CAITLIN + CHRIS
A TENTED WEDDING AT WILLOWDALE ESTATE IN TOPSFIELD, MA
ABOUT AUGUST SIXTEENTH
Caitlin and Chris were married at Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, Massachusetts, in a celebration steeped in New England elegance. The day began with quiet, joyful preparations All roads led to Willowdale's storybook courtyard. Beneath open sky and surrounded by lush white florals and ivy-covered fieldstone walls, the couple exchanged vows to the live strains of a string trio, officially becoming husband and wife. Cocktail hour and a candlelit reception tent followed, awash in a palette of white, green, and gold, with heartfelt toasts, dinner, and dancing carrying guests well into the night. From the first dance to an espresso martini tower to a private final dance shared only by the newlyweds, every detail of the day reflected a celebration built on love, laughter, and the people who came together to witness it.
GETTING READY IN TOPSFIELD
The morning of August 16th began in the Coach House Suite at Willowdale Estate, where Caitlin and her bridesmaids gathered in robes as Beauty by Lo and Alexandra Wilson's hair team transformed the room into a sanctuary of laughter, champagne, and anticipation.
Across town in Gloucester, Chris and his groomsmen kept things easy and unhurried before loading into the Executive Van bound for Willowdale.
M2 Photography and Willow Tree Films captured it all.
CEREMONY IN THE COURTYARD
The guests settled into the Willowdale courtyard beneath an open sky as Speechless, a trio of violin, viola, and cello, filled the air with "Stay With Me."
The processional unfolded with grace, Chris walking in with his mother Susan before the groomsmen followed. Then, to the soaring notes of "Turning Pages", Caitlin appeared on the arm of her father.
The officiant pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Callahan, the recessional burst into "A Sky Full of Stars”.
STONE, IVY & BLOOMS
Willowdale's stone courtyard transformed into something out of a dream. Florist, Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design, lined the aisle in lush ground-level arrangements of white roses, delphinium, and trailing greenery. Trees surrounded the courtyard. A full floral arch anchored the ceremony space against the estate's ivy-covered fieldstone walls.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Cocktail hour moved guests into the Dining Room, where Clique Entertainment provided the soundtrack and the Speechless trio continued their performance.
Boston Backdrops brought two memorable touches — a floor-to-ceiling escort card wall of alphabetized white cabinet doors, flanked by lush white florals, where guests pulled open their letter to find their seat, and a vintage floral telephone booth inviting everyone to "Leave a Message" for the couple. Both installations wove effortlessly into the white-and-green palette of the day, making the logistical feel unmistakably luxurious.
DINNER UNDER THE TENT
Guests were welcomed into the reception tent at seven o'clock, where Stoneblossom's floral design and Ryan Designs' lighting transformed the space into something warm, layered, and unmistakably New England.
Introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Callahan, Caitlin and Chris shared their first dance to "I Can't Help Falling in Love". The father of the bride, Jim Lynch, offered a welcome speech, followed by dinner, and then the toasts: Matthew as Best Man and Savannah as Maid of Honor brought the room to both tears and fits of laughter, exactly as good wedding speeches should.
A GARDEN BUILT INDOORS
The reception tent was designed from the ground up as an immersive floral environment. A full floral arch marked the entrance, and inside, the ceiling was blanketed in cascading greenery and white blooms interspersed with gold geometric chandeliers and crystal pendants.
Tables were dressed in textured ivory linens with low arrangements of white ranunculus, roses, hydrangea, and sweet peas running their full length, paired with taper candles in glass hurricanes, sage napkins, gold flatware, and cut crystal glassware. The result was a cohesive palette — white, green, and gold — carried consistently from the ceiling to the place settings.
THE DANCE FLOOR
Clique Entertainment kept the floor full for the remainder of the evening — a testament to both the energy in the room and the seamless momentum they built from the first song onward. Guests lingered, danced, and celebrated well into the night beneath a canopy of warm string lights and white floral arrangements that covered the entire courtyard.
Kaly's Cakes and Bakes provided the cake, and the espresso martini tower signaled to guests that the real party was just beginning. The tiered pyramid of espresso martinis served as both centerpiece and celebration.
FINAL MOMENTS
The final moment of the night belonged only to Caitlin and Chris. After guests departed, the two slipped into the Willowdale courtyard for a private last dance — just the two of them, still in the glow of the evening they had just shared with everyone they love.
CREATIVE TEAM
Planning & Design: Jessica Hennessey Weddings
Floral Design: Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design
Photography: M2 Photography
Videography: Willow Tree Films
Entertainment: Clique Entertainment
Ceremony Music: Speechless
Officiant: Brian Fitzgerald
Event Rentals: PEAK Event Services
Lighting Design: Ryan Designs
Backdrop Design:Boston Backdrops
Cake & Desserts: Kaly's Cakes and Bakes
Hair: Hairstyling by Alexandra Wilson
Makeup: Beauty by Lo
Transportation: Boston Chauffeur & Michael's Limousine
Venue: Willowdale Estate, Topsfield, MA