Author: Kate Langenberg
Photography by:
When Sarah Curran, a 28 year-old sales accountant from Danvers, MA and Ryan Garnett, a 31 year-old sales product specialist from Marion, MA, started working together at the same company, it didn't take long for a workplace romance to develop. It took even less time for Sarah to meet Ryan's family when they started dating. Of course, it was more of a coincidence than a planned get-together. Ryan chose to take Sarah to a favorite local restaurant he learned of from his father, who frequently dines there on business every other week. Thinking it was an off week, Ryan made reservations and when he and Sarah walked into the restaurant, they were greeted by his father, his uncle, and five of their business associates. Sarah says it was a "funny but awkward situation" that the staff picked up on. The couple was seated right next to Ryan's family. "We always joke that I met the family on our very first date," Sarah says.
It turns out that for this couple, the idea of family played a big role in their wedding. After a surprise proposal during a weekend stay in Newport on Sarah's 27th birthday, they started planning their wedding around some meaningful family traditions and roots.
Sarah and Ryan's wedding ceremony took place on September 26, 2009 at the First Congregational Church of Marion, Massachusetts. "Marion is a charming town that exemplifies everything New England," Sarah explains. "The church that we were married in was more than 200 years old and was the little white church I had always imagined."
The reception was held at the Kittansett Club, also in Marion, where Ryan and his family golf. "We had always talked about getting married there when we were dating, so choosing our reception venue was a no-brainer when we became engaged. It has a breathtaking panoramic view of Buzzards Bay," Sarah says of the club.
Sarah's dress, a strapless bodice by Something Blue from Pure Bliss in Newburyport, came with a satin sash and a skirt with three-quarter length pickups throughout and a bottom trim of lace. Her bridesmaids wore strapless Aria dresses with box-pleated skirts in navy blue. The dresses were accented with a fuchsia flower pin on the hip to coordinate with the wedding colors. The groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos with bow ties.
Flowers were provided by Chad Michael Peters, whom Sarah raves was an absolute joy to work with. In addition to fuchsia in the flowers, some white and greens were also thrown in the mix. Cymbidium orchids and lavender Dahlias were combined to make up the bridal bouquet, with most of the blooms accented by a pearl pin. The centerpieces were low and full and surrounded by votive candles trimmed with pink ribbons. "I didn't realize I was creating another theme of ribbons," says Sarah. "In my pictures I realized that nearly every little accent had a satin ribbon in a coordinating color!"
In lieu of traditional cake, Sarah and Ryan treated their guests to a dessert buffet that served up a variety of cupcakes and pink candy. The cupcakes, from Artisan Kitchen, were presented on tiered stands while the candy could be scooped out of ornate containers of different sizes.
Special elements significant to Sarah's family were included, too. She notes, "As a surprise for my father, the place cards and table names were all themed to his native County Kerry in Ireland. I worked with my mother to choose towns and locations that had significance to his childhood. The head table was 'Tralee,' where most of my father's family hails from."
The unique touches didn't stop there. When the couple was introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Garnett, a snare drum preceded three bagpipers playing "The Wearing of the Green."
Looking back on the big day, Sarah doubts she'll ever forget how happy her parents were. "They absolutely glowed with happiness, and I know that most of that was rooted in my choice of Ryan as my husband. They love him like their own son, and in my father's toast he noted Ryan and I are sure to form a strong branch of our growing family tree." Who wouldn't raise a glass to that?
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