wellwed - cape cod, martha's vineyard & nantucket

S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 0 9

StyleDreamySummerDresses

Visit williams-sonoma.com or contact a local store to set up a registry appointment.

The present with a future. That’s the gift of

Let us help you set up your

kitchen or learn about the best-

quality exclusive products from

Wüsthof, Cuisinart, KitchenAid,

Breville, DeLonghi, Nespresso,

Le Creuset, Shun and All-Clad. Green Wedding

Planning a DestinationsChatham Bars Inn

& Las Balsas, Argentina

cape cod • nantucket • martha’s vineyard

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Create the perfect Vineyard wedding with breathtaking views, epic culinary creations, and all the best the Island has to offer. A wedding on Martha’s Vineyard is an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Harbor View offers the best selection of indoor and outdoor locations with enchanting harbor and garden views.

5 0 8 . 6 2 7 . 6 3 6 0 | h a rb o r- v i e w. co m

Welcome to the place where STORYBOOK WEDDINGS begin

STORYBOOK WEDDINGS

Weddings by the sea

Timeless settings.A historic Mansion.a view of the sea.Discover our new, elegantly appointed ballroom for your wedding celebration or rehearsal dinner with fine dining experience, impeccable service & warm personal attention, Ocean Edge is the place for your most memorable occasion.

800.811.3457 | oceanedge.comBrewster, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

zoFia photography

with love,Cape Cod & the Islands

THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE SUMMER ON THE EAST coast. And there may be no better place to enjoy it than where sea meets sand, where long sunny days unfold at an almost dreamlike pace, attuned to the rhythms of the waves and tides, the world beyond but a distant memory. Those who know the Cape and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard understand that world-apart feeling well. With its signature blend of wild beaches, historic villages, quiet ponds, and fresh breezes, if the world offers a more romantic wedding destination, we have yet to discover it. For those who haven’t yet discovered this special place—or are considering it anew through the eyes of a bride-to-be—we invite you to explore, and to be swept away ... again.

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picture

perfect

www.chathambarsinn.com1-800-527-4884 • 508-945-0096297 Shore Road, Chatham, MA 02633

Photo by Amy Dykens Photography

. . | . ..

BOUTIQUE WEDDINGS . PERSONAL ATTENTION

z o f i a p h o t ozofiaphoto.com 508.221.4693 [email protected] nantucket

wychmere harborspectacular seaside weddings on

We understand that a wedding is one of the most memorable events of a couple’s life. Our unique location combined with superlative culinary presentations and services truly capture the romance of a seaside wedding. Together we will plan and flawlessly orchestrate your dream wedding.

wychmereharbor.com | 508.432.1000 x 150

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RU_WellWed_SS2009.pdf 12/31/08 10:57:42 AM

& b e a u t i f u l i m a g e sfresh, whimsical

laurie richards - nantucket, mapixel-perfect-images.com | 508.325.7270

17 pages of the latest summer gowns

{swept away}

SPRING/SUMMER 2009contents {one}

Cape & Islands Fresh

Unveiled: Behind the scenes with patrice r. milley floral Designers ... {74}

Pick Your Palette: Color schemes and decorative complements .............. {81}

The Table: ship to shore .................................................................. {133}

Green Weddings: simple, sustainable choices for stylish brides .......... {143}

Wedding Weekends: Dream getaways near and far ......................... {176}

PAGE143

PAGE81

PAGE176

PAGE113

COVER: JOE MIKOS PHOTOGRAPHERS

gown by LEA ANN BELTER

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For your perfect Martha’s Vineyard wedding

TWO STUNNING LOCATIONS - ONE PERFECT MARTHA’S VINEYARD WEDDING

One located on the water in Edgar town offer ing majestic views of the histor ic

harbor; the other a picturesque pr ivate Tennis Club, set amongst manicured

lawns and terraced patios; both offer ing 5 star dining and exceptional service.

