1. Real Weddings

A Classic, Romantic Wedding at the Greenwich Country Club Wedding in Greenwich, Connecticut

For their late-spring wedding, Natalie Bos (29 and a journalist) and Win Betteridge (33 and a chief marketing officer) planned a classic, romantic aff

For their late-spring wedding, Natalie Bos (29 and a journalist) and Win Betteridge (33 and a chief marketing officer) planned a classic, romantic affair with a fun, festive twist. The Greenwich, Connecticut, couple kept things local and hosted the affair at the Greenwich Country Club. The day started with a custom-designed ceremony at Stanwich Church in Greenwich. Personal anecdotes, a 10-piece orchestra and readings that included the EE Cummings poem “I Carry Your Heart With Me,” which perfectly reflected the couple’s relationship and their personalities. “I believe that having all these very personal elements at the ceremony really set the mood for our guests and made them feel the love Win and I share for each other,” Natalie says. “You could sense it all around the church, and that feeling prevailed the rest of the day and well into the night.” The newlyweds and their guests headed to the Greenwich Country Club for an unforgettable evening of dinner and dancing. The reception decor was all about classic romance, with silver candelabras casting a warm, ambient glow over each of table, while arrangements of peach, coral and cream-colored blooms like roses, peonies and hydrangeas created by Greenwich Orchids and Win’s mother infused the ballroom with energy and life. “Greenwich is magical in the spring with all the blooms painting the landscape, so that served as my inspiration for the flowers,” Natalie says. After a three-course meal of poached pear salad, beef tenderloin and swordfish, risotto cakes and roasted vegetables followed up strawberry and mascarpone cake, the much-anticipated 1980s cover band Rubix Kube kicked the party into high gear. “We wanted something different from the typical wedding band, so we both jumped on the idea of an '80s cover band,” Natalie says. “They really got everyone on the dance floor with their fun lighting and wild '80s costumes.” Props like crazy wigs, glow sticks, sunglasses, sweatbands and more went a long way with guests and got everyone into the throwback spirit. A tip from Natalie: “Don’t stress about little things or the things that are out of your control, especially weather. Everything will be fine and everyone will have a wonderful time, no matter what happens.”

For their stationery, Natalie and Win enlisted J. Papers to create formal invitations that captured the essence of their festive classic-romantic-meets-1980s bash. They selected the Glen Ellen design from Dauphine Press and customized it with a reception insert featuring metallic DeLorean, which was in tune with the style of their '80s cover band, Rubix Kube. “We also encouraged guests to bring '80s accessories or change of clothes if they wanted, to get into the spirit of the music on the dance floor,” Natalie says.
For her "something borrowed," Natalie borrowed jewelry from Win’s family's jewelry store, Betteridge. She selected a pair of diamond Tiara Feather earrings by Verdura and a vintage art deco diamond bracelet by Mauboussin for a mix of something old and something new. The pieces had a subtle glam feel to her otherwise classic bridal look.
Bright Pink Peony and Stock Bouquet
When it came to her bridesmaids, Natalie knew she wanted a color that would look good on everyone, while also matching her bouquet of blush and cream-colored blooms. She chose an airy chiffon design by Donna Morgan in a soft-blush pink hue and allowed each woman to choose the style that best suited her taste.
“I knew the kind of dresses I did not want, and narrowed it down from there,” Natalie says of her search for the perfect wedding dress. “Lace was always a front-runner, and when I found one that also had the other elements I was looking for, I knew it was the one.” She chose an elegant Alvina Valenta design in a mermaid-style silhouette for the affair, the gown boasting allover lace and a deep V-neckline that gave the dress a modern edge. For the ceremony she added a cathedral-length veil with lace trim that matched her dress. “I’m a traditional at heart,” Natalie says.
Stanwich Church Wedding Ceremony
Pink Peony Aisle Arrangements
Classic Stanwich Church Ceremony Programs
The day started with a custom-designed ceremony at Stanwich Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. Personal anecdotes, a 10-piece orchestra and readings that included the EE Cummings poem “I Carry Your Heart with Me” reflected the couple’s relationship and personalities.
For their ceremony, the couple worked with Greenwich Orchids to bring the beauty of the outdoors in. “Greenwich is magical in the spring, with the blossoms painting the landscape, so that served as my inspiration for the flowers,” Natalie says. The church’s aisle was lined with bright bunches of coral charm peonies, and striking arrangements of pink cherry blossoms infused the ceremony altar with vibrancy and life. “It was an incredible site to behold when I entered the church to walk down the aisle,” Natalie says.
Calligraphed Movie Ticket Escort Cards
The reception was all about timeless romance and the couple worked with their florists at Greenwich Orchids and their planner Lea Ann Miller to infuse the elegant ballroom with a warm, ambient and intimate vibe. Greenwich Orchids created lush arrangements of fragrant pink blooms, including peonies, sweet peas, clematis, hydrangeas and roses for each of the tables, surrounding them with ivory taper candles displayed in silver candelabras.
While '80s cover band Rubix Kube was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, the menu was also a big hit with guests. Wine, champagne and cocktails flowed as guests mixed, mingled and nibbled on inspired hors d’oeuvres like artichoke bruschetta, white truffle risotto balls, mini burgers and shrimp dumplings. Dinner was a three-course affair, with Greenwich Country Club serving a mouthwatering progression of poached pear salad, grilled beef tenderloin, swordfish and sides like wild mushroom risotto cakes and roasted baby vegetables. For dessert, each guest was served strawberry and mascarpone cake.
After dinner, the much-anticipated 1980s cover band Rubix Kube took the stage, kicking the party into high gear. “We wanted something different from the typical wedding band, so we both jumped on the idea of an '80s cover band,” Natalie says. “They really got everyone on the dance floor with their fun lighting and wild '80s costumes.” Props like crazy wigs, glow sticks, sunglasses, sweatbands and more went a long way with guests and got everyone into the throwback spirit.
Playful 1980s-Inspired Reception Props