I met Deana and Chris for the first time this past winter at a cute little coffee shop in Wallingford, where they both currently live. I had just started my business and they were one of the first couples who had contacted me about working on their June 2018 wedding. I was so excited to meet with them and after hearing about their vision for a small, intimate wedding on a private estate in New Hampshire, I was over the moon.
They had a lot of their planning done and vendors booked when they contacted me and were looking for someone to come on board to ensure everything would go as planned on the big day. We texted, emailed and chatted on the phone many times over the next few months to iron out all the details.
They both live a vegan lifestyle and were going with an environmentally friendly and zero waste wedding which was a first for me. They hired Max La Manna from Eating with Max to create a custom, entirely vegan menu. There were no trash receptacles at the wedding as everything was going to be taken home with the couple to be composted later on. Even their invitations and menu cards from Whole Weddings were zero waste – you can literally plant her work into the ground and it will grow into something beautiful.
We all tracked the weather on the week leading up to their big day as we had planned for the ceremony and reception to be entirely open air. Mother Nature blessed us with a beautiful, sunny day and we were able to go with the original plan.
I arrived around 11am to start with set-up. Deana was busy with hair and makeup and Chris and his friends were helping with some of the heavy lifting. Deana and Chris collected so much décor for their wedding – vintage furniture for cocktail hour, macramé runners for the tables, vintage, colored goblets for water and wine, and so much more. They literally had to rent a moving truck to transport everything from Connecticut to New Hampshire. They gave me free reign over how to set and style everything and I had such a blast. The vibrant colors and natural setting just blended so perfectly with their bohemian style.
The ceremony started later that day and Deana was escorted down the aisle by her mother. They opted not to do a First Look and also did not have a bridal party. The ceremony was meant to be all about them and celebrating their love. They each wrote and read their own vows and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the crowd when they were done.
They spent most of their cocktail hour wandering the grounds of this beautiful property taking some of the most stunning photos I have ever seen (Elizabeth Grant Photography just absolutely nailed it with these images). Guests were able to relax by the pond lounging in soft seating, listening to music and sipping on custom cocktails mixed up by Ashley Clay with Eventfully Yours.
The rest of the evening consisted of a 5 course vegan dinner and slices of wedding cake for dessert. The couple shared their first dance with each other and also dances with their parents. Guests enjoyed a reception under the stars as the night wore on.
The couple ended the reception with a sparkler send-off and guests were invited to join them around a bonfire for cigars on the other side of the property.
This wedding was absolutely beautiful from start to finish and we wish Chris and Deana so much happiness in their new life together! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Merola!
For more images, take a look at my gallery page!
Vendor Team:
Wedding Coordination & Styling: Alyssa Jean Signature Events
Photography: Elizabeth Grant Photography
Videography: byDesign Films
Florals: Emily Herzig Florals
Venue: Private Home in Dalton, NH
Catering: Eating with Max
Rentals: Showcase Events
Bartending: Eventfully Yours
Stationery: Whole Weddings
DJ: Alan Chip
Thanks for stopping by this week! Hope you all enjoy these images as much as I do and pick up some boho-wedding inspo as well! Until next time, Happy Planning!
Love,
Alyssa