A Blue-and-White Nautical Wedding on The Cape

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Photo: Rodeo & Co. Photography

Driftwood and oyster shells added natural elegance to this nautical wedding.

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Emily and Justin

emily-justin-wedding-cape-cod-201-s111843.jpg
Rodeo & Co. Photography

In the summer of 2008, Emily Taylor and Justin Assad met while working the shores of Nantucket, Massachusetts, as sailing instructors—he was coaching a university team, and she was helping out a local high school. They became friends, went out a few times, and assumed their budding relationship would end with the season, when they would go their separate ways: Justin to Vermont and Emily to Boston. But they kept in touch with ever-more-frequent phone calls and, says Emily, "as we slowly realized how much we actually had in common," they upgraded to visits. Two-and-a-half years later, the duo finally settled in the same state, New Hampshire (Emily works as the program director for a community-sailing nonprofit, and Justin coaches Dartmouth College's sailing team). Five years after their summer romance began, Justin proposed in a winter wonderland. During a ski trip to Vermont, they climbed to the icy peak of Camel's Hump. Emily paused to look at the view, and, "when I turned back, he was on one knee," she recalls.

When it came time to plan their wedding, the pair took inspiration from the place that had brought them together: the water. On May 10, 2014, they wed on the grounds of a private Cape Cod estate, on a bluff overlooking the bay where Emily first learned to sail. The misty morning clouds cleared by the afternoon, just in time for the Jewish ceremony, as 175 guests watched the couple tie the knot beneath a chuppah made from driftwood. Though the rain held off, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. "The image of Emily and her father coming down the aisle, and looking in her eyes during the ceremony, are moments I'll cherish all my life," says Justin.

Postceremony, the newlyweds joined guests under a sailcloth tent outfitted in aquatic shades of blue, with pops of pink, for a sit-down dinner of roasted beef tenderloin and scallop-and-shrimp kabobs. But no one was seated for long. "The band brought the house down," says Emily. "Many of our parents' friends, who hadn't danced in years, were on the floor," she says. "It was a total blast." A fitting start to a lifetime of smooth sailing.

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A Coastal Save the Date

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Rodeo & Co. Photography

Letterpressed save-the-dates with a mussel-shell and driftwood motif were first hand-drawn in pen and ink.

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A Blue and White Invite

Anchor and Safety Throw Ring Accents
Meghan McGovern Hamilton

The stationery suite, by Printerette Press for Gus & Ruby Letterpress, included a postcard detailing the weekend's events, and was sent in envelopes calligraphed by Grace Edmands.

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Finding the Way

Anchor and Safety Throw Ring Accents
Rodeo & Co. Photography

The bride's mother collected driftwood for signs that were painted with the day's details, including the location coordinates.

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The Couple and Their Pup

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Rodeo & Co. Photography

Millie, the couple's Bernese mountain dog, played ring bearer and, as if on cue, "barked when people clapped," says Emily.

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The Bride's Bouquet

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Rodeo & Co. Photography

Emily carried peonies, garden roses, scabiosa, ranunculus, dusty miller, berried eucalyptus, jasmine, succulents, and air plants.

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The Bridesmaids

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Rodeo & Co. Photography

Bridesmaids chose their own dresses in shades of blue.

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The Ceremony

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Rodeo & Co. Photography

The driftwood chuppah was adorned with eucalyptus, peonies, and gauzy fabric.

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Seaside Escort "Cards"

Anchor and Safety Throw Ring Accents
Rodeo & Co. Photography

Oyster shells hand-written with names and table numbers helped guests to their seats.

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The Reception

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Rodeo & Co. Photography

Ikat runners, rattan chargers, and bright blooms decorated the long reception tables.

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Sweet Treats

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Meghan McGovern Hamilton

The pair augmented a small buttercream-frosted vanilla cake (for slicing) with dozens of cupcakes.

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Sources

Anchor and Safety Throw Ring Accents
Rodeo & Co. Photography

Event Design and Styling: By Emily B. Event Design

Catering, Cake, and Cupcakes: The Casual Gourmet

Flowers: Fancy Flowers by Meredith

Photography: Rodeo & Co. Photography

Officiant: Rabbi Sol Goodman

Stationery: Printerette Press for Gus & Ruby Letterpress

Calligraphy: [envelopes] Grace Edmands Calligraphy; [escort cards] By Emily B. Event Design

Music: The Sultans

Rentals: New England Country Rentals; UnderCover Tent & Party

Bride's gown: Paloma Blanca from Country Weddings Bridal Boutique

Hair: Libby Boardman Muto of The Hair Company

Bridesmaids' dresses: Adrianna Papell; Alice and Olivia; J.Crew

Groom's suit and Menswear: Indochino

Ties: Forage

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