Tips & Advice “I Do” Etiquette ................................ {34}

Style File Décor & flowers .................... {155}

Style File Cakes & Cuisine ....................{165}

Made in the Cape and the Islands ........... {184}

Additional Resources More .............................................{187}

Advertiser Directory .......................... {190}

Fabulous Cape Weddings

Mollie Glick to Benjamin Hughes ............ {44}

Sara Mann to Alex Eusebio ................... { 50}

Erin to Paul ..................................... { 56}

Christen Cheek to James Peterson ............ {62}

Piper Warlick to Mark Dunn .................. {68}

contents {two} SPRING/SUMMER 2009

{new} noteworthyweDDing news from Cape CoD, martha's VineYarD, nantuCKet, anD BeYonD

david seaver

PAGE22

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SPRING/SUMMER 2009

Editor in Chief: Krista Washburn Executive Editor: adam Bluestein

Marketing & Sales Director: athena scott-rublee

Design Director: sarah premo

Designer, Display Advertising: Michele Frye, Nicole santerre

Account Executives: Judy robinson, erin McKenna, Caroline smith

Office Manager: sally Washburn

Assistant to the Editor: alison graddock

Fashion Coordinator: sara Mcdonald

Design Intern: Melinda doyon

Printing: villanti & sons, printers

Design Consultant: deborah Kehoe

Circulation Consultant: Circ. one inc.

Contributing Photographers david seaver, Joe Mikos photographers, Nicole Friedler

Contributing Writers amy Brayfield, Jane Jarecki, Katey gordon, Kinsey Labberton, stacey Cheng

Special Support alison Bucholz-ellis, amy parker, austin Family, Baked Beads, Barrie Fisher, Belinda Norris, Casey stabile, Christy & Brian Beltrami, deborah Kehoe, darkstar Lighting, Fox printing, green Mountain Floral supply, gwen & Minner hobbs, harry Washburn, irene Beshaw, irene Maston, John Crabbe Jr., John scheer Cpa, Katey gordon, Kathy rose, Kate villa, Keith McManis, Lynda, Jay, Kelsey and phoebe dandeneau, Mason Brothers architectural salvage, Mike doolan, Nicole d’agata, rachelle howard, randi Nonni, riann Washburn, stillwater graphics, …and rocco

Editorial & Advertising Offices WellWed - Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's vineyard po Box 8076 essex, vt 05451 tel 866.595.9221 Fax 802.419.5344 wellwed.com [email protected]

WellWed is a semi-annual publication available at fine retailers, advertiser locations, and at wellwed.com.All

materials herein are protected by copyright laws. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent

of WellWed is strictly prohibited. WellWed reserves all rights. Statements and opinions expressed herein do

not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication, its editor or its staff. While every effort has

been made to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information contained in this publication, WellWed

disclaims all responsibility for omissions and printer’s errors.508.540.1488courtneysfloralcreations.com

exquisite f l o r a l e v e n t d e s i g n

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Courtney’s Floral Creations

cape cod • nantucket • martha’s vineyard

little over a year and a half ago, the Vermont wedding industry lost one of its most valued and talented wedding

professionals when veteran floral designer Lynda Dandeneau decided to relocate out-of-state. Lynda was instrumental in the

launch of our sister publication Vermont Vows—through her creativity, her constant support, and her unflagging belief that the state’s unique wedding venues and talented wedding professionals deserved a worthy showcase.

Even after Lynda had settled in her new home, Martha’s Vineyard, it was impossible to forget

about her. No doubt this had something to do with her constant, (politely) nagging phone

calls, encouraging me to create a new publication dedicated to the venues and wedding profes-

sionals of—you guessed it—Cape Cod and the Islands. A quick trip to Nantucket with my sister

sealed the deal, and soon enough, WellWed - Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket was

in the works.

