​Julie and Ben’s October wedding fits nicely into a trend we are seeing a lot of and want to do more: restaurant weddings!  Having a wedding in a restaurant is the perfect fit when they have a great space, awesome food and service, and can accommodate a group of the right size.  Loyal Nine in Cambridge fit all of those buckets, and they had an extra bonus outdoor area which was perfect for the ceremony.
 
Here’s the beautiful story of Ben and Julie's day, with photos provided by the lovely Oh Karina!

​Julie and Ben both started off their wedding day getting ready at their home in Jamaica Plain.  Julie had her hair and makeup done by Beauty PaRLR before slipping into her Jenny Yoo dress from Flair Boston. So pretty and flowy, the dress fit Julie’s personality perfectly.
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She and Ben met up for first look right near their house and then joined their closest friends and family for some photos and to sign the Ketubah before they left the house. They made their way by car service to the Loyal Nine restaurant in Cambridge. When they rolled up, about 30 minutes before the ceremony was to start, we were working with the terrific vendor team to have everything ready to go!

​The ladies of Foret were in charge of the beautiful flowers and chuppah.  Bud vases lined the restaurant’s own tables, filled with interesting flowers and plants in soft tones.  The florist also put up the chuppah outdoors for the ceremony and covered it in garland and buds.  It looked like it belonged there! Loyal Nine set up rented benches under their romantic bistro lights, and with the ceremonial wine and glass to break under the chuppah, the ceremony space was ready to roll. Julie and Ben had prepared for the possibility of chilly fall weather by purchasing blankets for guests if they needed, but we lucked out with an unseasonably warm and sunny day.
 
DJ and talented musician Keith McEachern started to strum on his guitar and it was time for the ceremony to start.  Lizzie, Ben’s sister and the ceremony officiant, started down the aisle first, followed by both Ben and Julie’s siblings and then the adorable nieces and nephews.  Ben followed on the arms of both his parents, then Julie made her grand entrance with hers. It was a personal ceremony, made even more so by the fact that it was a family member who was performing it.  To close it out, Ben kept with the Jewish tradition of stomping on a piece of glass, the guests yelled MAZEL TOV! and Ben and Julie had their first kiss as husband and wife.  As the couple headed back into the restaurant, guests were greeted with food and beverages on the patio by the restaurant staff.

​Guests mingled for cocktail hour while the bride, groom, and a few family members took some last formal photos.  Guests were able to pick up their escort cards and look through the old family photos that were set out in the café/patio area.  A polaroid camera was a big attraction and created an adorable guestbook for the couple to treasure.
 
The reception began as we brought everyone into the restaurant. It was standing room only since the patio area was being flipped for ~25 guests to dine outside, so everyone gathered around while DJ Keith introduced the newlyweds.  They shared a first dance together to Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change the Love I Have For You” and then the couple’s friends grabbed the mic for a personal performance in honor of Julie and Ben.  We heard two toasts before dinner; both the maid of honor and the best man brought laughter and tears into the room.  Then it was time for dinner, an incredible multi-course feast!  

​There was a final toast after dinner, given jointly by all four parents of the bride and groom.  It was so sweet and they truly captured the room’s attention.  Lastly, Julie & Ben got up and showed a bit of their own personality, thanking guests and informing them that they would be making a donation in lieu of favors to a cause close to their hearts.
 
The restaurant staff cleared out a table to make lots of room for dancing, which the guests were happy to join in for! After a yummy dessert, the night ended as guests and the happy bride and groom made their way to an after party.

​Congratulations to Ben & Julie! Here's to many more nights celebrating under the stars!

Working with Alex & Ximena to plan their wedding last summer was somewhat of a dream.  They had a rock-star group of vendors, a jaw-dropping event space, and so so so much love between the two of them.  When we first met a few months before the wedding, they looked a little “deer in the headlights” with the amount of work they had left to do and questions to think about.  They pulled it together flawlessly, with heart and personality. 

​Check out their wedding day below, with all photos from the talented Juan MacLean.

​The sunny day launched with the bride and groom separated to get ready. The bride and her ladies got beautified courtesy of Nicole from Elsewhere Salon (Hair) and Makeup by Ashley Christine.  The ladies and the gents met up at the venue, the Arlington Town Hall, for a very special first look moment.  It was a private moment for the bride and groom and tears were shed and captured by Juan.  The couple took photos together and with their bridal party and then snuck inside the hall for one last moment while guests arrived for the outdoor ceremony.

​While the bride, groom, and their bridal party took a moment for a toast inside Town Hall, guests mixed and mingled in the gardens, enjoying food, beverages, and service provided by the award-winning team at Peppers Artful Events. The liquor came from Atlas and the Peppers team mixed up two signature cocktails for the couple: the Cuba Libre and the Chilcano in acknowledgement of Ximena and Alex’s Cuban and Peruvian heritages. After taking a few more family photos on the steps of Town Hall, the bride and groom were able to join their cocktail hour to mix and mingle with their guests before it was time to head inside for the reception.
 
As guests walked in, they were greeted by beautiful centerpieces from friends of the bride,  Grace and Kate.  The bride's friend Molly Burke coordinated the bouquets and large special arrangements. The decorations had a colorful, Peruvian touch. Guests found their seating assignment on a little llama stand, straight from a recent trip the couple had taken to Peru. They were also able to visit the Sharing Box, an inventive and fun photo booth with a handmade backdrop as colorful as the couple.

​The bride and groom entered the space, and the band filled the room with dance music.  This was going to be a party! Dinner was served and, at the conclusion, both the Maid of Honor and the Best Man stood up to make meaningful toasts to the newly married pair. Dancing continued and, in the final hour of the night, a surprise for all of the guests: La Hora Loca! Literally translated to “the crazy hour,” guests were provided with hats, glowsticks, noisemakers, and the band kicked up the beat of the songs. No one was ready to go when the party time was up.

 
Ximena and Alex, thank you for including us in this incredible day.  We hope that life brings you many more reasons to celebrate together!

​When you picture the perfect Boston wedding, Jamie & Mike’s Columbus Day weekend is exactly what comes to mind.  Getting ready at a boutique downtown hotel, a ceremony in a quintessential North End church, photos at Christopher Columbus park, and then the reception at Longwood’s State Room, overlooking Boston’s harbor and skyline.
 
The video and photos from Mike and Jamie’s wedding day are all from the talented team at The Harris Company. Check them out!

The day of the wedding dawned bright and sunny. Perfect for a long day of celebrating these two lovebirds! The bride, groom, and the large bridal parties got ready at the Ames Hotel downtown.  Jamie and Mike each only had three attendants, but they opted for a large 10 person House Party, a southern tradition where the bride is able to include many more friends and family in the celebration, plus 10 ushers on Mike’s side.  That led to a lot of love (and wrangling) on the day of!
 
At the Ames, Jamie and her gals had hair done by Jen Tawa and makeup by Jana Lamas.  The photography team was there to capture it all, including cards exchanged between the couple before they each got dressed.  With the help of her sister, Jamie slipped on her Carolina Herrera gown just in time for the limo from Met Boston to arrive to head to the church. 

Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church in the North End is a very large historic building and Jamie & Mike’s nearly 300 guests couldn’t even come close to filling all of the pews. As we lined up the ~30 people who were set to walk down the aisle, Jamie and her sister and parents waited in the idling limo, ready to jump out and walk down the aisle too.  The church was decorated simply, with a white aisle runner, classic folding programs, and a few altar pieces (later moved to the reception) from florist Madison Floral.  The string quartet, organized by the groom’s sister who plays with them, started the processional music and the flower girls and ring bearer were off down the aisle.
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The ceremony itself, a full mass, was personal and traditional at the same time, thanks to officiant Pat Nolan, a Deacon who has known the couple for many years.  Our job was to stand guard at the back doors, keeping the hordes of tourists from entering the building.  It’s such an old church that there’s actually no bathroom inside, and guests trotted across the street to a nearby fire station if they had to use the facility during the service.

​After a big kiss and a cheer, Jamie & Mike headed down the long aisle and out the double doors and right across the street for a receiving line in the park. Guests followed, greeting and congratulating them.  Jamie & Mike were easygoing – Jamie exchanging her heels from some white flats so that she could walk the two blocks to the party bus, since it wasn’t allowed to drive on Hanover St.  They took photos with their bridal party at the beautiful Columbus Park and then set off just the two of them for a walk by Quincy Market on their way to the reception.   The result was some of our favorite Boston bridal portraits… ever!

