Bride and Groom in Front of Boston Brownstone — *All Photos by* *Henry & Mac*

We first met Massachusetts natives, Carly and TJ, back in the beginning of 2020, where they had originally planned on a December wedding. Unfortunately for them, the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans. Despite postponements, masking requirements, and countless other obstacles, Carly and TJ continued to stay positive throughout the entire process. Until finally, in October 2021 when the couple tied the knot in a vintage-meets-modern ceremony at the Harvard Club in Boston. Their optimism ultimately led to the most incredible celebration, filled with delicious food, chic decor, great company, and of course the best dance floor props.

Despite having mutual friends and growing up in neighboring towns of Massachusetts, Carly and TJ’s paths didn’t cross until a charity event for The Peter Frates Family Foundation in December of 2018. The foundation's mission is to assist patients with ALS and their families with the overwhelming cost of home healthcare and to help make them as comfortable as possible. It was formed in honor of Carly and TJ’s late friend, Pete, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012.

When the two finally met, they seemed to instantly click. They fondly recount a hilarious moment at the charity event that only the two of them thought was funny. Even though nobody else was laughing, straight out of a rom-com, the two made eye contact across the crowded room and laughed to each other. Shortly after the event, the two began dating and the rest was history. TJ proposed the day before Christmas Eve dressed in a full tuxedo and complete with rose petals that spelled out “Will you marry me?”

Bride and Groom Walk Down Stairs at Boston Harvard Club

When it came time to plan their big day, Carly and TJ’s main priorities were to be surrounded by the people that they love in the city that they love. They hoped to incorporate the classic old-time charm of Boston while still maintaining an overall modern feel. Our job as their Boston Wedding Planners was to make this dream come to fruition.

Their paper invitations were custom made by Gus and Ruby and aimed to put a more contemporary spin on the formal invitation suite. They played with square shapes and a polished black and white color scheme finished with touches of gold and green. The final product was absolutely stunning.

Upon arriving in Boston, Carly and TJ welcomed their loved ones with welcome bags filled with a personalized map of Boston, local goodies, customized cups, and ingredients for guests to make their own cocktail.

Fun Custom Wedding Bag Idea for Boston Wedding

Their wedding weekend began with a rehearsal dinner at Contessa. Located on the top floor of the Newbury Boston, one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, Contessa is renowned for their outstanding dining experience. Inside, the restaurant has been decorated to invoke nostalgia of another age, with hints of art deco and mid-century modern detailing. However, what truly sets Contessa apart is their gorgeous panoramic views of Boston, overlooking iconic landmarks such as Back Bay and the Boston Public Gardens.

The Harvard Club was the perfect venue for all of Carly and TJ’s wedding day festivities. Originally founded in 1908, the brownstone clubhouse provided the classic and sophisticated look that Carly and TJ had been looking for, without feeling too outdated. The venue’s historical rooms provided a warm and intimate ambiance while still accommodating a large headcount.

After getting ready at their separate hotels, the couple arrived at the Harvard Club and shared a romantic first look in the Massachusetts room. Can we just say- we were absolutely obsessed with this checkerboard floor? Perfect for Carly and TJ’s sleek black and white color scheme.

Boston Couple Enjoys First Look at the Harvard Club

Downstairs, Winston Flowers had adorned the clubhouse with gorgeous white floral arrangements and lush greenery. Giving the space a sense of timeless elegance.

White Florals at the Boston Harvard Club

The ceremony took place in Harvard Hall, a grand ballroom with tall ceilings and charming wood detail. Given the venue’s vintage aesthetics, the couple opted to have their guests seated in acrylic ghost chairs and lined the aisle with a spectacular array of white floral arrangements. Likewise, at the front of the room, Carly and TJ were encompassed by a chic display of white florals with greenery hanging overhead. Crystal chandeliers casted a warm glow throughout the entire space, creating an intimate atmosphere for the couple to exchange their nuptials.

During cocktail hour guests mingled upstairs and sipped on “The Nards”, a cocktail based on Carly’s family name and inspired by her father’s signature drink, a vodka soda with a splash of lemonade. We absolutely love when our couple’s incorporate these types of personal touches into their wedding.

Meanwhile, back in Harvard Hall, the Brilliant Event Planning team was working hard to transform the intimate ceremony space into a luxurious reception hall. Here, the couple chose to continue their black and white color scheme while incorporating tasteful accents of gold and maroon. A mixture of long and round tables filled the room, covered with gorgeous embroidered linen and antique gold flatware. The tables were decorated with lush floral centerpieces and accompanied by a beautiful selection of tapered candles and crystal votives. Menus were printed in small black booklets and included a special note informing guests that a donation was made to The Peter Frates Family Foundation in lieu of favors. Modern details including ghost chairs and a sleek escort card display created a gorgeous juxtaposition against the vintage ballroom.

Black and White Image of Bride Laughing at her Wedding Reception

Ultimately, however, one of the greatest highlights of Carly and TJ’s wedding came at the end of the night when everyone made their way to the dance floor. While Carly changed into something a little more danceable, guests were excited to find all kinds of unique dance floor props at their disposal, including inflatable guitars, feather boas, colored wigs, and so much more. The energy was like no other. After being isolated for so long during the pandemic, everyone was thrilled to finally be back together and break out their best dance moves. It was hands down one of the best dance parties we've ever seen. In fact, we're starting to think that colored wigs may have to be a mandatory dance floor prop from now on!