I have been so incredibly blessed to work with such vastly talented and inspiring Clients over the years, and I must say that working with Haley and Ted from start to finish was so much fun because of their fervent passion of each other and of the arts. I had so much to work with in terms of planning when working with them, and of course those passions just continue to draw more people that share in that love. With Haley’s intense sentiment for being a gourmet and Ted’s long career as a professional jazz musician specializing in gypsy jazz (a huge Django Reinhardt fan), I knew this wedding would be epic.
I still remember this moment when we arrived in the morning. The day was picturesque. A man and his guitar overlooking what was to be his wedding day in the field…not a care in the world. Remember this moment of calm, friends! I love this image for many reasons but for what’s to come especially!
Both Ted and Haley wrote love letters to one another in lieu of writing personal vows. I think this is a wonderful alternative, and I know a few of my former Clients continue the tradition of writing love letters since their marriage to this day.
The invitation suite was designed by the lovely Dana at Three Little Words. We love how she incorporated the G clef in their branding and vintage sheet music to wrap it all up. Although it appears that Barack and Michelle may have attended, they politely declined (actually, Dana sent this one as my sample and always addresses to the Mr. and Mrs., thus this image was a bit of a surprise to my friends Haley and Ted-ha!).
Haley and Ted got engaged in Paris, the ultimate romantic spot! That gorgeous engagement ring is from Runsdorf in New York City, and the wedding bands were purchased at Henry C. Reid and Sons.
Miss Haley and her beautiful bridesmaids got some serious beauty treatments in the house from the lovely Lisa Nale of Studio One.
The stunning floral bouquets, ceremony arbor and garland, and centerpieces were thoughtfully designed by the talented Emily Carter of Emily Carter Floral Designs. The color palette was a beautiful shabby chic!
Her bridal portraits are just stunning! Well done, Peter Jensen Bissell!
The happy Bride just moments before the walk to the sanctuary with her bridesmaids. That stunner of a dress was designed by Allure and purchased at Andrea’s Bridal.
Now it’s time to check on the men in the Groom’s Cottage…
I can’t remember if this photograph was taken before, after, or during this moment (which would seem most appropriate given Ted’s expression). My palms are a bit sweaty as I type this, as I recall the first time that a Groom had ever told me that his pants were not with his suit coat. Turns out, they were back in New York. The ceremony was to take place only a short fifteen minutes and guests at this point were making their way to their seats on the benches in the woods. I laugh every time I see this picture because it of course worked out, but the sheer panic we all felt in that moment still brings me so much joy because these men had the best sense of humor in the world. Ted had invited a long time friend that was at that moment sitting in the sanctuary, and by some strange miracle, was wearing what was nearly a perfect match to his grey pinstripe suit coat (I meaaaan…..the luck!). Although his friend was clearly shorter than Ted, it turned out to be an amazing match. Just look! Not too shabby…
Haley and her Dad taking a bike taxi ride before the ceremony courtesy of Nicholas Maravell of Bike207.
This marvelous talent came all the way from Austin to play their sultry Western Swing and Gypsy Jazz for this pair. Ted’s longtime friendship and musical connection to The Hotclub of Cowtown began more than seven years ago, playing gigs as far away as Oman in the Arab nations. Having them there was one of the many treats of the day for me and the staff, and guests were served an incredible front row seat all night.
Here they’re playing in the back of the sanctuary for the ceremony. The Groomsmen and Moms came in to ‘I’m Confessin’, the Bridesmaids walked in to ‘Maiden’s Prayer’ and the Bridal processional was ‘Stardust’ originally composed by Hoagy Carmichael in 1927.
Here’s the beauties! They looked stunning in their J Crew ‘dusty shale’ strapless dresses.
Frankie and Tia couldn’t have looked more sweet. Those grapevine halos consisted of fragrant lavender and lace.
Pretty baby Bella! Just a few weeks old in this photo, yet she was perfectly behaved and proud as a peacock being the official ring bearer.
The ceremony was performed by a longtime family friend (and Haley’s ‘Second Mom’), Suzanne.
Frankie’s look of approval…I love this!
A very happy Haley and Ted! Onto the party!
