Amanda and Michael’s Whimsical and Elegant Wedding

On a beautiful summer day, at the stunning Haley Mansion in Mystic, CT, Amanda and Michael said their “I do’s.” We absolutely love this unique and fun “birds of a feather” theme they selected, and the story behind it. The details of this magical day were perfectly captured by Dani of dani. fine photography, all the way down to the feathers on the invitation suite! We caught up with the bride, Amanda, to hear more behind the planning of their big day.

Where did you draw your inspiration from?

The inspiration of the bird themed wedding came from my husband. One of his hobbies growing up was bird watching with his Grammy. I felt that the females perspective is always the focus of many weddings- it was an opportunity to include his passion into the special day.

What was your favorite moment from the big day?

Our favorite moment derived from the terrible weather that we were experiencing all morning long. Only hours before the wedding the rain stopped, but the gray clouds remained. Upon walking down the aisle and holding hands the clouds cleared and the most beautiful sunshine came shining through. It was a moment everyone remembers, and (what seemed like) a sign from our loved ones above looking down on us.

How was the styling process for the wedding? Did you start with one detail and grow from there? Or did you know an overall concept you wanted to achieve?

The wedding details were grown from the basic concept of birds. I wanted to create a romantic and elegant way of representing the bird theme into my details. This was done through wedding flowers (cages for centerpieces, feathers in bouquets, corsages), table names (every table was different bird name), stationary design, place cards, ring holder (birds nest).

How did you find your venue?

I wanted to get married somewhere near the ocean (basically spent my summers at the Cape and RI) but also I put a lot of value into where my money would be going. I wanted a venue that my spending would be benefiting- a historical mansion (The Haley Mansion) was perfect because I knew my money was helping preserve something historical and beautiful.

Any advice to brides or grooms to be?

Weddings are expensive! It will cause disagreements, stress, and anxiety! Remember to always be mindful of each others opinions and come up with a middle ground. I would emphasize the importance of literally how fast the day goes by. Make sure to take a moment as a couple and observe the intricate details you created and how they came together. The best part of the wedding was the atmosphere, the joy, and the fun everyone had. Have a blast and don’t forget to eat the food you purchased!