A Nautical-Inspired Blue-and-White Wedding on a Farm in Massachusetts

September 01, 2011

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The Happy Couple

A New York couple -- she's a fashion editor, he's a graphic designer -- creatively blend rustic, preppy, and nautical details into one chic wedding on a farm in the Berkshires.

Susan and Rob bask in their newlywed status.

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Nautical Motif

Susan, a fashion editor at Glamour magazine, and Rob, a partner in the design studio Project Projects, approached the wedding-planning process as a joint creative venture. "We're constantly sharing things we love visually, and that really shaped the look of our wedding," he explains. So, too, did an illustration created by two friends of a rope forming an R and an S, which appeared on decorative flags, among other elements.

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Welcome Bags

The day's emblem was printed on totes that friends and family received along with sunglasses upon arrival.

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The Bridal Bouquet

A dinner-plate dahlia, hydrangeas, and rosemary -- a symbol of love -- come together beautifully in the bridal bouquet.

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The Fashions

When it came to her wedding gown, the bride's keen eye for design helped her pounce on the perfect dress -- three times in a row. First, she unearthed an impeccable 1950s number for a song. Then she remembered a modern 3.1 Phillip Lim gown she'd seen on the runway several years back and miraculously spotted it at a sample sale. But as the overall plans for the event began to take shape, she found herself gravitating toward yet another look. She put the first two dresses into rotation in her wardrobe, and on July 10, 2010, Susan walked down the aisle, past 125 of her nearest and dearest, in a Grecian-style J. Mendel gown.

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Handmade Headband

The bride made her own headpieces by attaching gold-beaded leaf trim to a barrette and a headband.

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The Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids looked summery in striped dresses from Anthropologie.

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The Invitation Suite

Rob and Susan's save-the-date introduced guests to their motif. In lieu of traditional invites, they sent booklets containing pictures from their travels and the details of their day. Susan addressed each one with a vintage typewriter. "It was time-consuming, but it made me stop and think about each person we invited," she says.

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The Grounds

The pair was drawn to Gedney Farm in Massachusetts's Berkshire Mountains. And when Jenna Lyons, president and creative director of J.Crew, heaped praise on the venue -- the location of her own wedding -- they were sold. "We didn't want anything fussy, and we loved its simplicity," says Susan.

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The Ceremony

In front of the justice of the peace, the whole adventure came full circle. "She said that even holding hands in a parking lot can feel like a date," says Susan, "when you're married to your partner in crime." For this happy couple, that sentiment rang especially true.

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Signature Cocktail

Refreshing Southamptons (a mocktail of tonic water, Angostura bitters, and lime) were flagged with festive quotes from Plato, Dante, and even Ferris Bueller.

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The Guest Book

Guests were encouraged to write messages to the couple on a vintage typewriter at the reception.

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Place Cards

Paper tags with hand-typed names stand in as place cards.

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Cool Factor

Guests were given goodies to help beat the heat.

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Fans

Here, some partygoers posed with fans that doubled as photo booth props.

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Menu Display

A mutual appreciation for the Shaker aesthetic, travel, and preppy Americana also informed the decor, as seen in the craft paper and white paint menu display.

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Centerpieces

To suit the room's scale, cornstalks and red Crocosmia "Lucifer" were cut from a farm and a garden nearby and set in tall glass vases.

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First Dance

The newlyweds danced to "Autumn Leaves," by Yves Montand. "Susan's smile lit up the entire three-story barn," says Rob.

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The Reception

"By the end of the night, our friends were dancing around with cornstalks over their heads," says Susan. "The reception was just what we wanted -- a really fun party."

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Dessert

Each guest got their very own berry shortcake for dessert, because "cutting a cake felt too formal for us, and we didn"t want to interrupt the dance party," says Susan.

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Sources

Location, Catering, and Cake: Gedney Farm

Flowers: Pamela Read Hardcastle, Garden & Floral Design

Stationery: Part & Parcel (illustration); Peter Kruty Editions (letterpress)

Wedding Photography: Ingalls Photography

Gown: J. Mendel

Bridesmaids' Dresses: Anthropologie

Groom's Attire: Martin Greenfield

Bride's Hair: Mark Johnson of Seven Salon Spa

Rentals: Mahaiwe Tent, Inc.

Welcome Tote: E-Promos

Sunglasses and Panama Hats: Oriental Trading Company

Typewriter Paper: Jam Paper & Envelope

Fans: Pearl River

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