Just down the street from the Equinox Resort is the Inn at Manchester, which served as the perfect backdrop for Megan and Christian’s getting-ready moments, cocktail hour, and reception. Megan and her bridesmaids spent the morning being pampered by the team of Make Me Fab while enjoying champagne and mimosas in the Inn’s bridal suite, while Christian and his crew hung out in the main Inn and Carriage House. 

Before heading out to St. Paul’s Church for the ceremony, Megan and Paul spent a few quiet moments together for their first look.

Over at St. Paul’s Church, Monsignor Bob (affectionately called “Father Bob”) was the priest who performed Christian and Megan’s wedding ceremony and is from their hometown of Newtown, CT. 

He is also the priest who performed every funeral for those who were killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012.  Father Bob had reached the mandatory retirement age in the Catholic church and was supposed to retire from the priesthood a couple of years ago, but was granted an extension to allow him to delay his retirement so that he could perform the 10th anniversary of mass of Sandy Hook.  Because of this, his retirement was scheduled for early 2024, and Megan and Christian’s wedding was one of the last that he performed before his retirement. 

After the ceremony, school buses shuttled both the wedding party and guests back to the Inn at Manchester for an unforgettable evening of celebration!

A Wedding Reception Filled To The Brim With Sweet Details

Megan and Christian hosted their cocktail hour outside the charming Inn at Manchester’s Event Barn, complete with live music from the talented East Coast Soul and bespoke signature cocktails that were savored by guests. 

While guests said both were delicious, the Cucumber Margarita was a huge hit.  So much in fact, that Megan and Christian’s wedding planners, The Event Sisters,  ended up having to send someone to the grocery store to buy out all of the cucumbers, and one of the Inn’s managers just about killed their juicer trying to keep up with the demand for cucumber juice to make the drink’s simple syrup – ensuring there was never a lapse in guests getting their margaritas!  

The Event Barn’s interior underwent a remarkable transformation courtesy of The Event Sisters, The Linen Shop, Rain or Shine Tent and Event Co, and Megan’s Pinterest-worthy vision. Meghan had sourced mixed water glasses (clear and amber) to coordinate with the other glassware and votive candle holders, pulling in clear crystal and burnt amber glass colors across the tables.  These with the rich brown chargers gave the tables a warm and elegant feel to the table top decor.  Megan really thought through all of the details and made sure everything was elegant and beautiful in her planning! All of this, along with tasteful bistro lighting and sheer drapes, lent a magical ambiance to the occasion.

After Megan and Christian kicked things off with their first dance, the couple did a special grandparents’ dance – Christian with his grandmother and Megan with her grandfather – before their parent dances and officially opening the dance floor. (There was not a dry eye in sight!)

B&W Catering dished up delicious dishes to fuel guests for an evening of dancing, while Christian’s mom provided some desserts and Jenica of Fancy Pants Cakes created a beautiful 3-tiered cake that mimicked a birchwood tree, complete with carved initials.

For anyone looking for something extra to do, a photobooth by Equinox Photobooth was perfectly placed so that guests could get their picture taken while waiting in line for the bar. After the reception, remaining guests walked across the street to Mulligans to continue the celebration late into the night for the couple’s after-party. Congratulations, Megan and Christian, on your special wedding weekend!