I have had the pleasure of knowing Celeste for many years now. She is such a gentle and creative soul, and I was so honored when she asked me to be a part of their wedding day.
Celeste and Chris met at his birthday party. A mutual friend had invited Celeste, and the sparks flew that night. But it wasn’t until a few months later when the same mutual friend asked her to join Chris’s karaoke night, that things started happening. She had never done karaoke and thought it was not a fun way to spend time, but she wanted to see Chris again! So she went. After an unexpectedly fun night, they exchanged phone numbers over Venmo.
Chris knew Celeste was the one on their third date. “In spending time with her, I saw that she showed grace when I was brash, demonstrated patience when I was restless, and saw the best in everyone (literally, everyone!) when I expressed skepticism. I knew that Celeste would always push me to be a better person. Four years later, she continues to challenge me positively, and I have grown and matured in ways I thought were not possible,” Chris said.
This couple is inspiring in many ways, and they continued to inspire during the wedding planning process. Celeste single handly designed and planned the entire wedding. She also custom-designed her dress, the flower girl’s dress, and other details from the day. She hand-dyed 50 yards of cheesecloth for the tables, and hand-dyed, cut and sewed all the silk chiffon and charmeuse ribbons for bridesmaid’s bouquets and tables. Celeste and her mom spent the summer gathering dried foliage, and she and her friend both grew flowers with my wedding colors in mind. Celeste hand-painted the green arch and floral motifs used in all the paper goods and signs, and her talented father turned them into a gorgeous suite of invitations.
It’s an honor and pleasure to know these two and to be able to capture their wedding day.
Venue: Deepwood Museum & Gardens Bride & Groom Getting Ready Location: Salem Grand HotelDress: Celeste’s Own Design in collaboration with Maria Biehn Planning & Design: Celeste Hair & Makeup: Cassandra Kennedy Beauty Suit: Custom suit by Bindle & Keep Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds Tie: Ted Baker London Watch: Shinola Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden with custom ribbon ankle straps ribbon from Mokuba NY Flower girl dress: Celeste’s Own Design Ring bearer: H&M Suit and Bowtie and Suspenders Bride’s Bouquet & Boutonnieres: Witte Farm Paper Goods: Paz Design Group – Celeste’s Father Vintage Stamps: Vintage Postage Shop Calligraphy: Anna Florian, from Florian Favors Caterer: Loustic Catering Music/DJ/lighting: Rex Sheldon Rentals, linens: A to Z Rentals
