Our couple takes their first steps into a bright future, the bride in the “Toussaint” gown by Élysée, with detachable puff sleeves from Hello Bride Co., the groom in classic black tux, with bouquet of pure white sweet pea.
Sweet pea blossoms of fondant cascade down this confection by Julie Michelle Cakes, with a black-and-white china motif that reappears in the tablescapes. A winding passion vine seems to spring straight from the lush garden-style florals.
A toile column greets guests with elderflower champagne cocktails. Each champagne coupe sports a black chiffon ribbon and a hand-lettered escort card with wax seal.
A sip from one of the beribboned glasses or a beverage from a classic bar cart sets the celebratory mood.
Hard to find a lovelier ceremony setting than this balustraded terrace with a vista of Geneva Lake. The simple arch of dark bentwood gets the luxe treatment with asymmetric garlands of greenery and a wealth of white florals — hydrangea, roses, delphiniums among them —by Lilypots Event Floral.
Modern mingles with traditional on the limestone terrace. Black bentwood chairs recall the ceremony arch, as do the florals, with a redux of passion vine, plus lisianthus, garden roses and freesia among the florals in the mix. White tapers flicker in brass and silver candlesticks and candelabras.
Take time for a tasty bite from a mix of breads, berries, fruit, nuts and veggies from Fork It Foods and Grazing, which focuses on local sources. Below: The place setting as work of art: Botanical patterned china shows to advantage on a matte black charger with a black hemstitch napkin. The calligraphed black ribbon place card stands out on the deckle-edge paper menu with minimalist typography, part of the stationery suite by Pure Joy Ink. Fresh fruit nods to the heirloom toile pattern on the china, cake, and champagne wall.
The light may be slowly fading, but our bride’s glow is unstoppable. She stays natural with warm-toned makeup and a smoky eye, while a demure bun keeps her hair in chic check.
At day’s end, our couple boards the Louise, a steam yacht commissioned for the original owners of Stone Manor when it was built in 1899. What better way to start married life than by sailing off into the sunset?