June 14, 2014
By Samantha Garbarini
For Abby and Ian, planning their wedding was all about compromise. “It was a headache,” recalls Abby. “I wanted a big wedding; Ian wanted a small wedding. I wanted a band; he wanted a DJ.” Ultimately, the couple, who started dating after getting reacquainted at their five-year college reunion, settled on an intimate ceremony at Abby’s childhood home in Chappaqua.
“It was my dream wedding,” says Abby. “It was very small: a combination of elegant but laid-back.” Abby wore a nameless dress she found at Be Unique Boutique in Mount Kisco, and her bridesmaids wore their own dresses in a bright rainbow of colors. Keeping with the laid-back theme, the couple chose to exchange traditional vows under a simple tent.
For the reception, the couple continued to compromise. Ian got his DJ, and Abby got Berkshires-based Fire Roasted Catering. “My good friend got married and used them; I was obsessed,” says Abby. “They set up these big fire pits, and everyone could come up and watch them as they were cooking. It was very interactive.”
Berkshires-based Fire Roasted Catering was a must for Abby. After an assortment of flatbreads, hummus, artisanal cheeses, and nuts, guests enjoyed five-week-aged leg of beef and sumac-rubbed heritage chicken with charred lemon and thyme—both roasted over an open fire.
The backyard was decorated simply, with lights and pots of blue forget-me-nots that guests took home as favors. After dinner, the couple broke with tradition and served summery blueberry cobblers instead of a tiered cake. Then, they hit the dance floor for a first dance, to Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” spending the rest of the night dancing and celebrating with family and friends, who gathered around the bonfire toward the end of the night.
After a barefoot bride hit the dance floor, a lighted tent and bonfire kept the party going into the night.
The couple kept the flowers casual, with touches of blue in the bride’s bouquet, to match pots of forget-me-nots on the table.
“I feel like people were just eating and drinking and dancing,” says Abby. “It was just a big party.” Of course, it wasn’t all partying. For the bride, the most important memory was of the moment Ian put the ring on her finger. “It was all just so real,” she recollects.
Photographer: Tory Williams Photography, Brooklyn, NY (914) 275-5288; www.torywilliams.com.
Catering: Fire Roasted Catering, Great Barrington, MA (413) 297-3473; www.fireroastedcatering.com.
Tents: Sperry Tents, Greenwich, CT (203) 930-4021; www.sperrytentsct.com.
Florist: Whispering Pines of Chappaqua, Chappaqua (914) 238-5661; www.whisperingpinesofchappaqua.com.
Music: DJ Anthony of GQ Productions Inc., Elmont, NY (516) 354-2435.
Invitations: Paperless Post; www.paperlesspost.com.
Wedding Gown: Be Unique Boutique, Mount Kisco (914) 241-2410; www.bubmtk.com.
Bridal Hair & Makeup: The Stone Hedge Day Spa, Millwood (914) 923-4065; www.stonehedgedayspa.com.
