Massachusetts Weddings

Today’s wedding planned by Always Yours Events has us day dreaming of warm summer days on the Cape. The gorgeous couple exchanged vows under a sprawling sailcloth tent overlooking the ocean at golden hour. Later, guests danced the night away and enjoyed classic New England fare, surrounded by floral chandeliers lush garden arrangements from The Wild Dahlia. Elizabeth LaDuca captured every memorable moment, check out the full gallery to see it all!

From Keri of Always Yours Events… Tory and Ugo DiBiase’s wedding was an effortlessly glamorous and modern romantic garden-inspired celebration hosted on a private island tucked away off of Cape Cod called Amrita Island. The couple made their wedding into a long, festive Labor Day wedding weekend on the Cape, kicking off with boating excursions and a night at their favorite Cape Cod restaurant called the Chart Room, followed by the tented wedding at the Jones family home and a farewell brunch to close the weekend. The bride and groom envisioned a unique twist on a black tie Cape Cod wedding – upscale, modern, clean and refined married with romantic lush garden inspiration. The color palette worked seamlessly with this floral forward aesthetic, including cement gray, oyster gray, crisp white, various shades of green, barely blush (white with the tiniest hint of blush) and a pop of onyx black. 

Some of their favorite personalized details included a custom minimalist invitation suite with a vellum wrap and floral stamps, a bloom forward ceremony with a flower lined aisle, mixed crystal chandeliers through floral rings throughout the tent, overflowing centerpieces in cement compotes, and Tory’s stunning cut out Oscar de la Renta wedding dress completed with a white dahlia bouquet. The DiBiases’ ceremony took place in a sailcloth tent overlooking the ocean at golden hour, which also happened to be the same exact spot where Ugo proposed to Tory the year before. The aisle was lined with floral boxes filled with white and barely blush florals of many varieties for texture and fullness that created the most romantic walk down the aisle for Tory and her father, Clayton. At the end of the aisle were two oversized white urns overflowing with white hydrangea, roses, dahlias and greenery. Ugo wore a dapper custom tuxedo with a sleek collar and cut. 

Tory with flowers in her hair wore an Oscar de la Renta in a simple a-line cut with an unexpected cut out feature in the bodice for a bridal look that “wowed.” Despite the level of formality, Tory wanted to be comfortable on her wedding and as close to barefoot as possible, and so she selected a pair of white Rothy’s, channeling that effortless glamorous look. Tory and Ugo’s ceremony was officiated by Tory’s younger brother Ben, and the couple shared their vows in front of 140 of their family and friends. All of the main trees on the estate were covered in lights and the trees just outside the tent featured hanging glass orbs with candles inside. After an extended cocktail hour with panoramic views of the bay, guests walked through the aglow trees to the dinner reception at dusk, and were greeted at the entrance of the reception tent by a display of oyster shell escort cards and two oversized floral arrangements at the main entry to the tent. When guests walked in, their view was an array of mixed and matched crystal chandeliers, with the two primary chandeliers over the dance floor draped with greenery and florals. The head table was a statement piece with seats for the bridal party and their dates to sit with Tory and Ugo– enough seats for 30. Guests dined in acrylic ballroom chairs at tables covered in pale gray linens and two different floral stories at each table. Florals were in cement urns and surrounded by candlelight for a clean garden inspired centerpieces. 

Place settings featured a modern and minimalist coupe charger set with a napkin and chic black typography menu card atop. The table numbers at the table were acrylic in a black holder (for that pop of black that tied into the menu cards) for a modern feel juxtaposed next to the overflowing blooms in cement vessels. The bars were white mirrored bars with shelved back bars filled with blooms and glassware. Trophy bowls atop the bars were filled with Veuve Cliquot. The Boston Common Band and ECFS DJs was featured in the center of the tent on a stage that was surrounded by florals to create an impactful view from guests’ seats. Guests enjoyed a delicious three course menu from Morins Catering while listening to toasts from Tory’s father, her sisters (including Tory’s twin) and Ugo’s best friend and best man. They danced the night away to the sounds of Boston Common Band with late night bites and a dessert of a trio of ice cream scoops from the couple’s favorite local creamery and funfetti cake. Tory and Ugo’s remarkable wedding could not have been more magical — it was a celebration that exuded their love and story through and through. A huge thank you to Tory and Ugo for being a dream couple, and to their vendors who brought this day to life alongside the AYE Team including Elizabeth Laduca Photography (who captured their day perfectly), Caleb at Stop Go Love (who also captured their day perfectly!), Morins Catering, Sperry Tents, the Wild Dahlia, Jennifer Tawa Hair Design, Natalie Lelless of Your Makeup Face, Boston Common Band and ECF Entertainment, PEAK Event Services, L’Elite and Atlantic Parking. 

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Photography: Elizabeth LaDuca | Cinematography: StopGoLove Films | Event Planning and Design: Always Yours Events | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Stationery: Shine Wedding Invitations | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Russell Morin Fine Catering | Makeup: Natalie Lelless | Lighting : Ryan Designs | DJ: ECF Entertainment - DJ Boogz | Band: Boston Common Band | Tent: Sperry Tents | Bridal Shoes: Rothy's | Event Rentals: Peak Event Services | Floral: The Wild Dahlia | Groom's Custom Tuxedo: Christopher Cuozzo | Groomsmen Tuxedos: The Black Tux | Hairstyling: Jennifer Tawa | Valet: Atlantic Parking | Wedding Dress Shop: L'elite Boston

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Boston Common Band

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The Wild Dahlia

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Located at a gorgeous estate on the water in Cape Cod, this couples’ wedding was a chic affair to say the least! Speaking of chic, the bride wore a Rosa Clara lace gown for the ceremony and changed into a more simple and sleek dress for the reception. Oh, and the groom wore a classic and sharp black tux from 9 Tailors. With a neutral color palette in shades of champagne and blush, the white florals and rich greenery pulled everything together making for one elegant reception design. The talented Studio Atticus captured the entire affair all ready for you to browse over in The Vault!

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From the bride… After getting engaged in Chatham just over a year earlier, we knew Cape Cod would be the perfect location for our wedding. We have quite a bit of family around the Boston area, and having it based in Chatham would give people the opportunity to have either a weekend away from home or a day trip, whichever worked best in their schedules. While we loved the area and the vibe, we wanted to avoid the common Cape wedding themes, so we decided early on that we wouldn’t have any beaches or boats involved. Our mantra for the aesthetics were “vintage, not rustic”—we wanted a clean and classic appeal with some romantic touches that would hold up for years and years to come. When we found the Winslow Estate property, we knew it would be a perfect fit for what we wanted. Right on the water, but more of a unique Spanish-style than Cape-style house, there was a lot of room for us to do something creative outside. As a plus, we and our whole wedding party were able to stay in the house and the guest house on the property, which allowed us to spend a great deal of time with them over the weekend, and gave the celebration more of a “home” feel than an “event space” feel.

One of our clean-and-classic anchors was that we didn’t want a strong themed accent color to the wedding. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos with black ties, and the bridesmaids were asked to choose their own dress with a desaturated blush and champagne palette. The best way to translate this to the flowers was to focus on whites and greens. Beth from Seagrass Floral Studio did an incredible job with the bouquets and arrangements. By using lots of blue-green and grey-green plants and ferns like Dusty Miller, she was able to keep depth and excitement without losing the simple whites-and-greens look we wanted. Included in my bridal bouquet was ivy from my mother-in-law’s own wedding bouquet 35 years prior, which was a great family touch. One of my favorite special details was the subtle running theme of the ivy; in addition to being a part of my bouquet, we wove ivy into the chandeliers and table arrangements, and a print designer/colleague of mine created the custom ivy monogram we used for our wedding programs.

