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Tag Archives: real weddings

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot

05 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Real Events, Weddings

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

31 Mane Street Salon, Boston, Burberry, camp resort, etsy, fall, Hopewell Farms, lake, MJ Harrington & Company, nature, new england, new hampshire, real weddings, rustic elements, sunflowers, Thamer Photography, tie the knot, Twin Lake Village, wedding, Zac Posen

I recently had the honor of designing a wedding album for a really special couple. I feel very lucky to do what I do and be able to peek into such a personal event of a couple’s life. And I have to say, this one is my favorite so far. You might think I know Hannah and Ryan, but I don’t. The funny thing is, I feel like I do after working on this project.

Just looking at the photos gave me goosebumps and almost had me in tears. From the prep and first look shoot to the ceremony and reception, everything seemed so comfortable and perfect. It wasn’t fancy or over the top, their friends and families played a big part of the event, and the personal touches were endless. It all came together so beautifully. Designing the album was something I will never forget.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

While both working in Boston at a nonprofit, Hannah and Ryan seemed to connect instantly. On their first date he told her he could make her happy and it seems as if he was right. After a year, Hannah relocated to Chicago for grad school and Ryan soon followed to be with her. When that chapter ended, they shifted gears to San Francisco where they lived for 3 years together. The proposal was sweet and thoughtful, Ryan popped the question during a visit in Boston and secretly planned a big engagement party so they can celebrate with all their friends and family. Love!

When planning their wedding, they knew they wanted it to be closer to family and in the New England area, where they are originally from, so after some searching they found Twin Lake Village in New London, New Hampshire, which seemed to be the perfect place. Owned by the Kidder family for 5 generations, the camp/resort offered private cabins, a beautiful beach and lake, and plenty of space for all their guests to have fun and party.

The big day was September 12, 2012, and started on a sunny afternoon. Hannah wore a Zac Posen dress with yellow Burberry espadrilles while her bridesmaids showcased a pretty shade of purple in dresses designed by an artist on Etsy. Ryan and his groomsmen wore khaki pants and navy jackets along with flip-flops for that casual beachy vibe. The girls bouquets were filled with fall colors and rustic elements and assembled by Hannah’s aunt, Gail Cray. The whole event was beautifully captured by Thamer Photography in New Hampshire.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

The first look shoot was intimate and sentimental but the couple had their family there to capture such a great moment. I love how happy they both look and Ryan’s face is priceless.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

For the ceremony held on the beach, the bridal party arrived by boat, which was captained by Hannah’s godfather, and included personal readings by her bridesmaids. The officiant also married Ryan’s sister the year before so he was a familiar face as well. Large pinwheels lined the aisle and allowed the natural setting to really shine. Their wedding bands came from MJ Harrington & Co. Jewelers, which also designed Hannah’s gorgeous engagement ring. Once the I Dos were shared, it was time to celebrate.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

The reception was held at the main house of the camp, which featured a dreamy wrap around porch and spacious yard for everyone to gather. Cocktail hour included local fresh d’oeuvres and a variety of cheese and crackers with pairing wine and domestic beers.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Another personal touch was Ryan’s custom beer pong table which was commissioned in 2001. It was a big part of his college days on campus in Boston and captured his love of baseball and its history. The nearby green-monster themed wiffle ball park was designed and painted by Hanna’s mom and assembled by the groomsmen. How cool is that!

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

The newlyweds arrived to the party in a golf cart decorated with festive garland Ryan and his groomsmen set up earlier. The main event took place under the white tent on the lawn and was adorned with lanterns and elements of fall harvest. The tables had sunflower centerpieces which Hannah’s aunt and uncle grew, and all the meat and vegetables were supplied by Hopewell Farms. There was even a taco bar, how fun! Some of the dishes were prepared by family to add more of that home sweet home feel.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

The speeches seemed to be a highlight of the night, as both their parents and members of the bridal party shared their words of happiness for Hannah and Ryan. The band, which included the father of the brides business partner, got everyone up and on the dance floor to get the party started. The day was super special and everything ended up being perfect as can be. You can tell from the photos that everyone really had fun and all the elements were truly from the heart.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

It was so awesome working alongside Hannah on the album, which was a surprise gift for Ryan to celebrate their first anniversary. I am so glad they loved how it came out and now have a treasured keepsake for years to come. I wish these two a bright and sunny future together as husband and wife and much luck in their new place they recently bought together.

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Hannah & Ryan Tie the Knot - © Thamer Photography

Vendor List:
Photography – Thamer Photography
Brides Dress – Zac Posen
Brides Shoes – Burberry
Hair – Sarah from 31 Mane Street Salon
Makeup – the bride
Catering – Hopewell Farms
Venue – Twin Lake Village
Wedding Bands – MJ Harrington & Co. Jewelers

Elizabeth and Nick’s Handmade Wedding

11 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Real Weddings

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

aquamarine, Bjork, bride, bridesmaid, Dashboard Confessional, Dave Duong, diy, earthy, eco friendly, farm to table, Fogelsville, Food Fighters, Glasbern Inn, groom, handmade, JCrew, Love N' Fresh Flowers, Melissa Kae, milk and cookies, natural, philadelphia, real weddings, rustic, Sahlia Michelle, sustainable, Sweet Elizabeth's, The Alchemist, vintage, wedding invitations, weddings, woodland

I met Liz when I was 16 through a mutual friend and instantly we got along. It’s pretty impossible not to love her. Although, we haven’t seen much of each other throughout the years, I still consider her a friend. Last year she married the love of her life and I couldn’t be happier. I have never met Nick but I am sure he is an amazing guy.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

The invitations were designed by Melissa Kae and the envelopes were adorned with the crafty bride’s handwriting.

