Real Wedding: Fran + James in Massachusetts

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Kate

Today’s feature wedding showcases another amazing, non-traditional wedding venue; a sculpture garden! Captured by Krista Photography, Fran and James were married on a beautiful July day at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts (just outside of Boston). The couple wanted to have a super fun wedding while maintaining a stylish aesthetic, and the sculpture park provided the perfect setting. Following a great planning effort, on their wedding day, Fran and James were able to sit back and enjoy the day, trusting that all the details were in place. I love all the modern details and the gorgeous color palette of purples and blues!

A story of the day from the bride:

It was of utmost importance that we create a day that was not only special for us but memorable and enjoyable for our friends and family. With only 7 months to plan the event, we still can’t believe that we pulled it off. The critical piece of our planning puzzle was choosing a great venue. From the start, we knew we wanted a location that was a bit non-traditional, and that would give our guests something fun and interesting to experience. The deCordova fit us perfectly. From the moment we toured the venue we knew that it was exactly what we were looking for. We were able to have our ceremony and reception outside in view of the sculpture park and its installations, while still using the indoor gallery space for the cocktail hour and photo booth-guestbook. This gave our friends and family the chance to get away from the hectic energy of a big Greek Orthodox-Russian Jewish festival and explore the quirky contemporary art the museum has to offer. And, crucially, it provided a perfect backdrop for Krista’s wonderful photography.

Once we had found our venue, the design elements came into place pretty easily. With over 160 guests in attendance, we knew that personalizing the event would be a serious undertaking. But we were determined to to have as many DIY details as possible. We had a great time creating many of the details of the day including the wedding ceremony, family photo display, photo booth props, and place card display. Etsy was also a huge source of inspiration for just about everything. We also used accents of moss and birch, polka dots, and sunflowers throughout. One of the many highlights was the fabulous photo booth supplied by our friends at J and B Photo Booth. We were able to create various personalized signs and props for guests to use which added to the fun. The photos were incorporated into guestbook and have provided us with endless hours of laughter. And, since our favorite part of any party or night out is the eating, we put a lot of effort into making sure the food, cocktails, and oyster bar would satisfy our cravings. Every decision was made with an eye towards a sort of sophisticated whimsy. Our wedding day was more than we had ever anticipated – a true reflection of our personalities. It was so gratifying to see our creative visions materialize into reality and to share it all with our loved ones.

Photographer: Krista Photography
Ceremony + Reception Venue: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Catering: La Fete Catering
Bridal Gown Designer: Judd Waddell
Bridal Gown Store: Allegria Bridal
Bridal Shoes: J.Crew
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Amsale
Bridesmaid Dress Store: Allegria Bridal
Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss
Groom’s Shoes: Ted Baker
Groomsmen Suits: Calvin Klein
Cake Designer: Konditor Meister
Floral Designer: Fino Fresh Floral Design
Makeup Artist: Deb Houghton
Hair Stylist: Wedding Tresses
Invitation Designer: Paper Source
DJ: Brendan Howard at Murray Hill Talent
Lighting: Boston Uplights
Band: Makredes Ensemble
String Quartet: Keros Entertainment
Photobooth Rental: J and B Photo Booth
Officiant: Rabbi Irving Luchans and Peter Cakridas, uncle
Oysters: Island Creek Oysters
Groom’s Wedding Band: E.B. Horn
Bride’s Wedding Band: DeScenza Diamonds

All images by Krista Photography
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Real Wedding: Jessica + Tim in Cambridge

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Kate

I love that this wedding is a true reflection of the couple’s interests! Photographed by Sargent Photoworks, Jessica and Tim were married last June at Harvard University’s Adams House in Cambridge, Massachusetts. From the groom pedaling the bride to the ceremony, to the selection of craft beer served at the reception, every part of this wedding was selected to capture Jessica and Tim’s personalities. Be sure to read the entire wedding story from the bride:

“We wanted to have the wedding somewhere that meant something to both of us and was easily accessible in the city. I lived in Adams House for my last three years of college, and Tim and I met at Harvard, though he lived in Cabot House. The wedding was officiated by Dr. Sean Palfrey who is the Master of Adams House and a professor at Boston University; he is a supportive, nurturing person for all the students who live in Adams and has the right mix of gravitas and humor to be a great officiant!

To get to the wedding from the B&B we were staying at, Tim biked me there in a Mexican cargo bike we borrowed from friends. Bikes are a big part of our non-car lifestyle and something that’s very important to us, so we wanted to make sure to incorporate them somehow. Tim started and ran the bike shop on Harvard’s campus, and we both bike for transportation and travel.

Many of the other people involved in the wedding were also close to us. Our DJ Caleb Epps (who’s a musician and sound designer) was Tim’s college roommate. Crimson Catering is the catering division of Harvard University Dining Services where I worked for three years after college, and it was wonderful to work with people I knew. And our cake baker, Danish Pastry House, is a vendor at the farmers market that I started at Harvard as part of my work there. It was a friend-filled affair and very personal which is just what we wanted.

Lastly, we’re big craft beer fans and so chose carefully there with four of our favorites: Allagash White (Maine), Victory Golden Monkey (Pennsylvania), Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (Delaware), and Sam Adams Boston Lager (Massachusetts). Three of our four wines were from California where we now live, and one from a winery where our friend was until recently the vineyard manager: Terre Rouge.”

Photographer: Sargent Photoworks
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Adams House, Harvard University
Catering: Crimson Catering
Bridal Gown Designer: Mignonette Bridal
Groom and nephews’ ties: Erin Salez
Cake Designer: Danish Pastry House
Floral Designer: Bow Street Flowers
Hair Stylist: A.Quinn Hair Studios
DJ: Caleb Epps
Band: Ben Weiss and friends

All images by Sargent Photoworks

Real Wedding: Kate + Damon in Massachusetts

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Kate

I can’t get enough of the dreamy light and perfect touches of nautical detailing in this modern Yacht Club wedding. Captured by A Guy + A Girl Photography, Kate and Damon were married last September at the Eastern Point Yacht Club in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The ceremony took place in a gorgeous setting, overlooking the boat-filled bay. Following the ceremony, guests celebrated with the couple in the club house, enjoying local beer from Mayflower, Harpoon, Ipswich, and Cape Ann breweries. Mini cupcakes and cookies that were thoughtfully displayed on vintage glassware in lieu of a traditional wedding cake. The reception decor included flower arrangements in vintage cheese shipping cases and pops of red were used to unify all the details.

A few words from the photographer:

“Kate and Damon stood on a rock at the edge of the water, overlooking a bay full of boats. As they embraced, the sun seemed to wrap a warm blanket of light around them, creating a moment of privacy to enjoy their new bond. They had said their vows, just minutes earlier and mere steps away from where they now stood. Between the light and the boats peacefully bobbing in the bay behind them, gone with the wind’s theme song grew louder in my head and for just a moment I was distracted by the perfection of it all. I turned back toward Kate and Damon and looking at them through the lens, I realized they weren’t distracted, they had been whisked away to another world where only they existed. Just for a moment.”