Even though I sort of spent my entire summer waiting for my favorite season (fall) to arrive, I can’t stop missing the warmer weather in the worst way. And this little gem of a wedding sent to us by Love Is A Big Deal has me wishing for a week-long stay on Cuttyhunk Island, like, tomorrow. A New England masterpiece with pastel hues, succulent-filled blooms from Amy’s Town Florist and all sorts of romantic details, it’s the kind of affair that makes you want to kick off your heels, soak in the salty air and dance the night away. See so much more right here.
From the Bride… Our wedding was everything we imagined it could be and so much more. It’s such a unique experience to have all the people you care about in this world, come together in one place to witness and celebrate the love you and your partner in life share. That in itself is pretty incredible, but getting married on Cuttyhunk Island just made everything that much more special. It truly was the best day ever!
When my husband Tom proposed in April of 2012, we knew without a doubt that we wanted to get married on Cuttyhunk Island. Cuttyhunk is a little slice of heaven on earth. The outermost of the Elizabeth islands off of Massachusetts, the tiny island is only one square mile and is home to a couple hundred people in the summer, but only about 20 year round. This island runs at its own speed and no one wears a watch. There are more golf carts than cars, a working phone booth, a one-room schoolhouse, and someone’s garage has been turned into a pizza place. Everyone knows everyone and even if they don’t you say “hi” anyway.
My paternal great-grandfather fell in love with Cuttyhunk after visiting on a fishing trip and ended up building a summer home on the island where all of my family has spent many wonderful summers. Almost every summer since I was born, I spent a few weeks on Cuttyhunk… fishing, reading, playing scrabble, going on treasure hunts and eating lobster. It is one of my favorite places in the world and always has and always will hold a special place in my heart. From his first visit, Tom too relished visiting the magical little island. It is serene, quiet and the epitome of laid-back and it’s the relaxing, low-key nature of the island that is absolutely contagious and what we really love. We knew it was the perfect place to have our wedding.
Everything came together perfectly. Despite a rainy Friday afternoon the lobster bake rehearsal dinner and s’more-filled beach bon fire kicked off the celebration in just the right manner. We woke up to gorgeous clear sunny skies on Saturday and our very personal ceremony was exactly what we had hoped it would be. The party began with an oyster and shrimp filled cocktail hour with Mr. and Mrs. Signature drinks. Then on to tasty food and emotion-filled speeches, followed by an unbelievable dessert bar and non-stop dancing under the tent. Everything about the wedding reflected our location and personal style. From the Save the Dates to our attire to our Polaroid guest book, we wanted people to say “That’s Kelly and Tom.” It was classic and elegant yet laid-back. We paired artisan handmade pieces (many from Etsy) with natural elements and some nautical touches. Some of my favorite details included the things to-do welcome card with accompanying lobster lollipop, the beachy shades of blue ceremony program fan, the lavender at each place setting, the wooden cake toppers that resembled us and the etched wooden place cards. While time consuming, it was the little details and personal touches that really reflected us, made an impression on guests and brought our wedding vision to life.
My advice to any brides-to-be is to make the day what you and your fiancé want it to be. This day is about you and it should reflect your personal style and the things that are important to you. Also make sure you put time and thought into the ceremony. It is after all the reason for the big party and the most important part of the day. It should be as substantial and meaningful as you two decide it should be. Beyond that have fun! It’s easy to get overwhelmed during the planning process and inevitably you will, but try to enjoy it as much as possible. When the big day comes, forget the details and be in the moment. At some point during the reception, take your new husband ‘s hand and look around at all the people that love you two and are there to celebrate your new life together. You will be taken back and humbled by just how happy, special and loved you feel.
Photography: Love is a Big Deal | Flowers: Amy’s Town Florist | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones | Invitations: Paper Source | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: M&C Café | Hair and Makeup: Tricia Keller | DJ: Cape and Islands Entertainment | Bow Ties: The Tie Bar | Groom: Tai Pan Row Tailors, Hong Kong | Venue: Cuttyhunk Fishing Club | Bride's Reception Dress: French Connection | Cuttyhunk Fishing Club: Cuttyhunk Fishing Club | Dessert Bar and Cookie Favors: Artisan Bake Shop | Musicians: The Con Brio Trio | Raw Bar: Raw Bar Catering: Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms | Rentals and Tent: Chase Canopy | Save the Date: DefineDesign11 | Wedding Dress Style: Augusta Jones
