I often forget just how much I adore the color blue... that is, until I see it all wrapped up in a fabulous soiree such as this one by the always amazing Turn Loose The Art. Boasting the prettiest of blue hues (plus hints of gorgeous purple for good measure) and a stunning location overlooking the Long Island Sound, these Bayville nuptials are nothing short of spectacular. Plus, when I tell you this entire affair was planned in just three short months, you'll be picking your jaws right up off the floor. Yep, I suggest you prepare yourselves for a whole lot of pretty and join me in the gallery for even more!
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From the Bride... I wasn’t one of those women who had their perfect wedding already planned in her head so, needless to say, I was at a loss after Rob proposed. When Rob and I started planning our wedding, we knew we didn’t want to spend endless months obsessing over it. We agreed to move forward with things that felt like “us." After looking into different venues and locations we decided that The Crescent Beach Club was the best fit. Although we were originally dead set against a catering hall, The Crescent Beach Club had a relaxed yet elegant vibe that we were immediately drawn to. We especially loved the idea that our cocktail hour would be on the beach overlooking the Long Island Sound. The beach has significance to us as a couple so it made sense that it be a part of the wedding.
When a Saturday night in June opened up at Crescent Beach we couldn’t pass it up. We decided to dive right in to wedding planning craziness. We booked in March which meant we had three months to do everything. We didn’t choose colors or have a particular theme or motif in mind when we started planning. Not knowing where to begin, we tried to narrow our focus to the necessities of any great party: good food, good music and a beautiful setting. We made a second visit to the Crescent Beach for a tasting and the food was outstanding! We appreciated the setting even more this time so we were ready to think about music.
Rob and I are passionate about music and listen to everything from indie rock to old school hip hop. We were getting discouraged after meeting with a couple of DJ's that were not at all what we had in mind. Rob and I wanted to create a cocktail party type atmosphere for our guests so that everyone could mingle and talk without having to shout over the music. When we met Drew Burrows of Beat Train Productions, we knew we had our DJ. We shared similar tastes in music and Drew's understated style was exactly what we were looking for.
Hiring an amazing photographer was also very important to me. I wanted to see timeless, natural images when I looked at my wedding album. I knew we had to be totally comfortable with whoever was with us that day. Joe and Britney from Turn Loose the Art were the first photographers we met and we immediately felt a genuine connection with them. From the start they were incredibly warm, responsive and professional. They showed us samples of their work and we were amazed... we had our photographer.
Our day started at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Massapequa Park. We had a traditional Catholic ceremony to honor our parents. I can’t describe the feeling of looking at Rob and my family and friends in this magnificent church and to know our union is fully supported by everyone. I was overwhelmed with joy. A wonderful addition to our day was to have Father Thomas Ahern marry us. Father Tom married Rob's brother and cousin and has performed other ceremonies for my husband’s family in the past. His presence made the ceremony so touching and personal.
After our ceremony, we went to the Massapequa Park Preserve to take pictures. Our photographers, Joe and Britney, not only kept the day moving smoothly but they kept us laughing, relaxed and in the moment. It was a calming time during a crazy, hectic day. It gave us time alone to enjoy our newly married status. We were so comfortable with Joe and Britney that it did not feel like a “photo shoot." I think they got some of the most amazing, natural shots of the day while we were in the preserve.
The reception turned out to be all we had hoped for and more. Everything (including the amazing weather) came together exactly the way we envisioned. Our vendors helped make the day so memorable and we truly had a blast! Throughout our planning, whenever we were getting stressed out, I reminded myself that we would be surrounded by people who loved and that is what would make the day perfect...and it was! It was the happiest day of my life.
Wedding Photography: Turn Loose The Art / Wedding Venue: Crescent Beach Club / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren / Entertainment: Drew Burrows of Beat Train Productions / Floral Design: Flowers by Burton