Sam and Grace were married on October 6th with a ceremony and reception at Eiola Mansion at Harkness Park.
I was lucky enough to have this special couple hire me to be their wedding photographer and traveled to their Manhattan condo for a champagne filled engagement session. They welcomed me into their home and hearts that day and I knew going forward that their wedding day was going to be a really special one.
While hanging with them during their engagement session, Sam proudly told me the story of how they fisrt met with a huge smile on his face. Grace then described how they got engaged which was quite the story!
” Sam had blocked off a date on my calendar a few weeks out for a “client dinner.” He had been stressing me out because he said that they were going to talk business during part of it and I’m going to have to distract the spouses etc. in retrospect it seemed really far fetched because they never have spouses at client dinners but Sam had told me that they live right near us etc and wanted to have a big night (dinner at a fancy restaurant.) That day I had to leave early from work and Sam was tracking my every move which was driving me nuts, I finally got home and Sam stopped me at the door and said dinner was cancelled but he had a big smile on his face. I was confused and annoyed and started complaining about leaving work early and then he just told me to close my eyes and walked me into our living room. When I opened my eyes I saw roses and Dom and I knew what was about to happen, we both started crying and I don’t remember much of what was said but I did say yes! Then Sam was rushing me along to get dressed because he said we had a dinner reservation downtown at one of my favorite places. I wanted to call people in the car there, my mom picked up but was acting very weird and wasnt as excited as I expected so i was like hmm, maybe lets wait to call anyone else after dinner. Sam last minute rerouted the car to stop at the bar that we met at Village Tavern for a quick drink before dinner. When I walked in, he surprised me by having both our families and friends there to celebrate ”
Such a great proposal Sam!!!
A Spicer Mansion morning
Their wedding day was on a beautiful October day and was warm enough for their tented reception at the Mansion. They both chose to get ready at two historic and beautiful buildings. Grace got ready at Spicer Mansion, a meticulously renovated mansion dated back to 1853. Original woodwork swept across the floors and original murals were painted on the ceilings. Sam started his morning at another historic Stonington Gem, The StoneHouse. The Stone House was originally built in 1825 and it burned in 1924. It stood as a stone ruin and local landmark for the next 90 years until it was rebuilt. Sam and Grace shared their first look in front of the Stone House before then heading to Harkness Park for the ceremony.
Eiola Mansion reception
Sam and Grace dreamed up such an inviting, beautiful and thoughtful wedding. They chose a buffet style dinner without assigned seating so guests could mingle and dance as they pleased. They honored their family members by having them be apart of their wedding day in special ways. Grace’s uncle sang ” Gracie” by Ben Folds! during the father daughter dance and got everyone up cheering and hollering! Silver Arrow Band closed off the evening with an epic dance party celebrating the newlyweds.
Sam and Grace, you two know how to throw a party! I was so honored to have joined you and your family on your wedding day. You are one dynamite team together and I am looking forward to more champagne nights with you in the future!
xx,
Amma
