• Real Weddings

Lush centerpieces sat on top of beautiful curvy vases with white orchids submerged in water of pink hydrangea, 'Faith' and 'Anna' roses, with white cymbidium orchids submerged in water.  For the low centerpieces, the same flowers were designed in a low dish and placed on footed cake dishes that Lord Thompson Manor had.  The bride's hand tied bouquet of 'Patience' garden roses, ivory roses and white cymbidium orchids with pink throats.  We wrapped it with a wide ivory satin ribbon and detailed of French knots.  The bridesmaids carried simplistic yet very pretty bouquets of 'Cool water', 'Faith' and 'Anna' roses.  Wrapped partially with ivory satin ribbon and sheer pale pink ribbon of French knots.

The Manor is such a unique venue in that we spent the entire weekend on the property and everything (including the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, the After Party-after the wedding on Saturday night, and Brunch on Sunday) all took place there.  The Manor has about 40 acres and two properties.  The main property is the actual Manor where there are 6 guest rooms (Adam and I, our parents, etc... stayed in the Manor) and the other property being the Cottage House, located about 1 mile up the road in the center of Thompson, has another 7 guest rooms as well as a spa.
The entire property was exclusively ours for the weekend so it makes it very stress free to know you don't have to run all over the place to the church, another place to take pics, etc.... everything was right there!
Adam is from NY and my family is from the other side of CT so we knew people would need to travel.  The Manor was the perfect setting to get all of our family and friends together in a rural setting without any other distractions.
The guys hung out at the Manor on Saturday and played games in the huge backyard while my bridesmaids and I got ready in the spa at the Cottage House.  (You can see hair/makeup at the spa in some of Alissa's pics)  The pictures of me getting dressed are actually in one of the guest rooms at the Cottage House.  The clean white linens and beautiful wood floors make for the perfect backdrop for the 'getting ready' shots! The Manor is very secluded and feels very homey but is also a VERY romantic setting for a wedding with statues throughout the gardens and vines crawling up the side of the house.  I wanted my girls in long flowy chiffon gowns so it looked like they were just floating as they glided down the isle.  I thought that pink roses were the perfect flowers to go with my 'romantic' theme.  Having 4 flower girls, 2 being much younger, it worked perfectly to have the two older girls carry the balls of light pink roses (loved them!) and to have the little ones throw petals out of their baskets.  I loved how the guys all had orchids to match the orchids that were in my bouquet as well as the tall centerpieces.  It all tied together perfectly!

Photography:Alissa Dinneen Photography Cinematography:
Flowers: Jessica's Country Flowers Video: The Hartford Videographer Ceremony Location: Lord Thompson Manor, Thompson, Connecticut Reception Location: Lord Thompson Manor, Thompson, Connecticut Invitations: Birchcraft Studios (The Paper Station, Newington, Connecticut)
Calligraphy: Michelle Dowling Calligraphy (Glastonbury, Connecticut)
Shoes: Fifi by Filippa Scott Jewelry: a friend's Dad (Mr. Arakelian, who is a jeweler out of Boston area)  **couple's rings and bride's necklace Dress: Private Label by G (The Great White Way, Watertown, Connecticut)
Bridesmaids gowns: Alexia Designs (The Great White Way, Watertown, CT)
Tuxes: Bonardi's Formal Wear, Worchester, MA Cake: Chocolate Rose Bake Shop, Griswold, CT Hair: Priscilla from Kiss Spa (which is at the Cottage House, Lord Thompson's sister property)
Sarah, the bride's sister did the bride's hair Make-up: Priscillia from Kiss Spa (at the Cottage House, Lord  Thompson's sister property)