10.27.07, Pete & Laura

Laura emailed me out of the blue last February--before Pearls Events was in business--explaining she was getting married at St. Cecilia's just like I was. She wanted to know what I was going to do with the place as far as decoration. After about 4 weeks of emailing, we finally met and attended a knottie get together. We have been good friends ever since. She is my first actual client, although Sarah & Dan's wedding was my first actual wedding :)

Yesterday I arrived at St. Cecilia's Music Center and set up both the ceremony & reception site for 5.5 hours. I was back by 4:30 to help with last minute set up, vendor arrival and then the pinning & distribution of flowers on family as they arrived.

The rehearsal Friday evening, we ran through the ceremony and then headed over to J Gardella's Tavern for a fabulous dinner. They had the whole upstairs to themselves and it was a perfect atmosphere for talking to relatives who hadn't seen each other in a while!

The ceremony + reception St Cecilia's Music Society was founded in 1883 and the building is full of beautiful architecture. Lovely archways, original woodwork, and gorgeous windows. The ceremony was in the President's Room and cocktail hour began immediately following upstairs in the Dexter Ballroom.

The clothes Laura was gorgeous in her silk taffeta Carolina Herrera gown. The dress itself was ivory and there was a large gold sash that showed off her tiny waist. The bridesmaids were in chocolate brown and the guys were in black tuxes with brown vests. Pete wore an ivory vest to compliment Laura's gown. Everyone looked picture-perfect.

The food, cake & bar The whole affair was catered by Noto's. The main course was lasagna & chicken with marinara sauce and the cake was designed just as Laura wanted. Ivory butter cream frosting with a dainty brown ribbon. Everything tasted wonderful and the service was top notch.

The music James Littell of D James Productions provided the music for the evening. The dance floor was packed all night! James is a fun guy and I've had the pleasure of working with him twice now.

The photographer Pete and Laura hired Jonathan Thrasher to do their photography for the day. Jonathan attended the rehearsal + dinner on Friday evening, went to the salon early on Saturday morning and was there until they drove away in the rented Rolls Royce at the end of the night. He has to have at least 1500 images and I know they are all amazing!

The videographer Laura worked with John Pottenger of Coastline Studios for the wedding video and I cannot wait to see the final product. I've seen his work and it's amazing--there are a few videos on his site that will blow you away! John is also a really nice guy and I would recommend him to anyone.

The flowers Shelly Johnson of Shelly's Designs did fabulous work with the two large arrangements for the ceremony, 10 centerpieces and all the corsages & bouts for the guys. They were beautiful and she is a gem to work with. Laura also used Andicott Fresh Flower Market for some extra small arrangements, like the one below with two daisies. This photo is by our friend, and fellow knottie, Jennifer Badalamenti of JK Photography.

The photobooth From my post a month ago, Laura hired Brian from The Photobooth Company. It was the HIT of the wedding--a vintage-inspired photobooth which guests used the whole night. They come and set it up, and stay until the end and people are in & out of it all evening long, laughing at all the pictures they've taken. They put together a guest book with all of the photos and you write a little note to the couple. DO THIS if you can!!!!

Congrats to Laura & Pete for a beautiful wedding and I'm SO happy you chose to work with me. Have a blast in Antigua!!!!