I love coastal New England. And it’s weddings like this one from Katie Pietrowski Photography that make me remember all the reasons why. Beyond its gorgeous beaches, delicious clambakes, and shingled houses – what I absolutely love the most are the people that retreat to the stunning sandy shores. Take these two newlyweds for example, they nailed that seaside chic feel on their big day in a way you would only see in New England, and for that, I couldn’t love them more. See all of this seaside soiree here.
From the Bride… Tom and I were set up on a blind date by Tom’s roommate and one of my best friends, who were themselves best friends from Middlebury (they went on to get married themselves…I am convinced the setup was a ploy to make sure they ended up together!) But masterminded scheme, or fate…it ended up working! Tom and I dated for 3 years, before he proposed in a romantic/ridiculous fashion on a cold January night on the Boston Harbor with a Pat Benatar impersonator to serenade us! (Pat B is my favorite).
Planning the wedding was a ton of fun. I have always spent the summers in Falmouth, Cape Cod, and Tom had also been spending summers there with his grandparents, so it made perfect sense to have our wedding there, in the fields behind my parents’ house. Our vibe for the wedding was a relaxed summer feel from beach to field, we wanted it to feel very welcoming and low key. Basically an ideal summer weekend.
From there we just made the event our own, from the wedding party lunch on a schooner in vineyard sound, to a welcome cocktail party on the beach with bonfires surrounded by adirondack chairs made by Tom, his father and uncles, the beginning of the weekend couldn’t have been more fun!
And the wedding itself was no exception…it was pretty special to be able to invite everyone to my home and to share a place that was so important to me and Tom. As a sailor myself, the Sperry Tents made of sailcloth is just a magical venue set against the backdrop of the fields. We overstuffed our guests on tons of appetizers (Chef Roland is a genius with the apps) and oysters from the Shuck Truck. And then for dinner we mixed it up a bit by having our favorite Boston restaurant Orincco cater two of our favorite dishes. Well fed & boozed up (warning: those ball jars can hold a lot!), our guest took the dance floor by force, which isn’t hard when the band is Sultans of Swing! Of course, fake Pat Benatar made another appearance…it wouldn’t have been complete without her. And then we closed down the night with some Crab Rangoons – another personal element as my friends are all rang fans and dedicated celebrators of National Crab Rangoon Day (Feb. 13th!). The whole weekend was just perfect. And it was awesome to have Katie Pietrowski be able to capture it all from the first look to the last dance, she was able to capture all the little touches and all the guests experiences!
For all you beginning this process..HAVE FUN! It is a pretty awesome experience to craft an evening for all your friends and family. And even despite all the planning and hype, you will be blown away by the experience on your wedding day. The love, support and energy of everyone you love around you just can’t be described!
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Wedding Photography: Katie Pietrowski Photography |Ceremony Venue: St. Josephs Church in Falmouth, Massachusetts | Reception Venue: Private Residence in Falmouth, Massachusetts | Floral Design: Judy Fligg from All About Flowers for Weddings | Catering: Chef Roland’s Catering + Orinoco Kitchen | Oysters: Shuck Truck | Band: The Sultans of Swing | Pat Benatar Impersonator: Susan O’Shea | Tent: Sperry Tents of Marion | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier (top) + Seams Possible (custom skirt) | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: Caitlin Murphy Stylist | Rentals: New England Country Rentals