Massachusetts Weddings

Weddings can be super expensive (I know I’m preaching to the choir here!) but with some creativity and a little bit of elbow grease, you can find ways to cut some dollars here and there. Drawing inspiration from the beach and place cards from the sea (literally!) this couple created the wedding of their dreams on a very tight budget. Printing her paper goodies, using found clam shells as table numbers and arranging her own florals, this bride wrote the book on DIY style! Dip your toes in the full gallery by Forevercandid Photography.

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From the Bride… My name is Amy Partridge, and my husband’s name is Scott. The beach has always been one of my favorite places on earth, so it seemed only right to have a beach themed wedding. I find that its the small details that make a wedding, so that is what I focused a lot of my attention on. As both my husband and I were right out of college, we were on a strict, tight budget. And with me being so obsessed with all the small details, I figured I’d do a lot of it myself to save money. I’ve always been somewhat of a crafty person, so I did a lot of these crafts myself, some with the help of family and friends. 

I did all the paper stuff myself. I purchased cardstock in bulk and used that to create my invitations, programs, menu cards, favor tags, and then I used leftover scraps for thank you cards. We saved a huge chunk of change by doing that ourselves. Another idea I had was for my “escort cards.” I assigned my family members to collect medium-sized clam shells anytime they went to the beach. When I had enough, I cleaned them off, painted them with a pearl colored paint from Michael’s and then wrote each name and table number on a shell. This was essentially free — I just had to pay for the paint marker and the pearl paint. The table numbers were very similar idea. I had large clam shells cleaned, painted with the same pearl paint, and painted table numbers on them. Again, this was essentially free since I found the shells on the beach.

My older sister Lori has a natural talent with floral arrangements. With her background experience with this, we purchased flowers through Stop & Shop and Shaw’s floral departments and did our own bouquets. We spent the afternoon before the wedding putting them together. I am still obsessed with the way they turned out — they were perfect! My husband and I are so happy with the way our wedding turned out. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing! I am so happy I was able to do so much DIY and save so much money. A lot of people think that they can’t have a nice wedding on a small budget, but I believe that I’m proof that it can be done!

Wedding Photography: Forevercandid Photography / Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Pocasset in Pocasset, Massachusetts / Reception: The Flying Bridge Restaurant in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Centerpiece Floral Design: Just For You Florist & Gifts / Bouquets: The Bride’s Sister, Lori Hannon, with Flowers via Stop & Shop + Shaw’s / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: DIY by the Bride with Cardstock via Paper and More / Escort Cards + Table Numbers: DIY by the Bride / Favors: Grandma LuLu’s Cookies / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: DSW

Cherry blossoms: fresh pink quintessential East Coast Spring prettiness on a stick. Coincidentally, that sums up the beauty of this ocean front Chatham Bars Inn Cape Cod ceremony captured by Dreamlove photography. Mix in a glowing bride in a modernized mod chic sheath and this recipe yields classic style with vintage vibes. The lush warm colored Lilac desgined florals are punctuated by a crackling fire and even warmer personal touches, from the bride and grooms beaming exchanges to grandmother’s jewelry. See all of the warm springiness in the full gallery!

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From Dreamlove Wedding Photography… Emily and Adrian tied the knot at the gorgeous Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The ocean always provides an amazing backdrop for pictures, but with white wooden arches and pink cherry trees in bloom lining stone staircases, this place was perfect for pictures. Emily, a fantastic journalist, and Adrian, an amazing climate scientist, seemed to be made for each other! And despite the fact that they were showered with several life-altering events all in the span of a few months — from getting engaged, to finding out they were going to have a baby, to Adrian being offered a job halfway across the country — this couple still managed to have the wedding of their dreams. And it was dreamy! Emily found a simply stunning dress at Kleinfeld and paired it with coral colors in the bridesmaids dresses for a classic Cape Cod affair. Cherry blossoms decorated an arbor behind them during the ceremony and were blended with long-stemmed pink and peach tulips for table centerpieces that took our breath away! A vintage table held the guestbook and gifts, and a crackling fire provided the perfect ambiance to the evening. All in all, a swoon-worthy wedding on the Cape that still has us giddy with picture-perfect adoration.

From the Bride… We decided to get married on the Cape because, unlike 99% of couples who also get married here, we actually live here! The Chatham Bars Inn was a no-brainer because I first went there as a little girl, even before my family moved to the area, and so it has sentimental value, plus it’s just so gorgeous with its grand entrance and sweeping views of the ocean. My favorite part of the day was definitely the ceremony, which I was actually the most nervous for (and kind of dreading, as I am so not a center-of-attention kind of person). But when I walked in and saw the cherry blossom arbor, it just took my breath away — what a wonderful surprise. And of course, seeing Adrian up there calmed my nerves, and I was able to just hold his hands and enjoy it all. I’m just glad I made my vows short and sweet, because there was no way they would have been coherent through my tears if they was any longer!

Adrian and I actually met online in 2010. I had sworn off meeting people in bars (gets kind of old once you hit 30), and it’s beyond difficult to meet other young people on Cape Cod (all 12 of them!) any other way. He had a really old Match profile up which didn’t even include a picture of himself, but I contacted him anyway because it said he was from Woods Hole, and that’s where all the brainy scientists live. I figured he had to be halfway intelligent, and plus, he had a really articulate description of himself on it. So I contacted him, but he was still up in Alaska above the Arctic Circle doing research (as he does every summer), so we just traded emails for a month or so until he got back. Then when he did, we had our first date at a restaurant in Falmouth that almost didn’t happen — I didn’t see him when I arrived, thought he had blown it off and almost left myself! But he caught me on the way out, and the rest is history.

Wedding Photography: Dreamlove Wedding Photography / Wedding Venue: Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod / Wedding Planning: Allison Wildes Liset / Floral Design: Lilacs / Catering + Wedding Cake: Chatham Bars Inn / DJ: Dave Donato / Wedding Dress: Le Sposa di Gio via Kleinfeld Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Jewelry: Vintage from Her Grandmother / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George & Associates / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Rings: Blue Nile

Blue lovers are about to rejoice (I happen to be one of those lovers). It’s a parade of elegant robin’s egg meets deep ocean blue meets teal cowboy boots set against the backdrop of Highfield Hall and it totally, completely works. kml photography teamed up with Courtney’s Floral Creations and Delicious Desserts to showcase the beauty of Cape Cod and those refined, elegant details that make this New England spot such a gem all while giving this shoot a decided rustic flair. Pretty horses and bridal boots will definitely do that. See more of the shoot right here!