We had two types of tables: three long Tuscan tables for the wedding party and immediate family, and round tables for the remainder of the guests. The round tables had white cloths with a romantic lace overlay. The Tuscan tables had runners with the beautiful ivy-laden antique candelabras, that had etched votive globes. To bring some energy to the room and add really subtle pops of color across the tables, our caterer Casual Gourmet brought in all different and unique vintage china to use for each of the place settings, so everyone’s seat was different. For lighting, DesignLight did an amazing job with stringing fabric-covered bee lights to give the interior of the sailcloth tent a soft glow, and the large chandeliers (draped with ferns, ivy and dendrobium orchids) really capped off the romantic atmosphere. Finally, while we love Mila our English Bulldog, she wasn’t able to make it to the wedding. I found some little gold bulldogs on Etsy that we used for place card holders, which was a fun little reminder of her for us.

Photography: Studio Atticus Photography | Videography: McElroy Weddings | Event Design: Elegant Engagements | Floral Design: Seagrass Floral Studio | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara | Invitations: Goosefish Press | Reception Venue: The Winslow Estate | Bride's Shoes: Gucci | Catering: The Casual Gourmet | Hair + Makeup: Leather & Lace Artistry | Lighting: DesignLightCo. | Band: Sugarbabies Inc. | Groom's Attire: 9tailors | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Bride's Reception Dress: Reformation | Quartet: Animato String Quartet

With family from Texas to Brazil, this couple decided on a destination wedding to group all their guests in one perfect spot – Cape Cod. Esq.Events Wedding Coordination came on board to help them design the day of their dreams, including rustic details captured by Li Ward. See it all here!

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Overbrook House is such an awesome wedding venue and our amazing couple made the most of the various spaces available. They hosted their families and friends on the property in Cape Cod: many visiting from Texas and Brazil. The ceremony was held on the lawn followed by cocktails and games in the garden and dinner in a sail cloth tent. The final stop was the dance hall for dancing and desserts. It was a warm, personal affair that continued well into the evening. The details and design of the entire event were elegant and whimsical fitting the rustic venue on the cape.

Photography: Li Ward | Cinematography: Waves Media | Event Planning: Esq.Events Wedding Coordination | Styling: Rust Luxe | Floral Design: Bittersweet Gardens | Reception Venue: Overbrook House | Catering: The Casual Gourmet | Makeup: Shannon Kartel | Band: Cuppa Joe | Tent: American Tent & Table, Inc | Tent Rental: American Tent & Table, Inc | Rentals: True North Rentals | Vintage Rentals: Rust Luxe

Winter Schminter, this celebration embodies sunny beach days and childhood carnivals but with a beautiful, peony-filled twist. Captured by Readyluck, it’s a study in taking a theme near and dear to your heart and translating it into the most beautiful thing on the planet. See even more cake and love by the ocean planned by Cape Cod Celebrations right here.

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From the Bride… I always envisioned doing something really fun and unique for my wedding. I wanted to combine those nostalgic and playful elements of our personalities with two of our favorite places to visit – the carnival and the beach! We’ve been coming to Wellfleet, a very cool and artsy beach town in Cape Cod, for years and couldn’t think of a better location than The Chequessett Yacht & Country Club. With a working rustic boathouse located right on a private beach, it seemed like the perfect spot to have our dream vintage seaside carnival wedding!

I did quite a bit of research on vintage carnivals and the color palette I was most drawn to was faded pastels, like a soft candy pink and mint with touches of red. I especially love the 1950s/early 1960s era and kept envisioning vintage ice cream soda shoppes, drive-ins with old marquee signage, pink cotton candy and red candy apples. One of my all-time favorite films is the 1988 movie “Big” with Tom Hanks, where he goes to a carnival and makes a wish on a Zoltar fortune-telling machine. I ended up renting a Zoltar Fortune-Telling Machine and had custom fortunes designed for our guests.

Other DIY elements included a kissing booth for guest photos custom built by Garth’s uncle, and our snow cone cocktail bar which consisted of a really cool cocktail menu I created just for our day! I found a company that sells organic gluten free snow cone syrup in wide variety of flavors which gave us a lot of freedom in creating custom snow cone cocktails. I was obsessed with having these vintage pink water goblets from a nearby vintage tea shoppe “Fancy That” in Walpole, Ma. I really think they were gorgeous statements pieces on the tables.

Our escort cards were designed as carnival tickets and placed on an easel with a really cool vintage-inspired carnival sign. We bought a vintage pink 1950s Royal typewriter along with some antiqued paper for the Guestbook. Next to that was a mailbox where guests folded their notes and stuck them inside. Our favorite moment had to be walking down the aisle as a married couple to our recessional song “You’re So Cool” from the movie “True Romance”. It has such a whimsical, carnival feel… Like what you would hear riding a vintage Merry-Go-Round.

Our favorite crafted detail was our custom cake topper that features Garth, myself and our dog Gypsy on a beach with carnival-themed banner. For our flowers, we wanted to have an airy, overgrown garden feel consisting of pink and watermelon colored peonies, clematis, garden roses, berries and white anemones. I am a huge fan of Monique Lhuillier wedding gowns. When I first saw my dress, it was in a magazine spread where the model was dancing around while playfully holding a piece of wedding cake. That definitely captured the style and mood of what I envisioned for the wedding – just like the song “Cake by the Ocean!”

My dress was youthful, elegant, romantic and meticulously crafted and designed. I have curves and wanted the dress to accentuate my shape. The embroidered detail on the top portion of the dress was incredible, but my favorite part was the bottom flowing layers of chantilly lace with overlays of draped tulle. For my jewelry, I just borrowed a small pair of diamond earrings from my best friend Jenny.

My glam squad was amazing as well – My old friend, who is also a phenomenal makeup artist, flew in from LA to attend and do my makeup. I was so thankful to have him there not only to make me look beautiful, but as a great calming support. I reached out to Stacey Keuhn, a local Cape Cod hairstylist who recently got Best of Boston for wedding hair, to tame and style my unruly tresses. For the cake, we had a 3-tiered naked funfetti cake with vanilla buttercream filling, adorned with our custom cake topper featuring Garth, myself and our dog Gypsy. We also had an amazing dessert cart loaded with ice cream cone cupcakes, strawberry shortcake dessert shots, apple crisp mason jars, creme brûlée soufflé cups, cotton candy, vintage boxes of popcorn and red candy apples.

For our Welcome Bags, we had buckets with jute rope handles holding 2 personalized bottles of water along with striped pink straws, Cape Cod chips, sea vegetable bath bar from LUSH and a custom designed map of Wellfleet done by Jolly Edition who did our invitations as well. For other favors, we had a photographer dedicated to taking instant polaroid photos at the vintage Kissing Booth as well the custom fortunes from the Zoltar Fortune-Telling Machine. We also had fresh bags of cotton candy, vintage striped boxes of popcorn and crates full of Raspberry Lime Ricky and Root Beer soda bottles which came from a local Cape Cod staple, Kandy Korner in Hyannis, Ma.

Advice: If your venue doesn’t come with a coordinator to help with day-of details, set-up and certain aspects of the planning process, I would definitely recommend hiring a coordinator for the day of. Our wedding consisted of so many details that we actually had to rent a U-Haul to transport everything to the venue and back. We couldn’t afford a full wedding planner so this put a lot of pressure and stress on us. Although I was intent on carrying out my vision, it slightly kept me from being in the moment on my wedding day because I was so fixated on the execution of those details. As everyone says, it all goes by in a blink of an eye so you have to be present and enjoy it!

