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From Teenage Love to Eternity: Samantha & Josh Cavanaugh

November 2, 2019

Their Story: Stolen glances across the classroom, fleeting smiles as they passed in the hallways… Samantha and Josh are a good old fashioned, swoon-worthy pair of high school sweethearts, who have seemingly known since day one that they were destined to be Mr. and Mrs. Cavanugh.

The Proposal: Pancakes & jetty walks to the farthest pole are regularly scheduled weekend activities for Sammy & Josh, and so it seemed like a pretty normal day when the pair began walking along the rocks. It didn’t take long for Sammy to notice that Josh seemed to be scoping out each rock they passed, frequently slowing down – frustrating Sammy because, well, pancakes! When a nervous look began to creep across Josh’s face, it became evident that “something fishy was going on.” In the end, Sammy said YES! And then they feasted on heaping piles of pancakes at Uncle Bill’s.

Details of the Day:

The Reeds: Understated elegance and showstopping views. “We loved that our guests would get the indoor-outdoor experience we were searching for during the reception, as well as the refined beach-chic feels.”

The Dress: Floral lace, flowing sleeves, and a barely-there honey-toned under-gown with textured patterning combined to form Samantha’s “absolute dream dress.” Which she fondly recalls made her feel like a mermaid on her most special day. A bonus? The detachable sleeves added drama to wedding portraits and created a stunning first look for the ceremony before being conveniently removed so as not to restrict any dancing.

An Ode to Bay Days: One of Sammy & Josh’s favorite summer activities is loading up the boat and heading out into the bay for a day of fun in the sun, only stopping to catch a few crabs for dinner. As a subtle ode to these most memorable days, the couple chose to feature a Lobster Trap to collect cards at their bayfront reception.

First Dance: You know that moment when a song comes on and immediately transports you to another place and time? That’s what happens for Samantha & Josh every time “Halo” by Beyoncé starts to play over the speakers. And so, it was only fitting that they dance for the first time as husband as wife to the very song that takes them back to those high school hallways, where Halo first became Sammy’s favorite.

His & Hers Favorite Moments: Josh has always known that Halo would be his & Samantha’s wedding song, he just didn’t know that it would be his absolute favorite moment of the evening, while Sammy experienced pure elation walking down the aisle alongside the man who she loved first, watching the biggest smile she’d ever seen spread across her father’s face.

Advice for Other Couples: Your wedding day is only one day – it’s as simple as that. “We worried about every detail leading up to our day, stressing over the small things, then our day came and went, and I honestly couldn’t even tell you what the centerpieces looked like! Your wedding day isn’t about the ‘stuff,’ it’s about starting your life together and sharing moments with your new spouse.” 

Vendor List:

Florist: Laura- Garden Greenhouse and Nursery

Photographer: Lisa Hornak

Cake: The Reeds

Hair & Makeup: Alisha Nycole and Company

Invitations: Meredith Trimbur

Dress: Van Cleeve Bridal (Martina Liana)

Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Entertainment: DJ Smooth Entertainment

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Speechless from Sea Isle to Stone Harbor: Chelsea & Jimmy Kowalski

October 18, 2019

Their Story: The University of Delaware may be known for being the life of the party, but it is also fondly reminisced on by Chelsea & Jimmy for another reason: bringing the pair together. Mutual friends brought the two into each other's orbit, but it wasn't until after a few years of friendship, a long chat at a birthday party, and two formals later that the two realized they were destined for romance.

The Proposal: The beaches of Sea Isle have held a special place in Chelsea's heart since birth. Summers were spent buzzing between her grandparents' homes – both her mother & father's parents owned homes on 74th Street, which is how her parents initially met! – and soaking up the sunshine. Many years later, Chelsea's parents purchased one of the properties to build a new home. Just before they closed on the property, Jimmy took Chelsea by the hand, walked her over to her grandparent's house, and then up to the bayfront deck before he dropped to one knee and as Chelsea exclaims, "proposed in my favorite place in the world!" Both Chelsea & Jimmy's families soon snuck their way up the street to celebrate the couple & toast to the future.

