A Preppy, Flower-Filled Summer Camp Wedding in New York

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elizabeth nicholas wedding couple portrait in front of floral arch — Kenzie Victory

New Jersey has always been a part of Elizabeth and Nicholas' love story. The pair first met on the Jersey Shore during the summer of 2013, when they both had beach houses with friends. Then in September 2019, Nicholas proposed along the water in Seabright, New Jersey.

When it came to planning their wedding, the pair took a more woodsy approach and hosted 166 of their friends and family for a vintage, preppy summer camp-themed weekend at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York. "It truly felt like a place where we could create our own vision," Elizabeth says. "A getaway for friends and family not too far from New York City to just have fun and relax with everyone!"

And relax they did. On the day of their wedding, October 26, 2019, the pair and their guests participated in yoga and a wiffle ball tournament (complete with custom T-shirts) before gathering on the mountaintop to exchange vows in a heartfelt, non-religious ceremony. "The hardest part was planning a wedding without my mom by my side," says Elizabeth, whose mother passed away three years ago. To celebrate her mom that day, the couple's officiant, a family friend, read a letter Elizabeth's dad had written to her mother, and the bride had one of her bracelet charms woven into her bouquet.

After the pair made it official, the party began with live music and a family-style feast in the barn on the property—and ended with (what else?) an Italian-themed after party to match the Jersey Shore bar where they first met.

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Welcome, Campers

blue green and white plaid wedding invites — Kenzie Victory

Emily Rose Ink designed a preppy plaid stationery suite that set the tone for the couple's classic celebration. A custom crest featured botanical references to the Hudson Valley and two oars that nodded to the summer camp theme.

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Lovely Ladies

wedding bridesmaids helping bride strap on shoes — Kenzie Victory

Elizabeth's bridesmaids helped her into her Mira Zwillinger mermaid wedding dress and Alexandre Birman shoes.

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The Other First Look

wedding father and bride portrait by water — Kenzie Victory

Bucking tradition, Elizabeth and her dad did a lakeside first look.

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Just the Two of Us

wedding couple holding hands by lake — Kenzie Victory

Nicholas and Elizabeth shared their own first look before the ceremony, too. "I felt excited but calm," Elizabeth says. "I was really looking forward to just being with him for the day!"

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Blushing Bouquet

bride holding pastel wedding bouquet — Kenzie Victory

Elizabeth held a loose, organic collection of pink-and-purple buds. To finish the look, Faye + Renee added a charm from one of Elizabeth's mother's bracelets to the ribbon wrapped around the arrangement.

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White Light

bridesmaids in white with bride standing by water — Kenzie Victory

The bridesmaids donned ivory Watters dresses in various styles. "I loved how cohesive the dresses looked along with my gown," Elizabeth says. "I also wanted my girls to feel just as special as I did."

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Dapper Dudes

groomsmen in black suits — Kenzie Victory

Nicholas wore a black tuxedo from Suit Supply and paired it with Saks Fifth Avenue shoes and his grandfather's cuff links. His groomsmen wore matching ensembles from The Black Tux.

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Wild Love

large floral display next to white ceremony couches — Kenzie Victory

For the mountaintop ceremony, guests sat in beige-and-cream-colored chairs and sofas; a series of wildflower arrangements lined the aisle.

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Walking Buddies

father and bride processing down aisle — Kenzie Victory

Elizabeth's dad guided her down the aisle to "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley.

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Simply Special

wedding couple kissing under floral arch — Kenzie Victory

A family friend officiated the non-religious ceremony, which included an excerpt from a letter that Elizabeth's dad wrote her mother, as well as a reading from Corinthians. The pair sealed the deal with a kiss.

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Hang Time

wedding reception long table with floral centerpiece, floor arrangements, and hanging installment — Kenzie Victory

At the indoor barn reception, the ceiling was a living landscape thanks to greenery, florals, and chandeliers.

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A Lovely Spread

reception table with pastel floral arrangements and tall candles — Kenzie Victory

Bud vases and pink taper candles dotted the center of the head table, over which even more greenery appeared.

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Table Talk

elizabeth nicholas wedding reception elegant white place setting — Kenzie Victory

At each guest's seat, a card announced the night's menu. The family-style feast included ribeye; chicken breast; a market salad; celery root and potato purée; and Brussel sprouts with cauliflower. Crisp white napkins added to the classic feel.

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Lots of Love

wedding reception couple sitting at long table — Kenzie Victory

The bride says that walking into their reception as a married couple was one of the best parts of the day. "Seeing everyone we love there and seeing everything come together" was so special, she adds.

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A Sweet Ending

three tiered wedding reception cake with flowers — Kenzie Victory

Elizabeth's dress served as the inspiration for the Nine Cakes confection, which featured vanilla cake layered with espresso buttercream and walnut streusel and coconut cake layered with lemon curd and coconut buttercream.

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Home Is Where the Heart Is

wedding couple dancing at reception — Kenzie Victory

The newlyweds danced to one of their favorites, "Bring it on Home to Me" by Sam Cooke. "It's one of the songs we listen to when we cook together—or when just Nick cooks—on Sundays," Elizabeth says.

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