On a fabulous fall day in Maine, under a beautiful, towering tree at Laudholm Farm, Rory and Jess said “I do”.

At this lovely ceremony, I was extremely lucky to witness some of the best wedding vows ever spoken:

“I am pretty sure I have loved you since the first time I saw you smile. I think my heart knew from that point that you were the one, and my brain just needed to play catch-up for the next ten years.

It’s not just your smile I love – but why you smile and who you are.

I love the way you smile when you are being silly. And I promise to always be silly with you.

I love the way you smile when you’re with your family. And I promise to always put family first.

I love the way you smile when you have done something for the first time. And I promise to always push you to try new things.

I love the way you smile when you are telling me about a good day at work. And I promise to always support you in whatever you do.

I love the way you smile when you are feeling naughty. And I promise to always be naughty with you.

I love the way you smile when you say ‘I love you’. And I promise to say “I love you” every chance I get.

Baby, I loved the way you smiled when you said ‘yes’. And I promise to spend the rest of my life celebrating that commitment with you.” – Rory to Jess

Creative candlelight, decorative fruit and muted colors gave way to the bride’s vision of a Dutch still life painting. Well thought-out textures. Gold metals. Elegant comfort food. Extraordinary print pieces. Cozy details. Music that never stopped.

The day was about celebrating with family and friends. It was warm, personal and stunningly beautiful. That is what it is all about.

| planning + design: b merry events | photography: Eric Laurits | catering + bar service: Dandelion Catering | floral design: One & Supp | lighting design: The Event Light Pros | ceremony music: family rockstars | reception music: Groove Authority | invitation & print pieces: Ruby the Fox | tent: One Stop Event Rentals | rentals: One Stop Event Rentals, A Family Affair of Maine | transportation: Maine Limousine Service, Country Coach Charters | venue: Laudholm Farm |

In the wedding industry it is typical that you step back at the end of the season and look at what you have done. You review photos, the details, the moments. You flashback to times that were bleary with tears, soaked with sweat and speckled with hurdles of stress or frustration.

When you review, you judge. You judge and define your successes for the year. To each of us in the wedding industry it is a measurement that is personal. Is it how many weddings you had published in a magazine or on a blog? Is it that no one tripped down the aisle? Is it that you didn’t work your staff to the brink every weekend? Is it that you created as little a carbon footprint as possible in all of your planning and executing? Is it the sheer number of weddings tallied? Is it that you received a sincere hug from the Bride in the middle of the day? Is it that you worked with new and different wedding compadres? Is it that you actually had energy for your family all season long?

For me, the definition of success changes every year. I have been in this business long enough that I now search for different ways to challenge and push myself to grow.

For the 2013 wedding season I raised the bar and challenged myself to not work at the same venue twice in the same year. Why? It is a creative exercise allowing me not to get “comfortable” in a space doing things “the same way” for different couples. It is about looking at each space with a fresh set of eyes.

So how did I do? Nailed it.

I was fortunate to not only work at some amazing locations known for fabulously good times, but also at some pretty stunning private properties. Even though I have had an event at many of these spaces before, it did not happen twice this past year.

Here are some of the places of spectacular celebrations in 2013:

I consider myself fortunate. Each place got one trip on the b merry merry-go- round. It was fun. By all accounts I consider it winning. What will the new year bring? What golden ring is up for grabs? Tune in the same time next year.

And by the way: my challenge EVERY year is to have focused energy for my family in the season.

Photos: The trusty b merry iPhone  |  A Love Supreme Photography | Maria Northcott, A Sweet Start |  Cauchon Photography  |  Fat Orange Cat Studio  |  Fidelio Photography  |  Meredith Perdue  |  Stacey Kane

Well, this is what we got: a brand new shiny baby boy. Yes, another little boy.

Scout McCaffrey Torrieri came into this world three weeks early on Valentine’s Day in a very quick and sudden manner. Here we go, mama. It’s time. And his Thug Brothers were thrilled, for they had been ever so anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Despite the early debut everyone is healthy, happy and well. What a day of love.

We are a truly fortunate family. 

And I am a very lucky mama to have the opportunity to raise three amazing gentlemen.

Soon. Soon two will become three. My two boys will welcome a new sibling. Soon we will be a clan of five. Here we go again.

In a couple short weeks the loud and lovely craziness that makes me laugh and shake my head daily will welcome its newest partner in crime. I cannot wait. I am grateful for such a full life … each and every day.

Starting February 21st I am planning to duck into “the baby bubble” and rally my troops around our new family dynamic. I will not be completely inaccessible, but my professional focus will be primarily on the  issues and details that need the most immediate attention. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

b merry will be back running at full throttle and anxious to start the 2014 wedding season on April 7th.

Until then, cheers!