Photography: Readyluck | Coordination: Cape Cod Celebrations | Floral Design: Wild Folk Studio | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Artisan Bake Shop | Invitations: Jolly Edition | Catering: Sumptuous Catering | Makeup: Jay-el Halo | Hair Stylist: Stacey Kuehn | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Transportation: Cape Destinations | Chalkboard Art: Dear Rose Studio | Music: DJ's Brian Mariano | Music: The Knot | Rentals: New England Country Rentals | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Rentals: Fancy That NYC | Video: A&A Productions | Zoltar Machine: WOW Entertainment

This wedding has every element that make SMP hearts beat a bit faster. Gorgeous invites and paper goods (thanks to Bella Figura and Tie Thats Binds), beautiful florals (because Hana Floral Design is ah-mazing), and it all came together thanks to True Event. So is it any surprise that SMP had to attend in person and capture the behind the scenes action?! See all our footage below and don’t miss Elysium Productions’ film – aka the pros – and all of Leila Brewster’s beautiful pics in our Vault gallery as well! Win, win, win!

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SMP Goes Behind the Scenes at the Real Wedding!

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From the Groom… Now that we live farther away from family and friends, we wanted our wedding to be a chance for us to spend time with as many of the people we love as possible. Despite being based in Los Angeles, we chose Cape Cod because most of my family lives there or close by. The distance definitely made the planning and preparation process a challenge, but we were so lucky to have our family, friends, and wedding team on the ground to help us with the details and work we couldn’t cover from LA. On the day of, we didn’t have to worry about a thing – everything went perfectly and Megan and I were able to just enjoy our time with the people we love.

From the Bride… Garrett and I met in 2009 at a dive bar in New York City on Valentine’s Day. I knew during our first conversation that he was something special, but he was in a relationship at the time and didn’t give me a second look. Despite that, I told my mom after meeting him that I wanted to date someone like Garrett, who I called “Cape Cod Boy.” Two years later, we re-met in Hoboken, New Jersey. Garrett was single and he remained the cutest, kindest, and funniest guy I had ever met. Long story short, we kissed that day and started dating – and we’ll never stop.

The first thing that made me fall in love with Garrett is his devotion to his family and friends. We wanted the wedding weekend to reflect our appreciation and gratitude for the people we love, so we focused the entire weekend on spending as much time with friends and family as possible, starting with a Thursday night barbecue and continuing to Friday night open-house cocktails hosted by my cooler-than-cool mother-in-law and a Sunday brunch so that everyone could recover from the wedding night together.

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

I have a few highlights (the cake and wine tasting being the standout), but I can’t say I actually loved the planning process all that much. That’s why I hired the best team of vendors in the business. My favorite part of the process was getting to the wedding day and having no stress that weekend about my guests, my wedding party, or my vows. My husband and I were able to really focus on being with our family throughout the entire weekend because we could rely on our amazing planners, Sarah and Caitlin with True Event, and their team of hand-picked vendors.

Why did you choose the location that you did?

We wanted to get married close to one of our families and in a place that would feel casual but permit us to bring in touches of elegance. The themes of our wedding were “warm and inclusive” – we wanted every guest to feel like he or she was a part of the wedding party and to feel as though we, the bride and groom, were accessible to them. Bourne Farm was the perfect setting. Garrett’s mom lives about five minutes away in North Falmouth. The property is open to the public generally and used as a dog park and a pumpkin patch seasonally, which gave it the family-friendly vibes that we wanted. We were able to bring in a gorgeous tidewater tent and take advantage of the beautiful natural scenery while bringing in colorful personal touches.

What was your favorite design element?

This is the hardest question by far! I think I have to say that my favorite design elements were those made by our family: the beautiful bittersweet vine arch that Garrett’s cousin, Lauren made for us (and our extraordinary florist, Yumiko, glammed up with peonies and greens), and the white standing doors that Garrett’s aunt, Ruthanne, made for our ceremony site. I cried when I saw the doors from the trolley with my wedding party – they had moldings and details, and Ruthanne perfectly brought to life this vision I had described at the dinner table months earlier. She, Lauren, and Garrett’s family spent so much time and energy trying to make our day perfect and those design elements will always stand out in my mind because I know the love that they put into bringing my Pinterest-inspired visions to life.

Sarah, Caitlin, and Yumiko brought many other touches to the tent and cocktail hour that I loved, too – the beautiful garland on the head table; our gold flatware; our signature cocktail brought from our favorite restaurant in our new home city, Los Angeles, and named after the bar where we met in our old hometown, New York; and our guestbook, a coffee table book about Italy, where we honeymooned after the wedding.

I was so lucky to have Sarah to advise me on my vendors, and I ended up with a dream team supporting me on the day: True Event – Sarah and Caitlin – are not only creative geniuses and organizational wizards, they’re also just very kind individuals. I came to Sarah with two themes for our wedding – warm and inclusive – which have nothing to do with colors, linens, or music, and she understood our objectives right away and created a gorgeous party that far surpassed our wildest expectations. Hana Floral made our day so beautiful and single-handedly brought my request for bright and cheery pops of color to the blank slate of our venue. Leila Brewster is an enormously talented photographer and a friend who I would want by my side for eight hours (or more!) any day. And Julie Hill, who introduced me to Sarah (for which I am eternally grateful), made our gorgeous video that we’ll cherish forever.

Photography: leila brewster | Videography: Elysium Productions | Event Planning + Design: TRUE Event | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Invitations: Bella Figura | Catering: The Casual Gourmet | Makeup: Dana Chasen Thomases Owner Of Beauty Muse Bridal | Hair: Emily Reale | Calligraphy: Kristen Henderson | Band: Sultans Of Swing | Transportation: Cape Destinations | Wedding Venue: Bourn Farm | Tent: American Tent & Table, Inc | Bathroom Trailer: Nauset Disposal | Cocktail Hour Music: Panneubean Steel | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Accessories: Tie That Binds | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Trolly: Kenny's Coach

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Elysium Productions

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Florals

Hana Floral Design

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Leave it to Olympic medalist, Sasha Cohen to take on the role of “bride” with incredible grace. She wed her love, Tom May oceanside on Cape Cod and the photos by Corinna Raznikov speak for themselves. “Tom and I both love the ocean. We wanted a non-denominational ceremony, something in nature,” Sasha said. “We were overlooking the water and got married just before sunset. It was absolutely lovely.” The Pink Polka Dot brought every detail to life and there’s more to see this way!

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From The Pink Polka Dot… When Olympic silver medalist, Alexandra “Sasha” Cohen wed Thomas May, all they truly wanted was “… Something small and charming.” said Sasha Cohen. The New York-based couple chose Cape Cod because their busy schedules made the East Coast more sensible than a location near Cohen’s Southern California roots. They picked a small country club, The Wianno Club, near where May’s parents have a summer house. May’s sister also was married in Cape Cod, so she was able to give some guidance when it came to planning. The guest list totaled 140. There were five bridesmaids, including May’s two sisters, plus the maid of honor, Cohen’s sister, Natasha. Among friends from the skating world were gold medal winner, Evan Lysacek, Tiffany Stiegler Stahl (who was a bridesmaid, just as Cohen had been for her in her 2014 wedding), Jennifer Markham and Christie Baca.

Sasha’s color palette vision was steely silver, muted blues, whites and peaches. She wanted to incorporate vintage, romantic elements as well.