Meanwhile, we headed to the State Room to work with the professional team there to get everything set up for a big party.  The rounds were set out in the Great Room with an extra long banquet-style head table just in front of the breathtaking skyline.  The florist put together classic, elegant centerpieces and, combined with the hunter green napkins, custom menu cards, and gold beaded charger plates, it was the perfect black-tie look. 
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Jamie & Mike enlarged some of their stunning engagement photos and lined the entry walkway with them, making the space truly feel theirs as guests entered the 35th floor of the State Street building.  Guests could also sign the guestbook, a custom photo book, throughout the night and find their escort cards in the Great Room mezzanine during cocktail hour.

​After some group photos, the bar opened and guests arrived to celebrate Jamie & Mike for cocktail hour.  The band, Current Affair Music, set up in the main hall and welcomed guests into the reception space just as the sun was setting with a brilliant pink/purple/orange 180-degree view. The parents and bridal party were introduced, followed by the new Mr. and Mrs. Then came the first dance, to modern choice ”Come to Me” by the Goo Goo Dolls.  The bride’s parents gave a welcome after the first dance and Pat, the officiant, gave a short blessing.  Dinner was served and Mike & Jamie cut the pretty white cake.  A few toasts took place after dinner was served: both the best men (the groom’s brothers) and the maid of honor (the bride’s sister) spoke.  A dance between Mike & his mom followed, then Jamie danced with her dad to the classic “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison and the whole dance floor opened up. 
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Guests kept the dance floor packed except for a brief break when the photo and video team gathered everyone for a same-day edit of Jamie & Mike’s video.  People laughed and cheers and a few tears were shed.  Then everyone jumped up to dance the rest of the night away.

​Congratulations to both Jamie and Mike! We hope that as you start your marriage off in Texas, you have many Boston memories to take with you.

Getting the chance to coordinate Becky and KT’s wedding was truly an honor.  Becky and our owner/founder Sarah worked together planning events at a Boston nonprofit for several years.  Even though Sarah left her job there several years ago, Becky knew that when it came time for her to plan her own wedding, Sarah would be a part of it.

​Enter KT, her pup Rex, a condo in Roslindale, and an engagement.  It was especially fun to work on this one together not just because of the personal connection, but also because of Becky’s professional work in events and her incredible attention to every detail. Their day of timeline is no less than 8 pages long (which may be a record for us) and the day itself was organized and heartfelt.

The story of their special day, shared below, with photos courtesy of the insanely talented Analog Photo.

​The morning started with getting ready for both of the brides at their Boston home.  Hair and makeup for Becky was done by Adore Styling while KT packed the final, carefully organized details into their car and headed over to the venue, the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham.  All of the vendors were there bright and early for this lunchtime affair.  The caterer, Cuisine Chez Vous, started the room setup and all of the food and bar prep. They also provided all of the pretty floral centerpieces and the personal flowers and the birch chuppah and adornments.  The band, Water and the Night Owls, arrived soon after the caterer to set up their equipment and do a sound check.
 
After we unloaded KT’s car the venue (she brilliantly brought a cart to make it super easy), Becky arrived in style in a limo from ATR and met KT for a “first look” and lots of great photos. KT's boutonniere, Becky's hairpiece, and the flower girl's crown were handmade by the brides themselves - so pretty!

​As guests arrived for the ceremony, they gathered in the museum space. There were a few chairs for sitting, but most of the guests huddled close to the chuppah. KT and the honored chuppah holders took their place first, followed by the adorable flower girl, and then the radiant Becky. The couple chose a friend, Sarah Richard, to officiate the ceremony.  There were a few readings from close friends and the exchanging of rings, which were handmade by local jeweler E.Scott Originals.  It resulted in a very personal and sweet ceremony filled with laughs and tears for all.
 
After the end of the ceremony, and an uplifting recessional song to “Natalie Cole – This Will Be,” guests were ready to mix and mingle for cocktail hour, featuring yummy appetizers and sparkling mimosas.  The brides took a few more photos outdoors before joining their guests.

When guests were ready to transition to the reception space, all of the details that KT and Becky had thought so much about were waiting for them.  In the gallery space was a non-traditional guestbook.  Guests could write on small pieces of paper and put them in the “bottle” for the couple to open on their anniversary.  Photos were strung throughout the gallery showing Becky, KT, and their dog.  And the escort cards were old fashioned time stamp cards, fitting with the theme of the museum.  A sign explained that, in lieu of favors, a donation was made to the MSPCA in honor of the guests.  The MSCPA is where KT adopted Rex from years earlier!

On each table in the Jackson Room were bright, pretty sunflowers. Perfect for a sunny brunch wedding.  Each table also had a container of legos and jenga for guests to play but the cutest part was the table numbers: photos of Rex in little frames!

Becky and KT entered the reception space to raucous applause before starting their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.  Guests joined the couple on the dancefloor for the end of the dance and for a few songs while the buffet was set up.   All of the yummy brunch food was served, and guests were so happy to have entertainment, food, and drinks.
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A few speeches rounded out the lunchtime.  Both Becky and KT’s sisters spoke, followed by friends of the couple Sandra and Maren.  KT and Becky also stood up to say a big thank you to all of the guests for being a part of their day.  The brides actually had two cakes: one was baked by Cuisine Chez Vous and the other, smaller cake was gluten-free and baked by their friend Maddy.  Both were delicious!

​A bit of dancing and mingling and more photos rounded out the party.  Cleanup was simple – everything went back in their car – but to Becky and KT’s surprise, the car had even more decorations on it than they had bargained for, thanks to some eager friends.
 
Congratulations to these two lovebirds from Without A Hitch. We are so happy for you!

​Set on the coast of Maine, Rob & Anni's Biddeford Pool wedding was filled with personal touches.  It was particularly special to us as our founder, Sarah, has known Rob & Anni for many years through mutual friends. 
 
Anni works in design for a living and her sister, Elin Krouse, is a visual stylist for Anthropologie, so you had to expect that the entire affair was going to be a great time, and also truly beautiful. They surrounded themselves with friends and family, not just as their guests but also in the vendor team that they selected.
 
Anni and Rob’s wedding day story is presented below, with photos from the talented Gina Elizabeth Photography.

​The venue they selected was Hattie’s Sugar Shack in Maine.  Hattie's was previously a restaurant that the bride frequented as a child, set right on the marsh with Biddeford Pool Harbor in the background. The amazing part about this space is that it can truly be transformed into anything the client imagines, and Anni and Rob dreamed up something special.  They stayed at onsite accommodations for the week, so they were there to make sure all of the setup happened just the way it should.  The sailcloth tent was done by Marshall Tent Rental, who also provided the chair rentals.
 
Anni and her gals got ready onsite in the morning, with makeup done by Lindsey Baptista and hair styled by Goldie’s Arrow. Anni opted for loose waves – perfect for her beach wedding.  Her dress, as well as her sister and sister-in-law’s bridesmaid gowns, was from BHLDN, Anthropologie’s bridal division. In the Boston area, we have one in Chestnut Hill, and we always recommend checking it out for brides and their families who are dress shopping.

​​Anni met up with Rob for a first look on the marshes.  They took some family photos before the school bus full of their guests rolled up to the venue.  The beachfront access was right across the street from Hattie’s, about a 5 minute walk.  While Anni & Rob took a few more photos, we put out a dozen chairs on the beach and cleared a space for the ceremony to take place, nestled in the dunes.

We were watching the skies the whole time – the rain plan was going to be difficult to execute if we had to.  The bus riders told us that they had driven through a rain storm on the way over, but we watched as the dark clouds went directly around instead of over our space.  The vibe as guests took photos on the beach, listening to steel drums played by Mango Groove, was peaceful and excited and incredibly joyous. 
 
There was some maneuvering behind the scenes, as we drove the bride and bridesmaids across the street to the beach parking so that they could stay hidden.  We lined up the rest of those processing down the aisle, including the adorable 2-year old flower girl and ring bearer.  Just as Anni and her dad made their way over the dune and towards the wedding guests, two bright, beautiful rainbows came out.  The father and daughter made their way down the aisle to the sounds of the steel drum band and with their shoes kicked off, toes in the sand.

Their ceremony included personal vows and was officiated by Susan from “I Do” Personal Ceremonies of Maine.  It was short and sweet and so heartfelt, including a reading from the bride’s mother and a big kiss at the pronouncement of their marriage.  Anni & Rob walked back down the aisle hand in hand, and led the way for all of their guests to follow them to Hattie’s for cocktail hour.

