Today’s amazing woodsy winter wedding is from the ever talented Tahni of Joyeuse Photography.
It just has the most gorgeous setting for a wedding. Lots and lots of lovely snow. brrrr. plus the florals and wedding decor are to die for. Think pine cones, deer antlers and anemones. The perfect rustic winter wedding combo!
If you’re a total romantic like I am, then Jeff and Ashley’s love story might have you welling up bit too. Ahh so sweet.
Words by Ashley. Images by Joyeuse Photography.
We planned on having a winter wedding because I thought it would provide us with beautiful and unique photos. I hoped for snow and luckily we got the perfect amount! It couldn’t have worked out more perfect for us.
We both have so many interests and likes too that we took a little inspiration from all over. Ultimately, what Jeff and I did was incorporate things we had done or enjoyed as a couple into our wedding day.
We love going to Kentucky and collecting bourbon, we went on a hunting trip with his family one thanksgiving, Jeff likes classic elegance, while I love vintage style from the 1920s-1940s. We both love Bon Iver. All of those albums are somewhat of a soundtrack for our relationship to me. I would say it inspired all the woodland design.
My dress was the “Carolina” by Maggie Sottero – I wanted something that had a vintage look to it with a touch of glamour. I loved the idea of lace, the v-neck, and the open back detail.
I’m a jeweler/metal-smith so I made all of my bridal accessories: Earrings (sterling silver and inlaid glass enamel) and my wedding band (14k yellow gold). My best friend Emily made my lovely engagement ring.
I told the girls they could do whatever they wanted with their hair. I wanted their own unique styles to show. one of my girls wore star sparkler hair clips from the very lovely Sue Eggen of Giant Dwarf.
I also asked the girls to wear jewelry that I had made for them over the years. They are all wearing necklaces and earrings that I made – Ivy and Gold Hand-craft.
My florist, Lauren was absolutely incredible. I think she saw my vision for my wedding better than I did! I went into her shop on a recommendation knowing that I wanted anemones and pine branches.
She gave me so many options, and ideas that really helped put the wedding together creatively. She made all of the bouquets and boutonnieres.
All the suits were from Hugo Boss, ties were ordered from dessy.com in the same fabric and color as the bridesmaid dresses.
And all of the bridemaid dresses were made by Alfred Sung, in peau de soie fabric, color: caspian. I had the girls choose their own dress styles because I didn’t want it too look too matchy, plus they all have their own style and comfort level when it comes to dressing up.
Jeff and I first met in college in January 2004. We became great friends, pretty quickly. We dated briefly several months later, but it just wasn’t the right time for either of us.
We would then remain friends for the next 8 years. Jeff attended law school out in San Diego, CA while I was in New York running an artisan jewelry store with my best friend Emily.
There were plenty of phone calls and a few visits in this time. I confided most everything with Jeff and he truly was one of my best friends. I always had a soft spot for him, and secretly wondered if we could ever date. He felt the same, I just didn’t know it.
We eventually got the chance when Jeff got a job in Chicago, IL. Since Chicago is only a 2 hr Flight from New York, it seemed like a long distance relationship could be possible (as discussed over the telephone with a bottle of wine). In 2012 we FINALLY got the chance to be a real couple.
Several frequent flier miles and drives to the airport later, Jeff proposed on January 19th 2013. The wedding date 1/19/14 was available from our venue and we jumped at the chance because it was just too fitting. We married on our 10th anniversary of the day we met.
Tahni our photographer is amazing. I really wanted a wedding photographer who was unique and had a more artistic approach to wedding photography.
My best friend and matron of honor, Emily, had hired Tahni for her wedding a year prior to mine. I fell in love with her work immediately. Tahni has an amazing eye and captures moments in such a lovely way. She’s such a pleasure to work with.
Tahni was willing to brave the cold upstate winter to photograph our wedding which I couldn’t be more thankful for. I’ve gotten so many compliments from friends and family about how beautiful my wedding photos are.
Our florist also helped set up all the tables with our bourbon bottles, deer antlers, mercury votives and floral arrangements. She lined the aisles with candles and even designed the woodsy archway that Jeff and I were married under. I honestly couldn’t have done it without her, she was just amazing!
We had a bit of a bourbon theme to the wedding too. The lovely folks at Hedonist Artisan Chocolates made bourbon chocolates and salted caramel chocolates for our favors. They have so many wonderful and unique Flavors, I’ve been a fan for years prior to our wedding.
Our cake was supplied by our caterer Mazzone Hospitality. We kept it really simple with a butter-cream frosting and a marble cake with a simple design. Lauren, our Florist added the Floral/pine-cone detail. Our deer cake topper was purchased from BHLDN.com
If you could impart any words of wisdom to future brides and grooms?
The first steps in planning a wedding can be super overwhelming, I know I certainly was. I felt the need to have a theme and stick to it, which felt very limiting and kinda stressful. I ended up just going with the Flow and picking things that I liked. Its okay if you have a 1920s looking space, with a 1940s looking dress, and rustic woodland themed table design.
I was so worried that people would think it didn’t match, but everyone kept telling us how it was a perfect combination of Jeff and I’s styles. They said it felt very personal and beautiful which was exactly what Jeff and I were aiming to do. Also, Dont worry about perfection. Small things might go wrong and that’s okay, that’s what makes the day unique.
Jeff brought a shirt with a bow tie collar and only had a tie, I lost a button on my dress and forgot my veil. Just focus on having fun and enjoy your day, don’t sweat the small stuff
Massive thanks to the gorgeous Ashley and her husband Jeff for sharing their wedding day with the blog. Please do check out Ashley’s work at ivy & gold handcraft.
Huge thanks as always to the wonderful wedding photographer Tahni. She’s available worldwide!
As usual, do please leave your love for this happy couple.
wedding credits / photographer: joyeuse photography / wedding venue: hall of springs, saratoga springs, ny usa / brides dress: maggie sottero / grooms suit: hugo boss / brides shoes: badgley mischka, nikki / bridesmaid dresses: alfred sung / bridesmaid shoes: seychelles footwear / hair & makeup: kaitlin bray / florist: shop the flower girl, lauren / wedding cake and catering: mazzone hospitality / videography: brigther lights media/ wedding favours: hedonist chocolate /bridal accessories, earrings, rings, cufflinks: ivy & gold handcraft, giant dwarf design and bonfire craft
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