Real Weddings: Raechel & Joel

March 27, 2010 Hart Witzen Gallery

“We wanted to have something that felt very simple and beautiful, without frills or too much tradition,” says Raechel.

Christina Heaston Photography

Raechel and Joel Downs have their love down to a fine art. The couple first met at an exhibition of emerging artists at the Hart Witzen Gallery in 2008. So when they got engaged almost two years later, choosing the gallery as the venue for their wedding was a no-brainer.
The bride, twenty-two, an assistant apparel manager for Anthropologie, wore a J. Crew chiffon gown with an empire waist and walked down the aisle to a song written by the groom, thirty, a music producer.

After the intimate ceremony held in the large gallery, 140 guests moved on to the cocktail-hour reception where cupcakes, desserts, champagne, and beer were served. The couple enlisted the help of friends and local vendors such as baker Megan Hussey, who did the cupcakes, and filmmaker Jared Hogan, who filmed the day to make their wedding special.

With an affinity for all things vintage, the couple combed second-hand stores to find old crates, vases, and silver pieces, which ended up as serving trays and tables for their centerpieces and food. Bouquets were wrapped in vintage lace, and the groomsmen wore brown and gray vintage-inspired suits from Saks’ Off Fifth and J.Crew.

Globe café lights strung from the ceiling lit the way for a night of dancing. For Raechel and Joel, it was exactly what they wanted: intimate and sweet.
 

“I knew I didn’t want anything beaded or sparkly, so J.Crew was the perfect place for me to get my dress,” says Raechel, an assistant apparel manager for Anthropologie.	The bridesmaids all wore dresses—from Target to J.Crew—in the same color scheme.	The couple’s close friend made the cupcake tier featuring red velvet and vanilla flavors. Raechel and Joel combed second-hand stores to find old crates, vases, and silver plates to serve as servingware and centerpieces.