quote from both and ensure you’re comparing apples to apples. A platform such as WedSafe specializes in the finer nuances of events, so their policies are a bit more robust for what you’ll need.

We know thinking about the not-so-fun things of planning can be, well, not-so-fun, but the best gift you can give yourself and your guests is the sense of protection, especially with a day that holds so much emotion and value already!

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out and ask!! We’re here to help!

Happy 2020 friends!! Now that we are in a new decade and a new year – one that is sure to go unmatched, by the way – we wanted to talk about Pantone Color of the Year: Classic Blue. Now, when they first announced this color we didn’t have much feeling. Truthfully, we were hoping for something vibrant as we have dubbed this year one for color! The more we thought about it, the more we warmed up to it, so here’s a few ways the Jubilee Events team celebrates the color Classic Blue!

1. Fashion

photo: carla ten eyck // floral: blush floral design // beauty: larissa lake and co.

photo: alicia ann photographers // suit: aldo’s house of formals

photo: alicia ann photographers // dresses: jenny yoo

photo: carla ten eyck // tuxedos: tom ford

Blue is a go-to color for our fashion picks! It’s classic, as the Pantone color name implies, but it’s flattering and fitting for those warmer season weddings. Our eyes certainly pop for a blue suit with a black lapel!

2. Stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // stationery: coral pheasant stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // stationery: coral pheasant stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // stationery: coral pheasant stationery

stationery: coral pheasant stationery

Blue provides a strong presentation for stationery and used in abundance or as an accent, it rounds out any design!

3. Table Design

When I think Classic Blue, my mind instantly flies to the tables we’ve designed. This is where the Pantone color proves to be timeless and versatile!

photos: carla ten eyck // linen + rentals: party rental ltd.

4. Linens + Rentals

photo: brooke allison photography // lounge furniture: gather and lounge // linens: la tavola linen

photos: carla ten eyck // linen + rentals: party rental ltd.

This Pantone color of the year is perfect for linens and rentals! Not only do they make accent pieces, like flowers, candles, and table details really pop, but they also hide any food or drink mishaps perfectly well!

5. Decor + Other Fun Details

photo: orchard cove photography // floral: blush floral design

photo: carla ten eyck // napkin: coral pheasant stationery

photo: carla ten eyck // cake:

If the Pantone Color of the Year is part of your color palette, then there are endless possibilities for your design elements. Through signage, custom cocktail napkins, displays, cake and confections, and more, this color will bring your aesthetic to life!

See more of our favorite Pantone color inspired weddings here!

You’ve had an introductory peek at the Chatfield Hollow Inn, but now it’s time to see just how perfectly this is set up for a wedding or event! Right before we spent the evening with some of our industry friends, we played in the clusters of ferns and BEAUTIFUL birch trees to highlight the property in all its glory.

If words and photos could do this space justice, then we would write about it and share images all day long! Every part of the property has been so meticulously cared for and designed, making it one of the most unique wedding venues our state has to offer. The owner and designer of Chatfield Hollow B and B, Ken, knows how unique each of his couples are and wants to be sure his space offers the same opportunity for customization. So much so that he has a variety of spaces for your ceremony or reception based on your guest count. Each one has been hand built so each of your guests are able to fully experience the beauty behind this location.

As a working farm, this special Connecticut wedding venue offers its couples and vendors the chance to use pieces of the property as part of your day. Their fully operational mushroom garden, peach and apple trees can be enjoyed through your food and beverage menu no matter the season. My favorite part? The peony garden gushing with bright pink and purple peonies that don’t just make a beautiful photo, but an even more stunning aspect of your design!

Our girl Chelsea from Everthine Bridal Boutique with a little behind-the-scenes touch ups. Sometimes all the pieces are just as easy to love as the final product.

Those.FERNS!! They are everywhere around the property, creating the perfect nooks for photos, a first look, or even your ceremony. Even some texture for a bouquet!

And this is Chelsea in all that ferny glory!!

Say hi to Danielle from Gather and Lounge, who has the best collection of vintage furniture and accent decor.

Besides the yards of ferns lining the property, Chatfield Hollow Inn offers an array of ceremony locations, all which have been carefully designed for beautiful views, guest comfortability, and timeless memories. Take a peek at the photos below (thank you, Carla Ten Eyck!!) to get an idea of the magic behind this space!!

This “house” below is the gym at Chatfield Hollow Inn — nicest gym you’ve ever seen right?! It’s also a perfect area for some of your wedding party to get ready!

Chatfield Hollow Inn: A New Connecticut Wedding Venue

Connecticut is home to a variety of unique wedding locations, many of which we’ve been sharing on the blog lately — check a few out here! This state proudly boasts lush vineyards, historic landmarks, and natural barn settings. One of the newest venues is Chatfield Hollow Inn, a one-of-a-kind lodge set on acres of a working farm. Not to be confused with Chatfield Hollow State Park (about 10 minutes away), this charming bed and breakfast is anything but ordinary — lovingly described as “mid century modern meets Daniel Boone” — a very subtle way to say rustic modern eye candy. It’s impossible to take it all in properly during your first visit!