Details of the Day:

The Reeds: Having a shore wedding was non-negotiable, and Chelsea & Jimmy wanted a venue that wasn't just located at the beach but rather one that drew its interior inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The Reeds was "beachy, romantic, and relaxed" in its coastal-chic design, which were the "exact vibes we were going for with our wedding." It didn't hurt that "everyone at The Reeds made us feel completely at ease," Chelsea adds.

The Dress: "I was extremely indecisive [about the style of dress I wanted] and super nervous that I was going to have a really hard time finding the one," recalls Chelsea. Surprisingly, "it was the fourth dress I tried on at the very first store I visited – I knew immediately this was the one as I swooned over the romantic beachy theme that felt so true to me." With all of her indecision, "my mom and sister refused to let me leave the store without buying it because they loved it just as much as I did."

The Sentimental Staples: From their mapped-out love story invitations by dear friend Sydney of Crane & Palette to the mini Hank Sauce favors – a Sea Isle staple – Chelsea and Jimmy paid close attention to weaving their personalities into their special day. The most sentimental aspect, however, had to be the moment when Chelsea's Great Uncle officiated their ceremony, just as he had for her parents a few decades prior.

First Dance: "It started when you said hello. Just did something to me, and I've been in a daze ever since the day that we meet. You take the breath out of my lungs. Can't even fight it. And all of the words out of my mouth without even trying, and I'm speechless." – Speechless, Dan + Shay

Favorite Moment: While Chelsea & Jimmy admit that their answer may be cliché, they are adamant that nothing could be more authentic than saying their favorite moment of the day was, well, the entire day! But, if they HAD to pick one, "the entire wedding being on the dance floor screaming along to Bohemian Rhapsody was a pretty awesome highlight."

Advice for Other Couples: Relax. Take it easy. Enjoy! Chelsea says, "everything really does come together on your wedding day, no matter what! With that in mind, try to enjoy each and every step along the way because it goes by SO fast."

Vendor List:

Florist: Blooms Cape May

Photographer: The Hursts & Co 

Cake: The Reeds

Hair & Makeup: Kiss the Bride

Invitations: Crane & Palette

Dress: BHLDN

Groom's Attire: Indochino

Entertainment: The Heartbeats

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From First Grade Until Forever

This past New Year’s Eve, we were lucky enough to be part of a picture-perfect proposal in Stone Harbor. We asked the newly engaged couple to share their love story and a bit about the proposal. Epitomizing the Nicholas Sparks quote, “Every great love story starts with a great story,” we’re honored to share Christy & Matt’s fairytale, in their own words...

“Christy and Matt met for the first time back in 1st grade at Shaeffer Elementary school in Camp Hill.  They grew up on the same street; Willow Avenue. They were always friends but nothing more. The boys often played at our house growing up and the girls played at Christy’s house with St. John’s Alley as the only thing standing in between.

The years went by and as junior high and high school came around they flirted in class from time to time, had fun in the halls together and saw each other out at parties but nothing romantic ever blossomed from it and neither thought of the other in that way. After graduation they never saw each other again.

So college came and went and it had been almost 8 years since they last saw each other. Christy was busy working in the finance world and enjoying New York City after graduating college at Hofstra while Matt was waiting tables and bartending in Harrisburg after graduating from the University of Delaware while planning his move to Philadelphia for medical school and living the single life.

After a night of waiting tables in downtown Harrisburg, Matt and his good buddy went out for some drinks to their favorite local bar, Zembie’s; planning to blow all the tip money they had earned for the evening. During a few laughs, out of nowhere, in walks this girl from the past smiling ear to ear and batting her eyelashes as she approached them. Matt remembers being instantaneously captivated by her and thinking to himself in that moment: Who is this girl? It was Christy Diebold and she looked all grown up.  She was stunning; straight off a train home from NYC for Mother’s Day weekend. Something was different about this girl after all these years.

