Apr
22
When planning a destination wedding, it can be a challenge to bring all of the ideas you have together. With a unique location, inspiration is not the problem, but rather logistical details. Cassie and Dan had a beautiful vision for their wedding and selected the right team of people to bring it all together. Everything went off without a hitch, a pefect celebration on their much loved Martha’s Vineyard.
The pros:
Church: Old Whaling Church, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard/ Reception: Dr. Daniel Fisher House, Edgartown, MV / After party venue: The Boathouse, Edgartown, MA / Getting ready location: The Wheel House at the Kelley House / Event Planning: Judy Murray of MV Event Planning / Bride’s hair and makeup: Sea Spa, Edgartown / Cake: Kim Garrison, Something Sweet / Wedding Gown: Priscilla of Boston, Boston, Mass / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy Lela Rose Collection / Groom’s attire: Raymond Personal Tailor / Floral & Event Design: Donaroma’s Nursery / Entertainment (ceremony): Eric Johnson / Entertainment (reception): Jon Bates Band and John Alaimo, pianist / Wedding invitations: Goosefish Press, Boston, MA / Save the Dates: Vera Wang / Rehearsal dinner invites: Wedding Paper Divas
Getting ready- Dan at Cassie’s family home and Cassie at her hotel- offered an opportunity to capture details that set the tone for the day.
The letterpress invitations with island details and their unique wedding bands.
This gorgeous white blossom on Cassie’s dress.
And her rustic elegant purple bouquet.
At the family home, little touches like this windchime created a whimsical feel.
The groomsmen’s dress shirts ready and waiting.
All decked out, our groom with his purple rose boutonniere.
At the Old Whaling Church, guests were welcome by this Scottish bag piper.
And the interior was decked out in shades of purple flowers.
A view of the steeple.
And the tent at dusk on the lawn between the church and the Dr. Daniel Fisher House.
Inside, the reception details were ready and gorgeous. I adore this cake with it’s oversized purple flower.
Multiple centerpieces in shades of pink and purples.
Each table named after a favorite MV location.
Favors for the guests- olive oil and a scented candle.
Cocktail tables on the patio of the house were decorated with smaller arrangements.
The party kicked off by the band.
A scrumption dessert bar.
Ending the reception with a sparkler send off.
A beautiful celebration with rustic elegance and whimsy inspired by the island, envisioned by Cassie and Dan, and executed by an amazing team of professionals.
More from Cassie and Dan’s wedding? Check out their Fenway Park e-session, their Chappy Rehearsal Dinner, their Old Whaling Church ceremony, their Daniel Fisher House reception, their Edgartown Boathouse after party and their destination wedding slideshow.
Apr
10
Cassie and Dan’s after party was completely in keeping with the spirit of their destination wedding weekend. It allowed for a more relaxed time to celebrate with their guests who had traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for their wedding. They chose the Edgartown Boathouse and hired out the upstairs so they could spread out and enjoy. The party (with an appropriate boating theme) included more fantastic food and drink, great views, and lots and lots of dancing.
Kicking off the after party with sparklers to send the bride and groom off from the wedding reception, followed by a lovely walk down main street before Cassie went back to her hotel room to change into a party frock.
And a taste of what it felt like in the club. Boating decor abounded.
Sliders=perfect midnight snack.
Fun and games and dancing and more dancing.
And we popped out for a quick photo under the moonlight to end the evening.
I can’t imagine a more perfect celebration weekend for Cassie and Dan. Sunday concluded the festivities with a brunch; we were lucky enough to attend as guests and really enjoyed spending more time with their families and friends- such a fantastic crew of people.
So if you want to see the whole suite of photos together. Check out their Fenway Park e-session, their Chappy Rehearsal Dinner, their Old Whaling Church ceremony, their Daniel Fisher House reception and their destination wedding slideshow.
Apr
07
When you have a destination wedding, as Cassie and Dan did, the rehearsal dinner becomes a true extension of the wedding celebration. For these two, it was about sharing what they love most about Martha’s Vineyard. They wanted a quintessential island feel and chose the Chappy Beach Club as the setting. In addition to a great selection of food (from raw oysters to ice cream by the scoop), they asked guests to come in their best Vineyard attire. And they even showcased old world sailors’ songs to get the guests really enthused. It was a fabulous evening all around.
If you want more from this amazing wedding weekend, check out their destination wedding slideshow and the stories on the blog (1 and 2). And don’t miss out on their Fenway Park engagement session.
Still to come, the after party.
Mar
05
You really can’t go wrong when you get married at a Castle. So when Ayesha and Jon chose Searles for their backdrop, they knew they had found the perfect spot to celebrate their wedding ceremony and their reception.
The ceremony was held on the lawn to the left of the castle. Well actually the ceremony was held on the castle wall and the guests were seated on the lawn. They blended Ayesha’s South Asian traditions with Jon’s Christian ones, bringing together their two cultures in a beautiful way.
The bridesmaids entered first.
Followed by two of Ayesha and Jon’s adorable neices and nephews as flower girl and ring bearer. And then followed by Ayesha and her dad.
