A Vintage Pink-and-White Wedding at Home in Connecticut

For high school sweethearts Jennifer and David, a wedding in their hometown of West Hartford, Connecticut, was a no-brainer. But after living in New Orleans while David was in medical school and Jennifer was studying for the bar, the couple fell in love with the city's Southern charm. So when they tied the knot on June 2, 2012, they combined the best of both worlds. The result? An intimate backyard affair filled with lively Jazz Age details and a taste of New Orleans.

Paper Moss created the pink-and-white stationery suite, which featured whimsical touches like a custom map of the area and diagonal flourishes on the envelopes, which were calligraphed by Kristen Henderson.

As an homage to their home away from home, the couple included many NOLA-inspired details throughout the wedding, starting with their invitations.

The bride paired her Priscilla of Boston gown with Angela Nuran shoes, both from White Dress by the Shore. The groom sported a dapper tuxedo from Brooks Brothers.

The subtle hints of pink in Jennifer's soft, textured clutch of peonies, roses, and variegated phaleonopsis orchids complemented the rosy velvet ribbon on her gown.

Jennifer borrowed her mother's diamond earrings, as well as an antique watch that belonged to her great-aunt. Her something blue? An antique brooch of her mother's, which she pinned to her bouquet.

Both Jennifer and David got ready for the wedding in the houses they grew up in, one of the many elements that made the day a "hometown dream come true" for the bride.

The bridesmaids were outfitted in two different shades of pink, floor-length dresses by Jenny Yoo.

While each attendant's bouquet was unique, all of them featured pops of dark and light pinks to match their gowns.

Here, Jennifer and David pose with the youngest members of their bridal party.

Jennifer was all smiles as she arrived at the church, despite a morning drizzle.

Jennifer's father walked her down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon in D. "I had always dreamed of having it play," she said. "It was one of my favorite moments of the day."

Many of the couple's close friends and family members participated in the traditional Catholic ceremony at the Church of St. Timothy, including Jennifer's father, who read a letter that his father had written to him on his own wedding day.

Since the pair was in high school, Jennifer's house had served as the main gathering spot for all of their friends--including much of the wedding party. It only felt natural, then, to host their 150 wedding guests in the backyard.

The couple's photographer, Elisabeth Millay, scouted out the area before the event to find great wedding portrait locations. One of their posing spots was a bridge in a local park.

In a toast to the newlyweds, the bride's father presented them with a special hourglass. Each of its globes held a different type of sand that mixed together when the hourglass was flipped, representing the joining of the two families. 

The floral arrangements used in the ceremony were repurposed into reception decor.

The bride's parents made table numbers for the reception using house numbers and stained wooden blocks from the local hardware store. The fleur de lis was another subtle nod to the beloved city of New Orleans

Small pink arrangements in crystal and mercury glass vessels were displayed on burlap table runners, for a look that was equal parts rustic and glamorous.

Tall crystal candelabras wrapped in lush garlands were mixed in among the shorter flower arrangements for height variation.

Jennifer transformed an old window she found in her parents' basement into a unique escort card display, using a white paint pen to write guests' names and table numbers.

A chalkboard menu outlined the food for the evening, fare that combined Jennifer's Jamaican background with David's love of New Orleans. During cocktail hour, guests snacked on mini po' boys and empanadas and sipped Pimm's cup cocktails, the couple's signature drink. Dinner--a choice of duck, red snapper, or spicy-glazed beef--was served family style, for an intimate dinner-party feel.

Two different china patterns were used to create the eclectic table settings atop the walnut farm tables.

A live jazz band, Carte Blanche, performed French love songs during cocktail hour and dinner, setting a romantic tone for the evening.

The group's 1920s-style ensembles enhanced the reception's vintage vibe.

Bistro lights, inspired by the restaurants in New Orleans' French Quarter, cast a romantic glow on the backyard celebration, while chandeliers hanging from the tent's ceiling lent a dramatic touch.

The newlyweds chose Sidney Bechet's "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere" as their first dance song.

Photography: Elizabeth Millay

Planning, Coordination, and Design: Lindsay Mastroianni of Sixpence For Your Shoe

Catering:

Emily's Catering

Floral and Lighting Designer: Dragonfly Event

Invitations and Day-Of Stationery: Paper Moss

Invitation Calligraphy: Kristen Henderson Calligraphy

Menu and Window Calligraphy: Lettres Stationery of Distinction (860-676-1330)

Cake: Classic Cakes by Carol Murdock

Band: Carte Blanche via Elan Artists

DJ: Elegant Occasions

China and Flatware: Party Rental, Ltd.

Farm Tables and Chiavari Chairs: New England Country Rentals

Tent: Sperry Tents 

Linens: La Tavola

Hair: Amber and Chris of Studio 325

Makeup: Shaenna of Naomi's Salon and Spa

Dress: Priscilla of Boston from The White Dress by the Shore

Veil and Shoes: The White Dress by the Shore

Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo

Church: Church of St. Timothy