An Elegant Waterfront Wedding at Branford House in Groton, Connecticut

Rachel Tewksbury (26 and a retails operation manager) and Anthony Mascia's (26 and an assistant bank manager) venue set the tone for their classic summer wedding. The couple chose Branford House for several reasons. They loved that it was on the water, so they could have their ceremony on the lawn overlooking Long Island Sound. They also were enamored with the mansion's stunning 19th-century details, like its wood-paneled walls and intricate fireplace. Plus, the venue was conveniently located for their guests. Because the venue was already so ornate and the surrounding views were so breathtaking, Rachel and Anthony kept  the ceremony and reception decor simple and elegant. The outdoor ceremony area was simply decorated with urns of baby's breath, and it looked beautiful as Rachel and Anthony walked down to "Treasure" by Bruno Mars. Inside the mansion's ballroom, the ivory reception tables featured a variety of pretty flower arrangements with blush and ivory roses, ivory hydrangeas, hypericum berries and dusty miller. As a personal touch, Rachel and Anthony asked their guests for pictures from their own weddings. They used these photos to decorate the reception hall. "It was so fun to see all the old wedding photos and have them be a part of our day," Rachel says. Alicia Ann Photographers was there to capture all the gorgeous details.