Rachel and Billy were married on a quintessential Nantucket day. Rachel, a lifelong summer resident of the island, knew early on that Nantucket would be home to their wedding, and the couple paid homage to the quaint destination with Nantucket details sprinkled throughout the day. The picture-perfect First Congregational Church housed the intimate ceremony, while The Westmoor Club, a former mansion turned tennis club, was home to the tented reception. Stationery by Parchment Fine Paper featured a whale motif, table cards featured different beach names, and Flowers on Chestnut created centerpieces of hydrangea in clamming pails on the cocktail tables. Favors were even a personalized “Nantucket Top 10” list! Maggie from Nantucket Island Events pulled together every detail for the big day flawlessly. As always, we are head over heels for each timeless image from the fabulous Arielle Doneson Photography!
From the bride: We were married on Nantucket Island, MA on a quintessential Nantucket day–a gorgeous sunny afternoon and sunset transitioned to a cool fog, hence why Nantucket is also known as the “Gray Lady.” I am a lifelong summer resident of Nantucket, and Billy soon realized why I loved the place so much. Suffice to say, it was assumed that the wedding would be on Nantucket even before the proposal.
Our ceremony took place in the First Congregational Church, and the reception was held at The Westmoor Club, a former Vanderbilt mansion turned tennis club a mile from town. We wanted our guests to get a true sense of the island, which we sought to convey through such details as the table name cards featuring a different beach name, a whale and island motif throughout our paper suite, hydrangeas in clamming pails on the cocktail tables, and welcome notes with a “Nantucket Top 10” list and a copy of Nathaniel Philbrick’s “Why Read Moby Dick.” After a seated dinner in a sperry tent (during which it rained only during the toasts!), we went into the club for cake cutting, and several hours of energetic dancing thanks to the amazing Martha’s Vineyard based-band Sultans of Swing. The next morning at brunch, one of our guests, a lifelong Nantucket resident, remarked to me how meaningful it was to her that we had gone to such a great extent to capture the essence of the island.
My mother was instrumental in every single aspect of the wedding planning for which I will be forever grateful, and Maggie Naylon at Nantucket Island Events was a dream to work with in the months leading up to the wedding, and she brought everything together for the big day. It was also such a delight to work with local vendors who really understood the island and our vision. Michael at Flowers on Chestnut is a true artist, Magee at Nantucket Bake Shop not only makes the most delicious and beautiful wedding cakes but also is so refreshingly down to earth throughout the process, and Heidi at Parchment Fine Paper is one of the sweetest and thoughtful people you will ever meet with a terrific eye for beautiful stationery. Michael at Flowers on Chestnut did an absolutely amazing job with our flowers. Of particular note was the archway at the entrance to the church, which he covered in the most gorgeous hydrangeas and roses. A June wedding allowed him to incorporate all of my favorite flowers, especially peonies, with a pastel palette. Our wedding cake also featured cascading fresh flowers.
Our favors were quite personalized in that they included our “Nantucket Top 10” list that Billy and I created for the wedding as well as Nathaniel Philbrick’s “Why Read Moby Dick.” We bought out the supply at the local bookstore in Nantucket and then had to order some more on Amazon! We also had a large wooden whale with our names and the date of the wedding that we purchased on Etsy, which made an appearance at the Rehearsal Dinner, the Reception, and the brunch the following day.
In the months and days leading up to the wedding, many, many people told me that something would go wrong but it would be fine because I would be the only one who noticed. However, there was honestly nothing that went wrong–everything was truly perfect. It was also truly special for me to get ready with all of my bridesmaids in my parents’ home on the island–the home itself is extremely meaningful to me, and so having the opportunity to have a few moments in the house before the ceremony was a wonderful experience.
Photography – Arielle Doneson Photography | Ceremony Venue – First Congregational Church | Reception Venue – The Westmoor Club | Floral – Flowers on Chestnut | Wedding Planning – Nantucket Island Events | Stationery – Parchment Fine Paper | Calligraphy – Noreen Chin Calligraphy | Favors – ACK Gift Bags | Bakery – Nantucket Bake Shop | Band – Sultans of Swing | Transportation – Cranberry Transportation and Highland Drivers | Hair and Makeup – Darya Afshari | Bridesmaids Dresses – J.Crew | Gown – Amsale from Marina Morrison San Francisco | Bride’s Shoes – Jimmy Choo | Suit – Knot Standard | Ties – Vineyard Vines | Groomsmen Shoes – Johnston & Murphy