Set on the rolling green fields of a beloved equestrian club in Connecticut, Claire and Brian’s wedding was equal parts classy elegance and laid-back joy. With a palette inspired by the landscape, a tented celebration that turned into an all-out dance party, and heartfelt personal touches stitched into every detail — this was a weekend that felt as warm and familiar as home.
Location: Westport, Connecticut, USA
Style: Classic, elegant, whimsical
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 180
Setting: Equestrian club
Season: Summer
Claire and Brian’s story didn’t start with fireworks, unless you count the ones sparked by a few too many beers at a downtown Richmond bar. What began as a casual night out turned into a slow-burning love story, and the realization that they simply never got tired of each other. Eight years later, Brian proposed on a tiny beach in front of Claire’s family’s summer house, lighthouse glowing behind him and half the village watching with binoculars from their porches.
The next morning, Claire walked into breakfast only to find their closest friends gathered at the table, Brian had planned a surprise 24-hour celebration complete with sunshine, champagne, and a legendary lobster bake. As they headed into their wedding weekend, Claire and Brian’s only wish was for their guests to feel how deeply grateful they were, to be surrounded by so much love, laughter, and the people who made it all possible.
Bride's Look
Claire wore a custom ivory silk gown by Lesea Berry, the designer she had admired for years. The dress featured sculptural puff sleeves worn both on and off the shoulder and graceful tails that flowed behind her during the ceremony, later swapped out for a simpler silhouette at the reception. Her look was finished with oversized gold and pearl drop earrings from Sashi and minimalist Larroude mules.
The bridesmaids wore a mix of greens, both solids and patterns, each choosing a dress that felt true to their style. Unique yet cohesive, they looked elegant and full of personality. Their smaller bouquets echoed the wedding florals, a perfect complement to Claire’s all–calla lily bouquet by Fresh Flower Bar. A chic, vibrant group that brought the garden to life.
With hair half-up and softly cascading, styled by Simply Gorgeous by Erin, Claire added a romantic twist: a green Eden Bow by Jennifer Behr x Julia Berolzheimer, a nod to her bridesmaids’ dresses. Her makeup was fresh and understated, a refined version of her everyday self. And though her “something blue,” a cherished handkerchief from her grandmother, was accidentally left behind, her look carried all the sentiment and style of a bride who knew exactly what she loved.
Groom's Fashion
Brian’s look was classic New England summer, crisp, classy, and effortlessly cool. True to his laid-back style, he opted for comfort over formality, skipping the tux in favor of something more relaxed. The groom wore a navy suit with gold buttons by Brooks Brothers, a white shirt by Proper Cloth, and light tan khakis by Bonobos, topped off with a blue Hermès tie featuring a playful chicken pattern.
Brian looked effortlessly cohesive with his groomsmen, all dressed in matching attires. A single calla lily boutonniere tied Brian’s look to Claire’s bouquet, while his favorite detail was the tie he picked out for their ring bearer, his little nephew.
First Look
Claire and Brian’s first look was quiet and tender, set against an open green field that felt like their own little world. Claire, radiant in her gown, approached Brian with a soft smile and a bouquet in hand, her dress catching the breeze behind her. As he turned to see her, the moment was simple, and full of joy, no dramatic gestures, just the unmistakable comfort and happiness of two people completely at ease with each other.
The photos by Charlotte Jenks Lewis, both film and digital, captured the day with captivating warmth, each one felt bathed in sunshine and filled with sincere emotion. There was a beautiful lightness to the visuals, a softness that holds all the affection of the moment without ever feeling staged.
Ceremony
The couple chose to get married at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, a country and equestrian club that felt like home. With its 40 acres of green fields and nearly 50 horses in nearby stables, the venue’s natural beauty set the tone for the day. The ceremony took place on the expansive polo field, framed by the white-columned clubhouse and rows of white chairs. Their palette of soft whites, fresh greens, and touches of blue echoed the landscape, creating a setting that was classic, elegant, and deeply personal.
Guests were greeted with champagne, fans, and umbrellas to beat the summer heat. Claire came in, laughing and chatting with her dad through tears as he cried beside her. As they reached the front, her grandfather, seated proudly in the front row, paused everything with a heartfelt shout: “What a beautiful dress.” It’s a memory Claire will carry forever.
