Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Showers & Parties Rehearsal Dinner Gillian and William's Nautical New England Rehearsal Dinner By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 20, 2018 Trending Videos Close this video player The Couple Gemma & Andrew Ingalls The night before their big day, Gillian and Will hosted family and close friends for a welcome dinner. Fittingly, the avid sailors held the party at Sails restaurant in Rowayton, Connecticut. 01 of 15 The Invites Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Crane & Co. designed the letterpressed invitations. The date of the dinner was embossed in gold ink on the sails, similar to how boat numbers are displayed. Gail Brill calligraphed each address, and the stamps were custom-made by Zazzle. 02 of 15 The Greetings Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Upon arrival, guests were met with signs flanking the doorway. We designed, printed, and then spray-mounted each on foam boards. One announced "Welcome" and the other "Best Wishes Will + Gill." Both were strung up over the lanterns with inexpensive boat line. 03 of 15 The Scene Gemma & Andrew Ingalls With sails festooned along the ceiling and a teak bar, which looked like the deck of a boat, the restaurant was the perfect location. 04 of 15 Nice and Nautical Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Sailing-themed decor reinforced the theme of the evening. 05 of 15 The Seating Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Guests were grouped in tables around the intimate restaurant but were free to pick their own seats. 06 of 15 The Cocktail-Hour Eats Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Passed hors d'oeuvres included (from top) seared beef tenderloin canapes, crabmeat with fresh mango and wasabi mayo on brioche rounds, duck spring rolls, and mini croque monsieurs. See More Cocktail-Hour Eats 07 of 15 Light Bites Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Custom napkins bearing nautical knots were used for cocktail-hour nibbles. 08 of 15 The Bar Fare Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Pails of seasoned truffle fries were places around the barroom, along with delicious dips like garlic aioli, truffle mayo, and chipotle ketchup. 09 of 15 The Libations Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Two signature drinks were on offer: a classic margarita and a Dark and Stormy. The couple's names and a ship's wheel adorned each of the custom stirrers from ForYourParty.com. 10 of 15 The Groom's Girls Gemma & Andrew Ingalls The Graves family -- Will, his mother Grace, and his sister Martha Stewart Weddings editor Elizabeth Graves -- cluster around their newest recruit, Gillian. 11 of 15 The Tables Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Small tables made the evening feel really intimate. 12 of 15 The Place Setting Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Menus were slid into folded napkins, and clipped-on monkey's first knot key chains from Mystic Knotwork were for guests to keep. The significance? The groom and his sister (Martha Stewart Weddings editor Elizabeth Graves) always wanted to master tying this knot as kids. 13 of 15 The Table Numbers and Flowers Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Numbers were printed onto cardstock and nestled into knots created by Karen's Rope Work. 14 of 15 The Ladies' Hankies Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Each of the women in Gillian's family received delicate vintage handkerchiefs from Flapper Alley in Milwaukee that had been embroidered with the recipient's intital in New York City by Pins & Needles. 15 of 15 Sources Gemma & Andrew Ingalls Location: SailsStationery: Crane & Co.Calligraphy: Gail Brill DesignMonkey's Fist Table Number Holders: Karen's Rope WorkCoasters, Stirrers, Cocktail Napkins: ForYourParty.comMonkey's First Keychain Favors: Mystic KnotworkVintage Handkerchiefs: Flapper Alley (414-276-6252)Embroidery: Pins & NeedlesStamps: Zazzle Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit