Sarah+Jason : Inns of Aurora Wedding Photo+Video

What are your wedding colors and/or themes?
Our theme was simple and timeless elegance. We absolutely love the landscape of the lakeside Aurora Inn, and didn’t want to alter its natural beauty. Aurora was named the “village of constant dawn” for its blazing sunsets and sweet sunlit mornings. It was important for us to allow these natural colors and the setting itself to truly shine. September in upstate NY is the last kiss of Summer with Fall just around the corner. Instead of leaning into Fall, we were inspired by the grounds white garden roses still in bloom, the beautiful greenery, and the calming deep blue of the lake. The Bridal Party, and Groomsmen all wore deep navy blue and our families wore black. We worked with Stacy K to ensure that the organic greenery and white floral décor complimented the existing lawn and terrace of the Inn. We also have a great appreciation for history and wanted to pay homage the incredibly rich past of the Inns by incorporating special vintage pieces (She Rents Vintage), custom calligraphy (Paper Crane Calligraphy) and touches of own family history (table of our extended family’s wedding photos). Heather, Kim, Katie, Elizabeth, and Stacy went above and beyond to create a romantic, warm, and welcoming environment for our guests.

What is your inspiration when planning your wedding?
A timeless love story. We both value love, commitment, and family. We are who are today because of the great love of generations that came before us. It was important to us to celebrate our Grandparents who could not be with us and all of the beautiful love stories within our families. We had a table display of twenty family wedding photos honoring their special days. We also honored our wedding party, who are like family to us, by seating them at a large wooden head table down the center of the tent. The décor was classic romantic with white and ivory linens, gold chiavary chairs, mixed metal candelabras/ candlesticks/votives, and a variety of glass bud vases.

 

Did you incorporate any fun themes/motifs or design elements?
My dress from Pronovias also had special meaning. I knew I’d found “the dress” when I saw that it’s sleeves were Lilly flowers and the beaded Lilly pattern throughout. Jason brought me white Lilly’s on our very first date. You’ll find touches of the flower in my bouquet and in Jason’s boutonniere.

Did you include any special traditions, old or new?
The stems of my bridal bouquet were wrapped in lace from my Mom’s wedding dress (something old), pinned closed with pictures of my two Grandfathers and Grandmother. Jason pinned pictures of his Grandfathers and Grandmother to the inside of his suit jacket, next to his heart. I wore my Great Grandmothers wedding band (something borrowed), a pearl bracelet – a gift from Jason (something new), and had a blue bow on my garter (something blue). We wrote our own vows which we will forever treasure.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
An excerpt from: This Special Place
Remarks made by Pleasant T. Rowland, founder of the Inns of Aurora, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of the Aurora Inn on May 29, 2003

“Indian lore has it that the Finger Lakes resulted when the High Spirit laid his hand upon the earth in a final benediction of all he had created, blessing this place above all with natural beauty and bounty. All of us who have come here since are touched by the generosity of that creation.” – Pleasant T. Rowland.

Dress Designer: Atelier Pronovias- Hechizo
Dress Shop: Pronovias New York, NY
Hair: Laura Petruccelli & Team (Nikki & Jenn) of Lora Celli Salon Ridgewood, NJ.
Makeup- Jessica Sobko Clinique
Bridesmaid dresses: Shona Joy and Kleinfield Bridal Party
Flowers: Stacy K Floral Rochester, NY
Cake: Inns of Aurora (three cakes- Red Velvet, Pistachio, and Carrot Cake)
Catering: Inns of Aurora
Entertainment: Shine Band
Coordinator/Planner/Designer: Katie Peck- She Rents Vintage, Elizabeth Hanson- Paper Crane Calligraphy, Heather Davidson & Kim Jones from Inns of Aurora