Today, I am pleased to present you with our premier issue. Here you will not only find the

names of the best, most-respected wedding professionals southeast of the Cape Cod Canal,

but you’ll see their work, too, in all its full-color glory. I invite you to take some time getting

to know them. I am confident that you will be inspired by their creativity, not to mention

the breathtaking locations where I was fortunate enough to shoot this issue.

No matter which area or professional you decide on, I am confident that your experience will

be unforgettable. Enjoy!

from the editor {issue no.1}

BeLtraMi studios

Warmest regards,

K RISTA JA NE WASHBURN

{my favorite pages}

pp. 92, 142, 150, 160, 183

JOE MIKOS PHOTOGRAPHERS

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JOE MIKOS PHOTOGRAPHERS

contributorsOlive Chase, owner of the Casual gourmet, has been in the business of delighting customers for more than two decades. the Casual gourmet offers world-class cuisine as well as preferred status to many premier Cape Cod venues.

after two decades as vermont’s premier floral designer, Lynda Dandeneau, owner of dandeneau Flowers, now brings her stunning signature designs and personalized service to edgartown, Martha’s vineyard.

photographer Nicole Friedler has been capturing blissful wedding moments on Martha’s vineyard for 10 years. With an infectious spirit and keen eye, Friedler makes would-be fleeting moments last forever.

For invitations, save-the-date notes, and everything in between, brides need look no further than fine paper designer Marty Kelly of Marty Kelly paper. Whether whimsical or subtly sophisticated, Kelly’s work never fails to impress.

Whether you want an elegant interpretation of a classic or an out-of-the ordinary dessert inspired by a swatch of vintage lace, Jodi Levesque, of Jodi’s Cakes, can create it and make it scrumptious.

Alison Liset, owner of elegant engagements, was the first full-service wedding and event planner on the Cape. a decade later, elegant engagements remains the premier source for local and destination brides.

Katie McConnell, owner of Wild Bunch studio in Chatham, has been providing small-town warmth and grand arrangements as a full-service florist for 14 years.

Named “Best Caterer” in 2006 and 2007 by CBs-4 Boston, James Messinger, president of the Crazy Chefs Caterers, and his staff take pride in their impeccable four-star cuisine.

photographer Joe Mikos is passionate about his work, and his love for the art form comes through in his breathtaking images. he’ll travel virtually anywhere to capture your wedding for a lifetime of memories.

Patrice R. Milley Floral Designers makes your fantasy floral arrangements a reality. With custom floral designs as her specialty, Milley ensures that your flowers set the right tone for your big day.

pastry chef and Food Network regular Lisa Raffael, owner of delicious desserts, has been creating nationally renowned wedding cakes and specialty desserts for more than 15 years.

With 30 years’ experience and one of the best commercial kitchens on Martha’s vineyard, Chef Dee Smith of tealane Caterers, is known for exquisite food made from scratch—never prepackaged or frozen.

Nantucket photographer Zofia Waig uses her background in fashion and fine art to transform wedding pictures from everyday to extraordinary, deftly capturing the unique beauty of each bride.

*for advice from some of the top wedding professionals,

{wellwed – cape cod & the islands}

on the Cape and the islands, visit wellwed.com.

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photography DAVID SEAVER & DARIA BISHOp

On March 7, 2009, brides and grooms from around the country will flock to Ocean Edge Resort for the first annual Wedding Affair in the Cape & the

Islands, a bridal event like no other. Here, some scenes from the Vermont Wedding Affair on November 1, 2008.

