Real wedding at Hopmeadow Country Club

Another photographer that really grabs my attention is Joyelle West Photography.  Her work is simply stunning and perfectly flawless.  We had the absolute pleasure of working with her last September on this gorgeous wedding in Simsbury, Connecticut. 

Next October we'll be working with her again for a wedding at The Barn at Gibbet Hill.  There are so many stunning custom pieces we'll be creating for this wedding.  Including a canopy for the couple to be married under, created from old barn wood we salvaged.  The details are endless!

Her dress was simply divine.  Simplistic, but yet so pretty and romantic.  Her gown was from Felicity Couture.  The bridesmaids gowns were created by the fabulous Coren Moore.  The bride let each bridesmaid choose the gown that fit their style best.

The couple chose an afternoon ceremony at Ethel Walker Chapel and reception following at Hopmeadow Country Club.  The weather couldn't of been more perfect!  I LOVE September and October weddings in New England.  The weather is generally not too hot and not too cold.  The surroundings of Mother Nature during that time of year wrap us in beauty.  Colorful leaves falling in a cool breeze, pumpkins ripening in open fields and the smell of freshly squeezed apple cider remind of us home and comfort.

Fizz Paperie created all of the couples stationery, including some pretty spectacular invitations!  Here are some more of the details from this GORGEOUS wedding!  Her bouquets were a stunning collection of white mini calla lilies, white dahlias, button mums and our own farm picked snowberries.  I planted them a few years back when I realized they weren't easy to buy commercially. 

Hiring a friend

With the tough economic times, many couples are trying to figure out ways to cut corners and save a few dollars.  Keep in mind, if considering asking a friend to do something major for the wedding you might be sadly disappointed and possibly adding extra stress to your life.

I really believe that photography is a key component to any wedding.  After all is said and done, that's what you will have left to remember each and every moment.  Hiring a professionals photographer is tremendously important for stunning visual memories for years to come.  Some of my favorites are: Jamie Collins Photography, Alissa Dinneen Photography, Candace Jeffrey Photography, No Eye Has Seen Photography, Steve Depino and Justin & Mary Marantz.  Though you really need to interview them yourself, in person to see if you connect with them and how their pricing structure fits your needs.  Most of those photographers will go out of their way to accommodate you in every way, creating custom packages that fit your style and budget.

This is a wedding that Alissa Dinneen captured last summer at Jonathan Edwards Winery.  Such a gorgeous location!  She's an amazing artist capturing every detail in such perfect grace.

We recently worked with Jamie Collins Photography on the most fun photo shoot (although, to be honest I was really sick and had lots of great friends to help out that day)

After hearing other couple's experiences with friends saying they'll do something major for the wedding.  I would recommend using some caution.  You might have a friend that owns a bakery shop and they bake cakes for a living.  That might work out perfectly fine.  Many times, unfortunately things just don't work out and feelings end up hurt or you end up with an end result you are simply not pleased with.  Your wedding is probably one of the biggest events you will ever plan (or pay for) and it needs to be an event to remember. (no regrets)

You might think, oh I can do my own flowers.  But, where do you order the flowers from?  Who's going to help you put together bouquets on the morning of the wedding?  Where will you store the flowers?  Who's going to deliver them to the reception venue?? and so on.....Do you really want to stress over something like this?  You should relax and savor every little moment of your wedding day.  Leave the stress and the hours of putting together the flowers to us!  Planning such a big event requires organization and lots of man hours coordinating everything. 

Now, this is not to say I don't encourage some DIY elements to a wedding.  If you can take a few days off before the wedding to make last minute favors (like my chocolate caramel apples covered in toasted coconut)... I say do it!  I love adding personality to a wedding with DIY projects.  Create your own menu cards.  Things like this.  But, remember to plan ahead of time and don't overload yourself with a ton of projects that completely stress you out!  For my own wedding, I purchased a bunch of lanterns to line the sidewalks of our reception venue.  I dropped them off a few days prior to the wedding and left detailed instructions of what I wanted to do with them.

Real wedding at Society Room

This gorgeous hand-tied bouquet featured 'vendella' roses, white cymbidium orchids, ranunculus and fragrant sweet peas.  Twisted with ivory satin ribbon.