As you pull into this well kept property, you’ll drive through a long, tree-lined driveway, past the fern groves and peony gardens up to the koi pond set right in front of the house. Greenhouses growing assorted veggies and hand built homes to wild birds are just a few of the other things that make this venue stand out. Check out more on their farm here!

The most notable element of Chatfield Hollow Inn is their team. The owner, Ken, is a creative soul whose eye developed the property from the ground up. His team is unlike any other we’ve had the chance to know. Mitch, Tema, and Keith are so inviting and such warm personalities that you’ll find any reason to come spend a weekend at this property!

Chatfield Hollow Inn’s Intro to the Event Industry

Last Spring, we had the opportunity to partner with this venue and fellow vendors to showcase the space to close friends and colleagues, giving a mere taste of what this location is capable of. Set under the clear top tent, we treated ourselves to fresh fare from Riverhouse Catering — much of which was grown on site at the farm. Guests were able to immerse themselves in tours around the inn’s surroundings, some of which include rows of apple trees, rose gardens, and wild mushrooms. Understanding the process of how they grow each is outstanding and they would love to share the story with you at any time!

We start by sharing that evening with you! Our next post provides some inspiration, an introduction of sorts, to what the venue offers its visitors, because there’s no wedding like a Chatfield Hollow Wedding!

VENDOR REEL

Design and Planning: Jubilee Events
Catering: Riverhouse Catering
Tent Decor + Lighting: Drape Art Designs
Furniture: Gather and Lounge
Floral Goodness: Jakkelyn Iris Flowers
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck

Alicia and Corey are on Carats & Cake!!

There’s nothing quite like reliving one of your favorite weddings ever, but, lucky us, today’s the day to do so! Alicia and and Corey are on Carats and Cake with all their gorgeous details. Check it out here! Thank you to the team over at Carats and Cake for sharing!

If you’d like to immerse yourself in a little more eye candy of their home wedding, be sure to visit our recent blog post where we retell the memories of the day!

This wedding certainly would not have been what it was without our amazing team for the day. Sending lots of love to these professionals!!

Home weddings are.our.JAM! We know the ins and outs, we love planning in such sacred locations, and we adore that it strongly requires a design, which means we get to know our couples even better! I was first introduced to Alicia and Corey through Mae, our dear mother of the bride who, we are certain, we could not adore any more! Alicia and Corey lived out of state and while Mae was holding it down in Connecticut, she opened her home for us to design and plan her only daughter’s outdoor wedding, a day we will never forget.

A tented, outdoor wedding allows us to build a home, for our couple and guests. A place where they create memories with one another and share moments of laughter that they won’t soon forget! The best part? Our backyard wedding can truly be anything we want it to be! The story in that tent reflects our couple, and every piece of this classic, beautiful, and inviting aesthetic mirrored Alicia, Corey, and their family!

We are beyond grateful that Mae brought us together because we were treated to the warmest, most hospitable and appreciative group of people! By the end of this wedding, we were looking for any excuse to hang out with this family. Our interest in Bridgewater Chocolate, the hometown delight certainly increased, but you won’t hear any soreness over this out of us!

The Outdoor Wedding Experience

Alicia knew she wanted their day to be memorable… to deliver an experience to their nearest friends and family. This is what we are all about at Jubilee Events, so we knew it was a match made in heaven! An outdoor wedding requires you to plan for a variety of pivotal moments, all that the guests and couple will form a memory around. Beyond the space, you have to consider all the elements that can contribute to everyone’s comfort, like temperature and terrain. Above that, it’s the seamless moments we don’t consciously take note of, but truly impact the moment.

You know the feeling you get when you intend to go out for a cozy dinner with your loved one? You enjoy your time, you soak in the ambiance, and you eat every last morsel of a carefully prepared menu. A well thought out cocktail and glass of wine certainly helps, too, but at the end of the evening, you leave feeling happy and full — in more than one way, as it should be! While it may just be the two of you, this experience can easily be transformed into a larger celebration and that’s exactly what we did.

Our home property was inherently blessed with a natural view that still, to this day, cannot be beat. It set the scene for guests to take in and be present in their surroundings. Yumiko and the girl power team at Hana Floral Design only added to the beauty. Just you wait and see!

From cocktail hour with freshly prepared and local fare (thanks, Gourmet Galley!) to the reception with an equally exciting menu and a band that flat out knocked our socks off! We made sure our couple and all guests were on the dance floor until the very last song. A big shout out to The Party Shop for ALWAYS bringing some serious heat. We love you and your musical stylings from the bottom of our hearts!

We hope everyone enjoys these photos as much as we did living through it! To Alicia, Corey, Mae, and your amazing family, thank you for giving us the opportunity to create magic for you and to see you experience it all! Cheers to many more decades of celebration and happiness! XOXOXO

To learn a little more about our love for home weddings, check us out here and here!