Haley’s family had collected hundreds of old sheet music books over the years and provided us with them to craft to our hearts content! We wrapped various shaped mason jars and wide mouth vases to create luminaries in clusters throughout the reception. We also created some heart garlands and used the covers to make an enormous photobooth backdrop which you’ll see later in this post. That gorgeous antique accordion was loaned to me and was a surprise element for Haley and Ted.
Haley’s Mom had also collected boxes of vintage tea cups that were brought in and held mini arrangements created by Emily Carter for the cocktail tables.
My sister and her husband built a custom eighteen foot table with wooden trough that sat on top of three of our whiskey barrels for the tremendous food display provided by The Black Tie Company.
The trough was filled with ice and micro greens to hold shot glasses of prosciutto, cantaloupe and herbed ricotta. The display was colorful and helped to keep these mini salads cold, fresh and easy to eat on a hot day.
As guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres consisting of gazpacho shooters and Maine shrimp, Haley and Ted went for a short ride around the field before having photographs taken in the field.
Guests were invited to find their seat via a custom music book displayed on an old music stand. The first page held the words to Haley and Ted’s first dance song (as a surprise from Dana at Three Little Words), which was ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love’.
We draped four sections of the barn with ivory muslin fabric and strung our bistro lights on either side of the barn, leaving the center aisle containing the head table open.
The guest tables were adorned with custom lace runners with a jute runner overlay provided by One Stop Event Rentals. Florals were composed of silver dusty miller, peach dahlias, light pink full head roses, creamy white to light pink garden spray roses, scabiosa pods, bonsai eucalyptus, and queen annes lace accents in various sized milk glass compotes. The votives were a lovely mix of mercury glass and hobnail clear glass holders. The floor plan was comprised of a mix of wooden farm tables and round tables. Our wooden wine barrel head planks were used to stage the floral designs on the round tables and allowed them to have an element of wood atop the ivory linen.
Place cards were hand written to each place setting by Suzanne (officiant and family friend) onto sheets of music.
Following a family style dinner of beef, hake, asparagus and fingerling potatoes, the Bride and Groom witnessed a stunning display of entertainment from Haley’s beautiful Bridesmaid, Shreya, who is from India. A traditional Bollywood dance for attendees was an incredible surprise and a tremendous honor to both Haley and Ted.
Part two involved some of Ted’s Groomsmen-just awesome.
Hotclub kicked it up a notch after the first dance and the vibe was smokin!
Haley’s brother Cassidy and a few of Ted’s close friends took the stage. So much fun.
Haley wanted to incorporate some of her family’s heirloom Christening gowns somehow. We sourced a beautiful old iron crib that was repurposed into a daybed for the dessert display that was placed on staging for ease of access for the guests. The dresses were hung on old wooden hangers as the backdrop to this lovely presentation.
The incredible dessert display consisted of Maine whoopie pies, cake pops and miniature cupcakes provided by Nothing Bakes Like A Parrott.
We crafted the food signs from vintage alphabet letters and illustrations from children’s books.
The beautiful ‘naked cake’ had decadent layers of citrus cream. Our hammered silver cake stand was sourced and added the perfect touch.
Guests enjoyed desserts and coffee in the tent outside-it was a beautiful night and the perfect time to take a break from all the entertainment.
Peter Jensen Bissell ended the evening with some candids in front of our custom backdrop. I love a good photo booth!
The night ended with more amazing music, laughter and images.
Haley and Ted, we are beyond blessed to have shared in such a big part of your wedding day and to know you both. Cheers to a beautiful and happy life as husband and wife!
xo
Event Venue: The Barn at Flanagan Farm
Event Planning and Design: A Family Affair of Maine
Floral Design: Emily Carter Floral Designs
Band: Hot Club of Cowtown
Photography: Peter Jensen Bissell Photography
Catering: The Black Tie Company
Invitations: Three Little Words
Event Rentals: One Stop Event Rentals and A Family Affair of Maine
Desserts: Nothing Bakes Like A Parrott
Hair/Makeup Stylist: Lisa Nale of Studio One
Audio/Visual: A/V Technik
A Family Affair Design Blog 