The Pavilion on Crystal Lake {09.16.2018}

Venue: The Pavilion on Crystal Lake

Catering: CT Wedding Group

Band: Men in Black

Flora: Whole Foods Glastonbury

Hair/Makeup: Roots Hair Studio

Bride wore: Allure Bridals from Alexandra’s Bridal Boutique

Bridesmaids wore: Vera Wang from David’s Bridal

Groom/Groomsmen wore: J. Crew, Men’s Wearhouse

Pies/ Desserts: Zest Fresh Pastry

Hot Sauce Favors: Dragon’s Blood Elixir

It was a setup.

I absolutely love the story of how Jon and Rebekah met.  Jon was in the Navy at the time, and one of his friends was dating one of Rebekah’s friends from college.  Rebekah’s friend wanted someone she knew at the Navy events, particularly the Christmas Party that was coming up, so she decided that Jon should take Rebekah.  She might have just wanted a friend to hang out with, but she probably also knew that they could be pretty perfect together!  (Spoiler alert- she was right.)  Rebekah and Jon decided to meet up before the party, to ease the possible awkwardness of meeting your date in front of a hundred other people, and they totally hit it off over coffee.  The crazy part though is that the party was cancelled, and they never got to go on their set up date!

A few years of more amazing dates go by, and Jon and Rebekah gain a puppy or two or three, travel around the country, take a boat, train, and bi-plane ride, meet each others families.  They go antique hunting, watch a lot of football, eat a lot of sushi, and continue to fall more in love.  It was on one of their adventures when Jon asked Rebekah to marry him.  They were on a road trip visiting family in North Carolina, then off to Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nashville (and possibly some other places I’m forgetting).  Anyways it was a long trip that sounded like A LOT of fun.

They had some stops planned along the way, and it was the stop at Biltmore Estate, in the mountains of North Carolina where Jon proposed.

Jon and Rebekah spent a long day exploring the gardens and grounds at Biltmore.  If you haven’t heard of this gorgeous estate you should take a look at it HERE.  You can totally imagine it is the perfect place for a proposal!  Add to that a gentle sprinkle of rain, relaxing in the village area and it being just the two of them when Jon got down on one knee and you have the picture perfect proposal.  Rebekah of course said yes!  And they enjoyed the rest of their road trip as newly-engaged’s.

The Pavilion on Crystal Lake Wedding

Rebekah and Jon planned their special day at a beautiful place in Middletown, CT called The Pavilion on Crystal Lake.  It was planned almost a year to the proposal, September 16th.  This date was extra special because it was also Rebekah’s beloved late grandmothers birthday.  Rebekah and her family buy a Happy Birthday balloon every year in order to still celebrate her.  So in keeping with tradition they bought a balloon to take photos with.  Rebekah also wore family jewelry, and her sisters veil.  It’s always so beautiful to see family interwoven into couple’s wedding days.

Rebekah + Jon had a first look amid the forest at The Pavilion on Crystal Lake.  Jon’s reaction was priceless when he saw his gorgeous bride,  and his huge smile said it all.  He also had this look when she was walked down the aisle by her father.  Rebekah and Jon are such a fun couple.  They love laughing and their friends and thus wanted a relaxed fun wedding day.  They were most excited about the dancing, and having a great time at their wedding.  Men In Black did an awesome job taking care of the dancing!  Oh and Jon was also pretty excited about the late night pretzel bar… rightfully so.  They had a pie to cut instead of cake, with tons of mini pies from Zest, and not just favors for humans but also little doggy treats for any pups waiting at home!

Jon and Rebekah now have another reason to celebrate September 16th every year, and it’s a great one.  Their day was full of love, smiles, laughter, dancing and yikes! even some pies in the face!  Please enjoy some of my favorite photos from the day below!  Thank you for having me on this part of your journey Mr. + Mrs. Paiser!

xo~ Ames