Theresa + John: A Summer Wedding at Saltwater Farm Vineyard

You know the love stories that start out, “And then I knew I had met THE ONE…?” This wasn’t it! Theresa and John worked at the same company (and still do) in Washington, D.C., so knew each other through the office. “Well, we didn’t exactly like each other at first,” says Theresa. “Needless to say, a lot has changed since then!”  After not liking each other initially, they bonded during a train ride from the NY office back to DC, over lots of wine and beer. They lived in the same neighborhood, so would often grab drinks after work, and then became great friends. “We knew it was meant to be during our first trip together to Key West and Miami (a month after we started dating),” says John.

When I arrived at Saltwater Farm Vineyard, it was, well, pouring rain. There was no other way to describe it, and while Theresa and family were trying to stay positive, dreams of an outdoor ceremony in the vines were looking less and less like a possibility.

The radar looked promising for later in the afternoon, but the time to set up chairs for the ceremony was now. Enter Daly Sanford of Daly Planning! Daly re-engineered the schedule to work with the improving weather. We held the first look inside, and then did the family photos indoors as well. Couples take note: if you are worried about rain, there is no better wedding venue in southeastern CT than Saltwater Farm–they can handle rain, and those gorgeous glass walls provide the dreamiest light!

Daly’s new timeline allowed for a partial cocktail hour inside as the skies brightened and the lawn dried off. The ceremony, delayed by a little bit, was under blue skies, and then everyone returned to the merriment of cocktail hour after Theresa and John were married. Success!

John loves craft beers, and is an avid home brewer—he made a limited-release collection of two different brews for their wedding. Theresa was at the wine shop stocking up (probably on her favorite rose) in the days before the wedding and found this gem to present to John, extra special because it carries his last name.

These two absolutely love to travel and have been a lot of incredible places together, including Paris, Barcelona, the south of France, Rome, Costa Rica, all over the Caribbean and more than 10 states. “One of our favorite places to go (and perhaps our future home) is Miami, mostly for the warm weather, beautiful beach and amazing tacos,”says Theresa. These taco-loving party people have a slight obsession with Mexican and Spanish cuisines, and brought their favorite food front and center to their wedding day menu.  A Thyme to Cook  created some inventive twists on tacos: octopus tacos as an appetizer, and an entree that could be turned into a hand-held make-your-own taco. MMMM!

From pouring rain to sunshine! Good thing they provided those sunglasses for their guests!

The ceremony was spirited, creative and loving, with their own original vows. They were married by dear friends who have their own wedding this month.

Florals by Brambles & Bittersweet echoed the blue skies and green vines on this summery day. Theresa had her bouquet wrapped with fabric from her Nana’s wedding gown.

It was epic and wonderful, you two! Happy love!

xo, Anna

The Skinny

Ceremony & Reception: Saltwater Farm Vineyard 

Photographer: Anna Sawin for Anna Sawin Photography, Stonington, CT

Coordinator: Daly Sanford/Daly Planning

Floral Design: Brambles & Bittersweet

Lighting: Power Posse Productions

Caterer: A Thyme to Cook

Band: Silver Arrow Band

Dress: Anomalie