Longfellow’s Wayside Inn Wedding by Audrey Courchesne Photography

DIY
Fall

A science-inspired wedding in Sudbury, MA

Becky and Derek’s September wedding at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn overflowed with cute and creative details, from sparkly purple shoes to test tubes to a bagpiper! Becky’s bridesmaids all selected their own dresses, and they looked fabulous. Audrey Courchesne Photography photographed their special day!

We chose Longfellow’s Wayside Inn because we loved the warm, inviting feeling and the history behind the site. And how could anyone not adore the Martha-Mary Chapel? I grew up just two miles from the venue, and spent my childhood seeing brides in their beautiful white dresses at the chapel and the mill, so I was thrilled to become one of those brides.

When we began planning our wedding, we decided very quickly that we wanted it to be a real reflection of us. We always thought the best weddings are those that allow you to understand the couple better, and we wanted our wedding to be the same.

Derek and I are both scientists and love to read in our spare time, so that’s where the inspiration for many of the wedding details came from. Our save the dates and invitations were designed by my sister, and feature a serotonin molecule, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and falling in love. We bought the beakers, test tubes, and Erlenmeyer flasks in lieu of vases, and I made literally hundreds of tissue paper flowers in shades of purple, blue, and grey. My dad handmade each of the test tube holders from tiger maple. We named the tables after our favorite books and used the actual paperback books as table “numbers.” We used library book cards as escort cards, and had them displayed in library book pockets inside art books we bought at a used bookstore.
See also
Real Couples
Coopers Landing Inn Wedding

Numerous people told us: “The wedding was so you!” which is exactly what we had wanted from the beginning. – Becky