“Karen, our florist, did an amazing job with the arbor, candles and lanterns and rose petals along the aisle leading up to the altar. It was transformed into a vision.” The white and peach florals were absolutely beautiful and helped create a romantic feel in the ballroom. Textured cream linens, lots of candlelight and menu cards with floral accents completed the tables. Lush floral pieces lined the unique horseshoe shaped head table to create an intimate seating arrangement for the wedding party. The escort cards were tied to antique keys and displayed in beautiful boxes of moss for a vintage look. Cohen met May at a birthday party in 2014 through mutual friends in NYC. They got engaged in July 2015 in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

“We explored the beaches of the Cape during the day and then Tom proposed at sunset on a tiny private beach right before we went out to dinner,” Cohen said. They were married by a justice of the peace and said traditional vows. Natasha’s sister read a poem. Cohen’s Galia Lahav-designed dress was beaded with antique-style accents and a dramatic cutout on the back with a brass zipper. One part of the day Cohen will never forget is getting ready to walk down the aisle with her parents. “That was a moment I took for myself – I wanted to really remember how it felt before all the commotion started,” Cohen said. “Our first dance was very special, (as were) the speeches and closing the night with a line of sparklers.” The newlyweds did a traditional first dance to “Stand By Me,” a favorite of May’s.”The lyrics are inspiring and very fitting for a first dance,” Cohen said. “We both felt it was the right message. “We took dance classes before, which was a lot of fun,” she added. “It was slightly choreographed. Tom was nervous. He’s not used to performing in front of people, but it went really well. I have to say the lessons paid off.”

The newlyweds honeymooned in Sydney, Australia and Fiji.”

Photography: Corinna Raznikov Photography | Coordination: The Pink Polka Dot | Floral Design: Lilacs | Cake: Artisan Bake Shop | Invitations: The Pink Polka Dot | Makeup Artist: Brandon Ward | Hair: Salon in the Mills, Sara Aspden | Band: Nate Bash Band | Officiant: Lucien Poyant | Ceremony Music: Bruce Abbott Music | Venue: Wianno Club | Paper Products: The Pink Polka Dot | Rentals: Be Our Guest

Living in New England, I’m well aware of how ridiculously beautiful the Cape can be. That doesn’t mean that a gorgeous wedding there goes by my desk unnoticed though. I spent some quality time with this gem from Kelly Dillon right here and I can guarantee you’ll be dreaming of beachside blooms and salt water kisses by the time you get through this gorgeous gallery.

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From the Bride… AJ and I met originally in our late teens through a mutual friend that had gone to elementary school with AJ and worked with me in high school. About 10 years later, our same mutual friend threw a Halloween party where we reunited and the rest, as they say, is history. AJ and I spent the next seven years traveling and building a life together and then in late April of 2014, in our home surrounded by flowers, candles and photos of the two of us, AJ got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! As we began planning our wedding, we knew we wanted it to be a bit more than a day, we wanted a weekend away where our family and friends could get to know one another and escape their fast paced lives. Enter Cape Cod. My family has been spending our summer vacations there for the past 50 or so years. It’s a very special spot in the world as it is a place that everyone comes together, no matter how far away someone lives or where they are, everyone comes back to Cape Cod to reunite in the summer.

We wanted the wedding to feel like a fancy party we were throwing in our back yard and for the location to be a spot where many of our friends and family could stay for the weekend. Happening upon the Winslow Estate was a dream come true. The estate is not only beautiful and well loved, but the view from the backyard is unbelievable. When I brought AJ there for the first time, he said, “Well, this is the best view I’ve ever seen on Cape Cod!” We were sold!

The Winslow’s were wonderful to work with and recommended great vendors. AJ and I arranged for a few special activities over the weekend like a whale watching trip for those in town early and instead of a rehearsal dinner, we held a welcome dinner for everyone at a favorite family restaurant. For the actual wedding, I imagined a beautiful tent with soft romantic colors that was pretty but not over the top. A showcase of New England’s seafood was high on the priority list and a raw bar was a must have. Being on the ocean, we included some nautical items throughout the wedding like lanterns, and the navigational coordinates of the location on our cocktail napkins. We also incorporated birch tree items and other wooden elements for balance throughout the wedding. AJ’s last name is Birchler and he’s an arborist so including birch trees into each part of the day was a must! In the months leading up to the wedding, AJ and I worked on DIY projects like the birch arbor and home-brewed beer we made for the occasion. So many family and friends also pitched in, and we couldn’t have pulled this off without them!

Our wedding was filled with wonderful friends and family, amazing food, so much dancing, and laughter and love. We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day, and still can’t believe that this is our real life!

Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography | Floral Design: Fancy Flowers | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Invitations: Daughter Earth | Wedding Shoes: LK Bennett | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: The Casual Gourmet | Hair & Makeup: Blusing Brides | Ties: The Tie Bar | Groom's Attire: Nordstrom | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: Winslow Estate | Tent: Undercover Tent | Rentals: New England Country Rentals

Once Labor Day passes, the crowds quickly dissipate from Cape Cod, but the beauty of the region is still as strong as ever. This fall wedding, captured by Kate Preftakes, is made chicer in the crisp autumn air, with sparkling bridesmaids in shades of champagne and silver. Wychmere Beach Club was the perfect backdrop for this beautiful bash and this gallery has me rethinking when beach season really is best.

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From Kate Preftakes Photography… Stacy and Mike were married on a brisk November day at the gorgeous Wychmere Beach Club on Cape Cod. I loved everything about these two and their traditional Greek wedding! They were surrounded by an abundance of family members, many all the way from Greece. Stacy and Mike were both so calm and happy all day which made the wedding even more fun. And oh, that dress!! Isn’t it fabulous?! The ceremony was incredibly beautiful and I so enjoyed the gorgeous church and all the traditional aspects of the service. We ran to the beach after it was done for some very quick, very cold portraits in the dark! Their bridal party was truly wonderful, never complaining and being so helpful to us. Not to mention gorgeous!! The girls wore dresses from several different designers.

The Wychmere is a stunning venue. The room itself is so pretty with the beams and sophisticated beach feel. But, what made it even more incredible, is that you are literally on a dock, so when you look out the windows you are looking straight down at water. Boats are going by and waving and it just feels like Cape Cod! This was a super fun crowd and the party was going all night! Everyone was up and dancing, and throwing money, and hugging and kissing, and you just couldn’t help but want to join in the fun. What an incredible way to begin a marriage, surrounded by so much love and happiness! (See more at: http://www.preftakesphoto.com/blog/stacy-mike-married-wychmere-beach-club/#sthash.YZkLIsU7.dpuf)

From The Bride… From the start we knew we wanted our wedding to be unique but still focus on our family values and traditions. We took different approaches, from our creative wedding booklet invitations to a mix and match theme with the bridal party and decor. Focusing on a neutral palette and letting the beauty of the people, the church and the venue shine through. We honored our Greek traditions by getting married at a Greek Orthodox Church nearby and our celebration after was focused on ensuring our friends and family had fun and memorable experience that truly represented us as a couple. We added a vintage Cape Cod touch using traditional lobster traps, buoys, scallop shells, sand and natural branches and lanterns to tie into the theme, making it an overall Cape Cod experience.

Photography: Kate Preftakes Photography | Floral Design: Beach Plum Floral | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Konditor Meister | Invitations: Wedding Paperie | Reception Venue: Wychmere Beach Club: A Longwood Venue | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Band: Bear Fight

Let’s face it, any wedding with Ruth Eileen behind the lens is destined for perfection. Beginning with the Bride’s dove grey gown, to the astilbe accented Beach Plum Floral bouquets, to the paper cranes, and antique finds, it’s all of these perfectly styled elements that steal the show. The result is a gallery worth revisiting time and time again, here!

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From the beautiful Bride… Jason and I got engaged on our favorite part of Cape Cod. We’d been going to Wellfleet for about five years and it became very special to us. The beautiful houses, history, antique shops, the old drive in and great food was always worth the trip from NY. Even if it were a few days we always fit it in to our year. We both knew we wanted to get married there. Since it’s such a small area it was hard to find a space that worked. I didn’t want a standard venue, as a designer I always pictured something more personable that I could decorate and stage myself. One night after searching the internet Jay came across the Holden Inn. We reached out right away and on a whim we booked it. We visited about a month later and fell in love. The beautiful old white cape style was a perfect back drop. There was enough space to hold our desired amount of one hundred guests. I also loved that majority of our out of town friends could all stay at the inn. Other friends choose to rent houses close by which was perfect.

