This Connecticut Fete Will Have You Thinking You're in Tuscany

I love this Bride's determination. She reminds me a bit of myself in my early wedding planning days. I too, was all over the map in search of the perfect venue for our Big Day and opted for a longer engagement in order to find that gem. This duo finally found their dream setting at Gallaher Mansion and it sure is something out of Tuscany. Kelsey Combe Photography captured every moment so beautifully and you can soak it all up right here in the full gallery!

From Kelsey Combe Photography... I knew this was a special wedding from the first second I set foot at the venue. It was an overcast day, threatening rain, and the luscious greens of the park, combined with the light pebble walkways, made it feel as though this park in Connecticut was actually an estate in Tuscany. The venue was stunning, and Jess had a vision that absolutely came to life. She filled the tent and mansion with overflowing greens and hundreds of DIY touches, to tie it all together. Her mother and father performed the first dance song, adding an extremely personalized touch to this special day. From the bride Jessica... From the moment Tom and I got engaged, I had mostly feelings of excitement but a little bit of anxiety about creating the perfect wedding... for us. I am exhaustingly particular but also terrible at making decisions. I had a vision in mind of a special day and night which sent me and my now husband on a search (both online and in person) from lofts in Brooklyn, to a beach wedding in Turks and Caicos, to an estate wedding in Charleston back to the northeast. At this point I admittedly began driving my husband, family and friends crazy.We started out eager and excited and ended a bit discouraged. Nothing felt like what we envisioned, and within the budget we hoped for. Luckily, we agreed on a longer engagement (22 months) mostly because we couldn't make up our minds. All that we knew for sure is we wanted three things; great food, live music and someplace unique that we could make our own.After a weekend of looking at more venues, we stumbled upon the Gallaher Estate at the center of a green and lush public park in Norwalk, CT that felt as if we were in Tuscany. The space was an ornate but empty 1920s mansion with an empty tent outside and that was exactly the blank canvass we were looking for. What we truly loved about it was the option to customize every last detail, and add as little or as much as we desired. Despite our enthusiasm, our families were apprehensive (though supportive and happy we were finally making a decision!) as the space was barren and a bit tired looking. Tom and I immediately had the vision of a beautiful garden party and we knew the Gallaher Estate was perfect.We started with the things we knew we wanted done right, and researched like crazy to find the best of the best in our price range. Having a long engagement really gave us that opportunity. I felt like I had the dream team of vendors and I stayed within my budget. Choosing Kelsey as a photographer was a no brainer to me. Her style was natural and truly beautiful. Next came choosing the florists (a mother daughter duo), who became the most amazing assets to the wedding design. I knew I wanted lots of greens, so that when our guests walked into the tent it felt like an extension of the natural beauty surrounding the mansion, I also wanted soft peach hues, and tons of gold. They recommended the beautiful Hanoi ranunculus, and the impeccable combination of greens that adorned the tent. They were my go-to girls for all design related questions and I trusted their every suggestion. I also rented beautiful vintage furniture from them which added that unique and special touch. My friends and I spent countless hours curating items (signs, table numbers, hand painted bottles and vases) which added that last touch of vintage garden glam that I was envisioning.Despite a rain scare, the night turned out so beautifully, and I couldn't have asked for a better photographer than Kelsey, she captured every detail and every happy memory with an artful eye and a personal touch.

Photography: Kelsey Combe Photography | Floral Design: KLW Design Co | Wedding Dress: Kelly Faetanini | Invitations: Pretty Polite | Ceremony Venue: Saint Aloysius Church | Reception Venue: Gallaher Mansion and Cranbury Park | Shoes: Nine West | Jewelry: Heirlooms | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Catering: David Alan Catering | Makeup: Erica T. Martell | Hair: Gugliotti Salon | Lighting: Vivid Events | Band: Silver Arrow Band | Groom's Attire: Black Lapel