Stormy weather, fabulous wedding

I have known the groom, Mark, for so many years. He owns property in my neighborhood and manages the best Portuguese restaurant, Antonio's. I have always liked his gentle nature and charming smile. I was honored when he and his bride to be, Julie, came to me and asked me to help plan and decorate their beautiful fall wedding.

They chose to be married and celebrate at two of my favorite locations here on the South Coast. They married in the quaint St. Philip's chapel on Mattapoisett beach. They went on to celebrate and dine with their guests at the Historic Unitarian Church in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Both the chapel  and the great hall of the Unitarian Church present the best of local architecture. The chapel sits on the beach and is simple in details. I absolutely adore the beach grass runner that marks the aisle of the chapel. The Unitarian church is one of the many grand architectural gestures that our town's greatest benefactor, Henry Huttleston Rogers, has bestowed upon us.

There was an air of stormy excitement that pierced the day. A nor' easter blew up the coast and my "A-team" and I braced for what I knew would be an interesting and fast pace set up. All went as smooth as could be, a blessing to a perfectionist wedding planner like myself.

The bride arrived in 60 mile an hour winds and blowing rain. With many gentleman holding umbrellas, she made her way into the tiny chapel and made the walk down the aisle to meet her groom at the beautifully candle lit altar.

She carried a lush bouquet of English Garden Roses and Dutch Hydrangea. The bouquet was finished with a pearl studded Maccara orchids. She looked amazing, simply beaming.

As they were getting married my "A-team" of fabulous staff and vendors were on double duty at the hall of the Unitarian Church.

At the reception, I really wanted to play off the rich architecture that is prevalent throughout the Church and it's great hall. No expense was  spared on it's construction or decoration and it shows in an elegant understated way.

I chose to hang the seating cards on a tree-like, lush floral arrangement. Filled with dozens of dripping blossoms, placed against the hand painted, leaded windows, it was nothing short of stunning.

For flowers, I chose English Garden Roses in seasonal, pale colors. To that, I added soft, variegated greenery and more hydrangea. My favorite part of the flower arrangements were the rose hips, which you can see popping out of the wreaths and arrangements on the tables.

In the end, I am so glad that we chose to light the architectural details of the room. With a stormy day outside, the soft and elegant feeling of this majestic Hall was amazing.

A very special thanks to Carinna Raznikov of Raznikov Photography for her world class photojournalism.