January 3, 2012

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Images by Berit.

When Melinda Weaver and Benjamin Krecidlo got engaged, Melinda knew she wanted to be her own wedding planner. Her love of party planning and design goes back to childhood when she would help her mother pick color schemes and themes. In college, her roommates often returned from a weekend away to find their room completely redecorated. These days, she puts her creativity to work in her marketing job at Good Housekeeping and in helping friends and family plan parties. “I love decorating and setting up for parties. It was different doing it for myself, though, and especially fun because I was setting the tone for my own wedding,” she says. The couple, who lives in Manhattan, agreed on a rural horse-country setting with a bucolic, estate feeling for their August 28, 2010, wedding. “We’re both casual people and wanted an environment where everyone would be comfortable and have fun,” Melinda explains. Exploring the area around her parents’ home in Far Hills, the couple happened on the Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone. “It is gorgeous,” she says. “They have an equestrian center and it actually is a former estate.”

A Classic Country Affair

Melinda’s creativity was reflected in every detail, from the colorful tags on organic snack welcome bags and ribboned apple place-card holders to chocolate favors from a favorite bakery. She even took a non-traditional approach to their wedding dessert: She used her grandmother’s wedding cake toppers to adorn apple pies. Ben was a true partner in planning and was especially involved in selecting the stationery, which subtly reflected the country-equestrian setting with images of an oak tree, firefly and horseshoe on the various pieces.

But it was the personal connections that made the wedding special. Melinda’s sister-in-law sang at the church, Ben’s uncle sang their first dance and, by the end of the reception, everyone was out on the dance floor. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” Melinda says. For their honeymoon, Melinda and Ben traveled around Italy, then relaxed for a week in Lugano, Switzerland.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Images by Berit, Basking Ridge, 908-221-9440; imagesbyberit.com

RECEPTION: Hamilton Farm Golf Club, Glad-stone, 908-901-4000; hamiltonfarmgolfclub.com

BRIDE’S GOWN: Amsale from Exquisite Bride, Millburn, 973-376-2770; exquisite-bride.com

BRIDE’S SHOES: J. Crew; jcrew.com

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: LuluKate from Bella Bridesmaids, Madison, 973-210-0967; bellabridesmaid.com

HAIR: The Vanity Room, Bernardsville, 908-696-9400

MAKEUP: Danielle Arminio, Glen Ridge, 973-202-2285; daniellearminiomakeup.com

GROOM’S ATTIRE: Joseph A. Bank; josbank.com

FLOWERS: Jardiniere, Far Hills, 908-781-5600; jfineflowers.com

INVITATIONS: Heidi at Engraved Images, Far Hills; 908-234-0323; engravedimages.net

ENGAGEMENT AND GROOM’S RING: T.W. English Fine Jewelry, Eastport, NY; 631-285-7100

BRIDE’S WEDDING RING: Caster & Pollux, New York City, 212-645-6572; castorandpolluxstore.com