The Perfect Summer Wedding Reception at The Commons 1854

Colleen and Michael had the perfect weather on their wedding day at The Commons 1854 in Topsfield, MA.  Their Wedding Ceremony was at their church in Bradford,MA and the reception followed with formal wedding photos at the historic Gould Barn on location at The Commons 1854.

Their wedding moments were captured by the fabulous wedding photographer Gaby McCarthy who knew the brides classic vision and acquired every special moment.

The wedding photos continued inside to the ballroom where the bridal party lined up on the balcony for one of the Commons 1854's signature wedding photos.

When the bridal party had finished their photos, they joined the cocktail hour to enjoy the brides signature drink "Red Berry Sangria".  The signature cocktail was unique in that it was made with white wine, fresh berry puree, organic peaches and strawberries.  The master bartenders at the Commons 1854 allowed the fruit to soak in the wine for 2 days prior to the wedding.  The sangria paired so well with the brides summer wedding cuisine. 

Finally, the bride and groom had some time alone for the first time since being pronounces husband and wife on their wedding day.  We all know your wedding day is so busy and there are many guests to talk to and wedding reception formalities to complete.  Our planners at the Commons 1854 make sure that the bride and groom get a rest all the while enjoying their great food and beverages that they have hand selected in the wedding planning process.   Now for the fun part...

Colleen and Michael were introduced for the first time as husband and wife into the grand ballroom at the Commons 1854; their wedding reception site.  This picture is worth 1000 words and perfectly describes the feel of the event and the fun that the bride and groom were experiencing.


The Details

A Replica house was handmade and used as the gift box, it was set just inside as guests entered the cocktail hour through the garden terrace.

The Garden Terrace Cocktail hour at The Commons 1854

We love Rod iron tables adorned with lanterns with this Summer Wedding Theme

The Favors- So cute and original

Votive holders mimicked a chalk board, they were filled with a piece of chalk and a match book with the
couples name and date 

The sunset shined through the 9 large window at the Commons 1854 onto this beautiful bride and groom during their first dance as husband and wife.  It was a moment that their wedding guests will never forget!

Finally, the twilight photo! The guests enjoyed their woopie pie station as the bride and groom stood on the Common with their wedding venue in the background.  This was in fact the perfect summer wedding reception.

Blog by Johanna Esposito

Boston Wedding Consultants

The Commons 1854 

Ally & Matt's Summer Wedding

Ally & Matt had their wedding reception and ceremony here at the beginning of July!

Perfect lighting, perfect kiss!

Their outdoor garden ceremony was beautiful - complete with classic navy blue and yellow accents!

Chairs for the ceremony, delicately decorated with baby's breath and navy ribbon.

Is it over yet?

Ally's grandfather officiated the wedding...a memory they will cherish forever.

You may kiss your bride!

Their reception wouldn't have been complete without the live music from Boston Common Band -  everyone danced all night long!

Ally & Matt boogie on the dance floor!

And what would a wedding be without someone doing the worm over an invisible jump rope??

But, the highlight of the wedding reception was THE HORAH!

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the Jewish tradition, The Horah is the chair dance!  Ally, Matt, and a few others were raised up...the excitement & energy could have been felt all throughout the New England!

Ally, Matt, and the supportive groomsmen!

The ring bearer!  What a cutie!

Ally's mother...and her first Horah experience!  Think she liked it??

Ally's father...and his first Horah experience!  He definitely liked it!

 The incredible photography was done by Benoit & McCarthy Photography

Here are more photos below for you to enjoy!

Stunning bride, inside and out!

A beautiful portrait taken in the Bridal Suite

Look at that train!

Mother & daughter before the ceremony

Beautiful shot in front of the Parson Capen House

Goofy groomsmen!

The entire bridal party...gorgeous in navy blue and gray!

A moment alone after dinner, captured by the photographer!

We wish you many, many blissful years of marriage, Ally & Matt!

The Commons 1854 is Boston's North Shore Premier Wedding Venue

CHANEL Bridal Shower for our GM!

Kristi Martino, of Boston Wedding Consultants, had a vision for Johanna's Surprise Bridal Shower and it was CHANEL inspired!

We wanted to incorporate the bride's classic design, love for fashion, and taste for gourmet cuisine into one fabulous shower.  We had so much fun creating a classically chic and fun bridal shower and we want you to experience it too!

