Saturday, December 31, 2011

Connecticut Wedding Planner | Reflecting on a Spectacular 2011


image by blue diamond photography

As we ring in the new year and toast to all the excitement, splendid couples, beautiful weddings, wonderful venues, amazing colleagues and all that 2012 has in store for us, we also take a few moments to honor an incredible 2011. 

We were pushed and challenged to expand our creativity, to explore and design in new locations, and to set the bar that much higher and then some.  We, along with our clients, braved snow (at the beginning of the season and the end!), torrential rains, extreme heat, a hurricane, some of the most glorious of weather days and more.  We grew our team, yet again and broadened our talented network of vendors and colleagues, allowing our clients fetes to be that much more fabulous!  And we met amazing couples, who welcomed us into their fold, gave us the opportunity to play such intimate roles in their lives - their wedding day, and who leave us with fond memories, in the same way we hoped we were able to do for them. 

Here is just a small look back at our year:



Images by: Stacey Ilyse Photography, E. Broderick Photography, Iris Photography, Katie Slater for Carla Ten Eyck, Leslie Dumke Photography, Blue Diamond Photography, Alternate Angles, Steve Depino, Alissa Dinneen Photography, Studio 1923, Justin & Mary, and Alissa Keane Photography

Congratulations to our 2011 clients and couples:
Alissa and John
Karri and Chris
Anna and Justin
Amanda and Sasha
Meghan and Glen
Brie and Matthew
Laura and Jeff
Caity and Matt
Heidi and Al
Judy's Birthday Party
Hillary and Rory
Stephanie and Matt
Lara and Robby
Alicia and Steve
Liz and Fred
Amy and David
Lila and Paul
Shawn's 40th Bash

Here's to 2011!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Connecticut Wedding Planner | Tori and Jack's Prep School Soiree

Tori and Jack’s wedding was a true expression of them as a couple. Victoria, an interior designer, was exceptionally inspired by a whimsical yet composed fresh and preppy spring garden feel. Jack, with his infectious grin and a background in the film industry, wanted to ensure friends and family who traveled far and wide for the couple’s wedding weekend had an amazing time. The couple's charming personalities were infused throughout all aspects of their wedding, beginning with their wedding invitations. A delicious accordion style letterpress invite featuring love birds captured their young at heart humor perfectly. The love bird theme was carried throughout their day of stationery, a sweet reflection of our couple's adoration for each other. Together with their families, they hosted an unforgettable June celebration at Avon Old Farms School for Boys in Avon, Connecticut that was full of thoughtful touches for their guests and downright fun!

The wedding party’s attire definitely set the stage for the affair. Tori wore a beyond gorgeous custom designed gown from Modern Trousseau; the marvelous ruffle detail was true work of art in and of itself. Bright Manolos added an unexpected splash of color and tied in with her ladies in flirty one shouldered navy and magenta dresses. Jack and his men donned J. Crew. Khaki suits and personalized Chuck Taylors. Their preppy accoutrements were complete with multi-striped ties and pocket square for Beau Ties.


One cannot set foot on the campus of Avon Old Farms School for Boys without gasping over the incredible stone and oak architecture modeled after English Cotswold and Tudor styles, which immediately conjures up visions a la Harry Potter. For Tori and Jack’s wedding it was our goal to brighten and lighten all spaces, yet still hold true to the remarkable back drop.

The ceremony took place at the chapel on campus, where our wonderful florist Jane of Just For You Floral Design Studio festively hung white pomanders by green ribbons from the support beams. Tori’s uncle performed the piano for the ceremony and she walked down the aisle to a song he composed just for her and that moment, this being the first time she heard it. It was a very warm day, but luckily the sweet ceremony program fans tied with bakers twine were not only adorable, but also helped keep everyone cool!



Following the ceremony, guests were guided across campus by old-school chalkboard signs to the lawn where cocktails were held. Croquet, custom initial bean bag tosses and lawn golf were set up for guests to enjoy themselves as they took in the incredible view and sipped on specialty drinks.

For the reception we transformed the dining hall into a dramatic garden party. Chalkboard escort cards with each guest’s name and table were strung up on the original cloak hooks in the dining room, making a grand statement to all entering. Utilizing the school’s original tables of extraordinary lengths, we layered them meticulously with crisp white linen, custom aloe runners Jack’s mother had made while on a visit to India, pebble green chargers, and a hemp napkin rolled with a jeweled accent. Varied height arrangements of hydrangea, rose, lisianthus and ranunculus provided interest to the table, and were a gorgeous contrast against the paneled walls, while the exposed green stems were another dash of green on our tables. Menus were hung from each chair, tied with the signature bakers twine. There were flickering candles in every possible place we could put them, and specialty lighting cast about the room a welcoming glow.



The fun evening was complete with an impressive play list by Jack, a photo booth, and lots of “dancing fuel” including a candy bar, passed cookies, popcorn machine and the biggest hit of them all, ice cream sandwiches in a vintage cooler. All in all, a wonderful day and fabulous party for our "love birds" Tori and Jack.

If you haven't already, run on over to check out this glorious wedding on Style Me Pretty!

Tori and Jack's Fabulous Fete Fruitioners include:

Venue: Avon Old Farms School
Planning and Design: Sixpence For Your Shoe
Event Photography: Benoit Photography, Dolce Photography
Detail Photography: Brian Khang Photography
Dress: Custom Design via Modern Trousseau
Suits: J. Crew
Ties and Pocket Squares: Beau Ties Ltd
Brides Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Rentals: Party Rental & Taylor Rental
Linens: Linen Hero
Table Runners – Custom Made in India
Florist – Just For You Floral Design Studio
Invitations and Stationery – Lettuce Paper
Napkin Rings – EAB Designs/Etsy
Lighting & Photo Booth – ShinDig Lighting
Ceremony Music - Bride's Uncle
Reception DJ – Rob Waldron, Elegant Occassions DJ
Transportation – Premier Limo
Rings – Lux Bond and Green
Hair – Salon Naomi
Make-up - D.D. Nickel Make-up Studio
Cake - Creative Cakes by Donna
Video - Steven Fowler Films