The connection between the pair was instantaneous for both of them and something neither one could ignore. So much that they spent the entire night laughing, telling stories, flirting with each other and catching up on old times until the sun came up. Matt vividly remembers sitting next to Christy at one fateful point in the night feeling something he had never felt before. It was an unexpected feeling that he wasn’t used to in those young and casual single days, but it hit him hard. Christy was sitting next to Matt on the kitchen counter of the Shenk house on 27th street in Camp Hill, staring at the floor with a mischievous smirk on her face and swinging her legs after one big laugh. There was a moment of silence between them. Something came over Matt.  He looked over at Christy and told her honestly, in that moment, that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. Christy smiled as big as could be and Matt seized the moment and kissed her. Both Christy and Matt remember it being thunder and lighting…fireworks; an electric feeling neither had felt before in their lives.

Something big was in the air.

The next week Matt called Christy and they had a great conversation, picking up right where they left off.  Matt had planned to take a train up to New York City to surprise Christy at her office with flowers and take her out.  But as life would have it, Matt had heard that Christy was currently dating some other guys in NYC at the time and as a result, like many young, arrogant men do, he let the opportunity and the moment pass them by over his ego.  A mistake he would later regret and learn from.

After that magical night Matt began to call Christy his “Unicorn.” The one that got away. The girl he always wanted but missed his chance with. He told all his friends over and over to the point that eventually the entire town of family friends was well versed in the subject. Over the next couple of years Christy would drop hints here and there for Matt to come after her when they saw each other. A friend or two would try to get them together whenever the opportunity presented, and they would both secretly try to find out if the other would be around at common social events amongst mutual friends. They both wanted each other but neither had the guts to drop their pride and say it. Then one night, out of the blue, Matt got a call from Christy in the late hours. It had been a long time since they last spoke; maybe a year. When Matt picked up the phone the conversation flowed as it always did, flirting and teasing each other. But on this night Christy dropped the biggest and final hint of all for Matt to make his move. Matt knew it was now or never to go after her.

However, the foolishness of a young man is hard to explain sometimes I fear. 10 years went by and Matt would often dream of taking the train to NYC to surprise Christy and tell her how he thought about her and Christy would dream of what it would be like if they were together if he ever came after her. But Matt never made his move out of pride and Christy had too much dignity to make it any more clear. So both Matt and Christy entered into relationships with other people over the next 8-10 years. But no matter what, every time they saw each other the tension was palpable, the chemistry between them never disappeared and the feelings they had only became stronger as time passed.

So as the stars aligned, one summer a few years ago, they found themselves spending a lot of time around each other with mutual friends. There was a memorable late summer night out at the bars in Stone Harbor, in which they both couldn’t stop talking to each other or keeping their eyes off each other. Old feelings that had been suppressed and harbored away for so long came rushing back to the forefront and that chemistry and attraction came boiling to the surface undeniable. In the words of Nicholas Sparks, ”the heart wants what the heart wants.” Carpe Diem Matt remembers thinking. As the night ended, Matt and Christy found themselves together sitting on a boardwalk bench at 30th street. Matt remembers the same feeling come over him from 10 years earlier on that kitchen counter. It was time to bring this ship into shore. He wasn’t about to miss his second chance at the girl he never let go of in his mind; his “Unicorn.” Matt took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to tell Christy all the thoughts and feelings he held onto over the previous 10 years. He told her about how he had never let go of that feeling when they first kissed and the memories of the girl who changed him that night. Tears welled in Christy’s eyes as she opened up and told him in return all the feelings she had for him and had hidden away all those years. She told him how she had tried to find him at parties and events or show up wherever she heard he would be just for a chance to see him. 

The the moment was too much for Christy’s emotions. She stood up abruptly and ran away! Matt was in disbelief. After the mistakes he had made in the past by never chasing after her when all the signs and hints were there, he knew with all the certainty in his heart that he was never going to let her slip away again. So he ran after her down the street as fast as he could. Without a warning he grabbed her, looked into her eyes and kissed her with all the feelings they both held onto over the years.

Like a time machine 10 years earlier, it was thunder and lighting all over again but the fireworks this time were even stronger for all the years of wanting and waiting. Christy said it wouldn’t be easy. Matt said he didn’t care. If they both held on to this feeling for all this time after one magical night years ago, then they both knew that neither one would ever let go.

