Ashley Green has always loved New England, especially in the fall. Born and raised in West Hartford, Conn., she says the scenery and smells of the season always bring back special memories. But, she was 800 miles away from her hometown when she met her future husband, Ryan Dorin.

Waiting in line to register for her first year of medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago in 2002, Ashley felt compelled to brush a ladybug off Ryan’s shirt, uninten-tionally sparking up a conversation. He says he knew at that moment she would someday be his wife; she says their subsequent first date sealed the deal.

Ashley and Ryan dated as medical students and, in 2006, they were both lucky enough to land residencies in Los Angeles, Calif., en-suring that they would not have to endure the struggles of a long-distance relationship.

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> feature wedding: “We wouldn’t have wanted our wedding to be any other way... It was a day full of fun with our family and friends”

drs. ashley green and ryan dorin September 27, ‘08 morris, connecticut

The proposal came at Christmas that year. While visiting her family—and after receiv-ing his first pair of matching holiday pajamas as a sign of family “membership”—Ryan asked Ashley to marry him amidst the chaos of boxes and wrapping paper, with a ring he purchased from her parent’s jewelry store: Lux Bond and Green.

“My family is very close-knit,” comments Ashley, adding: “it was really special that he proposed in front of them. He had even trav-eled to my parent’s home the previous week to ask for my hand in marriage, in person.”

Though she is now a California girl, Ashley knew a West Coast wedding was not her style. And while a destination wedding was an attractive option, they didn’t want to ask her large family to travel that far. Their solution was the Winvian Estate in Litch-field Hills. A historic farmhouse, it features

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Location: Winvian Morris, CT; Cake: Sugarbelle Cakes & Confections Glastonbury, CT; Caterer: Sonnier & Castle New York, NY; Event Planner: Vanda High Events Rye, NY; Florist: Glorimundi New York, NY; Lighting: Ormonde Productions Barrington, RI; Specialty Items: Lux Bond & Green; Tent: Stamford Tent Stamford, CT; Wedding Gown: Pronovias at Mariella Creations Rocky Hill, CT; Photography: Cheryl Richards Photographer Newport, RI and Boston, MA

many modern amenities including 18 unique cottages designed by local architects to accommodate family and close friends.

“The Winvian enabled us to feel as though we were away at a destination and still encompassed all the elements of home—the towering trees, fall leaves and smells of New England,” says Ashley.

They married on a cool Saturday evening under a tent open to a field of wildflowers. Ashley wore an uncomplicated, raw silk gown with a full-length, handmade Italian veil. Her father, a justice of the peace, offi-ciated and—instead of bridesmaids—Ashley was attended to by her two younger brothers; Ryan’s brother served as his best man.

After the cocktail hour, the 140 guests were invited to enjoy New England cuisine in the Gordon Brown House, a refurbished barn decked out in charming, rustic touches, which included woven chargers and wrought-iron candelabras filled with apples. The DJ led the crowd into an evening of dancing and drinks in the lounge area.

At the end of the night, guests were presented with a small bottle of maple syr-up, milled by the bride’s uncle on his New England property. “We wouldn’t have want-ed our wedding to be any other way,” smiles Ashley. “It was a day full of fun with our family and friends.”

Ashley and Ryan escaped to Lake Como, Italy for a relaxing honeymoon before returning to their hectic lives back in L.A.> Written by Dina CortezFor more feature weddings and resources visit

WeddingStyleNewEngland.com

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thank you for sharing your story grace ormonde WeddInG StYLe neW enGLand