TAGS

Down the Rabbit Hole // Serena + Dave

Wow!  We were left speechless after this wondrous wedding event! Everything about Serena and Dave’s wedding was ultra unique to say the least! Theirs was an unbelievable wedding at Camp Sacajawea in Newfield, NJ, where almost every aspect was custom made or DIY.  It was a steampunk wedding with an Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland theme.  There was fire breathing.  There was illusion.  There was belly dancing.  It was on a Tuesday.  Needless to say, it’s one that we’ll never forget!

Serena was a captivating bride.  She had two outfits that day, (including a stunning ensemble – you’ll see soon – made by her mother!) with her first wedding gown being a gorgeous, lace-covered strapless David Tutera gown with a romantic A-line silhouette.  Serena’s beautiful Victorian-inspired feathered hat was lovingly made by her mother as well, and the bridal party jewelry was handmade by Serena and her mother together.  That pretty cameo was a gift from Dave.  And speaking of Dave, he looked so sharp in his distinctly steampunk attire.  With his top hat, double-breasted vest and ascot, the Victorian inspiration was spot on.

Serena and Dave’s entire ceremony was custom made for them.  They had a gorgeous chuppah made by Savannah’s Garden, adorned top to bottom with bright flowers including roses in pinks and red, eucalyptus branches and orange and yellow butterflies.  Serena’s father officiated the outdoor ceremony, where he lovingly spoke of marriage as a maze, best traveled with a true companion.  They recited their own written vows to each other and symbolically had their hands bound to each other as they officially became husband and wife.

Wonderful photographs were taken around the camp by Blonnie Brooks, as she captured both the romance and the action. Be sure to view some of them on her Facebook page!   It was such a pleasure to work alongside her.  We loved the poses with the bridal party as they showed off the exquisite bouquets by Savannah’s Garden with their gorgeous cascading design.

Then, we were on to the indoor reception, and by doing that, we had to go “down the rabbit hole” with Serena and Dave!  Of course, no Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland themed event is complete without a tea party.  Check out the vintage plates (a mix of Serena’s grandmother’s, mother’s and found items), “Eat Me” embossed desserts, table place cards on “Drink Me” bottles and that incredible custom harlequin and striped “topsy turvy” cake by Apron Strings Dessert Boutique!  There were teapots and white string lights and faux butterflies in mason jars.  There were “This Way” and “That Way” signs and chessmen cookies.  Everywhere you turned, you were submerged in the marvelous, madcap motif!

And just when you thought the evening couldn’t get any more exciting, the belly dancing and fire show began!  Serena is an incredible belly dancer and she expertly danced for her guests in an amazing outfit made by her mother.  Everyone was enthralled!  And fire artists from Cirque De Light awed the crowd with thrilling fire breathing and spinning.  What an unbelievable show!

You would think it would be hard for the DJ to keep up with this incredible talent, but Bob Morgan Entertainment was up to the task! Their DJ services kept the festivities moving and guests on the dance floor.

Serena grew up in the Society for Creative Anachronism, a living history group that studies and recreates the arts and skills of Medieval culture, and in that society, they celebrate important events with the exclamation, “Vivat!”.  It basically means, “Congratulations”, “Cheers” and “May you Live Long” and bestows the sincerest of well wishes on the guests of honor.  Well, we have that same sentiment for Serena and Dave.  Congratulations and “Vivat”!  And in the words of Serena’s father,  “May you always live with one foot in wonderland”.

Cinematographers:  Glen Elliott  //  Violet Elliott  //  Lisa Skala

Editor:  Lisa Skala

Photographer:  Blonnie Brooks Photography – New Castle, DE

Floral Design:  Savannah’s Garden – Elmer, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Mariluz West – Vineland, NJ

Maid of Honor’s Hair: Salon Fabrojae – Vineland, NJ

Entertainment:  Bob Morgan Entertainment (DJ) – Vineland, NJ

Fire Show Artists:  Cirque De Light –  New England Area

Catering:  Masso’s Catering – Glassboro, NJ

Cake:  Apron Strings Dessert Boutique – Millville, NJ

Officiant:  Bride’s father

Venue:  Camp Sacajawea – Newfield, NJ