It’s impossible not to fall in love with this pretty, preppy beach fete. From the adorable monogrammed burlap welcome bags to the gorgeous all white reception, this beach beauty has our detail loving heads-a-spinning. Oh, and it just so happens that these were all created by the bride. Talk about talent! It’s New England beach perfection and Liz Banfield captured it all to perfection. See even more right here!
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From … Sarah-Allen and Marc met on a chilly winter night, while on dates with different people. While chatting they discovered had much in common. They had attended the same prep school in Kansas City (albeit seven years apart), he was a practicing attorney like the bride’s father, and Marc attended the same college where Sarah-Allen’s brother was currently enrolled. A week later, they shared their first kiss over wine in Styrofoam cups at the Sarah-Allen’s design studio to the background song of “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Lyrics from that song would later be engraved on their wedding bands. The song also played as the newly married couple walked down the aisle together. Sarah-Allen, who owns Preston Paper and Sarah-Allen Preston Designs, put her design skills to work on the assignment of a lifetime. She developed a monogram of interlocking letters and established a color palette of hydrangea, periwinkle and soft greens to tie the look of all the materials together. The monogram became the motif for the wedding design, from the printed materials to the matches provided to the guests at the reception.
An interfaith ceremony combining Christian and Jewish traditions was held at the historic Watch Hill Chapel, an iconic Watch Hill 19th century structure with views of the ocean. Following the ceremony, cocktail hour was held on the Misquamicut Club golf course with its dramatic ocean views. The waiters passed signature “his and hers” cocktails of Dark & Stormies and Southsides. Lush wreaths decorated the doors to the clubhouse, and a beautiful variety of floral arrangements graced every table. An abundance of grosgrain ribbon was tied to the couple’s chairs, along with the bride and groom’s oversize initials in button mums. The same chairs were later used in the traditional Hora dance. In lieu of a traditional guest book, family and friends were invited to leave the couple a “message in a bottle.” Monogrammed paper was provided for them to write the message and drop into the customized wine bottles designed for the occasion. After dinner, the couple toasted with a vintage bottle of Dom Perignon the groom’s father had been saving for 20 years. The wedding cake was trimmed in green grosgrain ribbon and topped with a hydrangea. Marc’s groom’s cake was a “bottle” of Scotch. As a treat for the men, the reception included a scotch and cigar bar for the men, with a variety of rare scotches, and special Opus magnum cigars that the groom’s family had been collecting for years. As a parting gift, the guests enjoyed Connie’s Cookies that were transported by car all the way from the couple’s hometown of Kansas City. The cookies were iced in the wedding colors, and topped with white “R”s for the couple’s new last name. A brunch the next day on the deck of the Ocean House allowed everyone to enjoy the last morning of this spectacular destination wedding together before heading home.
From the Bride… While I was totally in control of the aesthetics, I couldn’t have accomplished the logistics without my wedding planner, Jennifer Brinton, and Misquamicut club manager Philip Koretski. The flowers were just magnificent, thanks to our florist, Flowers by Semia. And the entire weekend was photographed beautifully by Liz Banfield, who was able to capture the happiness and the spirit of our event. The band, the cake — I dreamed it and designed it, but all of my vendors DID it. It was perfect.
Wedding Photography: Liz Banfield / Ceremony: Watch Hill Chapel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island / Reception: The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island / Event Design: Sarah-Allen Preston Designs / Wedding Planning: Jennifer Brinton of Grace Wedding Planning / On-Site Coordination: Phil Koretski of The Misquamicut Club / Floral Design: Flowers by Semia / Wedding Cake: Maureen of Something Different Cake Couture / Paper Design + Gift Bags: Sarah-Allen Preston Designs / Wedding Invitations: Crane & Co. / Calligraphy: Michael Sull / Music: Urban Renewal / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham / Removable Skirt: Reem Acra / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz / Bridesmaids’ Pashminas: Tory Burch / Groom’s Ties: Peter-Blair / Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds