Jess + Chris: Married : Publick House, Sturbridge, MA
WEDDING DATE:
October 16, 2015
How long have you two been together?
5 years
Your story:
Chris and I knew each other for 2 years before we started dating. My cousin introduced us at his graduation party and thought we might hit it off. It wasn't the right time for either of us. 2 years later we were both single and my cousin invited me to a bonfire that he knew Chris would be at. We spent the whole night talking and the rest is history. Chris stuck it out through my studying abroad in Scotland for three months and then a year later I moved to Connecticut. He proposed shortly after our 4 year anniversary at the top of my favorite hiking spot looking out over a lake.
Describe your wedding day style or vision in one sentence:
Rustic
Wedding day color scheme and/or theme:
Colors included: grey, purple and yellow. Our theme was rustic/chalkboard
Describe your wedding planning process/thoughts:
We wanted our wedding to feel like us from beginning to end.
What was your favorite or funniest moment of wedding planning?
I think my favorite memory of planning was when we received the wedding vows we decided on from our JP and we read them to each other at home to practice and make sure they sounded okay. That's when it became really real to both of us I think that we were getting married in a few weeks. It was emotional for both of us.
In terms of funny - I think our DJ canceling within 2 months of the wedding was funny. All I could do was laugh about it because I didn't even really care. We found someone else that I think ended up being better anyway. Basically - it was a good lesson in everything can be fixed and really as long as the bride and the groom are there on the big day that's all you need. The other stuff is details that can be worked out
Did you have a First Look? If so, please describe that experience for you:
It made it a lot less stressful for both of us. Chris is a very private person and we knew that it would be extremely emotional seeing each other for the first time and we didn't want that to be a public display. I am really happy we did it because we were able to get a lot of photos done and we were both more relaxed for the ceremony.
Your Ceremony:
We were really able to customize our ceremony which was important to us. We didn't want to write our own vows but we wanted something that really captured our feelings and commitment to each other. I think we both felt that we accomplished that with our justice of the peace. The readings that were done at the ceremony were important to me. Once was from Corinthians and another is a passage from Louis de Bernières that has always meant a lot to me about what I believe love to be. I wanted our recessional music to be fun so we chose "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder.
Your Reception:
Our reception was really fun and honestly was better than I think we both imagined. There were plum damask table cloths with centerpieces in birch tree boxes on each table. They had yellow, white and purple flowers. There were votive candles at each table. We wanted an autumn inspired menu so we did butternut squash bisque for a first course and then for an entree choice we included a turkey dinner. Our DJ did a great job of keeping the party going and keeping everyone out on the dance floor. I was surprised to see so many people dancing and having fun out there. I think that was the most fun for us.
What advice would you like to impart to other brides?
I would say to relax and be present. Maybe some things won't go as perfectly as you thought they would but that is part of the fun! Don't get hung up on the small stuff. Nobody is going to remember what went wrong and honestly you will probably be the only one that knows. Enjoy every moment and focus on what you are there for; your commitment to each other.
What were you most anxious, nervous or concerned about regarding your wedding photography, and what was the outcome?
I was afraid that I would feel like some photos weren't flattering and that I wouldn't like how I looked. Quite honestly it was the opposite - I'm having a hard time picking favorites because they are all so great!
What is your favorite wedding day memory?
Everyone on the dance floor during "I'm gonna be (500 Miles)" was definitely the highlight for both of us I think. We felt so much love in the room during that moment. We will never forget it.
What is the best part (so far) about being married?
Everything! I really enjoy signing my married last name :)
Vendors!
Ceremony Venue:
Reception Venue:
Photographer:
Dress:
Wedding Embassy (Watertown, CT)
Hair/Makeup:
Hair Gallery Salon & Spa (Sturbridge)