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From Kate of kml photography… This is your not-so-average Cape Cod-style wedding with a pretty palette of off-whites, greens, blues, vintage teal cowboy boots and one giant horse! Our inspiration for the shoot came from the historic Highfield Hall where most of our shoot took place — the robin’s egg blue of the walls in the ballroom, the old books we found along the same color lines, and the vintage cowboy boots that the bride happened to own. We added a touch of modern but classic elegance with the linens, florals, sculpted hairdo and the cake.

Photography: kml photography / Venue: Highfield Hall in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Floral Design: Courtney’s Floral Creations / Wedding Cake + Truffles: Delicious Desserts / Table Linens + Setup: Rentals Unlimited / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Cowboy Boots: Vintage / Hair: Stacey Kuehn / Makeup: Emma Josselyn

I can’t thank Stacey Hedman enough for sending over this gorgeous garden wedding! Each picture is like a big breath of fresh air, and all the simple yet stunning touches couldn’t be more perfect for this adorable duo. It looks so effortlessly chic, making for a day that was most certainly dreamlike. So you can join me in thanking Stacey for this perfect excuse for a little morning day-dreaming in the full gallery of lovely!

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From the bride… We are lovers of the great outdoors and knew that we wanted to get married outside — somewhere beautiful and serene. We found our perfect spot at Spohr Gardens in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where I grew up. It holds a special place in my heart as my grandmother used to come down every spring when I was young to take a trip to these gardens to look at the thousands of daffodils that bloom there every year. She is long gone, but she was there with us on our wedding day. We got married on a dock overlooking the pond. It was warm, but there was a breeze and it was just perfect. Once everyone had left to go the reception, Stacey had Jim and I walk around the grounds, and snapped photos. These are some of my very favorites! It was all as magical and sweet as it looks, and we are so very lucky to have found each other. We are excited for all that lies ahead for our growing business and are enjoying time with each other before taking the next step to expand our family!

Wedding Photography: Stacey Hedman / Ceremony: Spohr Gardens in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Reception: Osteria la Civetta in Falmouth, Massachusetts / Flowers: Astrid of Windfall Market / Wedding Cake: Windfall Market / Wedding Dress: BCBG / Hair: Angela at Belleza Day Spa / Makeup: Kimberly Richard / Pearls: A Gift from the Bride’s Aunt / Groom’s Suit: H&M / Groom’s Shirt: Brooks Brothers / Groom’s Tie: Barneys

Cape Cod is just the right setting for an elegant Fall wedding like this beauty shot by Lauren Methia Photography. And even more than the beachy color palette or the beautiful florals by Lilacs or the AWESOME welcome bags that the Bride crafted herself, is the sentiment behind the day. You see, aside from the typical dream-like setting that the Wequassett Inn has to offer, it also serves as a bank of childhood memories for the Bride, who grew up visiting her Grandparents on the Cape. So what better place to Marry than a spot held so dear? This little gem has a whole lot of heart and it shows in each and every image. See it all here!

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From Lauren of Lauren Methia Photography… Christina and Paul were married October 15, 2011 at the gorgeous Wequassett Inn on Cape Cod. Family and friends traveled near and far to join them on their special day. Christina grew up visiting her grandparents on Cape Cod so it holds a special place in her heart. She wore her grandmother’s brooch on her dress and designed many of the details herself, including the welcome bags/gifts, menu cards, invitations and more. The ceremony took place on the lawn overlooking the water at sunset. Everything was perfectly orchestrated by the couple, making for a beautiful fall Cape Cod wedding. Christina and Paul were amazing to work, and I’m happy to now call them friends!

Photography: Lauren Methia Photography / Venue: Wequassett Inn / Jazz Band: Stage Door Canteen / DJ: Dave Donato / Flowers: Karen Taddei of Lilacs / Cake: Konditor Meister / Videographer: Ian Travis Barnard / Wedding Gown: Jim Hjelm / Designer: Hagopian Ink (owned the bride) / Hair: Cee Cee Politano / Makeup: Ivy Vahanian

Cape Cod is a place that is near and dear to my own heart so I totally get dreaming about having the perfect seaside celebration there.  This sweet wedding by Katie Pietrowski Photography is definitely pretty close to perfect with its punchy pops of pinks and orange over nautical blues and whites.  Everything from the location to the details held special meaning to the couple and made it that much more beautiful.  See it all in the full gallery!

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From the bride… I dreamed, long before I got engaged, that someday I could be married on Cape Cod. To me, it’s more than a summer vacation destination, more than a sunny beach day, it was my permanent home for 22 years, and in some ways, it will always be my home. I was fortunate enough to find a husband who shared the same love for the Cape as I and was as set on being married there. We wasted no time finding the perfect Cape Cod location immediately after getting engaged. When we visited The Sea View in Dennisport, MA, my hometown, we both knew it was it. It was simple, fresh, bright, elegant, and had just that Cape Cod touch.  

The inspiration for our wedding day was the colors of Cape Cod in the fall. We wanted to blend the image of fall in New England with the end of the summer season on Cape Cod. I chose navy for the bridesmaid’s dresses and tan for the men’s suits to represent the colors of the sand and the ocean.  In fall, the ocean turns a deep blue, and will always remind me of the end of summer. I also wanted to save most of the colors for our flowers. Our florist was the most wonderful woman on earth. The flowers were simply stunning and were my favorite detail of the day, especially because they were not typical Cape Cod colors or arrangements but fit just perfectly into our vision. I wanted to preserve them forever! Pinks and oranges have always been my favorite colors and I am so happy at how they worked into the day. I even worked in our fraternity and sorority pins on my bouquet. Our flowers definitely put a touch of “us” in the wedding décor.  

We put a lot of focus into the “nautical” part of the Cape Cod theme. Guest table names were boat names from the harbor where my parents dock their boat in the summer. Our table name was “Shoal Mate” with our chairs adorned with hand painted “Mr”. and “Mrs.” buoys. Some of our guests even got to sit at tables of their own boats. For favors, each guest was given a gift certificate for a cone of ice cream at Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor, a local landmark where both myself and my sister, my maid of honor, have worked/work. I know they got put to good use on the warm, sunny, fall Cape Cod day. Finally, our guestbook was a framed antique map of the Cape that our guests could sign. We knew this would be the perfect way for us to remember our guests and the place that will always hold a special place in our hearts. The night ended with a candy bar for our guests to fill the late night snack cravings. The candy jars and bags were all DIY. I couldn’t have done all of this without the help of my mom. She made the beautiful 4 tier, 4 flavor wedding cake, helped with making programs, name cards (she printed them all while I punched hundreds of anchors), addressing the invitations, and more!   She made 35 lobster lollipops for our rehearsal dinner as well, and they were a hit!

