Friday, April 10, 2009

Jill Ortelt becomes Mrs Rob Fortunato


We LOVE this couple!!! This talented pair meticulously restored their former pond-side colonial Town Hall and companion Ice House into a welcoming home and photo studio on their own. The results are nothing short of spectacular! So much so that there was no question their intimate wedding of 8 guests should take place here!
Jill is a former professional figure skater turned lawyer currently with a prestigious Boston Firm.  Rob is an Emmy award winning director of photography, creating television programming since 1995. He works internationally -  but of late he is devoting more time to his first passion - still photography. Rob's studio was an absolutely magical setting for their exchange of vows!
Here's Stoneblossom owner Joyce Holland putting finishing touches on the ceremony florals...

Meanwhile, the family and friends have gathered in the house. Here's Jill, all done up in the perfect gown. Great shot. Love the hair flying!!!


Our pal Ben Verley - actually M. Benedicte Verley - shot all of these great photos. You know she's pretty special when the photographer groom has photographed President Clinton and Obama and he chooses MBV Photography to snag the shots!

Rob gets pinned...

Rob's Nonni giving the bouquet her blessing!

Off to the Studio. Love those glam shoes on gravel.

Buddha and candlelight hold court.

Vines and branches were harvested from the property and unsuspecting neighboring surrounds. Suspended from the studio beams - and dripping with Stoneblossom's hanging votives - they created an amazing, romantic, organic canopy.

The couple borrowed a pair of antique doors - suspended and beautifully back-lit for the ceremony spot.

Stoneblossom's bouquet stylist Naomi Garcia fashioned a classic bouquet of white posey callas and fragrant stephanotis accented with pearls.

Sweet small buckets of roses, tulips and stock with luxe ribbons detailed the chairs

Add a talented trio and we're ready to go!

How perfect is this???

Yep, it's official!

Life is good. We even have our own pond....!!!!

Let's get this party started! We switched up the studio for the cocktail hour. Guests enjoyed champagne and beautiful wine - and check out that antipasti!

The groom's grandfather, a talented artist in his own right, checks out the festivities...

Behind the scenes, up at the house, guests are in for an unforgettable spread. Affectionately known as "The Tall Guy and The Handsome Guy", personal chefs are preparing an artisanal Italian meal with great love and personal attention. John Scott and father-in-law Arnie Vecchione, with an intimate Stoneblossom connection, are busy making homemade gnocchi with fresh tomato sauce and roasted chicken to die for! The couple's well equipped kitchen provides the perfect "la famiglia" atmosphere.

Rob and Jill's farm table was set for dinner off of the kitchen. Stoneblossom made a custom runner, napkins and chair pad covers from luscious aubergine silk.

Our tablescape featured jewel tones of purple, apple green and red - with sultry frosted purple votives.



Casual kitchen bouquet
Leveled candlelight enhances our designs.

The filigreed cake by JamesKennedy of Confections, as always, was just the thing.

Jill's smile says it all! Congratulations to you both from all of your pals at Stoneblossom!!!

Event Design, Linen and Florals: Stoneblossom Floral and Event Design
Photography:  M. Benedicte Verley -  MBVphotography.com
Check out Rob's website - an amazing body of work!: www.robfortunato.com
Personal Chef's like no other: The Tall Guy and The Handsome Guy Catering - 401-808-7136

Friday, April 3, 2009

Morgan and Michael at Oceancliff


Luscious, good enough to eat color!!!! What's not to love in this
Stoneblossom classic design with it's focal point coral peony, parrot tulips, viburnum and clusters of roses. Swirled bear grass anchors the piece and our leveled candlelight add the shimmery, romantic finishing touch!

The vibrant palette reminded us one of our featured weddings - the beautiful nuptuals of Morgan and Michael at Oceancliff. Check out these "papaya" dresses and bouquets that beautifully contrast against them. This angelic flower girl had piercing blue eyes and those great corkscrew ringlets!

