1. Real Weddings

Melissa & Hayden: An Outdoor Wedding in Darien, CT

Melissa Mears was going about her business one summer, waitressing at a local restaurant, when love arrived in the form of Hayden Lindsay. The Bride

Melissa Mears was going about her business one summer, waitressing at a local restaurant, when love arrived in the form of Hayden Lindsay. The Bride Melissa Mears, 28, an interior designer The Groom Hayden Lindsay, 26, a builder The Date August 13 “He walked in with his uncle to the bar, and among 50-something- year-old men, he completely stood out!” Melissa remembers. Hayden happened to be on a three-month holiday, direct from New Zealand. It was his first time in the States, and he hadn’t planned on a return visit, until he met Melissa. Once the two started talking to one another, they couldn’t stop. Appropriately, their first date was to see Whale Rider, a New Zealand film. And after a brief stint in British Columbia, Hayden followed his heart back to the U.S. and asked Melissa to marry him just four months later.

Melissa wore a simple Elizabeth Fillmore “Greek goddess” silhouette while the color palette was picked up in the pale yellow bridesmaid dresses.
The Escort Cards
The Ceremony
Arriving at the reception by boat, Hayden had to roll up his pants and actually get in the water to carry his new bride to dry ground. “I didn’t get a drop of water on me. It was great!” Melissa remembers.
Cool blue water served as the ceremony’s backdrop: The couple exchanged vows outside at a local park near the historical society of Rowayton. “It required no decoration, as the setting itself was breathtaking,” says Melissa.
When it came time for the cake cutting ceremony, Melissa and Hayden sliced into a gluten-free carrot cake (the bride is allergic to wheat flour) with cream-cheese frosting and topped with elegant white orchids. “Since I cannot eat ready-made cakes, I had about three pieces,” says Melissa. “It was heaven!”
Melissa’s attendants wore pale yellow satin duchesse dresses with an ivory sash and trim by Thread and carried deeper yellow bouquets.
White paper lanterns gave the reception tent a warm and inviting glow, while tables were decorated with glass hurricane lamps, pillar candles, white sand, coral, and aqua sea glass.
The Reception