A Preppy, Purple-Inspired Wedding At The Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts

Like so many modern day love stories, Anya Oskolkova and Alex Nelson’s began at a dimly lit bar. It was a school mixer, and the two met amidst a crowded dance floor. Once Alex looked into her eyes, which he calls “the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen,” his first thought was “Uh oh, I’m in trouble.” Unbeknownst to him, Anya was thinking the same thing.

Four years later, on the evening of January 25, 2014, Alex was down on one knee in the middle of a frozen pond at the Boston Public Garden. Nervous that he would mess up the proposal he had rehearsed, he popped the question and Anya said “Yes”–after which, he put the engagement ring on the wrong hand. Anya laughed and called him an idiot as he eventually figured out the proper engagement ring protocol, and a crowd of gathered strangers erupted in cheers.

After a one-and-a-half-year engagement, friends and family gathered from all corners of the world to celebrate Anya and Alex’s wedding at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Massachusetts. It was a picturesque location, with the grand Crane Estate mansion set against a backdrop of rolling hills and the ocean.

The ceremony was precisely 45 minutes long, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the bride and groom exchanged their own vows spoken in two languages. Anya’s words were emotional, raw, and from the heart, while Alex’s were honest and sprinkled with touches of humor. Both reflected their individual personalities, which was perfect.

For the reception, the ambiance was modern, classy, and vibrant. Colorful hues were displayed along the tabletops, which were adorned with breathtaking floral arrangements. The lighting and chandeliers that illuminated the custom-built tent was exceptional. 

Along with the beautiful atmosphere, guests were treated to an elegant gourmet meal, finished with a cake that was a delicious work of art. The glamour-filled night was complemented with a ten-piece live band, who kept the dance floor full throughout the evening, and played crowd favorites from Sinatra to Beyoncé. Nobody wanted the party to end, much less the newlyweds.

There was so much love to go around that night, it was almost tangible–and it was a celebration Anya and Alex will happily remember for the rest of their lives.