They both held on to each other in their hearts against all odds. What they found was true love.

In the words of the great Walt Whitman: ‘We were together…I forget the rest.’”

Does it get any more magical than that? It just might- when the pair marries at The Reeds on June 1, 2019!

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A Picture Perfect Penn State Proposal: Jenna & Patrick Kuhn

Their Story: Ask Jenna about the day that Patrick asked her to be his girlfriend, and you might just see her crack a smile and giggle. “She, fortunately, said yes...but she’s never let me live it down,” Pat recalls. The moment was more than a year in the making after the pair met through mutual friends at a small get together. “We maybe said two words to each other that night, but over the course of our senior year we started to get to know one another better and things began to ‘click.’” Then at “the most unromantic time” - as Pat lugged boxes down the stairs to help Jenna move out of her apartment post-graduation - he got up the courage to ask her if she might consider being more than friends...

The Proposal: As Jenna prepared to make the trek to State College, PA for a Blake Shelton concert, Pat let her know that they would be having dinner with his parents that night and suggested that she wear a dress - since it was going to be “fancy” - and maybe even treat herself to a manicure. The couple was quickly approaching their destination when Pat’s mom called and informed them she was running late requesting that they swing by campus for her to pick up some important papers from a colleague, which is when the story began to unfold. Jenna remembers thinking to herself “it’d be nice to have some pictures of the two of us taken here” as she noticed a photographer snapping shots of two young girls in front of Old Main, a classic fixture on campus. As they got closer to the steps, “Patrick reached for my hand, got down on one knee, and made a nice speech that neither of us can remember. Once I said yes, he told me the woman who was taking pictures of the two little girls was actually hired to take pictures of us secretly!” Looking back, Jenna knows she caught a good one, “I now remember mentioning to Pat in passing that I'd love to have my nails polished and pictures taken of our proposal. Little did I know that he had been taking mental notes that would make the day perfect!”

Details of the Day:

The Reeds: With beautiful bayside views, flexible indoor/outdoor ceremony set-ups to alleviate any weather concerns, and easy access to Stone Harbor’s beaches & boutiques, eateries & entertainment for guests, the future Mr. & Mrs. Kuhn knew that The Reeds was the picture-perfect setting for their big day.

The Dress: Jenna was sure that a strapless dress wasn’t for her - until she tried on a stunning mermaid style satin gown with intricate lace design over the bodice from Essense of Australia. From that moment, she was quick to decide that this was the dress.

The Signature Cocktail: Some say that dog is man’s (and woman’s) best friend, and that holds true for Jenna & Pat. In honor to their Bernese Mountain Dog - waiting patiently for the pair to return home as a married couple - guests at the Kuhn wedding enjoyed signature Bay Breeze cocktails fondly named to as “The Harper.”

First Dance: “Rich or poor, rain or shine, the wind's gonna blow wherever it goes. And the road is gonna wind. Doesn't matter if it's diamonds or twine. Forevermore, I'll be yours and you'll be mine”   - Diamonds & Twine by Ryan Hand

Favorite Moment: Jenna kept the details of her dress, hair, and makeup under lock & key leading up to their wedding day, so it’s no surprise that she and Patrick both agreed on their favorite moment being the first-look. Jenna reminisced, “It had been over a year of waiting...we were so overwhelmed with emotion when we finally saw each other that day.”

Advice for Other Couples: “Our advice would be not to sweat the small stuff. Remember why you are getting married in the first place and that at the end of the day you are celebrating your relationship with the people that you love and care for most.”

Vendor List: •    Florist: Coventry Crossing Florist •    Photographer: Rachel Pearlman Photography •    Cake: The Reeds •    Hair & Makeup: ONLO Beauty •    Invitations: Alexa Nelson Prints (Etsy) •    Dress: Ellie’s Bridal Boutique Alexandria, VA •    Groom’s Attire: Black by Vera Wang •    Entertainment: A-1 Entertainment

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Signs of Spring

📸: Magdalena Studios

Small pops of color in the garden, warm bay breezes, and sunshine-filled afternoons are just a few of the signs of spring that have begun to appear throughout Stone Harbor. Symbolic beacons of new life, these small signs got us thinking about some of the creative signage that couples have used at The Reeds to enhance both the guest experience and the overall aesthetic by adding a touch of personality to the party! Seek some inspiration below...

