Genevieve and Scott’s Bucolic Wedding Getaway

June 01, 2015
Aaron Delesie

At first, this shy bride urged her fiancé to elope. Then she fell for a pastoral setting in Martha’s Vineyard and ended up happily welcoming loved ones to a serene celebration.

Start Slideshow

1 of 35

The Couple

Aaron Delesie

You might think that someone whose livelihood has revolved around other people’s weddings would have a huge head start on planning her own. Instead, confesses Genevieve Panuska, deputy art director of Martha Stewart Weddings, “I wasn’t even sure I wanted to have a wedding. Not only do I hate being the center of attention, but every place I scouted just didn’t feel like us.” Genevieve’s tastes lean toward the rustic, while her fiancé, Scott Harper, CEO of a home-décor sales firm, dreamed of something more elegant. Over a nine-year relationship (six of them sharing a New York City studio), though, they had honed the art of compromise—and patience. That was rewarded when they visited Martha’s Vineyard, where Scott had vacationed as a child, and met their setting soul mate: the 321-year-old fishing village of Menemsha, Massachusetts, and its Beach Plum Inn. The grounds included a main house and a cluster of private cottages that could accommodate everyone, creating a summer-camp ambience. “It felt so peaceful, like a retreat,” says Genevieve. “I fell in love with it.” The wedding was on.

Venue in hand, Genevieve’s artistic DNA came into play. As a designer with a minimalist bent, she chose a black-and-white palette with neutral accents. Then she began creating many elements of the big day herself, including designing and printing the invitations, and inspiring her florist with samples of the island’s flowers and grasses. Family and friends got into the act, making a frame for the seating chart, illustrating paper goods, and even picking produce for dinner.

On October 11, 2014, in the late afternoon, 90 loved ones sat on benches made from reclaimed wood to witness Genevieve and Scott’s nondenominational vows. “We were under a tent because it started raining,” says Genevieve. “But that turned out to be a blessing—it was more intimate and cozy. And right at the end, the sun came out.” Then guests headed to a second tent for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres made from local fish, before a dinner of salad greens from the adjoining farm, cod caught on nearby Georges Bank, and black angus steak from cows raised on the island. When the dancing started, says Scott, “I was trying to just drink in the whole experience. It felt relaxed and yet elegant—perfect for us.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 35

Wry Writings

Aaron Delesie

The bride made the save-the-dates, aiming for “wit, sweetness, and cleverness,” especially in her sly reference to the couple’s nine-year-long romance.

3 of 35

The Invitations

Aaron Delesie

Genevieve edged the entire suite in black ink, and closed the envelopes with wax-seal stickers. For a playful touch: Under the flap she printed Finally! “I get a kick out of little design elements like that,” she says.

Advertisement

4 of 35

A Witty Welcome

Aaron Delesie

Family members drove guests from the island’s ferry landing to their cottages. The welcome sign read We are ferry excited you’re here!

5 of 35

A Bag of Goodies

Aaron Delesie

Welcome bags featured sweets and necessities for the Vineyard: flashlights labeled Don’t Trip (via 4imprint), boxed water, a lobster-shaped Melville Candy Company lollipop, bug spray in a bottle labeled Don’t Bug Out!, an activities booklet, and matches.

6 of 35

Sweet Treats

Aaron Delesie

Saltwater taffy provided a sweet note (and a printed one: Yum).

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 35

All Mapped Out

Aaron Delesie

The bride’s brother illustrated maps of the property’s paths and guest cottages.

8 of 35

The Venue

Aaron Delesie

“The cottages and buildings on the property were so charming,” says Genevieve of Beach Plum Inn.

9 of 35

The Locals

Aaron Delesie

The couple’s two-bedroom cottage overlooked fields—and curious sheep.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 35

Getting Ready

Aaron Delesie

Scott’s brother helped him suit up with their grandfather’s cuff links and tuxedo shirt studs.

11 of 35

Delicate Accessories

Aaron Delesie

Genevieve gravitated toward these two Blanca Monrós Gómez gold bangles because she often goes for simpler, delicate pieces when choosing jewelry, and she didn’t want to overpower the dress.

12 of 35

A Flower in Her Hair

Aaron Delesie
Find More DIY Updo Ideas

Genevieve did her own hair—a loose bun on the side of her head—and finished off the look with a fresh gardenia in lieu of a veil. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 35

The Meal Plan

Aaron Delesie

Chef Chris Fischer and the farm director from Beetlebung, which adjoins the Beach Plum Inn, picked fresh produce for the salad and side dishes the morning of the wedding.

14 of 35

The Rings

Aaron Delesie

“I wanted a beautiful box to keep my ring in since I don’t wear jewelry to sleep,” says Genevieve. She chose a rose-gold band designed by Steven Alan; Scott’s is from Tiffany and Co.

15 of 35

The Fashions

Aaron Delesie

Scott, in Calvin Klein with an Ermenegildo Zegna tie, and Genevieve, in a Johanna Johnson Black Label gown, shared a laugh as the sun came out.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 35

Clutch It Close

Aaron Delesie

Each of the four “brides’ women” received an envelope clutch by Amy Steele.

17 of 35

Black Frocks

Aaron Delesie

The bridal party was encouraged to pick out structured, simple black dresses and nude shoes. 

18 of 35

Gifts for the Guys

Aaron Delesie

Groomsmen received Michael Kors ties and white pocket squares with black trim from The Tie Bar, with a tag saying Thank you for being there.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 35

The Groomsmen

Aaron Delesie

The guys looked sharp in their classic ensembles.

20 of 35

Pretty Posies

Aaron Delesie

Genevieve’s bouquet included local blooms like calcynias, panda anemones, dahlias, and native field grasses.

21 of 35

A Moment With Dad

Aaron Delesie

Genevieve and her father shared a giddy moment before walking down the aisle.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 35

The Best Rain Plan

Aaron Delesie

Guests had a view of the countryside during the ceremony, yet still were protected from the rain.

23 of 35

The Ceremony

Aaron Delesie

The Reverend Jacalyn Kane, who officiated, helped the couple write their vows. “We wanted to express our individuality. Scott and I are very different,” says Genevieve. “But we complement each other well—we’re each best at things that the other is worst at.”

24 of 35

A Culinary Cocktail Hour

Aaron Delesie

Mismatched mugs made whimsical vessels for seafood soup during the cocktail hour.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 35

Catch of the Day

Aaron Delesie

A bonito, freshly caught off the island’s coast, provided the raw ingredient for crudo served as hors d’oeuvres.

26 of 35

Cheeky Cocktails

Aaron Delesie

The cocktail menu featured two signature drinks: a “Gen-n-Tonic” and a “Scottch,” a spin on their names (and their favorite libations).

27 of 35

A Fashionable Friend

Aaron Delesie

A good friend traveled from England to party with the couple. “Jo works for Jimmy Choo,” says Gen, “so I always love her shoes!”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 35

Made by a DIY Dad

Aaron Delesie

The bride’s father made the seating-chart frame with wood salvaged from his farm in North Carolina.

29 of 35

A Relaxed Scene

Aaron Delesie
Get This Table Number How-To

More local plants and flowers in narrow vases graced bare wooden tables and adorned each napkin. “Genevieve picked pieces of simple beige grass from the island’s fields and said, ‘This is what I love,’” recalls her florist, Krishana Collins. “So we created wild-meets-cultivated compositions.”

The menu kept with the witty wording of the fête—thanking the chef and the venue’s team for “working so chard and remaining calm” and exclaiming that everything looked “radishing!” 

30 of 35