Cape May is one of the East Coast’s little gems that just so happens to make the perfect wedding backdrop. Exhibit A: these nautical nuptials that take “Cape May pretty” to a whole new level. Complete with a seafoam color and subtle, stripey details everywhere you look, this gallery from Caroline Frost is one lovely spot you don’t want to miss.
From the Bride… The setting of this wedding took place at Congress Hall in historic Cape May, NJ. This is the oldest seaside hotel on the east coast and was a vacation spot for 4 of our US presidents, in which the building holds a lot of history. Bryan and I chose to have the wedding at Congress Hall because Cape May was always a spot that my mom and I summer vacationed together growing up as well as a frequent getaway I went with my college roommate to her family home. When I took Bryan down to see Congress Hall, he immediately fell in love with the venue as much as I did, with it’s picturesque scenery and timeless history of the hotel.
The inspiration for Bryan and my wedding was elegant and classic, I wanted it to look like it came from the pages of Vanity Fair or a Ralph Lauren ad. We kept the color scheme simple based on the unique room color of the ballroom, which was turquoise, by using a simple color pallet of navy and silver accents with all whitefloral arrangementsto pay homageto being by the ocean.
The day could not have been more beautiful and unseasonably warm for November 2nd down the shore — almost 70 degrees — and the energy of the wedding was just as bright and infectious! Surrounded by family and friends alongside our bridal parties made of up college roommates, cousins and childhood and NYC friends, the love was felt all around that day.Throughout the wedding, we wanted to be sure to add our own personal touches and included details such as our favorite drink, a Moscow Mule which was our signature cocktail called the ‘Gunderstruck’ a spin on Bryan’s last name of ‘Gunderson.’ The band’s playlist was especially important to us to include a variety of special songs to remind us of our relationship through the years together whether it was attending a Tom Petty concert at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, or our wedding song ‘Halo’ by Beyonce, which Bryanincludedon a mix tape for me before he moved to Colorado for a summer. Also, in lieu of wedding favors to our guests, we decided to make a donation to Memorial Sloan Ketering Hospital for cancer research in honor of my two Grandfathers and uncle that all passed away at young ages to cancer to celebrate them in spirit that day.
After two amazing speeches by my maid of honor since second grade, Amanda, and Bryan’s best man from high school at Delbarton, Ryan — who gave a whole new meaning to the word ‘speedbump’ — we were treated by a surprise guest appearance by my Dad as he played with our band one of my favorite songs by the group Chicago, which was the first concert we both saw together while he served in Operation Desert Storm as a Colonel in the Marine Corps. We couldn’t have asked for a better day filled with love,happiness and joy as we celebrated our union together as husband and wife
Photography: Caroline Frost Photography | Floral Design: Cape Wind Florist | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Stationery: The Write Touch | Ceremony: Our Lady Of Angels Roman Catholic Church | Reception: Congress Hall | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup: Melissa Silver/Jackie Caruso | Hair: Justin Moya | Band: Around Town Entertainment | Accessories: Nan Ramno Bridal/Family Heirlooms | Bride Shoes: Kate Spade | Groom's Shirt/Accessories: Brooks Brothers | Groom's Tie: Thomas Pink | Groom's Tux: Ralph Lauren | Groomsmen's Tux: Calvin Klein | Photography - Assistance: Jessa Schifilliti, Photographer | Veil: Kleinfeld Bridal | Video: Go Pro | Welcome Bags: Designed By Mother Of The Bride