A Late-Summer Wedding in Cape Cod
Lush floral arrangements set the stage for a romantic affair with a touch of glamour.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography1 of 21
When Elizabeth "met" Greg in the summer of 2008 while studying abroad in London, she had forgotten that they had taken a freshman English class together back home at Fordham University in New York City. Greg made it his mission to ensure that she'd never forget him again—and it worked. Ten years later, while on vacation in Hawaii, the couple pulled off the road to watch the sunset. There, Greg dropped to his knee and proposed.
The couple decided to marry in Cape Cod, one of their favorite vacation spots and a drivable destination for their New England-based family and friends. On August 18, 2018, the college sweethearts said "I do" in front of 140 guests at the Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port, Massachusetts. Following a romantic outdoor ceremony, everyone moved inside where a playlist of songs (handpicked by Elizabeth and Greg!) set the mood for the black-tie celebration to come.
As for the theme of the night? Classic with a twist. "I tried to include things that weren't overly trendy so I wouldn't look back in 25 years and say, 'What was I thinking?'" says Elizabeth of the celebration's décor. Instead, she looked for ideas that might become "new classics," such as greenery in the floral arrangements, bridesmaids' dresses that coordinated instead of matched, and soft, timely colors, like varying shades of pale blush, which added a hint of warm color to the event.
For other couples planning their wedding, Greg offers these words of wisdom: "Don't be afraid to make your wedding everything you want it to be, regardless of other people's opinions. It is easy to get caught up in trying to make everyone happy, but you never will. The best thing to do is keep you and your husband or wife happy and everything else will fall into place."
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography2 of 21
The Classic Invitation
The gold-foil and cream invitation suite by Michaela McBride Calligraphy introduced the couple's custom monogram: A floral wreath inspired by the large petals of garden roses and peonies. "I believe circles symbolize 'wholeness' and are another source of good luck for a marriage—kind of like the wedding ring," says Elizabeth of the crest's unique shape.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography3 of 21
Homemade Treats
Guests received burlap totes filled with necessities for the weekend: an itinerary, bottled water, Cape Cod potato chips (a nod to the location!), and a hangover kit. Each welcome bag also included gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and white chocolate starfishes baked with love by Greg's mom.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography4 of 21
Mother Knows Best
The bride wore an Eve of Milady wedding dress with hand-beaded Italian sequins and a chapel-length train; she added a Swarovski crystal belt for sparkle. While shopping at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, Elizabeth's mother saw the gown on display at the front of the store and thought it was a very "Liz" dress. "I love that my mom wound up choosing the right dress for me," says Elizabeth.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography5 of 21
Peonies, Please
Peonies are no longer in season at the end of August, but Elizabeth made a special request to her florist Jill Landry of Beach Plum Floral to include them in her bridal bouquet. Specifically, she wanted white peonies, which symbolize a happy marriage. Jill managed to source them from an Alaskan farm that grows peonies off season and paired them with other white flowers such as hydrangea and a variety of roses. She also used white hypercium berries for texture and lemon leaf for a pop of green in the classic round bouquet.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography6 of 21
Something Blue
Wearing a navy blue Indochino tuxedo with a black shawl collar lapel, Greg looked dapper as he waited on the beach for his first look of Elizabeth in her wedding dress. "I remember pulling up to the boardwalk and catching a glance of Greg with his back to me," Elizabeth says. "It was the first time all day I got welled up and little bit nervous!"
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography7 of 21
Blushing Bridesmaids
Olivia's ten bridesmaids coordinated in pale blush dresses from Amsale.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography8 of 21
Cheers to the Groomsmen
Each of Greg's groomsmen received a Smathers & Branson leather can cooler with a hand-stitched needlepoint design befitting his personality or interests.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography9 of 21
The Ceremony Aisle
When the flower girl, who wore a baby's breath crown by Beach Plum Floral, saw that the aisle was already strewn with rose petals, she worried that somebody had taken her job.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography10 of 21
A View of the Water
Morning rain made the sand too wet for the couple to marry on the beach as planned, so the ceremony was moved to Wychmere's Hydrangea Lawn. Guests sat in clear Chiavari chairs facing the Nantucket Sound and a lush arbor of white flowers and greenery.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography11 of 21
Traditional Vows
"I think there's something so special and beautiful about saying the same words that countless couples have said to each other for centuries," says Elizabeth of her and Greg's traditional promises.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography12 of 21
The Recessional
Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars" played as guests tossed rose petals at the just-married newlyweds.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography13 of 21
Around the World
Instead of table numbers, the couple "named" each table after a location that had meaning to them, including where they met (London, England) and where they got engaged (The Big Island, Hawaii).
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography14 of 21
Literary Quotes
Elizabeth and Greg asked Michaela McBride Calligraphy to handwrite a few of their favorite quotes, including this passage from "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, for display during the cocktail hour and reception.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography15 of 21
A Room with a View
The reception was held in the Harbor Room at the Wychmere. With French doors overlooking the harbor, the space "gives the illusion you are floating on the water," says Elizabeth.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography16 of 21
Floral Centerpieces
Beach Plum Floral created full table centerpieces using the same white flowers and leaves in the bride's bouquet, plus blush and champagne blossoms for a hint of color. Gold-rimmed chargers, flatware, and a menu wax seal (complete with the couple's wedding monogram) added a touch of glamour to each place setting.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography17 of 21
Words of Wisdom
In lieu of a guest book, Elizabeth and Greg set up a tray of notecards so friends and family could jot down marriage advice and well wishes for the newlyweds.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography18 of 21
The First Dance
The couple danced to "Ends of the Earth" by Lord Huron. "It's been 'our song' since we first heard it, and Greg actually had it playing while he proposed," says Elizabeth.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography19 of 21
An Elegant Cake
Elizabeth and Greg chose two different wedding cake flavors from The Bashful Tarte: vanilla Prosecco cake with vanilla buttercream and chocolate buttermilk cake with ganache.
