Rebecca & Christopher
New London, NH
Colonial Farm Inn
Click on the photos for more details
Finally Wed
The Bride: Rebecca ArnesonThe Groom: Christopher Dickman
Wedding Date: November 8, 2008
Venue: Colonial Farm Inn
“Finally” was the theme at Rebecca Arneson and Chris Dickman’s November wedding, and for good reason. After a two-and-a-half-year engagement, three work related cross-country moves, and multiple postponed dates due to her sister’s work on a presidential campaign, Rebecca and Chris finally made a plan. The strategy: Set a date and don’t give people the time to think twice. It was early October during an extended stay at Rebecca’s family's summer home in New England that the couple took only a month to plan a small wedding celebration for 50 guests at the Colonial Farm Inn & Restaurant in New London, New Hampshire.
Finally Wed
“Finally” was the theme at Rebecca Arneson and Chris Dickman’s November 8, 2008, wedding, and for good reason. After a two-and-a-half-year engagement, three work related cross-country moves, and multiple postponed dates due to her sister’s work on a presidential campaign, Rebecca and Chris finally made a plan. The strategy: Set a date and don’t give people the time to think twice. It was early October during an extended stay at Rebecca’s family's summer home in New England that the couple took only a month to plan a small wedding celebration for 50 guests at the Colonial Farm Inn & Restaurant in New London, New Hampshire.
Ceremony – A Cozy Chapel
The couple didn’t have to look far for their ceremony site. About a mile from Colonial Farm Inn in the village of Elkins stands a tiny stone chapel located directly across from Pleasant Lake. Built almost 100 years ago with stones from old farm walls, it was just the right size so their small group wasn’t swallowed up in a huge church. Its quaint and cozy atmosphere lent a touch of warmth to the cold November day.
The couple didn’t have to look far for their ceremony site. About a mile from Colonial Farm Inn in the village of Elkins stands a tiny stone chapel located directly across from Pleasant Lake. Built almost 100 years ago with stones from old farm walls, it was just the right size so their small group wasn’t swallowed up in a huge church. Its quaint and cozy atmosphere lent a touch of warmth to the cold November day.
Reception – Candlelit Colonial Rebecca’s family rented out the entire Colonial Farm Inn for the weekend, making it a great central location for their guests in the heart of the Lake Sunapee region. The reception was held under a heated tent that extended off the historical 1836 inn’s back patio. A twinkling stone path lined with candlelit mason jars led guests from a cocktail hour in the dining room to the tent for dinner and dancing.
Décor – Art of Nature
Mauli McDonald from Art of Nature, an award-winning botanical design studio in New London, created Rebecca’s unique table décor, bouquets, and centerpieces with her ivory and French blue color scheme in mind. The bouquets burst with soft ivory roses, white lisianthus, and pops of blue delphinium. Each table setting was adorned with a handmade bird’s nest; tucked inside each was a piece of blue parchment that read “bon appe-tweet!”
Mauli McDonald from Art of Nature, an award-winning botanical design studio in New London, created Rebecca’s unique table décor, bouquets, and centerpieces with her ivory and French blue color scheme in mind. The bouquets burst with soft ivory roses, white lisianthus, and pops of blue delphinium. Each table setting was adorned with a handmade bird’s nest; tucked inside each was a piece of blue parchment that read “bon appe-tweet!”
Décor – Art of Nature
Mauli McDonald from Art of Nature, an award-winning botanical design studio in New London, created Rebecca’s unique table décor, bouquets, and centerpieces with her ivory and French blue color scheme in mind. The bouquets burst with soft ivory roses, white lisianthus, and pops of blue delphinium. Each table setting was adorned with a handmade bird’s nest; tucked inside each was a piece of blue parchment that read “bon appe-tweet!”
Mauli McDonald from Art of Nature, an award-winning botanical design studio in New London, created Rebecca’s unique table décor, bouquets, and centerpieces with her ivory and French blue color scheme in mind. The bouquets burst with soft ivory roses, white lisianthus, and pops of blue delphinium. Each table setting was adorned with a handmade bird’s nest; tucked inside each was a piece of blue parchment that read “bon appe-tweet!”
Wedding Gown - In Chiffon
It was at Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that Becca slipped in and out of countless designer gowns with a bridesmaid at her side. When it came down to it, the endless, rippling layers of ivory silk chiffon made Manuel Mota's Cameo a must.
It was at Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that Becca slipped in and out of countless designer gowns with a bridesmaid at her side. When it came down to it, the endless, rippling layers of ivory silk chiffon made Manuel Mota's Cameo a must.
Wedding Gown - In Chiffon
It was at Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that Becca slipped in and out of countless designer gowns with a bridesmaid at her side. When it came down to it, the endless, rippling layers of ivory silk chiffon made Manuel Mota's Cameo a must.
It was at Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that Becca slipped in and out of countless designer gowns with a bridesmaid at her side. When it came down to it, the endless, rippling layers of ivory silk chiffon made Manuel Mota's Cameo a must.
Attire – Black and Blue
After arranging and rearranging personalized color strips inside her “wedding concept book,” Rebecca decided that her bridesmaids would wear black. Not only did it look sophisticated with the ivory and French blue, it was also easy for the bridesmaids to coordinate in such a short amount of time. The groom and his guys brought a pop of color to their white oxfords with French blue ties and a bit of fun with black Chuck Taylor sneakers.
