This Couple’s Postponed Beach Wedding Became a Chic City Soiree
A delay ultimately meant the event was a better fit.
Photo by Tiffany Von
The Story
Just two months after Jason Rockwood’s sunrise proposal, Lisa Vitello had nailed down details for beachy, bohemian nuptials on Nantucket. (“She’s extremely meticulous,” Jason notes.) Then COVID struck, and the couple, who live in Los Angeles, ended up canceling everything. Fortunately, plan B—a September 2021 wedding in Boston near Lisa’s family—became an even better fit. “We’re both city people,” the bride explains, and she’d spent afternoons hanging out with friends on Newbury Street as a teen. So their new reception venue, the Newbury Boston, felt like a perfect setting, though it demanded a different aesthetic. The couple decided to “fully lean into city chic,” Lisa says. “I wanted a sexy, sophisticated, but fun vibe”—complete with black roses and their last name in neon.
Planning while locked down in L.A. was a challenge, but the work paid off. “To see what she changed it to—better than her original vision—was amazing,” Jason says. “It was awesome to [be] in the city” with everything within walking distance, says Lisa, who strolled with her dad from the Newbury to Arlington Street Church for the ceremony, dramatic lace train and all, much to the delight of passersby. “Everyone was beeping their horns and cheering,” she recalls. “It felt like Boston was celebrating with us.”
The Details
Photo by Tiffany Von
“I love Arlington Street Church,” Lisa says of the ceremony venue, which features Tiffany stained-glass windows and bells that are still rung by hand.
Photo by Tiffany Von
After a fruitless search in Los Angeles, Lisa found the perfect bridal gown at Grace Loves Lace in Boston.
Photo by Tiffany Von
The couple walked down an aisle strewn with black rose petals to the accompaniment of violinists from Vintage String Music.
Photo by Tiffany Von
Getting ready with family and her best friend in a suite overlooking the Public Garden felt “like a party,” Lisa says. “We all had oysters and whiskey and joked around.”
Photo by Tiffany Von
The couple found ways to honor family members throughout the day. Lisa wrapped this ribbon—embroidered with the names of her mother and late grandmothers—around her bouquet.
Photo by Tiffany Von
Boston stationery studio Fête Collection designed the elegant black-and-white invitations.
Photo by Tiffany Von
The couple opted for a color scheme of bone, champagne, black, and gold.
Photo by Tiffany Von
When the newlyweds hit the dance floor to Alabama Shakes’ “I Found You,” the bride wore a reception dress her mom had revamped two days before the wedding, raising the hem and adding some bling.
Photo by Tiffany Von
Photo by Tiffany Von
The pair tapped JNG Event Consulting to create sculptural floral arrangements. “We wanted them to be almost like [art] installations,” Lisa says.
Photo by Tiffany Von
Squash carpaccio with whipped mascarpone, spiced pumpkin seeds, and honey agrodolce kicked off the four-course menu.
Photo by Tiffany Von
“My family’s very into desserts,” Lisa says—hence the spread of Mike’s Pastry cannolis and Italian wedding cookies. “We’re fully Italian, so we don’t mess around.”
Photo by Tiffany Von
The couple cut a confetti vanilla chiffon cake—a nod to Jason’s birthday fave, Funfetti—topped with buttercream icing.
Photo by Tiffany Von
Agate coasters personalized with guests’ names served as place cards and stylish souvenirs.
Photo by Tiffany Von
Family and friends danced to beats by DJ Rich DiMare, who’s also a singer with a Sinatra specialty—his rendition of “New York, New York,” a treat for Lisa’s uncle from Brooklyn, got the crowd singing along.
Photo by Tiffany Von
The File
Bride’s Ceremony Dress Grace Loves Lace
Coasters/Signage Esthetic Bride
DJ/Vocals Rich DiMare
Flowers JNG Event Consulting
Hair Cam Jones, District Barbers Boston (groom); Sophia Adler (bride)
Lighting Port Lighting Systems
Makeup Torrie Arquette, Dollface Boston
Music Vintage String Music; Yulia Yun
Planner K. Kerkorian Weddings & Events
Rentals BBJ La Tavola; Peak Event Services; Tommy Wholesale Products
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