📸: Maddie Broderick

📸: Danielle Nowak

📸: Jac & Jules

📸: Anastasia Romanova

📸: Pat Robinson

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Remembering Your Loved Ones: How To Pay Tribute On Your Wedding Day

The start of a new year often inspires us to reflect on the past which for many of us includes fond memories of loved ones who are no longer with us. When planning your wedding, you may be looking for some special ways to honor those who are watching your nuptials from above- cue the perfect blog post from the always insightful Magi of Magdalena Studios: 

“Weddings are one of those rare happy occasions when entire families are in the same place. Unfortunately, some of our most important family members have passed on, and we want them represented in some special way.

Here are some of my favorite suggestions for honoring parents, grandparents, and other loved ones so they can be a very present part of your wedding celebration.

A PLACE FOR MEMORIES

As a photographer, it’s probably no big surprise that this is at the top of my list. The idea is to set aside a table on which to display photos and other memorabilia honoring your loved ones. You can set up elegant framed photos, preserved bouquets, military medals… anything that represents who they were.

Decorative bulletin boards or “clothesline” displays let your guests bring their favorite photos of the people you wish to honor. You can let them know in advance with your wedding invitations, but be sure to ask them to write their names and addresses on the back so you can return them.

If you ask to hold onto the photographs for a while longer, you can scan the images and return them with a DVD “album” to those who contributed as a thank you.

ADDING A LOCKET TO YOUR BOUQUET

If you want to keep a special person close to you for your day, or especially for your walk down the aisle, a locket and photo around your bouquet is a special and sentimental way to keep that person near. It’s a beautiful and gentle reminder that they’re here with you for your entire wedding day.

THEIR FAVORITE SONGS

Music is sentimental. You’ve got your first dance song all picked out, and chances are, there’s a tune that will always make you think of someone you’ve lost. Perhaps it’s your parents’ (or grandparents’) wedding song. It could even be that old classic they’d embarrass you with as they drove you and your friends to the mall on Saturdays. If it has significant meaning, it can be a moving part of your day. Dedicate a song just for them, and invite those closest to that person to join you on the dance floor.

A TABLE SET WITH HEIRLOOMS

Most couples these days aren’t interested in holding onto their grandmother’s china, and the tradition of giving elaborate dinnerware as wedding gifts has long since passed. That doesn’t mean you haven’t inherited a beautiful set of Spode or Royal Copenhagen, or that it doesn’t hold meaning for you.

If you have family china… or if another family member would lend you what they’ve kept… then there’s no better occasion than your wedding day to dine off a family heirloom. This is a wonderful idea for intimate weddings, or for place settings at the bridal table.

A SPECIAL DINNER TOAST

An alternative to a dedicated dance might be a dinner toast honoring lost loved ones. During this speech, you might also point out other honorariums incorporated into your day, like that locket in your bouquet, your groom’s father’s cufflinks, or the topper from your aunt’s own cake.

Just a note: These toasts can be tricky, especially if another family member feels their spouse, child, or parent has been left out, or if an elderly family member is honored in the same toast as the deceased… or not at all.

SOMETHING BORROWED

Some brides decide to sew or pin a part of a family member’s wedding gown into her own or wear a piece of jewelry once belonging to—or given by—someone special. These are classic traditions, but they’re still powerful tributes today…

A WALK DOWN THE AISLE

Did you grow up with the dream that your father would walk you down the aisle? He still can, if you decorate pew ends with photographs of your dad, or place photos on easels along the way. Of course, you can include other loved ones’ photographs too. Look for simple hanging ornament frames to hang from floral arrangements if you want to be more subtle.

