Hello Everyone!
I hope you are all enjoying the summer and wedding season! I finally have some time to catch up on blog posts of weddings earlier this season! Today I am diving in to Megan and Jordan’s beautiful wedding on May 18th at the Hill-Stead Museum!
Megan had actually first reached out to me in the summer of 2018 interested in a wedding planner. At the time, she and Jordan were living in Florida and planning from a distance. We went back and forth a few times but in the end, they decided to handle the planning on their own. Fast forward to January 2019, and my phone rings one day, and it’s Megan’s mom! She was living locally and was handling a lot of the planning herself and was starting to feel like she could use some help. She brought me up to speed on vendors they had booked since I last spoke with Megan, where they were in the planning process and how I could best help.
Since we only had 4 months to go until their big day, I immediately went to work on finalizing vendors and their details. I started with confirming a caterer and rentals since these were imperative to the success of their day. We decided on Riverhouse Catering and in mid-February, we attended their Grand Tasting at The Society Room to taste all the options for their wedding menu. Megan and Jordan were unable to attend so I went along with Jordan’s mom and her friend and Megan’s parents – between the 5 of us, nothing was left untouched!
Next came a visit to Hill-Stead to walk the space with Tents Unlimited and review the set-up and rental order (plus design concept!). We decided on a neutral color palette of white, blush/peach and greenery. It was the perfect compliment to the natural beauty of the Hill-Stead grounds!
The last key vendors we needed to book to ensure their day was flawless was hair & makeup (Megan opted to use AfterGlow out of Avon!), videography (we booked RI Video Pro), and guest transportation (Dattco).
In the months leading up to the big day, Megan’s mom and I talked constantly. I also was communicating weekly with all the vendors we had booked to confirm final details, set-up needs, timing and overall execution of the big day!
Before we knew it, their wedding weekend had arrived (and it was an absolutely perfect Spring weekend)! We kicked it off with a rehearsal at St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury on Friday evening followed by their rehearsal dinner at the Simsbury Inn.
The next day started with hair and makeup for the girls at 8am. I arrived to check in around noon and everyone was so excited for the big day!
Their ceremony started at 2:30pm at St. Mary’s Church. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newlyweds made their exit in a vintage Land Rover owned by Jordan’s family (I mean, how cool are they?!) Everyone then made their way over to the Hill-Stead Museum for photos before cocktail hour started.
Cocktail hour took place in the Sunken Garden. This space is just perfect for a wedding! The lush green grass, colorful florals and picturesque gazebo overlooking the mansion. Guests were treated to an array of passed appetizers and a bountiful harvest table filled with cheeses, cured meats, dried fruits and breads.
As cocktail hour concluded, guests were directed to the reception tent to find their seats. Bridal party introductions began followed by the couples’ first dance and speeches. As formalities concluded, our meal service began. Guests dined on entrees consisting of flank steak, red snapper or Megan’s favorite: seasonal pasta primavera!
This group certainly knew how to have a party! Their dance floor was packed all night as their band, Tangled Vine, rocked the night away!
I had such a great time working with this couple and their families. I was so happy they the beautiful, sunny wedding day they were hoping for. I hope you two are loving married life and I wish you the best in your life together!
Vendor Team:
Wedding Planner: Alyssa Jean Signature Events
Reception Venue: Hill-Stead Museum
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Church
Catering: Riverhouse Catering
Photography: Fritz Photography
Videography: RI Video Pro
Band: Tangled Vine
Florals: Pots and Posies
Cake: Creative Cakes by Donna
Beauty: AfterGlow
Rentals: Tents Unlimited
Transportation: Dattco
Portable Restrooms: Suburban Sanitation
Hotel Block: Simsbury Inn
As Always, Happy Planning!
Love,
Alyssa