Lori and Bill

Lori first rung me up last July, and I couldn 't be more excited to hear her request. A Connecticut native and Chicago resident, she was looking to us to plan a small and intimate wedding in the Hartford vicinity on December 28, 2008. The first of two weddings, the Connecticut nuptials would be for East Coast family and friends unable to travel to the second and larger celebration they were planning on New Year's Eve in Florida.

With a particular list of must haves for the potential location, I searched high and low until I serendipitously came upon the Silas W. Robbins House Bed & Breakfast (as detailed here), which turned out to be perfect match in all facets. With numerous Friday night calls, emails and a two day visit to Connecticut in October, we finalized the rest of her vendors and meticously planned the details of her day.

All photos courtesy of Dolce Photography, unless otherwise captioned.

On Sunday morning, Lori began getting ready bright and early with the assistance of Dana Bartone, who provided hair and make-up services. Her look was soft and romantic and a lovely compliment to her flowy dress by Jasmine, which she was lucky enough to score off the rack.

What would this post be worth without the famous shoe shot??? I loved her peeps!

Soon following, Jane of Just For You arrived with the bridal party flowers. Lori carried a vintage inspired cascade of hydrangea, delphinium, roses and lisianthus. It was just the right proportion for her petite frame.

Once everyone was dressed, formal photos followed. I've grown to be such a fan of pre-ceremony formals, as the fanfare simultaneously makes everyone both relaxed and excited. Lori was attended by her two sisters, in mineral cocktail dresses from Macy's. Bill's two brothers wore their own snappy suits.

During this time, we were busy setting up the ballroom for the Jewish ceremony. Jane constructed a gorgeous chuppah with draping and lemon leaf garland. It made such a statement!

Another pic of the ballroom set for the ceremony.

The ceremony began with the signing of the ketubah in the lower dining room. Rabbi Howard Herman presided.

During this time, guests began to arrive and once upstairs, were greeted by a table covered with an antique lace tablecloth and book style place cards. So fitting for our Harvard alum!

Surrounded by 35 guests, Lori and Bill were married at noon. The ceremony was especially personalized and mentioned both the Jewish and Christian faiths. Tara Lockyer of Heavenly Elegance accompanied and played beautifully.

Following the ceremony, all wedding party guests went outside on the unusually warm December day for a group photo. The result was fantastic and gave us a chance to turn the room for cocktail hour.

Inside, we decided to make good use of our statement arrangment and placed the sweetheart table under it.

The four guest tables were sweetly dressed in white linens and low arrangements of delphinium and hydrangea. Personalized champagne flutes added another splash of color and doubled as favors.

Once the photos were done, socializing was off to a great start. Emily's Catering did a fabulous job with the event. During cocktail hour, Tara and her crew passed up yummies such as grilled asparagus with smoke salmon and boursin and balsamic glazed figs and chevre cheese!! Their brushetta is a hit time and time again.

Following cocktail hour, first course was a combined apple soup and spinach salad, with a dressing shooter - so sharp! A buffet luncheon continued featuring a beef carving station, salmon and roasted portobello mushroom with ratatouille. The rest of the event was marked by numerous toasts and merriment. This was my first wedding of this size and I really enjoyed every aspect of it.

Near the end of the event, the couple cut a single layer cake spice cake with chestnut filling, provided by was from Audra Weisel of Lettem Eat Cake . It was to die!
Emily's also served up cran apple crisp and three flavors of gelato. All around great hits. Photo taken by me:

One preference Lori expressed to me early on was to have a video of this wedding so that her guests at the celebration in Florida could re-live the Connecticut ceremony and reception. We hired David Lammey Productions and within two days he made an amazing little piece of cinema that arrived in Florida in time for wedding #2!

Lori and Bill, it was such a wonderful experience planning your Connecticut wedding with you and your families. I think back fondly to our meeting in Chicago and the vision you spoke of. The Silas Robbins House was a dream come true to us and I hope you loved your wedding as much as I did. The happines on both your faces on your wedding day was so contageous; it really just touched my heart. I wish you the best of luck in the future and a lifetime of happiness.

xoxo,

Lindsay