Wedding Photography: Katie Pietrowski Photography / Wedding Flowers: Meredith Fancy of Fancy Flowers / Wedding Ceremony Venue: Christ the King Parish / Wedding Reception Venue: The Sea View / Wedding Shoes: Nina / Wedding Dress: Anjolique / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Hair: Ashley Bigda / Makeup: Maura McSharry / Music: DJ Danny Walsh / Transportation: Cape Destinations

This wedding was captured brilliantly as only davina + daniel can do. I’m literally in awe of all the gorgeous images, not to mention how fabulous this adorable couple is. I mean, really, just look at her dress and shoes…I’m loving each and every fabulous inch of this outdoor fete including all the touches of gold and milk glass. Talk about a refreshing combination! Click here for even more.

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From the bride… Cape Cod was the perfect wedding location for many reasons, one being it is pretty close to mid-way between our two homes, as I grew up in California and Andreas is from Germany, which is where we live now.  Also, my family has a long history on Cape Cod and I have always felt a deep connection to the area.  We got engaged in Cape Cod during a trip in 2010 and both knew right away that we wanted to get married there as well.  We always knew we would have a small wedding, we wanted the wedding to feel more like a great dinner party with good food and good wine and to just be surrounded by love and laughter.  We found the perfect venue, a grouping of lakeside cottages, where we could not only throw a great party, but also house our guests.  It made for a laid back long weekend for our friends to get to know each other and enjoy all of the things we love about Cape Cod.  

The Monique Lhuillier dress I wore was found at a store my friend managed after it had somehow been lost in the warehouse and been continually marked down.  I had emailed her almost the exact same dress from Monique’s runway show as an inspiration for my wedding dress, knowing it was way out of my price range.  When she stumbled upon the dress in her warehouse, she immediately sent me an email saying “I found your dress!!!!”.  As soon as I read her mail, I called her right away with my credit card number after only seeing a blurry picture she had snapped on her phone.  It was bridal fashion fate.  It fit almost perfectly and was practically free (in wedding dress terms, that is).

We switched the day around a bit and started the wedding afternoon off with cocktails, appetizers and some lawn games, rather than leading with the ceremony.  It gave us a chance to take more photos and mingle with our friends and family before we became mr and mrs.  I walked with both of my parents “down the aisle” to our favorite song, “Heartbeats” preformed by a fabulous local musician.  My uncle preformed the ceremony and incorporated a literal “tying of the knot” activity, and had each of our guests write their name on a rope and then tied each together, tying not only Andreas and me together, but our friends and family together as well.  It was a beautiful addition to our short and sweet ceremony, with our handwritten vows bringing a bit of laughter.  After the ceremony, we spent our first few moments together as husband and wife in my boat rowing around the lake and were blessed with the most amazing Cape Cod sunset ever and it was magical as the grey sky turned vibrant hues of pink and red.  We left out many wedding traditions (bouquet toss, cake cutting, first dance) because they didn’t feel like “us” and focused on what we found most important- spending the day with the people we love.   Having creative friends and family was an enormous help, as planning a wedding from another continent is not exactly an easy task, but thanks to the internet and a very helpful wedding planner (aka my mama) the weekend was a great success and certainly one of the greatest days of our lives so far.

Venue: Gibson’s on the Pond / Caterer: Sumptuous Catering / Photographers: davina + daniel / Bride’s Dresses: Monique Lhuillier + Antik Batik / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Flowers: Flowers by Mary / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Shoes: H by Hudson / Hair: TJ Hazzard / Rings: Kevin Main Jewelry / Wedding Pies:  Cottage Street Bakery + Marion’s Pie Shop / Ceremony Musician:  Fred Fried

We’re welcoming in 2012 with this beautifully intimate fall wedding by Meg Brock Photography. This crafty and laid back couple decided to nix their plans of a backyard wedding in the Philadelphia area and instead invited 16 of their closest friends and family members to join them on Cape Cod. We are loving the DIY elements and how the bride and groom turned their wedding day into an entire weekend of festivities. Click here for the full story.

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From Meg Brock of Rich Meg Media: Most couples have a wedding and reception.  Jessica and Joe truly had a wedding day.  When first planning their wedding, Jessica and Joe considered  having a backyard affair near their families in the Philadelphia area. However, wanting a more intimate setting, they decided to get married in Cape Cod.  Sixteen of their closest friends and family joined them at the Whale Walk Inn for a beautiful weekend of celebrating Jessica and Joe’s love for on another.  

Everyone arrived at the Whalewalk Inn at Cape Cod by Friday evening.  The morning of the wedding was super laid back and casual.  I arrived at the B & B on Saturday morning to find the groom wearing a baseball cap, enjoying a quiet breakfast with the wedding guests.   That set the tone for their beautiful day. The ceremony took place at midday on the B & B grounds.  Afterwards, everyone, including the bride and groom, headed to the kitchen and arranged an amazing hors d’oeuvre spread which was enjoyed over a few hours on the back patio.  At the end of the night, everyone headed to a beautiful restaurant  the end of the cape for a simple, delicious dinner.      

Jessica put so much love into the day.  She handmade gorgeous invitations for everyone which included driving music and a booklet which outlined the weekends events.  She also made a terrarium for each guest to take home along with a card which explained a personal meaning.  She also added adorable lock and key charms to her bouquet and Joe’s boutonnière.

The weather was warm and perfect.  Everyone, including the bride, had expected it to be much colder.  A week after their wedding, it snowed in New England, reinforcing what a perfect day Jessica and Joe had. Jessica and Joe are such a sweet couple and it was such a pleasure to be apart of their day.

Photography: Meg Brock of Rich Meg Media / Florist: Fancy Flowers  / Sweater: Lucy Levintovich /Dress: Southern Bride via Ebay / Grooms Attire: Brooks Brothers / Hair and Make up: Silhouette Hair Salon / Ceremony Venue: The Whalewalk Inn and Spa /
Dinner Venue: The Red Inn Provincetown, MA

My What I love About This Wedding list for this breathtaking Cape Cod soiree at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club by Eric Laurits would be a mile long. Maybe two miles. I wouldn’t even know where to begin – the bride’s Oscar de la Renta gown? The Mother of the Bride’s gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gown? The charming Cape Cod scenery mixed with black tie elegance? It’s impossible to decide what I love most, so I think I’ll just spend the day drooling over all the lovely in the full gallery of images!

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From the Bride…Eric Laurtis took the most beautiful pictures of our wedding July 24th, 2011 at the Wequassett Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts.  

Buzzie and I met six years ago, and fell in love during our first summer spent together in Cape Cod.  Our families both have homes in Cape Cod, so when we got engaged it was a no-brainer that we would want to be getting married in the Cape.  My wedding was planned by me in New York city, with the help of my family with all the details. The Wequassett Inn was the most beautiful colorful, and perfect backdrop for our wedding, so I wanted to keep the flowers and the rest of the wedding all shades of white.  

