When two photographers fall in love and create an artisan affair! Welcome to OUR french riviera inspired wedding at Wadsworth Mansion!

We are so excited to share the exclusive highlight from OUR wedding captured by the talented Melissa Stimpson!

 Imagine being in the south of France on a late summer’s day. The cool ocean breeze making its way up to the charming cliffside villages. The florals, a feast for the eyes, as if painted by Claude Monet himself. We blended modern simplicity with the rich historic tones of the past and brought our travels abroad to a hidden gem in Connecticut, for our french riviera inspired wedding at Wadsworth Mansion Ct.

As professionals in the wedding industry our love and appreciation for events goes deep. We are inspired by each vendor’s craft and wanted to highlight the beauty and craftsmanship that sets them apart. I believe an experience is seen, felt, and heard and to be fully immersed is to have these moments rooted with intent. A wedding is a reflection of a couple, and after being together for a decade, we had a lot to say! Our “theme” was L’art de vivre; the french way of living. We drew inspiration from the elegance and artistic beauty of our travels abroad, which mirrors the philosophy of the great masters who understood that art is a reflection of life itself. 

We crafted many elements ourselves like our bespoke invitation suite which I designed, hand tore, hand foiled, and hand stuffed, to our 8-foot seating chart wall. If you’d like to see those elements more in depth check out this blog post!

You can also see our wedding Published on THE KNOT!

Since we did not have a wedding party we were able to focus our florals on impactful design moments. I really wanted to incorporate a unique floral selection with minimal greenery full of blooms that felt light and allowed arrangements to breath. Some of the fun floral elements was our custom built welcome sign that featured a flower box. Our bar not only had stunning florals on top but a beautiful meadow below that added a nice symmetry to the bar. Our florist Sabrina did an amazing job and I was blown away with the three foot meadow she created at the seating chart wall. She also created beautiful designs to enhance the al fresca cocktail hour. 

So much was personalized and intentional at our wedding but if I had to pick a few things to note one would be our amazing guest illustrator SamiaLynn. When Joe and I would spend time abroad we loved meeting street artists and thought what better gift to our guests than a custom illustration! As a craft cocktail enthusiast having a his, hers and ours, as a selection for our guest of three craft cocktails was something I was excited to feature as well as the fact that I am known for my love of chic-fil-a and so what better way then to serve it avant garde style as a passed horderve! One of the most talked about elements was our 12 foot grazing table by the amazing Buck and Bloom. Drawing inspiration from renaissance still life paintings it was a feast for all the senses!

Since we had an intimate wedding with only 65 guests some of our favorite parts was being able to truly connect with each one of them. We did things a little different during our ceremony and had our officiant start off speaking to our guests from the side. We had also asked our family to switch “sides” so that my family sat on the “grooms” side and his sat on the “brides.” When the ceremony started and we stood in the center looking outward together. I was able to see the faces to the ones I love. I was able to connect not just with him but with those who have supported us on our journey.

Fashion is everything which is why so much thought went into our selection in our outfits! I customized a stunning Martina Liana gown to be open back with a more fitted silhouette. I paired it with Bella Bell shoes, Maison Sabben earrings and a stunning catheral veil that shimmered in the light and could not be happier with the over all look. However, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head that I had always thought i’d be in a form fitted gown. I was also not a huge fan of a bustle, I mean after all when you have a train like mine it’s meant to be seen! That is when I met the talented designer of Bremelia. I went back and forth with her designing a reception look I could dance the night away. I wanted something that would be the complete opposite of my ceremony dress. Bre crafted the most beautiful bespoke gown that literally lite up like a star underneath the lights and it had such an impact when we came out and opened up the dance floor to cold plays “sky full of stars”.

I really wanted a full transformation with this gown and so with the help of my bridal stylist Lindsay, and makeup artist Michelle, I went from a romantic updo and A-line gown to a high-pony bold lip, fitted silhouette with a plunging neckline and high slit ready to party. If you want to be stress free and picture perfect having and amazing bridal team there keeping you looking fresh, fluffed and allowing your photographer and videographer the ability to step back and create is key! For my reception dress I paired it with a simple badgley mischka heel and understated earring from olive and piper. I also had a getting ready look which consisted of a dress from Hope and Ivy and pink badgley mischka ballet flats. My signature scent for the evening was Parfums De Marly, Oriana. 

The grooms entire look was from Suit supply. His search was not as simple as we had expected. Originally we purchased a tux from another designer online but when he put it on at home we both were underwhelmed. Although we had announced it was a black tie event I said let’s just try going to suitsupply and see if maybe a color tux would help. We tried on a blue suite and that didnt work, but then he tried on their black tux and it clicked! The fit was perfection and the details were just right. His scent for the night was Parfums de Marly – Herod.

After spending a year designing, and planning for me the most anticipated moment was letting go and seeing the fruits of my labor. Releasing control is hard but when you have amazing teams that you can trust it allows you to be present. Samantha of Sarue Events did a wonderful job taking all my “diy” components and setting them up the day of and ensuring the day flowed smoothly. I think the best part has been reliving it through our photos and videos. It’s hard to take it all in and getting to look back and see the details I planned and reactions I missed has been an unexpected delight. I am sure it is intimidating being the photographer for a photographer but Melissa Stimpson did such a beautiful job and really listened to what was important to me. Our videographers and talented friends Stop Go Love really understood the assignment when I said I wanted a cinematic Downton Abbey experience. Seeing the results from both as a visual artists has meant everything. 

I could go on and on about each vendor and what an amazing job they did but I will let the photos speak for themselves! Take a look at our French riviera inspired wedding at Wadsworth Mansion CT.

WANT TO SEE MORE!

Our french riviera inspired wedding at Wadsworth Mansion CT was featured on The Knot! be sure to check out the blog below to see what The Knot had to say about our special day!

LINKS:

OUR WEDDING FEATURED ON THE KNOT!

THE TEAM:

While I could go on and on about each vendor, their incredible talents speak for themselves!

VENDORS:
Photographer – Melissa Stimpson Photography
Videographer – StopGoLove
Venue – The Wadsworth Mansion
Event Design – Kaylyn of Seamless Photography
Wedding Planner – Sarue Event Design
Floral Design – Petal By Sabrina
Custom Stationary – Kaylyn of Seamless Photography
Custom Seating Chart & Signs – Kaylyn of Seamless Photography
MUA – Bombchelle Beauty MUA
Hair – upstyle.co
Bridal Stylist – The Boston Bridal Stylist
Custom Wedding Reception Dress – Bremelia
Linen Rentals – BBJ La Tavola
Tablescape Rentals – Curated Rentals
Guest Illustrator – Samialynn Design
Grazing Table – Buck And Bloom
Catering – David Alan
Cake – Palmieris Cakes by Rachel
Officiant – Jp Tiffany Blake
DJ & Lighting – Dj Matt Toto

DETAILS:
Ceremony Gown Designer @martinalianabridal
Dress Shop @vows_bridepower
Ceremony Earrings @maisonsabben
Ceremony Shoes @bellabelleshoes
Reception Earrings @oliveandpiper
Reception & Getting Ready Shoes @badgleymischka
His & Hers Wedding Scent @parfumsdemarly
Grooms Outfit @suitsupply
Barber @crybabythebarber
Ring Shop @mflynnjewelry
Ring Designer @annasheffield
Veil Designer @ericakoesler
Paper Camera Rental @papershootcamera
Dress Hanger Tags @island2mountain_designs
Custom Napkins @foryourparty
Backdrop/Photo Mats @chasingstone
Flower Girl Dresses @azazieofficial

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