Sparkly Tiffany Blue Wedding at Carmichaels Social Hall: Chelsea & Davis

Chelsea and Davis’s shiny Tiffany blue wedding has my heart all aflutter.  There are few things I love more than a little glitz, a little glam, and a little blue box tied with a pretty white bow.  Put them all together and I go totally gaga.  I personally think you can never have too much sparkle, and it appears that this couple agrees.  High school sweethearts Chelsea and Davis planned a day that would allow their large Polish families to be together (the invite list was 500+!) but that also allowed Chelsea to show off her glamorous side.  The only venue large enough for this party was the local fire hall.  But I kid you not…you’d NEVER believe this was a fire hall wedding!  With a palette of black, white, and every girl’s favorite shade of turquoise, the bride and groom literally transformed the reception venue into a beautiful, glittery space that shone bright thanks to all of the rhinestones, crystals, mirrors, and candlelight used in their decor.  Some of the day’s other glamorous details that I totally adore?

• Talk about bling!  Not only did Chelsea wear a glamorous creation from my all-time favorite bridal designer and fellow rhinestone-lover Hayley Paige, but she also topped off her look with two different crystal headpieces and statement jewelry.  Go big or go home, right?
• Chelsea and Davis were high school sweethearts.  At one point, Chelsea wrote in her diary that she thought Davis was THE ONE!  In an oh-so-sweet way, Chelsea incorporated this excerpt into their wedding invitations!  Her own handwritting was scanned and everything!  Keep your eyes peeled for it in the pictures below!
• The back of the ceremony program listed Chelsea’s “somethings”!  Although a popular tradition, the somethings often don’t get explained or acknowledged.  I love that this bride let her guests know just what special tokens she was wearing that day, and the story behind each of them!
• A whopping NINE tier wedding cake!  The fondant covered creation was decorated in clear and blue rhinestones to match Chelsea and Davis’s theme.  Dessert didn’t stop there…guests were treated to all sorts of tasty sweets after dinner.  This is my kind of wedding.
• From the invitations to the ceremony program, the cocktail napkins to the seating display, the couple incorporated a C & D custom monogram into just about everything.  I love how they wove this graphic into as much as they could to create a cohesive look.

Kristen Wynn documented the entire day, and these bridal portraits are like something out of a fairy tale!  Major props to Chelsea for laying on the ground in a Hayley Paige!  I feel like it might be slightly sacrilegious but the pictures are totally worth it!  If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, I think rhinestones might be a close second.

From the bride…

When and how did you two meet?
Davis and I have known each other since middle school.  He took me to my 8th grade Spring Fling when I was 14 years old.  Davis and I split up when I went to high school (I’m a year older than he is), we became high school sweethearts when I was 16, and we were on a roller coaster ride that lead us to where we are today!

Juicy details on the proposal, please!  Where, when, how?
Davis proposed on September 1, 2013.  It was the annual Bee Graphix Corn Hole Tournament at the Greene Cove Yacht Club, where we spend days and nights all summer long.  Davis’s family owns Bee Graphix and he told me the Observer Reporter was coming to do an article about the tournament and that he wanted me to get in the picture with him.  Well, it just so happened that I had a bachelorette party for my girlfriend the night before and couldn’t care less if I was in a picture, let alone how I looked at a corn hole tournament.  That was when Davis went into panic mode.  I was completely ruining his plan because he knew if I looked like a bum when he proposed, I would hate myself!  He went to my closet and picked out this beautiful, long lace maxi dress but I refused to wear that to a corn hole tournament.  That was when I got the hint that he might be proposing.  So I put on a more casual dress, got ready, painted my nails (just in case), and after Davis explained the rules, I was pushed out onto the floor by my cousins.  I saw a boat coming down the river, carrying a HUGE sign that said, “Chelsea, Will you Marry Me?”  Davis got down on one knee and said, “Chelsea, I have loved you since the sixth grade.  Will you marry me?”  Of course, I said YES!