Liz & Jeremy’s Jonathan Edwards Winery Wedding

When we first met with Liz and Jeremy about their wedding at Jonathan Edwards Winery, color became the topic of conversation. We had to have it and it needed to make you smile! We wanted guests to feel the type of energy that you experience when you look forward to a night of merriment with your nearest and dearest!

As the planning process unfolded into the big day, not only had we succeeded in making their event colorful and bright, we celebrated two of the many qualities this couple and their family treated all of us to each step of the way. Never without a smile on their face or a level of excitement that made everyone giddy, this was a family that treated us as part of their own and allowed us to walk away with friendships as strong as ones we were able to witness that night.

The thing I love most about a vineyard wedding is that it invites this natural, organic, relaxed feeling into the day and design. It requires you to stop and embrace your surroundings, enhancing the overall experience!

The Wedding Ceremony

Our design began with a bright color palette that would complement the inherent nature of Jonathan Edwards Winery. Married in between the lush vines, Liz and Jer built a ceremony around what meant most to them and honored their history and future in the most beautifully personal way possible.

Alongside their close friend that officiated the celebration, Liz’s mom, Chief of the Mohegan tribe performed a sacred blessing ritual on their union, bound together tightly by an elected leader. Starting off their adventure with the love and support of their crew had never been so profound. You’ll see we’ve given a special nod below to Liz’s dad, our dear father of the bride. We just cannot get over how much he adores his girls and it certainly shows through these photos. We know if we’re smitten with these memories, then Liz’s family are easily carrying the same fondness in their hearts.

The Wedding Experience

Set under the big top tent at the vineyard, Liz and Jer treated their guests to a fresh, seasonally inspired menu courtesy of A Thyme to Cook. How lucky are we (rather, smart and well planned) to host such a beautiful day in the middle of the best time of year for colorful food! Through personal moments, creative touches, and nonstop dancing, we built a lifetime of memories in a single night, though the only thing that may top those were the smiles Liz and Jeremy shared with each other and with their crew all night long. I’ll never forget the way they looked at one another and can feel that happiness when I get wrapped up in their photos.

Liz and Jer (and the cutest, sweetest family around), thank you so much for sharing your love, your history, and your happiness with us! We will always think of you when we visit or celebrate at Jonathan Edwards Winery! You have a forever place there and in our heart! We wish you all that a million times more as you continue life’s adventure together. XOXO

To see more of our vineyard weddings, check us out here!

Under the Big Top Tent

Over the last 10+ years, we have had the incredible opportunity to meet a variety of couples, their families, and closest friends. Often times, that group of people becomes an extension of our own family. Jenny and Victor, their kind and lovable parents are the perfect poster couple for this great fortune. Aside from their epic carnival wedding that we will detail below, we planned, designed, and celebrated a number of other milestone events together. Their personal backyard engagement party, Jack and Jill (hello, wedding party Olympics), and entire wedding weekend were just a few.

After growing with this family for the last two years, we have been afforded the chance to simultaneously plan events for their second baby on the way and their brilliant baby girl’s first birthday early next year. Like we’ve said before, life is made up of a series of moments with those we love and it is with great honor that we have been a part of so many with this amazing crew!!

Come one, come all: Carnival Wedding

We’ll take it back to October 1st when Jenny and Vic celebrated the start of their own wolf pack with the perfect level of fun they were hoping to treat their guests to. While their wedding held many traditional elements that honored the history of Jenny and Victor’s family and story, there were also quite a number of whimsical twists that this couple gifted their guests.

They had decided that they wanted the emphasis of their wedding to be on the fun had by all their loved ones. We knew it would be easy to accomplish with all of the wonderful vendors and plans we had in our back pocket, but in true Jenny and Victor fashion, they opted to take it a step above and bring everyone to a carnival — rather, bring a carnival to them!

Surprises for All!

We had the best time developing unexpected, yet thoughtful plays on many aspects of their carnival wedding decor! Their ceremony program came complete as a box of fresh popcorn and in place of escort cards, each person had a caricature created, customized with nods to some of their favorite hobbies and pastimes with the couple.

Instead of floral decor, the tables were lined with an array of cotton candy cones for everyone to enjoy. Of course, no carnival wedding is complete without games, a plethora of games (and prizes!), all which sat underneath the big top tent, masterfully decorated by the one and only Drape Art Designs. Check out every strand of ribbon individually placed from top to edge!

The best part of it this day is that their wedding truly represented Jenny and Victor and brought everyone memories that will never be topped. It’s so special to see the unique paths each event takes and this one will go down in our hearts as one of the best!

Jenny and Victor (and the Cormier and Maso family), thank you for giving us the opportunity create something so special and so wonderfully you! This day gave us a relationship and new family that we are honored to not only be a part of, but to witness grow through life. Love you all!

Want to see more of our tented and vineyard weddings, check us out here!