Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See all FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See all HOLIDAYS

    25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine

    Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See all ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See all HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See all GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See all WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See all DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See all LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Wedding Styles
  5. Love Is Love
  6. Winter Weddings
  7. A Backyard Wedding at the Groom's Family's Historic Ocean-Front Home in Delray Beach, Florida
Martha Stewart Weddings

A Backyard Wedding at the Groom's Family's Historic Ocean-Front Home in Delray Beach, Florida

By Sara Dickinson
June 17, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

This couple planned their wedding while living in California and had a custom-built pergola set up to accommodate their 200 guests.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Lauren and Morgan met in New York City in 2014 through Lauren's roommate, who just so happened to be a high school friend of Morgan's. Four years later, in November 2014, the couple was living together in San Francisco. Morgan, who has a pilot's license, took Lauren on a sunset flight to celebrate their anniversary—and the celebratory flight quickly turned into a romantic proposal, as Lauren spotted the message, "Marry Me Lauren," along the shoreline.

The couple immediately began planning their February 8, 2020, wedding, which took place at McCauley House, Morgan's family's historic beach-front home in Delray Beach, Florida. "We looked at a few venues in the area, but we decided that nothing compared to how special it would be to get married and celebrate our biggest memory to date in a house full of memories with our friends and families," Lauren says.

Even though Lauren and Morgan both grew up in Palm Beach County, Florida, they live in California, which meant they had to prepare for their celebration from afar. To pull this off, they worked with the team at Masi Events, who helped them plan a seaside wedding that focused on the guest experience. Lauren is an interior designer, so she had a vision for the day's décor and made quick decisions about the design elements for the front yard ceremony and backyard reception. The pair chose a color scheme of pink, coral, lavender, purple, white, and yellow, then left the rest of the details to the professionals. When it came to the logistics of planning a backyard wedding for 200 guests, the couple relied on their wedding planners to come up with a layout that made everyone feel included.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A Colorful Preview

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Morgan and Lauren hired Momental Designs to design and print an invitation suite that would give guests a glimpse of what to expect on the big day. The suite included colorful sketches of the front of the home, the backyard, and wedding details like the couple's custom wildflower cake; the floral border represented the flowers later seen in the centerpieces at the reception. As for the finishing touch? Berry-hued calligraphy courtesy of Tinta Y Tierra completed the suite.

2 of 25

3 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Getting Ready

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Lauren got ready for the big day with her bridesmaids, who wore coordinating robes in varying pink tones.

  • Bridesmaids' Robes for Your Girls to Wear While Getting Ready

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The One

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The bride shopped for her wedding dress alone in San Francisco, because she wanted to keep the gown a secret; still, her mother and sister, who both live in Florida, joined in on the fun from afar. "After each day of dress shopping, I would send off the videos and pictures and summarize my experience to them over the phone," Lauren says. When she tried on the Mira Zwillinger "Chaz" dress, she began smiling from ear-to-ear. The ivory mermaid gown featured a corset and lead embroidered embellishments throughout. "The day I tried this dress on, I sent them the videos and pictures of me in it," the bride says. "Perhaps they could see on my face how happy I was, but it was a unanimous decision. This was the dress."

The rest of her look was comprised of several somethings borrowed: She wore her sister's veil, her grandmother's blue ring on her right hand, her mother-in-law's earrings, and Morgan's grandmother's pearl bracelet.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Bouquet

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Lauren held a hand-tied bouquet in shades of cream, champagne, blush, and peach with touches of deep berry and coral. The florals included garden roses, dahlias, ranunculus, anemone peonies, and greenery.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Groom's Attire

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Morgan wore a blue suit paired with a pink tie with small sailboats (he's an avid sailor). He paired his suit with brown shoes and a brown belt.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The First Look

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The bride and groom shared their first look at a friend's home ahead of the ceremony. "Overall, our first look was an extremely special moment that we both had dreamt of for quite some time," Lauren says.

7 of 25

8 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ladies in Red (and Pink)

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Lauren asked her bridesmaids to select their own dresses, resulting in a unique mix of ensembles ranking from red to blush. "They all have such beautiful style, and I knew they would select the best dress for themselves," Lauren says. Each woman held a smaller version of Lauren's bouquet, with soft pink, peach, and yellow flowers.

  • 28 Reasons to Love the Mismatched Bridesmaids' Dress Look

8 of 25

9 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Matching Groomsmen

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The groomsmen matched Morgan in blue suits, brown shoes, brown belts, and sailboat-covered ties (theirs were yellow). "We wanted the look to be cohesive, but also wanted Morgan to stand out," Lauren says. Each groomsman wore a unique single flower boutonnière of multicolored ranunculus.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

En Route

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The couple and their wedding party hopped onto a trolley, which transported them—and their guests—to the ceremony.

  • How Much Should a Couple Plan to Spend on Transportation for Their Wedding Guests?

10 of 25

11 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Escort Card Display

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

As guests made their way through the home's front yard and hedged path for the ceremony, they passed by an escort wall made of two sheets of plexiglass with greenery and flowers in between.

11 of 25

12 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Under the Banyan Tree

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

McCauley House has a huge banyan tree in the front yard, so Lauren and Morgan decided to use it to their advantage; they set up their natural wood chairs underneath the tree in a semicircle formation.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Banyan Tree

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The big tree was adorned with white orchids to create a backdrop for the couple's vows; the aisle was covered in wildflower petals. "We used white orchids in this tree only to complement my dress," explains Lauren. "The other banyan trees around the property had bright pink, purple, and yellow orchids."

