1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Fall Wedding at the Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, New Hampshire

On a crisp October day at the Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, NH, Sarah Hamson (28 and a speech language pathologist) and Sean Conlon (28 and a busine

On a crisp October day at the Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, NH, Sarah Hamson (28 and a speech language pathologist) and Sean Conlon (28 and a business development coordinator) gathered their closest family members and friends to celebrate their nuptials. Having met at the University of New Hampshire, the pair knew the Granite State would be the perfect place to tie the knot, especially in the fall season when the area’s lush forests would be alight with vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow. To highlight the autumn season and Bedford’s beautiful natural landscape, the pair chose a color palette rich in burgundy, gold and peach hues, lush brightly colored blooms and a rustic, French-country theme for the day. The couple exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony on the Bedford Village Inn’s lawn, the fall foliage and abundance of brightly colored mums, pumpkins and seasonal plantings providing a striking backdrop for the affair. The newlyweds and their guests then headed into the inn for a night of celebrating. “What I loved most about this venue was it felt cozy, romantic and homey,” says Sarah. “It was the perfect venue for us.” Signature drinks like a Manhattan and apple cider sangria, a nod to the season, were served during cocktail hour, alongside decadent hors d’oeuvres like beef wellington, bacon-wrapped scallops, lobster mac and cheese and pot stickers. Gilded pinecone escort cards and the centerpieces’ tree trunk slice bases infused the elegant dining room with woodland charm, while silvery lanterns added plenty of warm, ambient light.

Classic Autumnal Rose and Lily Bouquet
Though Sarah and Sean met during college at the University of New Hampshire, it wasn’t until years later that the two finally got together. “We were acquaintances, but little did we know we both had secret crushes on one another!” says Sarah. The two reconnected through social media after Sean caught wind that Sarah was coming back to New Hampshire after finishing a master’s degree in New York. Sean worked up the courage to ask Sarah out on a date and the two quickly hit it off. Nine months later he proposed, presenting Sarah with a classic diamond solitaire engagement ring. “He chose a romantic location that was meaningful to both of us,” says Sarah. “He always told me he fell in love with me while we were on a whale watch on Boston Harbor, so it was only fitting that we returned there for our engagement.”
When Sarah headed to Madeleine’s Daughter in Portsmouth, NH to find her wedding dress, she already had a classic, lace design in mind. She fell for an A-line style with a soft ivory underlay, delicate lace and a sweetheart neckline, to which she added a crystal-embellished sash. “I look forward to it passing down to future family members to use one day,” says Sarah.
Miniature Chalkboard Escort Cards
Rustic Silver Lantern Centerpieces
Personalized Wedding Favor Gift Boxes
The wedding’s decor was all about capturing the beauty of the fall season. The elegant dining room at the Bedford Village Inn was filled with a spectrum of autumnal hues, like gold, red, burgundy and peach, with rustic accents incorporated throughout, like gold pinecone escort cards and tree trunk slices.
The Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, NH had a distinct New England charm and cozy feel that instantly won Sarah and Sean over. The venue’s palette of warm colors and abundant fall foliage offered the ultimate backdrop for the couple’s outdoor ceremony, while the elegant dining room with it’s rich wood paneling, exposed beams and cathedral ceilings made for a warm, inviting setting for the reception.
Intimate Outdoor Ceremony At Bedford Village Inn
Drawing on the season for inspiration, Anne’s Florals & Gifts created striking arrangements filled with rich autumnal hues for the bouquets and boutonnieres. While Sarah’s bouquet had a classic feel with blush roses and ivory calla lilies, the bridesmaids’ bouquets featured a fresh mix of playful blooms like dahlias, Gerbera daisies, roses and hypericum in shades of fiery orange, deep burgundy and playful peach.
For their wedding party’s attire, Sarah and Sean wanted a classic, semi-formal look that captured the day’s autumnal feel. The bridesmaids donned floor-length A-line gowns with strapless, v-shaped and one-shoulder necklines in a bright shade of burgundy, while the groomsmen wore classic charcoal gray suits with burgundy calla lily boutonnieres to complement the girls.
Bedford Village Inn First Dance
After the couple said their “I do’s” against a backdrop of colorful fall foliage, the newlyweds and their guests headed into the Bedford Village Inn for a night of celebrating. Signature drinks like a Manhattan and apple cider sangria, a nod to the season, were served during cocktail hour, alongside decadent hors d’oeuvres like beef wellington, bacon-wrapped scallops, lobster mac and cheese and pot stickers.