I always love a good ‘how you met’ story and this is a good one! A yacht captain and a girl who loves the sea meet in Montauk are just destined to say I do, and that is exactly what they did at The Bridgehampton Inn with those dearest to them by their side. The bride who wanted an elevated nautical theme, designed the day herself with her thoughtful vendors like Sag Harbor Florist who crafted beautiful blooms, and Lauren Fair Photography who captured the stunning images below. Check it out below and be sure to read all about how they met, planning their day…and don’t skip over their adorable pup!
From the bride, Tatiana…I grew up sailing and spending as much time as possible on, in, and near the water. My family enjoys fly-fishing in the rivers of Wyoming and Montana and sport fishing in the northern Atlantic until the frost sets in. In warmer weather, I can be found under the water with a tank on my back or lying on the bow of a boat somewhere. To say that we’re an aquatic family would be putting it mildly- I might as well have gills and fins. So when I met Matthew, a yacht captain from the Outer Banks, dockside beneath the glow of a lighthouse on a balmy Montauk night the irony was not lost on me. I was reluctant at first meeting him as his booming North Carolina accent seemed to play into the preconceived reputation most captains have. However, a few weeks in, my careful New York armor began to fall and I allowed myself to be swept away by this man from the sea.
When Matthew proposed I knew I wanted to reference the place where it all began and our shared love of the ocean. However, as I scoured over Pinterest and searched blog after blog I couldn’t find any examples of a “nautical” affair that wasn’t too youthful or obvious. I didn’t want stripes, sand dollars, or “knot” puns. So I had to get creative and set out to curate a unique, “elevated nautical” aesthetic; “baute couture” as my aunt put it. Knowing this was going to be a completely bespoke endeavor I turned to Etsy. Anna Moore of Prim Pretty Prints used the reference of the lighthouse in a custom stationery suite. The ink color pulled right from Benjamin Moore’s “Old Navy” interior paint.
Our fall date allowed for moody neutral tones and sandy, muted accents. I described our florals and tablescape using Dutch oil paintings by Koning, van Spaendonck, and van Walscapelle. Lots of chunky depth and bright whites, with flickers of gold. My art student background was showing. Sybille van Kempen, owner of The Bridgehampton Inn and Anastasia Casale of Sag Harbor Florist embraced our taste and met us with deep plums, fresh figs, and luscious dahlias. We wanted a formal, warm, candlelit feel, with a subtle nod to the sea. The vendors fell into place and with the addition of our lovely photographer, Lauren Fair Photography, we were on our way.
It all sounds like it was smooth sailing. But this year has proved to be a challenge to even the most resilient, well-balanced of spirits. We were faced with cancellations, postponements, quarantine, and the unpredictability of our own immune systems. Planning a wedding in a normal year is stressful but this year pushed us to our limits. Whenever a hiccup arose we always discussed the idea of canceling. But our date had sentimental value, my grandmother’s birthday, and so nevertheless we persisted. A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, after all.
We always wanted an intimate wedding and so trimming our guest list a bit more wouldn’t be a problem. All precautions were taken to uphold the law and to make our guests feel comfortable. We adhered to social distancing rules at both the church, Bridgehampton Presbyterian, and during our dinner at The Bridgehampton Inn. The weather, unpredictable at best during October in New York, was dry and mild enough to open the large french doors of the historic inn and make use of the fluidity of the space. The string quartet played softly in the garden as we made our way into cocktail hour as the new Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Carter.
I suppose, in hindsight, this year gave us every opportunity to succumb to the sadness, uncertainty, and anxiety that seemed to be looming around every turn. Yet we saw our wedding as a small chance to shine some light into the lives of those we love. After all, love wins, and happy memories made with family and friends will last long after the trials of this year are over.
Photography: Lauren Fair Photography | Floral Design: Sag Harbor Florist | Invitations: Prim Pretty Prints | Ceremony Venue: Bridgehampton Presbyterian | Reception Venue: Brideghampton Inn & Restaurant | Ring Box: The Mrs Box