My Aunt, Diane Valle had owned a flower store in Boston growing up, and though she retired from that she so generously offered to do my wedding flowers.  We spent countless hours looking at magazines for inspiration, and also wanted to celebrate the natural beauty and flowers that are at the Cape.  

I am a buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue, so I was obsessed with finding the perfect dress and bridesmaid dresses. My dress was Oscar de la Renta, I tried on the runway sample, 1 week after the spring 2011 collections walked, and ordered that dress immediately.  I scoured the marketplace for the perfect bridesmaid dresses, and finally picked those amazing Notte by Marchesa bridesmaid dresses off the rack. I then searched for the perfect mother of the bride dress for my mother and found the most amazing green Monique Lhuillier dress. 

My grandmother painted small paintings of flowers to give away as wedding gifts as people left.   My wedding couldn’t have come out more perfectly, and we had the most amazingly beautiful evening of celebrating love and family!

Wedding Photography: :e: – Eric Laurits / Floral Design: Diane Valle / Ceremony + Reception Location: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club / Invitations: Ceci New York / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Bridesmaid Dresses: Notte by Marchesa / Mother of the Bride: Monique Lhuillier / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister /Makeup: Dani Wagener

Get ready to feast your eyes on one super gorgeous beach side wedding by Kate Preftakes Photography. There are so many pretty details packed into this day but my faves have got to be the bridesmaids bouquets-beyond gorg full of fluffy peonies and pretty green hydrangeas, the bride’s custom dress, to-die-for, and the setting…it really doesn’t get any better! All these pretty details add up to one elegant and unforgettable day full of eye candy galore. Click here for even more.

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From the Bride…I chose the Wequassett because my parents were married there 37 years ago, and we absolutely fell in love with the setting when we visited last fall.  Although the setting was very traditional Cape Cod, I wanted to stay away from the typical hydrangeas and sand dollars. I really wanted an overall theme of romance so I chose a soft pallet for my flowers which included white and light pink peonies and lily of the valley.

I originally thought I wanted to have my bridesmaids wear blue dresses, but then I saw the eggplant dresses on a wedding website and fell in love with the color. My bridesmaids looked gorgeous in them, and I and tied their look together with cream and light pink pearl and grosgrain ribbon necklaces that I purchased from Etsy.com.  As for my look, I wanted to look more “Vogue” than “bridal” so I worked with a dressmaker (Ana Hernandez) and she added a long train to the back of the dress which made for a very dramatic look. The inspiration for the back necklace came from a Chanel advertisement featuring Nicole Kidman in a backless gown. My maid of honor actually sewed the necklace into place on my wedding day- best maid of honor ever!

My favorite moment of the day was seeing Robb as I walked down the aisle. I had pictured that moment my entire life, but I never imagined the joy and emotion I actually felt when I saw him standing there with a huge smile and watery eyes.

Wedding Photography: Kate Preftakes Photography / Venue: Wequassett Inn and Resort / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Catering: Wequassett Inn and Resort / Wedding Coordination: Kalson Pang of Wequassett Inn and Resort / Floral Design: Flowers by Fancy / Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Alterations: Ana Hernandez Bridal Salon

When the bride is a freelance stylist and former craft editor for Martha Stewart Living then you know her wedding is going to go above and beyond in the style department.  This Cape Cod beauty by Ned Jackson Photography is such a sweet, whimsical, nautical dream.  I feel like I’m seeing the nuptials of Ariel and Prince Eric in a romantic underwater celebration and that makes my inner Little Mermaid fanatic totally giddy.  Click here to see it all!

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From the Bride…Planning a wedding from across the country was no easy task, but thanks to the internet and an initial scouting trip I was able to find a great location and put together a wonderful team.  As a stylist, I am always creating crafty moments for my clients, so it was hard for me not to want to do the same for my own wedding.  With so little time, I had to curb my desire to create everything myself and enlist the help of family and some crafty vendors.  I looked to Etsy for some of the handcrafted details, hired a florist, determined what could be delegated to (my amazing) family and friends, and then chose a few projects to create myself.

I started off designing our save the date and invitations – a great way to begin the creative process of choosing a color palette and overall look and feel.   I wanted our wedding to feel elegant and to be an authentic expression of us as a couple.  As I perused countless magazines and blogs for ideas, I kept seeing seaside weddings that felt very “preppy-nautical,” but this just didn’t feel like the right fit for us.  I wanted to give the seaside theme a different twist, so I chose a soft romantic color palette based on my shell collection and a few old sea glass bottles I found at the flea market – shades of aqua and shell pink – and then punctuated it with navy accents.

The seahorse theme was inspired by a trip we’d taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I fell in love with their graceful elegance and the way they seem to dance effortlessly together – a sweet metaphor that we wove throughout our ceremony and reception.  A pair of white chocolate sea horses graced the top of our cake, we had custom seahorse wine stoppers made out of pewter for our favors, and for the sand ritual in our ceremony we poured sand from a large nautilus shell into a glass vessel etched with the sea horse artwork I created for our invitations. My vision for a romantic seaside wedding really started to come together when I decided to look to the beautiful intricacy of 19th century Sailors’ Valentines  for inspiration. These mosaic-like masterpieces composed entirely of small sea shells were originally brought home from a sailor’s voyage as a souvenir for a loved one.  Many contain examples of tiny shell flowers and intricate symmetrical patterns which inspired many elements of our wedding, including the design for our cake – a delicious mango cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, covered in tiny pastel sugar shells.

For my bouquet, I created some shell flowers by adhering small pink petal-shaped shells to pearl bead centers and then mounted each one to a separate wire to make it easy for our florist, Katie McConnell, to incorporate them into the feather- fringed fresh floral bouquet.  For my tiara, I glued small shells in symmetrical patterns to a metal head band wrapped with satin ribbon, and for my bridesmaids I created small pink shell flowers attached to hair pins.  My flower girl looked like a little sea shell princess, wearing a crinkled shell pink and gold satin dress, and a mini tiara and fashioned out of shells and small fabric flowers.  My ring bearer carried our rings tied onto a little satin pillow that I glued inside the opening of a large nautilus shell.