THE CAPE & ISLANDS

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EvEnt rEntaLS RENTALS UNLIMITED rEntaLS-unLimitEd.nEt

dEcor & propS WILLIAMS-SONOMA wiLLiamS-Sonoma.com

FLowErS DANDENEAU FLOWERS marthaSvinEyardwEddingFLowErS.com

FLowErS pATRICE R. MILLEY patricErmiLLEy.com

Location OCEAN EDGE RESORT ocEanEdgE.com

mEdia pLUM TV pLumtv.com

SpiritS KORBEL korbEL.com

vaLEt parking VALET pARK OF AMERICA vaLEtparkoFamErica.com

WOULD YOU LIKE THE CHANCE TO SAMPLE FOOD FROM LOCAL

caterers and cake makers, meet wedding pros in person, and survey the best in everything the Cape and Islands have to offer, from fine table settings to elegant bridal fashions? Then mark your calendar, because WellWed is excited to announce a very special bridal show in the Cape this winter, our first in the region. Featur-ing lavish decor, innovative floral and tabletop designs, a dazzling runway show of bridal couture, planning seminars, makeovers and manicures, and even a groom’s lounge, this is sure to be an “affair to remember,” an intimate and inspiring alternative to the typical expo-style bridal fair. We look forward to seeing you there!

CAPE & ISLANDS EVENT SPONSORS

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t o re s e rve you r T i c k e t s v i s i t :aw e d d i n g a f fa i r . c o m

cape cod nantucket martha’s vineyard

03.07.09THE CAPE & ISLANDS

THE WEDDING AFFAIR

Visit williams-sonoma.com or contact a local store

to set up a regis

try appointment.

The present with a future. That’s the gift of

Let us help you set up your

kitchen or learn about the best-

quality exclusive products from

Wüsthof, Cuisinart, KitchenAid,

Breville, DeLonghi, Nespresso,

Le Creuset, Shun and All-Clad.

Planning a

Destinations:cape cod nantucket martha’s vineyard

Nautical

patrice r. milleyfloral design

44 Wel lWed

Mollie knew that she wanted the wedding to

reflect the romance of an English country side where

her courtship with Ben hadJune 29, 2008

WequASSeTT reSOrT AND GOLF CLuB

Cape CodBEllo PhotograPhy

begun, and so an English

Mollie Glick to Benjamin Hughes

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MOLLie GLiCk THOuGHT SHe'D FiND Her OWN Mr. DArCY

during her studies abroad at Oxford. Instead, she ended up falling for the boy next door—literally. Ben Hughes, another American abroad, was her rowhouse neighbor, and soon after they met, the two were inseparable.

Their courtship continued when they returned to school in the States. After they graduated they moved to New York City so Mollie could become a literary agent and Ben could pursue a career in advertising and several years later the couple started looking for an apartment to buy in Brooklyn.

In addition to being a great place to live, Ben knew that the bor-ough was also the perfect place to propose. So, instead of apart-ment hunting one day, he whisked Mollie away for a whirlwind tour of the Brooklyn spots they loved best—including a DUMBO bar where they sipped sangria; Jacques Torres Chocolates, where they picked up cham-pagne truffles; and Five Front restaurant, where they shared a romantic dinner in the garden. Strolling back home across the Brooklyn Bridge, Ben stopped mid-span, and proposed.

While they considered a trip to City Hall as a modern alternative to a more traditional wedding, in the end Mollie and Ben decided that a “proper” wedding would be a wonderful excuse to bring together their friends and families for a celebration. And although they fell in love in Oxford and lived in Manhattan, they both knew they wanted to celebrate their wedding in Cape Cod, which has been a special place for both of their families. Mollie’s parents have a home in Harwich, and Ben’s grandparents for many years ran a dairy farm in Edgartown. Ben’s parents had even celebrated their own wedding on the Vineyard.

Mollie knew that she wanted the wedding to reflect the romance of the English countryside where her courtship with Ben had begun, and so an English garden theme was a natural fit. Mollie has a background in costume design and a very specific aesthetic, and she brought Jennifer at Clementine Floral on board to help make her vision a reality. While Mollie bid on rusty watering cans on eBay and borrowed old birdcages from her grandmother, Jennifer scouted vintage teacups at local antique stores and

SPeCiAL TOuCH: Ben and Mollie surprised Mollie’s parents by playing their wedding

song for the second dance at the reception.