After our trip back in MA, my imagination ran. I grew up in Plymouth and one of my favorite activities to do with my mom was to walk around down town and antique. My grandmothers house was always full of beautiful treasures, blue, milk and carnival glass crammed from shelve to table. I wanted to incorporate old pieces I think if she was still around she would have liked.

My antique finds throughout the year ended up being, various cake stands, mixed vintage plates for dinner, a beautiful paint chipped chair which weirdly enough incorporated our wedding colors. Also a chandelier I ended up refurbishing, an adorable chess set, and an old cabinet which we placed the cake pops in. The ultimate prize a vintage moss green couch from craigslist a steal for 75 bucks which was fantastic for photos. I could see it all coming into play.

We took a lot of other tasks on ourselves, I wanted to design our invitation suite, something I enjoyed as an illustrator at heart. I purchased my paper from paper presentation, printed them at home and then hand painted them individually. My best friends and I spent numerous wine filled nights folding paper cranes, some even took it upon themselves to take blocks of paper home to fold them through out the year. I loved the symbol of the crane, happiness, good luck, peace and honor. Although we didn’t get close to the 1,000 I had wanted they looked beautiful hanging from our arbor, as table numbers and as a chandelier hanging from a high tree.

I picked out my fabric from a store in the garment district of NYC, the perfect combination of matte gold sequins which was married against a charcoal grey and mixed in matched through out the various tables. My girlfriend a dear and sweet friend of mine sewed all the runners. The wedding tables would have been way to plain without her help. Another great friend of mine spent a whole day helping me sew various pillows in blush, powder blue and grey burlap. I planned to disperse them out boho style under a bench I rented from new england country rentals. My friend a talented make up artist who I met post college did my make up and bridal parties that day. It showed up so nicely in photos, she’s always been my favorite MUA. Lastly my work out buddy beautified my hair. I always tell her her work is very precious literally spending tedious time making every curl fell perfectly. I wouldn’t have made it through this year without the love and support of my mini “NY family”.

Everything came together so beautifully that day, the weather was perfect, sunny and just warm enough. Our wedding was perfect for us and there’s nothing like being surrounded by friend and family from different stages of our life. The love we felt that day was indescribable. I wish we could do it all again. This whole year inspired me to pursue my passion as an event planner. I can’t wait to see what the years have in store for us as a married couple. The best is yet to come as they say.

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Floral Design: Beach Plum Floral | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Bride's Shoes: Ava & Alden | Rings: Liloveve Inc | Catering: Clambakes, etc. | Groomsmen's Attire: Egara | Wedding Venue: The Holden Inn | Bride's Hairpiece: Amanda Judge | Bride's Jewelry: Suzanna Dai | Cake Pops: Cake Face | Desserts: Blue Blinds Bakery | Invitation Suite: Avocado Change | Make Up Artist: Kevyn Aucoin | Rental Of Farm Bench, Arbor, Galvanized Tub: New England Country Rentals | Rentals: American Tent & Table, Inc | Week Of Coordination: KG Events & Design

If you’re anything like I was as a newly engaged bride-to-be, researching venues is a full-time job! But for you lucky New England couples, the search just may be over. Enter the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Overlooking the Charles River and featuring breathtaking Boston skyline views, this spot is a must see.

If a city wedding is your cup of tea, it just doesn’t get much prettier than the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Boasting incredible 180-degree panoramic city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the 16th floor Charles View Ballroom, there’s nothing not to like. Prefer an outdoor spot to say I do? They’ve got you covered with the Riverside Pavilion which can accommodate up to 150 guests in a gorgeous white tent with French windows, stunning chandeliers and a beautiful garden patio. No matter your style or taste as a couple, the Hyatt Regency Cambridge can make your wedding dreams a reality.

I’ll admit, I’m a little bit jealous of you New England couples right now! And now’s the time to book your big day at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, because you can enjoy free honeymoon nights at any Hyatt Hotels and Resorts location worldwide! From incredible tropical resorts to exciting city hotels in 45 countries around the globe, you can choose your perfect destination for your first trip as a married couple.  Simply book and hold your wedding at a participating Hyatt hotel by December 31, 2015 and you’ll earn Hyatt Gold Passport® bonus points redeemable for free nights with no blackout dates at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

We’ve met this lovely bride before.  She happens to be one of four Donna Morgan fashionistas who tied the knot last year and, let me tell you, loves… it was spectacular.  Think pretty, pretty nautical details joining forces with perfectly pink florals from Designer’s Touch, the fabulous Wychmere Beach Club and, of course, some Donna Morgan lovely.  See it all captured by Angela Greenlaw right here.

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From The Bride… My husband is from Boston and grew up going to Cape Cod. I spent my first summer there a couple of years ago with he and his family and absolutely fell in love with it! After looking at several places we found Wychmere Beach Club. It matched our vision perfectly. Edmund and I wanted a day filled with fun and laughter with our families, much more of a large celebration of our love! My most favorite part of the day was walking down the aisle and seeing my soon-to-be husband there smiling at me. I’ve never felt more in love in that very moment. It was absolutely magical!

Our inspiration was laid-back nautical. We wanted our family and friends to really feel at home and enjoy all the Cape has to offer. For a day that was supposed to be freezing and raining it was sunny and warm! It couldn’t have been more perfect!

Photography: Angela Greenlaw | Floral Design: Designers Touch | Wedding Gown: Pronovias | Band: Redline | Venue: Wychmere Beach Club: A Longwood Venue | Bridesmaid Gowns: Donna Morgan

There’s a certain mystic to Cape Cod weddings and this nuptial, captured by Joyelle West, is no exception. Surrounded by pristine beaches and a gently blowing breeze, this modern affair is overflowing with romantic red florals by Allison Phalen and proves that it doesn’t get any more romantic than a day by the sea with the one you love. More right here!

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From Joyelle West…A fashion-forward couple from New York has a modern and chic spin on a Cape Cod beach wedding. A family home on a beautiful in Cape Cod beach was the setting for this summer wedding. The couple lives in New York City, so their wedding was not a traditional affair, but instead had a sophisticated, modern approach that ended with a giant bonfire on the beach.

From the Bride… Amy Odell… Rick and I live in NYC but got married at his grandparents’ home on Cape Cod. We looked at a lot of venues but ultimately decided we wanted to have the wedding at a place that felt special (we got engaged on the beach there as well) and would go back to often. Plus, we love that beach and used it throughout the weekend. We had a bonfire after party on the beach with s’mores and invited everyone over the next day for a picnic brunch and beach time.

As for the wedding, we wanted something simple, elegant, chic, modern. The traditional Cape Cod route — salmon/blue/nautical touches — isn’t really my style so we went with a color scheme of red, pink, and burgundy. We also put tons of twinkle lights in the ceiling of the tent and had a black and white dance floor. I was so fixated on nothing being too fussy or over the top that I worried I would regret the floor for looking like “too much” but it actually looked amazing against our flowers and the green grass. We didn’t want to detract from the setting, either — we didn’t have any large, over-the-top floral arrangements or anything like that, but you don’t need it when the place you’re getting married is so pretty!

We did a lot of research to find vendors, with the help of our planner Jamie Bohlin. I have to say planning a home wedding is a ton of work and we could not have done it without her. We spent a long time looking for our amazing photographer (!) and incredible florist and it completely paid off. Our caterer, Casual Gourmet, was also amazing and even ran to the liquor store when we ran out of champagne partway through the wedding.

For bridesmaids dresses, I gave the girls a color (pink) and let them pick out something they liked. I didn’t ask for a certain length or anything. I can’t imaging forcing anyone to spend money on a dress they don’t want just so it can be the same as everyone else’s. Everyone ended up with a different shade of pink, which I expected, but looked fabulous all together.