It was truly a memorable day!  Although we had to hold our ceremony inside because of wind and rain, Katie’s flower arrangements were so gorgeous that we almost didn’t notice.  Our chuppah was constructed of white branches draped with orchids, carnations, and crystals, and encrusted with shells, and sweet white carnation kissing balls lined the aisles. White manzanita branches dripping with orchids, crystals and hanging glass votives, set in mercury glass vases graced the center of our reception tables. Some of our family and friends weren’t able to be with us that day, so we chose to honor their “presence in spirit” by placing  pink and white feather butterflies throughout all the bouquets, flower arrangements, and boutonnieres.  They perched on the branches and the kissing balls, and floated from the orchid-draped chandelier above us on the dance floor as we did the fox-trot to Dancing Cheek to Cheek played by the amazing White Heat Swing Orchestra!

As I look back on it all I can’t say enough great things about our photographer, Ned Jackson.  He captured every moment, and all of the details with tireless enthusiasm and patience.  We couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out!

Wedding Photography: Ned Jackson Photography / Floral Design: Katie McConnell of Wild Bunch Studio / Event Design + Planning: Kelli Ronci / Ceremony + Reception Location: Wychmere Beach Club / Invitations: Kelli Ronci / Menus + Programs: Lilia Kay / Calligraphy: Barbara Callow Calligraphy / Shell Flowers + Tiaras: Kelli Ronci / Feather Butterflies: Floraltrims / Silver + Gold Shell Holders/Escort Cards: Gallery 360 / Starfish Place Cards: Timeless Paper / Sailors Valentine Cake: Michael’s Creative Baking / Etched Sand Ceremony Vessel: The Cutting Etch / Sea Horse Wine-Stopper Favors: Faro Products / Linens: BBJ Linens / Bride’s Gown: Romona Keveza / Bridesmaid + Flower Girl Dresses: J.Crew + Crewcuts / Swing Band: White Heat Swing Orchestra / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George

I love the story behind this fabulous English inspired garden wedding and how this couple made their romance work across the big pond. I can only imagine how amazing and exciting it must have been on the day of their wedding to know that they will never have to travel that far to see one another ever again! I’m totally digging the whole Victorian garden vibe of this pretty, outdoor fete and think the tablescapes are absolutely out of this world. It’s the perfect mix of elegance and casualness and can we talk about how pretty those lace wrapped invites are? Ashley O’Dell Photography snapped all the details while Couture Parties designed and planned everything starting with the perfectly private venue in Chatham. Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

Take a minute to check out this fab film (and the groom’s adorable British accent!) from Absolute Media Productions:

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From the Bride…Our story began in May 2007 at on the London School of Economics campus.  As a graduate student, Ashleigh had a part-time bartending job at the university bar, and Henry happened to stop in one night for a drink with some friends.  Towards the end of the night Ashleigh declined his request for her number, explaining that she wouldn’t give it out. So, he scribbled his email on a little ripped piece of paper, and Ashleigh spent the rest of the night checking her pocket to make sure the paper was securely there. Ashleigh returned to New York in September 2007, and so began 3 ½ years of long-distance, including a few thousand dollars in phone bills and numerous transatlantic flights back and forth across the pond.

Henry proposed on a surprise trip to Croatia in July 2010 (after a romantic dinner on a deserted beach!) and so began the wedding planning process from across the miles.  Henry moved to New York in March 2011, just in time for the last months of the planning!

From Couture Parties…We started with identifying the feeling we wanted the day to have – romantic, Victorian, English garden, delicate, lace, unique in the details.  We had already selected the location (a private residence in Chatham MA), and we selected this location for reason that we could really make the wedding our own and homespun instead of a typical venue site where there is little flexibility.  From there, we worked with the wedding planner to pick out images, fabrics, flowers and items (using pinterest.com) that embody the feelings we wanted.  Some of these included parasols, antique furniture and keys, soft flower palette and style such as  baby’s breath etc..  The little details were very important to the Bride, unique touches like the striped straws, the seating chart flower pins, wooden signs, the hanging mason jars, the lace wrapped ceremony programs, the lounge area, the chandelier cake table, the pashmina bar.  We wanted people to feel the care that went into even the littlest aspects of the day, and to feel as though they had stepped back in time and into an elegant Victorian garden wedding.

Wedding Photography: Ashley O’Dell Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Absolute Media Productions / Floral Design: All About Flowers for Weddings / Event Design + Planning: Couture Parties / Ceremony Location: Holy Redeemer Church / Reception Location: The Mack House / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Dress: Lusan Mandongus

I’m pretty sure that this is the sweetest and coolest garden themed DIY wedding of all time. First off, how amazing is the location? The bride’s family owns the restaurant, a 200 year old converted barn, that’s been in business for over thirty years on Cape Cod. Both the gorgeous coral napkins and the mini mercury glass votives were made especially for the bride by her colleagues in India. Her mom grew most of the flowers that were arranged to look “wild” and the bride, along with help from her sister, made all the save the dates, place cards and invites. They even embossed the invites with gold wax. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we found the next Martha! Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, she then slipped on the most perfect dress and did not let the threat of hurricane Irene ruin her day at all. Katie Pietrowski Photography snapped gorgeous image after gorgeous image and trust me when I say, you definitely want to spend a little time in the full gallery this morning! And make sure to check back because we’re bringing you more gorgeous garden inspiration all afternoon…

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

And while you’re here, don’t miss out on this adorable stop motion video by Katie Pietrowski Photography!

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From the Bride…Steve and I wanted to have a small wedding, that felt personal and true to who we are.  We decided to have the wedding at my parent’s restaurant, in the building where I grew up.  My grandfather and dad started the restaurant and it felt like the perfect place to have our wedding.  Having grown up in a restaurant, I love food, as does Steve.  We both felt that the food was an important part of the evening- and knew it would be amazing at the restaurant.  The big thing was making sure my dad wouldn’t be in the kitchen, and would be enjoying the night!  We had a raw bar during cocktail hour with delicious Cape Cod oysters.

As a textile and home product designer, I wanted to add a few small touches to the night.  I travel to India for my work, and the people I work with there are really amazing.  They all wanted to help me in any way they could.  I decided to have napkins made on a cotton-slub fabric in 3 shades of coral, each with a different hemstitch detail.  I was also able to have mercury glass votives made, which worked really well with the small vases of flowers. My mom helped track down lots of vintage hollow stem wine glasses for the flowers.  She found them at thrift stores, and it was really an affordable option as none of them cost more than $1 a piece.  My mom grew a lot of flowers in her garden, and we supplemented those with loose dahlia flowers from Meredith Fancy. We wanted to keep things fairly simple, and easy to put together the day before the wedding.  We added in table number to some of the vases that were purchased from BHLDN.  We also got my bouquet from Meredith Fancy.  I had found inspiration images for my bouquet on design sponge’s ‘we like it wild’ posts by studio choo.  Overall I wanted the flowers to feel like wild flowers.

