A refreshing mint palette paired with an oceanside views sound gorgeous enough, but add in the fact that this family affair is brimming with DIY details? Well, it puts the significance in the celebration. From the fabric draped ceilings adorned with hanging lanterns, to the friends and family that celebrated underneath a canopy of twinkling lights, Ashley Caroline Photography highlighted their love for family, friends, and the beach below!
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From the beautiful Bride… My college sweetheart and I had been together nearly 7 years before he popped the question on a brisk, beautifully grey day in February of 2013. This gave us more than enough time to figure out what we love the most as a couple. Cozy spaces, salty air, long weekends spent with family, cold beers, rainy days, and always toasting to the little things. While planning the most special day of our lives, we were inspired to highlight the most valued aspects of our life together – our love for family, friends, and the beach.
After quite the scavenger hunt for venues, we decided that Oceanbleu at Westhampton Bath and Tennis was the perfect location for our big day. Natural chiavari chairs, blue & white striped fabric draped ceilings adorned with hanging lanterns and a whimsical chandelier, a boardwalk to nowhere, and crashing waves as the backdrop for our intimate tent ceremony. With the beach venue only 30 minutes from my childhood home on Long Island, it made our decision an easy one. Once the vibe was set, I began a collection of assorted mercury glass containers and set aside items from our southern-style home in Atlanta: antique seafoam bottles, vintage blue ball jars, mint shutters, various picture frames, and a jadeite cake stand to name a few – all subtle details that remained true to our minty theme. It proved to be the perfect combination of rustic elegance and southern charm.
The forecast leading up to our wedding was an unwavering 100% chance of rain. Needless to say, we embraced the not so pretty weather, which miraculously transformed into a breathtaking golden hour just in time to walk down the aisle. The early morning hours were spent at my mother’s dear friends home in Bridgehampton, where the girls and I prepped for the big day in our matching shortie pajama sets by Plum Pretty Sugar and were treated to a delicious breakfast spread of pastries, egg casseroles, fruit and bubbly. The boys gathered in Southampton and relived the college days bonding over football while drinking keg beer out of red solo cups. At both locations, there was no shortage of smiles, big hugs, and happy tears from loving siblings and parents. With the steady rainfall well underway, Evan and I met at the old Parrish Museum for the big reveal. We exchanged cards and giddy kisses and shared a private moment away from all of the morning excitement and chaos.
Having the wedding so close to home presented the opportunity for my amazingly talented cousin to do all of our flowers. After discussing our vision for the day, she provided the following description for our floral design: “A soft mix of lush blooms to include hydrangea, dahlia, roses, stock, lisianthus, tuberose, and hypericum in white and ivory with hints of pale peach, seafoam, and accents of rosette succulents in mint shades. The complementing greenery of seeded eucalyptus, variegated pittonegra, boxwood, and laurel. The cocktail and reception flowers were arranged in an eclectic mix of mercury glass vases and mason jars. The overall décor reflected vintage, rustic, romantic, elegant themes.” Little did she know, my wedding dress is the Amsale ‘Dahlia’ so her suggestion to incorporate the flower in our arrangements couldn’t have been more fitting! When the bouquets were delivered the morning of our wedding, they were more gorgeous than I ever could have ever imagined.
Walking into the reception space prior to our guests arrival was like entering a dream. I was literally in awe of my cousin’s creations and how the room had been transformed. The mercury glass centerpieces and votives were thoughtfully placed on the green burlap table runners, which were handmade with love by my sweet mother. Mint monogrammed koozies were placed at every table setting accompanied by our delectable menus. Garlands of silver dollar eucalyptus embellished with clusters of peach roses and cream hydrangea draped the tent openings and we said our ‘I do’s’ under a canopy of twinkling lights.
The Oceanbleu staff did an exceptional job staging the scene with all of our décor. No detail went unnoticed. They set up a beautiful welcome table with glowing mercury glass jars and sentimental photographs, and our guests retrieved their hand written place cards from miniature sandboxes – the perfect accessory for a beach wedding. The photography was extremely important to us, and we couldn’t have been luckier to have Ashley photograph our special day, with the added styling services by Little Red’s Well. The soft, artistic thoughtfulness of Ashley’s photos captured the true essence of our relationship and we will cherish the beautifully frozen memories for a lifetime.
It meant the world to us to have close family and friends play such a pivotal role in the planning and execution of our vision. A friend from high school made our stunning succulent cake, my childhood hairstylist did all of the girls’ hair, and one of our best guy friends in Atlanta married us and delivered the most heartfelt ceremony. Our parents are high school and college sweethearts and we were happy to take this time to honor their marriages – we even surprised Evan’s parents by incorporating their wedding vows that they had recited to one another 35 years prior. It all came together so naturally and although I may be a wee bit biased…it truly was the Best. Day. Ever.
Photography: Ashley Caroline Photography | Videographer: Mint Wedding Cinematography | Floral Design: Late Bloomer Flowers | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Robbins Wolfe | Makeup: Ny Artistry | Beach Front: Oceanbleu | Details + Decor Rental: Coco Prop Shop | Stylist: AOK Style + Planning