1. Real Weddings

An Elegant Spring Wedding at Bill Miller's Castle in Branford, Connecticut

Heather Milligan (34 and a biotech operations manager) and Christopher Day (43 and an insurance executive) had a classic wedding at Bill Miller's Cast

Heather Milligan (34 and a biotech operations manager) and Christopher Day (43 and an insurance executive) had a classic wedding at Bill Miller's Castle in Branford, Connecticut. "The site is beautifully decorated with amazing nooks and separate rooms with small seating areas, where guests can have conversations away from the noise of the reception," Heather says. Their spring soiree was captured by Jeanine Rose Photography. "We wanted soft colors that were very natural and reminiscent of spring," Heather says. They chose a color palette with ivory, sea blue and sage. Heather and Chris were married in a simple outdoor ceremony under a wedding arch wreathed in greens and blue flowers. Their floral design was provided by Gabriele's Hand Designs. "I wanted the flowers to look as if I'd wandered through a field of wildflowers before the wedding and gathered the blooms that were available," Heather says. The reception, which took place indoors at the castle, was decorated with large urns filled with roses, peonies, grape hyacinths and hydrangeas. Decor also included gold candelabras around the hall, which cast a romantic glow on the festivities. Heather says it's important to clearly articulate what you want to your vendors: "Vendors are willing to work with you. Don't be afraid to assert your ideas so that you can have the wedding you've always dreamed of."

Heather carried a bouquet with thistles, sunflowers and other wildflowers on her wedding day. "I found Gabriele from Gabriele's Hand Designs, a florist who specializes in very natural-looking bouquets," Heather says.
Flower Girl With a Thistle Flower Crown
Heather wore a strapless, A-line wedding dress by Sareh Nouri in the style of "Isadora." She paired it with a lace-trim fingertip veil. Her bridesmaids wore knee-length sea blue dresses, and her female relatives matched them in similarly colored dresses.
Heather instructed her photographer Jeanine Rose to focus on Chris during the processional. She wanted to capture his reaction instead of images of her walking down the aisle.
Heather and Chris were married under a wedding arch decorated with greens and blue flowers at their outdoor ceremony in Branford, Connecticut.
First Kiss at Branford, Connecticut, Wedding
"We were planning a tour of Bordeaux [in France] for our honeymoon and we wanted our guests to experience a part of that with us," Heather says. "My husband put together a wine-tasting table for our cocktail hour, so guests could taste some wine from the vineyards we planned to tour."
The reception was held indoors at Bill Miller's castle. The dining tables were decorated simply and elegantly with white linens and blue table runners.
Grape hyacinths, pink roses, white peonies and blue hydrangeas filled large stone urns around the reception hall.
The reception decor included ornate gold candelabras that perfectly suited the castle venue.
As favors, Heather and Chris gave their guests small jars of honey with tags that read "Meant to Bee."
Ivory Wedding Cake With Green, Blue and White Flowers
First Dance at Bill Miller's Castle