Daniel turns to see Natalie on a leaf-covered sidewalk outside the marble library

Real wedding · Branford, Connecticut

Natalie & Daniel

The Woodwinds

A marble library first look and a salsa band that never let up

Venue
The Woodwinds
Location
Branford, Connecticut
Setting
Estate & club
Season
Fall
Photographs
24 selected

Natalie wore a jeweled headpiece and a lace capelet over a strapless gown, and she spent the morning laughing with her makeup artist while green velvet dresses hung in the window behind her. Daniel went for a white dinner jacket with black lapels and a black shirt, and he could not stop grinning as he knotted his tie. The invitation came sealed with a green hexagon of wax, a small preview of the color that would run through the whole day.

Before The Woodwinds, they met at the Blackstone Library in town. Daniel stood on a sidewalk covered in fallen leaves with his back to the marble facade, then turned to find her there with a long spray of white calla lilies. Inside, the library's domed rotunda glowed gold. They climbed the front steps together in low November sun, and the groomsmen lined up on the lawn in black and white.

The ceremony was small and warm, in front of a wood-paneled fireplace with white flowers on either side. By dark, the couple and their wedding party were out under the lit porch columns. Then the band set up, horns and congas and all, and the night turned into a dance. Daniel took Natalie's daughter, Eden, by both hands on the floor, and her tears said plenty.

01

Getting ready

Green velvet, a jeweled headpiece and a white dinner jacket set the look early.

02

Details

03

Ceremony

04

Portraits

The marble library and its fallen leaves gave the day a second setting in town.

05

Celebration

Horns, congas and a crowd that knew every step.

Planning a wedding like this?

In November the sun sets before 4:30 in Connecticut, so plan any off-site first look for early afternoon and keep the drive short. Stone and marble buildings throw back warm, low light beautifully, and fallen leaves give color even after the trees go bare. Save a few minutes after dark for portraits under the venue's porch lights.

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