The finishing touch for decorating the restaurant was papel picado banners.  I had seen them in the lovely bridal boutique, and my boss’s daughter had ordered them for her wedding as well.  I loved that they could be personalized, and added a light airy feeling to the restaurant. I designed the save the dates, invitations, and place cards.  I hand-painted some of the text and scanned it into the computer.  Steve helped me cut everything, and my mom helped me assemble.  My older sister Grace is very crafty (she has a blog stripesandsequins.com) and taught me how to use a glue gun for sealing wax.  We used baker’s twine around a piece of craft paper and sealed it all with gold wax embossed with an A.  The most time consuming part was hand painting all of the addresses, but I love how it all came out in the end.

I wanted a wedding dress where I still felt like myself- romantic, yet modern.  We wanted a somewhat casual wedding, and I found the perfect dress at Tibi, and then found an amazing pair of Miu Miu shoes.  My amazing friend Sarah Laskow made my headpiece and sash.  She is a very talented embellishment designer currently working at Alice and Olivia.

Our wedding, despite being threatened by Hurricane Irene, was a perfect day.  It had the personal touches we had hoped for, and the things we hadn’t gotten to we didn’t notice.  We felt so happy to celebrate our relationship with our friends and family, and we knew those that couldn’t make it were there in spirit.

Wedding Photography: Katie Pietrowski Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Katie & Hillary of Katie Pietrowski Photography / Flowers: Meredith Fancy / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Red Pheasant / Invitations: DIY / Bride’s Shoes: Miu Miu / Wedding Dress: Tibi / Rings: Sam Abbay of New York Wedding Ring / Band: Jeff Lowe Band / Paper Banners: Mexican Sugar Skull

There isn’t anything better than some lovely nuptials to brighten your workday and this uber-charming Cape Cod affair is sure to do just that and then some with a big bundle of cheery goodness, including a sunny yellow and blue color palette, some fabulous nautical touches and one seriously adorable bride and groom.  And the grin-inducing pretty doesn’t stop there… take one look at those beautiful DIY florals and the breathtaking images from Lauren Methia Photography and you’re sure to be smiling for hours.  Yes, this is one seriously happy day simply brimming with lovely, so be sure to join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Lauren Methia Photography… Eliza and Rob planned their Cape Cod nautical, yet classy wedding from Manhattan where they live. Eliza’s grandparents live in Brewster, MA making it an easy choice for Eliza who grew up visiting Cape Cod from the Boston area.

Given the couple live in NYC, my first meeting with them was on their big day. Just from speaking with Eliza on the phone I knew she was as sweet as she was in person! Their wedding was on the smaller scale of around 90 guests giving it a more intimate feel with close family and friends only present.

Eliza and Rob were a pleasure to work with – so easy going, relaxed and happy!  It was easy to see why they chose the type of wedding that they did – casual yet sophisticated. Some details that I love about their wedding – Eliza wore a vintage necklace that was worn by her mother, grandmother and I believe great-grandmother and their cake topper has been passed down several generations through all happily married couples!

Wedding Photography: Lauren Methia Photography / Wedding Venue: Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Course / Band: Smoking Jackets / Flowers: Mother of the Bride / Baker: The Casual Gourmet / Hair: Friends of the Bride, Jui Martinez + Rita Duggan / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Men’s Ties: Vineyard Vines

I first fell head over heels in love with weddings over a soiree similar to this one captured by Captured Photography by Jenny, and I’ll going to tell you why. It’s obviously gorgeous, with a vineyard on Cape Cod as your venue you can’t go wrong. The bride and groom are obviously adorable, that cannot be denied. But what I love so much about this pretty beach celebration is the relaxed, family-filled, love-filled vibe you get just from looking at the images. A bride that did her own hair, makeup, and flowers with the help of friends and family stepping in wherever they could. It just makes my family loving heart happy to see weddings like this, and you can see all the reasons why in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Our goal in our wedding was to be as laid back as possible. We decided to go on the smaller side, inviting only our close friends and family. We also decided to forego a wedding party since our wedding was only 75 people. I grew up in Cape Cod, so naturally I wanted to have my special day there. Jason’s family was from Florida, so many of them stayed for the weekend and made a vacation out of it (and a break from the FL heat).

The wedding began in the house I grew up in. We put together some of the final details for the day, including making my bouquet. I just used an arrangement of pastel colored roses (my favorite) and wrapped them with burlap. I also put up my hair and did my own makeup.

The ceremony location was a teeny little church just down the street from the reception venue. I loved the white walls and big windows. We put a bucket floral arrangement in each window and then also used ladders with flowers on them as a decor at the front of the stage. Jason and I also wrote our own vows to share during the ceremony. It was the highlight! The reception venue was just down the street from the ocean (in Cape Cod… the ocean is pretty close no matter what). It was such a nice day, we decided to stop and grab a few shots with Jenny, our photographer.

Once we arrived at the reception, our guests were already enjoying cocktails and snacks. The reception was in the vineyard’s outdoor pavilion area. It was a very relaxed set up. We didn’t have assigned seating… and we had an open buffet for our guests to eat. Other details in the reception included pictures from our childhood and our relationship together pinned up on strings of twine. This was nice for our guests to view and reminisce. We also had a guest box instead of a guest book. People could write a little note, word of advice, etc to us and drop it on the box. We plan on opening those throughout our first year of marriage. We had a candy bar since I love sweets. Our guests could fill a bag and bring it home.

My aunt made our cake. And my family helped with all of the lanterns and floral arrangements at the reception. Our dog Lucy was at our reception too! My father and his friends played music for us all night. We were able to dance under a full moon and just enjoy being outside at the vineyard. The weather was so pleasant too! It was such a great night.

Wedding Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Ceremony Venue: Chapel on the Pond / Reception Venue: Truro Vineyards / Caterer: Adrians / Flowers, Event Design, Make-up + Cake: DIY / Wedding Dress: WToo / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West / Band: Friends + Father of the Bride

There’s nothing quite like a fabulous Cape Cod wedding to start the morning off right and when that fabulous wedding also happens to be a gorgeous beach chic affair boasting romantic blooms by Bee & Blossom, a stunning seaside location, charming paper goods from Lion in the Sun and the prettiest of aqua blue bridesmaid dresses, well, it doesn’t get much lovelier than this.  Lucky for us, Elizabeth Horne Photography was on hand to capture each and every ounce of pretty, so join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… After our engagement, I spent a LOT of time trying to figure out what style of wedding I wanted.  After looking through lots of magazines, everything started to look the same.  Fortunately, I found one of your Inspiration features which helped me see that you could do an elegant beach wedding without all the starfish, sand dollars, and sea horses.  In an attempt to be a little more unique and original, I decided to avoid everything “over-done” at our wedding.  I still tried to achieve an elegant beachy look by using very natural, beachy colors and by using textured fabrics and flowers.  Fortunately I found great vendors to help me achieve the desired look. I tried to add personal touches as well.  My mother made my veil, my father made the window shutters for the seating cards, and I made the frames, fans, and lanterns.  Etsy also proved super helpful for decorations, jewelery, and accessories.

