This Colorful Tented Wedding Was an Ode to New Hampshire in the Fall

Sarah Bromley and Jake Falk met in July 2014; both were starting their jobs as founding teachers at a new middle school in the Bronx. "We met on our first day of training, and learned we would be teaching math together," says Sarah. The pair worked closely as colleagues that first year at school, then started dating in November of 2015. Three years later, the two were visiting Sarah's parents in New Hampshire when Jake convinced her to take a seemingly impromptu hot air balloon ride. At the height of the trip, looking over the Upper Valley, Jake took out a ring and proposed. Back on Earth, Sarah's whole family was in on the surprise—they all showed up to celebrate with a Champagne toast in an open field at sunset after the newly-engaged couple touched back down.

According to the bride, who enlisted the help of Rebecca Rose Events, the wedding's planning process was incredibly personal and thoughtful. "Becca and Betsy not only knew our family from planning my older sister's wedding a few years before, but also took time to understand exactly what we wanted from the day," says Sarah. "The level of detail and care put into every moment of the process made us feel so at ease, and ultimately led to the wedding matching everything we could have hoped or imagined it to be."

Their first choice—selecting a venue—was simple: Sarah went to college in New Hampshire, and when her parents later bought a house there, she knew right away it was where she eventually wanted to tie the knot. "We also spent a lot of time in New Hampshire as we started dating and as Jake started to explore hiking and backpacking," the bride explains. "We both feel a close personal attachment [to the place], and wanted our friends and family from New York City in particular to be able to experience it."

Since a sense of place was paramount, capturing the seasonal beauty of the outdoor locale was just as important; this was reflected in the color palette, composed of rich golden yellow, olive green, amber, coral, champagne, rose gold, and cinnamon. The couple's underlying goal? To shape a cohesive and thoughtful atmosphere that was appropriately elegant, but casual and comfortable, as well. 

Sarah has a tip for couples currently planning their own celebrations: "Always check in with each other to make sure you both feel good about the decisions being made," she says, "and make sure you plan a wedding that feels like you. Everyone will have opinions on how you should do things, and while those opinions do matter, ultimately people will be happy for you no matter which details you include."

Watch Sarah and Jake's wedding video by Inkspot Crow Films.

Every detail of the couple's foil-stamped, letterpressed invitation suite was personalized to give guests a preview of the autumn event. Digitally printed watercolor artwork in vibrant shades inspired by fall foliage accented elements of wood and rose gold; the overall vibe was one of casual elegance.

Snack-filled welcome boxes were customized with a watercolor scene. Their contents were personalized, as well, with the couple's monogram and other signature labels.

On the morning of the celebration, Sarah and her bridesmaids, dressed in cozy flannels, toasted to the festivities to come.

Sarah's strapless tulle wedding dress by Anne Barge was beautifully embellished with delicate beaded flowers. "I had originally said the only thing I didn't want was a strapless dress, but the design and embellishment on [this dress] were so beautiful and a nod to the natural setting of the wedding," Sarah explains.

The bride donned a pair of white peep-toe wedges by Kate Spade for the ceremony.

Sarah's bouquet included orange-and-yellow ranunculus, quicksand roses, bronze amaranthus, yellow feather celosia, golden mustard garden roses, coral dahlias, macchiato roses, chocolate cosmos, and seeded eucalyptus foliage. "It represented the full wedding color palette," says the bride.

The gentlemen's boutonnières were composed of small dahlia buds, seeded eucalyptus, and yellow solidago wrapped with rose gold wire.

Jake wore a charcoal gray suit from The Black Tux. He accessorized with a personalized tie from Knotty Tie Co—its pattern nodded to the plaid seen on the couple's stationery suite.

The groom's half of the wedding party also donned suiting from The Black Tux, and completed their looks with matching bow ties.

Sarah's bridemaids wore full-length Jenny Yoo chiffon gowns in a lovely shade of cinnamon rose. "We liked this because it complemented the bright colors we used for flowers and details, and the long flowy dresses matched the natural style of the ceremony," says Sarah. The bride's two nieces served as the flower girls, wearing white tulle dresses and carrying miniature bouquets.