​Guests feasted on food from Chill Catering and beverages served by Top Shelf Bartending. The steel drums relocated to provide more tunes during the mixing and mingling and as the sunset.  But the most amazing part was seeing the guests’ reactions to all of the setup work that had been done to transform the cocktail hour and the tent space.

Inspired by indigo dyes and muscle shells, the vision for the event was built around the idea that the floral arrangements would pop against natural beauty of the marsh and tones of indigo blue textiles. The bride and her friends dip dyed two hundred napkins for the event. The bride’s dad and brother built 17 tables and the bar by hand, which perfectly filled the sailcloth tent. All the flowers were from the bride’s godmother, Anastasia Casale, in Sag Harbor, NY. The dahlias were grown on Anastasia & her partner Keith's flower farm, Pierpont Blossom Farm.  The location was transformed into a curator’s dream, with help from the styling of East Olivia.  It was filled with dip dyed accents, dreamy arrangements, batik table linens, and gold dipped muscle shells. The gold flatware and rimmed plates were rented through Savvy Event Rental.
 
At the cocktail hour, there were little “vignettes” or styled scenes everywhere you looked: an adorable seating area, an escort chart so guests knew their table assignment, a welcome table with the guestbook on it. And so many dahlias. 

As guests transitioned into the tent for the start of the reception, the sun was setting in the most brilliant red/orange/yellow colors and Anni & Rob took a few more photos with friends and family, including one with their friend from Revel Revel, who designed the beautiful and unique invitation suite.

DJ Collin Spillane spun some music and introduced the bridal party, who all came in dancing, and that truly set the mood for the night.  Anni & Rob shared a first dance, and then dinner was served, but guests could not be kept off the dance floor!  Rob and Anni cut a small cake, which came from a friend of theirs, who also made some amazing Maine whoopie pies.  The rest of the dessert table was filled with Rice Krispie treats in all flavors from Lady Krispie.  

​After dinner, we sat everyone down so that we could have a few toasts, including the bride’s father, the groom’s brother/best man, and the bride’s sister/maid of honor.  Finally, Anni & Rob said a few words and made it clear that this was about to be a big dance party. Anni danced with her father and then Rob with his mom, and then once the guests joined them on the dance floor, there was no stopping the party until well after midnight.

​The bride shared with us that she wanted her wedding to be the best party and most beautiful event their guests have ever attended.  Anni and Rob, you achieved that, and then some! Congrats to you two! 

Every single couple we work with has a special and unique wedding, but Jake & Helen’s was especially close to our hearts.  Our founder Sarah grew up in the same community as Jake, and their mothers were business partners at one point. Sarah’s parents actually attended Helen & Jake’s beautiful wedding, which took place at Jake’s parents’ home in Westport, Mass.

All of the beautiful details of the day are shared below in photos from Olivia Gird Photography.

In addition to Jake’s parents’ home, the couple used the house door on the dead end street to have more space to spread out. Helen got ready there and had her hair done by Allison Barbera and makeup by Sherri Caissie. The ladies were styled to perfection while the gentleman got dressed, and then they all met up for a “first look” photo outdoors.  The bridal party and parents looked on as Jake and Helen saw each other for the first time on their wedding day; it was so romantic!

After some group photos, it was time to head inside for the traditional Ketubah signing. The Ketubah was designed and printed by Jennifer Raichman. Officiant Rabbi Jaffe led the short remarks and the couple and their witnesses signed the Jewish marriage document.  While this was happening, all of the guests were gathering outside at dusk, ready for the ceremony to start. The Jewish chuppah at the altar was hand built by Jake and his mother and under it was a ceremonial bottle of wine and cups to drink from. 

The officiant and the couple's grandparents made their way down the aisle first, followed by the groom with his parents and the bridesmaids, and then the bride herself with one parent on each arm.  The ceremony was thoughtful and so personal, since the officiant has known Jake since he was a boy.  After a kiss and a big MAZEL TOV! the couple headed straight to the house for a private moment together as husband and wife.  All of the guests and family members headed to cocktail hour in the yard area.

Snacks were ready to go from the caterer, Smoke & Pickles, and drinks from bartending service Garnish & Drink.  Guests didn’t have to go far for the portable restroom trailers, provided by Elegant Restrooms.

Guests could grab their favors as they mingled at cocktail hour. The couple put together small jars of honey with the escort tags attached. The sign said “Find your honey – then find your seat.” So cute!
 
Finally it was reception time, under the huge tent provided by Chase Canopy.  Guests were seated at tables/chairs through the rental company, Rentals Unlimited.  The flowers and centerpieces were from florist Eva's Garden – they looked awesome!

And DJ Keith from Each Production took center stage, getting guests excited for the reception about to start. Each set of parents and the whole bridal party was introduced into the tent before it was finally Jake & Helen’s turn.  They shared a first dance to the classic Otis Redding song “That’s How Strong My Love Is” followed by a rousing Hora that got everyone onto their feet while the caterer set up the buffet for dinner.

Before dinner was served, a sweet parent dance was shared, with Jake dancing with his mom while Helen was joined by her dad. Then, Jake’s parents made a toast to welcome all of the guests and Jake's grandfather said the traditional blessing over the wine and bread.  After dinner, we heard a few more toasts from the Maid of Honor, the Best Man, and Helen’s mother. Each one was sweet and personal and brought the crowd to laughter and tears.   Dessert was perfect for the early fall evening: apple crisp! Guests crowded the dance floor after Helen tossed her bouquet and then the whole party danced the night away.

​Congratulations Helen & Jake! You two are just perfect together and it was so much fun to see the wedding come together from conception through execution.  You did it!

​There’s something extra special about an intimate wedding in historic Boston! We were thrilled to be a part of Lisa and Dan’s elegant and heartwarming celebration in August.
 
Spectacular photography from talented husband-wife duo Alex + Betty.

In love with their neighborhood, Lisa and Dan knew that Beacon Hill’s cobblestone and brick were the perfect backdrop for the day. Lisa got ready at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, zipping into a modern Maggie Sottero dress. Meanwhile, Dan and the boys suited up at the couple’s apartment steps from the Esplanade.
 
They met halfway for their first look in the Public Garden, the site of Dan’s proposal. They posed for stunning photos throughout the park, stopping by the Swan Boats and Make Way for Ducklings Statue. From there, the couple made their way to picturesque Acorn Street. On such a hot and sticky day, Lisa had to pull Dan up the hill with her to keep up with her pace. Silly moments like these lent to the day’s playful tone - no surprise since the groom is a former stand-up comic!

​Last stop on their Beacon Hill adventure was Hampshire House, the venue for the main event. While the couple cooled down and spent some quality time with their families, we put together all the final, personal touches. This included duckling escort cards and wine bottles on which guests could write words of wisdom. Our favorite detail, though, was the cherished family photos nestled in the library shelves. Rachel Abbott from Mahoney’s completed the space with a dramatic mantle piece.

​The intimate ceremony was filled with heartfelt moments and happy tears. The couple chose to honor their loved ones who could not be there and several family members read short, sweet excerpts and poems. It was a truly beautiful celebration of love! A passionate kiss marked the beginning of their journey as a married couple. Music from the cellist and violinist ushered the couple out of the library and straight into the party.

​Cocktail hour took place on the third floor, overlooking Beacon St. and the Public Garden. Everyone was greeted by tiny rubber ducks in tuxedos to kick off the festivities. Downstairs, we flipped the library into modern and elegant reception. Bright peonies adorned the long tables and candles sparkled in the bookshelves. Once the sun set over the park, Dan opened the dancefloor with a high kick during his first dance with Lisa. DJ Paul Granata led the party from there, and guests danced well into the night.

​It was a flawless wedding with gorgeous reminders of historic Boston. Thanks so much for sharing your special day with us Lisa & Dan!

The way Perry and Kevin describe it, they weren’t quite sure from the start whether or not they needed a coordinator for their wedding day.  They (correctly) thought that they would be able to do all of the planning themselves, and they were nervous about letting go of the details on their wedding day.  They and we are both so glad they did!  The whole day flowed beautifully and we orchestrated their instructions just as requested.  Learn all about their Arlington Town Hall wedding details below, with photos from the inspiring Paul Robert Berman.

Perry and Kevin got ready for the day separately, with Perry and the gals at the Homewood Suites in Arlington and Kevin and the guys at the couple’s apartment in Cambridge.  The girls had their hair and makeup done by Essentials Salon (Belmont) and Perry donned her BHLDN dress (Meghan Gown).  Both the bride and groom then made their way to Arlington Town Hall for a first look.
 
