Allyson is one of the kindest, warmest, sweetest people one will ever happen to cross paths with. All smiles and sincere as can be - she is a woman who glows, inside and out! Mike is a comedian, a straight shooter, and above all, has the most incredible love for Ally. Together they are a perfect combination.
So for their wedding, it was no surprise that the sun shined all weekend, the warm late summer day rolled into evening, a gorgeous wedding took place in the afternoon, and an incredible party with an enthusiastic crowd owned the night. For a couple like Allyson and Mike, it couldn't have been any other way.
I first met Ally as she played the role of vendor (Ally Cakes) to past clients Amanda and Kyle. She crafted their amazingly awesome R2D2 cake and provided their delicious cupcakes. Allyson has a nack for baking and I was floored by her creations. To have her reach out for Sixpence to assist in planning her own wedding was an honor. We were thrilled!
From the very first meeting with had with Ally, she talked about her love for sunflowers, and her interest in a yellow and green wedding. Although some other ideas were loosely considered, I couldn't have been more please to see Ally's first instinct come to life. Additionally, both Ally and Mike talked about how important the actual marriage ceremony was, and how they wanted guests to not only have an amazing time at the reception, but also truly feel a part of the most meaningful moment of the day and their lives, as they wed.
We were so thrilled to recommend Manhattan based Stacey Ilyse Photography to our clients. Having first been introduced to her work through a 2009 client, it was great to have Ally and Mike make such a connection with her upon meeting. All of the gorgeous photos of this point are courtesy of Stacey!
Ally and the ladies started the day at Ally's parent's gorgeous home, just minutes from both their Church and reception location. They had gotten their hair done at the Ryan John Salon, first thing, and all readied, lunched, and sipped champange following! Allyson searched and searched for the perfect wedding gown and hers was waiting for her at Something Blue Bridal, a gorgeous Watters gown. She added a sash, which matched the ladies deep green Lorelei dress from J.Crew. Sixpence designed Ally and Mike's invitation set, using a graphic Ally had created herself on the insert cards. It really set the stage for the personality of the entire day!
The limos arrived at the house and the ladies we off to St. Pius X Church in Fairfield. The Church was decorated beautifully, as Jane from Just For You Weddings provided the eye catching and vibrant florals based on Ally's sunflower vision. The bouquets were the perfect mix of Sunflower, Stock, Viburnam, and Hypericum Berries, the pews were tied with large sunflower blooms, and the arrangements on the alter were brimming with mixed yellow and white flowers, adding a pop and height at the front of the Church. Guests were handed ceremony programs in white and green as they entered the Church.
The ceremony itself was beautiful, emotional and touching. Incorporating family and friends was important to Ally and Mike. Allyson's friend's string ensemble played, and another close family friend sang. I knew when I saw the joy in Ally and Mike's eyes as they exited the Church that the ceremony was all they had hoped it would be.
After the wedding ceremony ended, the reception beckoned at the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield. The Brooklawn represents the quintessential southern Connecticut Country Club. It's gorgeous interior with detailed moldings, delicate chandeliers, one right after the next, and a wrap around porch with rocking chairs welcoming all who arrive on site.
Ally and Mike arrived in style, a vintage Mercedes convertible, borrowed from Ally's aunt. When guests arrived, they were welcomed to the porch, where high and low cocktail tables were dressed with Shabby Chic Lanterns accented with a single sunflower bloom and pillar candle. Inside, smartly dressed white linened tables, accented with white chivari chairs and emerald green cushions, and fun centerpieces provided by Jane greeted guests. We polished the napkins with single lemon leaves and a pop of yellow ribbon.
After a touching welcome by Ally's father Jim, and then some light-hearted and humorous toasts by Laura and John, Ally's sister and Mike's brother, guests dined and danced the night away under the direction Rob from Standing Ovations DJ.
For dessert, Ally, who is a big cupcake fan (of course she is!!!) planned for guests to select their own cupckaes from a large square tiered stand which has been shared among friends as they get married! Great Cakes provided the delicous cupcakes, and Ally provided the sunflower toppers. A small cake sat atop the stand, with a cake topper which has been in Ally's family for numerous generations, a touching sentiment of love and family. A candy buffet greeted guests as they exited, it was a huge hit, and so fun to watch everyone's excitement as they helped themselves to sweets!
Allyson and Mike, thank you so much for having us be a part of your wedding planning and wedding day. We wish you years of love and happiness together!
xoxo,
Talia
The reception followed at the Old Lyme Beach Club and what fun we had decorating the old fashioned interior. Guest tables were situated both inside the club as well as outside under the awning, and featured a myriad of centerpieces consisting of pillar candles, lanterns, shells, and seaside arrangements. We ribboned napkins and accented them with shells at each place setting. The majority of the guests had traveled from far and wide for this "Destination Connecticut" wedding and truly enjoyed dining and mingling right on the beach. 
