Real New England Weddings: Lauren Weitzen & Matt Anderson

Draw inspiration from this stylish local celebration.

July 25, 2009
Courageous Sailing Center,
Charlestown, Massachusetts

real new england weddings

Photograph by Claudia Kronenberg

When you ask Lauren about her wedding, one word comes up a lot. “Everything was perfect,” she says. “My dress was perfect, the flowers, perfect, the setting, perfect.” And that’s saying something, considering she and Matt tied the knot during the monsoon season that was summer 2009—on a pier in the middle of the Charlestown Navy Yard. Then again, fate has been working in the pair’s favor since they met at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Perhaps the most auspicious moment occurred during the wedding itself: As the cantor chanted the traditional seven Jewish blessings for the bride and groom, a boat with the word “seven” emblazoned on its stern cruised by. The rest of the evening—filled with laughter, tears, and a late-night candy bar—was smooth sailing. Perfect, you might say.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Claudia Kronenberg

real new england weddings

Photographs by Claudia Kronenberg

(From left, top to bottom) Lauren and Matt strolled down Commonwealth Avenue before tying the knot.

The invitations hinted at the wedding’s color theme. Matt was hesitant about hot pink, Lauren says, but the cheery color won him over.

The attendants wore Jenny Yoo dresses from Flair Bridesmaid Boutique and carried a mix of roses, orchids, and nerines.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Claudia Kronenberg

Fearing that winds would set a traditional chuppah aflight, florist John LaRoche accented a simple wooden altar with branches.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Claudia Kronenberg

Fabric “sails,” paper lanterns, and creative lighting turned the plain tent into party central.

real new england weddings

Photographs by Claudia Kronenberg

(From left) Each tier of the wedding cake was a different flavor.

A late-night candy bar kept the crowd going. “We’re huge candy people, so that was a must,” Lauren says.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Claudia Kronenberg

Simple bouquets livened up the serving tables.

real new england weddings

Photograph by Claudia Kronenberg

One décor element came free with the venue: the Boston skyline.

The File

Dress: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston, priscillaofboston.com

Makeup: Erin Pietroski, Antoine Cosmetics, antoinecosmetics.com

Hair: Teresa Ortiz, Sylvestre Franc, sylvestrefranc.com

Bridesmaids: Jenny Yoo, Flair Bridesmaid Boutique, flairbridesmaid.com.

Menswear: Ties, Brooks Brothers, brooksbrothers.com

Catering: Gourmet Caterers, gourmetcaterers.com

Flowers: BlueGuava, blueguava.com

Cake: Enchanted Wedding Cakes, enchanted weddingcakes.com