My dress was by Reem Acra. It was pretty simple except for a bit of asymmetrical lace detailing and a dramatic Grecian back. It also came with a very long veil with a little lace detailing that I was completely obsessed with. My shoes were a bargain buy from ASOS for $80. I needed a thick heel that wouldn’t sink into the grass and they carried an adorable silver pair that I still wear!

My makeup was done by Carly Cardellino, my close friend and the beauty editor of Cosmopolitan.com. She gave me a purple-hued smoky eye and pink lip and really glowing skin, inspired by a look I saw on Diane Kruger. The hair was done by my hair dresser in New York, Travis Speck, who works at Sally Hershberger. I have naturally wavy hair, so he just did a more finished version of it with extensions and lots of humidity-fighting product. I wore my hair down for the ceremony when I had the veil in and then he put it half up when I took the veil off.

Photography: Joyelle West Photography | Videography: Heirloom Pictures | Event Planning: Cape Cod Celebrations | Floral Design: Allison Phalen Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Bride's Shoes: ASOS | Caterer: The Casual Gourmet | Hair: Travis Speck | DJ: Murray Hill Talent | Groom's Suit: Calvin Klein | Venue: Private Residence | Tent: Chase Canopy | Bride's Makeup: Chante Cutter | Bridesmaids' Makeup: Amanda McCarthy Beauty | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited

Prep always looks fresh. Something about the simple nautical stripes and the salty ocean breeze prompts a sense of unfettered ease. And if you’re lucky enough to actually be on Cape Cod, it’s hands-down the way to go. This wedding, shot by Nicole Montmarquet, looks equal parts classy and laid-back (Also note the boating knot around the bouquet.) Love!

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From the bride… I grew up on Cape Cod and Tom moved there with his family when he was 13, so we both consider it to be our home. It’s where we met, became best friends, and eventually fell in love! We knew an oceanfront wedding was a priority, but the details would make it our “dream wedding”. Our theme was nautical/old Cape Cod while being effortlessly romantic with a hint of classic Cape Cod prep.

We achieved this by offering Cape Cod favorites; a freshly-shucked oyster raw bar, locally brewed craft beers, a gourmet menu made with local ingredients, and a salt-water taffy bar! We also offered two specialty cocktails; the Dark & Stormy, and of course, the Cape Codder! Our color theme was ivory, dark navy blue, and a touch of blush pink. We used beautiful hand-crafted farm tables, bars, and beverage troughs, while incorporating preppy touches such as; message-in-a-bottle seating assignments, nautical knots as place card holders, and a custom-made oar instead of a traditional guest book.
We wanted our guests to see “us” in our wedding day. We received so much feedback regarding the little details and touches that made our wedding special and unique to us, our love, and our personalities. For example, we left the church in a traditional British black cab, an ode to our time spent living in London together. In addition to a spectacular DJ, my father’s band played, and he got everyone on the dance floor with bluegrass music (my favorite!). Although we stayed true to the classic and preppy theme, we tried to maintain a low-key vibe, because it matched our personalities perfectly. We knew that anyone who really knew “us”, would expect a comfortable, welcoming, and laid back wedding. Our wedding fit us perfectly, and it was so much fun to watch it all come together after months of planning. After years of moving to different states and countries together, it was so special to spend an entire weekend celebrating our love with our family and friends on beautiful Cape Cod!

Photographer: Nicole Montmarquet Photography | Floral Design: VOWS Of Falmouth | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Montilio's | Cupcakes: Something Sweet Cape Cod | Invitations: Parchment Nantucket | Bride's Shoes: Toms | Bridesmaids Dresses: Ann Taylor Loft | Hair & Makeup: Special Event Beauty | DJ: DJ Scott Events | Band: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Grooms Attire: J.Crew | Wedding Venue: Ol'Cottage, Private Estate | Tent: Sperry Tents | Rentals: True North Rentals

As much as I love a larger, grander affair, intimate weddings are my favorite.  There’s just something about celebrating your day with only your closest friends + family that makes me happy… and this darling Cape Cod affair?  Filling my heart with joy.  A nine person guest list, beautiful blooms from Wild Bunch Studio and moment after moment of pretty captured by Kate Preftakes.  Sigh.  See it all here.

From the Bride… Being an enthusiastic-to-passionate type, I can get very excited and wound up in the moment. So for my wedding day, I knew I needed to find a way to keep the celebration relaxed and low-key. We had scheduled later receptions with our respective hometown family, friends, and live bands in New York and Chicago. But an intimate wedding day involving just our parents, siblings, and officiant (a priest friend) proved a great way to keep the focus on each other.

My husband, Matt, had grown up summering on Cape Cod and enjoys sailing, so we made that our setting and style inspiration. A graphic designer friend, Donny Skelton, created invitations, programs, and menu cards with a modern, unstuffy take on that theme, incorporating a sailboat and diagonal stripes. I chose a corset-style dress with subtle striping to reflect the East Coast’s preppy, seaside vibe. My sister and Maid of Honor wore a statement pearl necklace. The men wore cravats—just like my stylish groom’s Italian grandfather had tied on at his wedding—and morning coats with tails. Our coral and navy color scheme, a fresh take on the standard nautical red and blue, completed the elegant coastal-infused feel.

Our ceremony was held in Cape Cod’s traditional gray shingled St. Pius X Catholic Church, which was also Matt’s family parish. My friend Tom Gibbons, now a priest in Toronto, flew in from Canada to preside. He made our ceremony personal and full of laughter. For instance, after pronouncing us husband and wife, he said, “Lynn, you may now kiss the groom.” Our nine guests tossed coral rose petals to send us off, and we drove off in a Toyota Prius with my name on the license plate. And Matt’s name had been added on through some cute surprise decorating by my siblings!

We took pictures among the sailboats at Claughlin’s Landing, a classic beach on the Cape’s southeastern tip. Then we held a post-ceremony dinner at the Chatham Bars Inn, one of the loveliest old-fashioned resorts in Massachusetts. The Captain’s Room, with its 12-person seating, was perfect. Our florist, Katie McConnell of Wild Bunch Studio, created the most beautiful table we’d ever sat around. Texturally, contrasts set things apart: a rustic stone runner against elegant candles in mercury glass; spiky orange pincushion flowers against soft spray roses.

We went around the table, and each person offered a funny or heartfelt toast. Photographer Kate Preftakes had beautifully captured the special moments of our ceremony and then our time on the beach. To finish, she caught us laughing, toasting, and occasionally tearing up during the dinner. It completed the intimate wedding day we’d imagined.

Photography: Kate Preftakes Photography | Floral Design: Wild Bunch Studio | Invitations: Donny Skelton | Reception: Chatham Bars Inn | Bridal Gown: Modern Trousseau

This wedding is pure perfection.  A stunning Cape Cod affair with drop-dead gorgeous details (think beautiful blooms from Lilacs Florals + breathtaking views) and one of the happiest bride and grooms you will ever meet (their First Look was epic).  It’s a Wequassett Resort and Golf Club day that will definitely go down in history and you can see it all captured by Deborah Zoe in the full gallery.

From Deborah Zoe Photography… There is nothing quite like the charm of a Cape Cod wedding. And Lauren and Patrick’s wedding at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club fit the bill perfectly. Navy blue blazers, preppy Vineyard Vine ties, a lace detailed dress, clear blue skies and an ocean view, what more could you ask for?!

Well, an amazing couple of course!! Lauren and Patrick are quite the pair. Lauren with her bubbly and effervescent personality, Patrick with his humor and friendly charm. Together they epitomize warmth, kindness and a genuine spirit. On their wedding day, friends and family could not say enough about this beautiful couple (and Lauren’s infamous dance moves). Witnessing these two together those words could not have rang more true. Lauren and Patrick are truly one of a kind.