"Sarah's parents' house is about 200 yards from the top of Pinnacle Hill, a local hiking destination and the former site of a boy scout’s cabin. The cabin burned down over a decade ago, but the stone fireplace remains and we regularly walk up to enjoy the view," says Jake. "We met on the top of the pinnacle for our first look. The weather was perfect and we shared our vows for the first time before walking down the trail back to the house together."

Pashminas, set out for the female guests, warded off the autumn chill, while yarmulkes were offered to the men in attendance.

The ceremony took place near Sarah's parents' home, a space made beautiful by Rebecca Rose Events. A local pastor officiated the interfaith service that combined Christian components with Jewish wedding traditions. "While including traditional elements like the seven blessings, the Chuppah, and the breaking of the glass was important to us in representing Jake's heritage, we also worked with the officiant to personalize and modernize the ceremony," says Sarah. "We updated language in many sections to communicate equality of partnership, and we included a reading of a children's story, A Lovely Love Story, as a nod to both of our passions for education."

The pair took turns pouring wine into a single glass that they then each sipped from, symbolizing drinking from the cup of life together—and taking on its experiences hand-in-hand.

After they were pronounced husband and wife, Jake smashed the glass before kissing his bride.

Rebecca Rose Events worked with Sarah's mother to surprise the newlyweds with a craft beer bar; the station included selections from regions special to the couple's relationship. A custom watercolor menu card guided guests' choices, while colorful signage included a map showcasing the regional origins of each option.

Crackers, breads, and a selection of gourmet cheeses were offered to attendees during the cocktail hour.

Small vignettes, complete with cozy arm chairs and modern copper coffee tables, punctuated the space, offering celebrants a place to rest as they noshed on their light bites.

Guests' table assignments were calligraphed onto leaf-shaped cards and pinned to a fabric-covered board.

Heart-shaped maple candies were packaged in boxes, each of which featured guests' place cards.

For the reception, a sweeping sailcloth tent was set up on a neighbor's nearby field. Garlands of southern smilax were strung overhead and bistro lighting hung from the boughs. Tuscan-style wooden chairs finished the tableaux.

Floral arrangements in metallic vessels ran the length of the long estate tables, and were intermingled with rose gold votive candle holders and wooden candle hurricanes.

Each place setting included a wood charger, a mustard napkin tied with ribbon and rosemary, a letterpressed menu card, and rose gold flatware.

The couple was treated to a slew of speeches during dinner—which made the evening that much more memorable. "Our friends and family—particularly Sarah's—are very spread out across the country," explains the groom. "Being able to have everyone we love together in one place, many who got to meet for the first time, made the day truly special."

The newlyweds took to the dance floor as the opening lines of "Beyond" by Leon Bridges sounded throughout the tent. "We just both really love it," says the bride of their song choice.

The traditional dances were another reception highlight, say the bride and groom, who cite the Hora and the Hava Nagila—during which they and their relatives were hoisted into the air on chairs—as the most epic moments.

Photography, Lance Nicoll Photography
Event Planning, Design, Stationery Design, Paper Goods, and Flowers, Rebecca Rose Events
Videography, Inkspot Crow Films
Flowers, Rebecca Rose Events
Stationery Printing, Pinecrest Printery
Calligraphy, Manifest Calligraphy
Officiant, Amy Hayden
Bride's Gown, Anne Barge
Bride's Accessories, Bel Aire Bridal (veil), Tiffany & Co. (jewelry), Kate Spade (shoes)
Hair and Makeup, Amanda Hopcraft
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Jenny Yoo
Menswear, The Black Tux; Knotty Tie Co.
Wedding Bands, Designer Gold
Music, Lisa Flute (ceremony), Fortress for Elan Artists (reception)
Catering, Christophe Catering
Cake, MeMe's Diner
Rentals, Emerson James; Nuage Designs; Peak Event Services; Vermont Tent Co.
Favors, Kingland Farms
Transportation, Axis Coach Transportation; Grace Limousine and Shuttle
Lighting, Sound Illusions