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“To reflect the English countryside where their courtship began, an English garden theme

was a natural fit.”

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discovered a moss-covered stone bust for the cocktail reception. The result was a scene straight from a British pastoral wedding: A path lined with pink rose petals led to a flower-covered huppah, baskets dripping with fresh flowers hung from the backs of chairs, and exquisite ivory pin-tucked linens and fragrant bouquets in chipped china teacups transformed the wedding into a shabby-chic afternoon tea celebration. Even the coconut cream wedding cake was bedecked with fresh peonies.

In an old-fashioned gesture, Ben and Mollie refrained from seeing each other on their wedding day until the actual ceremony began. To communicate with each other, they passed notes through members of the wedding parties. “It meant we had to take more pictures after the ceremony, but seeing the look on Ben’s face when I walked down the aisle with my dad was well worth it,” says Mollie. And Mollie and Ben agree that the extra photo time gave them an opportunity to connect as a couple between the emotion of the ceremony and the party at the reception.

The reception was full of special moments, like Ben’s Uncle Charlie surprising the couple with a banjo serenade. Mollie and Ben honored Mollie’s parents by playing their wedding song during the father-daughter, mother-son dance, letting Mollie’s mom cut in to dance with her dad. In a nod to their old Oxford classmates, the play list also included Belle and Sebastian’s “Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying,” a song they had played on repeat throughout their year in England.

Mollie encourages other brides to stay true to their vision of their wedding and not to compromise. “You’ll spend the same amount of money whether you personalize or don’t, so you might as well reflect your tastes,” she says. By choosing a theme that celebrated their relationship, and bringing together family and friends in a place that had real meaning for them both, Mollie and Ben were able to exchange vows in a ceremony that felt absolutely right. And the day after the ceremony, when the celebrants gathered at Mollie’s parents home for a post-wedding brunch, everyone pres-ent had a favorite moment from the wedding to share.

CaKE: DElICIous DEssErts DElIcIousDEssErts.nEt (PAgE 33)

rEhEarsal DInnEr: oCEan EDgE rEsort & sPa ocEAnEDgE.com (InsIDE BAck covEr)

PhotograPhy: BEllo PhotograPhyBElloPHoto.com

{Other PROFESSIONALS}

{Featured PROFESSIONALS}

BanD: nIght shIFt

Floral DEsIgn: ClEmEntInE Floral

InvItatIons: KatE's PaPErIE

MOLLie eNCOurAGeS OTHer BriDeS TO STAY True TO THeir ViSiON OF THeir WeDDiNG AND NOT TO COMPrOMiSe. “YOu’LL SPeND THe SAMe AMOuNT OF MONeY WHeTHer YOu PerSONALize Or DON’T, SO YOu MiGHT AS WeLL reFLeCT YOur TASTeS,” SHe SAYS

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During the ceremony, Saraand Alex performed a

Spanish wedding ritual called “Las Arras,” in which the groom gives the

Sara Mann to Alex Eusebio

August 24, 2008

PriVATe reSiDeNCe Martha’s Vineyard

PHotogrAPHy nIColE FrIEDlEr

bride ten coins that represent51w

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S a r a m a n n a nd a lex eusebio's rom a nce h a s been

nothing if not delicious. When they met, he was the executive chef of a new Los Angeles restaurant; she was the floor and office manager. They spent many late nights working together, and Alex would often try out new dishes on her before putting them on the menu—they joke that he cooked his way into her heart, while she organized her way into his.

But with the long hours they both worked, Sara was concerned about their dogs, each stuck alone in their separate apartments. Sara’s solution: sneaking away from work to bring Alex’s English bulldog over for play-dates at her place with her yellow Lab. When Alex closed the kitchen at night, he’d stop by to pick up the dog—and after three short months, decided he’d like to move in, claiming that he didn’t want to separate the dogs.

