Real New England Wedding: Nicole Sousa & Eric Silva

September 6, 2014
Fall River Country Club
Fall River, Massachusetts

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

When they met their first day of college on September 6, 2006, Nicole Sousa and Eric Silva probably didn’t realize that exactly eight years later to the day, they would take their vows as husband and wife.

But these sweethearts did know one thing—when the big day did finally come, they wanted their pasts to play a part in the celebration.

“We wanted an intimate classy wedding,” says Nicole. “We wanted our family and friends to celebrate our love for one another with great food, music, and plenty of desserts! Most importantly, we wanted our hometowns to be represented.”

So the couple chose their current home, Westport, for the ceremony at Saint George’s Church, Eric’s hometown of New Bedford for wedding photos, and Fall River, where the bride grew up, for the reception.

For decor, they chose to keep it traditional. There was no returning to their photo album with any shoulda-coulda-woulda for this couple. “We wanted to be able to look back at our wedding 10 years from now and not regret our style decisions,” explains Nicole. They decided on a timeless wedding palette incorporating neutrals with pops of fuschia, a classic Rolls Royce car, plenty of bridal bling, and an overall simple style.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

Feeding her love of bling, Nicole picked out broaches to match the Swarovski crystal and pearls on her gown and had her florist embed them into her bouquet.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

Nicole’s cousin and flower girl Morgan Machado held a kissing ball for her walk down the aisle instead of a traditional bouquet or throwing rose petals.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

The two large floral arrangements at the altar sat behind the couple’s sweetheart table at the reception. The chains had crystal accents similar to a chandelier that were repeated throughout the high floral arrangements on the reception tables.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

“I love Rolls Royces,” says the bride. “It’s a classic car that never goes out of style.” This beauty brought the bride and her father to the church, returned with the newly married couple to New Bedford for pictures, and then traveled on to the reception.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

To avoid crowding their sweetheart table, the couple asked the Mr. and Mrs. signs be hung off of their chairs.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

DJ Brendan created this custom monogram for the couple’s dance floor.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

The simple palette was fun yet elegant, with fuschia roses, white hydrangeas, and lime green spider flowers, an ivory swirl overlay over long ivory tablecloths, gold charger plates to accent the gold chandeliers and Chiavari chairs, and fuschia napkins.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

Before the couple got engaged, they would often pick up a box of Konditor Meister pastries for picnic dates. So a wedding cake from their favorite baker was a no-brainer. They chose flavors of Strawberry Grand Marnier and Pina Colada. 

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

Guests left with caramel and chocolate covered apples that doubled as their table seating cards. “Our favorite part of fall is candy apples, and we thought this was a good way to incorporate it into our wedding,” says Nicole.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

The cake sat next to a table of cream puffs, mini cheesecakes, tiramisu cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, éclairs, assorted tarts, chocolate covered strawberries, and coconut cake.

Photograph by ImageMaker Photographic Artists

The couple took photos in front of the Taunton River for the perfect sunset show.

THE FILE

Cake:  Konditor Meister in Braintree

Catering: Fall River Country Club

Music:  B-Sharp Entertainment in Taunton

Gown and jewelry:  Alexandra’s Boutique in Fall River

Bride’s shoes: Shoe Box in Fall River

Florist: Ray’s Flower Shop in Fall River

Groomswear: Slade Formal in North Dartmouth

Hair: First Impressions Hair Design in Fall River

Wedding Rings: Hannoush in North Dartmouth

Invitations: The Happy Frog Copy Center in East Bridgewater

Photographer: Imagemakers Photographic Artists in New Bedford

Rentals: Felicia’s Perfect Setting in Fall River

Favors: Dorothy Cox in Fairhaven

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