Suzanne & Justin
Groton , CT
Branford House
Click on the photos for more details
Two if by Elephant
The Bride: Suzanne FarrellThe Groom: Justin Smith
Wedding Date: May, 30 2009
Venue: Branford House
Every couple preparing to marry would certainly say that their relationship was a journey of sorts. But for Suzanne Farrell and Justin Smith, their travels were also of the literal sort. From hiking near the summit of Mount Etna in Sicily to sipping snake whiskey in Laos, the couple had shared a passion for adventure over their 14-year relationship, so it was only fitting that those adventures became the theme of their May 2009 celebration at Branford House in Groton, Connecticut. In their ceremony program, they described their journey as a couple and the many miles they had traveled together. Themed reception tables were named after their various modes of transportation they’d employed around the world: buses, seaplanes, hot air balloons, taxis, rickshaws, and most famously, the elephant they rode while in Thailand, which became their wedding mascot. “If you pass an elephant on your way to a wedding, it is supposed to be good luck,” the bride explains.
Venue – Got Her Wish
“I cried the first time we visited the Branford House,” Suzanne says of its 270-degree view of Long Island Sound, a place she shared many summer days with her late father, a navy submariner. But it wasn’t just the view; Suzanne fell in love with the 31-room mansion’s dark wood walls, magnificent chandeliers, and large Italian fireplaces.
“I cried the first time we visited the Branford House,” Suzanne says of its 270-degree view of Long Island Sound, a place she shared many summer days with her late father, a navy submariner. But it wasn’t just the view; Suzanne fell in love with the 31-room mansion’s dark wood walls, magnificent chandeliers, and large Italian fireplaces.
Ceremony – All Inclusive
The couple wanted each of their 100 guests to play a role in their marriage. So, during the ceremony, they passed the rings around and asked each guest to hold them in their hands while giving a silent blessing. “We felt like everyone was behind us, fully supporting our marriage. It was really special,” Suzanne explains.
The couple wanted each of their 100 guests to play a role in their marriage. So, during the ceremony, they passed the rings around and asked each guest to hold them in their hands while giving a silent blessing. “We felt like everyone was behind us, fully supporting our marriage. It was really special,” Suzanne explains.
Color Scheme – Tie It Together
“Justin loves ties. Whenever we get dressed up, he plans his tie according to what I’m wearing,” Suzanne giggles. “So when we were having trouble settling on colors for the wedding, I asked him to go get his favorite tie from the closet.” As she explains it, he jumped up, ran to the bedroom, and immediately produced his favorite neckpiece. She knew as soon as he returned they’d found their palette: shades of blue and turquoise, silvery gray, lavender, and a subtle pink.
“Justin loves ties. Whenever we get dressed up, he plans his tie according to what I’m wearing,” Suzanne giggles. “So when we were having trouble settling on colors for the wedding, I asked him to go get his favorite tie from the closet.” As she explains it, he jumped up, ran to the bedroom, and immediately produced his favorite neckpiece. She knew as soon as he returned they’d found their palette: shades of blue and turquoise, silvery gray, lavender, and a subtle pink.
Color Scheme – Tie It Together
“Justin loves ties. Whenever we get dressed up, he plans his tie according to what I’m wearing,” Suzanne giggles. “So when we were having trouble settling on colors for the wedding, I asked him to go get his favorite tie from the closet.” As she explains it, he jumped up, ran to the bedroom, and immediately produced his favorite neckpiece. She knew as soon as he returned they’d found their palette: shades of blue and turquoise, silvery gray, lavender, and a subtle pink.
“Justin loves ties. Whenever we get dressed up, he plans his tie according to what I’m wearing,” Suzanne giggles. “So when we were having trouble settling on colors for the wedding, I asked him to go get his favorite tie from the closet.” As she explains it, he jumped up, ran to the bedroom, and immediately produced his favorite neckpiece. She knew as soon as he returned they’d found their palette: shades of blue and turquoise, silvery gray, lavender, and a subtle pink.
Wedding Party – All Family
The couple had a 19-person wedding party, which included siblings, best friends, and all of their families, children included. Suzanne asked her sister and best friends to purchase comfortable dresses within a certain color scheme. This went off without a hitch as each bridesmaid chose a different shade representing all the colors of the décor. The men wore dark suits of their choice and were gifted with matching ties.