THEIR MEMORY LIVES ON IN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS

You’re joining together and celebrating two families on your wedding day, and creating new traditions. While my main focus on my wedding couples, they’re always delighted when their final albums include tributes to their family history. It’s part of what makes them heirloom albums, something they’ll keep forever.

How would you like to acknowledge those who’ve passed on? If you’d like my thoughts on making the above ideas work for your wedding, please get in touch! I’ve seen many wonderful tributes put into practice without conflicting with a wedding’s overall aesthetic, and I can share my thoughts from a photographer’s perspective so you can be sure they’ll become part of your wedding story.”

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Lucky I’m In Love With My Best Friend: Dawn & Erich Lichtner

Their Story: Dawn & Erich can attest that every so often, true love happens the second time around, under the most unexpected circumstances. Meeting for the first time at a softball game- their respective daughters played for the same team- it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Dawn recalls, “as our friendship grew and our relationship began, I became a believer in soulmates and that I had found mine!”

The Proposal:  Keen on surprising his love, Erich is notorious for keeping Dawn guessing- he won’t even buy her a gift that she’s suggested because it would spoil the fun. In November 2016, Erich booked a hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley at sunrise for Dawn’s 50th birthday. “Surely this is the moment,” Dawn thought…nope, “too obvious” for Erich’s liking. Around Christmas that same year, Dawn reminded herself, “nope…too obvious” as the couple celebrated the season with dinner before heading home to cozy up by the fire to watch a Christmas movie. When the clock struck midnight, a shimmer appeared in Erich’s eye as he suggested that they open just one “small gift.” The confusion that struck as Dawn unwrapped the latest edition of Bride’s magazine quickly dissipated as Erich pointed to the tree and urged her to look for her ring, which hung sparkling like an ornament. Champagne was sipped out of Mr & Mrs. Claus flutes as “Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight” played softly and the rest, as they say, is history.

Details of the Day: “We really put our personalities and vision into the details. Getting married a second time, and later in life, allows you to do it your way!”

The Reeds: “There were so many reasons why we chose The Reeds. The hotel is gorgeous, but it was so much more than that. From the front desk to the event coordinators to the wait & bar staff, everyone was so client focused and provided the best service to our guests and us. The food was delicious, and there were so many unique choices!”

Dress: “My dress was a bit interesting- it was actually two pieces that looked as if they were one. VanCleve was very helpful in listening to what I wanted and got creative when the dresses weren’t completely fitting my wish list. The final pieces were a satin, gathered skirt with a train and a beautiful bustier.” The best part? Dawn can now wear the top portion of her gown for special occasions & anniversaries as the two reflect on their love story!

Accents:  From enhancing their beach themed wedding with lanterns, coral, driftwood, and flowers to the beautiful handmade sign listing the names of their new blended family which read, “seven hearts, one love,” Dawn & Erich poured their love into even the smallest details for their big day. A few of their favorites? Flip-flops for guests to wear on the beach or the dance-floor labeled “Dawn & Erich, sole mates;” large D&E marquee letters at the sweetheart table which are now incorporated in their home bar; and custom hot pink socks for Dawn’s son, Connor, and Erich which honored their pups, one of which had recently passed- “It was so special to have them ‘with us’ on our special day.”

First Dance: Making Memories of Us – Keith Urban

Favorite Moment: While they loved every detail of their day, the moment that stands out most vividly in their minds from their wedding day was the exchanging of vows between Dawn & Erich. “We had decided to write our own vows, and this was one of our best decisions.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and his words captured the essence of our love and partnership.  They were emotional, funny and heartwarming.  We have ‘vowed’ to read them to each other on every anniversary.”

Advice for Other Couples:

“Enjoy the engagement, have fun, and make it your own.  There are so many ways to weave yourselves and your vision into the day.  And then, once the big day comes, at various points during the day (prep, ceremony, reception) stop - take a deep breath - and take it all in.”

