• Real Weddings

A Wedding Planner's heart goes a flutter when they find a spacious and plain venue, as their imagination can take center stage. However, once in a while you stumble upon a venue that is the perfect setting for a design you already have in mind, decorated just enough to help you complete the picture.
The inspiration for this style shoot began when we met a creative and open minded bride-to-be Jennifer. We decided to invite her to have fun with us, experimenting with a wedding design idea, while kind of rehearsing if-you-will her big day.
Jen's back is filled with a large tattoo of a fairy with branches sprouting out of her back as wings, complete with leaves and a little bird here or there.
Unfortunately a love bird theme can evoke a rather girlie picture, one where pink and green go hand in hand. We knew anything that is expected at a wedding such as lots of white, sparkles or flower centerpieces would not be acceptable for Jen. As with all weddings, we want the couple and their guests to say to themselves upon entering "oh yes - this is completely them"! A couple's wedding should appear as though they created, planned and orchestrated it all themselves regardless of their level of involvement. Yet, although a love bird theme is all too common, it did fit perfectly. Jennifer is a free spirit; her parents really should have named her something like daffodil or whatever is the Sanskrit word for rebel.
We had the idea that we wanted guests to regard this wedding as one big conversation piece.

We love it when every table is in the same conversation but not exactly the same. In addition, we wanted to blend the old with the new, not being able to tell which was which, in addition to adding an assortment of rentals and finds that were store bought. Vintage became another theme. Vintage love birds do not need to be girlie! Remember there are no rules so why ever steer away from your first instincts!

Note the baskets with assorted blankets to be offered at the ceremony instead of purchasing a whole bundle of white scarves that no one is going to wear again. Use some pillows from home and purchase some new pillows to be included in the lounge area of the reception. Take picture frames directly from above your fireplace mantel to be included on your welcome table or at your cocktail reception. On your family's dining tables consider including personal touches such as using your parents wedding china or crystal as shown here.
The venue we stumbled upon is the newly reopened and almost completely renovated "La Roue Elayne at Cobb's Mill Inn" in Weston, CT. Tucked away, off the beaten path, this venue has a ton of history embedded into its newly restored thick chestnut floor boards and it's large running waterfall that you can not only see but hear from its main dining room.
La Roue Elayne at Cobb's Mill Inn was one of the first buildings in CT, predating the revolutionary war. Originally it was owned by the first ten or so families that settled in Fairfield County, Connecticut - so it is authentic vintage :).
The venue has many different rooms, almost like a maze. It is a great place for kids to play hide and seek during the reception, and great for private little gatherings before the big event, such as the handkerchief or shoe signing. The main event room is large with windows looking out onto a spectacular running waterfall. It is also large enough to accommodate an indoor ceremony if it rains. Outside there is a grass area right alongside the river- a perfect square, perfect for a ceremony. There is also a new outdoor ceremony space in development that will be up and running by 2013.

Adjacent to the event space is the Mill's former Old Country Store that is in the midst of renovations to become the most darling of neighborhood coffee shops and a great choice for a kid's area or poker room at a wedding. Best of all, this venue is not a banquet hall and can easily accommodate up to 150 people, if not 180. Revisit the La Roue Elayne at Cobb's Mill Inn over the coming months. They may have reopened in May of 2012 but evidently they are not done with their renovations and they have plans for expansion.
Many couples desire a Farm / Barn-like aesthetic without the cost of a full tented affair. This location is evocative of a barn, while the running waterfall adds a touch of the dramatic naturally. Original wrought iron pieces flank the property, such as the chandelier that adorns the main dining room: shining crystal wrapped in iron globes - a conversation piece!

Whether simple or ornate in design, think in terms of a texture pallet besides a color pallet: The different fabric pillows, the mixture of berries, branches and succulents' with flowers, etc. This design added the texture of paper which was perfect because it is an unpretentious touch and as creative as this Bride-to-be. To find paper mobiles such as this one search Etsy, or if you dare to take the time, make them yourself.

Event Design, Ashley Douglass Events, celebrating relationships; Floral Design, Carolyn Dempsey Design; Bride's Styling, Gown & Jewlery, The Plumed Serpent Bridal in Westport, CT; Hair and Make-up, Arleigh Cole Hair and Make Up; Stationary, Menu, Seating Assignments by Foosie Design; Rentals, Events Party and Tent Rentals in Georgetown, CT; Venue, La Roué Elayne at Cobb's Mill Inn; Photography, Bruce Plotkin Photography.
All vendors work throughout Connecticut, New York and beyond