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Being their Guest

Brace yourself. This one’s a long one. I just couldn’t help myself. Too much fun. Too many beautiful spaces. Too many wonderful people. So there are a few more than usual.

Maren and Steve planned an absolutely stunning destination wedding at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, RI. Their guests traveled from far and farther to celebrate with them and were treated to a weekend getaway celebration. Care was given to the smallest of details (each guest had their own personalized itinerary) and thought to the feel of the whole event. Spaces were created for relaxation, for dancing, for socializing. More on all of that later in a details blog post. For now, I want you to be able to get a sense of what it was like to be a guest at this wonderful wedding. And the answer is nothing short of amazing.

As I skipped ahead to Maren’s entrance in my last blog, I thought I would take a step back because I love this moment before Steve enters. The anticipation gives me goosebumps.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- groom waits as his bride prepares to walk down the aisle- glen manor house portsmouth ri

The guests also couldn’t wait to see Steve’s reaction to Maren’s entrance.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- eyes on the groom as bride enters- glen manor house - portsmouth ocean side

The ceremony was full of smiles and tears. When Maren and Steve brought each mom a specially embroidered handkerchief and white rose, Steve’s mom already had tears on her cheeks. So Maren helped wipe them away. Steve’s love and understanding of his mom came out in his smile.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- bride and groom give gift to mom during ceremony in the garden at the glen manor house

Gotta love the folks who bring out the laughter.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- 2 guests photograph the photographer at glen manor house ceremony- portsmouth

At the end of the ceremony, Maren and Steve had not one, but two kisses, and then this very tender look as they enjoyed their new husband and wife status.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- bride looks at groom during the ceremony at the glen manor house - amidst the gardens in the summer

Oh wait, make that 3 kisses.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- bride and groom kiss as walk down the aisle after their ceremony in the gardens of the glen manor house

We snuck away for a few portraits on the grounds.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- bride and groom walking in the garden of the glen manor house in portsmouth ri

Immediately it felt like Maren and Steve were meant to be on this estate. They were so at ease at the Glen and comfortable in the space. It fit like a glove.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- bride and groom snuggle up in the window overlooking the courtyard at the glen manor house mansion in rhode island

A private toast before they joined their guests.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- bride and groom enjoy a private toast during the cocktail hour at the glen manor house in rhode island

The cocktail hour was enjoyed on the back lawn and guests spread out to all of the outdoor spaces, really enjoying the property.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- cocktail hour on the side lawn of the glen manor house in portsmouth

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- guests enjoy the gardens during the cocktail reception at the glen manor house

Steve and Maren were such excellent hosts. It seemed as if they had invited all of their nearest and dearest to their private country estate. They really took ownership of the celebration, graciously welcoming their guests.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- groom talks with guests at glen manor house cocktail reception in portsmouth this summer

Loving the playfulness that comes with children.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- tossing the ring bearer at the portsmouth glen manor house

And the sweetness. I can just imagine the conversation, something along the lines of "You look like a princess" from one of the ladies. Followed by "So do you," from the other.

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A quick portrait on the steps with the whole bridal party. The kids are simply too cute.

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For that matter, so is Maren. This moment during their first dance is hilarious. Maren is perfectly in character.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- hamming it up during the first dance- aint that a kick in the head

Loved hearing the story of how they chose the first song. Steve had requirements, well really just one. He didn’t want a song that would make him cry. Something upbeat fit the bill and as he liked Dean Martin, "Ain’t that a Kick in the Head" seemed a perfect choice. It was all fun, no tears.

As it turns out, his mom had similar requirements. So Steve surprised her with his favorite song from his childhood, Elvis Presley’s "Teddy Bear." The crowd, and his mom, loved it.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- dancing with his mom- groom and mog are all smiles in the ballroom

Dinner was served.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- sit- down formal dinner at the glen manor house with water views

And guests wandered in and out of the ballroom, the dining rooms, and the outdoor spaces on this perfectly lovely evening.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- guests enjoying the party- glen manor house portsmouth ri

What it actually means to be married I think. Too funny.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- what being married actually means- glen manor house

Just as we were about to depart, Steve broke out the cigars. He was hanging out with his friends- the whole group of guys, and gals, enjoyed a celebratory smoke.

maren-steve-destination-wedding-newport-ri- groom celebrates with a cigar at portsmouth reception- glen manor house

Oh, what a night! And day, for that matter. This was such a wonderfully joyful wedding. I am so glad we could be a part of it. Many, many thanks to Maren and Steve for including us.

