A Family-Oriented Wedding on the Coast of Massachusetts

Lucy Hadley Ferguson and Corey Hunter met as freshmen at the University of Georgia, where they both ran track and cross country. Between ice baths and long jogs together, the Georgia natives realized they had a lot in common, and began dating. After first jobs, moving around, and extra years of college for more running, the couple settled down in Boston, where they spent many blissful summer days at Hadley's family’s historic property on Ricketson's Point in Padanaram, Massachusetts. On one of those days—the couple's 8th anniversary, to be exact—Hadley has just gotten back from Asia and she and Corey decided to have a beachside picnic with some fancier-than-usual Champagne. Once there, Corey surprised Hadley by popping the question.

Before the wedding, the couple held a week-long celebration that featured sailing, fishing, and evening lobster boils. It culminated on September 3, 2016, with a breezy ceremony and 155 of their loved ones in attendance, just steps away from where Corey proposed. Mixing nautical neutrals with things most important to the couple, like their dog, coastal living, and their Scottish heritage, it was a Labor Day weekend to remember.

The couple's modern, beachy stationery by Swiss Cottage Designs featured a map of the area and sights to see before and after the wedding. An icon with a whale's tail nodded to the coastal setting and would reappear on other elements throughout the wedding day itself.

Hadley didn't know what she wanted when shopping for her wedding dress. With help from a friend, the owner of Boston's Ceremony Bridal Shop, the bride found what she was looking for in a strappy silk Leanne Marshall dress. She paired it with sassy-yet-comfortable Valentino studded espadrille wedges.

Looking just as radiant, the bridesmaids wore their choice of airy, palette-friendly Reformation gowns.

The groom and his men donned attire from Bonobos. Corey wore a blue tux with black lapels, while the groomsmen sported light gray suits. All donned matching J.Crew neckwear, with Corey opting for a bow tie version of the plaid pattern.

Ollie, the couple's beloved rescue pup, joined them at the altar. He wore a silk bow tie belonging to the father of the bride. "We forgot to buy him one and remembered as we were walking out of the house to go down the aisle," the bride says.

A sign by Swiss Cottage Designs—adorned by flowers from Wild Folk Studio and a lobster trap—welcomed guests to the wedding. They could grab lemonade and water—sparkling and still—before sitting down for the ceremony.

Originally, Caroline from Wild Folk Studio was going to build a large floral arch for the ceremony. Not wanting to obstruct the view of Buzzards Bay, it was decided that a grounded semi-circular arrangement made of pampas grass, roses, dahlias, and stock flowers, would be better suited for the event. "The floral half-moon she created was beyond anything we'd ever dreamed and truly fit the space and our personalities," the bride says.

Hadley's mother and father walked her down the aisle to "The Skye Boat Song," a Scottish folk ditty. The traditional ceremony was officiated by a close family friend who is a reverend and led previous weddings in Hadley's family. The couple's maid of honor and her husband—a groomsmen himself—recited readings chosen by the groom.

The couple exchanged special wedding rings—his was a remade version of his late grandfather's (dings and divots included), and hers was from Persona, the couple's favorite jeweler in Boston.

During the ceremony, the reverend's wife, Boog, and Hadley's cousin, Hannah, were accompanied in song by Hadley's father on banjo and a close family friend on guitar. "It was such a surprise to see my dad playing the banjo in front of everyone!" says Hadley.

Lead by bagpipers, the newlyweds and their guests walked around the outskirts of the property after the ceremony ended.

Prior to the reception, the couple held an oyster roast overlooking the harbor. They chose varieties from New England and Hog Island Oysters from Northern California. Other fare included cheeses, meats, and homemade pickled vegetables, all prepared by Smoke & Pickles.

Cocktail hour featured specialty drinks made with honey from the apiary at the Greyfield Inn, the hotel that the bride's family owns.

Lauren Wells made the fabric board with seashells that displayed the escort cards, which were printed by Swiss Cottage Designs. It was the couple's favorite piece from the reception.

Under a tent adorned with string lights, long wooden tables were set with various flowers in clear glass vases, white votive candles, and Mason jars instead of traditional glasses.

The buffet-style dinner, catered by Smoke & Pickles, featured local grilled fish, roasted in-season veggies, and bread from Iggy's Bread.

The couple chose Etta James's "At Last" as their first dance song.

Hadley's aunt made a small carrot cake for the couple to cut, topped with fresh flowers. Guests also dined on small apple pie in mason jars served with Corey's favorite vanilla ice cream from the area.

After the wedding, the couple gave guests bottles of Boston Harbor Distillery rye whiskey, with a label by Swiss Cottage Designs sporting the same whale icon from their invitation.

At their rehearsal dinner the day before, guests received homemade granola from Hadley's parents, using a recipe from their hotel. It was bagged in brown paper bags and stamped with a picture of the couple's dog, Oliver, with the phrase "Oliver Approved."

After the live band played the last song of the night, guests turned to the bride and groom and began cheering. "As I looked around I had this profound moment that every person I cared about was in the same room, having the time of their lives and celebrating us," Corey says of his favorite moment of the day. "I felt like both a rock star and the luckiest person on Earth."

Guests lit wish lanterns at the end of the night and let them fly into the evening coastal air. But that fun came with a scare. "My dad and his best friend ended up hopping on a rowboat and rowed across the harbor thinking a boat was on fire," the bride says. "Clearly, the wooden boats are a priority around here!"

Photography, Henry + Mac

Event Planning, Lauren Wells

Day of coordination, Eventfully Planned by Jamie Nelson

Catering, Smoke & Pickles

Flowers, Wild Folk Studio

Stationary, Swiss Cottage Designs

Music, Mystique

Rentals, Sperry Tents (tents); True North Event Rentals (tables and chairs)

Bride's gown, Leanne Marshall from Ceremony Bridal Shop

Bride's accessories, Valentino (shoes)

Hair, Stacy Kuehn

Makeup, Blush Wedding Day

Bridesmaids' dresses, Reformation

Groom's Tuxedo and Groomsmen's suits, Bonobos

Men's Accessories, J.Crew