Describe the wedding.  The look, theme, style, colors, etc.
There were a lot of factors that made us do things the way we did for our wedding.

First and foremost, Davis and I got married on my parent’s 34th wedding anniversary.  In turn, we were also inspired to get married in the same church they did.  Davis’s parents had just celebrated their 39th anniversary on May 1.  We were truly blessed to have strong families by our sides on our special day.

Davis and I were high school sweethearts.  Plus, we come from a small town and we had to combine two of the biggest Polish families into one wedding reception.  Our venue options were limited with our 500+ guest list.  When we decided to have it at a fire hall, we knew Magic Moments would make it look like a fairy tale.  The walls were all covered with linens and lights, a chandelier hung above the wedding cake, every other table was accessorized with a chandelier or flowers, and the chairs were covered in chiffon.  It truly was more than I could have ever imagined.

Not only did we have cookies on the tables for people to munch on while they were waiting to eat, but there was also HUGE dessert spread after dinner.  Everyone loved it!  Instead of having just one guest book, I got scrapbook paper and printed 5×7 photos from our engagement session.  There were calligraphy pens available for people to write us notes, stories, or just their names.  I also displayed photos of our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings.

A magician entertained our family and friends during cocktail hour.  Guests could also take advantage of the photo booth, where they received a magnet so they could display their photo at home.  ShutterBooth also gave our guests the opportunity to leave us a message as well!  It was so fun hearing what everyone had to say!

What made your wedding unique?
If you ask ANYONE who came to the reception or saw our video, the most unique part was the reception introduction.  After our wedding party was announced, there was a “commercial pause” before our emcee announced Davis and me.  I really can’t describe it, you just have to see for yourself!

Bride to Bride

What advice would you give to other Burgh Brides planning their big day?
Save vacation days at work!  Take a few days off before the wedding and pamper yourself and relax.  You only get married once!

Take longer than a seven day honeymoon if you can!  It goes by so quick and you never want it to end. 🙂

The earlier you do the ceremony and dinner, the sooner you can be on the dance floor with everyone you love, having the best day of your life!

Any must haves, must dos, or can’t live withouts?  Anything you would do differently?
Must have: Kristen Wynn is the sweetest photographer you will ever meet.  I loved working with her and even my wedding party and parents were impressed by her artistic ability!

Must do: Find something original to do with your special day.  Our reception video by far was the coolest thing ever!

Can’t live without: Sho Films. They brought a whole other light to our wedding and my husband’s surprise of the teaser video that was released just a few days after the wedding made me the happiest wife in the world!  Check it out!

Do differently: Better communication leading up to our introduction at the reception.  Davis and I wanted the reception video to be a surprise, which caused a slight delay in the rest of the night’s events.  But no one knew or cared we were behind schedule!  This is just a bride being a tiny bit particular in wanting more time to enjoy herself and dance!

Vendors
Bride’s Dress: Carrie by Hayley Paige from Bridal Beginning | Bride’s Accessories: Bracelets & Wedding Bands: Joyce’s Jewelry; Earrings: Made by Rachael Corfont; First Headpiece: Hobby Lobby; Second Headpiece & Belt: Bridal Beginning | Bride’s Shoes: Nina | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Night Moves from Prom Girl | Cake: Yummies by Yvonne | Caterer: Back Bay | Ceremony Location: St. Oliver Plunkett Parish | DJ: Mark Batis | Flowers: Magic Moments | Hair: Bride: Samantha Slagle; Bridal Party: Jason Renner | Lighting, Linens, & Rentals: Magic Moments | Magician: Flanzini | Makeup: Candace Orlandi | Menswear: Tuxedo Junction | Photo Booth: ShutterBooth | Photographer: Kristen Wynn Photography | Reception Venue: Carmichaels Social Hall | Stationery: Indigo Envelope | Transportation: Vogue Limousines | Videography: Sho Films | Wedding Planner: Tianne Stotka, mother of the bride