A Classic Tented Affair at Glenmere Mansion

A Bride that isn’t afraid to jump on the bed in a gorgeous J. Mendel gown is my kind of girl. She’s also the kind of girl who’s wedding captured by Shawn Connell For Christian Oth Studio is so beyond beautiful. Imagine a weekend filled with a rehearsal dinner as pretty as they come, a ceremony draped in blooms, bocce ball while sipping on cocktails, and dinner and dancing under a glamorous tent. It’s classic as classic can be crafted by Bowen & Company with florals by Lewis Miller Design and you can see it all here.

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From Bowen & Co… Elizabeth and Ryan wanted to spend as much time with their family and friends as possible, so they opted for a weekend-long celebration in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Both love the great outdoors and immediately envisioned the festivities taking place outside with water views. After touring multiple venues with the couple, we discovered Glenmere Mansion in Chester, NY. With recent renovations complete, the 1900’s Gilded-Age Mansion has been reinvented as a luxury boutique hotel and spa just an hour from the hustle and bustle of NYC. After strolling the beautiful Italianate villa and expansive grounds, Elizabeth and Ryan were sold. They loved the fact that the 18 guest rooms could accommodate their family, the unique spaces and gardens could host the various events throughout the weekend, and the brand-new state-of-the-art spa would be a destination for guests to indulge in a bit of pampering and relaxation.

All of the guests, even those staying off property, were invited to enjoy the beautiful grounds on Saturday morning and afternoon prior to the Ceremony. The bride and groom lined up plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, as guests were treated to their own private, luxury resort for the day. Bocce, croquet, tennis, biking, and the couple’s favorite food trucks that drove up from NYC to serve lunch were among the fun activities on offer. Custom blankets, embroidered with the couples’ custom-designed monogram, were also provided to guests as they picnicked on the grounds and took in the breathtaking views from every side.

One can plan every last detail of their wedding, but weather is always a gamble in any season. As a last minute shower moved in to our area for the ceremony, we moved the ceremony from a bluff overlooking the lake to a tented terrace. Here, we maintained the gorgeous views of Glenmere Lake and the fall colored foliage, but guests and wedding party were safely tucked under cover. However, quick thinking was required as our team rallied to shift the floorplan. Luckily, Lewis Miller, one of NYC’s top designers, was on hand and had the brilliant inspiration to move the chuppah to the center of the tent with all guests seated around the couple. We began to lovingly refer to this set-up as “chuppah in the round.” Positioning the chuppah this way made for a more intimate and personal ceremony, and as the ceremony came to an end, the clouds parted, revealing a dramatic sunset for the happy couple.

Since these concert goers love music and Ryan is a musician, great music was a must when planning the wedding. The entertainment throughout the evening consisted of a string quartet (the bride actually walked down the aisle to Beethoven), jazz trio, 14 piece band, DJ and percussionist. They chose a playlist that would appeal to guests of all ages. A lively, swing dance set beckoned guests into the dinner tent, with a variety of standards from the American Songbook during dinner, and an after-party ensued with today’s pop hits.

Elizabeth and Ryan wanted to make sure their guests were well fed and fueled up all weekend long ,so they provided custom tote bags filled to the brim with their favorite indulgences. Items included black and white cookies from William Greenberg Desserts, pretzels from Martin’s Pretzels Union Square, and BBQ Pop Chips. Each item was branded with designs that were cohesive with the look of their save the date and given a new name in their romantic theme. An emergency kit filled with aspirin, 5-hour energy, and other boosts bore the message “To keep you healthy and strong and dancing all night long.” Lastly, they included a weekend schedule so guests wouldn’t miss a beat of this amazing weekend.

Elizabeth and Ryan wanted something that screamed romance, and I think their wedding did just that. Lewis Miller used soft and pale flowers such as English roses and Dahlias with pops of greenery to create a lush bouquet for the bride. The centerpieces were comprised of mismatched vessels and candles so that no two tables were exactly alike. There was tons of candlelight, lanterns suspended from the fabric-draped tent canopy, and sparkling silver which made the tent twinkle.

Having incredible food was essential to the couple, who cook often and enjoy the vibrant NYC restaurant scene. The wedding menu was inspired by their love of comfort foods such as mac and cheese, braised short ribs, and pumpkin whoopie pies.

The dual-flavor cake was designed by Nine Cakes. It was comprised of chocolate and vanilla cake with white chocolate buttercream, plus the groom’s favorite coconut cake with coconut buttercream. The cake was on display during the reception but was given to guests as they left the post brunch as a sweet take away.

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