Jules and Andrew tied the knot on a sunny Saturday in May at the bride’s family home in picturesque Stow, MA.  With the help of friends and family, Jules and Andrew transformed her parents’ yard into an intimate ceremony space, an inventive cocktail area and a rustic reception venue.  There was no shortage of detail, personality or handmade touches at this beautiful backyard celebration!
 
The vibrant images below are courtesy of Jim Moffat of JB Moffat Photography, a fantastic photographer who also happens to be the groom’s uncle!

​Jules and Andrew’s big day kicked off with a thoughtful, humorous and moving ceremony performed by a long-time family friend.   Shared memories and insightful words of wisdom characterized the proceedings, leaving guests both laughing and tearing up.  Of course, the bride’s entrance was a real showstopper!  With her side swept updo and elegant ruffled column dress, Jules was reminiscent of the screen sirens of Golden Age of Hollywood, complete with classic elbow length gloves!  In a striking compliment to the clean lines of her dress, the bride carried a natural and asymmetrical bouquet of thistle, roses and succulents from One Main Street Studio.

​Following the ceremony, guests were invited to sample four distinctive custom-brewed beers courtesy of the groom’s cousin as well as a delicious antipasto spread from Celebrations Catering.  Guests were also treated to a feast for the eyes!  Jules and Andrew’s creativity was evident in every decorative element of cocktail hour – from the repurposed beer bottle favors and vintage suitcase card box to the clever guestbook display featuring a collection of antique glassware, no detail was overlooked!  The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by some lively cornhole and giant Jenga competitions!  

​There were several surprises in store for Jules and Andrew’s guests during the reception including singing Happy Birthday to the father of the bride as well as a moon-walking dance number from the bride’s nephew to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal!  After thoughtful, funny and memory-filled toasts, DJ Keith of Each Production invited guests to dance the night away.  In a true testament to their vibrant and fun-loving nature, Jules and Andrew closed out their epic day with a classic – Bohemian Rhapsopy, complete with air guitar solos, naturally!

Jules and Andrew’s wedding was full of thoughtfully-curated details, laughter and of course, love!  We were honored to be a part of their celebration and we know this couple will enjoy many more great adventures together.

We are thrilled to feature a guest blog from one of our favorite friends at DB Studios. In case you didn't know, DB stands for Dancing Buns, which is exactly what owner Kendall Sealey encourages all of her students to have.  Enjoy these tips for your first dance (or any dance) and be sure to read to the end for something just for you!

​The follower will walk backwards, and a long train can be cumbersome or cause you to trip.

​Consider purchasing a dance heel for your first dance and reception. The sole of dance shoes is padded and made of suede which is incredibly comfortable. A dance heel is a beautiful and comfortable option that will keep you dancing until the wee hours of the night (or morning)!

​Leaders should always keep their feet on the ground... literally! It's important to slide your feet on the floor during your first dance. This ensures that your feet will glide beneath your partner's dress, avoiding any mishaps or trips!

Make sure to talk with your photographer about what shots you want to get of your first dance. There are important moments like twirls, dips, and tricks that you will want to be sure they capture!

If you don't have a wedding videographer, make sure that you ask a few different friends to video your dance. It's a moment you will want to remember forever so getting it on video is important. Ask a couple of friends to video... someone is bound to forget :)

For a limited time, friends and clients of Without A Hitch can take a 45-minute introductory lesson at no charge, with no strings attached.  Just contact Kendall and mention Without A Hitch to redeem.  Check out all db's success stories here. 
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About Dancing Buns
Kendall Sealey adores working with wedding couples. She believes that working on a first dance is the most fun item on the wedding to-do check list! Dance lessons at her studio are spent laughing, learning, and connecting. She lives for the moments when her couples grin from ear to ear after learning a new step, nailing their dip, or simply getting lost in each other on the dance floor. She believes that no matter how you feel about your dance skills, she can get you to a place of ease and comfort for your first dance! She has worked with many couples in New England and is excited to meet you!

You could really feel the love at Andra and Mike's wedding in the way that their friends and family came together to make it happen. Leading up to the big day, Andra prepared hundreds of paper cranes that were visible throughout the venue to signify luck for the newly married couple in love.  Everyone gathered for a mid-day ceremony and a lunchtime feast to celebrate these two. We are pleased to share images from the incredibly talented Promessa Studios.

Andra did her own hair and makeup (!) at home and then met up with Mike at the Endicott Estate. While Andra put on her gown (which was handmade by her mother), we pinned Mike and the groomsmen with beautiful handmade boutonnieres, also made by the bride's mom.  Mike and Andra had a "first look" on the stairs of the estate while the vendor team pulled all of the pieces together of the decor and layout. Andra and Mike had many personal touches in the decorations, including a ceremony backdrop made of hundreds of handmade paper cranes, representing luck and prosperity for the couple in their new life together. Guests had the option to take a polaroid picture on a Hello Kitty camera and paste it into the couple's Harry Potter-themed guestbook.  They also displayed video and other games around the venue for friends and family to browse. Their ceremony was personal and meaningful, led by a friend.

After the ceremony, guests mingled and enjoyed appetizers from B&M Catering. The best man, Long, acted as MC and introduced the couple intro the room, and they headed straight for the lunch buffet which had some delightful options, including the head from the pig roast! Guests enjoyed brief toasts from the bride's dad and the groom's dad on an audio system from A Taste of Music.  Following the toasts, Andra and Mike cut their Konditor Meister cake and fed each other delicious mini pastries.

Guests truly got a taste of Mike and Andra's love at this special wedding.  Congratulations to the two lovebirds! #phamilyweddingfeast

​We all know the classic wedding tradition “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; and something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity.  The “something blue” tradition in particular can be a great chance to bring your imagination to life! We have come up with some fun and quirky ideas on how to incorporate blue into your wedding day!

If you are searching for a fabulous beauty partner as you prepare for a special event, look no further. Darya Heras and the team at DH Estetica in Boston are experts in helping you look your best, including services in hair, makeup, skincare, lash extensions, and rejuvenation.  DH Estetica is offering all friends and clients of Without A Hitch 20% off of any service for a limited time. Just mention us when you call or email to book.

Eyelash extensions are one of DH Estetica's most popular services. Putting on a full set takes 1-2 hours and can completely change your look.  There is no pain involved in the procedure. Check out their top tips for extensions:

​Keep in mind some of the lashes will most likely fall off within the first 2-3 days. Because of this, it is better to fill in as many lashes as possible even though this might look like too much for you. 

Do not touch your lashes within the first 24 hours after the lashes extensions are put in! The rule of thumb: the less you touch/wash/rub/apply makeup the longer your extensions will last. Some of clients don't come for a refill for 5 weeks!

Mascara or eye makeup remover has to be water-based or else it will compromise the glue that holds the lashes on. No waterproof makeup can be used!

Brush your lashes every day so that they maintain their fullness and shape.