While the couple snapped some photos around the beautiful grounds of Town Hall, we were inside working with everyone to get the room set up!  Perry and Kevin chose long, banquet-style tables from PEAK for their reception and they created their own floral arrangements using Blooms By The Box.  Giant lit up “JUST MARRIED” letters were the perfect backdrop to the entire evening on the stage.

​After some couple and family portraits, it was go time for the ceremony! Guests gathered in the garden area in front of a large fountain. The bridal party entered, followed by the groom with his parents, and the bride with her dad. There were readings and some wisdom shared by guests, and after the officiant presented the new Mr. and Mrs., everyone erupted in cheers!

 
The weather held out for a beautiful cocktail hour in the outdoor gardens, with food from B&M Catering and alcohol provided by Atlas Liquors.  Afterwards, guests headed into the Town Hall to find their seats. They filtered in through the lobby, where their seating assignments were displayed. The bride and groom entered the room last and shared a first dance.  Perry and Kevin opted to use a downloaded Spotify playlist for the night, and their friend helped with audio equipment.
 
After the first dance, there were toasts from Perry’s parents and bridal party members Mia and Paul.  Dinner from B&M was served family style, on each of the banquet tables.  Dessert was set up with cookies from Lyndell’s Bakery and Kevin and Perry cut a small ceremonial cake. 

​The couple and their guests danced the night away and celebrated this new union in the most joyous way.  Congratulations to Perry and Kevin! You two planned a gorgeous and flawless day together. May you have many more!

We kind of think of Katie and Mike as our rock star clients… not only were they calm, cool, and collected throughout the entire planning process, but they also each donned custom denim jackets for the party and picked up guitars to join the band.  In addition to being pretty awesome, they were also the sweetest and kindest couple and they partied at their wedding late into the night. 
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What an honor for us to be able to support them on their big day, and to share it below. All photos are courtesy of Alexandra Roberts and her awesome talent.  Thank you too to Juliette Sutherland of Juliette Films for capturing video.

Both Katie and Mike started their days surrounded by close friends and family, getting ready at the Charles Hotel.  The men donned their rented tuxes from The Black Tux.  The ladies had hair done by Katie Cavic and makeup by Makeup Artistry by Liz.  A friend of the bride's (Lizzie Doherty Designs) provided the flower girl's crown and the bride's reception headpiece, made of  beautiful paper flowers..  The bride's stunning BHLDN dress (Josie) had been altered to perfection by Binh from All Fit Tailoring. Their wedding bands were handmade by e.scott originals.

The couple then met up for a first look right in Cambridge and then took some of the most iconic Cambridge city shots we have ever seen.   If anyone can stop Harvard Square traffic, it’s these two!

After their photo session, it was time for the ceremony. Everyone gathered at St. Paul Catholic Church. The incredible historic architecture and vaulted ceilings made for the perfect backdrop for these two to say “I Do.”

As soon as the ceremony ended, all of the guests hopped on buses from Tewksbury Transit, with the bride and groom in a limo from Russo, to head to Lincoln’s Pierce House where the reception was waiting for them.

At the historic Pierce House, couples have full use of the house as well as the attached tent during wedding season. Guests spread out on the lawn and the porch for cocktail hour, helping themselves to food and beverages from Deja Blu Catering, including the signature Moscow Mule and Margarita drinks.   Extra bathrooms were on hand from Elegant Restrooms.  There were lawn games to play and places to sit and family photos on the house's mantles.  Guests found their names on the seating charts before the transition to the reception.

Inside the tent, provided by Come Rain or Shine, there was space for the 150 guests plus the Silver Arrow Band.  Centerpieces were set up just the way that Katie and Mike had pictured them – lanterns and greenery and candles led to a soft, romantic feel.  Centre Pieces Design provided the flowers and garlands. Whenever guests needed a break from the tent, they could head inside the house and take a seat or visit the glittery photo booth, from by Alexandra Roberts.
 
After introductions into the tent, Katie and Mike shared their sweet first dance as a married couple.  Parent dances followed – Mike with his mom then Katie with her dad, before the band invited all of the guests to join them on the dance floor for a few songs while the buffet was set for dinner.

After all guests had eaten, it was toast time.  There were heartfelt toasts from the bride’s dad, the maid of honor Sara, and the best men Brian. Following was a cake cutting, with a lot of laughter involved.  And then, the moment that the couple had been waiting for, a surprise performance from the bride and groom themselves! They donned their MATCHING custom denim jackets, chain stitched by Fort Lonesome, grabbed their guitars, and shared a song together. It was a moving moment for every single person in the room.

The band played the night away (in fact, even past the scheduled end time!). Guests (and us too) will certainly be talking about this wedding for quite a while.
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Congratulations Katie and Mike! May you share many, many more songs together as a married couple.

Kelsey and Ashley are colorful, effervescent people, and they planned a wedding together that reflected that beautifully.  Plus, it was planned to a T thanks to Kelsey’s color-coded and tab-organized 3-ring binder full of information and timelines.  😊  Kelsey and Ashley’s family and friends were honored to be a part of their day, and we are thrilled to share it with you!
 
All of these stunning photos are courtesy of Eddie Winter at ReadyLuck.  Check it out below!

The ladies started their day off getting ready at Boston’s Park Plaza hotel in separate suites.  Hair and makeup was organized by stylist Caitlin Murphy, and everyone turned up looking great.

The two brides had their first look at the most quintessential of Boston places: the gazebo located in the Boston Commons.  Some photos took place, followed by a small, intimate wedding ceremony in the Boston Public Garden with just their closest family and bridal party members and officiated by Rebecca McCollough, their former Emerson College roommate.  After the ceremony (and lots of cheering from public onlookers), they stopped by Cheers for a celebratory drink and then the whole crew hopped into an Old Town Trolley to head to the party at the Cambridge Boat Club.

Over at the Club, all of the setup was taking place to prepare for the guests.  Keep in mind: you don’t have to be a club member to rent out the CBC for the day!  This is truly a special (and historic) place to have a wedding.
 
Rentals were provided by Be Our Guest and staffing for the day was handled by the always-professional Caterstaff team with alcohol from Gordon's. The couple opted for long, wooden tables to an intimate feel to the day.  Flowers were a gorgeous and simple addition, provided by Blooms of Hope.
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As guests arrived, DJ Marc Anthony had some tunes playing while they mixed and mingled before dinner.  And as Kelsey’s mom arrived with the final piece of the cake (the adorable hand-crafted munchkin topper!), that was set out for everyone to oooh and ahh over. Oakleaf created their custom cake which was inspired by candy dots and contained funfetti layers and a few different fruity frostings.

Guests gathered around the dance floor as the trolley pulled up to CBC and the parents, the bridal party (aka the “A-Squad” and the “K-Squad”) and the brides themselves were introduced.  The first dance was pretty special (HELLO BEYONCE’S LOVE ON TOP!) and you can see how nothing else mattered in that room to Ashley and Kelsey except for each other. Plus they have some killer dance moves.

After some brief remarks from the couple, guests were seated while the dinner buffet was set up.  And what a dinner it was!  Ashley and Kelsey picked a few of their favorite foods and restaurants and that was their wedding cuisine.

There were make-your-own tacos and burritos from El Pelon, burgers from Tasty Burger, and fruits and appetizers from Baker’s Best.  After the cake cutting and a special (surprise!) birthday cake for little Isabella, dessert was served, including the aforementioned cake, plus vegan cupcakes, donuts from Blackbird Doughnuts, and coffee from Espresso Dave’s cart.  Not only were guests full and happy as they prepared to dance the night away, but they were also offered “to go” containers on the dessert buffet in case anyone wanted to save a little bit for later (and you know many did). 

​The DJ kept the dance floor packed for several hours until the perfect last dance song: Closing Time by Semisonic.  Guests departed, but the night was far from over as many headed to the afterparty at MJ O’Connors.
 
What a fabulous, fun, food-filled day and night it was for Kelsey and Ashley. Congrats you two!!

​Rachel and Steve tied the knot on a sunny July day at the historic Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham, MA.  Friends and family came together from near and far to toast the nuptials of this incredible couple and to enjoy a fantastic celebration - from the thoughtful ceremony in Landry Park to the groom’s eye-catching gold Vans and an epic father-daughter dance, it was truly a night to remember!
 
The stunning images below are courtesy of Grace Taylor Photography.

