12 years after interior designer Jillian Kupferberg and Alexander Xavier Shea met through a mutual friend in high school, he flew her out to Amagansett and greeted her with their new dachshund puppy, named Winifred. Later that night, he had another surprise for Jillian, and he got down on one knee at Indian Wells Beach.
The engaged couple wanted their wedding to feel like a Roaring Twenties black tie event. They had originally planned to get married at Babington House in Somerset, but due to COVID-19, they decided on hosting their celebration at Blantyre in the Berkshires.
“I love formal gardens, so my goal was to create a very floral heavy event!” Jillian says of her wedding aesthetic. Once they switched locations for their July 17, 2021 event, the couple worked with Nicole Simeral & Co. to help plan everything. And Floraison Design & Co. was able to set the tone for the day with a personalized wedding crest and stationery.
For her bridal look, Jillian knew she wanted to wear something simple that still made a statement. For her rehearsal dinner and wedding gown, she went to Monique Lhuillier. The bride smartly used Over The Moon’s styling service for her engagement shoot and bridal shower look, and head stylist Anny Choi helped the bride find her lace Jimmy Choos and Anissa Kermiche pearl drop earrings to wear on her wedding day, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes for the rehearsal dinner, and a Fanm Mon dress for the brunch.
On the morning-of, Jillian got ready with Jen Lagers and bridesmaids complemented the bride well in floral dresses from Johanna Ortiz, Ulla Johnson, Markarian, and Needle & Thread.
Alex wore a Pal Zileri tuxedo with Tiffany cuff links from his grandmother for the ceremony and changed into a Victor Talbots white dinner jacket for the reception.
The couple had planned to exchange vows on the great lawn, but due to a summer storm, the ceremony was relocated to the Music Room. Winstons Flowers beautifully lined the aisle and decorated the fireplace with sprawling florals. During the ceremony, Jillian felt calm and grateful for her friends and family, who were there to share the moment. And Reverend Hannah Grace of Grace Ceremonies beautifully led the service.
After being pronounced husband and wife, guests moved into the conservatory for the six-course tasting menu and enjoyed music from International String Trio from Music Management. “It had a very midnight in Paris vibe,” the bride recalls.
Dancing took place on the covered terrace and in the Music Room with eight-piece band HiFi. The newlyweds didn’t have a first dance. “Our goal was to lean into a black tie party, rather than abide by wedding standards,” Jillian explains. After the reception formally ended, the after-party kicked off in the wine cellar, where they continued the party until the early hours.