When it came time to hand Claire off, her dad panicked, whispering “what do I do now?” into the mic before sprinting to his seat without hugging Brian, sending the whole crowd into laughter. That moment, unscripted and honest, was exactly what Claire and Brian had hoped for: a ceremony that felt organic, light-hearted, and real.
Claire’s uncle Bunc, a beloved figure in both her and Brian’s lives, officiated the ceremony. They kept things secular but heartfelt, framing marriage as a joyful commitment and a celebration of certainty. Bunc read aloud their shared hopes for the future: tennis matches, few of which Claire would win, 5 p.m. cocktails, Sunday hangovers, and sibling teasing, the little things that make a life.
Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour unfolded around the heart of the equestrian club. Guests mingled inside the main room, spilled out onto the classic white wrap-around porch, and wandered across the surrounding lawn, all overlooking the expansive polo field where the ceremony had just taken place.
The setting felt relaxed and airy, with sunshine, fresh grass underfoot, and the soft buzz of conversation carrying through the breeze, a perfect transition into the evening ahead. Guests sipped colorful cocktails, mingled in bold floral prints and breezy pastels, and gathered on the lawn surrounded by wide skies and the soft hum of summer.
Reception
With the help of Luna & Charlie Events the reception was designed to complement the timeless charm of the venue. With dark mahogany tables, plaid carpets, and green-paneled walls lined with horse portraits, the space had a timeless, Ralph Lauren–style charm that Claire and Brian mirrored in their decor. Soft florals and candles in greens, whites, and blues adorned the tables, while hand-embroidered napkins with each guest’s name, stitched by Claire herself, added a meaningful, handmade touch. The result was polished, yet romantic.
The reception took place under a sailcloth tent nestled in the field, though the celebration quickly spilled far beyond it. Guests wandered out to catch the sunset, take photos, and soak in the summer air. The evening unfolded with heartfelt toasts from the maid of honor, best man, and Claire’s dad.
Dinner was soundtracked by classic love songs and ballads, with Claire’s grandparents stealing the spotlight on the dance floor as a glowing example of lifelong love. Claire and Brian, self-declared bad dancers turned dance-class graduates, followed with a sweet and slightly blushing first dance to ‘I Like the Sound of That’ by Rascal Flatts.
The cake by The Sono Baking Company was a classic three-tier design, smooth and simple with delicate piping and tiny purple blooms tucked between the layers. At the top stood a vintage-style bride and groom topper, complete with a tiny tulle veil, charming, nostalgic, and just a little cheeky. Later in the night, the couple cut the cake, and Claire still laughs at the photos from that moment, a sweet reminder that the evening unfolded just as it should have, joyfully, and not too serious.
The Sultans, a 13-piece band who proudly promised “no breaks” in their contract, delivered nonstop energy. Ties were off by 9 p.m., shirts unbuttoned, a sure sign of a night well-lived. The trumpet player became a dance floor legend, and Claire made a sprint from the bathroom to the stage just in time to belt out ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty, a nod to her best friend’s unforgettable compliment and an American flag flying overhead that felt like fate. Every moment of their special day was exactly as they hoped, joyful, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
"Our photographer did such an amazing job of capturing every moment, but even more, she captured the feeling within every moment. From the anticipation during the getting ready, to the certainty of the ceremony, to the absolute joy at the reception, you can feel the emotion in each photo."
Advice from the couple:
• Surround yourself with the best!!! Our wedding was amazing because of the A+ vendors that we worked with, from our photographer, Charlotte Jenks Lewis, to our wedding planner, Luna & Charlie Events, to our hair and makeup artists, Simply Gorgeous by Erin. They were the ones that made it all happen, made it all perfect, and we are incredibly grateful for the expertise!
PHOTOGRAPHER Charlotte Jenks Lewis | PLANNER Luna & Charlie Events | VENUE Fairfield County Hunt Club | FLORALS Fresh Flower Bar | MUAH Simply Gorgeous by Erin | DRESS Lesea Berry | SHOES Larroude | JEWELRY Sashi | ACCESSORIES Jennifer Behr x Julia Berolzheimer | SUIT Brooks Brothers | SHIRT Proper Cloth | PANTS Bonobos | TIE Hermès SHOES Gucci | CAKE Sono Baking Company | STATIONERY Dear Elouise | BAND The Sultans | TENT & RENTALS Abbey Tent & Party Rentals | CANDLESTICKS Addison Ross | LIGHTING Fox Haus Event Productions
