A Colorful, Creative Wedding at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts

To say Lisa Anchin (31 and a children’s book illustrator) and Ezra Selove’s (31 and a budget analyst and musician) wedding was one of a kind would be an understatement. From the illustrated stationery to the handcrafted paper-flower centerpieces and hand-stitched chuppah, every detail of this creative couple’s wedding was a perfect reflection of their playful personalities and their strong support system. The pair gathered their friends and families in Amherst, Massachusetts, for their celebration, finding the ultimate backdrop for the day in the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. “As an illustrator, I already love the Carle and appreciate the home and importance they’ve given to children’s books,” Lisa says. “In practical wedding terms, the Carle has beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces.” The evening affair kicked off with a traditional Jewish ceremony at sunset in the orchard behind the museum. The couple exchanged vows under a hand-sewn chuppah, a product of the handiwork of their families and friends, and a close friend conducted the entire ceremony. There was even a special dramatic reading from Calvin and Hobbes, complete with tiger tail and ears. The newlyweds and their guests then moved inside for the reception. The museum’s vibrant murals served as inspiration for the decor and Lisa and Ezra decked out the modern space in a spectrum of bold, bright color. “Our wedding style could only be described as handmade,” Lisa says. In addition to designing all the stationery, she made hundreds of paper flowers for the centerpieces, which were displayed alongside some of the couple’s favorite books and paper-cut illustrations made by a friend. Lisa and Ezra asked their guests to send doodles with their RSVP cards and all their illustrator friends sent artwork, prints and wedding day pieces that they used to decorate the tables. “Our friends were an integral part of our day and the music and entertainment portion of the wedding was no exception,” Lisa says. Their friends arranged an acoustic version of “I Found a Reason” by the Velvet Underground, which they played during the ceremony; for the reception they collaborated to create three distinct playlists for the cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. A tip form Lisa and Ezra: “The day goes by really fast. It's a wonderful and magical joy-bomb of a day. Take time to enjoy, and don't lose your new spouse. It's easy to get separated for long periods of time. Friends and family, with all the best intentions, pull you away to chat and offer congratulations. Bring your spouse with you! Ezra and I made sure we didn't lose track of one another, so we got to spend the entire day together. Likewise, don't worry about that one thing that isn't exactly how you wanted it to be. Don't focus on the things that could or did go wrong. You're marrying the person you love best in the world surrounded by all the important people in your life. The love and joy of the day is palpable, so dance with your new partner and enjoy every minute of it.”