MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS

REAL

MARTHA STEWART

SPECIAL ISSUE

REAL WEDDINGS SPRING 2015

10

MOMENTS

YOULL NEVER
FORGET
AS SOON AS YOU SAY
I DO

TALES OF DIY
LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR
OWN WEDDING INVITATIONS
Page 312
MOTHER OF THE GROOM:
WHAT TO WEAR ON
THAT SPECIAL DAY
Page 411

Stationery Designed by Cara ledwidge

pressedwithlove.com

2015

Pressed With Love

REAL WEDDINGS:
MEET ALLY & ADAM AND
LEARN ABOUT THEIR UTAH
NUPTIALS
Page 121
REAL WEDDINGS SPRING 2015
marthastewartweddings.com

CELEBRATIONS
ALLY & ADAM

THE FASHIONS
The bride wore a Monique Lhuillier gown (from Alta Moda bridal
salon) and Jimmy Choo heels. I procrastinated, but it was the first
dress I tried on, Ally admits. I love shoes and would spend all the
money I had on them if I could. I chose a pair that I could walk in on
grass and wear post-wedding. Adam donned an all grey, D-squared
suit complete with a tie clip and a white pocket square, all from
Nordstrom.

Gathering inspiration from a

tradtional Vietnamese tea ceremony as well
as the rocky formations of the nearby mountains, learn how this couple combined nature
and culture in their spectacular backyard nuptials at the grooms Utah family home.
Text By: Cara Ledwidge
Photography By: Leo Patrone

marthastewartweddings.com

CELEBRATIONS

ALLY & ADAM

Allyson Nguyen, a relationship manager at an investment firm, met Adam Lyle, a medical
student, on a night out in 2007 with coworkers from the investment firm they both originally worked at. They became fast friends and stayed in touch even after Ally moved to
Boston for work and school three years after. However, once Ally took the lead by inviting
Adam to visit her in Massachusetts, the pair found the friends zone a tricky status to
maintain and decided to give love a chance albeit, the long-distance kind.
Ally and Adam dated for the next three years, and while on vacation to Kauai, Hawaii in
April 2013 with their friends, the group took a walk along the beach after a long day exploring. Ally sensed something was off when Adam ran ahead instead of strolling beside
her to take in the ocean views. Suspicious, Ally then picked up on other unusual clues, like
one pals abnormally large backpack, and his too perfect, paparazzi-styled shooting as she
and Adam approached a picturesque scene.
Ally posed for a shot but couldnt get Adam to stop and smile for the camera. Instead, he
was whispering, I love you more than anything in the world, and then created the truly
picture perfect moment by dropping to one knee. Not knowing he was about to propose,
Ally dropped down, too. Then, the gig was up! Their friends pulled out glasses and champagne, and according to Ally, the celebrations have continued ever since.

1.

The duo married in Holladay, Utah, on May 24, 2014, at Adams parents home where he
grew up, a place where no other wedding venues could compare, Ally says. Their day
encompassed an organic, earthy theme, accented by rocks and ferns, mimicking the states
landscape and the terrain of the nearby Rocky Mountains.
2.
1. FASHIONABLE FINISHES: The bride accessorized with an Erin
Cole belt and her mothers earrings.
2. THE BRIDAL BOUQUET: Ally wanted a large bouquet with lots
of greenery which she got thanks to Sarah Winwards grouping of
ferns and peonies.
3. VEILED IN NATURE: Sarah Winward also made a flower comb
of roses and ferns for the brides hair and attached it to her floorlength veil. The accessory was a gift from Allys best friend.

3.
marthastewartweddings.com

marthastewartweddings.com

CELEBRATIONS

ALLY & ADAM

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

The ceremony was held at Adams parents
home. It was intimate, says the bride. No one
else has married here before, and there are so
many memories built in this beautiful place.

1.

4.

2.
3.

