Real Wedding: Amy Sheldon & Craig Forleiter
September 20, 2014
InterContinental Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
Life is full of surprises. And sometimes that surprise can happen right under your nose.
“Since we moved in, we’ve had a piggy bank (actually a green elephant) that I jokingly refer to as ‘The Ring Fund,'” explains Craig Forleiter, a surgeon doing his residency in NYC. “Any time Amy would question plans for engagement, I would refer her to the not-quite-full piggy bank.”
One Saturday, as the couple was leaving for brunch, Craig asked Amy to toss some loose change from his pocket into the ring fund. “Normally, she has to stuff the coins in since it had gotten pretty full. But on this day, all the coins clinked loudly against the empty piggy bank.”
Puzzled, Amy turned around to ask where the money went, but the answer was right in front of her. He was down on one knee.
The next issue the couple had to work on was the size of the wedding—300 guests. A wedding this size wasn’t easy to plan. With Amy’s family in Lexington, Mass., Craig’s coming from New Jersey, and a guest list in the hundreds, the obvious option was Boston and the InterContinental.
The Rose Kennedy Ballroom was transformed for the ceremony (and later the reception) with dramatic lighting and elaborate floral arrangements, while a stunning chuppah stole the show. After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with plenty of surprises, including a giant comfort food buffet and a sushi station. Instead of typical one-size-fits-all tables, the couple chose various shapes including squares, rectangles, and rounds with several different linens and table decor designs.
After a night of dinner and dancing, another sweet surprise was revealed—a long dessert buffet hidden behind curtains. It was full of assorted chocolate parfaits, fruit flavored mousses, creme brûlée in mini ceramic terrines, tiramisu in ceramic spoons, pecan squares, lemon squares, chocolate covered fruit on skewers, profiteroles, cannoli, fruit salads in martini glasses, and “chocolate truffle trees.”
Here’s a brief glimpse into the celebration of Amy and Craig.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
Spoofing the Real Housewives shows, Amy gave each gal pal a “The Real Bridesmaids of Amy and Craig’s Wedding” hoodie when she asked them to be her bridesmaid.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
Amy bought plain black suspenders at Nordstrom and then had them embroidered by a hole in the wall place in the garment district in New York as her groom’s gift to Craig.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
Channeling the groom’s and his friends’ love for Phish, his side wore socks that match the “doughnut” print Phish drummer Jon Fishman wears for every show. The couple even walked down the aisle to a Phish song–”Squirming Coil.”
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
The stunning custom-designed chuppah was created by the wedding planner, Carol Silverston, and her team.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
Given that wedding reception was Kosher, the couple had slightly limited menu choices, but that didn’t stop them from having a tasty sushi bar, complete with tuna and salmon nigiri; spicy tuna, salmon, and vegetarian maki; and seaweed salad.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
Amy chose an elegant color palette of black, cream, and gold to portray a clean and classic look for the black tie affair. The tables were contrasting shapes of square, rectangle, and round, and adorned in different linens to add movement and excitement to the Rose Kennedy Ballroom decor.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
The Almond Mocha Latte Cake, made by the InterContinental, was a rich white confection filled with coffee mocha cream and frosted with vanilla butter cream.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
A comfort food station was set up during the cocktail hours for guests to nosh on sliders, French fries, onion rings, grilled cheese and tomato soup in small ceramic cups, mini chicken pot pies, and mac and cheese.
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
“I wanted something comfortable and fun to dance in,” says Amy of her sneaker swap. “I found really cheap silver sequin high top sneakers on a dance costume website! My cousins wore similar sneakers in their dance recital.”
Photograph by Person + Killian Photography
The dance floor was a sweet retreat, with passed ice cream cones, cheesecake lollipops, and fried Oreos, but that didn’t sway guests from enjoying a giant dessert buffet.
THE FILE
Bride’s Jewelry: The bride’s own diamond stud earrings and her mom’s tennis bracelet
Cake: InterContinental Hotel
Catering: InterContinental Hotel
Music: Eye 2 Eye, Wilson Stevens Band
Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC
Florist: Carol Silverston from the Original Touch + Jodi Raphael Events
Groomswear: Hugo Boss
Hair: Jill Colwell, formerly of Stacey Frasca/Studio 28
Rings: Delage Jewelers in NYC
Wedding Planner: Carol Silverston
Invitations: No Regrets
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