1. Real Weddings

Eileen & Wes: A Lakeside Outdoor Wedding in Aurora, NY

Eileen and Wes met at an office holiday party and talked all night. A few weeks later, Wes (who worked for an airline) flew from his home in Texas to

Eileen and Wes met at an office holiday party and talked all night. A few weeks later, Wes (who worked for an airline) flew from his home in Texas to Eileen’s in New York to take her out on a first date. They spent the next two and a half years flying back and forth a few times each month until the two decided to get married. The Bride Eileen Arcangeli, 31, advertising executive The Groom Wes Reese, 40, in sports marketing The Date August 8 Knowing they were headed for marriage, Eileen picked out her own antique engagement ring. Once she had her ring and the two were engaged, they started planning a wedding in the Finger Lakes region of New York, where Eileen’s family lives.

Eileen and Wes sent out green, square invitations accented in ivory and white for their elegant lakeside summer wedding.
On the day of the wedding, Eileen surprised Wes with a poster that told the story of their relationship. They displayed it at the reception for all their friends and family to see.
Eileen’s Amy Michelson gown had an “Old Hollywood” vibe to match her personality and style.
Each reception table had a different-colored flower arrangement, alternating blue roses, purple orchids, and orange calla lilies.
To go with her vintage wedding day style, Eileen held an arm bouquet of deep purple dendrobium orchids.
Eileen’s three bridesmaids wore chiffon dresses by Lela Rose in different colors and necklines. The buttercup yellow, mint green, and clover green color combo created a soft vintage look.
While planning the wedding, Eileen convinced Wes they didn’t need a wedding cake -- sweet lemon tarts would do. Halfway through the reception though, Eileen surprised Wes with a customized wedding cake in the shape of a Continental Airlines Boeing 777 airplane as a nod to where he worked when they met.
The couple’s green and white escort cards matched their invitations.
Green and ivory tented table number cards coordinated with the couple’s invitations and escort cards.
Wes’ boutonniere, a single purple dendrobium orchid, coordinated with Eileen’s bridal bouquet.
Eileen didn’t want to wear a veil, so she found a vintage-style headpiece at Kleinfeld Bridal to complement her wavy 1920s hairstyle.