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography20 of 21
Traditional Greek Favors
Greg's Greek grandmother made baklava that his mother boxed individually for guests to enjoy at home. His yiayia also crocheted pouches filled with five sugar-coated almonds called koufeta, representing five wishes for the newlyweds: health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life. "The odd number of almonds is indivisible, just as the bride and groom will remain undivided," explains Elizabeth.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Emily Wren Photography21 of 21
Sources
Photography, Emily Wren Photography
Venue and Catering, Wychmere Beach Club
Flowers, Beach Plum Floral
Officiant, Cape Cod Ceremonies
Stationery and Calligraphy, Michaela McBride Calligraphy
Cake, The Bashful Tarte
Music, Night Shift Entertainment
Rentals, Peak Event Services
Bride's gown, Eve of Milady
Bride's accessories, Toni Federici veil; Jimmy Choo shoes
Hair/Makeup, Special Event Beauty
Bridesmaids' dresses, Amsale
Groom's suit, Indochino
Menswear, The Black Tux
Groom's shoes, Johnston and Murphy
Lighting, HSP Event Production
Transportation, Cape Destinations
Groomsmen' gifts, Smathers & Branson
Other Ideas to Try
-
A Late-Summer Wedding in Cape Cod
-
A Rustic Fall Wedding in Virginia with an Aubergine-and-Cream Color Palette
-
A Nigerian-Inspired Wedding at an Estate in Reva, Virginia
-
A Peony-Filled Backyard Wedding in New Jersey
-
A Classic Boston Public Library Wedding
-
This Upstate New York Wedding Was Finished Off with a Foosball Table
-
An Industrial, Flower-Free Brooklyn Wedding
-
A Whimsical Wedding at an Upstate New York Mansion
-
A South-Meets-East Coast Nautical Maine Wedding
-
Joanna and Kyle’s Outdoor Wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia
-
Molly and Greg’s Virginia Meets Amalfi Coast Wedding
-
Amy and Sheldon’s Modern Rooftop Wedding in New York City
-
A Surprise Wedding in Plymouth, New Hampshire
-
A Whimsical Wedding at an Upstate New York Mansion
-
This Blue-and-White Wedding in Connecticut Was Inspired by a China Pattern
-
A Globally-Inspired Eclectic Vermont Wedding
-
A Nontraditional Wedding at a Contemporary Art Museum
-
A Parisian, Ballet-Inspired Wedding in D.C.
-
A Timeless New England Wedding at a Newport Mansion
-
A Contemporary Wedding at a Boston Art Museum
-
An Elegant-Meets-Rustic Farm Wedding in North Carolina
-
A Rainy, New York Castle Wedding with a Fairy Tale Ending
-
A Rainy, Rustic-Chic Wedding in South Carolina
-
A Handsome Philly Wedding with Creative Details
-
A Farm Wedding Filled with Personalized, Eclectic Touches
-
A Modern, Black-Tie Wedding in Washington, D.C.
-
A Blue-and-White Wedding on the Eastern Shore
-
A Country-Chic Wedding on a New Jersey Farm
-
A Charmingly Bespoke Fall Wedding in New Jersey
-
A Shelter Island Wedding at the Bride's Mother's Home
-
A Garden-Inspired D.C. Wedding with an Urban Marketplace Reception
-
A Bright and Lively Wedding in Philadelphia
-
A Natural Wedding on a Small New York Island
-
An Intimate Newport Wedding at a Historic Waterfront Venue
-
A Shelter Island Wedding Inspired by Nature
-
An East-Meets-West Wedding in Newport, Rhode Island
-
This Couple's Miami Wedding Had an "Old Florida" Vibe
-
A Truly Personalized Virginia Wedding
-
This Couple's Modern Atlanta Fête Was Inspired by Their Engagement Locale
-
One Couple's Bold, Colorful Wedding at the New Jersey Shore
-
One Couple's Classic New York City Wedding
-
This Classic D.C. Wedding Took Place at a Historic Venue
-
An Intimate Wedding at the Bride's Family Home in Massachusetts
-
One Couple's Classic Wedding at an East Coast Winery
-
This Couple Went Bold and Colorful for Their Brooklyn, New York, Wedding
-
A Timeless, Elegant Wedding in Washington, D.C.
-
This Couple Chose a Citrus Theme for Their Family-Centric Wedding in Virginia
-
One Couple's Elegant Wedding in Baltimore, Maryland
-
A Beautiful Summer Wedding at a New York Sculpture Park
-
Thomas Jefferson's Childhood Home Was the Backdrop for This Couple's Outdoor Wedding
-
This Couple Returned to the Exact Spot of Their Engagement Their Intimate, Homey Wedding
-
One Couple's DIY Fall Wedding in Upstate New York
-
A Glamorous Spring Wedding Full of Albanian Traditions
-
A Colorful, Flower-Filled Wedding in Newport, Rhode Island
-
One Couple Brought West Coast Style to Their Nautical Wedding in Rhode Island
-
A Classic Garden Wedding in the Heart of Richmond, Virginia