1. Real Weddings

A Glamorous Modern Wedding at The Ritz-Carlton in Boston, Massachusetts

After meeting at the University of New Hampshire and dating for three years, Laura DiVasta (27, an insurance professional) and Joseph Calvo (28, a fin

After meeting at the University of New Hampshire and dating for three years, Laura DiVasta (27, an insurance professional) and Joseph Calvo (28, a finance professional) got engaged in Boston, Massachusetts, along the harbor, inspiring their future wedding location.“Our ceremony and reception were at The Ritz-Carlton in Boston,” says Laura. “We really wanted a city wedding and Boston was perfect, since as a couple we spend a lot of time here and most of our family lives locally. We wanted a more modern feel, which was difficult to find in such a historic place. Luckily we fell in love with the Ritz, which had a beautiful and updated ballroom overlooking the Common, a funky art collection throughout the hotel, fantastic service and beautiful guest rooms. It was the perfect place for us.”Since they wanted a modern city vibe for their wedding, Joseph and Laura decided on colors to complement their gorgeous venue.“I loved the idea of a black and white city wedding, but wanted a little bit of pop so we added purple and silver accents as well,” Laura says. “Lighting was very important to us, so we made sure to get plenty of up lights, pin lighting and dance floor lights. It really added to the vibe of the wedding. We had a mix of round and rectangle tables covered in mostly silver linens and silver Chiavari chairs. We decided to have the parents table as well as our sweetheart table stand out with royal purple linens. We had high and low centerpieces with a mix of white flowers including hydrangeas, English Garden, Tibet and Vendella Roses and freesia. Our place card table was basically a deconstructed version of our centerpieces, which I thought turned out unique and gorgeous.”Laura and Joseph – both self-proclaimed food lovers -- served bacon-wrapped scallops, cold Maine lobster salad on cucumber discs and passed Beef Wellington during cocktail hour, and for their seated dinner, poached pear salad and a choice of filet, seared scallops or organic chicken breast was on the menu. For dessert, their beautiful four-tier cake was topped with a monogrammed cake topper and had alternating layers: dark chocolate with caramel fudge filling and classic white cake with chocolate mousse filling.A midnight buffet was also served, and guests feasted on fun finger foods like lobster rolls, cheeseburger sliders, buffalo chicken sliders and French fries.“We also brought some of our Italian heritage into our favors, giving out the 5 Jordan almonds with a thank you tag that read, ‘Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat, to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet; five wishes for the new husband and wife; health, wealth, happiness, children and long life!’ Our grandparents gave out Jordan almonds at their weddings so it only felt right to continue the tradition,” Laura says.

Laura's elegant, sparkly Tacori diamond engagement ring and stunning diamond and silver wedding band complements Joseph's simple silver Tacori wedding band perfectly. So classic and gorgeous!
Keeping with the black, white and purple tones in Laura and Joseph's wedding colors, their wedding invitations had the same color scheme with elegant and whimsical calligraphy.
"I knew I wanted a glamorous type of dress, but I didn't want it too flashy," Laura says. "I tried on every cut and style imaginable just in case, since I'm known to be pretty indecisive. I ended up falling in love with a Romona Keveza drop waist mermaid lace gown. It had a gorgeous sweetheart neckline, shimmery bodice and tulle bottom."
Laura carried a beautiful bouquet of white, cream and blush-colored roses with greenery down the aisle. And to actually get down the aisle, she wore a pair of fabulous black Christian Louboutin heels, which she described as her "favorite accessory."
Laura and her six bridesmaids toasted with mimosas before the wedding, with Laura wearing a white and black satin robe and her ladies wearing their sophisticated black chiffon Watters bridesmaid dresses.
Black and White Groom and Groomsmen Photo
Joseph and Laura's ceremony was just as chic as their reception, with a white aisle runner flanked by high and low clear glass candle holders.
Bride and Groom in Downtown Boston
Brides and Bridesmaids Outdoors Photo
Laura and Joseph's escort table was similar to their place settings, since it had high and low white floral arrangements with tea candles and classic white escort cards sitting on it.
Elegant Table Setting With Purple Uplighting
Laura and Joseph's table settings were classic and elegant, with white place settings, high and low white floral arrangements and black and white table numbers with elegant calligraphy.
The bride and groom's circular sweetheart table was covered in sumptuous royal purple linens and eye-catching white and purple florals in small and large arrangements.
Laura and Joseph's cake pulled out all the glamorous and delicious stops, from a glittering monogrammed cake topper to two alternating layers of dark chocolate with caramel fudge filling and classic white cake with chocolate mousse filling.