First, the invitation.  It sets the tone for your event and draws people in, you want them to RSVP, don't you?

By incorporating both the bride and groom's first initials, J, for Johanna and Jim, we created a logo specifically for them to look like the CHANEL logo, naturally!!

The Johanna & Jim logo was carried throughout the entire shower - on menu cards, flowers, the cake, and...yes, the perfume bar!

When you think of CHANEL, what comes to mind?  Black, white, pink, pearls, quilting, and perfume!

The table was set with beautiful pink L'Amour linens, pearl embellished napkin rings, and a classy black charger.  And each charger held a menu - with the logo of course!

Gourmet menu for CHANEL inspired shower

 

The flowers, by Annette Rinaldi, were romantic and absolutely stunning!  The tables had arrangements of pink Esperance roses and white fresh-cut anenomes.

Annette also created a floral CHANEL purse made completely of Esperance roses and the Johanna and Jim logo.  It displayed so beautifully next to the exquisite cake!

The cake...oh, the cake!  It was masterfully created by Pastry Chef Mary Bandereck of The Topsfield Bakeshop.

Not only did the three-tiered cake have the quilting that CHANEL is known for, but this beautiful cake was finished off with the signature camellia flower made out of fondant.  The cake was also decorated with a CHANEL necklace to complete the theme.

The gorgeous bride, Johanna, cutting the cake!

Mary also created pink French macaroons with a chocolate filling as favors for the guests.  Each guest received a CHANEL inspired box of these delicious treats to take home.

What would a CHANEL Bridal Shower be without a perfume bar?

We ordered custom labels for each perfume bottle and Johanna was presented with her very own pink crystal perfume bottle.

Guests had fun creating their own perfume, by choosing favorite essential oils and playing mixologist!  They created individual scents to best suit their personalitites!

Here are more pictures of Johanna and her guests enjoying this incredible shower:

Photos by Gaby McCarthy of Benoit-McCarthy Photography. 


Blog posted by Jennifer LeBel of The Commons 1854

Candy Bar!

Ever thought about having a Candy Bar at your wedding reception?  Well, you should!  At The Commons 1854, many young couples have had deliciously elegant Candy Bars.  By the end of the night, your family and friends will want nothing more than to fill a "Mr. and Mrs." bag of sweet treats to take for the car ride home!

Candy station featuring button candies, jelly beans, and M&Ms,
with plastic bags for guests to fill to the brim and take home!

Make it personal with these candies:

• M&Ms with your new last name!
• Heart-shaped lollipops
• Monogrammed chocolate bars

Or transport your guests to an Old Fashioned Penny Candy Store with some of these:

• Mary Janes
• Caramel Creams
• Boston Baked Beans
• Rock Candy
• Atomic Fireballs
• Bit-O-Honey
• Tootsie Rolls
• Salt Water Taffy

Candy Bars are sweet and decadent  - personalize it, color coordinate it, make it fun!

White and gold winter themed candy bar!

The opportunities are endless for your wedding reception.

...and your guests will be on a sugar high well into the after-party!

Beautiful candy station displayed in the rotunda for guests to take
as they leave the wedding reception!

Blog posted by Jennifer LeBel of The Commons 1854

A Rustic Chic Wedding has been the trend among many brides these days.  Rustic Chic Weddings can include anything from lace-wrapped mason jars as wedding reception centerpieces to hand-painted vintage wooden signs for your ceremony.

The Commons 1854 is the perfect place for your Rustic Chic Wedding.  Located just north of historic Boston, The Commons 1854 is in the heart of Topsfield, Massachusetts.  With burlap, lace, and turquoise as your country chic color-scheme, your guests will feel as though they're no longer in Massachusetts!

Ideas for your Rustic Chic Wedding Ceremony & Reception:

• Turquoise painted vases filled with baby's breath as centerpieces for the reception
• Display your signature cocktails on chalkboards
• Mason Jars for guests' drinks during cocktail hour
• Mini planter boxes w/ stamped table number as centerpieces for the reception
• Cowboy boots!
• Lace-wrapped mason jars filled with sunflowers as centerpieces
• Wooden signs lining the aisle of the ceremony "from this day forward", "for better or worse", "'til death do us part"
• Tie place cards to horseshoes or just simply display the name cards in sliced wooden logs
• Shock your guests by showing up to your ceremony in a vintage Rolls Royce

Happy Planning!

Blog posted by Jennifer LeBel of The Commons 1854