After arranging and rearranging personalized color strips inside her “wedding concept book,” Rebecca decided that her bridesmaids would wear black. Not only did it look sophisticated with the ivory and French blue, it was also easy for the bridesmaids to coordinate in such a short amount of time. The groom and his guys brought a pop of color to their white oxfords with French blue ties and a bit of fun with black Chuck Taylor sneakers.
Attire – Black and Blue
After arranging and rearranging personalized color strips inside her “wedding concept book,” Rebecca decided that her bridesmaids would wear black. Not only did it look sophisticated with the ivory and French blue, it was also easy for the bridesmaids to coordinate in such a short amount of time. The groom and his guys brought a pop of color to their white oxfords with French blue ties and a bit of fun with black Chuck Taylor sneakers.
After arranging and rearranging personalized color strips inside her “wedding concept book,” Rebecca decided that her bridesmaids would wear black. Not only did it look sophisticated with the ivory and French blue, it was also easy for the bridesmaids to coordinate in such a short amount of time. The groom and his guys brought a pop of color to their white oxfords with French blue ties and a bit of fun with black Chuck Taylor sneakers.
Attire – Black and Blue
After arranging and rearranging personalized color strips inside her “wedding concept book,” Rebecca decided that her bridesmaids would wear black. Not only did it look sophisticated with the ivory and French blue, it was also easy for the bridesmaids to coordinate in such a short amount of time. The groom and his guys brought a pop of color to their white oxfords with French blue ties and a bit of fun with black Chuck Taylor sneakers.
After arranging and rearranging personalized color strips inside her “wedding concept book,” Rebecca decided that her bridesmaids would wear black. Not only did it look sophisticated with the ivory and French blue, it was also easy for the bridesmaids to coordinate in such a short amount of time. The groom and his guys brought a pop of color to their white oxfords with French blue ties and a bit of fun with black Chuck Taylor sneakers.
Cupcakes – An Artful Dessert
Rather than go with fondant tiers, Rebecca elected to build an artful masterpiece with five layers of delightfully oversized cupcakes in four flavors: lemon sour cream, dark chocolate, carrot cake, and coconut rum from baker Ruth Cave of Andover. In between the butter cream frosting, Art of Nature then filled the towering work of art with ivory roses, blue hydrangeas, and tiny bird’s nests. The final touch? Each cupcake was adorned with a tiny handmade flag that read “Finally!”
Rather than go with fondant tiers, Rebecca elected to build an artful masterpiece with five layers of delightfully oversized cupcakes in four flavors: lemon sour cream, dark chocolate, carrot cake, and coconut rum from baker Ruth Cave of Andover. In between the butter cream frosting, Art of Nature then filled the towering work of art with ivory roses, blue hydrangeas, and tiny bird’s nests. The final touch? Each cupcake was adorned with a tiny handmade flag that read “Finally!”
A Lasting Memory – I'm Yours
As a surprise for Chris, Rebecca planned to play “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder after their untraditional ceremony, filled with poetry and personalized vows, had ended. After their first kiss as husband and wife, Stevie’s voice filtered from the small sound system into the warm chapel air. They made their way down the aisle, singing along with their guests and the lyrics, which so clearly illustrated how Rebecca felt toward her new husband. They were married, “signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours!”… finally!
As a surprise for Chris, Rebecca planned to play “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder after their untraditional ceremony, filled with poetry and personalized vows, had ended. After their first kiss as husband and wife, Stevie’s voice filtered from the small sound system into the warm chapel air. They made their way down the aisle, singing along with their guests and the lyrics, which so clearly illustrated how Rebecca felt toward her new husband. They were married, “signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours!”… finally!
A Lasting Memory – I'm Yours
As a surprise for Chris, Rebecca planned to play “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder after their untraditional ceremony, filled with poetry and personalized vows, had ended. After their first kiss as husband and wife, Stevie’s voice filtered from the small sound system into the warm chapel air. They made their way down the aisle, singing along with their guests and the lyrics, which so clearly illustrated how Rebecca felt toward her new husband. They were married, “signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours!”… finally!
As a surprise for Chris, Rebecca planned to play “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder after their untraditional ceremony, filled with poetry and personalized vows, had ended. After their first kiss as husband and wife, Stevie’s voice filtered from the small sound system into the warm chapel air. They made their way down the aisle, singing along with their guests and the lyrics, which so clearly illustrated how Rebecca felt toward her new husband. They were married, “signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours!”… finally!
Vendor Resources
Photography:
Claris Photography
Milford, NH
603-654-6420
clarisphotography.com
Flowers & Décor:
Art of Nature
New London, NH
603-526-2638
natureswildart.com
Cupcakes:
Ruth Cave
New London, NH
603-526-6774
Catering:
Colonial Farm Inn & Restaurant
New London, NH
603-526-6121
colonialfarminn.com
Music:
Ceremony-
Matthew Lister
Dover, NH
603-742-2345
matthewlister.com
Reception-
After Hours Disc Jockey
DJ Tony
Westfield, MA
413-562-2632
afterhoursdj.net
Bride’s Gown:
Pronovias
Manuel Mota - Cameo
Madeleine’s Daughter
Portsmouth, NH
603-431-5454
madeleinesdaughter.com
Bridesmaids:
J. Crew
jcrew.com