Two months into her graduate studies at Cambridge University's Magdalene College in December 2001, Samantha Martin found herself lonely and homesick for family and friends back in her native California. To cheer herself up, she decided to host a dinner party. On a whim, she invited Donal McAuliffe, a second-year physics doctoral student from Ireland whom she had recently met a party. She wasn't sure he'd even remember who she was, but Donal later confessed he'd been trying to muster the courage to ask her out, but was too shy. The pair became inseparable, and a year later, on a trip to Venice, Donal proposed.

The couple wanted their wedding to reflect their love of academics as well as their shared history at Cambridge. Magdalene College was the ideal locale.

Samantha gave her bridesmaids a minature Wedgewood china teapot candle and an illustrated, bound edition of their favorite classic books.

Calligraphy: Deborah Delaney, 212-877-8773
Flowers: Madeleine Bradley
Stationery: Carrot and Stick Press
Vintage Postage Stamps: Champion Stamp
Gown: Carolina Herrera
"Ephemera" Custom Box: Milkfed Press
"#1 Baby" Envelopes: in strawberry, chocolate, and lake, by Paper Source
Teapot Candles: "6 O'Clock Orange Blossom," "11 O'Clock Cologne," and "9 O'Clock Rose" Wedgwood
Bridesmaid Dresses: Simple Silhouettes