The marriage proposal came on a trip the couple took to visit Sara’s sister, Tannis, who was studying in Paris. Sara’s parents were also visiting at the time. But after the flight from California—during which Sara sug-gested that if Alex wasn’t ready for “the next step,” then perhaps he should move out—Sara had no reason to suspect the surprise that was in store for her, which is exactly what Alex wanted.

After a romantic week spent discovering the City of Lights together, Alex proposed a quiet, romantic dinner—away from her parents. Sara was reluctant—she had a cold, she was tired, and she was even tired of eating. Alex insisted, though, and spent 20 minutes in the bathroom preparing, which only irritated Sara more.

Over a multi-course meal in a charming old Parisian restaurant, Sara found herself pondering the evening’s many peculiarities: Why had Alex spent so much time in the bathroom? Why was he still wearing the same jeans he’d had on all week? Why did her mom encourage her to go out tonight when she obviously needed sleep? And why, just as her cold medicine was starting to set in, did the server insist they have dessert? Soon enough—as Alex gestured to a tiny silver cloche near her untouched chocolate mousse—she found out. “What’s under the silver thing?” Sara asked. Alex kneeled as she lifted it from

special Touch: Sara and Alex performed a Spanish wedding ritual called “Las Arras.”

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“Orange and red summer blooms fill antique turquoise and mercury-glass vessels.”

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the table to reveal the ring, which had been pinned in his pants pocket for the past five days. In an instant, Sara’s crankiness turned to overwhelming joy. “I don’t remember much of what he said,” she recalls. “I was crying the whole time and apologizing.”

Alex, who had been selected as a contestant on the reality show Top Chef, was away filming until the day before the wedding, so most of the planning fell to Sara. Having spent summers on the Vineyard with her family since 1990, she dreamed of a “backyard” harbor wedding. And with Alex’s family in New York and the Dominican Republic, marrying on the East Coast—rather than near the couple’s home in L.A.—would make a more relaxing weekend for them.

For a beachy, Latin feel, Sara and Alex chose coral and turquoise as wedding colors, weaving them through the celebration, right down to an all-turquoise candy bar featuring apothecary jars filled with turquoise M&M’s, lollipops, gummy sharks, and even Tootsie Rolls, plus blocks of local Murdick’s Fudge in Cape Cod cranberry and chocolate.

During the ceremony, Sara and Alex performed a Spanish wedding ritual called “Las Arras,” in which the groom gives the bride twelve coins that represent qualities such as money, love, faith, and strength. Among Sara’s other favorite memories of the day are the song she performed for her groom, the rose-ball bouquets floating near her father’s sailboat at sunset, dancing side-ways on the sloping dance floor, the clambake rehearsal dinner by Truly Scrumptious, and wedding-morning lattes with her sister.

Sara’s advice to other couples: Say hello to everyone you can—people traveled a long way; leave a bag of goodies in guests’ hotel rooms; and be sure to savor every lovely moment!

Floral Design: DanDeneau Flowers marthasvineyardweddingflowers.com (Page 4)

PhotograPhy: nicole FrieDler friedlerPhotograPhy.com (Page 90)



entertainment: mike benjamin

catering: truly scrumPtious

event rentals: seasiDe celebrations

sara’s advice To oTher couples: say hello To everyone you can—people Traveled a long way; leave a bag of goodies in guesTs’ hoTel rooms; and be sure To savor every lovely momenT!

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through the years when work56 Wel lWed

The two met while workingin New York City’s

financial world, and theconnection they establishedkept the relationship strong

through the years when work

Erin to Paul may 10, 2008

The whiTe elephanT Nantucket

PhotograPhy clauDia kronenberg

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CelebraTing Their wedding on nanTucKeT was a naTural

choice for Erin and Paul, who have spent nearly every summer vacationing there since they began dating 11 years ago. The two met while working in New York City’s financial world, and the connection they established kept the relationship strong through years when work led them off in different directions—sometimes on different continents. Finally, during a vacation in Argentina in spring 2007, Paul proposed that they settle down—as in always and forever. Her answer, of course, was yes.

