We’ve seen starfish and classic shells galore, but how about the shiny mussel shell for a seaside celebration? These pretty little pieces inspired everything from the color palette to the branding and invites for this Marblehead wedding, led by Always Yours Events. Your old school nautical Pinterest boards are about to get a stylish update with all the picture perfect details captured by Ned Jackson – more in our VAULT right this way!
From Always Yours Events… This wedding will forever be a favorite of mine as it included some of the most personalized and bespoke details and touches, depicted through the gorgeous light and airy images by Ned Jackson Photography. Eastern Yacht Club was a meaningful venue for the bride, as her parents were married at the same venue 38 years earlier. Tori spent her childhood sailing the coast with her family from the EYC, so the club was without a doubt the ideal venue for the Cruice Wedding. The inspiration for the wedding design came from the gorgeous navy, cerulean, slate blue and mother of pearl coloring of a mussel shell. We enlisted the help of Kearsley Lloyd to create a unique and bespoke wedding brand incorporating the mussel shell and chic monogram for Tori and Blake’s wedding day. Kearsley’s watercolor designs became the central theme of the wedding, which we incorporated into the invitation suite, day of paper and signage, the wedding website, rosemary sea salt escort card favors (handmade by the bride and groom), the cake design, tabletop decor, floral designs, and more. Florals featured gorgeous all white blooms including dinner plate dahlias and clear floral vessels filled with mussel shells. The ceremony took place at the iconic Old North Church in downtown Marblehead. Post ceremony guests lined the cobblestone pathway for a white garden rose petal toss, and were ultimately surprised with an unique second line style parade out of Old North Church and down to Marblehead Harbor led by the lead trumpeter of the Ward Eights. From there, the wedding party traveled by boat to the EYC for the festivities. Guests cocktail-ed and dined on the open air deck and ballroom, and danced in the outdoor pavilion overlooking Marblehead Harbor. Tori and Blake honored “Colors” during the cocktail hour by firing the canon at sunset, a daily EYC tradition. The newlyweds danced the night away to Motown hits performed by the Ward Eights, and we ended the evening with a sparkler send-off leading down to the docks where Tori and Blake made a victory lap on the family boat to bring their perfect wedding day to a close.
From the Bride… Blake and I met in 2008 at college and got engaged on Labor Day weekend in Nantucket after six years of dating. We always knew that we wanted to have our wedding on the water in my hometown of Marblehead. Marblehead has always held a special place in my heart. It’s not only where I grew up, but also where my parents grew up and also got married 38 years ago. Marblehead embodies the quintessential seaside elegance I wanted our wedding to represent.
I consider my style to be very simple and classic. I spent a lot of time curating and coordinating each component of our wedding from the trumpet parade and petal shower to the boat ride arrival and cocktail hour raw bar. Keri was a lifesaver bringing all my ideas to life. She calmed my nerves and made sure all the details were perfectly translated through the whole event.
I used a navy and white color palette, but let the nautical elements from the yacht club carry throughout the day. Kearsley’s beautiful watercolors became the theme of our wedding. My mom even handpicked mussel shells from the beaches of Marblehead put in the centerpiece vases. We knew our wedding would be formal being at the Eastern Yacht Club, but we also wanted it to be fun for all of our guests. The trumpeter leading a parade through the streets of Marblehead and onto the boat really set the stage for a fun night!
I always envisioned myself in an elegant, ball gown with a cathedral train and was so excited to find the beautiful design from Mikaella. The illusion lace off the shoulder with the deep low back and long train made for my dream dress. My veil was my aunt’s from her wedding day and held an extra special place in my heart. I felt like it was the most beautiful part of my dress.
Looking back at our wedding photos, I can’t help but feel the absolute joy we felt on that beautiful September day. Ned did an outstanding job capturing every sense of emotion we were feeling. The amount of support and love we felt from our friends and family was overwhelming. We are so grateful and will forever cherish the day we become Mr. and Mrs.
Photography: Ned Jackson Photography | Event Planning: Merren Events | Event Planning: Always Yours Events | Floral Design: Flowers By Darlene | Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal | Cake: Topsfield Bakeshop | Invitations: Albertine Press | Ceremony Venue: Old North Church | Reception Venue: Eastern Yacht Club | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ann Taylor | Catering: Eastern Yacht Club | Hair: Jennifer Tawa | Calligraphy: Posh and Prep | Band: The Ward Eights | Favors: Made By New England | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Bowties + Cuff Links: Collared Greens | Branding: Kearsley Lloyd Designs | Bridal Boutique: Madeleine's Daughter | Knot Bracelets: Shore Knots | Makeup Artistry: Rouge | Rentals: Peterson Party Center | Ring Boxes: The Mrs Box