Wedding Photography: Elizabeth Horne Photography / Bride’s Dress: Jim Hjelm / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Wedding Invitations & Day-Of Paper: Lion in the Sun / Flowers: Bee & Blossom / Linens: Be Our Guest / Lighting: PSAV / Wedding Venue: Ocean Edge Resort / Wedding Cake: Casual Gourmet / Hair: Artworx

These charming Cape Cod nuptials have me completely smitten this wonderful Tuesday morning… And when you jump right into all of the breathtaking images by davina + daniel, you’ll most definitely see why.  From the vibrant purple and green hues to the beautiful florals by Flowers by Fancy to one seriously stunning wedding gown, it’s just one uber-romantic moment after another in this elegant New England soiree… And I, for one, can’t seem to get enough.  I’ll be spending my day in the gallery, soaking in all of this lovely.  I suggest you do the same!

Click here for the entire image gallery!

From the Bride & Groom… Planning the wedding was, in all reality, pretty quick and painless.  We had a lot of “input” from family which at times made things a little hectic but in the end everything worked out well.  Julie’s family has always had a house on the Cape and she had spent every summer growing up there.  Dominic proposed to Julie on the family’s private beach which is part of the Monomoy Trust.  In choosing a venue we wanted something that wasn’t too big, but that could benefit from being right on the water.  Julie’s father is a member of Eastward Ho Country Club which has one of the best views of Chatham on all of the Cape.

The wedding was meant to have a modern beach glam feel.  We chose soft purples and greens as the colors.  The flowers were a mix of tall and short lilys.  Originally the wedding ceremony was planned for outside along with the cocktail hour.  However, due to rain, the ceremony and cocktail hour had to be relocated to the slate porch off the club house which had a tent erected over it.  Two dance floors were used, one in the main dining room and then another on the slate porch where everyone seemed to congregate.  All in all, everything went off without a hitch and we are so pleased with the photos from the night!

Wedding Photography: davina + daniel / Wedding Venue: Eastward Ho Country Club / Florist: Flowers by Fancy / Bride’s Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Groom’s Suit: Hickey Freeman / Groom’s Shoes: Stanbridge Clothiers

There’s just something so classic and beautiful about Cape Cod weddings that I just can’t seem to get enough of them and this wedding is certainly no exception. This laid back, beautiful bride gave her groom-to-be the reins on setting the stage for their big day and based all the design and color around his custom made suit by Franklin + Gower. The groom’s great taste in color paid off and the proof is in the pretty, pretty images by Zev Fisher Photography filled with gorgeous shades of blues and greens. This wedding is casual Cape Cod elegance at its best and if you want to see more, just click right here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Most people who know Dave would say that he has an eccentric and colorful wardrobe stocked full of Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer and any other companies that create pink, purple or turquoise men’s clothing. He also has a penchant for customized clothing, and had his dress shirt for the wedding monogrammed with our initials (B+D) along with our wedding date. Unlike most traditional planning situations, the groom’s choice of attire was the inspiration for the entire wedding. He found a unique company, Franklin + Gower, which creates custom tuxedo-like pants and blazers using the fabrics of your choice. After checking out the merchandise during a trip to Los Angeles, he settled on a turquoise, lime green, white and periwinkle blue pattern. Not only would it be used in the groom and groomsmen’s pants, but their bow ties were made of the same fabric, and the fathers had pocket squares lined in the material. F+G graciously provided extra fabric, which enabled us to wrap the bridesmaids’ bouquets and give the wedding party a cohesive look. However, the clothes were only the beginning as the pattern was also used on the invitations, menu cards, thank you cards, and cake. The linens were color coordinated to match using periwinkle blue and lime green throughout the ballroom.

Because the feeling was fun and casual, we wanted our flowers and the decor to evoke the same vibe. With the expert help of Patrice Milley, we chose non-traditional centerpieces for all of the guest tables that were made of grapewood pieces with orchids and small bunches of flowers attached to the branches and surrounded by candles. The giant head table of 27 ran through the center of the room and was adorned with vases of towering curly willow, low arrangements of white and green flowers such as hydrangeas and roses, and a multitude of votive candles. For the ceremony, Patrice enhanced the outdoor setting with an airy birch branch chuppah and birch containers placed along the aisle, overflowing with white and green flowers. Because of our different religious backgrounds, we wanted the ceremony to be non-denominational yet also incorporate elements from both traditions. A close family friend, Judge Gary Nickerson, performed the ceremony and we stood under a chuppah, the traditional Jewish wedding canopy. Dave also broke the glass at the closing of the ceremony, and we later signed a ketubah. In honor of my Irish roots, Judge Nickerson read an Irish blessing, and we asked guests to participate in a Celtic Pebble Toss during the reception.

Many of the other details could not have been accomplished without the help of our dear family and friends in addition to a little of our own elbow grease. Dave’s parents collected rocks along the shores of Little Compton beaches that were used as place cards. His father built the wooden containers used to hold the sand for their display. He also built the signs used to direct guests to the ceremony and reception, which my father then painted in our colors. Local artist, Greg Vaughn, did the lettering on the signs. With the help of a dear friend, Ben Closson, we created a custom monogram that was used on our stationery, cake and cocktail napkins. Ben also designed several signs and the menu cards. Another friend and designer, Jill Pertuso, created the cards that acknowledged our donation to the MSPCA in lieu of favors. Dave and I hand collected approximately ten pounds of sea glass on the shores of Cheung Chau, an island in Hong Kong. Small vases filled with the glass and floating orchids decorated the cocktail tables. In recognition of Dave’s love of sailing, and the company that he created with his father, each table was named after a different knot, and knot boards with hand tied knots were taken as keepsakes by many guests. Guests were also treated to a special performance of Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel and More Than a Woman by R&B legend, Grammy winner and family friend, Ralph Tavares. At the end of the evening, we rode away in ultimate style as my father gave us his 1980 limited edition MG, which was the first car that he and my mom bought together.

