Meghan + Steven: Timeless Sage Chapel Wedding
Meghan and I have been friends since 2009, and what a ride it’s been. We met through singing - fellow first Sopranos in the Cornell University Chorus - and I knew we’d be forever friends. Meghan is fiercely determined, compassionate, brilliant, kind, and absolutely silly. She makes every room brighter with her strong sense of self and stunning smile. Steven, her beau, matches her on every dimension. He is not capable of doing anything with less that 110% effort and passion, and he can make any moment a party with his wit, charm, and liveliness.
To say that it was a dream to work for these two would be an understatement. They had a clear vision of their wedding from the beginning, and were excited about adding small details (especially some incredible signage from Stone Fruit) to make their wedding day feel so incredibly them (my favorite!).
On September 15, 2018, M + S had a traditional Catholic mass at Cornell University’s Sage Chapel, followed by a fun-filled evening at Ithaca’s Coltivare. They chose a classic navy, ivory, and pink palette that was expertly woven through the day - from invitations from Stone Fruit to flowers by Michaleen’s to the bridesmaid gowns designed by Morilee, purchased at Angela’s Bridal in Boston.
Some highlights of the day included Meghan + her dad’s first look (cue the tears!), some special details from Meghan’s late grandmother (scroll down to read that story!), Meghan + Steven’s bubble exit from the ceremony, some seriously love-filled portraits, a fire truck cameo (seriously… scroll on to hear about that!), and an epic performance by the groom - of a song he wrote his wife when they started dating many years ago.
Scroll on, friends…
All photos courtesy of Low Key Love LLC
Are these two not the most stunning people you’ve ever seen?!
This wedding day was all about family. Meghan + Steven are highly compatible in many ways, but one of those is their dedication to family. M was extremely close with her grandmother, Virginia, who passed away last year, so she wanted to find lovely ways to pay homage to her grandmother on her wedding day.
See that beautiful diamond necklace in the photos above? Meghan’s mom, Katy, presented it to M at her bridal shower this past year - it’s made of the stones from her grandmother’s engagement ring. Those stones are even more special because M’s grandfather, Ed, proposed to Virginia while she was being hospitalized for polio and had to learn to walk again before she could walk down the aisle!
Also, see that handkerchief in the second photo? It belonged to M’s great-grandmother and she gave it to Virginia, that same grandmother, on her own wedding day in 1954. Meghan wrapped it around her beautiful bouquet from Michaleen’s and carried it with her all day. Her grandmother appears later on in this story and it has something to do with those fire trucks…!
Meanwhile, Steven is looking pretty sharp in his wedding suit…!
Some sweet moments with mom and dad before the ceremony
where their daughter will cease being Miss. Burns and officially become Mrs. Brown.
My heart.
Stealing a moment alone after the ceremony.
A little fun, champagne, and portrait session at the Cornell Plantations before the reception.
Some gorgeous reception details before the police and fire department showed up…!
During the cocktail hour, the fire alarm went off (!). We could not believe this was happening! But the venue staff was very calm and let us know that it was probably an issue next door, but we’d still have to evacuate. So, the ladies from our college a cappella group jumped in and sang to keep the party (and the bride!) happy! (Can you spot me?)
Remember how I was saying that Meghan’s late grandmother, Virginia, was involved in this story beyond the beautiful handkerchief and diamond necklace? After the firemen deemed it safe to head back inside, Meghan’s great-uncle John pulled her aside and told her that firetrucks were also part of her grandmother’s wedding day! In 1954, when Virginia and Meghan’s grandfather, Ed, were married in Utica, NY, a fireman’s convention was in town. In Virginia’s words, borrowed from her diary, “I should record that the reception following an 11:00AM ceremony was held in the Alexander Hamilton Inn in Clinton about ten miles from the church. This charming Inn was located on the village square which this day was equipped with a Ferris wheel and other paraphernalia to host the Fireman’s Convention. The bride and groom were instructed to leave by 3:00PM as the parade was scheduled thus closing the road. Ed and I were heading for New York so we left. Everyone else stayed and, as we heard afterward, had a great party.”
Virginia was truly looking down on this beautiful couple nearly 55 years after her own wedding day. Her diary entry (which was part of the homily at Meghan’s wedding) begins with:
“Marriage is as deep a commitment now as it was all those years ago. It is still so much a part of my life – my thoughts, my actions, my decisions, and my protection against feeling alone. The great day was August 11, 1954, and like all weddings it was perfect…”
Once the firefighters cleared, we continued on with the fiesta that included some incredible speeches, as well as a choral piece written by a friend of the bride and performed by some of M’s college friends.
The band, Hello Brooklyn, was incredible, and the night ended with the groom singing a piece he wrote for his bride many years ago - a silly song called “My Patronus”. If you want the story behind it, give me a buzz - ha!
All photos courtesy of Low Key Love LLC.
Vendor Love
Venue: Sage Chapel // Coltivare
Caterer: Coltivare
Photographer: Low Key Love LLC
Rentals: Taylor Rental Ithaca
Florist: Michaleen’s
Ceremony Music: Tom Andino and Katie Ta
Entertainment: Hello Brooklyn
Stationery / Signage / Details: Stone Fruit
Groom Tuxedo: Benjamin Peters
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero, purchased at Angela’s Bridal Boston
Bridesmaid Gowns: Morilee, purchased at Angela’s Bridal Boston
Hair: Hair Color Art
Makeup: Lynne Winters
Desserts: Michelle Swindell // Purity Ice Cream Co.
Transportation: Ithaca Airline Limo // ELS Limo
Wedding Coordinator: Olivia Nicoletti of Olive Fine Weddings & Events