Wedding at Adams National Historical Park
We are so excited to finally share with you all what was probably a once-in-a-lifetime event for us (and extra thrilled that Style Me Pretty is featuring it today as well) – the wedding of a direct descendant of John & Abigail Adams. The groom, Rett Adams, is the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson of John Adams. (8th generation from John Adams and 7th generation from John Quincy Adams.) Rett married his wife Leatha last June at the Old House in Quincy, MA, built by John & Abigail Adams in 1731, home to four generations of Adams, and currently best known as the Adams National Historical Park.
We were especially honored to be able to photograph the beautiful grounds and artifacts around the Old House as professional photography is generally forbidden. The most stunning example is the heirloom veil that Leatha wore for the ceremony which was originally purchased by Charles Francis Adams in 1854 for his daughter Louisa’s marriage to Charles Kuhn. The veil was donated to the park in 1957 by Mary Ogden Abbott, who requested it be available to “descendants of Charles Francis Adams, the Ambassador to England, who might wish to use it at her wedding.” Leatha is the fifth bride to wear the veil.
The ceremony took place in the courtyard next to the Old House and Leatha made her entrance walking across the lawn past a white rose bush originally planted by Abigail Adams which she had brought with her from England. To the best of everyone’s recollection, Leatha & Rett are only the third couple to have a wedding at the Old House, the last one being in 1901.
We found some lovely evening light for portraits at the corner of the property, next to the black walnut tree which was planted by John Quincy Adams, 6th President. The following reception took place inside the old Carriage House where Rett & Leatha had planned for a casual meal and wedding cake shared with family and friends but were surprised with a song and first dance by one of Rett’s groomsmen. Ending the night was another surprise…in honor of Flag Day, a park across the street had fireworks!
Leatha & Rett, We wish you and Ariadne all the best and are so honored that you chose us to share in this historic occasion with you! And many thanks to the fabulous staff at the Adams National Historical Park, especially Caroline & Kelly, for being so accommodating and showing us around to all the extra special spots. This was definitely a day we won’t soon forget!
See more on Style Me Pretty HERE:
(PLEASE NOTE: Only direct descendants of the Adams family are allowed to get married at the Adams National Historical Park, so please don’t bother the lovely folks at the park by calling to ask if they’re available for your wedding. Sad, we know!)
Venue: The Old House, Adams National Historical Park
Photography: Sweet Monday Photography
Flowers: Meghan Perlow, Poppy Floral Designs
Invitations: Minted.com
Custom Watercolor & Calligraphy (seating chart & table numbers): Teri Fitch, DamnGoodCalligraphy
Cake: Sugar Plum Bakery
Bride’s Gown: Pronovias from Musette Bridal
Bridesmaids: Watters
Hair Stylist: Amy Lynne Poirier, Davis Hairdressing
Make-up: Manda Carco, Mandamonium
Annie and Mat, you guys were a joy to work with! And thank you Chandler Hill for always being such a beautiful backdrop for a wedding day. (Gosh, we’re lucky to do this job!)
Erin & Roger said their ideal engagement session was fun, colorful and off the beaten path and I’m so glad they were up for exploring the Boston Shipyard & Marina in East Boston with me. It was an afternoon of good company and pretty light and we can’t wait to do it all over again in October!
Mitra and John were in town for their class reunion at Washington University, and wanted to have their engagement photographs made while they were here. I’m so glad they did! I think it may have been the prettiest weekend of the year on campus, with all the trees in bloom. Mitra and John, it was lovely to meet you and we wish you two all the best!
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