Especially love this shade of red accentuated by the creamy roses.
Groomsman watching the proceedings.
And back to the ceremony. Ayesha’s dad ties she and Jon (hidden behind her dad in this image) together. Love her dad’s quiet smile and her huge one!
Jon’s mom offers her own blessing. More wonderful smiles. Jon looks so happy and proud. And his mom his radiant.
A reading.
Jon puts Ayesha’s ring on her finger.
Sweet kiss.
And celebration.
After the ceremony, Ayesha changed into her western wedding dress. Jon got to see her for the first time, again.
After a few portraits and a little time alone, they joined their guests in the tent for their first dance.
A speech by Ayesha’s best brides’ man.
And because they met at Ohio State and had their fabulous peers at the wedding. We had to do at least one photo for their alma mater.
With such a beautiful setting and a lovely evening, we had to take advantage for one night photograph in front of the castle. Fortunately, Ayesha and Jon were very happy to oblige. I guess the kiss didn’t hurt our cause.
Such a great day and evening, filled with joy and color and magic. What else would you expect at a castle!
Special thanks to Ayesha and Jon for including us in your festivities. And to all of the pros who helped to make their day wonderful…
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Shaun and Scott from Searles Castle / Officiants: Sri Lankan Ceremony – Mr. Bogamuwa, Exchange of Vows – John Morse / Caterer: Shaun and Scott from Searles Castle / Cake: Jani from Jacques Pastries / Ceremony Floral Design: Susanne from Susanne’s Weddings / Lighting Design: Boston Uplights / Ceremony Musicians and Band/DJ: Chris D from NuImage Entertainment / Hair & Makeup: Brandon and Karla from Brandon Keith Salon / Bride & Bridesmaids Sarees brought in from overseas / Groom and Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: Lindsay from Men’s Wearhouse / Save the Dates: Wedding Paper Divas
If you would like to see more from Ayesha and Jon’s South Asian wedding, check out their Searles Castle Wedding sneak peek and their dog-friendly engagment session.
Feb
23
Cassie and Dan’s hometown destination wedding on Martha’s Vineyard was truly picture perfect. From the Chappy rehearsal dinner (photos to come) to the wedding day to the Sunday brunch, Edgartown’s waterviews, white washed buildings and picket fences, and amazing skies provided a gorgeous backdrop for their celebration.
Picking up after the ceremony with a view of the Old Whaling Church, and our happy couple now as husband and wife.
A few portraits around the Daniel Fisher Estate before joining the guests in the tented reception.
First dance.
I don’t blame Cassie’s mom one bit. I felt it too.
Toasts by the Best Man and Cassie’s sisters. There were tears and…
laughter. Actually lots and lots of laughter.
Celebrating with our groom.
Dancing with her dad.
Dan with his mom. So sweet.
Observing and remembering.
The dancing got underway and this crew definitely knew how to have a good time.
The send off began with a group familial hug. Such joy and love!
And continued with sparklers and cheers.
How could you not be smiling after seeing this gorgeous day? And yet, if you want more smiles, you will have to come back because the after party was an absolute blast too.
In the meantime, check out their engagement session at Fenway Park and the getting ready and ceremony on Martha’s Vineyard for more fun photos.
Jan
29
For Cassie and Dan’s wedding, location was everything. And rarely is the setting of the wedding so personal and meaningful, especially when it is a destination wedding. You see, Dan is from Martha’s Vineyard and Cassie’s family has a place on the island, so they have both basically grown up on its beaches. Of course, they also met there. Though they now live in Boston, their ties to this beautiful place are deep and unbreakable. It was truly the perfect location for their wedding. And now a peek at their magical day…
Dan got ready at Cassie’s parents’ house with the rest of the groomsmen, and their two pups. Tank smiles for the camera with Dan prepping in the background.
Cassie and her girls were at a hotel in town. The place had that special beach house quality to it. So when her flowers arrived, I thought it would be perfect to use the surroundings to show them off. Love the whimsy in her bouquet.
Upstairs the ladies prepped and primped.
Cassie checking our her hair and make-up.
The ladies hopped on board the trolley to go see the guys and do a couple of portraits. One of the most beautiful locations for a first look ever.
He’s already smiling and he hasn’t even seen her yet.
And then his smile gets even bigger.
Loving everything about this spot. All the way down to the grasses.
Everyone hopped back on the trolley to go to the Old Whaling Church, where they would celebrate their wedding. The views were beautiful. Loving the beach umbrella in this image.
More sweetness from our couple.
Just before they make their way onto the stage.
Cassie with her dad… two perspectives.
Such a pretty spot. Absolutely fits with the look and feel of Edgartown.
Happily married!
So this is just the beginning, because I have so much more to share from Cassie and Dan’s beautiful wedding- the reception at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House, the after-party in a private club by the water, and even the rehearsal dinner on Chappy. Check back soon.
Jan
18
From our engagement session, I already knew a bit about how Ayesha and Jon were as a couple, and as parents to their pup Lucy. They are easy-going and each has a calming presence, but they also like to play and laugh. They are generally just really nice to be around. On their wedding day, we got to see another side of them. They were all of those things and more; they were gracious, warm hosts and even took care of us (totally not necessary but very much appreciated).
