The Day After Their Nuptials, This Duo Treated Guests to an Al Fresco Brunch and Pool Party

bride and groom on moped
Blaine Siesser

While Jenna Nortman, a business development manager, and Daniel Kaufman, an executive in corporate strategy, initially planned for a destination wedding in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 5, 2020, they ended up having to cancel their nearly 400-guest event in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "At first, Daniel and I figured this would mean we would have a ceremony with a small dinner and that would be it," the bride recalls. "But thanks to our incredible moms, they had better foresight than us (realizing the pandemic had no end in sight), and they decided to make a blow-out weekend with multiple celebrations."

After switching venues to Daniel's parents' private estate in Orchard Lake, Michigan, for their rescheduled wedding on August 14, 2020, they decided to host five more events during the weekend. And they spent just six weeks mapping out all the details. "With Jenna being from New York, and her family flying in, it was important to fill the weekend with activities and special moments to keep everyone together," the groom notes. To make the celebrations meaningful despite the change in plans, they established a destination theme and took their 21 immediate family members on a makeshift "trip" to Italy on the morning after the Friday at-home nuptials. "We planned to transport everyone to a piazza in Capri for an outdoor lunch," the bride shares. "After lunch we moved the group over to the pool for an afternoon full of swimming, dance music, and lots of rosé!"

By choosing different locations and unique events around the property throughout the weekend, the couple created a space to celebrate what matters most in their lives: their family. "It was important to both Daniel and I that we created moments for our parents, and especially our siblings, to spend time with one another and create relationships of their own," Jenna says.

01 of 14

Italian-Inspired Affair

wedding brunch with guests at round tables
Blaine Siesser

Jenna and Daniel hosted an Italian-centric lunch event, planned by their mothers and coordinated by Melissa Vitale Events, complete with small tables, chairs, and umbrellas surrounding an old European-inspired fountain and cherubs.

02 of 14

Pastel Apparel

groom in pink swim trunks and matching button up
Blaine Siesser

The groom sported a blush Tombolo outfit and Nick Fouquet fedora to go along with the bright, colorful theme.

03 of 14

Love Is in the Air

bride and groom under lemon tree
Blaine Siesser

Jenna donned her first of two bridal swimsuit looks for the lunch festivities: a white Fella Swim one-piece, lacy coverup, Gucci sandals, and a Janessa Leone fedora.

04 of 14

Chic Tabletop

guest table with blue glassware and potted plant centerpiece
Blaine Siesser

"Tables were set with crisp white linens, dishes, wood bread trays, and glassware that brought Old-World Italy to the luncheon," Jenna shares.

05 of 14

To-Go Treats

guest table setting with blue silverware and lemon printed napkins
Blaine Siesser

A personalized to-go biscotti cookie box—with a lemon tree design, the couple's names, the date, and the phrase "viva la familia" printed on them—marked each spot, as did monogrammed place cards, citrus-patterned napkins, blue-handled cutlery, and bowls filled with olives.

06 of 14

Cheers!

groom with guests drinking cocktails
Blaine Siesser

Everyone sipped on signature Italian drinks during lunch, including Aperol spritzes and bellinis.

07 of 14

Vino on Deck

groom holding wedding wine
Blaine Siesser

The couple offered magnum bottles of rosé, as well.

08 of 14

Sweets and Eats

brunch table with food
Blaine Siesser

The meal consisted of seven different types of pizzas made by an Italian café, two pasta choices, and two salads—all served with artisan bread and olive oil.

09 of 14

Pool Party Perfection

bride and groom on blue and pink pool floats
Blaine Siesser

Oversized balloons and confetti rope in bright pink and blue hues dressed up the pool for Jenna and Daniel's next event; his-and-hers pool floats were a fun touch.

10 of 14

All Dressed in White

bride wearing jeweled white swimsuit with gold jewelry
Blaine Siesser

Jenna switched into her second bathing suit of the day, which was made by Daniel's sister Natalierose entirely from scratch. "She bought the fabric, stitched out the style, and sewed on the pearls and letters on the back to read 'KAUFMAN' in jewel beads," says the bride. A sheer wrap around her waist completed the look.

11 of 14

#Shloop

wedding hashtag baseball cap
Blaine Siesser

To incorporate their wedding hashtag, #shloop (their nickname for one another), the pair designed their own hats and displayed them on a table during the pool event; they came in different color combinations, so their families had options to choose from.

12 of 14

Poolside Relaxation

wedding guests lounging on pool chairs
Blaine Siesser

Far-flung beach clubs were the driving inspiration behind the poolside fête. "Loud dance music played while our families swam around and lounged on the daybeds," the bride notes.

13 of 14

Lifetime of Love

bride and groom on diving board
Blaine Siesser

One of the bride and groom's favorite memories from the wedding weekend? A surprise video put together by their best friends, which featured funny memories, stories, and well-wishes. "This video was presented to us Saturday night, during dinner, and it made us feel their love from afar," the couple shares.

14 of 14

Sources

bride and groom kissing by fountain
Blaine Siesser

Photography, Blaine Siesser
Videography, Visi Productions
Weekend Coordinator, Melissa Vitale Events
Bride's Lunch One-Piece Bathing Suit, Fella Swim
Bride's Lunch Accessories, Janessa Leone; Gucci
Groom's Lunch Attire, Tombolo; Nick Fouquet
Custom Hats, Perfect Trading Co.

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