A look back at 2008

Lindsay and I want to offer congratulations once more to all of our 2008 clients on their marriages and beautiful wedding days. We feel so honored to have worked with all of you, such wonderful people we have met and become friends with. Wishing you all the happiness in love, in life, in marriage together! Remain friends always!

or a direct link to the slideshow HERE

January
Leslie and Chris - The Fox Hill Inn, photography by A Taylored Picture

February
Jennifer and Thomas - Water's Edge Resort and Spa, photography by Annandale Photography

May
Amy and Jeremy - Farmington Club, photography by Jake Koteen
Coleen and Jon - Eolia Mansion, photography by Dru Nadler
Jacky and Ben - Branford House Mansion, photography by Steve Depino, guest appearance by Carla Ten Eyck

June
Lindsey and Doug - Inn at Longshore, photography by Dreamscape Photography
Larissa and Garrett - Pavillion at Rocky Neck, photography by Carla Ten Eyck
Kate and Mark - Lord Thomposon Manor, photography by Troy Photography

July
Samira and Patrick - Racebrook Country Club, photography by Carla Ten Eyck
Katy and Alex - Country Club of Darien, photography by Jerome Braga, Studio 1923

August
Jessica and Davide - Gelston House, photography by Steve Depino
Eileen and Nate - Wadsworth Atheneum and Bond Ballroom, photography by Rich Esposito, RE Photo Design

September
Andrew and Karen - Candlewood Inn, photography by Jerome Braga, Studio 1923
Nicole and Patrick - Water's Edge Resort and Spa, photography by MS photography
Heather and Jason - Lord Thompson Manor, photography by Sam Chinigo

October
LouWanda and Mike - Eolia Mansion, photography by Megan LaBarbera
Jen and Will - Guilford Yacht Club, photography by Leslie Dumke
Claudia and Scott - Villa Rosa, photography by Jerome Braga, Studio 1923, assisted by NoDo Photography

December
Lori and William - Silas Robbins House, photograhy by Dolce Photography

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours!
Photo credit: Iris Photography

We wish everyone the happiest happy holiday season filled with family, friends, laughter, love, good food and wine.

xoxo,
Lindsay, Stephen and Landon

Happy Holidays!

Jen and Will

Jen and Will were wed on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at the Guilford Yacht Club in Guilford, Connecticut. In addition to be lucky in love, they also were lucky enough to get married on quite possibly the most amazing early fall day in all of history as well! Seriously, the day they had is one all brides dream of the minute the become engaged (myself included). With clear skies, a perfect sunset and weather so warm that ladies didn't even have to wear a wrap during an evening ceremony on the shore . . . it was just a slice of heaven.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Leslie Dumke Studio. Leslie, everything looks like a magazine spread, gorgeous job.

Jen, her mom and her two maids began the day bright and early getting hair and make-up done by Dora Oppedisano and Emilie Orenstein; both of Stylin' Salon in Norwalk. Happy and relaxed in her Uggs, Jen was in great spirits when we checked in with her all the ladies.

She wore a dazzling Maggie Sottero with a pick-up skirt and her hair . . . My goodness, it would have made the red carpet bow down with respect. The green orchid could not have been more perfect. Swoon.

Will was so snappy in a fabulous three piece linen suit by J. Crew, layered over an even more fabulous shirt and tie. He was absolutely one of our best dressed grooms of the year. They had their first sighting by the flagpole. It was intimate and sweet. I love, love this photo!

Formal photos followed for the rest of the family and bridal party. Jen's bridesmaids wore brown dresses of their own choice. Florist Kathy LaCouture did a beautiful job with the blooms for this seaside soiree. Jen's carried a round arrangement of gerbera daisies, orchids, hypericum berries and dusty miller.
The gents wore their own suits, with fishing lewers as bouts, imagine that!

The ceremony took place at five o'clock, on the great lawn overlooking the sound. Officiant Mary Pugh presided and keyboardist Steve Moran accompanied the ceremony. Jen walked with both parents to "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" by Simon and Garfunkle.

Following the ceremony, cocktail hour followed on the patio with an alluring spread by Jordan Caterers. They passed apps on square plats garnished with ribbons. A jazz trio via Steve Moran added to the upbeat atmosphere. Photos taken by me.

Inside, guests were greeted by place cards with sand dollar motif, groupings of bud vases and a wish bowl, which was a total hit. It was heaping full of advice by the end of the night.

The reception tables were smartly dressed with brown linens. A blue folded napkin draped over the side of the tables gave a striking splash of color. Brightly colored centerpieces of gerbera daisies, greens and berries, along with votives completed the whimsical look.

One fun personal touch Jen and Will did was to name each table after a year of their lives and include adorable photos of themselves growing up. This one is too cute!

A shot of the ballrom. A fabulous space, with loads of light.

In lieu of a tradition wedding cake, Jen and Will chose a cupcake tower, as well as a small cake to cut, both by Sugarbelle. Delicious inside and out, as I can attest. Adore the blue frosting.

Guests were treated to an extensive menu featuring marinated flank steak, chicken roulade with sundried tomatoes, spinach and goat cheese, tortelllini with vodka sauce. The purple potatoes, in particular, were to die for.

