Polly and Rob
Polly and Rob were fated to end up together. Their older sisters were college roommates who spent many sleepless nights talking about how Polly and Rob would be a match made in heaven. When the couple later joined their siblings at school, everything went according to plan. After more than five years of an on-again, off-again relationship, Polly and Rob (who live in San Francisco) headed to the East Coast to tie the knot in Squam Lake, New Hampshire, where Polly's parents own a home.
The celebration on June 1, 2013, included a weekend of festivities at nearby Rockywold Deephaben Camps, a family-geared summer sleepaway lodge, where the bride, her sisters, and her father all grew up visiting. And like the scheme to get Polly and Rob together, the wedding day went off without a hitch.
Warm Welcome
The couple filled bags with Garrrett popcorn (a nod to the groom's hometown of Chicago), a stuffed animal Squam Lake loon (a bird native to the area), and a can of bug spray and a flashlight to help their guests acclimate to camp life.
The Invites
Polly says working with Cheree Berry Paper to design the invitation suite, which features the geography of the wedding location as the envelope liner, remains her favorite aspect of wedding planning.
A Historic Setting
The area was converted from a boys' summer camp (the first one ever on American soil) to a worship site in 1903 and is still only accessible by boat.
Fashioning Something Extra
Polly found her gown at Rizik's in Washington D.C., but it wasn't until a few fittings later that she truly made the dress her own by adding capped sleeves onto the originally strapless Marisa gown. Her handmade veil from Etsy cemented her ensemble as one-of-a-kind. The groom looked dapper in a Ralph Lauren suit and Hermes tie.
Finishing Touches
The bride donned jewels from her beau to complete her day-of look. Rob gifted Polly the pearl-drop necklace for their first Christmas together, while her diamond sparklers were his wedding gift to her.
All in the Family
Polly's three 'maids (here, her two sisters, and not pictured, her future sister-in-law) sported gowns from Jenny Yoo and Jenny Yoo Maternity. They carried bouquets of peonies and ranunculus.
Nature-Made
The Chapel Association limits what can be brought onto Church Island, so only a few flowers and a cross marked the ceremony site. Polly said the restriction was a blessing in disguise: "It ended up being gorgeous and perfect for the setting."
The Ceremony
Just fewer than 200 guests witnessed the outdoor nuptials.
The Water's Fine
Polly's most memorable part of the ceremony was riding out to Church Island in this old wooden boat because it made for a special entrance with her family and carved out some precious alone time post-ceremony for her and her groom.
Perfect Timing
As to be expected of a June wedding, the weather was hot! Not so expected but greatly appreciated: The sky stayed completely clear of rain and clouds until the very last guest departed from camp. Then, the sky opened up for a downpour.
Good-Natured
Polly looked to Rockywold Deephaben Camps to inspire the wedding decor and design, using the rustic feel of the area to set a casual mood.
Couple's Choice
Guests sipped a personal favorite of the newlyweds: a Greyhound. The grapefruit-juice-and-vodka drink was paired with a raw bar and passed appetizers that attendees enjoyed porchside near Long House lodge on the campgrounds. The menu for the reception was scripted on a mirror.
Beer, Dear
Bottles were kept cold (and accessible) in a canoe filled with blocks harvested from Squam Lake during the winter and stored in the camp's icehouse.
Blooms-a-Plenty
"The flowers were unbelievable," says the bride. "I asked for white peonies, and our bouquets were overflowing with them. I felt as though flowers were everywhere." Petite arrangements of the bountiful blooms were housed in mercury-glass vessels.
Tiers of Joy
Donna Love designed the couple's old-fashioned buttercream wedding cake, which mimicked the lace of Polly's gown.
Sources
Photography: Kate Headley
Location:
Event Planning: Alexandra Kovach
Catering: Marie Gerli
Flowers: Emily Herzig
Stationery: Cheree Berry Paper
Cake: Donna Love
Music: Clockwork
Rentals: Be Our Guest
Hair and Makeup: Duda Spa
Lighting and Tenting: Lake Region Tent and Event