The celebration of Jill & Tucker | a marriage during COVID spanning 2 years
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We had the pleasure of getting to know Jill & Tucker over the course of 3 years. They had originally planned a 2020 wedding celebration, but COVID changed their plans for their larger celebration… not just once, not even twice, but three times.
They had a small family gathering on their original wedding date, June 27, 2020, where they signed the Ketubah, exchanged vows, and were officially pronounced husband & wife. They had planned on hosting their larger reception for extended friends & family in the spring of 2021, but decided to reschedule until the summer once things on the COVID front seemed more certain. The wait was well worth it, because the party and weather were flawless!
We can’t thank Jill & Tucker enough for their grace, patience, ability to roll with the punches, and understanding throughout the entire process. Planning a wedding through a pandemic is no easy feat– if these tow can weather the storms that 2020 & 2021 brought, then they can handle anything!
The celebration of Sara & Eric at The Newbury in Downtown Boston
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How did you two meet?
We were introduced through a mutual friend who worked for about 6 months to get us to meet.
Why did you choose to get married at the location that you did?
The Newbury was new and chic and gorgeous and we toured and fell in love. We also LOVE major food group which is the catering company here and we could not pass up the opportunity to party at Contessa after the wedding.
Were there any happy surprises that happened at the wedding?
The afterparty was AWESOME. We did not expect it to be so well attended and for everyone to dance until 2am. We were also SO happy with our first dance, probably the thing that Eric was most excited for. Oh, and hurricane Elsa went away (thank god!) she wasn’t invited to the wedding. Our vows were also much better than we both anticipated!
What moment sticks out to you above all of the others from the wedding?
The ceremony was so special for us. We feel happier than ever.
Now that the wedding is over, what are you going to do with all of your free time?!
Sara may volunteer, she won’t know what to do with herself. Or perhaps add an extra lap to her favorite jog in central park? WHO KNOWS! Eric is going to look to buy an apartment in Miami!
In words from their planner, Phoebe Allen of AE Events:
July 10th, 2021, a most spectacular of days of summer weather, first began back in early 2018. The bride was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston and the groom from NJ, but both living in NYC. The couple had their hearts set on a timeless Boston wedding and we were here to make that happen. The wedding date was set for June 20th, 2020 – but as we all know, that plan changed. We moved it to December 2020 and then finally to July 10th, 2021. And that date was happening no matter what, Sara and Eric were going to get married! They wanted the wedding they had dreamed of.
During the process of planning and changing dates we also had to change venues, which meant we had an opportunity to change the entire design concept. The day went as follows and I will say that we could not have done this without each and every vendor who went along with every edit and throughout the entire process.
Barely a cloud in the sky, it was a beautiful mid summer morning, Sara and Eric woke up (in separate suites) at the newly opened (just days before) Newbury Hotel and took a deep breath in as they were finally getting married later that night. Eric, along with his 14 groomsmen started their day outside in the Boston Common Park playing a game of touch football. We had the photographer meet them there to get some action shots.
Sara woke up, went to SoulCycle, and then started her day of hair and makeup with her 11 bridesmaids. Enjoying the luxury and space afforded within the presidential suite at the Newbury Hotel there was a perfect spot with plenty of natural sunlight for makeup artists to paint their magic and hairdryers and curling wands in every outlet to give the perfect finishing touches to everyone! And what day of beauty would be complete without a glass of champagne, your favorite tunes to keep everyone’s energy up and a power lunch from Tatte Bakery.
Meanwhile in the ballroom everything was coming together – the hotel generously provided us access to the ballroom a day early, so we just needed the add in all the floral and focus the pinspot lighting on each table to highlight all the unique touches that were included in the design. Table and Tulip came in with a team of people and transformed the space including the grand staircase, that was by far my favorite part.
Once hair and makeup was done, everyone was fed lunch, the groom was in his suite, having time “with the guys”, and it was time for Sara to put the dress on. Sara stepped into her Berta dress and truly took everyones breath away. There were certainly tears shed.
We had decided to do their first look across the street in the public gardens. Eric was situated in a spot so that Sara could actually see him from the her hotel suite window on the 14th floor. We walked outside to the garden, as I held her dress, and there, she taped Eric’s shoulder and for the first time, he saw his future wife. Safe to say she left Eric speechless. They had their moments alone and just had an opportunity to privately rejoice in their joy together. We had the rest of their families and bridal party come outside for family portraits and we truly lucked out on a stunning New England weather day.
After a quick blot of the eyes and a sip of water, it was it was time to get this couple down the aisle. Watching them stand under the chuppah, knowing we had made it to this day, was a beautiful feeling.
The Newbury went all out for cocktails, we had elegant stations with an abundance of food and passed apps for days. We introduced guests into the ballroom and the rest of the night was speeches, a choreographed first dance, a New York/Boston dessert bar, and a packed dance floor all night long.
Despite the stroke of dawn, the celebration did not end there, we invited guests to the 17th floor, to the newly opened Contessa restaurant, for an afterparty of a lifetime. The DJ was set the party going, late night bites like French fries and pizza, and of course, an open bar – guests danced joyfully, like they couldn’t even feel their feet any longer!
To say getting in bed at 4AM never felt so good, is a vast understatement… but events like these are why I love my job. Seeing Sara and Eric’s families so happy, as they embark on the next part of their lives together – it’s worth every moment.
