Wedding Wednesday: As Featured on Style Me Pretty, Saltwater Farm Sparkle & Hay Wedding

Photos by Anna Sawin Photography

Photos by Anna Sawin Photography

Photos by Anna Sawin Photography

Photos by Anna Sawin Photography

Last week we were so honored to be featured on Style Me Pretty with such an amazing group of friends and talents in the industry.  It was the most spectacular day!

Working with Erin and Dan was a designer's dream.  Every detail had thought behind it and told the story of them as a couple.  A vision of rustic details with chic, elegant accents set the tone for the most incredible Rustic Chic wedding.  We used layers of fabric, satin and burlap on the tables with glitter sprinkled on the burlap to give it the most subtle sheen.  Wrapped votives with lace and hay bills with fabric to weave the details through every space of the venue.  I think when you are designing an event it is very much like creating different rooms in a house, using the color palette and design details in different ways to set the mood/ tone.  We wanted guests to move from ceremony to cocktail hour to dinner  and dancing and be wowed through each transition.  No detail was missed for Erin and Dan's wedding, and what made it so special for guests was that it was unique to them as a couple.

Sparkle & Hay: The Inspiration...why Rustic Chic
It started with the setting. After a fairly short search (my list of criteria combined with our guest list did not provide for a long list of reception site options in Connecticut) Dan and I chose Saltwater Farm Vineyard as our reception site. The moment we turned down the slightly hidden long dirt drive I knew this was going to be the place. 

Pulling up it is as though you are transported to another place, and inside the meticulously revitalized space (I don't dare say renovated as so much of the building's authenticity has been preserved) has such fantastic raw energy. The space was originally a WWII aircraft hangar, which means towering high ceilings with gorgeous exposed wooden beams and ceilings. The space comes as-is... and lends itself perfectly to personalization through colors, textures, linens, flowers, lighting, and all sorts of fabulous details.

While exhilerated by this I was also (ever so slightly) overwhelmed... until I met Sarah True. Sarah is the creative event mastermind who after listening to my chaotic inspiration list (French Provincial meets Paris Chic, vineyard but not too wine focused, fall but not overkill of oranges and yellow, soft & warm lighting, browns, dark blues, dark purples, flowers but not too flowery, candles, lanterns, and the list goes on...) somehow decifered it all into a Rustic Chic inspiration - and it just fit! I am so excited (and lucky) to have Sarah working on our wedding; I cannot image attempting it without her.


Collaboration:
Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard / Design and Coordination: TRUE Event / Photography: Anna Sawin Photography / Catering: Anna Lathrop and Jeanette Holliday of Gourmet Galley / Floral: Hana Floral Design / Paper: Chocolate Creative Design / Entertainment: Power Posse Productions & JA2M / Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Transportation: Newport Trolley / Videography: Tim Ethier Video Productions / Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / Dress: Augusta Jones from Kleinfeld New York / Bridesmaids: J.Crew / Bride & Groom Forks: Beach House Living / Guest Book: LovliDay / Bridesmaid and Bride’s clutches: Oatmeal Lace Design / Hanger: LilaFrances

Tuesday Shoesday

Hi ladies and gents. Sorry for the late posting this evening, but we are busy in the best possible way over here. You understand. So here's the story for today's Tuesday Shoesday. I have been on a mad hunt for a good pair of nude pumps (you know, because they are supposed to make your legs look miles long and stuff like that)...well thanks to the oh so darling daugther of my favorite man on the planet after my dad and Mr. C, Stella McCartney, my mission is now accomplished (well...if I had a spare $800 burning a hole in my pocket...).

I.am.in.love.

Happy Tuesday!

Coffee Talk Monday... Songs Currently playing in my head... Boyce Avenue

Not only is this one of my favorite songs, it always makes me smile, but this cover of it is one of the best things I have heard in a while!  You must check out this group, Boyce Avenue, they are fantastic and are performing in a free show at Mohegan Sun on March 20th.  

Friday Wine Tasting... 2007 Wildass Red

Wine of the Week
2007 Wildass Red
$19.95

I always love to try the wines that are local to an area while visiting and while we were out the other night all of the Canadian wines on the menu at DNA Restaurant were half price during happy hour.  You can't beat that!  We ventured to try the 2007 Wildass Red which was fantastic!  I only wish we could have found it in the local wine stores so I could take a few bottles home with us.  This one might be hard to find in the States but if you ever get the chance this is one you will want to remember.  Happy Friday Everyone!! 

From the Winery: Don’t all stampede to the order button at once! This is the finest breed of Wildass Red yet. You could say it is the Secretariat of the mule family, the Northern Dancer of the herd. 2007 gave the winemakers of Niagara the finest growing conditions in 5000 years (most of that is speculation Your Honour). Fully ripe, red fruit on the vine meant a selection of barrels that, once put together, produced a wine of complexity, ageability, but as well, with instant reward... ability.
Summary Tasting Note: Delicious!

What the Experts are saying: The 2007 Wildass Red is redolent with lush black currant, blackberry, and cranberry notes which captivates the senses immediately. Blessed with marvelous growing conditions, this single vineyard, Niagara-on-the-Lake wine is soft on the palate with currant notes on the mid-palate. The finish has a slightly flinty note, and the fresh acidity carries the rich fruit flavors through to a long lingering finish, an indication of a very good wine. The ripe fruit is testament to the strong 2007 vintage. This is a softer, sexier Wildass than years past. The team at Stratus continues to develop quality wine at the Wildass level.

—Mark Moffat
The Wine Guy

Inspiration from Anywhere: Montreal

DNA Restaurant, Montreal, Canada

I have felt like a world traveler the past two weeks from Puerto Rico to Canada it has been quite a trip.  I hadn't been to Montreal since I was in high school, so from what I remember, it feels like a totally different city with every new place we discover.  The design in the restaurants and hotels is absolutely amazing!  I have been on total overload since we arrived.  It seems as though orange/coral is the color of the moment.  In all of the latest spring fashion, in Puerto Rico at our hotel, and now all throughout Montreal.  And I must say I am loving it!  I love the bold color of orange/coral and the combination of natural materials, metal and wood.  It would be such an amazing palette for a modern beach wedding or city chic soiree at a really cool loft space. 

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Session Giveaway Winner!

Ok, it is official - I am a huge sap. Having to read all of those endearing engagement stories definitely did a number on our Kleenex supply. BUT! We have a winner for the free engagement session with Karen Schlink Photography!

Drum roll please...

Karen Schlink Photography

JILLIAN! We all loved your story so much, if you could send me an email at abby@trueevent.com with your contact information, that would be lovely!

Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories! xoxo!

Tuesday Shoesday

I am on a stripe kick today. For no reason in particular, but my mind is hyper-focused on their lovely symmetrical ways. So for today's Tuesday Shoesday, I present a shoe of the striped variety. It's down right stunning. Don't you agree?

Christian Louboutin Greissimo Platform Pumps

For more fabulousness check out {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}