​Rachel and her bridesmaids kicked off the day’s festivities at the Hotel Commonwealth with the help of makeup artist and hair stylist Nicole Wenstrom.  After donning her delicate lace BHLDN dress, Rachel made her way to the rustic footbridge arching over the Charles River to meet her groom for an emotional first look. 

The ceremony, officiated by the couple’s good friend Noah, was held beneath a beautiful tree, creating a natural chuppah in a nod to the bride’s heritage.  The lush garden bouquets arranged by the bride with flowers from Aster B Flowers further complemented the rustic surroundings.  
 
Flanked by their dapper groomsmen and stylish bridesmaids, Rachel and Steve pledged to love one another in a heartfelt ceremony full of laughter and joy.  After breaking a glass to commemorate the momentous occasion, the newlyweds joined hands and took their first walk as a married couple, fittingly to Florence and the Machine’s You’ve Got the Love.  There’s no doubt about it, love was radiating from this happy couple!
 
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to explore the museum while enjoying tasty treats and refreshing beverages, including a delicious sparkling Rose, courtesy of Gordon’s Fine Wines and Stoked Pizza.  

​The reception space was a true reflection of this incredible couple – from the handmade centerpieces featuring a variety of glass bottles and brightly colored wildflowers to the unique origami heart escort cards, no detail was overlooked.  In a nod to their beloved dog Kipper, Rachel and Steve incorporated a deeply personal yet whimsical touch – a temporary tattoo favor featuring a tiny paw print! 

​Perhaps the most highly anticipated portion of the evening (after the ceremony, of course!) was dinner – a delicious family-style spread of wood-fired pizza from the Stoked food truck!  Rachel and Steve made sure to enjoy the offerings themselves – the groom even went back for seconds… and thirds!  After several thoughtful and humorous toasts from friends and family, Rachel and her father reopened the dance floor for the evening and soon, with a little help from DJ Cookie Policy, everyone was on their feet!  Of course, no wedding celebration is complete without dessert – the delectable doughies from Union Square Donuts and cold brew iced coffee courtesy of Longfellows were a huge hit!  

​Rachel and Steve’s big day was brimming with love, laughter and some truly epic dance moves!   We are honored to have been a part of their celebration and hope that they continue to fill each other’s lives with joy and spontaneous dance parties for many years to come!

​Sarah and Nick’s wedding was incredibly special since they chose all of the personal details that reflected them, not the least of which was including their pup Waldo in the occasion! They got a perfect late summer day and had a wonderful team in place to make sure everything came together beautifully. Their wedding took place at the Cambridge Boat Club and the story is presented with photos from Cheetah Design Studio below.

​Nick and his groomsmen started off the day getting ready at home while the ladies were in a suite at Le Meridian.  Makeup was done by the talented Demiche; the ladies looked done up to absolute perfection!  Sarah & Nick had their first look and then made their way to the venue. While they took photos with their family, bridal party (and Waldo the pup!) outside, we were inside with the team getting everything ready to go.
 
One of our favorite caterers, Forklift, was onsite to take care of all of the rentals and the setup of the tables and chairs in the venue.  The couple opted for a dark blue linen which fit the nautical look of the space so well.  Bistro lights were strung by Seacoast Events, making the space feel warm and cozy and special inside. Blooms of Hope provided the sunny bouquets and lovely floral centerpieces for the couple.

​At long last, it was ceremony time, with everyone gathered facing the Charles River and the bridal party standing as a backdrop to Sarah & Nick.  Even Waldo walked down the aisle! The ceremony was short and super sweet, and there was a big cheer when Sarah & Nick had their first kiss as husband and wife. The newlyweds took just a few more pictures as guests enjoyed cocktail hour and the ceremony chairs were all moved into the reception room to make room for a dance floor.  DJ Kevin, a friend of the couple, introduced the bridal party and the new “husband and wife” who entered the room and got straight to dancing to “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love” by Pink Martini. An emotional mother/son dance and father/daughter dance followed before the DJ asked all of the guests to find their seats.  Guests were able to find their escort cards attached to adorable mercury glass candles, the perfect placecard and favor in one!

A few toasts started us off while the buffet was prepped. The bride’s sisters and the groom’s brother all said a few words to set the mood. Dinner followed, and each item on the menu was thoughtfully prepared by Forklift after their tasting with the couple.  One of the items, kheyma, was a take on a traditional Armenian dish and a nod to Nick’s heritage.

​Dessert was set out after dinner was served and it was a unique display.  Forklift provided both a “cheese” cake – multi-tiered delicious cheeses – as well as a beautiful croquembouche.  This is similar to a tower of donut holes covered in sweet caramel. The bride shared with us that this classic French dessert had personal meaning for her, and Forklift figured out how to make one!
 
After dessert, dancing resumed in earnest and lasted well into the night.  Guests even partied after the end time at a local bar.  There was so much to celebrate with Sarah & Nick’s union! Congratulations you two!

​Sarah and Ryan’s wedding at the historic Charles River Museum of Innovation and Industry was a celebration love, laugher and friendship – from the breathtaking first look on a rustic footbridge to the amazing dance party that had everyone on their feet, it was truly a night to remember!
 
The beautiful images below are courtesy of Aaron Spagnolo Photography.

​Following a morning of pampering by Kandace Cummings of Anita Kurl and Lauren Baran, the bride stepped into her gorgeous tiered-lace mermaid gown (talk about a jaw-dropping train), before making her way to the museum to greet her groom.   After sharing a private first look and, of course, a kiss, Sarah and Ryan joined their bridal party for a photo session along the banks of the Charles River.

​The ceremony, officiated by the bride’s cousin Talia, was a moving tribute to Sarah and Ryan’s deep connection, and the joy and peace they bring to each other’s lives.  Under a delicate birch branch chuppah and flanked by their bridal party, the couple pledged to stand by one another as they embark on a exciting new journey as husband and wife.  In a fitting conclusion to the ceremony, the guests offered up a resounding Mazel Tov as the happy couple recessed to The Emotions, Best of My Love!
 
Guests were then invited to explore the museum while savoring delicious treats from Dinner and Company and refreshing beverages from Cocktails.   A clever postcard guestbook station complete with a customized mailbox, encouraged guests to pen a note for the newlyweds!

​Sarah and Ryan’s incredible attention to detail was evident in the thoughtful reception décor – the rich burgundy and soft pink floral accents from Waltham’s Florist coupled with an abundance of candles and an eye-catching gold sweetheart table were the perfect complements to the historic industrial space.  The custom popcorn favors with labels designed by the groom added the perfect touch of humor to the elegant surroundings.
 
Much to the delight of their guests, Sarah and Ryan opened the reception with a romantic first dance to Leon Bridges’ Coming Home!   The newlyweds and their guests were then treated to a unique dinner experience – buffet stations featuring everything from classic Italian favorites to a make-your-own taco bar!   Following moving toasts from friends and family, DJ Tony invited the guests to the dance floor for an enthusiastic hora!  Thankfully the bride and groom had a good grip on their chairs (and Shutter and Sound Videography was on hand to capture it all)!  

​Sarah and Ryan’s big day was a testament not only to their love for each other but to the love their friends and family have for them both.  We were honored to have been a part of their celebration and hope their next adventure will be equally full of joy, laughter and hopefully, an endless supply of choco tacos!   

​Jessica and Tim tied the knot on the tree-lined grounds of the historic Whittemore Robbins House surrounded by friends, family and loved ones.  The incredible celebration that followed was a true reflection of this unique couple – it featured a lively performance by a local folk trio, a delicious pizza buffet and several rounds of giant Jenga! 
 
The beautiful images below are courtesy of Somerby Jones Photography.

​After a morning of pampering at Salon Cu and Dry Bar, Jessica and her bridesmaids enjoyed a little downtime in the Whittemore Robbins bridal suite while Tim and his groomsmen suited up just across the hall.  The bride, radiant in her stunning rose-toned skirt and lace-bedecked bodice, then snuck away to enjoy a magical first look with her groom amongst the sun-dappled trees.  

​The ceremony, officiated by JP Liz Gemelli, was a moving reflection on how love finds you in the most unexpected places – Jessica and Tim met via the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, a blog that creates words to capture life’s intangible and profound moments.  After saying their I Do’s, Jessica and Tim added a new word to their own story – newlyweds!  

​Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed treats from Whole Foods and beverages from Premier Bar Service, including a refreshing Pimm’s Cup.  Perhaps one of the biggest hits of cocktail hour was the guestbook – with the help of an Instamatic camera, guests were encouraged to commemorate the day with a photo and note to the happy couple!  And for those looking for a little friendly wedding day competition, the groom’s father handmade a giant Jenga and personalized cornhole set! 

After cocktail hour, guests were invited to sample a selection of pizza from Vesta Mobile Pizza, including a maple bacon pie that was to die for!  Several guests, including the bride and groom, made more than one trip to the buffet!  ​​

Under the sailcloth tent, clustered arrangements of eucalyptus, lisianthus and roses from Whole Foods coupled with white lanterns created an elegant atmosphere that complimented the natural beauty of the grounds.  Gold accents and hand-lettered acrylic signs served as a modern counterpoint to the historic setting, and the addition of a glittering Mr. & Mrs. sign to the sweetheart table added just the right touch of whimsy.  

​Throughout the reception, guests enjoyed an extraordinary musical performance by Honeysuckle, a local folk band the bride met while strolling through Harvard Square!  Playing all original songs, the band had the guests swaying to the beat and soon thereafter, up on their feet!  

​And, of course, there was no shortage of sweets for the guests to savor after all that dancing - macaroons, cupcakes and lemon squares along with a DIY candy bar!

Jessica and Tim’s wedding was truly a timeless and thoughtful celebration of their love.  We are honored to have been a part of their day and hope that they continue to create and share a life full of beautifully profound moments.
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Believe it or not, we didn't meet Mitch and Sean in person until the day before their wedding.  We corresponded mostly on email or phone or Skype beforehand since they were planning long-distance.  When we showed up to see the venue and to lead the rehearsal, Mitch and Sean greeted with a hug and were so warm and welcoming.  That was really a theme of their wedding; it was a beautiful and heartfelt weekend and we were so glad to be a part of it.

Gorgeous photography courtesy of the talented Julie Lippert.

Sean's mom's backyard in Concord, MA was the perfect venue for this two: it was down to earth, stylish, and so personal.  The house sits directly on the Sudbury River and we even had a few passersby on kayaks throughout the day.  The morning of the wedding, the grooms got ready with their respective attendants at the house while the setup happened around them.

They met up for a first look and photos with friends and family.  Just before the ceremony started, Mitch and Sean pulled out gifts for those in their bridal party; even on their day, they were thinking about the people around them!

We eyed the weather and made a call to keep the ceremony outside on the lawn, and the weather miraculously held out. The bridal party and family made the long processional down from the house, and tears could already been seen in many guests' eyes by the time Mitch and Sean were standing at the altar with their officiant, Mitch's sister.  The couple may have gotten a little choked up when they shared their personal vows, but they also laughed together. It was such a special moment.  After Kaylan declared them married, the grooms sealed the deal with a kiss and headed straight back up towards cocktail hour in the pool area.

The cocktail hour was so much fun: guests enjoyed drinks from both Mitch's bar (the full bar) and Sean's bar (just Bud and Bud Light beers).  Tastings Caterers kept the food and beverages coming and the service was spot on.

In the meantime, we put the final touches on the reception space.  The Sperry tent had been put up through Exeter Tent, who provided all of the rentals. And what a tent it was!  Madison Floral completed the whole look of the tent with their gorgeous centerpieces.  The grooms added a personal touch with tables named after each of their favorite bars.  Too cute! Guests were invited to use the air conditioned restroom trailer, from Elegant Restrooms.

Before anyone could get down on the dancefloor, we had a few toasts from dear friends and family: Sean's mom, Chris, welcomed guests, followed by a joint toast from Mitch's attendants, Jenny and Lola (in poem form!). Sean's sister Kate closed out the toasts with stories that made every guest laugh, and the Mitch and Sean took the mic to thank everyone for being there.

Tastings opened their buffet stations as DJ Charles from the C-Zone Entertainment team got ready to bump the beats on the dance floor. Sean shared a dance with his mom to start us off, and before we knew it, the floor was packed late into the night.

Thank you, Mitch and Sean, for sharing such a stunning launch to your married life together with all of us!

Hi guys! Sarah here – founder and head of Without A Hitch.  I don’t usually write in the first person about my experiences, but today you are in for a treat! :)
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You may remember a few months back when we posted about the key to building a registry. Our partnership with Circle Furniture is built around the importance of quality and setting up for success in the long-term.  We’ve found that this is especially applicable to our wedding clients as they are often purchasing their first home or making upgrades as they enter this exciting next stage of their lives.

​Below I’ve outlined a bit about the actual experience that I had working with Circle and why I think you should check them out.

​I gave Circle a bit of a challenge from the start: I was moving and needed help deciding not just what pieces to get, but also how to lay out the space.  The Framingham location is only a few minutes from my new place, so I got hooked up with Ann Marie Gillis, one of their design consultants.  She invited me into the showroom to meet and discuss my needs. I have to admit…. I was really overwhelmed at that first meeting. I liked everything! But would it fit? Should I go mid-century modern? More classic? More contemporary? Nevermind the whole room of textile choices – there were thousands of custom upholstery fabrics to choose from.

Thank goodness I had Ann Marie to walk me through. We sat down and looked at photos/layouts of my new house while discuss what I actually needed.  When she saw I was drawn to the dining room set near us, we went and sat at it.  Sitting at the actual piece of furniture definitely helped it click in my mind – this would look great in my new space.  I didn’t love the chairs that were with it so we played mix and match with other chairs from the showroom until we found the right fit.  I can’t imagine ordering a piece as important as a dining set without first seeing it and sitting on it in person!
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Before we placed the order, Ann Marie even offered to meet us at our new home.  I knew the furniture would take several weeks on order, because it’s custom made here in the US.  So before we even closed on the house, we popped in with Ann Marie.  She brought all of her measuring tools and before we knew it, she had measured things we wouldn’t have even thought to (the distance between the window frame and the floor?!). 

Within a week, we had a customized layout using Circle’s “Room Planner” showing not just where the Circle furniture would go, but also where our couch and bookshelf could be placed. There was a bit of back and forth (my husband wanted the couch to line up exactly with the fireplace, but I wanted it a bit more to the left to have more room for the dining room), and Ann Marie even suggested the perfect custom fabric so I didn’t get overwhelmed from the many options.  After some compromises and moves, we made a decision and Ann Marie hit SUBMIT on the order.
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She kept us updated throughout the order process and let us know that, despite the 8 weeks quoted, the order would be in a bit early and we scheduled an exact time for the delivery.  No crazy 2-4 hour windows for me!  When the drivers arrived, they were careful of our new hardwoods and our existing furniture, putting together the new table like the professionals they are and even helping me put fabric stickies on the bottom of each surface so we didn’t scratch the floor.

​The end product (and the process along the way) blows me away.  I am so glad I made the decision to shop at this local, family-owned business and to support American craftspeople who created the furniture. We eat family dinner every night on our new chairs and look forward to many, many more celebrations around the dining room table.

We started working with Sara & Chris more than a year in advance of their June wedding and it was clear from the start that Sara was a planner.  She pulled everything together beautifully (including the weather!) and had so many cool, unexpected elements at their wedding (hello, penguin ice luge!).  We're so excited to relive their day, thanks to photos from Brian Pescatore. 

​Sara and Chris got ready at the Long Wharf Marriott, which provided a gorgeous backdrop to their morning. The girls had hair and makeup done by the ever-fabulous Demiche.  After Sara zipped up her dress, she did a mini “first look” with her bridal party girls, including the little flower girl.  Then she headed out onto the crowded Boston docks to find her husband-to-be for their first look.  Friends and family joined them for some portraits and then the whole group headed inside the New England Aquarium to cool off in the air conditioning before ceremony time.  Sara and Chris even made a new friend on their way inside!

​The ceremony started right on time and the backdrop of the Boston Harbor was the perfect view.  The officiant, a family friend, kept it short and sweet, and you could see the emotion in the eyes of the attendees who were there to celebrate young love. A kiss sealed the marriage and the bride and groom headed off and led the way for guests into cocktail hour.
 
Cocktail hour was inside the museum, which sort of felt like a backstage pass since the museum was closed.  The penguins squawked while the in-house catering at the aquarium served up food and beverages.  The guestbook, a large canvas skyline, was out for guests to sign and they picked up their seating assignments while they mingled. Meanwhile, the bride and groom took a moment for some portraits and attracted a lot of attention on the busy Boston streets.  They joined their cocktail hour with just enough time to greet guests and grab a drink!