Love this shot from Kristen Spencer! The Bridesmaids Strut! Glama!!!

The pink, white, apricot and apple green bouquets were just right against the fashion forward dress color.
Here's the gang on the Newport shore.... Anyone ready for a cocktail?

The bride's color sense was great! The apple green favors tied with cerise ribbons made for a great pop on the place card table.

Let them eat cake!!! Congratulations you guys! We love brides that lead us on color adventures!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Lindsay and Ryan at Harbor Court

This grand spring wedding took place at Harbor Court, the Newport summer home of the New York Yacht Club. It's a grand building, set atop a major hill -providing the most impressive view of Newport Harbor and the graceful bridge that you can find! It was originally owned by Commodore John Nicholas Brown of Brown University fame.

We did lots of special detailing for this NY couple starting right at the front door with moss-covered monograms enhanced with galax leaves!

The intimate ceremony was held in "Station 10" as it's affectionately called! It was the Yacht Club's first clubhouse, built in 1845 and brought to Newport by barge not many summers ago. Isn't it a charming building?

We softened the ceremony area with fabric and suspended masses of cherry blossoms and dogwood as if floating over the Bride and Groom

This etherial Bridesmaid carries a Stoneblossom bouquet with parrot tulips, viburnum, peonies, roses and mini green hydrangea. Glama!

Lindsay's gorgeous bouquet - quintessential spring - white peonies, lilacs, parrot tulips, sweet peas and ranunculus. Heavenly! We used lace from her Mom's wedding gown to band the stems. Notice the exquisite detail work on the back of her gown....

Cocktails were served in a tent attached to the mansion's terrace. Ormonde Productions provided crystal chandeliers and Stoneblossom's marbled balustrade and topiary were a nice finishing touch!


Silver Julep cups with seasonal blooms...

Place cards were displayed on a bed of moss embedded with maidenhair ferns with a confetti of mini green cymbidium orchids. Apple blossoms and French tulips in our silver vase in the background...
A mantle in one of the dining rooms loaded with viburnum.

Large table in the family dining room with heirloom sterling candelabra!

Ryan worked for Ralph Lauren and arranged to use these gorgeous silver hurricanes. We surrounded them with white and the palest blush gifts of spring!

Crocus are starting to pop on warm days here in the Northeast. At last!!!!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Elisabeth and Michael at Eisenhower House

A gorgeous sunny summer day in Newport set the tone for a spectacular celebration for this lovely couple. Elisabeth's Stoneblossom bouquet of Blue and white Hydrangea (sooo Newport!), spray roses and delicate accents of pale blue tweedia was perfect.


Such a great shot of the beautiful Bride!

All set to tie the knot!

The handsome groom awaits at the church door....

Cymbidium orchid boutonniere - a classic choice. They hold up beautifully in the summer heat!

A kiss from Dad...

Let's go celebrate!

The festive recption was held at the Eisenhower House - an 1873 mansion on the sprawling grounds of Fort Adams Park. A long line of military officers resided here and - most notably - it was the Summer Whitehouse for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It has grand views of Newport Harbor and the Narragansett Bay.

Dinner and dancing took place in this unique tent from Sperry Tents. They are hand-sewn from sailcloth, and this pic nicely shows the unmistakable elegant look and superlative craftmenship of this illuminated oval design. Love the flags on top! They have round tents too!!!

All of the above images by Alexandria Mauck.

Monday, March 2, 2009

The Stoneblossom Lounges

Our soft furniture groupings are always the most popular seats in the house!!!
This sexy South Beach setting has terrific clean lines.

Cushy camel and chocolate leather:

Casual natural wicker for that seaside, Nantucket look:

Adding a lounge area to your wedding or special event is always a hit. We specialize in creating fabulous "environments" - from sleek trendy lounges to Bollywood extravaganzas!
Give us a call to discuss the perfect finishing touches for your special day!