Joey Pakes & Prentiss Nelson

November 29, 2014
Adolphus Busch Hall and Harvard Art Museums
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Photography by Melissa Robotti

Last July, Prentiss and Joey spent a week in Montana fly-fishing and exploring Yellowstone together. They won a cabin stay from an auction supporting Ecology Project International, an organization that promotes conservation education for local children in Montana and several Central and South American campuses. As a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University, supporting this organization was a mission close to Joey’s heart. Little did she know, Prentiss’s own heart-felt mission was soon be revealed.

Prentiss proposed one day after a long hike up Specimen Ridge overlooking the Lamar Valley. They made several stops at hot springs and vistas on the way back out of the park, and by the time they neared the cabin it was dark. To Joey’s surprise, Prentiss had another stop planned, kneeling down next to the river. That night, under the fireworks, he proposed.

Those fireworks continued as the couple excitedly began to plan their special day.

“We knew that we wanted to be married in the fall among our family and close friends in a place that felt intimate, familiar, and exciting,” says Joey about their Cambridge wedding location choice.

Joey’s family lives a mile from Harvard Square, so the bustling neighborhood and the Harvard campus itself were familiar. In fact, her mother used to visit the Harvard Museums in the days when she was still dating Joey’s father.

“We also wanted our loved ones to be included and welcomed into the ceremony and festivities that surrounded our marriage.” Joey’s brother officiated, close friends and family read and played music, and there was a joyful processional through Cambridge led by Prentiss’ former roommate George and his bagpipes.

Here’s a peak into this newlywed couple’s celebration.

Photography by Melissa Robotti

Joey’s Badgley Mischka was a beaded gown with an illusion neckline, key hole back, and tulle bottom. “It felt like it fit the space and was fun to wear,” she says. “The seamstress was amazing and made a bustle, so the train fit up under it.”

Photography by Melissa Robotti

Above, a first look moment outside of the Charles Hotel. Joey’s vintage stole was pulling double duty as her ‘something borrowed’ and ‘something old,’ while Prentiss’ midnight blue tuxedo was the pinnacle of modern day style.

“He wasn’t allowed in the museums unfortunately,” says Joey. But that didn’t stop Oban, the Tibetan Terrier, from hanging out in the Charles Hotel as she and her girlfriends got ready. Then they met their furry friend in the courtyard for picture time.

Photography by Melissa Robotti

George Economou, Prentiss’s former roommate at the Naval Academy, led the procession from ceremony to reception with his bagpipes. 

Photography by Melissa Robotti

The couple let the cake’s flavor do all the talking, with a decadent carrot cake and very simple cream cheese frosting from The Catered Affair.

Photography by Melissa Robotti

“Rosemary is traditionally for remembrance, so we had in dishes, cocktails, and arrangements to remind us those who we lost before us,” explains Joey.

THE FILE
Venue – Adolphus Busch Hall for wedding, Harvard Art Museums for reception
Florist – Kate Cook and Benjamin Newbold, Winston Flowers of Boston
Band – Young Love and the Thrills
Earrings – Alexis Bittar
Invitations – Paper Source on Boylston
Cake – The Catered Affair with flowers from Winston Flowers of Boston
Wedding Planner – Bryanne Pepin, The Catered Affair
Gown – Badgley Mischka from Mussette Bridal
Groom’s Tuxedo – Beckett & Robb of San Francisco

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