​Guests moved into the reception tent and they were struck by the transformation. As the sun set, the gorgeous uplighting and overhead lights from Design Light came on and wowed the crowd.  Florals from Centre Pieces Design were a perfect match for the room and a stunning multi-tiered cake from Cakes for Occasions was on display.  Of course, guests couldn’t miss the penguin ice luge set up near the bar.  Guests had ice-cold signature drinks all night, thanks to Brilliant Ice Sculptures!
 
DJ Greg Gages from Entertainment Concepts got the crowd pumped up before introducing each member of the bridal party. When it came time for the bride and groom, guests were on their feet! Sara & Chris shared a first dance before dinner was served.  As guests finished their meal, we were treated to heartfelt toasts from the bride’s mom, the maid of honor, the best man, and the couple themselves.  What was clear to everyone there was how loved Sara & Chris are.

After they cut the cake, Sara & Chris participated in parent dances before opening up the floor for the rest of the night. DJ Greg kept the dance floor full from start to finish and, in fact, had guests chanting “one more song!” as the night closed out.
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It was a gorgeous harborside Boston wedding, and it turned out flawlessly. Congrats Sara & Chris!

​Danielle and Rohan celebrated their love surrounded by friends and family from near and far in the beautiful Royal Sonesta ballroom on a sunny day in June.  It was a truly breathtaking affair that could only be eclipsed by the undeniable love this adorable couple felt for each other - here’s to romantic dance parties for two, laughing all the way down the aisle and smiling into each other’s eyes all day! 
 
The stunning images below are courtesy of Scott Zuehlke Photography.

To prepare for the big day, Danielle and her bridesmaids donned charming floral robes while Kerry of Special Event Beauty worked her hair and makeup magic.  Danielle then stepped into her gorgeous gown, an elegant lace affair with dozens of covered buttons trailing down the back and a sweeping train, and went to meet her groom!

​The ceremony, officiated by the bride’s brother, was a touching testament to joy, commitment and family.  Joined by their parents under an orchid-bedecked Chuppah, Danielle and Rohan pledged to journey through life together – a journey that began with a resounding Mazel Tov and petal toss recessional to a stirring rendition of Mouret’s Rondeau by the Atlantic Strings quartet.   
 
As guests enjoyed delicious cocktail fare overlooking the Charles River, the newlyweds snuck away for a few moments alone to revel in their happiness and, of course, sip some well-deserved champagne!  Much to the delight of passersby, the couple also snapped a few riverside photos with the iconic Boston skyline in the background.  

​The staggering beauty of the reception was a sight to behold - from the eye-catching florals courtesy of O Luxe Design to the coordinating amethyst accent lighting, no detail was overlooked.  And while the love of the happy couple was certainly the focal point of the day, there was no denying that a powerful sense of the love of a mother for her daughter and son-in-law was woven into every element of the celebration as well.  Indeed, the mother of the bride was a creative force behind not only the décor but also one of the most epic candy buffets we have ever seen!  
 

​Following a moving toast from the father of the bride and a heartfelt thank you from the bride and groom, the dance party officially started for the evening with a surprise flash mob orchestrated by the bridesmaids.  Thankfully, the awesome duo Lollie Videography was on hand to capture every moment!  And with the help of the talented performers of The Connection, the dancefloor was packed for the rest of the night!  Guests also ventured out to the candy buffet time and again for a restorative homemade brownie or cookie, dancing is hard work!
  

​Danielle and Rohan’s celebration was amazing, from the stunning array of thoughtful details to the undeniable love everyone in the room felt, it was truly unforgettable!  We are honored to have been a part of their day and hope that they continue to smile joyfully into each other’s eyes throughout all of life’s many adventures! 

You know how there's the saying that something is "for the books"?  Well this wedding and love story is for the stage!  Allison & Charlie were married at Allison's family's property, the Priscilla Beach Theatre in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  We had the chance to work with this couple for more than a year before their wedding and watched as they pulled all of the pieces together for what turned out to be a perfect wedding.  Their day was captured by The Pros.

The bride and her ladies got ready at her parents' house, right up the street, while the groom and groomsmen stayed on the property to get dressed and ready for photos. Special Event Beauty took care of Allison's hair/makeup, turning her into a princess for the day.  The bride and groom met up for family and portrait photos at the nearby beach before returning to the theater to get ready for the ceremony.

The guests arrived in style on a special white trolley from Kenny's Coach and made their way into the theater.  The timing of Allison & Charlie's wedding worked out perfectly - the day after they got married, the active theater welcomed actors and production team members for their summer show.  But for this day, the show was all about the two of them!  
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Charlie's sister Cait officiated the ceremony and made it personal to the couple.  She admitted she was a little nervous, but this is what captured the attention of all of the guests sitting in the theater seats.  

Allison & Charlie said "I Do" under a beautiful arbor decorated by Sue Chessia.  Guests  erupted in applause as they made their way back down the aisle as husband and wife.   Now the party could begin!

As guests enjoyed cocktail hour, we put the finishing touches on the tables/chairs in the Fugazzi tent with the help of caterer The Chef's Table.  The round, wood tables from New England Country Rentals complimented the beautiful florals and handmade table numbers.  Of course, on display was the multi-tiered masterpiece from A Piece of Cake. As guests entered the space for brunch, they found their seat by picking up a personalized "ticket" with their table assignment.  It perfectly fit the theater theme!

The party was ready to start when their band Brandy played the introduction music.  The parents and bridal party lined up and, last but not least, was the newlyweds! They shared a first dance as well as the traditional parent dances before the amazing brunch buffet opened to guests.  Banana french toast anyone?!

The cake was cut and heartfelt toasts were shared by the bride's dad, groom's mom, best man, maid of honor, and the bride and groom themselves.  The bride's dad dug up old audio files from when Allison was a kid, showing that she always had star potential.  The best man noted the change he saw in Charlie when he became serious about dating Allison. And the bride herself shared the true story of when she decided Charlie was the one for her, all the way back in middle school.  

The dance floor filled up for the rest of the afternoon as guests celebrated Allison & Charlie and played lawn games around the property.

The rain held off for Allison & Charlie until the moment that every guest had left the wedding.  It was a perfect day and launch to married life together for these two lovebirds!

Emily and Shawn proved the old wive's tale true... rain on your wedding day IS good luck! These two tied the knot in Ipswich over the spectacularly dramatic Columbus Day weekend, and not even a hurricane could dampen their love. We are so excited to show off their big day shot by the fabulous Emily Tebbetts Photography.

Emily and Shawn started the day separately with their bridal party and groomsmen helping them out. Emily was dolled up by Hair by Nei and Rachel Rassekh Dusoe before she put on her gorgeous buttercream taffeta dress. Les Fleurs dropped off white, pink and maroon bouquets for the bridesmaids before heading over to the Crane Estate to decorate for the reception. The men arrived at Sacred Heart Parish in Manchester-by-the-Sea early to shake some pre-wedding jitters, where Shawn was surprised by a notebook of love letters Emily had been writing to her future husband since she was in ninth grade....Cue the waterworks! 

The bridal party promptly arrived at the church for a traditional ceremony. The couple's families and bridesmaids processed down the aisle to music by Brandon Shah to begin the ceremony. When it was time for Emily to meet her groom at the altar, friend Nick sang a song Shawn had written for Emily while they were dating. We just can't get enough of the personal touches these two included throughout their day!

After the ceremony ended, guests made their way over to Crane Estate for cocktail hour inside the historic Castle Hill property, where they were treated to magnet photo favors created by Magnet THE Event. Emily and Shawn ventured into the storm for some gorgeous portraits together outside and with their bridal party inside the mansion. These two made us wish every wedding was on a rainy day!

The reception kicked off in the heated tent attached to the mansion with introductions and the couple's first dance. As dinner was served by Fireside Catering, guests were treated to heartfelt toasts from Emily's father, Shawn's best man - his father, and Emily's maids of honor. After the couple cut their cake, guests headed inside for an epic dance party, courtesy of Speechless. Emily surprised Shawn and their guests with a cigar bar, where cigars were hand-rolled on demand. It was a celebration to remember, and it was so ​them. 

Congratulations Emily and Shawn! We wish you two a lifetime of happiness and dancing in the rain.

