Real New England Weddings


Oni Igartua & Michael Holley
July 14, 2007
At Their Home in Jamaica Plain
Photographs by Sarah Bastille

Coincidentally—or maybe not—Oni and Michael Holley’s favorite restaurant is Union Bar and Grille. After the couple met at a New Year’s Eve party—Michael, a Boston sports journalist, saw Oni walking across the room and was instantly smitten—they hit the South End boîte for their first date, their engagement, and for every milestone in between. During that time, he’s taught her about football, and she’s used her style savvy to make over their Jamaica Plain home, where their wedding was held. On the who’s-who guest list? The Pats’ Tedy Bruschi, ESPN’s Michael Smith, JAM’N 94.5 FM’s DJ Geespin (who provided tunes), pastor Gloria White Hammond (the officiant), and chef Joanne Chang (who made a cake). “We danced all night,” Oni recalls. What better way to celebrate a union? –Sascha de Gersdorff

1. Takeout containers made for fun—and portable—appetizers by Capers Catering. 2. It took Oni one day to find her fitted tulle and silk Ann Barge dress. “It was a splurge!” she admits. “But once you fall in love with a dress, you can’t turn back.” 3. After the sun set, lanterns cast a glow on the revelers. 4. Bow Street Flowers created the bouquets of roses and hypericum berries. 5. Oni wanted a traditional cake for photos, but the day wouldn’t have been complete without carrot cake made by Flour Bakery’s Joanne Chang, a dear friend. JohnnyCakes delivered the two-tiered green and white showpiece. 6. The couple’s backyard made a perfect low-key setting for the friends-and-family affair. 7. Artful presentation elevated a summer staple—fresh squeezed lemonade. 8. When he first spied Oni at a party, Michael was rendered speechless. He wisely e-mailed her later that night.


THE FILE

Makeup
Jean Bala/Bobbi Brown, Bloomingdale’s, 175 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-243-9959.

Hair

Dalle Smith/A-1 Concepts of Hair Gallery, 683 Tremont St., Boston, 617-266-8408.

Menswear
MW Tux, 8 Milk St., Boston, 617-542-4600, mwtux.com.

Planner
Kori Carter, 617-945-5159, korielizabethevents.com.

Caterer
Capers Catering, 781-279-5100, caperscatering.com.

Flowers
Bow Street Flowers, 617-492-0080, bowstreetflowers.com.

Cake
JohnnyCakes, 978-682-9500, johnnycakes.net.

Music
Jeff Robinson Trio, 617-872-0543; Geespin, 857-204-3095.