I love bouquets of white and green flowers.  Different textures and unique flower combination create a stunning bouquet.  One of the most beautiful flower for spring is ranunculus.  It's this delicate, yet stunning flower with a ton of petals that comes in a wide array of colors.  We've recently had a ton of new inquiries for spring and summer 2011 weddings.  I absolutely LOVE meeting new potential clients and coming up with new design concepts that will completely thrill the eye. 

Images were all captured for this beautiful wedding by Tony Spinelli Photography

The Society Room is one of the most stunning reception venues you could ever ask for.  The overall atmosphere is incredible!  With so much history, The Society Room is the perfect local for anyone fascinated with history and architecture.  Let their staff take care of everything and you'll be beyond satisfied.  Besides wonderful hospitality, you're taste buds will be thanking you over and over again.

Sara Faella's couture pieces

Sara Faella is the new and upcoming couture designer of accessories and head pieces for weddings and events.  She's also a make-up artist that will travel to you on the day of and take care of your every little need.  Sara has this amazing personality and can custom design something that fits your needs.  We recently had the pleasure of working with Sara Faella at our photo shoot a few weeks back.  She's just amazing!

Photos by Jamie Collins Photography

First Bloom Farm

I had the pleasure of meeting Maggie from First Bloom Farm today.  She grows seasonal flowers, herbs and so much more, organically.  I'm loving all the things she grows and we'll be ordering some for our Farmer's Museum wedding in late August.  Millet, basil and salvia will make the perfect addition to Caitlin's wedding. 

We have many things growing in our gardens for our weddings this year.  Including a number of grasses, lavender, mint, dahlias, statice and hydrangea.  This fall we'll plant over 1,200 tulips to harvest in the spring for weddings.  In the spring, our gardens are heavenly with nearly 40 peony plants.  I love picking unripe blueberries out of the garden for an organic touch to boutonnieres.  In September and October we have snowberries to pick for the most beautiful addition to any bouquet.

Wedding at the Riverview

This past Saturday was so very hot.  The Riverview was decorated beautifully.  Lynda from Details Wedding and Event planning took care of making sure every little detail was in place.  Gorgeous platinum pintuck linens draped over every table looked romantic and sophisticated.  Curly willow and manzanita tree centerpieces adored crystals and hanging luminaries for a wedding guests are sure to remember.  Anna, Hot lady roses and pink cymbidium orchids twisted up the trunk of each tree. 

Bottles of oil infused with garlic and fresh rosemary were on the tables for guests to dip bread into.

Sneak Peak

I just opened my mail today and fell completely in LOVE!  Jamie Collins Photography worked with us last week for the most intimate and inspirational photo shoot.  Here is a sneak peak to get your senses ready!  Sara Faella was on site to style hair and make up.  She also creates couture hair pieces and accessories for weddings and events.

All of the (gorgeous) gowns were brought in by The Plumed Serpent.  You can find a wide variety of different designers and price ranges to fit your needs.  Their customer service will make you feel right at home!  We're looking forward to the entire feature of this shoot (which also featured Fizz Paperie, Kelly's Sweet Rewards and Butter Fly and Company)

Happenings of Summer

We just had the most AMAZING photo shoot with Jamie Collins Photography and a hand full of the best in the industry!  Jamie Collins has the most energy I've seen!  She gets so excited about what she's photographing and is practically rolling on the ground to get the best shot!  Just wait until you see her images! Just fabulous!!  Her images from Katie's winter wonderland wedding at the Society Room are simply breathtaking!!

The location: La Cupola Ristorante & Inn

637 Bantam Road (Rt. 202), Litchfield, Connecticut

860-567-3326

It's this stunning earthy stone villa with such a welcoming atmosphere.  Big beauiful windows overlook the entire property while you enjoy your reception.  French doors open into the dining room and gorgeous chandeliers are throughout the facility.  Creamy color walls with all white trim.  Enjoy cocktail hour down stairs and then dine upstairs or the opposite.  The outside grounds are amazing, with a pond surrounded by granite benches, beautiful trees and flowers.  A split-rail fence that borders the edge of Bantam River and the surroundings of Mother Nature.  If your party is over 100 guests you can have your wedding in the beautiful crisp white tent overlooking all of these views. 

