1. Real Weddings

A Bright, Modern Wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts

With the help of Tangorra Wedding Planning, Ashley and Matthew Pisapia planned a modern wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel with a bright color palette

With the help of Tangorra Wedding Planning, Ashley and Matthew Pisapia planned a modern wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel with a bright color palette of purple, pink, orange and blue hues. With its enviable waterfront location in the heart of Boston, the hotel offered a beautiful backdrop for the couple’s nuptials, while also putting guests within walking distance to some of the area’s landmarks and must-see spots. The couple made their out-of-town guests feel right at home, greeting them with welcome bags filled with local treats and a list of activities, restaurants and area attractions upon arrival. The wedding kicked off with a ceremony in the Harbor Hotel’s Wharf Room, where Ashley and Matthew exchanged heartfelt vows against floor-to-ceiling windows that gave way to views of the harbor's calm waters and passing sailboats. Cocktail hour was held in the Rotunda, followed by a laid-back reception back in the Wharf Room. Wanting guests to mix, mingle and have a good time, the couple decided to ditch the traditional sit down dinner and went for a cocktail-lounge vibe, having Cort Furniture Rental fill the space with modern vignettes and a mix of tall and low tables. Bunches of bright purple and pink blooms added a burst of fresh color to the space, while suspended floral display introduced a modern edge to the decor. Ashley and Matthew served up an array of hearty passed hors d’oeuvres, in addition to stations dishing out everything from pizza to sliders and shrimp cocktail. Dessert was just as unexpected, with a dessert station packed with treats like fruit, ice cream and cupcakes taking the place of traditional wedding cake. And after the pair’s first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” the band Men in Black took to the stage, churning out a set list of upbeat hits that kept the dance floor packed all night long.

With a spectacular waterfront venue right on Boston Harbor, Ashley and Matthew decided to let the views take center stage and kept the ceremony decor simple. Black chiavari chairs lined the ceremony aisle, with alternating rows boasting bright bunches of pink hydrangeas accented with vibrant orange bows.
A fan of bright colors, Ashley knew she wanted the wedding to feature a spectrum of vibrant hues. The couple decided on a palette of pink, orange, purple, blue and subtle pops of green, infusing energy and life into the elegant Wharf Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel.
While Matthew’s wedding day look had a classic vibe, he incorporated a subtle nod to the day’s bright and bold theme with the addition of a pink ranunculus boutonniere. And to tie the look together, he added a polished ivory pocket square.
As out-of-town guests arrived to their hotels, they were greeted by welcome kits filled with Boston-inspired treats. Each welcome bag included a custom-designed card with some of the couple’s favorite spots around the city and must-see Beantown landmarks, plus plenty of treats to enjoy throughout the weekend.
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the Boston Harbor Hotel’s waterfront Rotunda, Cort Furniture Rental transitioned the Wharf Room for the reception. The couple decided against the traditional sit-down style reception for something with a more festive flair that encouraged guests to mix and mingle. Lounge areas with chic modern furnishings and a mix of low and high cocktail tables gave the room a lounge-inspired vibe with bunches of bright blooms infusing the space with energy and life. “We wanted people to feel like they were at a party and not a typical wedding,” says Ashley.
The ceremony was held in the Boston Harbor Hotel’s Warf Room, a modern space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Boston Harbor. The couple kept the decor on the more minimal side, adding a few pops of color to the elegant room with bunches of fresh pink hydrangeas lining the aisle. The pair walked down the aisle to a selection of classical tunes, including “Ave Maria,” Kenny G’s “Wedding Song,” and “Canon in D,” kicking things up a notch for the recessional with Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”
When it came to her bridesmaids’ attire, Ashley decided to have the girls don matching styles to create a cohesive look. She selected a cocktail-length dress with a flattering one-shoulder neckline, lace overlay and vibrant blue fabric, which made their bright pink and orange bouquets really pop.
Playing off the evening’s lounge-inspired vibe, the couple decided to pass on the traditional sit-down dinner and instead went with a cocktail hour-style format, serving up an array of hearty passed hors d’oeuvres, as well as stations. After enjoying eats like sliders, pizza and shrimp cocktail, Ashley and Matthew treated guests to stacked dessert station featuring fruit, ice cream and cupcakes from Eat Cake.
Instead of a DJ, Ashley and Matthew hired the band Men in Black to provide the soundtrack for the evening. They didn’t disappoint. Following the couple’s first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” the dance floor was packed all night long.