Joanne and Scott held their fall wedding at Belle Haven Club last month. They had one of those rare perfect fall days where the air is crisp but the sun shines through the clouds a bit and warms everyone up perfectly. Their wedding included so many of my favorite things because it was all about the love they share and the new family they were becoming. It was an intimate affair with 75 family members and close friends in attendance. There was no bridal except for Scott’s three daughters and Joanne’s niece, ages 6-10, who served as flower girls in the perfect cream dresses with bows, flower crowns, and sparkly shoes. Scott and Joanne gave each of them a silver heart necklace to wear on the day. They were vibrant, silly, and happy little girls and they made for the sweetest little bridal party you’ve ever seen. Scott’s oldest in particular was so attentive to Joanne – she carried her train in between photos and after the ceremony to ensure it didn’t get dirty.

Joanne’s father passed away a couple years ago and it was important to honor him and feel him near her throughout the day. So she wore a charm bracelet that he gave her in remembrance. He was a pilot and each of the three plane charms on the bracelet represented planes he flew during his career. I love that she decided to wear it and keep him close in that way throughout the day.

Joannes and the ladies had their hair and makeup done by Beauty Entourage and then her mom and sister-in-law helped her get into her Augusta Jones dress that she got from Kleinfelds. They each took turns almost crying and valiantly holding back happy tears to avoid smearing their makeup! Joanne then had help from the flower girls in putting her shoes on before heading out to see Scott.

First Look on the Docks at Belle Haven

Joanne and Scott opted for a first look so that they could spend every second of their cocktail hour with their guests. Joanne loved that Belle Haven is right on the water, so we did their first look and formal portraits with the girls down on the docks. She and Scott both instantly relaxed and cracked huge grins when they saw each other for the first time. They hugged each other and kissed each other and drank each other in. And then we brought the girls down for portraits as well. Joanne and the girls carried simple and elegant bouquets by Green of Greenwich.

Belle Haven Ceremony on the Lawn

The ceremony was lovely with the flower girls walking in pairs down the aisle before Joanne was escorted by her Mom. Joanne was so excited as she held onto her mom’s arm that a huge grin came across her face as she waved to all of the guests on her way to marry Scott. Like the rest of the day, the ceremony was full of moments of laughter, smiles, and Joanne and Scott catching each other’s eyes often. Oh, and the view was pretty spectacular too!

Belle Haven Reception – Cocktails on the Patio & Dinner and Dancing

Wedding days always fly by, so I love that they went for the first look and savored every moment with each other and their friends and family. Their cocktail hour was outside on the patio right next to the water. They had a jazz duo playing music throughout the hour and they noshed on all the amazing apps passed before dinner. It was laid back and relaxed and so fun to see both of them get excited every time one of their guests came up to congratulate them for the first time.

Joanne was so thoughtful about every detail. She had a monogram that incorporated a nautical knot designed and it was placed on the invitations by Social Alchemy, the menus, the favors, and the cake by Black Forest Pastry Shop. The floral centerpieces were lovely and the whole room glowed with the bistro lights she had strung across the ceiling to add intimacy and warmth to the room. Dinner and dancing took place upstairs at Belle Haven and the night allowed for all the doors to stay wide open, welcoming in a breeze and letting guests flow out onto the patio to relax and chat or dance inside to the music provided by the amazing band. And let me tell you – Joanne has some serious dance moves! She was busting a move for most of the evening on the dance floor! At the end of the night, they guests lingered on the patio as they didn’t want to celebration to end. The newlyweds exited in style, waving goodbye to their guests as they snuggled up together on a boat that whisked them off into the night. How’s that for a magical ending to a perfect day?!