Dress on site in your own private suite or in another private room.  Frank Rosa, the owner is meticulous over every little detail.  He makes you feel as though you are family and it's your wedding so it's got to be perfect!  Have your wedding what ever time is convenient for you, since you reserve the entire day.  Personalized service goes far beyond that when he asks you to come to dinner and pick out your dinner for your wedding.  He wants to personalize it and make something your guests are sure to remember for a VERY long time!  (you can ask our guests, they are still raving over 8 years later!)

Fizz Paperie created beautiful menu cards for our shoot.  She even created matching escort cards.  I designed family-style table settings, since that is what they do in Italy. (according to Frank)  Things are different there, not so fast pace as our American ways.  You take the time to enjoy each others company and soak in the aromas and flavors of good food and wine.  All of our rental items (including farmhouse style tables, beautiful stemware and flatware) were provided by Rentals Unlimited.

Sara Faella was on site (she's fabulous by the way!) to help with the stylings of the model.  She not only will travel to your venue to do your hair and make-up, but creates Couture (one of a kind, never duplicated!) head pieces, bird cage veils, etc.  So trendy and hip for the bride looking for something different than a veil, or to add to the simple veil.  Her pieces went great with the GORGEOUS gowns that Alison from The Plumed Serpent brought!  LOVE, LOVE the gowns... cannot wait for Jamie's images!

Kelly's Sweet Rewards made the most tasty creations ever!  Chocolate dipped cake (cake balls).  Melt in your mouth, yum!  Her cakes coordinated perfectly with our florals for each table setting!

The weather was perfect!  The clouds were in the sky with the sun poking through.  The rain held out right until the end!  Perfect timing for a down pour!

Keep your eyes on our blog for updates of where you can see the entire shoot!

Photo shoot for next week

I'm SO excited that next week we're working with some of the best of the best wedding professionals and that Jamie Collins Photography is working her styling magic to capture every little fabulous detail!!!

We'll be designing a photo shoot at La Cupola Ristorate & Inn, in Litchfield, Connecticut in July along with sweet creations of Kelly's Sweet Rewards!  I'm looking forward to seeing what Jillian Sullivan from Fizz Paperie comes up with for the menu cards, etc. She's a wonderful stationery designer! I've designed two really fabulous table settings that are to die for! Garden elements, yet sophisticated and simply romantic! With bouquets and unusual boutonnieres to coordinate. Sara Faella will be creating some pretty unique accessories for the models hair and taking care of all their hair & makeup needs! So excited to see what she comes up with!  Lovely gowns are being provided by the Plumed Serpent.

All of the incredible rentals are being provided by Rentals Unlimited.  They are amazing and have a wonderful selection of unique rentals for all of your wedding or party needs.

Stay tuned to Style Me Pretty to see the entire shoot reveiled.

Fall inspiration

I absolutely adore autumn weddings in New England.  Here you will find the most lovely wedding held at the Guilford Yacht Club in Connecticut.  All of the details are stunning!  Troy Photography captured every little fabulous detail.  Including the flower girls adorable gown which was hand made and purchased on Etsy.com.  The bride, dressed in her stunning Modern Trousseau gown looked simply beautiful and just glowed with pure joy!  All of the details for this entire wedding were strategically brought together by the styling team at Sixpence For Your Shoe.  See more of the wedding on their blog.

I captured some of the table details.  We bought lady gala apples from a local orchard and clustered them at the base of each curly willow 'tree' centerpiece.  I have this endless roll of copper wire (which I hope never runs out that I "borrowed" from my dad's collection of stuff in his garage)  Luckily for me, living on a farm has it's benefits!  Last summer my parents put new siding on their sugar house.... and I happily gathered and saved every SINGLE piece of aged texture one-eleven board! 

I've been SO very inspired lately with my surroundings.  I've found so many cute things at stores I typically wouldn't shop at.  For the wedding we're designing at the Farmer's Museum this coming August I've stocked up on natural twine to wrap the bridesmaids hand-tied bouquets (which will look as if they gathered them that morning) and wonderful glass pickle jars for the couples candy display.  I'm on the hunt for natural wood clothes pins for Caitlin's escort card display.  She is working on DIY escort cards which are seed packets with the guests names and table numbers.  We'll hang them with strings of natural twine and attach with wooden clothes pins.