Photographer: Deborah Zoe Photography | Videographer: Harborview Studios | Florist: Lilacs | Invitations: William Arthur | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: L'elite Boston | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club | Hair Stylist: Lindsay Griffin | Lighting: Ormonde Productions | Band: Night Shift Entertainment | Ties: Vineyard Vines | Groomsmen's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Bridal Boutique: Allegria Bridal | Bridal Gown: Augusta Jones | Hair Clip: Luxe Deluxe - Etsy | Instrumentalists: Intermezzo Chamber Players | Linens and Placesettings: Be Our Guest | Make Up Artist: Kimberly Fosher | Resort and Golf Club: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

Cape Cod weddings are in a league of their own when it comes to shoreline soirees. They have casual elegance down pat, and when Troy Grover is behind the camera capturing every beautiful moment of said soiree – that’s when Cape Cod weddings get even more fabulous. Take this beauty for instance, it’s perfectly captured and beautifully executed, and you can see them every bit of the pretty right here.

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Photography: The Grovers | Floral Design: Designers Touch | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Cake: The Casual Gourmet | Invitations: blissfully invited | Invitations: blissfully invited | Church: Our Lady Of The Annunciation Chapel, Dennisport, MA | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | hair and makeup: SERAI Beauty | Band: Kahootz | Tux: Ralph Lauren | Transportation: Cape Destinations | Venue: Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Course

Cape Cod hosts some of the most memorable weddings we’ve ever laid our eyes upon here at SMP, and this darling Shining Tides affair is certainly no exception.  A traditional affair with a lovely rustic kick, it’s everything we happen to adore about fab Cape Cod nuptials… it’s totally pretty, seriously heartwarming and all kinds of awesome.  See every moment captured beautifully by Scobey Photography in the full gallery.

From the Bride… The most important trait that Ryan and I share is our love for family. Our wedding was, first and foremost, about celebrating our union with the closest friends and family. I always dreamed about having a Cape Cod wedding, where I spent every summer I can remember. When we found Shining Tides in Mattapoisett, we could envision guests holding cocktails on the lawn and dancing the night away on the porch overlooking the harbor. Instantly, we knew this was the place.

After finding the perfect traditional New England backdrop, we wanted to go in a somewhat unexpected direction with the décor. Instead of nautical, we felt rustic elegance would reflect our style more accurately. With the raw wood porch and white trim, bright pops of pink florals and twinkle lights created the warm and welcoming atmosphere for our guests, even after the sun set. The lace runners, candles and romantic lanterns finished off the romantic feel seamlessly.

Another really important goal Ryan and I wanted to accomplish was to throw an awesome dance party. We were pretty sure the mission was complete when our guests, from the youngest cousins to the newest friends to the eldest aunts, clad in their navy sunglasses inscribed with our wedding instagram hashtag, almost brought the porch down chanting “one more song!” after the band regrettably announced the party was over. It was truly the perfect night to start our journey together surrounded by the people we love the most.

Photography: Scobey Photography | Floral Design: Flourish Floral And Event Design | Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bakery: White's Bakery | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Russell Morin | Band: Gig Masters - PartyPosh | Groom's Suit: Z by Zegna | Transportation: A&A Metro | Dress Boutique: L'elite Boston | Estate: Shining Tides

So… I’m pretty much obsessed with this wedding.  Like that swoon over every last detail and memorize every moment kind of obsessed that sort of goes hand in hand with a breathtaking Martha’s Vineyard affair.  You know what I am talking about – sweet blooms from MV Florist and Gifts, fab paper goods from Paperless Post + Minted and one drop-dead gorgeous moment after another captured by Yuna Leonard Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

From the bride… Vlad and I met in Sydney, Australia while we were in college on a study abroad program. On our six-year dating anniversary, he got down on one knee in our Boston apartment and asked me to marry him with a rose gold ring his grandmother had brought with her from the Ukraine.

As we began to plan for our wedding, we tried to stay focused on creating a day that felt true to us, rather than following conventions. We were both intrigued by the idea of a destination wedding, but didn’t want the location to be too limiting for our guests. One place that had been special to us through the years was Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts. We decided to travel there the weekend after Thanksgiving to see what the possibilities might be. We rented mopeds and rode around the island, checking out a few places. When we arrived at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society barn, known to locals as the “Ag Hall,” we knew it was the perfect spot for us. Not only had we met on an island (albeit a very large one), now we’d be married on one as well!

The very first vendor we booked was our photographer, Yuna Leonard. She has a way of capturing moments that look real yet dreamy. The next decision we made was food. One of our favorite things to do is eat, so it was really important to us to create a delicious experience for our guests, and ourselves. We decided on Southern barbecue from the amazing Blackstrap BBQ. With the major necessities in place, a theme of casual, festive elegance emerged. We chose gray, navy, and shades of coral to help us plan the details for our day.

A few of the most special touches were designed by family members. My mom and grandparents built a gorgeous chuppah out of bamboo and a tablecloth that had belonged to my great-grandmother. Vlad’s grandmother made stunning tablecloths for the reception using fabric we picked out. We weaved the letters M and V throughout different parts of the day, as they are not only the first letters of our names, but also form the abbreviation for Martha’s Vineyard.

The week of our wedding, we rented a historic Gingerbread-style house on the island. Some of our friends and family stayed with us, and others stayed nearby. This allowed us to really take in the whole wedding week and spend time with our guests watching sunsets and eating lobsters fresh from the fishing boats.

On the morning of the wedding Vlad and the groomsmen got ready on the upper floor of the house, while the girls and I were glammed-up downstairs. Two vans then came to pick up Vlad and I, and we rode separately to the historic East Chop lighthouse where we did our first-look. It was such a special moment when we saw each other and we will never forget it. After that we went to the beach to capture some shots with the wedding party, and the sun came out just long enough for us to take our photos. As we were finishing, the sky suddenly opened and we all ran back to the vans as quickly as we could!

Our guests arrived at the ceremony on Martha’s Vineyard sightseeing buses. While they were getting seated, we had our ketubah ceremony under one of the alcoves of the barn. Vlad helped design our ketubah with an image of the island and nautical ropes, using our wedding colors. Our Rabbi worked with us to create a ceremony that was everything we envisioned and more. We wrote our own vows, and I would recommend doing so, because it made the moment very personal and meaningful. Vlad’s grandfather, a talented musician, played violin during the processional and recessional, which was truly special.

During planning we always talked about wanting to have a really fun party. At the cocktail hour we had an oyster shucking station with our favorite oysters, which was a big hit. I created a photo-booth-like area using a banner, chalkboards, and props, so that guests could stop by and take photos throughout the evening. Our southern barbecue buffet created a relaxed and delicious dinnertime. I surprised Vlad with a robot-surfer groom’s cake that combined two of his favorite things, and even had a bathing suit that matched one he always wears surfing. With the huge barn doors open on three sides of the building, guests could wander in and out as they pleased to gaze up at the stars as it got dark. A very close and talented friend of ours DJ’d, and created a vibrant atmosphere for dancing, getting everyone up on their feet.

The most important thing Vlad and I needed to keep reminding ourselves of throughout the planning process was to create a day that was true to us and what we wanted. With that in mind, we were able to bask in a truly memorable and celebratory day, that was absolutely “us.”

