Oh, this post is a longtime coming. My husband, Christopher, and I were married this past autumn, on September 28, 2013. It was a perfect day, full of laughter, love and all things pretty. From something borrowed, to something new, genuine and heartfelt details adorned our day. And Justin & Jess of Inner Song Photography captured it all.

Eclectic, Coastal, Vintage; our wedding brought together our dearest family and friends from near and far to New Haven, Connecticut – the city Chris and I have grown to love and call home. We’re both transplants – myself from Bayside, N.Y., and Chris, San Bernardino, Calif – so one had to be organized with half a bridal party coming from out West! The three-page syllabus was a big hit. They all say I should plan weddings.

We readied at the Quinnipiack Club, a secret New Haven gem. Slick gray tuxedos and white patent leather shoes, the guys were sharp. Grooms gifts were packaged in unique cigar boxes from our favorite New Haven mainstay, the Owl Shop, with a handwritten note, a nip, a couple of fine cigars and a nautical, screenprinted, champagne-colored bow tie sealed with butcher’s twine and a custom-printed name tag.

Champagne was the garment of my gorgeous girls, an illusion neckline fashioning teardrop earrings with one-of-a-kind slivers of a nautical maps of Morris Cove, the location in which we wed (and live!) on that perfect September day. Steadily they assisted me into Vera, an exquisite dress I can only hope to see my own daughter walk down the aisle in one day. The quintessential accessory was, and remains, my wedding and engagement rings, an art deco-inspired heirloom passed down from my grandmother who married in the late 1950s.

Our first look was a couple blocks away on Yale’s Sillman Campus. The Campus Dean congratulated Chris as he waited (of course the girls were running late). We relished in our time alone, the slight pause of the day. Then a quick stop at the Owl and onto to the ceremony.

Mama, my lifetime mentor and confidant, walked me down the aisle. We were deemed husband and wife listening to the light current of the Cove, mama’s waterview home just visible on the far side with her backyard Copper Beech standing the tallest on the block. The reception was pristine. Collected pieces from our home and handcrafted objects perfectly placed – wedding favors assembled by my grandmother (they had candied almonds, because c’mon, we’re Italian here), the reclaimed barnwood table numbers and signgage assisted by step pop’s wisdom, the burlap pennant flags and runners, the place card frames mama painted, the fingerprint guestbooks … It was pure bliss; an indescribable feeling you only know when you actually get there. Our first dance, a surprise choreographed spot to “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

A shout out to you all, for your love and support, for keeping us on our toes, for making this day, this idyllic wedding dream, a reality. It’s better than our minds could have ever imagined.

xoxo,
The Brighams

P.S. – Our wedding calls for some fun around here. In honor of our wedding post, B&Co. is giving away a lovely gift to the best taker. Scroll down to the gallery’s end for more info!

Last, but never least, a giveaway!!! In honor of the well-to-do wedding blog, we are giving away a fresh copy of the esteemed “Style Me Pretty Weddings” by Abby Larson for the need-to-be inspired planners out there. To enter, leave a comment below about what inspires you about weddings and like our Facebook page (of if you already likes us, invite your friends!!). The winner will be announced next Wednesday, January 29th.

Photography : Inner Song Photography : The Dress : Vera Wang : Floral Design : Trout Lily Farm : Calligraphy : Our ahhh-mazing friend Melina : Getting Ready : The Quinnipiack Club : Hair Stylist : Carol Zoef : Dance Lessons : Dance A Life : Ceremony & Reception : Amarante’s Sea Cliff : Disc Jockey : Audio Media Solutions : Groom’s Wedding Band : Brent & Jess : Bridesmaid Earrings : Nature of Art : Baker : Petonito’s Pastry Shop : Groomsmen Bow Ties : CyberOptix : Muslin Favor Bags : Wedding Chicks