Florist: A Garden Party

Photographer: Kaitlin Noel Photography

Cake: The Reeds Pastry Team

Hair & Makeup: Say I Do Hair and Make-up

Invitations: Shutterfly

Dress: Van Cleve, Paoli, PA

Groom’s Attire: Perry Ellis suits

Entertainment: Animal House

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Casey and Sean

One of our favorite West Coast couples, Casey and Sean, expressed their love through smiles and laughter on our bayfront lawn. Their wedding was on a beautiful day in early June where Danielle Nowak captured their love story starting at our local beach. The two of them were an incredible pair to work with and such a stunning couple to see so in love. Casey and Sean danced their way through their special day with loads of happiness and contagious positive vibes. Cheers to you Casey and Sean! We wish you an exciting life together!

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Amy and Darrin

Amy and Darrin celebrated their coastal wedding here at The Reeds in the middle of June. This couple graced us with their whole hearted and genuine family. The beautiful blonde headed sisters and their children made for an exceptionally fun day for everyone. Enchanted Celebrations was able to portray Amy and Darrin’s infatuation with each other and the entire family’s most candid moments on this special day. This pair will forever be remembered here at The Reeds, and we wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!   

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Laura & Sean

Laura and Sean said their vows on our bayfront lawn on a fabulous spring day in early June. Their bridal party wore accents of vibrant blue that popped alongside the crystal blue bay water. Guests were thrilled to receive personalized hot sauce bottles as their favors, a hit among all! These awesome photos were captured by Nate Heckenberger, we’d like to thank him for sharing these with us and we wish Laura and Sean all of the best!  Congrats Laura and Sean!

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Whitne & Dan

This gorgeous couple got married on a stunning day in mid-September. Their wedding featured coastal touches as part of their décor and their simplistic centerpieces incorporated an array of candles that lit up the Sweet Grass Ballroom at night. The couple danced the night away with their family and friends.  We’re so glad they spent their special day with us! Wishing Dan and Whitne a lifetime of love and happiness!

Photo Credit: All My Love Photography

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Danielle and Mike

Danielle and Mike celebrated their wedding with us at The Reeds on a late October day.  Their ceremony was hosted indoors, but the great Fall weather made for a beautiful outdoor cocktail hour followed by a nautical themed reception.  This couple began their night with a champagne toast and continued the celebrations throughout the evening.  The Reeds loved working with this amazing pair!  Congrats to Danielle and Mike and thank you CSM Photography for the amazing photos which captured their special day!

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Olivia and Kevin

Olivia and Kevin were married on the Bayfront lawn at The Reeds on a gorgeous day in June. Magdalena Kernan photography was able to capture exquisite photographs of the couple at our local beaches and wetlands. They celebrated with close friends and family starting with an outdoor cocktail hour overlooking the bay followed by a coastal-chic celebration in the Sweet Grass Ballroom. The Reeds would like to wish Olivia and Kevin a lifetime of happiness. We are looking forward to our upcoming Spring weddings!

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Nicole & Matt

Nicole and Matt were married on Labor Day weekend and lucked out when the anticipated hurricane held off for their big day! The stormy clouds made for some incredible photographs taken by Twisted Oaks photography. This couple was a delight to work with and we were so happy that they decided to spend their special day with their close friends and family here at The Reeds. Nicole and Matt truly embraced their entire evening with constant dancing, smiles, and laughter! Congrats to Nicole and Matt!  We wish you all the best!

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Nicole & Rob

Nicole and Rob got married on a gorgeous day in June. Their wedding décor provided by Petal and Paper consisted of a variety of high and low centerpieces with candles and floral arrangements that truly made the Sweet Grass ballroom look exquisite. Aside from her ballroom décor, Nicole’s beaded gown absolutely took our breath away. This Reeds couple was a pleasure to have with us and we wish them a lifetime of love!

Thank you, Tina Markoe, for your beautiful photography.

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Nikki & Steve Golub: I Got You, I Got Everything

Their Story: It was 2011 when Nikki & her college roommate packed their bags and headed to Hoboken to settle in and start their careers. It wasn’t long before Nikki & Steve were introduced to one another, initiating a series of interactions that would eventually lead them down the aisle.