Music was provided by Jim Nuzzo of Dance To The Music Entertainment. He sure knew how to keep the floor packed, see for yourselves!

Jen and Will - from the moment we met I *knew* what an incredible day it would be. Your event reflected both your personalities in every way and I hope you loved your day as much as I did. It was a privelage to witness your love from one another as well as get to know your families. I wish you nothing but happiness.

xoxo,

Lindsay & Alicia

Pretty in ... Purple! - Sixpence For Your Shoe in La Bella Bride Magazine

When Lindsay and I received a call from the lovely Katina at La Bella Bride Magazine to participate in a photo shoot for the 2009 issue, we were ecstatic. Ecstatic both to have our work showcased in such a highly regarded magazine, as well as ecstatic to be so well respected at what we do to even be asked.

On a cool damp morning in July, we drove up to the Winvian resort to begin the set-ups for our 9 am shoot. We choose the most incredible patio location, overlooking the rolling lawn behind the resort's country barn. The fog was still fairly heavy in the background.

We asked floral designer extraordinaire, Tony from Datura, a Modern Garden to help us create the vision. Tony and Kat, his right hand lady, GOT IT! Just see for yourself:

Sweet Sophistication - Vintage toile in a country setting, juxtaposed by a majestic garden cresent with three Moroccan-style lanterns. A rich palette of amethyst, lilac & cantaloupe are grounded to the landscape by the natural elements of chocolate brown. Lacey textures of the orchids, mimicking the pattern of the toile, adding an air of elegance to the scalloped china, gold leafed flatware and antique stemware.

A special thank you to Jocelyn Filley who took the beautiful photographs for our shoot, and Rentals Unlimited who provided our tables, chairs, underlay, napkins and napkin rings, and flatware.

The 2009 Issue of LaBella Bride Magazine is on newstands this week! Pick up your copy today as it is chock full of fabulous ideas and beautiful pictures.

Katina, thank you so much for including us!

Love: Interpreted

A few Friday's ago, I dragged my exceptionally flexible, agreeable, and not to mention wonderful, husband Stephen to Love: Interpreted, a woman's photography show at the new MAC 650 Artspace in downtown Middletown. I had received the email invitation earlier in the week and upon seeing that so many amazing female photographers were being featured at the same show, I had to check it out in person. Middletown also has a special place in our hearts as that is where we lived for three years, and also where we were married.


The gallery itself was tiny and minimal, but good things do indeed come in small packages, as inside beheld a fierce combination of talent on those white walls. It was so exciting to see the work of photographers we have worked with the past and those we hope to book weddings together in the future.

Steve and I had a great time taking in all the different perspectives and of love, meeting husbands and kiddies of fellow vendors (Jerome & Jen, Leighton is a doll; Carla that Georgie of yours a total peach), and as well as enjoying a bit of Justin and Paul's special brew. Another treat was the unexpected appearance of one of our clients, who is the grand dame behind The Wedding Embassy, in Watertown.

Upon my daily read of Justin and Mary's blog, I had to chuckle, as in their photo of the event, you can see my back (I'm in the plaid coat), as well as my husband Stephen's(to my left), as we are catching up with Jane (to the right).

Thanks again for the invite, ladies! We had a great time.

Cheers!
Lindsay

Rock the Tulle

OMG, if I was getting married again (to my darling husband, of course) with the hindsight I do now, I would absolutely take myself 1000 times less seriously and don this fabulous skirt/tee combo for weddingish excursions. The tiny silver flats seal the deal.

Image courtesy one of my favorite blogs, Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Hee.

So many reasons to celebrate!

We couldn't have been more thrilled to be invited to spend a holiday evening together with the fabulous ladies of The White Dress by the Shore, Something Blue Special Events, and Stonington Paperie. The evening started with a fashion show featuring the fabulous frocks of Callie Tein at Modern Trousseau. Each gown she designs is more spectacular than the next.

Following the show, we gathered for champagne and delicous delights by Gourmet Galley who are always spectacular. It was so nice to see Anna as we chatted together about a beautiful tented wedding we are planning together for the spring.

In the Chic by the Shore studio space, dessert called our names. A winter twist on the take home buffet bar sat perfectly on the bay window with coconut puffs, white chocolate covered pretzels, vanilla frosted butter cookies and many other sweets! Elizabeth Hodes provided dessert cake tastings and shared samples of her stunning works of sugar paste art.

It was so nice to see so many vendors we have worked with this year. As the holiday's near it is always a pleasure to take a step back and enjoy an evening of celebration.

Thank you so much for inviting us Beth!

Champagne Pretties with Dana Bartone

A few Fridays back, Talia and I were invited to a cocktails and a product introduction party at Dana Bartone's gorgeous new home and salon. Dana has introduced Arbonne to her existing line of beauty and while we sipped bubbly and munched on bark and other goodies, we were treated to exhilirating hand rubs and invited to try her new products.

Our girls have worked with Dana over and over for hair and make-up. Some past brides of ours:

Photo credits: Adrian Broom, Troy Photography, and Studio 1923.

Thanks for having us Dana. As always it was great to see you. We had a wonderful time!

xoxo,

Lindsay & Talia