Wedding Photography: Zev Fisher Photography / Floral Design: Patrice R. Milley / Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet / Bride’s Shoes: Burberry / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit + Groomsmen Pants: Franklin + Gower / Shirt: Alabaster & Chess / Groom’s Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider / Venue + Catering: Ocean Edge Resort / Wedding Cake: Casual Gourmet / Chair + Linen Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Menu Cards: Ben Closson / Band: Men in Black / Special Musical Guest: Ralph Tavares / Ceremony Musicians: Boston String Quartet / Hair + Make-up: The Makeup Artists / Officiant: Judge Gary Nickerson

We’ve seen plenty of nautical-inspired weddings around here but this Cape Cod celebration by Lisa Rigby Photography has set itself apart from the pack.  I’ve been crushing over every little detail from the moment I laid my eyes on it.  Its fresh, East Coast vibe, casual backyard elegance and mix of preppy meets vintage flair has stolen every little bit of my heart and doesn’t plan on letting go anytime soon.  So pull up a seat and enjoy a close up look in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Lisa Rigby Photography…The Holden Inn was originally built as a sea captain’s house in 1848, hence the somewhat nautical theme. There are also some 4th of July touches. The bride and her mother collect antiques, and got many of the wedding items at the famous Brimfield Fair, including: lobster trap (used to display seating cards), blue glass, pie servers and the cigar humidor. One of Erin’s favorite details was an antique glass Japanese buoy that she and Josh found at a flea market on the Cape (big round glass in netting, pictured). Josh made the chalkboard sign from an antique oak frame he found in thrift store in Ventura, CA (the couple live in Ventura). The lantern used to collect cards was found by Erin’s father at the Brimfield Fair.

The cigars were hand-rolled at Josh’s favorite cigar bar on Boylston in Boston. Erin did all of the calligraphy herself, and even took classes so she could learn! In fact, calligraphy is now her new hobby. Erin’s father made the drift wood signs from wood he, Erin’s sister and friend found on the Cape. Erin also sewed all of the table runners herself, using burlap she got in the LA fabric district for $.99 a yard! She made Josh’s monogrammed pocket square from a project in the Handmade Weddings book and embroidered it with help from Marthastewart.com. Their guest  sign-in book was a gorgeous book of photos of Cape Cod.

Erin and Josh used dog photos instead of table numbers since the7 met at a dog park in Boston. The couple’s signature drinks were all named after the three Puggle dogs that brought them together: “Mia Mojito, ” “Rozzie Rossini” and “Summer Gin Fizz.”

Wedding Photography: Lisa Rigby Photography / Event Coordination: Connie Nye Clark of The Perfect Plan / Hanging Fans: BHLDN / Flowers: Mother of the Groom + Friends / Ceremony Canopy: Father of the Groom / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Holden Inn / Invitations: The Bride / Tent: Sperry Tents / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew / Rings: Jewelers in Los Angeles + Ventura

The five simple words “a wedding on the cape” evoke such a classic image for so many people. Bridesmaids all lined up in chic, navy blue dresses. Groomsmen donning plaid ties. Green grass, blue ocean, and white pearls. Well, this Cape Cod Museum of Art affair features all those lovely details, plus so much more, and all I can do is swoon. Swoon over the adorable couple, dressed perfectly Cape Chic, swoon over the beyond darling flowers, swoon over the subtle hint of baseball. Thanks to Meghann Gregory Photography, we all get to swoon the whole day away here, and then in the gallery for even more. Tell your boss I’m sorry for the distraction!

That fabulous cake (& all the catering!) courtesy of The Casual Gourmet.

Matt and I share a love of sports and, quite appropriately, met when we signed up for the same local softball team.  Matt had a few friends on the team and at our first practice he jokingly asked as they walked to the field “Ready to meet our future wives?”  Those same friends served as groomsmen and toasted us on our wedding day two years later.

Since all of my family and college friends live nearly 1000 miles away (some of Matt’s friends even farther!) and we knew that they would be making the trip somewhat of a vacation, we decided on a semi-destination wedding on the Cape about an hour and a half from where we live in Boston.  After coming across the Cape Cod Museum of Art, I immediately contacted the events coordinator to arrange a visit and we never looked anywhere else.  From the picturesque New England-style building and large front lawn (perfect for an outdoor ceremony) to the wonderful art throughout the galleries and charming sculpture garden (ideal for early evening cocktails), we loved every bit of it.

Throughout the wedding planning process, our main focus was reflecting ourselves in the details – and having as much fun as possible with our guests!   Our style concept was Cape preppiness (chic navy dresses, charcoal gray suits, and cool plaid ties) with a Southern twist to reflect my upbringing (lots of pearls and mason jars).   I initially wanted to serve mint juleps as a nod to the Kentucky Derby held in my hometown of Louisville, but since they are an acquired taste we decided on delicious Firefly iced tea vodka cocktails instead.   We included the mint julep idea in other ways by using sprigs of mint for the groomsmen and fathers’ boutonnieres and having bourbon as one of the bar selections.  My mother and sister made pralines from scratch and I serendipitously found mint julep flavored taffy so both treats were tied with twine and given to our guests as favors.

We also incorporated a subtle baseball theme since many of our early dates involved attending or watching Red Sox games and our engagement photos were shot at Fenway Park. We used the beautiful theme song from Field of Dreams (aptly titled “The Place Where Dreams Come True”) as our prelude and “Dirty Water”, the song played after every Red Sox home win, was the perfect recessional to kick off the festivities.  And being an ice cream lover, one of my favorite details was serving Hoodsie cups as a late night snack; naturally, it’s the local brand served at Sox games!

We were extremely fortunate to work with some fantastic vendors who helped bring together our vision.  The Casual Gourmet is widely regarded as the best on the Cape and helped us create a fantastic menu with the best wedding food we’ve ever had.  Our florist, Designer’s Touch in Brewster, was an easy choice since the event coordinator at the museum is one of the co-owners and such a doll!  I opted to do my own centerpieces, but the bouquets, boutonnieres, and wheat grass place card display they created were absolutely perfect.  The choice of band was very important to Matt since he is very into music and neither of us is very fond of standard wedding reception entertainment.  He has school connections with two members of Call 2 Consciousness, a rock band based in Stanford, CT, and booked them to play a mix of their original music and cover songs.  They were phenomenal!  Finally, a big priority was photography since our pictures are what will continue to remind us of all the joy we experienced that day, and clearly our choice of Meghann Gregory couldn’t have been better.

Bride’s Gown & Necklace: J.Crew / Bridesmaid dresses:  J.Crew / Handmade ties:  Etsy, shop baconneckwear / Catering & Cake: The Casual Gourmet / Band:  Call II Consciousness / Photographer:  Meghann Gregory Photography / Flowers:  Designer’s Touch & DIY / Venue:  Cape Cod Museum of Art / Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas / Shoes:  Caparros, purchased from Piperlime / Programs:  Etsy, shop Interprintations / Custom Cake Banner:  Etsy, shop ReadyGo / Cocktail Stirrers: Etsy, shop misspicklespress / Bridal Clutch:  Etsy, shop ao3designs