1.FLOWER GIRLS: The girls, in J. Crew frocks and Old Navy shoes, held
small wooden bowls filled with flower petals to toss.
2. THE LADIES: The bridal party consisted of Allys two sisters and best
friends, all in Jenny Yoo dresses in a variety of shades. Allys sisters wore pale pink gowns, while her best friends wore deep lavender.
Each of the bridesmaids held smaller versions of Allys bouquet.
3. THE GENTLEMEN: The groomsmen, all grade-school pals of the groom, wore their own suits with matching Hugo Boss grey silk
ties, while Adam rocked a grey suit and brown shoes.
4. TRUE ROCKSTAR: The ring bearer, their nephew, carried the bands tied together with a ribbon around one of the many rocks used
throughout the wedding.

marthastewartweddings.com

THE CEREMONY

2.
3.

1.
1. THE STATIONERY
Antiquaria, an online design studio, created the wedding
invitations. The suite featured earthy colored ink and a floral motif that complemented the weddings rock and floral
decor.
2. THE BOUTONNIERES
The guys sported boutonnieres made of sprigs of daisies.
3.ROCKS, ROCKS, EVERYWHERE
Ally and Adam forewent the traditional escort card and
instead opted to use rocks with each guests name and
seating assignment calligraphed on top by Juliette Lanvers.
The guests took the stones home at the end of the night as
a keepsake.

marthastewartweddings.com

We wanted our ceremony to be short and

sweet and for our friends
to have fun in a relaxing
environment, Ally says.
The couple recited selfpenned vows and asked
Professor Jeff Metcalf,
a family friend, to officiate. Even amidst a
microphone malfunction
during the ceremony,
Ally still calls it a perfect
day. We felt so elated
and grateful, she says.

CELEBRATIONS

ALLY & ADAM

THE CAKE
The simple threetiered, vanilla bean,
lemon, and mocha
flavored cake was a
creation brought to life
by the Pago restaurant
pastry chef. A combination of TK ferns and
TK flowers decorated
the cake and carried
the theme to the very
end of the night.

THE MENU
With the help of the couples favorite restaurant owner, Scott Evans, the food at the reception was
served family style. The meal began with a watermelon salad, followed by gnocchi, chicken roulade, and steak. We love the farm-to-table concept, Ally says. Adam and I are obsessed with
food and chose dishes with a Spanish influence, like the countrys sparkling wine, Cava. A bottle
of bubbly was on each table.
marthastewartweddings.com

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ALLY AND ADAMS

ROCKY COMMENTARY
No other wedding venues could compare.
ALLY, ON WHAT SHE LEARNED WHEN CHOOSING THE WEDDING VEUNUE

By the
Numbers
2
Allyson
Nguyen &
Adam Lyle

3
Friends with
them when he
proposed in
Hawaii

150
Guests made up
of loved ones,
family and friends
of the couple

AT LAST
The couple danced for
the first time as Mr. and
Mrs. to At Last, originally by Etta James.

200
Rocks used by the
couple at the wedding, ranging from
tiny to huge

1
New life to live
together in their
new home

3:30
The start time to
their nuptials and
the festivities that
followed

4
Loving parents who
made this possible

THEIR PLAYLIST
PROCESSIONAL
Ally and Adam had a large variety of
music to play at their wedding. The
wedding planner designated an organ
to play as she walked down the aisle.
RECESSIONAL
The couple walked down the aisle to
the same organ player.
ADAMS MOST
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Ally and Adam dated for the three
years, and while on vacation to Kauai, Hawaii in April 2013 with their
friends, the group took a walk along
the beach after a long day exploring.
This is where he decided to propose.

THE LOGISTICS
THE ACCOMODATIONS
The guests stayed at the couples
favorite hotel alongside the area in
which they wed, at Adams parents
home.

THE REHEARSAL DINNER

This dinner was held at the couples favorite restaurant in utah,
sharing a taste of the food that was
to come for the celebration. paga
catered everything for the couple
for the entire weekend.

THE NEXT DAY

BRUNCH
The brunch was held in the morning following the festivities for
the guests in Allys now-in-laws
home. They enjoyed themselves
while saying thank you to friends.

thoughtful touches

HONEYMOON DISPATCH

Rwere used in every part of the ceremony from holding

the rings to plating food to event place settings for the
guests as they arrived. The couple plan to use these rocks
for their garden in their home in upstate Utah, not too
far from where their parents reside.

The couple plan on honeymooning together in a

location that they would not disclose to this magazine. However, we do know that they did not directly head to the honeymoon after the wedding, and
plan to honeymoon over the summer.

