Wadsworth Mansion is a beautiful estate in Middletown, CT. It's a gorgeous wedding venue for couples who like the idea of a garden wedding ceremony, outdoor terrace cocktail hour, indoor outdoor space for dancing in the loggia, and historic ballrooms for dinner. The entire estate is impressive with tall ceilings, tons of windows to let in natural light (a wedding photographer dream) and immaculate landscaping for weddings in all seasons. The entire second floor is dedicated for the bridal party while the groomsmen hang out in the downstairs bar.
There's also a balcony overlooking the terrace and vista greenery area which can make for a really unique perspective for ceremony shots (one is featured later on in this blog!)
Without further adieu, let's meet Lexi and Dylan!
Lexi and Dylan's story goes way back. Like way way back. Dylan’s uncle and Lexi's dad were best friends in high school and best men at each others weddings. Fast forward 30 years where Dylan and Lexi's twin brother Anthony became best friends!
As for the start of Lexi and Dylan's relationship, Lexi shares, "Dylan and I first met unknowingly at a cookout in 2001 when the families got together but really started getting to know each other in high school where we had almost every class together. Dylan had a crush first that lasted throughout high school and we ended up going to senior prom together! Since my brother and Dylan were close I knew it had to be perfect timing for it to work out.. so we waited until after college when I was doing my residency in Holyoke to really take the relationship seriously. That’s when I finally realized I had the best man I had ever met and just needed to fight my fear of failing and give it an honest try… or date in secret for a few months in western mass until we knew it would work, and it did!"
What's the story of your Proposal?
" Three years and one puppy son later, Dylan hiked up the courage enough to propose.. in fact he hiked for 10 hours, over 3 4,000 foot peaks in the white mountains to make it the most special moment of my life!"
After a two year engagement they finally brought the families together at their gorgeous, super fun wedding. Let's take a look at their wedding story via photos:
Bridal Wedding Prep
Lexi and her bridesmaids got hair and makeup ready at the Inn at Middletown before heading the Wadsworth where Lexi put on her wedding dress and did all the final touches to get wedding ready. She opted to just have her mom and sister there to help her into her dress for a calming moment and then had a big reveal to her bridesmaids by walking down the grand staircase.
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Groom Wedding Prep
Dylan + his groomsmen also got ready at the same hotel before heading to Wadsworth Mansion for some beers and cheers before his and Lexi's first look. The first floor bar is such a great place for the groomsmen to hang out because it's masculine and has great elegant vibes for photos!
First Looks
This was the day of first looks!! First, they saw their dog Milo (while trying not to see each other yet). Then, Lexi came down the stairs to reveal her final look to her bridesmaids (although those photos were above in Lexi's getting ready section). Then, it was time for Lexi's dad to have a private moment with her. Dang it was emotion. Theeeeen, finally, it was time for Lexi and Dylan to see each other!
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Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Portraits
The front of Wadsworth Mansion is such a great backdrop for photos. The tall white columns instantly elevate the aesthetics for wedding party photos. Since it was a really bright, sunny day, the mansion provided a great shady area for evenly lit portraits. This crew was so much fun, and they all enjoyed taking photos which makes my job so much more enjoyable!!
After wedding party we had to take some photos with their dog Milo OF COURSEEEE (omg obsessed with the little tongue photo) and then some fam pics before hiding away for the ceremony.
Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Ceremony
The gorgeous vista behind Wadsworth Mansion is stunning in itself but then add some florals from Sunkissed Stems and it's elegant beauty dials up a notch. The balcony in the bridal suite not only makes for a fun bridal portrait location, but it's a great vantage point to get a more "birds eye view" of the ceremony for when Lexi walked down the aisle!!
Lexi's nephew and ring bearer rolled down the aisle in style in a remote controlled convertible and BOOYYYY was it a hit!! So freaking cute! Their bestie and Dylan's college roommate officiated their ceremony. It was one of the best ceremonies I've heard - I really need to get that script from him so I can give future officiants some tips haha.
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Wadsworth Mansion Cocktail Hour & Wedding Decor
I love me some good wedding detail shots and they chose the perfect gold themed decor for a minimalist but elegant personalization. Wadsworth is the perfect canvas for pops of details - it doesn't need much since the wedding venue itself is so gorgeous.
Newlywed Portraits
Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Reception on the Terrace
They crushed their first dance to Aerosmith's "I don't want to miss a thing" before emotional speeches from each of their siblings. I love an outdoor natural light first dance!!! The terrace is such a beautiful backdrop with french doors and twinkle lights overhead.
Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Reception in the Loggia
Even though the terrace is a beautiful backdrop, I love that they decided to do the parent dances in the Loggia of Wadsworth Mansion because it's such a unique space with so much character. Lexi and her dad shared a first dance to The Godfather Waltz which was remixed with Angelina by Louis Prima which got everyone riled up and led perfectly into open dancing!!
Wadsworth Mansion Vendor Team:
Venue: Wadsworth Mansion
Florist: Sunkissed Stems
Hair: @gabby_laposta
MUA: @makeupnikki
Photo: Tamara Merri Photography
Video: EZ Video Productions
Suit: Mens Wearhouse
Jeweler: M & Pope Co
Catering: David Alan Hospitality Group
Desserts: Cakes Donna
Greenery wall: @greeneryandchampagne
Interested in working with Tamara Merri Photography for your wedding photography at Wadsworth Mansion? Reach out and let's talk about your wedding plans!
xx,
Tam
Tamara Merri Photography