“There was definitely interest from the start,” recalls Nikki, “we met a few times casually before a chance encounter at a Hoboken bar.” The couple’s chemistry that evening was undeniable- “it was one of those conversations where you feel like you’ve known that person forever. I think we both knew something was different…”

The Proposal: They say the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. No matter how perfectly planned a proposal is, a flight may still be delayed once or twice- or three times, in this case. “Steve spent several months planning the perfect trip to France for the two of us, but when the day finally came, our flight was canceled.” Clueless as to the real purpose of the trip, Nikki couldn’t fathom why a delayed flight would cause Steve to become so flustered. 

Steve regrouped- he booked a limo to take he & Nikki to the airport for their rescheduled flight. On the way there, he got down on one knee to propose. Champagne was popped, pictures were snapped, and the couple was back on track to celebrate their future in France. After arriving at JFK, the couple giddily waited in their terminal for over 8 hours before, once again, being sent home. 

Fast forward through another 6 hours of waiting in a terminal and Steve & Nikki finally board their flight and begin to doze off when the pilot announces that due to mechanical issues, they must deboard the plane. After yet another 4 am trip home and a totally of 48 hours’ worth of delays, Nikki & Steve laughed off the stress and were, at last, on their way to France. “It was certainly unforgettable,” reflects Nikki, “perfectly imperfect.”

Details of the Day:

The Reeds: Both Nikki & Steve are self-proclaimed “beach people,” and throughout their relationship, the couple spent countless hours savoring the Jersey Shore. “We looked at a lot of wedding venues and were set on finding something that felt like ‘us.’ The Reeds felt different than other traditional wedding venues- it has a casual elegance and simplicity that we struggled to find elsewhere- and the view is to die for!”

The Dress: After trying on countless long-sleeved lace gowns, Nikki felt discouraged by the fact that she hadn’t found “the one,” so she took a huge risk and ordered her wedding gown online from Australian designer Grace Loves Lace. The dress arrived a mere month before the October 5th wedding, and when Nikki slid it on, she sighed with relief, “it just felt like me, and I was in love with the open back & long train. Plus, I knew that Steve would love the effortless boho vibe.”

Details for Dad: It was essential to Nikki & Steve that they pay homage to their loved ones in heaven on their wedding day, both having lost their fathers. In lieu of favors, and honor of our fathers, we donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the hopes of helping families in need. Nikki also included her father’s cross, one that had been passed down to him from his father, by attaching it to her bouquet; in this way, her father was present to walk his little girl down the aisle.

First Look: “We decided to do a first look, and just before the big reveal we read notes that we had written to each other that morning. We couldn’t stop laughing because we wrote almost the same thing to each other! It was a really special moment we were able to have alone before the ceremony and reception, and I’m so glad we decided to do it,” Nikki said. 

First Dance: “I Got You” by Jack Johnson

Favorite Moment: Few brides would report that having rain on their wedding day was one of their “favorite moments,” but that’s precisely what stands out in Nikki’s mind. “The forecast was perfect- 75 degrees and sunny- all week, but when I woke up that morning, things had changed, and the predictions called for complete cloud coverage.” Since there was still no precipitation in the forecast, the couple proceeded with their plans to hold their ceremony outdoors. “Right as we began to say our vows it started to sprinkle. Our guests seemed a little concerned, and even our officiant wasn’t sure if she should continue. At that moment, all I could do was laugh- it was memorable and again, made for one of those perfectly imperfect moments.”

Advice for Other Couples: Nikki offered two sound snippets of information for other couples. Most importantly, “stick to your gut and do what feels like you as a couple – not what “the rules” say!” And, taking a lesson from their engagement trip to France, “don’t sweat the small stuff… If anything goes wrong, take a moment to remember the real reason you’re there- at the end of the day that’s what matters most!”

Vendor List:

Florist: Leigh Florist

Photographer: Saltwater Studios

Cake: The Reeds

Hair: Boho Bridal Salon

Makeup: Shimmer and Spice 

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations

Dress: Grace Loves Lace

Groom’s Attire: Indochino

Entertainment: Pat & Sean Kelly (cocktail hour), Lovesick (ceremony and reception)