Rustic Fall Wedding at Stonover Farm in Lenox MA :: Surprise Dinosaur Parade :: Sneak Peek :: Lexie and Mike

Lexie loves parades. And leading up to their wedding, Mike and Lexie would joke about incorporating their own parade into the day. We all have those inside jokes with our partners.. but it's just something to joke about, right? Not this time!

Mike surprised Lexie with a Jurassic Park themed parade right at the end of their wedding ceremony. Just after they were officially pronounced husband and wife and had kissed, the doors to the barn at Stonover Farm flew open. A T-Rex holding a conductors wand walked out followed by staff members who quickly handed out balloons and inflatable dinosaurs to guests. Their musically talented friends and family were in on it too! As Lexie and Mike came down the aisle the 'band' stood, holding the instruments that had been tucked away beneath the benches, and started to play a lively song fit for a parade! Other guests were given noise makes before the ceremony to sound too.

Lexie's reaction was absolutely priceless! It was so incredible to watch. She burst out laughing and you could just feel all of the joy and love in that moment. You could see how happy Mike was to have been able to surprise Lexie with her very own wedding day parade. And as Lexie and Mike made their way toward cocktail hour, the T-Rex band conductor followed behind, leading their parade of wedding guests!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Stonover Farm in Lenox, Ma
Catering and Planning: Mezze Catering & Events
Florist: Bloom Floral Design
Wedding Gown from Madeleine's Daughter Bridal Salon in Portsmouth, NH
Pre- Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Carubia Brass Band and Dixie Land Jazz
Wedding Reception Band: The Lonely Heartstring Band
Wedding Cake: Austin Bayliss
Lighting Designer: Julie Seitel
Audio Engineer & Sound Equipment -  Darren O'Brien from Encore Audio
Rentals from Classical Tents & Party Goods and New England Country Rentals
Bridal Accessories and Second Wedding Gown from from BHLD
Groom's Attire from 9tailors in Boston Ma
Best Man and Man of Honor's attire from Men's Wearhouse
Transportation: Dufour Bus Co.

Rustic September Wedding at Maplewood Farm :: Private Family Farm with a Beautiful Hilltop Ceremony :: Lizzie and Eric

Thinking about what to write here about Lizzie and Eric's wedding day is actually a bit of an overwhelming moment for me. These two had such a fun, unique wedding celebration and there's just so many details and so many moments that are worth sharing.. where do you even begin?

Lizzie and Eric really have a laid back warm nature and you can tell that they really value living in the moment together. Their way of planning and playing with wedding traditions, to truly make them their own, made so much of their wedding really unique and beautiful. It was something you could see at the very start of the day when they opted not to have any kind of formal first look but instead start the day with a champagne toast together with their wedding party and families. And their wedding venue.. Maplewood Farm is the home that Lizzie grew up in. It's easy to say that getting ready in her childhood home, having a hilltop ceremony overlooking the property, and celebrating in a tent set between the house and barn added to how meaningful the day was. 

The styling, some of which you can see below, was elegant while also speaking to who they are as a couple, from the books (each meaningful) that marked the tables at the reception to what their wedding party wore (a color palette focused on blue and green, think 'earthy elegant', that each person kept in mind while getting to choose their own outfit and style). The florals were wild yet composed and there were flower crowns of baby's breath for each of the ladies. These two even forged each other's wedding bands! They worked on them with  Stephanie of With These Rings and each crafted a ring with the other in mind.. the design incorporating engraving or texture to communicate extra meaning.

There were also some really unforgettable moment that I have been so excited to share! In the field beside their ceremony site a little after they got to say 'I do', their wedding party held hands and danced around the newly weds. I realize that it sounds a little corny, but they were all in on that, embracing the silliness, and it was so much such fun! Just check out the huge, smiles on Lizzie and Eric's faces below! This was a first for me and now I hope that it isn't a last. Another standout of the day was during the toasts at the end of dinner. Lizzie's brother and sister shared some stories, some truly touching words, followed by an amazingly funny video (think a montage of singing/dancing) that had the entire tent laughing and crying. But that wasn't it. They ended it with, what would most accurately be described as, a flash mob. They started dancing and then other guests joined in, only a couple at first and then it slowly built until the dance floor was full, in a choreographed dance for the bride and groom!

