Pam Selvarajah & Joe Rutkowski


September 28, 2013
La Belle Winery
Amherst, New Hampshire

real new england weddings

Photographs by Kate Preftakes Photography

Pam Selvarajah and Joe Rutkowski always had the scales tipped in their favor. The pair met on their first day of law school at Boston University and connected immediately. “Even the first day when she came into the room, I remember thinking how beautiful she was, and how I would make it a point to get to know her a little better,” Joe explains. “He was the smart kid in class, and I liked that,” Pam says of Joe. The two spent the next three years studying and spending time together, getting engaged after they took the bar exam in 2012. “We figured if we were able to get through studying for the bar together, we would be able to get married and face anything together for the rest of our lives,” Joe says.

For their wedding day, the couple knew they wanted to showcase New England’s autumnal beauty, booking La Belle Winery, with its 11 rolling acres, before construction was even completed on the event space. “We sort of took a chance with it,” Pam says. “We liked the whole feel of the place. It was very elegant.” The gamble paid off, with a rustic ceremony on the grounds and a fabulous celebration inside, where guests were able to taste the wine made on the premises—the perfect way to toast the bride and groom on their big day.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

In lieu of a guest book, Joe’s mom drew a tree where friends and family could leave their thumbprints and signatures. “We have it hanging on the wall in our apartment now, and we thought that was a lot more personal,” Joe says.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

Pam’s delicate bridal bouquet included calla lilies, cymbidium orchids, and succulents.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

In keeping with the green and white color scheme, the pair chose a wedding cake accented with orchids and elegant ribbon. 

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

Pam and Joe posed for a photo among the grape vines.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

Pam honored her parents’ Sri Lankan heritage with a traditional Tamil lamp-lighting ceremony.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

The couple glued corks onto thin wooden letters to make a creative display of their initials. 

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

Pam scoured stores and websites to find heels in her wedding color; these Badgley Mischka stunners fit the bill. 

real new england weddings

Photograph by Kate Preftakes Photography

Guests in colorful saris brightened up the dance floor.

THE FILE

Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew
Ceremony Music/DJ: C-Zone Entertainment
Florist: Erica Gregory, Lilac & Lily Floral Design and Event Styling
Gown: Jim Hjelm, Kleinfeld
Makeup: Aidan James Salon
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse
Wedding Cake: Jacques Fine European Pastries

 

 For additional inspiration, check out more Real New England Weddings.

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