Jack Frohlinger and Lilly Slatkin first met at the Grand Canal bar in Boston, back when Lilly was still studying at Trinity College and Jack was just a few years out of school. The two hit it off immediately and wanted to exchange numbers, but as fate would have it, both of their cellphones had run out of battery, so Jack’s business card had to do. Ever the modern woman, Lilly reached out to Jack just a few days later and asked him out on their first date.
Around two years later, Jack, Director of Analytics and Business Development at Horizon Beverage, and Lilly, a Boston real estate agent, set out on a trip to England and Scotland. On their last night in England, the two stumbled upon an Indian street food festival and ditched their fancy reservation plans to indulge in an impromptu picnic. “Little did I know Jack had planned to propose the next night at a castle in Scotland,” Lilly explains. “But we had such an unbelievable spur of the moment night that night in England, he took me aside along the river and popped the question right there!”
Lilly had always dreamed about having a garden wedding and fell in love with Chesterwood, a historic estate in the Berkshires, the minute she laid eyes on it. “We saw it in the dead of winter when everything is dead and gray, but we still knew how beautiful it was then,” she says. “I’m a sucker for blush tones and candles, so we incorporated a lot of soft florals and fabrics that really enhanced the natural beauty of the venue.
With the date set for June 17, Lilly started working with Francie Dorman and Britt Cole of 42 North to create their dream wedding, and she began searching for a dress, too. She found the one, a Carolina Herrera design, after seeing it hanging at L’elite in Boston. “It sounds weird to say, but while the dress was absolutely stunning, it was how the dress made me feel like the best version of myself that ultimately made me decide it was the one,” Lilly explains. “When I found out it had pockets, it was basically a done deal.”
Hair, makeup, and accessories were also super low key. Stylist Kacie Corbelle created the illusion of an effortless ponytail, while Lilly kept jewelry to a minimum. “I couldn’t find my earrings when I was getting ready so I wore my everyday pearl stud earrings instead!” She adds. Jack meanwhile wore a Hugo Boss suit, bridesmaids donned Joanna August dresses, and groomsmen wore navy tuxedos from The Black Tux.
After a morning of torrential rain, the weather cleared up just minutes before the ceremony on the day of their wedding. “The gardens were extra lush and peonies and hydrangea trees lined either side of the grass aisle,” Lilly remembers. Both the bride and groom walked down the aisle accompanied by both of their parents. “We stood under an archway draped in wisteria and had our wonderful Justice of the Peace speak about both sides of our families,” says Lilly. “We both come from Irish Catholic mothers from Massachusetts and Jewish fathers from New York and that shaped us individuals and as a couple.”
“I felt like the luckiest guy on Earth,” adds Jack. “Lilly looked absolutely beautiful and I must have not been paying much attention to the Justice of the Peace because Lilly kept giggling and reminding me to look at the officiant every now and then!”
Cocktail hour followed, and guests sampled oversized charcuterie boards and signature cocktails. Everyone was then led into a large sailcloth tent on the garden, which included crystal chandeliers, lounge vignettes, and comfortable vintage seating. Dinner by Max Ultimate Food was served—burrata salad to start, salmon and filet for the entree—and guests were treated to speeches from Lilly’s dad, Jack’s dad (who also served as his best man), and Lilly’s sister / maid of honor.
When it came time to dance, Jack and Lilly chose Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are The Best Thing” for their first official dance as a married couple. Then came the cutting of a cake by Kim Gregory Pure Pastry, and a lot of jumping and spinning to songs performed by the band, Night Rhythm. “Our guests danced all night,” Lilly says, “and a few fell in love with the main singer.”
After munching on late night sliders and mini milk shakes, those who wanted to continue celebrating hopped on a school bus caravan and were taken to a nearby pub, which played a curated 90s throwback playlist. The newlyweds then spent two weeks eating their way through the Amalfi Coast. “I cannot wait to go back later on in life for an anniversary trip,” says Jack. “I’m holding him to his promise!” Lilly adds.