As their wedding day approached, the couple relied on their wedding coordinator, Aisling Glynn of Acktivities, to manage three days of events for 230 people—and she came through, pulling it all off with complete ease and calm despite some big challenges. Foremost among those challenges was a Nor’easter that rolled in—after days of gorgeous spring weather—just as guests were arriving. Flights all over the East Coast were cancelled, as were several ferries to the island. Amazingly, all but one couple invited to the wedding eventually made it to Nantucket.

The storm worsened on Friday, the day of the rehearsal dinner, which had been planned as a lobster bake in a large tent, preceded by cocktails and a raw bar served on the beach. When the wind became too strong for tents, Glynn successfully transferred the entire dinner (for 100) into nearby Topper’s restaurant. Most guests never even knew about the change, as Glynn and florist Dawn Kelly managed to accommodate everyone and still use the centerpieces, linens, and other décor elements they had planned for outside. The result: A very cozy dinner in front of the fire-place. The rain and dark skies continued until the moment Erin and Paul stepped out of the church following their ceremony, at which point the sun broke through the gloom and continued to shine for the remainder of the weekend.

The bride and groom chose a brown and blue palette that evoked sand and water. The flower arrangements were white, brought to life with a touch of sparkle by Dawn Kelly of Soiree Floral, who also blew guests away with a giant carnation topiary in the image of the couple’s dog, complete with an embroidered silk collar— a special request from Erin as a surprise for Paul.

special Touch: Erin and Paul offered a second, late-night meal of “gourmet junk food.”

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“Intricate sugar flowers adorn the stunning all-white cake.”

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The wedding weekend represented a graceful merging of Erin and Paul’s family traditions and embraced their shared Irish heritage. The priest who married them, Father Patrick Collins, has been a friend of the bride’s family for over 40 years. The popular Irish violinist Patricia Treacy traveled all the way from Ireland to play at the rehearsal dinner, during the church cere-mony, and at the brunch. Her music set a beautiful tone for the celebration, enhancing the many other fine details that made this wedding special. But, perhaps the most memorable moment of all was when the groom’s 92-year-old grandmother surprised every-one by getting up on stage to sing “Danny Boy” with the band. By the time she finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

This couple loves food, especially on Nantucket, and they wanted their guests to try many local specialties. After hors d’oeuvres, heavy on local seafood and produce, a fairly traditional meal was served. To lighten things up and sustain the revelers as the party rolled on, Erin and Paul offered a second, late-night meal of “gourmet junk food” like seared tuna burgers, cones of truffle fries, Gruyère macaroni and cheese, and bite-size donuts.

This couple’s advice for a successful wedding: Choose a wedding planner and vendors that you like, because you’ll spend a lot of time together. Trust your planner’s recommendations and go with the flow—nothing should ruin your wedding, especially something like weather, which is beyond your control. And remember to make the most of it—there will likely never be another opportunity for you to gather this many of your friends and family together in one place again.

cake: joDi's cakes Jodiscakes.com (Page 80)

location: the white elePhant whiteelePhanthotel.com (Page 37)

viDeograPher: nantucket event meDia inc. nantucketeventmedia.com (Page 111)

weDDing coorDination: acktivities acktivities.com (Page 100)

event rentals: chase canoPy llc chasecanoPy.com (Page 111)

PhotograPhy: clauDia kronenberg claudiak.com



invitations: DauPhine Press

Floral Design: soiree Floral

This couple’s advice for a successful wedding: choose a wedding planner and vendors ThaT you liKe, because you’ll spend a loT of Time TogeTher. TrusT your planner’s recommendaTions and go wiTh The flow—noThing should ruin your wedding!

