1. Real Weddings

An Estate Wedding in Ipswich, MA

At first it was friendship for Erica and Don when the two met at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Worcester. But after months

At first it was friendship for Erica and Don when the two met at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Worcester. But after months of studying together, they realized they had a lot more in common than their careers -- including a love of travel, fitness, and politics. So they started dating and four and a half years later, Don was ready to propose. The Bride Erica Vallon, 31, a hospital pharmacist The Groom Don Chaplin, 33, a clinical pharmacist The Date August 29 He saved the special moment for a romantic visit to London. As they strolled along the river across from Parliament and Big Ben, Don began talking about all the places they had been together, and how he found a traveling partner for life. The next thing Erica knew, he was on one knee!

A friend of the bride’s parents officiated the ceremony after Erica and her father walked down the aisle to Mozart’s “Romanza.”
Erica carried roses, ranunculus, sweet peas, and lisianthus wrapped in cream-colored ribbon.
Antique frames displayed the dinner menu and added a classic touch.
Folded cardstock printed with a formal brown font and matching ribbon waited for guests as they entered the Great House at Crane Estate. Inside, the couple included the poem “Sonnet LXIX” by Pablo Neruda.
The same bouquet arrangements of roses, sweat peas, ranunculus, and lisianthus accented with pears and hypericum berries topped each table.
The four-tiered cake with fondant icing was designed to mimic the couple’s Wedgwood china set. On the bottom tier, a leaf motif coordinated with Erica’s gown.
Rose pomanders tied with brown ribbon hung from every third chair along the aisle for an understated look.
When Don and Erica started dating, pear-flavored cosmopolitans were her favorite cocktail. So it made sense to make that their signature drink.
Brown favor boxes and votive candles helped balance out short centerpieces in the same shades as the bridal bouquet.
Leaf-shaped tags with guests’ names written in calligraphy were tied to real Bosc pears.
The eight-piece band played Ella Fitzgerald’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay” for the couple’s choreographed first dance (thanks to lessons!).
Don’s mom and Erica made chocolate macaroon cookies, wrapped them in doilies, and placed them in brown boxes with pink ribbon. The final touch: stickers with the couple’s monogram.