What a fun, memorable celebration! Congratulations again Lizzie and Eric!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Maplewood Farm, the Bride's Family Farm
Florist: Barry Webber
Band for Reception: Silver Arrow Band
Caterer: The Old Inn on the Green
Rentals (Tent, tables, benches, chairs, plates, and silverware) from Tents Unlimited, Torrington CT
Wedding Gown by Rue de Seine from The Dress Theory
Bride's Shoes by Eric Michael
Groom's Suit by Bonobos
Bridesmaid Dresses and Groomsmen's Suits were self selected with a focus on blues and greens
Wedding Bands forged by the Bride and Groom with help from Stephanie of With These Rings
Wedding Favors: Maple syrup from Maplewood Farm

Water's Edge Resort and Spa Wedding :: Oceanside Summer Wedding in Westbrook, Connecticut :: Jamie and Tom

When the forecast was calling for a constant down pour, 40 mph winds, and, well, a hurricane for the day of Jamie and Tom's wedding, I reached out to Jamie to go over the plan. She could not have been any calmer about the possibility of the weather as we talked about umbrellas and boots. I feel like that came from the knowledge that she was about to marry Tom, her best friend, in just a couple of days. So, yes the weather might add some stress, but it was all going to work out. And the best part was, on Sunday morning, I woke up, checked the weather, and saw it would be a beautiful day with 0% chance of rain and clear skies!

Everything about Jamie and Tom's wedding day was beautiful, not just the weather! Look at how gorgeous these two are, Jamie in her gown and Tom in his tux, and the huge smiles on their faces throughout the day, but especially just after they got to say 'I do'. The way they looked at each other, so in love. The touching ceremony that was performed by a family friend, Sean, who Jamie has known most of her life. A fun, choreographed dance that Jamie and Tom practiced and then nailed as they started out their reception. Gotta love those dips! Heartfelt toasts that spoke to the love between Jamie and Tom, their quirks, and how they truly compliment each other. There was so much support and so much love for these two. It's a day that, even in recalling it to write this, has me smiling again!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, CT
Officiant: Sean O'laoire
Hair and Makeup by Simply Gorgeous by Erin
Florist: Tulips Floral Design Studio
Wedding Gown by Essense of Australia from The Wedding Dress in Portland, CT
Bridesmaid Dresses by Bill Levkoff from Mariella Creations
Groom's Attire from by Vera Wang from Men's Wearhouse

Classic Summer Wedding Ceremony at the Newtown Meeting House :: Reception at The Waterview in Monroe, CT :: Kristin and John

As Kristin walked down the aisle on Saturday and John saw her for the first time, tears forming as he watched her, the emotion, the love between them, was so obvious. And that was just the beginning of the day! I got to witness so many smiles and looks (you know those looks, the kind that communicate everything you're feeling to your partner in, what feels like, your own private language) throughout the whole day. It's so beautiful to see two people, especially people as sweet as Kristin and John, so in love! 

Reception Venue: The Waterview in Monroe, CT
Ceremony Venue: Newtown Meeting House in Newtown, CT
Officiant: Uniquely Yours - John Wentland
Floral Arrangements by Flowers by Danielle, LLC
DJ for the Reception: CT Party Pros, LLC
Hair Styling by Snips and Tips from Wolcott, Connecticut
Makeup by Forever Flawless Artistry
Wedding Gown by Maggie Sottero from Mariella Creations in Rocky HIll, CT
Bride's Shoes by Badgley Mischka
Groom's Attire from Men's Wearhouse
Videographer: Reminisce Video Productions
Wedding Favors: Coasters from Beau-Coup