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The wedding it self was everyt hing Christen an d Brad ha d hope d for—a

warm, won d er fu l day filled wit h love, friends, and

family, some who’d come to

Christen Cheek to Brad Peterson June 28, 2008

KeiTh farm

Martha’s Vineyard

PhotograPhy joe mikos

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P lanning a wedding on marTha's vineyard from

another country was not exactly a scenario that Chris-ten Cheek had envisioned for herself, but since meeting Brad Peterson, her life had been full of interesting surprises.

For starters, there’s the way they met. “I never thought I would meet my husband in a bar, but it happens!” says Christen, who met Brad at a bar in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood when he approached her with a charming—and unusual—pickup line. One of Christen’s friends had brought her husband to the bar that night, and the way Christen and her friends were stand-ing made it look as though they were all lined up to talk to him.

“Brad came up to me and asked who was this guy that we were all standing in line to talk to,” Christen remembers. He offered to join her in line, and soon after that night they started dating.

Brad wasn’t done with surprises. Christen knew a proposal was on the horizon—after all, they’d been ring shopping together and were getting ready to move to Switzerland—but after a romantic week-end at the posh White Elephant Hotel on Nan-tucket, full of proposal-perfect moments, passed by without event, Christen thought she would have to wait until they got to Switzerland. But she didn’t have to wait nearly that long. When they were packed up and ready to head back to Boston, Brad suggested they take a walk for a fare-well view of the harbor—during which he dropped to one knee and asked Christen to be his wife.

Christen had dreamed of getting married on Martha’s Vineyard since vacationing there as a child with her family. The fact that Brad was attending business school in Switzerland, thousands of miles across the ocean, wasn’t going to get in her way. For-tunately, Christen found that the Cape was full of professionals who made long-distance planning easy. “I thought that planning a wedding from another country and meeting the vendors only once would be stressful, but it really wasn’t,” Christen says. “Our caterer and her assistant were fantastic.”

special Touch: Christen and Brad made jars of strawberry jam to give to the guests as favors.

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“A honey bee-themed cake sat center stage at the reception and created quite a buzz. ”

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The wedding itself was everything Christen and Brad had hoped for—a warm, wonderful day filled with love, friends, and family, some who’d come to the United States for the first time to share in Christen and Brad’s joy. “It sounds like a cliché, but just having everyone you love in one room is such a wonder-ful feeling,” says Christen, who loved seeing the little boy she’d nannied during her grad-school days grinning at her from his post as ring bearer as she walked down the aisle. The church was crowded, but as they spoke their vows, Christen and Brad felt as though there was no one else in the world.

Christen honored her late mother through the décor, which reflected her mother’s classic, understated taste. To Christen’s delight, her florist was able to find peonies in exactly the shade of pale pink Christen’s mother had adored. “I felt like my mother had chosen them herself,” said Christen. Tradition also played an important role in Christen and Brad’s other wedding choices. Because Christen’s dad is famous for his annual jam making, Christen joined him in the kitchen to make jars of strawberry jam to give to the guests as favors. The jam also was layered with honey inside the beehive cake Christen and Brad had chosen because the beehive symbolizes cooperation and luck.

Who knows what surprises lay ahead for Christen and Brad. One thing’s for sure, though—they’ll be diving headfirst into them together.

cakes: val cakes (Page 189)

caterer: tealane catering tealanecaterers.com (Page 132)

event rentals: big sky tent & Party rentals bigskytent.com (Page 42)

PhotograPhy: joe mikos PhotograPhers mikosPhotograPhers.com (Page 43)



entertainment: sultans oF swing

Floral Design: Flowers on the vineyarD

invitations: alex cheek

weDDing coorDination: christy lynn Designs

chrisTen honored her laTe moTher Through The décor, which reflecTed her moTher’s classic, under sTaTed TasTe. To chrisTen’s delighT, her florisT was able To find peonies in exacTly The shade of pale pinK chrisTen’s moTher had adored.

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