Boating is one hobby that Jessica & Brian will forever cherish in their hearts. Both enjoy the act and our groom even is officially licensed to operate boats. But what totally made this something that our couple will associate with their love is the fact that Brian actually proposed to Jessica while they were out and about in the waters. So when choosing on what setting to have on their wedding day, it’s not a surprise that they ended up choosing docks and nautical stuff. With the venue of a yacht club surrounded by their family, friends, and their favorite floating thing, Jessica & Brian’s nuptials must have surely been so gratifying for them that they couldn’t imagined a better one, even if they tried.
Sail away with college sweethearts – turned husband & wife, Jessica & Brian, as they share with us their wedding decked (pun intended) with nautical details.
What is your story as a couple, how did you meet, fall in love?
Brian and I met in college, we both went to the University of Connecticut. We met very early in our freshman year and started dating soon after. We have been together ever since, almost 10 years! After college graduation, we moved to New York City, then moved around the State of Connecticut, then we finally settled in West Hartford and got engaged a few years later.
What inspired your wedding decor? Why did you choose the things that you did?
My family owns a summer home on a lake in Connecticut which we have always spent much of our summers at. We often go jet-skiing, boating, water skiing, and water tubing. Brian finally decided to get his boater’s license and proposed during a weekend get-away to Long Island (where we spend the rest of our time over the summers). Brian rented a boat, which was a surprise to me, and proposed while we were out boating for the day. All of this lead us to deciding upon a nautical theme for our wedding which led us to the Guilford Yacht Club, the perfect location for us.
Do you have advice for couples still in the planning process?
Relax and make is fun; don’t stress out over the little things.
Can you share some tips or tricks that you learned along the way leading up to the wedding or after?
Many of the details – sailboat centerpieces, sailor-knot table numbers, limoncello favors – were inspired by ideas my mom and myself found on Pinterest. Much of the stuff we did was DIY; most things looked simple enough to make on our own, however it get tedious when we had to make multiples of everything. At one point, neither of us wanted to see the sailboats again and I can assure I will not be zesting another lemon anytime soon! Other ideas such as our use of lanterns to decorate outside tables and weathered candle holders were found browsing through local stores.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Kauai and Maui, Hawaii
How many guests were invited in your wedding and what was the final guest count?
We invited 155 guests and had a final guest count of 130.
What songs did you use during the ceremony?
We had a violin and guitar played before and during the ceremony. The processional song was Blackbird by The Beatles; brides entrance was Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones; recessional was Viva la Vida by Coldplay. During the ceremony one of our readings was a quote by Bob Marley and the band played a Bob Marley song as interlude
Vendors
Photographer: Donna Cheung Photography
Cake Designer: A Little Something Bakery
Caterer: Gourmet Galley Catering
Reception Venue: Guilford Yacht Club
Band: No Standards
Floral Designer: Roses for Autism
Hair Stylist: Salon Aleez