Katy and Alex

I am so excited to post about Katy and Alex now that I have some groovy professional pics to do so! Talia and I first "met" with them via a phone call with Katy, her fiance Alex and her adorable parents Kathy and Doug during the late winter of 2007. College sweethearts (hint, he was her TA), Katy and Alex lived in California, and although Katy's parents were in Texas, they both had East Coast roots and therefore wanted to have a Connecticut wedding. Logistically speaking, planning a wedding across the country could have seem overwhelming and complicated, but we executed it ever so smoothly with two extended weekend visits to CT in which we selected all of their vendors and planned their day from soup to nuts. All photographs are courtesy of Studio 1923. Jerome, you did such a beautiful job; you truly captured every last second of this lovely wedding we worked so hard on over the past year.

On Saturday, July 19, Katy and her ladies started their day with an intimate luncheon thrown together by a family friend and then they all gathered at her suite at the Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa to prep by the talented Dana Bartone and staff. It was at this time my assistant Alicia and I checked in with them. The crew had a great time the night before at the rehearsal dinner and were in high getting ready spirits. Outside was hot and steamy, but inside the bridal party was as cool as cucs.

A seasoned scrapper, Katy took a paper class in California and beatifully designed her entire stationary suite with a unifying paisley paper. Some fun details of the invite, program and welcome bag taken in the suite.

Katy wore her long hair curled and lightly pulled back. Her make-up was soft and natural. I love, love this photo.

She wore an amazing lace dress by Pronovious. Her veil was made from a piece of her mother's wedding gown by a local seamstress in California and was the sweetest compliment to her ensemble.

The dress had a breathtaking train:

Once all the beautifying was done, the bridal party headed over to the Country Club of Darien for Katy's first moment with Alex. After touring eight venues and four ceremony sites up and down CT, we ultimately came back to the timeless elegance of the Country Club of Darien; every inch of what the quintessential club should be. The ballroom has an incredible tray ceiling and the veranda, sigh, there just was no comparison.

Jerome and I set up the first moment on the golf course. I love the expression on their faces!

Bridal party formals followed. The maids wore Siri Granada in smokey blue and the guys wore their own suits. The gals carried arrangements of bright pink gerbers and roses, by Pat Heller Designs of Oxford. Pat totally nailed our gerber/happy/country feel vision and was so nice and agreeable to work with. Katy's bouquet had little bits of blue delphinium as her something blue, imagine that!

They were married at 5:30 in the evening by their former Bucknell Chaplain, who as luck would have it, recently transferred to Yale to be a Chaplain there as well. He gave an incredibly touching ceremony that was so meaningful to the couple. O'Brien Strings provided the music and a friend sang a capella. Both were the perfect accompanyment.

I had to post this photo as this wedding was my first experience with the real wedding bands actually being carried by a ring attendant. The pillow itself was handmade, with a little wooden shoot in the center for the rings. I love the expression on the attendant's face as she does her best to be super careful! She was absolutely adorable.

Katy and her doting Dad. We were going back on forth on the outdoor vs. indoor ceremony due to heat and potential ran. He made the call and was right on, as the rain held off and it started to cool (finally!):

The ceremony site was decorated with striking arrangements in hydrangea, gerbers and roses with curly willow adding to the height. The aisles were lined with shepherds hooks holding white baskets with a similar composition.

Following ceremony, Darien did a gorgeous spread for cocktail hour under the veranda and a Synergy keyboardist played light jazz tunes for the summer's evening soiree. Outside, guests were greeted by place cards and the photo guest book Jerome made with their engagement shoot. The guestbook, in particular, earned snaps from both the guests and staff alike.

Inside, the ballroom was so graceful we decided to let it shine in and of itself. The round tables were decorated with candlebras from Party Rental and tiny square arrangements featuring mini gerbers and spray roses; placed on top of monogrammed runners made by Katy. Menus were tucked discreetly into folded napkins that were laid on top of Darien's glorious china.

The room was further personalized by family wedding photos and candles on the piano, as well numerous photo collages:

Julias provided the exquisite chocolate on chocolate cake cake, with an intricate pattern to mimick the lace in Katy's dress as well as their signature monogram.

One of things we always do is request the bride and groom's beverage of choice. Alex's has been the most honorable yet, as his was a glass of milk, too cute for words!

The reception was a combination of plated courses, open toasting and dance sets. Synergy played numerous sets of old fasioned rock and roll that got the college and family crowd up dancing the whole night long. This shot is prime evidence of the great party!

At the end of the night, guests were bid a sweet farewell with a chocolate favor.

Katy, Alex, Doug and Kathy . . . it has been both an honor and a privelage to work with you. I had an absolute blast planning the wedding over the past year and a half and getting to know your family.

Katy and Alex, the two of you had happiness written all over your faces every single time we saw you. You are the perfect compliment in every way. I wish you the best of the best.

xoxo,

Lindsay