A Classic, Glamorous Wedding at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, Connecticut

For their early-summer wedding in New Haven, Connecticut, Rosalia Santana (27 and an orthodontic marketing director) and Javier Rodriguez (29 and a social-services case manager) planned a classically glam affair with a palette of ivory, champagne, platinum and blush. Although the pair had a small destination soiree in mind, they quickly realized that they couldn’t say their “I dos” without all the important people in their lives present. “In order to make this possible, we searched for a location that would bring the tropics to New England,” Rosalia says. “The moment we stepped onto the property of Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven, we knew we had found our venue. It was like having a destination wedding, but at home.” Rosalia and Javier created an intimate island experience for their guests, kicking off the festivities with an outdoor ceremony in the venue’s rose gardens. Palm trees, tropical foliage and ocean views made guests feel as if they had been transported to a far-flung oasis. After exchanging vows under a quaint gazebo, the newlyweds celebrated with champagne and island tunes in the garden. The reception unfolded in Anthony’s Ocean View ballroom, where flickering candlelight and clouds of lush hydrangeas dripping in shimmery crystal cascades set a romantic tone. Guests enjoyed a delicious sit-down dinner of lobster, prime rib and filet mignon, then hit the dance floor, where they celebrated with the newlyweds late into the night. “We wanted to ensure our guests never went thirsty, so we had a six-hour top-shelf open bar,” Rosalia says. As the evening ended, the couple’s DJ surprised the newlyweds and their guests during the last song with a shower of whimsical snow. “We truly believe our wedding reflected us. We wanted to be sure that everyone left with full bellies, happy and having had a wonderful time,” Rosalia says. “With the help of all our vendors, whom we cannot thank enough, we accomplished just that.” —Libby MacCarthy