Their wedding was a gorgeous collaboration of DIY projects and handmade decor, which were all thought out to the last detail. With Mother Nature surrounding them, they shared their vows and cleverly created a celebration that was a dream come true. Looking over the photos of their special day I was seriously moved. This is why I had to share it.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

The programs were created by the bride. Her inspired idea came from the first RSVP that arrived at their door. The envelopes were repurposed as covers and special papers such as onion skin typewriter paper were used for the contents. The handwritten text was done by the bride as well.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

October 1, 2011 was a day Liz and Nick along with 91 of their closest friends and family will never forget. Held at the Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville, PA, their wedding celebration was an intimate experience that was nothing less than authentic. From all the beautiful handmade details and vintage materials to the independent vendors they had help them, this was surely a wedding that reflected their personal aesthetic and style.

They chose this particular inn because it was a halfway point between their families in North Jersey and friends in Philadelphia. Their guests were invited to an unplugged ceremony so all were present in the moment. I love this! After, they wined and dined and truly had a farm to table experience. Not only is the Glasbern Inn a sustainably managed bed and breakfast, it is also a farm where all the food served is grown and raised right there on the grounds.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Walking in to Somersault by Zero 7, the bride looked stunning in her strapless lace dress by Marisa 737 and red BCBG heels. Around her neck she wore a Sahlia Michelle aquamarine necklace along with her grandmother’s 80 year old aquamarine ring. The groom stood waiting in a classic suit with a plaid tie and the bridesmaids all wore dresses from the JCrew bridesmaid line they picked themselves. They were all carrying white lanterns filled with wildflowers. The bride’s rustic style bouquet and boutonnieres were crafted by Love N’ Fresh Flowers, the only sustainably managed flower farm in Philly.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Sharing their written vows among the countryside, as the sun peeked out from behind gray clouds, their guests watched as Everlong by the Food Fighters was played by the acoustic guitarist, Dave Duong. Carried down in a vintage black ring box the bride found many years before, their rings were delicately brought by Liz’s 6 year old godson. The bride’s sister gave a reading from The Alchemist by Paul Coehlo and the newly married couple walked out to Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

The reception decor was done by the bride and groom as well. All the escort cards were handwritten by Liz and adorned by a personalized button for each of the guests. The tables had collections of vintage bottles filled with an array of wildflowers. These one of a kind bottles were excavated by the bride in a Phoenixville landfill and spiffied up by the groom.

Antique patterned paper was used at the base of the centerpieces, tiny button placeholders rested at each setting and the table numbers were made out of pieces of wood shingles. To bring a little fun to the tables, the couple had included open ended sentence cards for the guests to answer which are now resting in their guestbook along with the photos taken at the photobooth.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

The bride and groom’s table was sweetly decorated with fresh flowers, personalized mugs and scrabble tiles.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

One of the most memorable moments was Liz and her father sharing their first dance together. Helping him up from his wheelchair, her brother joined the two as they danced to Like Someone in Love by Bjork. Liz and Nick chose Love Song by the Cure (bride’s favorite band), the 311 (groom’s favorite band) cover, for their first dance.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

The couple served milk and cookies for dessert and had a red velvet cake made for them by Sweet Elizabeth’s. The reception was warm and cozy as the fireplaces blazed brightly. The sign that hung on the stone wall was put together by the bride and groom by repurposing an old frame they found and painting the inside with chalkboard paint.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Guests had a great time in the photobooth which was lined with Edma fabric from Ikea. With silly props at their fingertips, they snapped photos full of happiness and laughter. They were asked to add one of the photostrips to the couple’s guestbook, made by Three Trees Bindery, and keep the other for themselves.

Elizabeth and Nick's Handmade Wedding - Photo by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography

Most of the guests had a peaceful nights rest at the inn and joined the newlyweds for a delicious breakfast the morning after. What a beautiful way to end such a special occasion. Now the two live happily ever after and are expecting their first child at this very moment! The magical celebration was captured beautifully by Dave Waddell at Siousca Photography.

I honestly feel this is one of the most endearing weddings I have ever seen and its not just because I know the bride. From every detail to the location of the event, you get a sense of who the bride and groom are as individuals as well as who they are as a couple. It’s clear they are madly in love and felt it was important for their special day to represent how they feel, what they believe in and how they view the world around them. By creating an event that was sincere, personal and true to themselves they received everlasting memories of a dream come true wedding they will cherish forever.

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