Your name: Natalie Tuminello

Husband’s name: Pitman Hesterly

Wedding date: January 13, 2018

Venues:

We decided on having both our ceremony and reception at Cafe Vermilionville! And we LOVED it. I knew I was NOT having an outdoor wedding in the middle of winter. I knew I wanted a venue that didn’t seem so over-done or stuffy, and I wanted great food and ease of planning. I wanted warm, cozy, intimate. Cafe Vermilionville was perfect—we got married in front of the roaring fireplace in the dining room! We wanted a smaller wedding, and an indoor ceremony at Cafe V could fit about 175 people. It was a standing ceremony to fit everyone, but our ceremony was short and sweet so that was not a big deal at all. The standing ceremony made it super easy to turn the ceremony space into the dance area after—we even had guests say how great it was that they were standing in one spot watching us get married, and then 5 minutes later in the same spot with a drink in hand on the dance floor.

With such a lovely venue, little decoration was needed— we mostly had candles everywhere, some lose flowers here and there, but the space looked lovely as it was! And the food! The menu included sliced herb crusted filet mignon tenderloin with spicy blueberry chutney, turtle soup with sherry and chopped eggs, crawfish beignets served with a creole mustard aioli, duck confit empanadas with fresh fruit salsa (probably my personal favorite of the night), honey braised green tartlet with pancetta topped with slow-roasted pulled pork and pepper jelly in a pastry shell, sauteed shrimp penne pasta with tasso, and pistachio pesto chicken salad with cranberries on crostini. And of course the open bar. Overall, the venue flowed really well, and it put everyone on the dance floor! Andrea Veron and Chloe Wright at Cafe V were an absolute dream to work with in the planning process and seriously…there was nothing to rent but the dance floor! They had chairs, tablecloths, the food was already there. So easy, so lovely, so delicious, and SO FUN! 

Vendor shout outs:

My wedding cake was made by a fellow local baker who I wanted to support, Mary Hebert at Cakes Etc. Pitman’s cake was a giant buche de noel made by Pouparts (and they made us a tiny a replica for our anniversary to enjoy with our cake topper too!) My flowers were by Spedale’s. The photographer was Sidney Lopez. The DJ was Jacob Doxey with Snap and Geaux Photo Booth and Legacy Productions DJ services LLC. My photographer for my bridals (and engagement pictures) was my good friend, bridesmaid and photographer Lauren Davis, and we took my bridals at the Paul and Lulu Hillard University Art Museum. Our wedding favors came from Reve Coffee—they helped us create a custom blend coffee to give out to all of our guests (perfectly warm favors for a winter wedding, AND tied back to our engagement pictures that were taken at Reve Coffee Lab!) 

Which of your vendors really stood out?

Out of the list above, I’ll maybe say the DJ stood out the most. He made it a PARTY! It was seriously a dance party, where one guest even split his pants from too much dancing. We still have people telling us how fun of a wedding it was, and I couldn’t have been happier with our choice for the music! That, or our custom coffee wedding favors from Reve because of how unique they were and I just adored how it tied to our engagement pictures! 

What inspired the overall feel/look of your wedding?

The fact that it was going to be a winter wedding, the fact that I’m maybe a little obsessed with fireplaces and how cozy they feel and the lovely glow they give off, and the fact that both my husband and I are obsessed with good food like they have at Cafe V! I wanted to make sure it was a warm and cozy winter wedding, and my husband and I both wanted delicious food and fun above all else—and we got all of it! 

What did you love most about your wedding dress and the dress buying experience?

I don’t think I could love my wedding dress any more! It was perfect for my body shape, and the back was insanely beautiful! It was like a mix of classic (with all the lace and buttons down the back), but with a little modern twist (WITH THAT BACK DETAIL!). It made for the most beautiful bridal pictures I could have ever imagined. I actually went to A-nets Bridal knowing I wanted this dress (I had looked online to see what designers they carried, and then looked at some designer dresses online). They luckily had this one! I, of course, pulled a few more just to try, but I knew what I wanted and what would look best on me. It was the first one I tried and it looked amazing. The Londyn dress by Maggie Sottero was absolutely the one. 

What was your favorite part of your bridal look?

The flattering neckline in front, and THAT BACK of my dress! Seriously, obsessed! 

During your wedding planning were there any points you were truly overwhelmed, and how did you handle it?

YES! At first, not at all! My husband was smart and proposed the first week of summer, and as a teacher that could not have more perfect timing! I got nearly all the wedding planning I could done by the end of June! As time went on, though, that’s when other people wanted to give their opinion or suggestions—and that’s when it got stressful. I think glasses of wine and hot bubble baths helped with that the most. 

What was the most practical piece of advice you received during your wedding planning process?

To make sure I enjoy the ceremony, to spend my time on the dance floor having fun. And that’s exactly what I did! I also had quite a few people say they didn’t get to eat at their wedding—but as if I was not going to eat the delicious Cafe V food! We had time to eat, and they boxed up plates for us to have when we got home, too!

Is there something you think you probably should have given more attention?

I maybe could have given more attention to some extra decorations, but in the long-run that really didn’t matter. I don’t think I was really that worried about anything…it was inside so weather was not going to be an issue (the weather was actually PERFECT), there was nothing to rent or outside caterers to worry about, and nothing went wrong. 

What was the most memorable moment?

The most memorable moment to me was the kiss! When it came time for the kiss, when he could now kiss the bride, it was like slow motion, I knew what was about to happen—he missed! He kissed the top of my chin! We dated for 6 years, never missed, but the moment it matters… I get a chin kiss. It really wasn’t as noticeable as it sounds, and luckily we quickly realigned and got in some good kisses! It made us laugh, which made for some pretty adorable pictures! 

What was the most unexpected moment? 

The most unexpected moment was after the wedding. We had a white rolls-royce drive us back to our home after our sparkler exit, but once we were home I realized I was stuck in my dress! I had to call my husband’s aunt, who thankfully lives across the street, to come over and undo all those back buttons so I could change! I certainly didn’t expect to have to do that, but I definitely didn’t think about all those buttons! 

What piece of advice would you give future brides?

I’d totally say sign the marriage license the night before at the rehearsal. We did that. And it weirdly was SO RELIEVING! It was dated for the date of the wedding, of course, but it was DONE! We woke up on our wedding day already married, and it just made the wedding day so much more relaxed and enjoyable.

Where was your honeymoon?

Napa! Specifically at Meadowood Napa Valley. The wine and bubble baths were far more enjoyable post-wedding planning.