Gretchen & John | Romantic Crane Estate Wedding
They say the best things come to those who wait, and we could not agree more. After multiple postponements due to COVID, Gretchen and John finally exchanged vows in a romantic Crane Estate wedding celebration. As their Boston wedding planners, we were so excited to help this dream come to fruition after what ended up being years in the making. In the end, the magical evening was definitely well worth the wait.
All Photos by Elizabeth LaDuca
Gretchen and John’s engagement was like something straight out of your favorite Hallmark movie. Ever since she was young it had been a tradition for Gretchen and her family to travel to a local Christmas tree farm and pick out the perfect tree for the holidays, a tradition that John was warmly welcomed into when the two first started dating. Several years later, in December of 2019, John decided to make the annual trip even more memorable by getting down on one knee and proposing.
Shortly thereafter, Gretchen and John eagerly began planning their dream wedding alongside the Brilliant Event Planning team. Unfortunately, however, the pandemic had other plans. After two postponements, the couple eventually decided that they could no longer let the pandemic dictate when they declared their love. Instead, they made the decision to tie the knot in an intimate backyard ceremony with their immediate families on June 2nd, 2021, with the plan to hold a larger celebration once it was safe to do so.
That day finally came, one year later, on June 3rd, 2022, where the two invited friends and family from all over the world to join them for a massive celebration of love right here in New England.
The weekend began in Boston, MA where guests gathered for a rehearsal dinner at Rochambeau. Gretchen and John spent the night celebrating their love with the people that they love most, before heading back to their hotels to get some rest before the big day!
While many couples often choose to get ready with large bridal parties, these two opted to keep things intimate with only their immediate families by their side. John wore a classic black tux with a red boutonniere as a pop of color. Gretchen, on the other hand, was dressed in a delicate Mira Zwillinger Messa dress and Toni Federici veil, complimented by a gorgeous floral bouquet by Wild Dahlia.
The couple then proceeded to meet at the Boston Public Garden where they shared a heart-warming first look.
From there, the two made their way to the main event at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. Perched on a hill above the Atlantic Ocean, the Great House at the Crane Estate is a New England favorite. For those who are trying to capture the perfect Bridgerton aesthetic, this is the venue for you. The classic architecture combined with a stunning coastal backdrop provides a seamless blend of regal yet contemporary.
One of our favorite moments of the day was when Gretchen and John recreated a photo from her grandparent’s wedding over fifty years ago. The two even had a beautiful vintage getaway car that was reminiscent of the one that her grandparents drove away in on their wedding day. It was the perfect ode to Gretchen’s grandparents and meant so much to all of them. Personal touches like these are one of our favorite parts of the planning process.
The ceremony took place on the estate’s Grand Allée, a half-mile-long manicured lawn overlooking the ocean. Luscious floral arrangements with shades of pink, purple, and deep red gave the green rolling hills a luxurious touch of romance. Friends and family watched fondly as Gretchen and John finally exchanged vows.
While the beautiful couple escaped to have a moment of their own, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the Allée Terrace. The polaroid guest book proved to be a huge hit with all the party-goers and a great keep-sake for Gretchen and John.
The tented reception was effortlessly elegant, with soft white draping and warm accents of candle light. Tabletops were adorned with a dreamy selection of floral arrangements by Wild Dahlia, and exquisite custom-made menus by Hark Creative Co. Intentional pops of deep reds, pinks, and purples tied the space together perfectly.
Later in the night, guests danced the night away and indulged in a mouth-watering selection of late-night treats.
Congratulations Gretchen and John! While it was certainly an unprecedented time in the wedding planning world, we feel so lucky to have been a part of this amazing celebration of love!
A special thank you to all of the spectacular vendors who helped make this day possible! We couldn’t have done it without you!
Flowers: Wild Dahlia | Photography: Elizabeth LaDuca | Cinema: Willow Tree Films | Stationary: Hark Creative Co. | Venue: The Crane Estate, Boston Public Garden, Scholars, Rochambeau, and Contessa | Catering: Fireside Catering | Cake: Soul Cake | Entertainment: Elevated Pulse Productions | Lighting: Frost Productions | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola and Borrowed Blu | Makeup: Sarah Lord | Hair: Styles by Callie | Transportation: Boston Chauffeur and Expo Limousine |