Lilia & Doug- When Romantic Meets Rustic

When we first met over a coffee in downtown NYC in the late fall we immediately clicked. Lilia knew exactly what she wanted and I loved it. She envisioned picture perfect wedding and I think it is safe to say she got that and more.

Lilia and her now husband Douglas are Brooklyn residents and decided to escape the city to the magic of the Berkshires. Peaceful grounds of The August Moon House in Sheffield, MA were the perfect setting for this romantic wedding. “A haven, a bit of an enchanted world” is the ideal description of this idyllic setting.

Lilia is a product photographer and because of that she has a eye for beautiful details. When the bride described to the florist (Crocus Hale) her ideas, Crocus knew how to bring Lilia’s vision to life. Dahlias, grasses, olive, sedum, rosemary, eucalyptus, white gomphrena, lavender, ferns, sea oats, just to name few, were the stars of the decor.

The ceremony took place in a wild flower field surrounded by the forest. The main attraction of the ceremony precession was TJ, the couples 9 year old golden retriever mix who was dressed appropriately for the occasion (but not used to French cuffs). The ceremony arbor was draped with a garland of silver dollar eucalyptus and pale flowers asymmetrically attached in a corner. Guests sat on rustic wooden benches and enjoyed lavender lemonade while they waited for the festivities to begin. Lilia’s grandfather, Richard, officiated the ceremony. TJ patiently sat there and waited until it was time to taste some charcuterie (and dinner… and dessert…).

After this stunning ceremony guests enjoyed cocktail hour on a big but secluded field, again, surrounded by forest. Passed appetizers and crafted cocktails were served by Heirloom Fire staff dressed in sort of Downton Abbey uniforms. Tavern high top tables, a rustic bar, a custom hand stenciled gigantic glass menu, sheepskin dressed mid-century lounge furniture, vintage Persian rugs and all sorts of pillows created a one of a kind cocktail hour.

Tall birch poles with lines running between were used for escort cards. Handmade cards hung on lines with sprigs of herbs and other botanicals.
Dinner Tables were dressed with loose long silver dollar eucalyptus garland snaking along the tabletop dropping to the ground on either end. Flower heads on the tabletop were clustered on either side of small tree stumps provided by Heirloom Fire. Chef, Jim Gop, created exceptional food cooked exclusively over fire on site. Multiple fires added an extra dramatic and theatrical feeling to this already dreamy wedding. The food was carried to each table on 5ft planks and placed on the wooden stumps. Guests enjoyed hearth roasted, herb rubbed heritage chickens with salsa verde, husk roasted striped sea bass with basil and lemon as well as locally sourced vegetable dishes (mushroom risotto with sweet summer corn, heirloom tomato salad, to name a few).

After dinner guests danced, ate desserts, enjoyed a bon fire and had a lot of fun with Lilia’s DIY photo booth.