A Boston Harbor Elopement That Will Have You Ditching Your Guest List

Samantha Melei
October 17, 2019
Categories: Photo Shoot, The Blog

Today we set sail on THE most romantic and modern nautical seaside elopement shoot planned and perfected by Kate Murtaugh Events & Design. With New England Summer nights as her inspiration, Kate combined the color palette of our dreams including poppy red and ocean blue which was incorporated into everything from the floral adorned sailboat and bridal bouquet by Beach Plum Floral Design to the groom’s crisp blue suit by The Groomsmen Suit. With just the right mix of elegance and quintessential N.E, Stephanie Vegliante Photography captured all of the romance and all of the stunning, well thought out details. Take a peek below and see why the stormy blue seas may be your perfect place to say I Do!

From Kate Murtaugh Events & Design…Brooklyn and Dean eloped as they set sail on Boston Harbor one late summer afternoon in August filled with dreamy light, a warm breeze and beautifully curated details. Inspired by rich summer tones of color and the stormy blue waters of Boston Harbor, our creative team came together to create a sophisticated yet colorful elopement against one of Boston’s most splendid backdrops that both locals and tourists rarely have the opportunity to experience.

For this elopement editorial, wedding planner and designer Kate Murtaugh imagined a design and aesthetic that infused color, fashionable yet timeless details, and elegant simplicity all while ringing true to quintessential New England summer nights. The shoot’s design featured a saturated color palette including colors like poppy red, hot pink, orange sherbet, summer peach, canary yellow, light pink and stormy blue set amidst old rigging and lines with the beautiful skyline as a backdrop.

Our imagined bride and groom, Brooklyn and Dean were a fashionable couple looking to infuse their chic style and love for their hometown of Boston into a modern-day elopement. While our couple was eloping, it was important that their bridal sunset sail feature all of the details and luxuries a bride and groom would ever desire for their wedding day.

Brooklyn and Dean set sail aboard The Captiva, a private charter Sea Captained by Dave Puett, owner of Classic Sail Boston. Captain Dave also served as their marriage officiant- (did you know Sea Captains in some US states can perform marriage ceremonies?) The Captiva, is a 45-foot Classic Chesapeake Skipjack known for its spacious decks and stability- making for the perfect setting to host Brooklyn and Dean’s harbor elopement. The boat was custom-built using mahogany, teak, obeche and other exotic woods that popped with such perfection with the addition of the gorgeous florals and greenery.

The splendor of the elopement day and love of our couple was captured by photographer, Stephanie Vegliante on both film and digital. Her work beautifully and evocatively captured the romance and emotion of the day.

Brooklyn wore a stunningly feminine gown by Alexandra Grecco, poppy red Loeffler Randall iconic Knot Sandals in poppy red, a stunning mixed metal bridal set including a custom fancy cut platinum engagement ring from James Allen and a uniquely set wedding band with oval diamonds set in yellow gold by MRT Jewelers. She also wore earrings and a bracelet from Zaxie by Stefanie Taylor to complete her look. Brooklyn’s flawless hair and makeup was done by Colby, owner of Pretty Wife Beauty.

Rather than going with tradition, our debonair groom, Dean wore a sharp light steel blue suit from The Groomsman Suit with a crisp white shirt and a white linen pocket square from Bonobos. For a pop of color, he wore a one-of-a-kind pair of Kilim Loafers from Artemis Design Co. made from vintage Turkish rugs.

Jill from Beach Plum Floral Design took our bright and saturated color palette and designed a floral scheme filled with pops of red and shades of pinks to emphasize the marvelous beauty of our sailboat and backdrop. Florals and curly smilax adorned the port side of the sailboat curling it’s way down the side of the boat and perfectly situated to blow in the breeze for their sunset cruise. The bridal bouquet was tied with blush silk ribbon and was filled with an array of pink, coral and red flowers including locally-grown dahlias, zinnias and garden roses.

Taylor at Mulberry & Elm created an elopement announcement to send to our couple’s family and friends and to invite them to a post-elopement celebration. The announcement suite included a custom hand-painted watercolor monogram with additional watercolor elements like a classic nautical striped envelope liner and hand calligraphed envelopes.

Our cozy tablescape situated under the boat’s mainsail included a beautiful grazing board and picturesque cocktails from Wanderlush Boston, a petite tasting cake from Lizzie’s Bakery and a collection of linens and pillows from Serena & Lily and John Robshaw Textiles.