Real New England Wedding: Jacquelyn Paul & Hal Munger
October 18, 2014
Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center
Cambridge, Massachusetts
When your proposal happens in a quintessential New England location (during a fall foliage stroll around Walden Pond after apple picking at a local orchard), you’ve set the bar to make your wedding a local celebration. So when Hal popped the question to Jackie, the couple decided their celebration should not only be steeped in their love for each other, but also for the city in which they met and grew that love.
“Since we fell in love in Boston, we wanted to host a city wedding,” says the bride. The couple chose the unique and historical Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center in the fall, which gave them the pick of several autumnal rustic touches. Think burlap for table runners, apples for sentimental value, and pies galore in flavors such as apple crumb and chocolate bourbon pecan.
Planning was a team effort, says the bride, with Hal putting his architect background to work by creating custom wedding artwork that represented Boston. The couple strolled the city for keepsake photos of their favorite spots – the Boston Public Library, Boston Public Garden, and Acorn Street and Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill.
But even with all their traditional touches (a church ceremony at St. Cecilia, classic vows and an aisle surprise), they also wanted modern flares. So they hashtagged the event #MungerPaulooza, offered a charging station at the reception, and flashed their pretty smiles in a photo booth.
Here’s a peek into the special fall day of this Dorchester couple, who just celebrated their first anniversary.
Jackie whitewashed a small box and added burlap for a rustic touch. Her second cousin, Dominic Paul, 8, walked it down the aisle.
Hal utilized his sketching techniques from a career in architecture to create these city streets invitations.
“I was obsessed with this sash (from Allure Bridal),” laughs the bride. “Actually obsessed doesn’t even really cover it.” The Swarovski crystals were delicate and shiny, the flowers in her palette shades, and there was a softness to the extra-long chiffon sash.
The couple spent the time between the ceremony and reception taking wedding photos in their favorite spots around the city.
Hal’s favorite sock brand, Happy Socks, was represented in the gifts for his groomsmen and the couple’s fathers.
In addition to the traditional cake, there were pies from Petsi Pies in Cambridge—chocolate bourbon pecan, apple crumb, mixed berry, apple pear, chocolate cream, banana cream, pecan, and pumpkin.
The couple accentuated the height of the room by using three different types of centerpieces in differing heights to add variety.
Guests’ dinner choices (chicken, pork or vegetarian) were noted on their place cards with fun icons. “As the bride and groom, we were given a special sampler with all of the options,” said Jackie.
Jackie and Hal left out Mad Libs-type cards for guests to fill out about their journey traveling to the wedding. The guestbook was surrounded by photos of their parents’ weddings set upon Hal’s grandmother’s tablecloth (she was unable to attend). After it was signed, it was filled with photobooth photos.
THE FILE
Bride’s Jewelry: Long’s Jewelers in Boston
Cake: Party Favors in Brookline
Pies: Petsi Pies in Cambridge
Catering: Wildflour Catering
Music: DJ Paul Brogna, Mass Rhythm Entertainment
Gown: Custom Enzoani from Precious Memories in Malden
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
Florist: Cynthia’s Flower Shop in Branford, Connecticut
Groomswear: JoS. A. Banks
Hair: Emily Reale of Beaucage Salon
Rings: Long’s Jewelers
Invitations: Designed by Timm Fair, Printed at Albertine Press
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