Oceanside Wedding in Chatham

May 12, 2016

Totally in love. From the very beginning. A recent Georgetown graduate working in international education, the bride met the groom in Mumbai, India. For their US wedding, they began with a classic Cape Cod wedding and layered in global reflections of their cultures and their travels. With all the coordinating done connecting long distance with their Massachusetts coordinator and, the day unfolded as planned. Shining smiles, ringing laughter, families meeting and embracing in love, a stunning sunset over the water; it couldn?t have been a more beautiful summer?s day.

ST CHRISTOPHER’S IN CHATHAM

In a flurry of mascara and flowers and music, the bride and her attendant women gathered upstairs while the groom and his groomsmen floated on the excitement in the churchyard gardens.

Bride receives a bracelet from her future mother-in-law.?

Groom in linen suit and pink and purple madras tie.?

ST CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH CEREMONY IN CHATHAM

The vows were said, tears were shed and a couple officially united at St. Christopher?s Episcopal church in Chatham on Cape Cod. Inside the lofted, color splashed chapel stained, the bride was walked down the aisle by her father to the beaming groom. They celebrated again with the groom?s family in India later in the year. This day the families united in an Episcopal service that was an inclusive celebration with readings by both sides of the family.

BRIDE AND GROOM PORTRAITS

While there was a sensational view from the pool patio, we took a few minutes to slip away from the cocktail hour and family portraits to take the winding stairway to the water. This private beach setting was ideal for couple?s portraits. I love the pink cocktail and pink orchid bouquet punctuating the full flush of summer greens.

BACKYARD TENTED RECEPTION

Cocktail hour sprawled out around the tent and guests reveled in the summer evening air. With a nod to their globetrotting adventures and their families, the appetizers and drinks stations were themed to different cultures and countries. The private home, graciously donated by family friends, had a 200 degree view of the water and the spectacular sunset. There was enough room for a tent, food stations and a balcony from which the bride tossed her bouquet.

strikingly simple birds of paradise arrangements at reception

ombre layered cake decorated with pink orchids

cake knife and server set decorated with shells

Oysters and clams at the local Cape table

Polaroid Guestbook table, using the gorgeous IRL backdrop

GRATUTITOUS SUNSET SECTION

Gorgeous enough to drink in. Color rich enough to sink you teeth into. A flash of pink in the sky that turned down into a simmering red. Everyone drifted from under the tent to watch the sky burn down to night. Laughter of friendship rung out and echoed over the water.

The white tent, toned pinks and purples from the spectacular sunset in Chatham.

WEDDING TOASTS AND DANCE PARTY

As the sun dropped, the guests returned together under the tent wrapping themselves with the gold and purple scarves, brought from India by the groom?s mother. The toasts were brimming with admiration and recognition, a true send-off as the couple was about to behind a new chapter of their lives in a new country.

A funny and touching moment came during the father of the bride?s toast when he unrolled a height chart that he had kept since her childhood. Marking off this moment, a milestone in her life and in his. The guests erupted in a kazoo chorus.

Then the party arrived. Full Stop. A niece of the groom presented a choreographed dance piece. She was rewarded with hugs and the first taste of wedding cake.

Here was a day of hope, of love, of song, of laughter. A day for expressing the many minds of love. A day for connecting across cultures, languages, religions. A day I felt privileged to witness.