Additional gratitude goes to all of the professionals who helped make their day so fabulous. Each and every person was amazingly talented and wonderful to work with. Honestly I think Maren said it best though. "I just want to invite them all to Thanksgiving dinner." Now if that isn’t high praise.

A very special shout out of thanks to Katie Wilkinson the manager of their ceremony and reception venue, the Glen Manor House. What a joy it was to work with you! Everything was impeccable.

Getting Ready location: Kate Jenkins of the Pelham Court Hotel
Caterer: Ingrid Martins of Blue Rocks Catering
Cake: Kate Repko from Cappuccino’s
Floral Design: Sayles Livingston of Sayles Livingston Flowers
DJ: Sidney Posey of DeeJays Etc.
Ceremony Musicians: Crystal Pascucci and Quartetto Vivo
Hair and Make-up: Wavelengths Salon & Spa
Wedding dress designer and salon: Simone Carvalli; Maria Spyridopolous of Sabella Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses and salon: Watters & Watters; Cheri Amor of Perfect Bridal
Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse & Tuxedo

And the knock your socks off invitations, place cards, save the dates- aka the full design suite put together for their wedding, by none other than our groom, a professional designer by trade, Steve Reepmeyer.

So honestly truthfully, I had such a hard time narrowing these down for the blog. I really hope you will check out their slideshow and their PicFlick. And if you haven’t yet seen their engagement session, definitely check that out.

The Wedding that Spanned Two Decades: into 2010

Jackie and Scott’s fabulous New Year’s Eve wedding at the Boston Intercontinental Hotel was an absolute blast. The perfect way to kick off the next year and the next decade. We finished off our last entry with the church ceremony. The newlyweds hopped into the limo with their entourage and started the party. Truly, the limo was hopping with dance music and laughter. We made it to the hotel and were all set for a fun portrait session.

All of the family and friends who were needed for portraits hung out together during cocktail hour. The boys had a good time messing with Scott.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- groom with his buddies- waterfront of boston mass

A few of Jackie and Scott enjoying their newlywed status. So sweet together.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- bride and groom portraits- waterfront hotel boston ma

Before the guests came into the ballroom, we wanted to capture the magic created by Winston Flowers for Jackie and Scott. The winter theme was gorgeous. Jackie had given Ryan and Pam a few guidelines as to what she was looking for, but they totally exceded her expectations with all of the special details- from orchids dripping from the tall arrangements to silver globes and varied candle styles and heights.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- ballroom with winter themed decor- boston massachusetts

At our planning meeting before the wedding, there had been some discussion about the song they would choose for their first dance. And while I watched them dance, I knew the song actually didn’t matter. They were so in the moment, so with each other; their dance was only about them.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- bride and groom first dance at waterfront hotel ballroom- boston ma

Toasts soon followed and the best man got everyone’s attention with jokes and surprises galore.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- groom listening to speech at new year's eve wedding in boston ma

Stealing a kiss after the cake cutting.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- bride and groom kiss after cutting the cake- winter theme of whites and layers and texture- boston mass

The dance floor was soon mobbed and guests enjoyed all of the hoopla of the night. I love the way this photo Dave created captures the energy on the dance floor.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- guests dance at new year's eve wedding in boston ma

A bit of romance. I am a complete sucker for couples who get into the specialness of a wedding.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- romance among guests at new year's eve winter wedding- boston ma

New Year’s Eve in Boston is not known to be the warmest of times. In fact it snowed earlier in the day, but this crew could not be stopped. They wanted a photo outside by the waterfront and the holiday decorations. So we took the party on the road; everyone had such a good time.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- bride and entourage heading outside for photos at new year's eve wedding- boston waterfront

Did I say party? Yes. Definitely. Dancing like you wouldn’t believe. Dancing with smiles.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- guests have great time dancing new year's eve- boston waterfront hotel

Dancing with hats.

js_boston_intercontinental_wedding- new year's eve celebration for winter wedding in boston ma

Dancing that turned into kissing at midnight!

