We were charmed by this wedding the moment we laid eyes on it, and by the time we’d read Heather’s account of how she and Michael met, fell in love and eloped, we just knew that you’d be as charmed by it  too. There are no whistles or bells. No fancy table plans or 6 piece invitation suites. There aren’t even any flowers. Just two people (and a dog!) very much in love, who made their BIG day small and intimate and about them and no one else…

“Michael and I met on match.com!  No kidding!  We both led such busy lives with work, and both of us joined for efficiency reasons! I sent him a one line email when I first noticed his profile that said “your dog is ADORABLE”  (Harley is a Maltese-Yorkie). We had our first date 6 days after chatting via email, and it was the “best first date ever” (his words, while still ON the date).  We got sandwiches and I took him to my favorite place to hike.  Then we went out for a drink, and during that time I told him I had friends and family coming over that night for dinner and game night, and did he want to come?  He did and we had a great time! 

Michael proposed 2 and a half years later in Mystic, CT.  Mystic is a quant town on the coast of Connecticut and is one of our favorite places, which is why we choose to keep our boat there and spend many long weekends during the spring-summer-fall.  He proposed on an October evening, when we were anchored, enjoying the sunset, on the flat waters outside of Masons Island–which is one of our favorite things to do.

We decided to elope the minute we got engaged (well, I decided, but it only took a little bit of convincing to get Michael to see my point of view). We are each from really large families and did NOT want to deal with any stress that sometimes accompanies traditional weddings. 

I’m an all or nothing kind of girl. If I planned a wedding it would’ve been down to the last perfect detail (and I had visions of turning into a BRIDE-ZILLA), but mainly I just wanted us to have a day of EACH OTHER.  (Which we did!)  After the day, Michael said he would not have done ANYTHING differently. 

We chose Wentworth By The Sea, New Hampshire, because it contained many of our favorite things: it’s on the water, it’s in New England, it has a nautical flare and it’s 5 minutes from Portsmouth, NH.  And it had the perfect suite.  We had two bedrooms (one for each of us to get ready, so we wouldn’t see each other), we had a view of the marina and water, it was decorated in just our style and we were able to bring our dog!  It also has great grounds to walk around and is only a short taxi ride into town! 

   

Michael says his favorite part of the day was when we went up the street to a little seafood place, BG’s Boathouse.  This is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone.  We got to chat with everyone and a couple who was celebrating their anniversary bought us drinks in honor of our upcoming wedding.  It was a lot of fun. My favorite part of the day was a number of things: the perfect weather being one of them.  In the 6 days we were at the resort it rained and sleeted every day–EXCEPT our wedding day.  The best part for me was being so comfortable and happy with the whole day.  And the day reflected us perfectly.  It was exactly what we wanted at a location we loved.  Mainly, the whole wedding week was just perfect!

My advice for anyone getting married is to try to stay true to what you want and who you are as a couple. Plan a day that when you look back on you’ll be so proud and happy–no regrets!

At the end of the day you’re the only people who need to be happy with your decision. Remember, this is only ONE day–but it’s the most important day of your life.  The person you marry will determine your future happiness. Because you can’t build a house on a crumbling foundation!

 

I don’t know about you guys, but reading Heather’s account of their wedding day, and looking at pictures of a couple so very much in love reminds me of exactly what this ‘industry’ is all about, what we’re all here to celebrate, and be a part of – and that makes me a little emotional!

Congratulations Heather & Michael, we wish you a lifetime of love & happiness!

 

Support Team:

Justice of the Peace - Mary Carey Foley, // Photography – Bethany & Dan Photography // Bride wears: Cashmere sweater – Nordstrom, Tulle Skirt – Ann Taylor // Groom wears: Suit – Jos A Bank, Tie -Nordstrom // Harley wears: bow tie – Learned Stitchworks, via Etsy

Submitted via Two Bright Lights