Here is a really lovely, quaint and intimate wedding from Chappaqua, New York to start off your week! Focusing on the history and charm of their venue allowed Barbara + Aaron to host a fall wedding for all 50 of their guests full of music, a delicious five-course meal and rustic atmosphere. I love that today’s featured couple composed the music together for their processional and that they used old sheet music to make paper cones filled with rose pedals for the ceremony. Don’t miss Barbara’s tips for picking out your perfect gown. Cheers!
Barbara + Aaron | October 8, 2011 | Crabtree’s Kittle House, Chappaqua, New York
The Ceremony
Our intimate ceremony – only 50 guests – was held in a private outdoor garden bordered by manicured rows of greenery and autumn leaves. Rather than lay a runner down the center aisle, we walked on the existing stone pathway. A longtime friend married us and a pianist performed an original song composed by us (we’re both in the music business) as a processional. For additional personal touches, we created paper cones made from the sheet music of classic love songs and filled them with rose petals for tossing; we also wrote our own vows and chose to do a wine/love letter unity ritual, which we placed in a custom made wine box engraved with our wedding date and the words, “love conquers all.” The overall look was rustic chic with modern elements for a timeless and elegant feel.
The Reception
We carried the theme of our ceremony into our reception, which was held in the main room of the venue. Our dining room was full of charm with old, wooden beams complemented by pale grey walls and whitewashed chair rails, French doors, and velvet curtains in deep chestnut. Off the dining room was the taproom, where we held our cocktail hour and kept an open bar, which boasts a tin roof, large stone fireplace that we had filled with lit candles, a baby grand piano, and velvet chairs. Our first dance was to “Everything” by Michael Buble and we enjoyed a five-course meal with friends and family. The Kittle House was amazing — the concierge made sure that I had a glass of champagne in-hand at all times! We combined our favors and table cards by tying name tags/table numbers to wrapped caramel apples. For the centerpieces, we used deep orange and deep red flowers (no greenery!) in a modern wooden cube vase and glued metal numbers onto the wood. My goal was to keep the reception very clean and simple so as not to take away from all the character of the venue.
Barbara’s Dress Search
I knew that I wanted a lace gown, and I also knew that I wanted it to be fitted. It was very tempting to go with a ball gown and I did try some on (loved them!) but I stayed true to my original vision. One funny thing in particular, however, is that I’m not a fan of empire waists and with the inclusion of the satin/rhinestone sash, my gown is exactly that. It was the last gown that I tried on because I didn’t like that aspect of it and it turned out to be the one! Now my advice is to always try on a couple of gowns that you aren’t sure about.
How Barbara Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Elegant, Feminine, Beautiful
Why Barbara Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
While my gown was everything that I dreamed of for my wedding day, I won’t need to wear it again and let’s face it — if I ever have a daughter, I’m sure she’ll want to choose her own dress! That said, there is someone out there who will love this gown as wholeheartedly as I did for that one special day and this gown is so beautiful, it deserves to be worn again. I know that it can make another girl (and groom!) very happy!