​When building a registry, the best advice I can give is to only add items you truly want and need.  If it shows up on your doorstep, are you going to be jumping for joy? Are you going to be able to proudly display or use the item and tell the gift giver how much you love it? This focus on items that are going to last a long time leads directly to an exciting partnership Without A Hitch has formed with Circle Furniture.  Circle is a local (Boston area) family run (4 generations) business.   Circle has gathered a reputation for pieces that will last a lifetime, and beyond.  This is the perfect choice when furnishing your home and (if you are like me) moving on from the inexpensive Craigslist or hand-me-down furniture that you had in your first few apartments.

Design Support
Circle Furniture has a few differentiating factors, besides being local and family-owned.  Items are made to order and made to last.  The absolute best feature for me was working with one of their in-house designers (more on that process coming in a blog post soon).  I met with Ann Marie from their Framingham store to talk about what I was looking for.  She came to the house, took measurements, and then drew up a scale mockup and made relevant suggestions, taking into account what my needs were.  You too can have this personal service! Whether you are looking for one or two special pieces or two furnish a whole house, the design team at Circle will talk to you about ideas and options and can get it all set up in your registry.

How to
Many people will still choose to register for kitchen appliances or fancy china.  Circle Furniture’s registry can be a great compliment to those other registries. Follow the below steps and suggestions to set yours up today!

1. Visit the Circle Furniture registry site and select “Get Started” to create your own. You can make a registry for a wedding, a new house, an anniversary, or any other special occasion.

    2. Create an account and enter your registry information. I love that you can write a welcome note to visitors:

    3.  Shop for your dream items, and add them to your registry:

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That’s it! My favorite part of this registry is that visitors can choose to purchase a gift card or make a contribution towards an item, instead of purchasing the entire thing.  Imagine sitting down to dinner at a table that was purchased by several of your friends and family.  It truly makes the experience special. 
 

Becca and Eric tied the knot on a beautiful blue-skied September day at the Chequessett Yacht & Country Club on the coast of Wellfleet, MA.  The couple, who live in Arizona, dreamed up an incredible destination wedding complete with an epic dance party to celebrate their love - it was truly a night to remember!
 
The gorgeous images below are courtesy of MacRamos Photography.  

​The bride and groom kicked off their celebration with a breathtaking first look at Uncle Tim’s bridge, a local landmark and scenic overlook.  With the sun glinting off her stunning red hair, Becca stood with a beaming smile waiting for her handsome groom to turn and see her for the first time in her delicately embroidered mermaid lace gown.  Eric’s equally excited smile is the perfect caption to this unforgettable moment!

Becca and Eric processed down the aisle accompanied by their parents, bridal party and an adorable gold sequined flower girl who scattered bubbles along her journey!  The glittering Atlantic served as the ceremony backdrop for the couple’s touching and lighthearted exchange of vows, officiated by friend and groomsman, Matt.  With a few tears of joy and a lot of heartfelt laughter, Becca and Eric said I do and recessed amidst the cheering and ribbon-wand waving guests.

​Following the ceremony, the bride and groom enjoyed a glass of prosecco and a bridal party photoshoot before joining the cocktail hour festivities.  On the porch of the rustic boathouse overlooking Wellfleet Bay, guests feasted on a variety of treats from local favorite caterer, Van Rensselaer’s, including delicious oysters.  Guests also had the opportunity to leave the happy couple love notes and advice in their custom photo guestbook.
 
As the sun set and painted the sky a brilliant orange, Becca and Eric snuck away for a quick photoshoot and, as these stunning images will attest, it was well worth the effort!  

​The reception space was a true reflection of this incredible couple - from the handmade glittered candle holders to the tasseled garlands to The Gashlycrumb Tinies table numbers, every element of the décor highlighted Becca and Eric’s attention to detail and desire to create a deeply personal celebration.  Moonstone & Moss’s beautiful cluster arrangements featuring burgundy dahlias, blush roses and purple astrantia were the perfect complement to the creative and thoughtful décor. 

​Perhaps the most eye-catching element of the evening was the striking cake table designed by Becca.  The gold sequined table cloth and matte gold cake server struck a beautiful contrast to the rustic wood backdrop and fruit accents.  And to top it all off, literally, was a charming and whimsical handmade cake topper that was gifted to the couple.  Cottage Street Bakery provided a delicious centerpiece to the glittering display. 

​Following several heartfelt and moving toasts from friends and family, it was time to get the party started.  DJ Beth O’Rourke had everyone up on their feet for the entire evening.  As an added treat, Becca and Eric supplied their guests with light up rings, which quickly became a particular favorite of the bride’s mother! 
 

Becca and Eric’s big day was truly a joyful celebration of love.  We are honored to have been a part of their day and hope that their many adventures together continue to be infused with the creativity, humor and, of course, gold glitter, that surrounded them on the day of their wedding!   

When we purchased a new home and moved in last month, I was so excited for many things: fixing up the house, painting the walls, bringing in new furniture that I had been putting off purchasing all of the years that we were renting.  What I didn’t anticipate was a few small changes that I could make on my own that would make a HUGE impact on the look and feel of the home and my office.  The biggest one by far, was lighting.  I started to change out the old/boring fixtures that were in my home and I could see that it changed the look and feel of the entire room.
 
The bedroom is slowly getting new furniture and a coat of paint, but I knew that I could take care of the lighting right away.  Just one problem: there was no overhead fixture in that room!  That’s where Lamps Plus came in.   On their site, I was able to search specifically for a swag pendant… a fixture that I could hang from the ceiling and plug into the wall. I knew I wanted an elegant chandelier-style pendant, and I was so excited when I found this one

It arrived quickly and not only does it look great in the space, but it was super easy to set up. Even me, with my non-electrician skills, was able to hang and plug it in.  It definitely makes the space!
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Note that Lamps Plus has provided their product at no charge to me in exchange for this honest blog post.

​Emily and Sam tied the knot on a beautiful September day along the banks of the Charles River at the distinctive Harry Parker Boathouse.  This remarkable venue held special meaning for the happy couple – both were rowers in high school! 
 
The stunning images below are courtesy of Wyn Wiley Photography.

​After a morning of pampering by stylist and makeup artist Charlotte Phinney, Emily donned her regal boatneck gown complete with an elegant bow and sweeping veil, and snuck away for a breathtaking first look with her intended in a secluded walled garden.  They also had the opportunity to take fun portraits in the boathouse with their closest family and friends before the ceremony. 

​Emily and Sam exchanged vows on the Charles under a treasured family chuppah constructed by the bride’s father and adorned with several heirloom tallitot.  Rabbi Bruce Elder made a special trip from the couple’s native Chicago to officiate and after a touching reading of the Ketubah, the newlyweds made the trip up the dock hand in hand and with beaming smiles!

While the bride and groom enjoyed a few moments alone to reflect on their new adventure, guests sampled a variety of delicious savory treats from Gourmet Caterers and Island Creek Oysters.  The dazzling September light reflecting off the river combined with the melodies of the cocktail hour guitar and keyboard duo created an unforgettable first act to the evening’s celebrations.

​The reception space truly reflected the bride’s incredible attention to detail.  From the oyster shell escort cards to the rosemary and ribbon bedecked napkins to a custom calligraphed welcome sign, Emily infused creativity into every décor element of the evening.  Golden faceted lanterns paired with lush florals courtesy of The Blossom Shop further enhanced the classic and romantic atmosphere. 

After a grand entrance and a romantic first dance under sparkling bistro lights from Seacoast Events, Emily and Sam were lifted high above the crowd in a rousing Hora that had everyone on their feet!  In fact, the enthusiasm was so contagious that several immediate family members found themselves hoisted high into air!  Following a brief respite from dancing to enjoy a delicious dinner, several thoughtful toasts and a slice of cake from Sweet Tooth Bakery, everyone was back on the dancefloor - no one could resist the music of The Swinging Johnsons! ​

​Emily and Sam celebrated their marriage on a beautiful September day surrounded by their many loved ones and it was evident that everyone was overjoyed that these two incredible people had found each other!  We are honored to have been a part of their celebration and hope that they continue to walk hand in hand and with beaming smiles for many years to come!

 ​Like many other professionals, wedding coordinators spend a lot of the day sitting at a desk.  I’m on the phone with potential clients, emailing vendors, chatting with my team, updating our website, and the list goes on and on.  Even though the day of an event can be very active, most of the week is fairly sedentary.  Because of this, I knew that when I furnished my new home office, I had to choose an option for my desk chair that would allow for “active sitting”.  This trend provides options for chairs that may look a little bit funny, but are truly ergonomic in the sense of overall comfort.  Active sitting might look like a big round ball or a stool or a kneeling chair instead of a traditional rolling desk chair. More on active sitting here.