Photography: Yuna Leonard Photography | Floral Design: MV Florist | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cakes: Vals Cakes | Invitations: Paperless Post | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaid Dresses: Urban Outfitters | Catering: Tastyplates | Makeup: tada makeup | Hair: Lindsay Griffin | DJ: Roman Levin | Men's Attire: Zara | Officiant: Rabbi Richard Winer | Transportation: Vineyard Coach and Concierge | Wedding Venue: Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society | Alterations: Best Fit | Bridesmaids' Bracelets: Bridal Cute Hangers | Bride’s Ceremony Veil: Blissetts | Bride’s Earrings: Cherry Hills Bridal | Bride’s Face Veil: Alisa Brides | Bride’s Shoes: Vince Camuto | Bride’s Wedding Ring: Homsy Jewelers | Cake Topper: N.Hayes Designs | DJ Equipment Rental: Boston Pro Sound | Day-Of Coordinator: Amanda Masson | Groom’s Cake: Oakleaf Cake Bake Shop | Groom’s Wedding Ring: BRAG - Boston Ring And Gem | Hanger: Bridal Cute Hangers | Liquor/Beverages: Ort Market | Personalized Napkins: The Knot Wedding Shop | Rentals: Seaside Celebrations | Robes: Silk And More | Save-the-Dates: Minted | Straws + Straw-flags: Dime Store Buddy | Table Number Bins: Target | Tablecloth Fabric: Zimman’s | Wooden flower holders: Save On Crafts

I’m fighting every urge in my body to let the girly “oh my gods” gush out of me right now. This wedding, from Lauren Methia Photography, has done it. The couple, the flowers from Winston Flowers, the beautiful sunset on the beach, the colors… it’s brought out my inner wedding nerd, and I’m loving it. Everything is so beyond perfect, it’s kind of ridiculous.

Cinematography: Imagique Weddings | Floral Design: Winston Flowers | Makeup: Dana Dodson | Hair: Kristen Moshiek | Baker: The Casual Gourmet | DJ/Music: DJ Yogi, Boston Sound and Light | Mansion: Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Course

Cape Cod weddings are always special, but this one takes the cake. Because it’s not only down right gorgeous thanks to the talented team of Cape Cod Celebrations, but it’s also filled with heart (their description alone sent the good kind of shivers down my spine). You see, on top of planning a wedding, this amazing Bride also donated her kidney to her soon-to-be hubby. I’ll let you take a moment to soak that in. They are literally the perfect match in so many ways, and their chic Cape Cod celebration must have been not only magical, but meaningful. See the entire day from Hike Photography right here.

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From the Bride… Bob and I met years ago while working at the same company and formed a great friendship. We are very similar with our sarcastic nature, so we had a lot of fun together. Three years ago we took our friendship into a relationship. Our relationship was always so easy, a part of me always knew that I would move to Newburyport where Bob was living and that we would be married. I never thought about it, just knew that was the direction. Our love for each other grew very strong and for the first time we both felt like we could truly love and be loved.

From the beginning of our relationship I always knew Bob had health issues. He struggled with a kidney disease for many years and we knew that at some point in his life he would need a kidney transplant. In January of 2012 he was told that it was time after dealing with his disease for 12 years, he would need to go through the process of becoming a recipient for a transplant and to start talking to family and friends about donating. Two family members wanted to get tested to become a donor for Bob, so we started that process. Bob and I tried to go on with life as usual. In March we went on an amazing trip to Scrub Island in the BVIs. To my surprise Bob asked me to marry him on that trip and everything was perfect.

After the trip Bob’s family members that were being tested could not be donors. It was very emotional because of the willingness for them to donate as well as not being able too. Bob started to have other complications. I could not see him like this and wanted to do anything I could to help. I decided to call the transplant center and schedule to be tested, I didnt know my blood type, but wanted to try. Within three weeks of getting tested, I was a match for Bob. When I found out I was the match I knew I was going to have surgery. I was scared to death as I had never had a major surgery let alone spent a night in a hospital, but I knew I had to help and could never live with myself if I did not help him.

The week before the surgery Bob was admitted to the hospital with a pain in his arm. The surgery was cancelled and he was devastated, really not sure what was even going on. Later on we found out that Bob was suffering from a minor heart attack due to complications. The doctors handled his condition, but it left Bob with no choice, but to go on dialysis. With hope we would be able to be back on track in three months and have the surgery.

Three long months went by; Bob and I were once again cleared for surgery. There was excitement and so much fear. We were both so worried that this would affect our relationship. Neither of us wanted to resent each other we just wanted to be there for each other. On October 1st we had surgery and I donated my kidney to Bob. The surgery went well for both of us and we both had a long recovery ahead of us. With the help of our families we had the support we needed to get through a full recovery and although it wasnt always easy we made it through, together. Everything you go through in life makes you stronger and this made us as individuals stronger and together in our relationship resilient. We truly are the perfect match!

After surgery we started putting all our energy into planning our wedding. Since I was a little girl I always wanted to get married at the Popponesset Inn. I grew up on Cape Cod and really wanted to share that with Bob. Bob grew up in Newburyport, so we knew we wanted to have the wedding near the water. When I brought Bob to look at Popponesset, he thought it was perfect location for a romantic, casual and fun setting. I already knew the vendors I wanted to work with some old friends and some new faces. I met Judy Fligg from All about Flowers and instantly fell in love. Her creativity and ability to understand your vision is amazing. I met with her 6 weeks after surgery and she brought me back to life, her heart so fill with love and joy. Because of her I am able to work with the best vendors on Cape Cod. We chose a nautical theme of anchors, lanterns, sea glass, seersucker, and beautiful peonies in soft ivory and pink. Our invitations were custom done by Jen at Dulce Press, which set the scene for our Cape Cod wedding. We incorporated Cape Cod in our invitations and guest book. Cape Cod has become a second home for Bob and is special to both of us.

The wedding was incredible, everything we imagined it to be. Walking into the ceremony, Popponesset was breathtaking especially with the rain splashing down. Our family was a big part of our wedding party, which made the day that more special. Our twin nephews walked down before I did with driftwood sign that read Uncle Bobby here comes your girl. Rose pedals lined the aisle and at the end of the aisle were beautiful arrangements of peonies, roses, and hydrangeas on pillars. I held an all pink peonies bouquet with a charm to remember my mom; she passed away and wanted her to be part of my day too. We finished the ceremony and started pictures inside the tent, as we were getting through some pictures we noticed the sun peeking through and that the rain had stopped. All of us so excited went outside to the beach and was able to take some amazing shots on the beach thanks to Hike photography. I like to think it was my mom looking down on us sending her love. After pictures we went back into the tent got introduced as Mr. & Mrs. Eiserman and danced our first song I wont Give up by Jason Mraz, that Dan Sky sang for us. We chose Dan because we heard him sing one night and it touched our hearts.

When we sat and looked around the room we were amazed at the beauty of it all. Tables of white linen with cobalt chargers and glasses, white and pink flowers overflowing silver pales and lanterns, sea glass around the room, white lanterns and lights hanging from the ceiling, and the perfect little nautical touch of seersucker on the tables. We incorporated signs made out of driftwood for Mr & Mrs made by Liz Stotz of Newburyport. It was the perfect Cape Cod wedding. We dined and danced to the music of Dan Sky and just appreciated our lives, health and love.

It was a beautiful night for us and really came together with help from our fabulous vendors and planners that out of the goodness in their heart gave Bob and me a wedding to always remember after a year we wanted to forget! Many thanks and love to Jen at Dulce Press, Judy at All About Flowers for Weddings, Jamie Bohlin Cape Cod Celebrations, Jennifer Perry at Popponeset, Lisa from Delicious Desserts, and Dan Sky from Dan Sky music.

Photography: Hike Photography | Coordination: Cape Cod Celebrations | Floral Design: All About Flowers For Weddings | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Delicious Desserts | Invitations: Dulce Press | Bridesmaids Dresses: Lula Kate | Makeup: Robin Liebowitz | Hair: Brady Brumfield of James Joseph Salon | DJ: Dan Sky | Ties: Vineyard Vines | Men's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Wedding Venue: Popponesset Inn | Bridal Boutique: Allegria Bridal