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What a truly amazingly fun evening! And from what I hear the party continued well into 2010, with everyone hanging out ’til dawn.

Huge congratulations to Jackie and Scott, and to your family! And also many, many thanks for including us in your wonderful celebration. We adore you guys.

Also much gratitude to all of the professionals who contributed to this wonderful New Year’s Eve wedding:

Reception Site: Paul Melino and Ralph Black and their team at the Boston Intercontinental Hotel
Ceremony Site: Father Farrell of Our Lady of Assumption
Hair: Bobby Pinkham and Marie of Skin for All Seasons
Make-up: Jessica Russo from Bobbi Brown
Bride’s gown: Vera Wang Boston
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Vera Wang Boston
Groom and groomsmen’s tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse
Cake: Ellen Bartlett from Cakes to Remember
Floral Design and decor: Ryan Zoeller and Pam Boudreau from Winston Flowers
Lighting design: Paul from Boston Uplights
DJ: Peter Accolla from Nulmage Entertainment
Invitations: Arabella Papers
Save the dates: Mark Harris Stationers

Want to see more from Jackie and Scott’s New Year’s Eve wedding? Check out their slideshow and their PicFlic on facebook.

The Wedding that Spanned Two Decades

When Jackie and Scott chose to get married on New Year’s Eve 2010, they selected a night that would symbolize all of the things that weddings are meant to be- a tribute to their history, the start of something new, a celebration of family and love and joy. Really I can’t think of a more perfect way to start the next decade than a wedding. And they had one hell of a good time at their party. But I am getting ahead of myself.

So let’s begin with 2009, the last day of the 00′s decade. We had snow that day; it is Boston after all. So our New Year’s Eve was freshly painted with white. A scene setting image from the ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel, where Jackie was getting ready and would later celebrate with family and friends.

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- winter view from new year's eve reception in boston ma

Then up to her amazing suite to put on her dress. I captured a few of the details. First the shoes

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- bride's shoes in her room during getting ready in boston massachusetts

And then her Vera Wang dress. Absolutely loved the style and it looked amazing on Jackie. The lines like a sunburst from the side are quite flattering.

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- vera wang wedding gown in bride's getting room- boston mass

When Jackie was all set, we headed off to the church. She looked fabulous; even had the perfect wool coat to keep her warm.

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- bride on her way to her wedding ceremony at church in the north shore of boston ma

Meanwhile, Scott was already at the church, preparing for the ceremony to begin.

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- groom waiting to enter wedding ceremony at church north of boston ma

Jackie was accompanied into the church. Note all of the fabulous candles and the beautiful display at the front of the church. Winston Flowers created the decor and winter theme for Jackie’s wedding and they did an absolutely phenomenal job- they brought the look together with lights, candles, greens, whites, silvers, and blues in all sorts of textures. Amazing!

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- bride enters church- candles lit around the entrance- decor by winston flowers- boston ma

Jackie and Scott had a Catholic ceremony at her family church north of Boston. I love the way Winston decorated the church interior. As you entered, you walked through an archway of greens dripping with crystals in fabulous glass vases. You felt like you were walking into a magical space.

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- bride and groom through the greenery at catholic church ceremony- flowers and decor by winston flowers- boston ma

Jackie and Scott were so cute during the ceremony; they found lots to enjoy and smile about.

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- bride and groom during ceremony at catholic church on new year's eve- northshore of boston ma

Happy Newlyweds!

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I have to leave with one little teaser image of what’s to come. Jackie had one wish for her wedding decor and she honestly didn’t think she was going to be able to get it. She wanted an escort card table of acrylic. She had seen a picture of one during her planning and totally fell in love with it. When she told Ryan and Pam of Winston Flowers, they made her dream come true. And wow!!!

js_intercontinental_boston wedding- winston flowers acrylic guest card table- winter theme- white silver orchids- boston ma

Definitely check back as we party all night long with Jackie and Scott, bid a fond farewell to 2009 and say hello to 2010. More amazing photos to come!

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