December 31, 2016
As it turns out, rom-coms don’t have it all wrong… Some soulmates do still meet in crowded bars. For Flannery, it was practically love at first sight. She spotted Mike across the room while out in Providence one night and she knew she would have to be the one to make the first move, which involved asking her friend, Bernard, to be her wingman. Meanwhile, for Mike, it was more like confusion at first sight; mainly because he didn’t understand why the pretty blonde’s boyfriend was encouraging him to go talk to her. But once Bernard explained that no, he and Flannery were not together and no, he was not trying to rope Mike into some strange ménage a trois, Mike was more than happy to go and chat up his future wife.
Fast forward to the early wedding planning stages in 2015 (precedented by a cozy breakfast-in-bed-style proposal) and the couple already knew that Bernard would be the one to officiate their marriage. “There was never any other option, it was him from the start,” Mike confirms while Flannery adds: “We knew he would make the ceremony both personal and funny.”
And Bernard certainly delivered at their December 31, 2016 nuptials. In fact, his words, combined with breathtaking music by Legacy String Trio and the couple’s heartfelt vows, made up Flannery’s and Mike’s favorite part of the whole day. But that’s not to say that the rest of the wedding wasn’t equally as beautiful. “Exquisite Events was a last-minute hire, but I don’t think the wedding would have been as much of a success without them,” Flannery reveals. “They were responsible for not only the ceremony backdrop but also for the lighting and the hallway draping that connected the ceremony and reception spaces. They even made custom pillows that matched my table linens and advised me on selecting general decor.”
And the decor was certainly a sight to behold; professional-looking DIY signage, hanging glass snowflakes, an abundance of fairy lights and, of course, floor-to-ceiling greenery provided by the venue’s botanical gardens. These, along with details like Flannery’s vintage-inspired, long sleeved lace gown and the bridal party’s black tie attire did well to nail the glam New Year’s Eve theme. “We had been to so many summer weddings and we wanted to shake things up,” Flannery explains. “We thought a New Year’s wedding might be fun.”
Come midnight, glasses of Champagne and confetti poppers were passed around to each of the guests while a projector played the ball dropping in New York City. But even with all of the festivities, the couple’s other favorite memories came from the quieter moments. “I’m really close with my dad — my siblings are all mad that I’m the favorite — and so I loved my first look with him. We both got teary eyed,” Flannery says. Mike’s most memorable moment also involved a patriarchal figure in his family. His grandfather passed away when he was in high school, but Flannery made sure that he was still present for their wedding by asking a family jeweler in Connecticut to incorporate his old wedding band into Mike’s new one. “She surprised me with it on Christmas, but it was really special to have it during the ring exchange,” says Mike. “Very nostalgic and sweet.”
Cheers to getting your rom-com ending, you two.
The Details
Photography: Joseph Laurin Photography // Ceremony and reception: Roger Williams Botanical Center // Catering: Pranzi Catering & Events // Bride’s dress: Monique Lhuillier, The Plumed Serpent Bridal in Westport, CT // Groom’s and groomsmen suits: Anthony’s House of Formals // Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jenny Yoo, Nordstrom // Bridal party hair and makeup: Bianca Nastari Designs // Officiant: Bernard Belley (friend of the couple) // Lighting, decor and planning: Exquisite Events // Flowers: Golden Gate Studios //Ceremony music: Legacy String Trio // Videography: Frame and Anchor