The day was hot, really steamy kind of hot, but night came and brought a bit of relief. Fortunately they also chose an absolutely gorgeous venue, which lifted sticky spirits and added to the whimsy and romance of the day.
We started with Ayesha as she was getting ready at the hotel. I had my first chance to see a woman dressed in a Sari. For South Asian brides (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, etc), this is the customary wedding attire. Can I just say- it is one stunning dress! Oh and it takes about 20-30 minutes to put on with the help of a professional.
Ayesha’s bridesmaids also got to wear these beautiful garments, though modified so they were a bit easier to put on.
The boys had it easy- tuxes. Still they look awfully good on this crew.
I especially love the contrast and vibrancy of the reds.
Having chosen to see each other before the ceremony, Ayesha and Jon had their first look amongst the castle walls.
Big smile from Jon when Ayesha told him he could turn around and see her.
Equally huge smile from Ayesha.
The girls hanging and enjoying the day.
I love the way these two hold hands, so sweet.
Yup, pretty stunning here.
Too bad, ladies, he’s taken.
Melts my heart.
We went back up to the main house to get ready for the ceremony. The light was beautiful and so was our bride.
A quiet moment before things really get underway.
More to come from the outdoor ceremony and the tented reception.
Jan
24
If you loved all the varied uses of pinks from Maren and Steve’s "Special Touches," just wait til you see their flowers. All of the texture and softness and beauty. Plus, I am adding a bonus to spark your appetite with some of my favorite food images.
Part 2- Flowers and Food
First the flowers, pinks perfect for a summer wedding.
Loving the lushness of our bride’s bouquet. And check out our groom’s boutonniere.
The walk down the aisle was just perfect with these flower baskets hanging from the seats.
Sweet flower girl with her soft pink roses bouquet.
They brought the pails from the ceremony to place on the cocktail hour tables.
The dinner setting was just perfect. Some tables had tall centerpieces, some with petite centerpieces, all set off by the crystal chandeliers.
One of the tall centerpieces. The use of greens and whites add depth to the arrangement.
Along the fireplace, the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets were placed in glass vases tied with pink ribbons.
And now for a few sweet, yummy morsels. Maren’s caterer- Blue Rocks Catering- was fantastic. The food both looked and tasted (what we were able to enjoy) amazing!
Oh and her beautiful cake. A perfect combination of the food and the flowers!
And one last favorite, which I think shows how perfectly her floral choices fit with the grounds of the Glen Manor House…
More thank you’s to their amazing team of experience professionals:
Ceremony and Reception Site: Katie Wilkinson from the Glen Manor House
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
Invitations, place cards, save the dates- aka the full design suite: Steve Reepmeyer
Want more? Check out their slideshow, PicFlick. Or on the blog, their engagement session, sneak preview, scoop and details: part 1.
Jan
11
Maren and Steve pulled together one of those stylish weddings that most brides dream of. Their ceremony and reception were held in a fairytale estate with beautiful grounds. So here’s a little inspiration from their special day.
Part 1- The Special Touches
First off, pinks were the order of the day- from mauve to pastel- subtle shades and hues of luscious pink. More on the flowers in a later post (also pretty in pink).
The full compliment of paper products- invitation, save the dates, name cards and more.
Bird cage for collecting cards.
Programs.
Maren’s shoes with a hint of turquoise. This was a beautiful accent color to the pinks, and only used in two spots. Her something blue.
Her purse also with turquoise. She added the little hummingbird pin, a nice touch of whimsy.
Now check out their venue. The Glen Manor House is nothing short of stunning.
Loving the period details throughout, reminiscent of a French country estate.
The view of the ceremony lawn from the back patio, where the cocktail hour was held.
The back patio. Maren and Steve bought all of the lounge furniture and pillows to ensure it would have just the feel they were going for.
Twinkling in the evening.
A beautiful celebration such as this simply can’t be pulled off without a team of experienced professionals. Special thanks to all:
Ceremony and Reception Site: Katie Wilkinson from the Glen Manor House
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
Invitations, place cards, save the dates- aka the full design suite: Steve Reepmeyer
Want more? Check out their slideshow, PicFlick. Or on the blog, their engagement session, sneak preview and scoop.
Aug
17
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.
The guests also couldn’t wait to see Steve’s reaction to Maren’s entrance.
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.
Gotta love the folks who bring out the laughter.
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.
Oh wait, make that 3 kisses.
We snuck away for a few portraits on the grounds.
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.
A private toast before they joined their guests.
The cocktail hour was enjoyed on the back lawn and guests spread out to all of the outdoor spaces, really enjoying the property.
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.
Loving the playfulness that comes with children.
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.
A quick portrait on the steps with the whole bridal party. The kids are simply too cute.
For that matter, so is Maren. This moment during their first dance is hilarious. Maren is perfectly in character.
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.
Dinner was served.
And guests wandered in and out of the ballroom, the dining rooms, and the outdoor spaces on this perfectly lovely evening.
What it actually means to be married I think. Too funny.
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.
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.