13 of 25

14 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Putting the Guest in Guest House

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Fitting their 200 guests in the front yard was arguably the biggest logistical dilemma of the day—so they found a creative solution. Several guests watched the ceremony from the guest house's balconies.

  • Your Comprehensive Guide to Getting Married at Home

14 of 25

15 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

All You Need

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Morgan is Jewish and Lauren is Christian, so the duo wanted to make sure to honor both religions during the ceremony. To do so, they gave readings from the new testament and broke glass at the end of the service, which was officiated by the couple's close friend, Eduardo. "Having him up there with us was one of the most special moments of the day," Lauren says.

As the newlyweds made their way back down the aisle under a shower of flower petals, a pianist played The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love."

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Courtyard Cocktails

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The bride and groom skipped the first part of their cocktail hour to take photos with family, but joined the rest of their guests in the courtyard halfway through. A pianist played as guests enjoyed Champagne and an open bar. Passed appetizers included churrasco, miniature tuna tartare, pan-seared crab cakes, and goat cheese and watermelon cylinders.

  • Do You Have to Have a Cocktail Hour at Your Wedding?

16 of 25

17 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Custom Pergola

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

They worked with Sperry Tents to build a custom pergola for the backyard, which was adorned with bistro lighting, flowers, and greenery garlands. "It not only served as a focal point for the backyard reception, but was the solution for fitting a larger guest count in a unique layout while making everyone feel equally included," says the couple's planner from Masi Events. The pair also set up a clear-top tent, where the 10-piece band and dance floor were set up. Rattan lanterns and glass candle hurricanes were placed around the pool for texture.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bright Blooms

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

A mix of long and round tables were dressed with muted pink tablecloths and paired with cushioned brown chairs. Each table held unique centerpieces that mimicked the bride's bouquet; florals matched the pink, coral, lavender, purple, and yellow color scheme. Glass votives and candle holders held white tapered candles, as well.

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Rattan Settings

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Each place setting included a rattan charger, pale pink plates, and gold flatware. White linen napkins were wrapped around the printed menus; a bougainvillea bud was placed on top. In addition to clear wine glasses, green water goblets were placed at each spot for a pop of color.

  • Trending Now: Rattan and Woven Wedding Décor

19 of 25

20 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Dinner

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

For dinner, guests started with a salad topped with goat cheese and candied walnuts. Then, everyone had their choice of entrée: grilled vacio with avocado chimichurri, fish corvina papillote with fingerling potatoes, or vegetarian leek and eggplant potpie with warm tomato.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The First Dance

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Lauren and Morgan shared their first dance to Van Morrison's "Days Like This." Lauren shared a dance with her father to "My Girl" by The Temptations, and Morgan shared one with his mother to "Loves Me Like a Rock" by Paul Simon. "Morgan's mom asked for all mothers and their sons to join them on the dance floor—a very special moment!" the bride says.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

More Dancing

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

One of Lauren's favorite moments of the entire day? "Dancing the night away under the full moon! The band was incredible and everyone was on the dance floor surrounding us," she says.

  • 22 Unique Ideas for Your Wedding Dance Floor

22 of 25

23 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Cake

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

The couple's three-tiered confection featured vanilla cake with dulce de leche and vanilla buttercream. "The cake was everything I dreamed it could be," Lauren says. The cake was embellished with edible wildflowers that spoke to the event's palette.

  • 22 Ways Pressed Flowers Can Elevate Your Wedding

23 of 25

24 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Speeches

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Throughout the evening, the couple enjoyed speeches from the father of the bride and the best man—and then the groom took the mic. "Although I knew Morgan was giving a speech, the first time I heard it was that evening as I was standing next to him in front of all our guests," Lauren says. "It was a proud moment to stand next to Morgan as his wife and hear him express how lucky we were to have the love and support from our families and friends."

  • Important Etiquette Tips for Giving a Wedding Speech or Toast

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sources

Credit: Gianny Campos Photography

Photography, Gianny Campos Photography
Event Planning and Design, Masi Events
Videography, Hopemedia Video
Flowers, Simply Events Design
Invitations, Momental Designs
Calligraphy, Tinta y Tierra
Bride's Gown, Mira Zwillinger
Hair and Makeup, Carolyn Jones Makeup
Music, Tropics Entertainment
Catering, Thierry Isambert Culinary Design
Cake, Earth and Sugar
Rentals, Atlas Event Rental; Nuage Designs; The Mix Dish
Transportation, Molly's Trolleys
Lighting, CBK Events
Tent, Tent Logix
Custom Pergola, Dance Floor, and Stage, Sperry Tents

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Sara Dickinson

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Martha Stewart Weddings
View All
  • A Stylish Civil Ceremony in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris—Followed by a Tropical Reception at a Chateau
  • Riz Ahmed Is Married—and Just Opened Up About His Private Wedding Day
  • This Is How Often a Relationship Expert Think You and Your Fiancé Should Have a Date Night 
  • This Is How Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman-Maday Feel About Married Life
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 25
2 of 25 A Colorful Preview
3 of 25 Getting Ready
4 of 25 The One
5 of 25 The Bouquet
6 of 25 The Groom's Attire
7 of 25 The First Look
8 of 25 Ladies in Red (and Pink)
9 of 25 Matching Groomsmen
10 of 25 En Route
11 of 25 The Escort Card Display
12 of 25 Under the Banyan Tree
13 of 25 The Banyan Tree
14 of 25 Putting the Guest in Guest House
15 of 25 All You Need
16 of 25 Courtyard Cocktails
17 of 25 Custom Pergola
18 of 25 Bright Blooms
19 of 25 Rattan Settings
20 of 25 The Dinner