SOURCES
Photography: Leo Patrone Photography Event Design and Planning: Michelle Leo Events Catering and Cake: Pago Flowers: Sarah
Winward, Sarah Winward Floral Videography: Nate Pickett Films Stationery: Antiquaria Calligrapher: Juliette Lanvers, Chickpea
Sewing Studio Entertainment: Joe Muscolino Band Rentals: Diamond Rental Hair and Makeup: Kristen Packard, Makeup Artist

marthastewartweddings.com

make sure you stand out on your day

choose Clinique

SPECIAL FEATURE
ALLY & ADAM

A VIETNAMESE TEA CEREMONY

THE TEA CEREMONY
Six months after the
engagement, on Thanksgiving, November 28,
2013, the pair joined their
families for a traditional
tea ceremony to honor
the Vietnamese custom of
formally asking ones parents to grant permission
and blessings to marry.

Six months after the engagement,

on Thanksgiving, November 28,
2013, the pair joined their families
for a traditional tea ceremony to
honor the Vietnamese custom of
formally asking ones parents to
grant permission and blessings to
marry.
Text By: Cara Ledwidge
Photos By: Leo Patrone

marthastewartweddings.com

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SPECIAL FEATURE
ALLY & ADAM

SWEET TREAT:

Ally chose to color the tea ceremony (and her two-tier fondant cake) in
red and gold because those shades represent good luck, wealth, and
happiness in Vietnamese culture.

2.

1.

3.

1. UNIQUE THREADS: Both mothers wore Vietnamese traditional silk dresses called Ao Dai, while Adam sported the
male version, all custom-made in Vietnam for the occasion.
2. SENTIMENTAL TOUCHES: The couple served their parents and future in-laws tea to show thanks for raising and loving the two of them.
3.FOR KEEPS: During the tea ceremony, it is traditional for the mother-in-law to gift her future daughter-in-law
something special. Adams mother gave Ally a keepsake necklace.
marthastewartweddings.com

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be unforgettable

Say Hello
to the

MACARON
see page 20 for more

ledwidge photography

For documenting the best day of your life

Call 860-867-5309
ledwidgephotography.com
@ledwidgephotography

21

GOOD THINGS

GOOD THINGS

ALLY & ADAM

ALLY & ADAM

A LOOK AT THE NEXT SWEET TREAT: MACARONS

TREND WATCH: 2010

In honor of NYCs 6th annual celebration,

heres a look at how far the petit sandwich has come.

Nine years later, we predicted that serving macarons in au

courant varieties such as chocolate-lavender and cassis-blackberry would be a surefire way to wow wedding guests and
dubbed them, this years cupcakes! Youll be very pleased
to present the next big thing before it becomes mainstream,
we advised.

beloved and bite-sized:

meet the macaron
More than a decade ago, the French delicacy caught
the eyes of our brides, and today the macaron knows
no borders, matching the brightest palettes (Electrifying lime green? No problem) and taking on the
most complex of flavors (lavender-raspberry-rose is
just the beginning) all while maintaining an unintimidating, yet decidedly stylish, flare. The meringue
cookie, filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam, may
be simple in form, but it packs a delicious and unforgettable punch for all of your guests, family & friends.
NEON CAN BE TASTY, TOO
Fluorescent hues provide a statement-making moment for these big-day treats from Danas Bakery.

As
a goto
for a
Frenchthemed baby
shower.

HOMESPUN GOODS
Bride Lana hand-decorated macarons from Tees
and Cakes for the dessert table at her DIY outdoor
wedding. Prepare this delectable treat yourself for
less than 25 cents a pop. Choose one version or a
mix, and personalize it for your own celebration.

This years
cupcakes!
-Martha
FROM DESSERT DELIGHT
TO HORS DOEUVRE
Our savory take on a traditionally sugary treat
combines sesame seed-spiked batter with a center
of smoked salmon, shallots, and crme frache.
marthastewartweddings.com

HOW-TO: A TOUCH OF COLOR

#TBT: As early as Fall 2001, we featured macarons as a go-to
for the French-themed baby shower. One year later, Martha
featured step-by-step techniques for dying macaron batter:
To make more than one color, divide the egg white mixture
into separate bowls, tint as desired, and then fold into the
almond-flour mixture.
marthastewartweddings.com

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