The couple had a 19-person wedding party, which included siblings, best friends, and all of their families, children included. Suzanne asked her sister and best friends to purchase comfortable dresses within a certain color scheme. This went off without a hitch as each bridesmaid chose a different shade representing all the colors of the décor. The men wore dark suits of their choice and were gifted with matching ties.
Wedding Party – All Family
The couple had a 19-person wedding party, which included siblings, best friends, and all of their families, children included. Suzanne asked her sister and best friends to purchase comfortable dresses within a certain color scheme. This went off without a hitch as each bridesmaid chose a different shade representing all the colors of the décor. The men wore dark suits of their choice and were gifted with matching ties.
The couple had a 19-person wedding party, which included siblings, best friends, and all of their families, children included. Suzanne asked her sister and best friends to purchase comfortable dresses within a certain color scheme. This went off without a hitch as each bridesmaid chose a different shade representing all the colors of the décor. The men wore dark suits of their choice and were gifted with matching ties.
Wedding Party – All Family
The couple had a 19-person wedding party, which included siblings, best friends, and all of their families, children included. Suzanne asked her sister and best friends to purchase comfortable dresses within a certain color scheme. This went off without a hitch as each bridesmaid chose a different shade representing all the colors of the décor. The men wore dark suits of their choice and were gifted with matching ties.
The couple had a 19-person wedding party, which included siblings, best friends, and all of their families, children included. Suzanne asked her sister and best friends to purchase comfortable dresses within a certain color scheme. This went off without a hitch as each bridesmaid chose a different shade representing all the colors of the décor. The men wore dark suits of their choice and were gifted with matching ties.
Wedding Gown – Magic Fabric
Suzanne didn’t want the traditional white dress but instead something a bit more casual that still spoke to her fashion conscious Soho side. Her search promptly ended when she slid into a gently rouched metallic taffeta gown by Nicole Miller.“The fabric was magic! It was so flattering and the color was an almost indescribable, like a soft pearly sand,” she gushed.
Suzanne didn’t want the traditional white dress but instead something a bit more casual that still spoke to her fashion conscious Soho side. Her search promptly ended when she slid into a gently rouched metallic taffeta gown by Nicole Miller.“The fabric was magic! It was so flattering and the color was an almost indescribable, like a soft pearly sand,” she gushed.
Wedding Gown – Magic Fabric
Suzanne didn’t want the traditional white dress but instead something a bit more casual that still spoke to her fashion conscious Soho side. Her search promptly ended when she slid into a gently rouched metallic taffeta gown by Nicole Miller.“The fabric was magic! It was so flattering and the color was an almost indescribable, like a soft pearly sand,” she gushed.
Suzanne didn’t want the traditional white dress but instead something a bit more casual that still spoke to her fashion conscious Soho side. Her search promptly ended when she slid into a gently rouched metallic taffeta gown by Nicole Miller.“The fabric was magic! It was so flattering and the color was an almost indescribable, like a soft pearly sand,” she gushed.
Wedding Gown – Magic Fabric
Suzanne didn’t want the traditional white dress but instead something a bit more casual that still spoke to her fashion conscious Soho side. Her search promptly ended when she slid into a gently rouched metallic taffeta gown by Nicole Miller.“The fabric was magic! It was so flattering and the color was an almost indescribable, like a soft pearly sand,” she gushed.
Suzanne didn’t want the traditional white dress but instead something a bit more casual that still spoke to her fashion conscious Soho side. Her search promptly ended when she slid into a gently rouched metallic taffeta gown by Nicole Miller.“The fabric was magic! It was so flattering and the color was an almost indescribable, like a soft pearly sand,” she gushed.
Stationery – Hand Drawn
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
Stationery – Hand Drawn
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
Stationery – Hand Drawn
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
Stationery – Hand Drawn
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
The Green Kangaroo of Cary, North Carolina, worked with Suzanne and Justin to turn Suzanne’s hand-drawn, stick-figure images of the couple’s travels into beautiful stationery. The invitations were designed like a travel fold in which one would carry their passport, visa, and travelers checks, but instead it included a beautifully designed invitation and enclosures that featured a stick-figure drawing of the couple traveling in a hot air balloon.
Flowers – Tie Inspired
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Flowers – Tie Inspired
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Flowers – Tie Inspired
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Flowers – Tie Inspired
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Mary Voigt of the Guilford, Connecticut–based Floral Affair made the couple’s tie-inspired color scheme come alive. Spires of hybrid delphinium, creamy viburnum, and large bunches of blue and white hydrangea filled large glass cylinders. The chairs lining the aisle were adorned with blue hydrangea while sprinkled throughout the bouquets, and centerpieces were purple and white dendrobium orchids, sweetpeas, and white gerbera daisies.
Cupcakes – The Great Debate
Suzanne and Justin brought their mothers to a tasting with the baker where they planned to come to a final decision on cupcake flavor. The choice somehow became a light-hearted competition among all in attendance and no decision was made. The couple later chose to feature everyone’s favorite flavor on individual cake stands accompanied by a sign naming them accordingly: The Suzanne, The Carol, The Dolores, and The Justin. A fifth was added and named The Compromise.
Suzanne and Justin brought their mothers to a tasting with the baker where they planned to come to a final decision on cupcake flavor. The choice somehow became a light-hearted competition among all in attendance and no decision was made. The couple later chose to feature everyone’s favorite flavor on individual cake stands accompanied by a sign naming them accordingly: The Suzanne, The Carol, The Dolores, and The Justin. A fifth was added and named The Compromise.
Cupcakes – The Great Debate
Suzanne and Justin brought their mothers to a tasting with the baker where they planned to come to a final decision on cupcake flavor. The choice somehow became a light-hearted competition among all in attendance and no decision was made. The couple later chose to feature everyone’s favorite flavor on individual cake stands accompanied by a sign naming them accordingly: The Suzanne, The Carol, The Dolores, and The Justin. A fifth was added and named The Compromise.
Suzanne and Justin brought their mothers to a tasting with the baker where they planned to come to a final decision on cupcake flavor. The choice somehow became a light-hearted competition among all in attendance and no decision was made. The couple later chose to feature everyone’s favorite flavor on individual cake stands accompanied by a sign naming them accordingly: The Suzanne, The Carol, The Dolores, and The Justin. A fifth was added and named The Compromise.
Memory Box – Give Your Blessing
Each member of the wedding party wrote a blessing and brought an object for the couple’s memory box, a handcrafted wooden box from Poland. All the blessings were read at the ceremony where one niece simply said, “If Uncle Justin is a good husband, I think he should give Auntie Suzanne some flowers. She should give him hugs and kisses and buy him snacks like Goldfish [crackers].” Sure enough, this niece contributed Goldfish to the couple’s memory box.
Each member of the wedding party wrote a blessing and brought an object for the couple’s memory box, a handcrafted wooden box from Poland. All the blessings were read at the ceremony where one niece simply said, “If Uncle Justin is a good husband, I think he should give Auntie Suzanne some flowers. She should give him hugs and kisses and buy him snacks like Goldfish [crackers].” Sure enough, this niece contributed Goldfish to the couple’s memory box.
Memory Box – Give Your Blessing
Each member of the wedding party wrote a blessing and brought an object for the couple’s memory box, a handcrafted wooden box from Poland. All the blessings were read at the ceremony where one niece simply said, “If Uncle Justin is a good husband, I think he should give Auntie Suzanne some flowers. She should give him hugs and kisses and buy him snacks like Goldfish crackers.” Sure enough, this niece contributed Goldfish to the couple’s memory box.
Each member of the wedding party wrote a blessing and brought an object for the couple’s memory box, a handcrafted wooden box from Poland. All the blessings were read at the ceremony where one niece simply said, “If Uncle Justin is a good husband, I think he should give Auntie Suzanne some flowers. She should give him hugs and kisses and buy him snacks like Goldfish crackers.” Sure enough, this niece contributed Goldfish to the couple’s memory box.
Vendor Resources
Photography:
Justin & Mary Photography
New Haven, CT
203.404.7015
justinmarantz.com
Flowers:
Floral Affair
Mary Voigt
Guilford, CT
203.453.1021
floralaffair.biz
Cake:
Felicia’s Sweetface Pastry Shoppe
Gales Ferry, CT
410.647.9732
feliciassweetface.com
Stationery:
The Green Kangaroo
Cary, North Carolina
919.468.5700
tgkdesigns.com
Bride’s Gown:
Nicole Miller
New York, NY
212.219.1825
nicolemiller.com