How To Embrace That Classic Cape Cod Wedding Style

Elegant bridal shoes and champagne glass for a wedding day

When picturing a New England wedding there are some defining styles that pop into mind, and Elisabeth our next bride called them out herself. "Lobsters, monograms, navy blue, and hydrangeas," we might add in a bold stripe pattern but she paints a true picture. And for an even clearer picture of what a classic Cape Cod wedding looks like we offer you Elisabeth and Andrew's amazing east coast wedding day.

Keep scrolling to find out what made this beautiful day so meaningful for this sweet couple and how to add some of these same design elements into your coastal big day! Oh and don't forget, there are always more images for you to see in the full gallery, thanks to the talented Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bridesmaids in patterned pants and button-down shirts smiling

Bride holding a champagne glass with Elizabeth Bride written on it Elegant bridal shoes with stripes and jewel detail on a gold table Sparkling diamond rings rest on a soft white rose flower Elegant white wedding dress draped on a vintage chaise lounge with pillows

bride in off the shoulder Studio Levana wedding dress

Close-up of a nautical themed tie with a heartfelt message on a blue background Newlyweds sharing a tender moment in a beautiful outdoor setting Smiling man in a blue suit posing in front of greenery Brown shoes with lobster socks for a special occasion in 2018

The big day

We wanted a mix of private moments for us and celebrations with those we love. We were so happy to plan a first look which was a moment to just be together and be present in the day. We broke tradition and planned a private ceremony on the beach where I grew up with just immediate family and best friends so we could have this intimate setting to commit our lives to each other. It was so special to start our lives in a place we love so much.

We then had our reception at the house, and wanted to really embrace a Cape Cod feel: lobsters, monograms, navy blue, and hydrangeas! We kept the reception around 100 people and wanted a mix of whimsy (we had a frose machine!), fun (our live band lit up the floor and we had yard games and a whiskey and cigar bar), and more traditional (we danced our first dance to Ray Lamontagne and did wedding party speeches). Our friends are like family and we wanted them to know how much we love them and we're appreciative that we were able to celebrate with them, and planned a weekend full of events to help everyone experience a little piece of our happy place, the Cape!

A Cape Cod Style

I am a Cape girl at heart and wanted to embrace that distinctive Cape Cod Style. We used Navy and White with gold accents, our bridesmaids wore seersucker tops, and the groom wore a Vineyard Vines tie. We monogrammed everything (even the bouquets and groom's socks!!) and tried to use clean lines and fun nautical accents. Cape Cod style is a little preppy/a little beachy/ and a lot of fun, and we were so happy that our guests embraced the fun with everything from Nantucket Red pants and Lilly dresses to boat shoes!

Bride and groom walking on beach path, wedding day happiness

Stone path leading to the ocean on a cloudy day, relaxing scene Beach wedding setup with white flowers and driftwood arch Man in tuxedo playing violin on a beach, close up shot Beautiful bride walks in nature holding flowers, wedding day

Bride and groom exchanging vows during a beach wedding ceremony

Beach wedding ceremony with bride, groom, and bridesmaids

Groom in blue suit and patterned tie with a white rose boutonniere Elegant pearl necklace with gold anchor pendant on a woman

Wedding party on the beach, bride and groom with attendants

Memory Filled Venue

The venue was my grandparents home originally, my parents were married there in 1983, and it's been a place special to my family for years and a place that has become special for Andy and I. I was able to marry my best friend at the same place I built sand castles when I was 5 and celebrate next to where my childhood tree swing was. I got dressed in my grandmother's bedroom with my dog sitting on my veil. It felt like coming full circle to start my life with him in a place that had been the backdrop for every piece that had come before.

An Intimate Ceremony

We were married beachside with our immediate family and the bridal party only, married by a longtime family friend. Instead of walking down an aisle, I walked down the dunes barefoot. We had a custom arch made from local driftwood and knew we didn't need much else, the location spoke for itself. We kept it short and used traditional vows. There is something so special about saying the words people have used for centuries to commit to each other. The beach was almost empty and at that moment, we just got lost in each other and our love.

Bride in wedding dress poses on a pier near boats on the water

Newlyweds share a tender kiss on their wedding day by the sea Elegant bridal bouquet with white roses and blue hydrangea

Wedding directional sign with flowers pointing the way to a ceremony

Charming coastal home with lush landscaping and a brick path

Outdoor cocktail bar with blue stripes and monogram design Woman holding monogrammed cups with straws at a celebration Cozy outdoor seating area with LOVE letters under a tree Cornhole bags with J monogram and wedding date on a board

Three men in suits laughing together outdoors at an event

A Musical Surpirse

We hired a violinist two weeks before the wedding to play during our ceremony. We worked together to pick some music for the ceremony from his playlist and during family pictures, and he asked me if Andy and I were dancing to our song. I said we were dancing to a song we love but that our song was a folk song "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, which wouldn't have worked for a dance.

The day of the ceremony, when I got to the top of the dunes to walk to Andy, he unexpectedly started playing the string quartet version of our song. I looked at Andy and he was crying, and the moment took my breath away. All of a sudden, everything stood still as I walked to my Groom. It was my favorite moment of the day. After the ceremony, we were so busy with pictures and plans that I wasn't able to thank him in person for that moment. I hope he knows that THAT moment is the moment for us that we will never, ever forget.

Wedding welcome sign with flowers for Elizabeth and Andrew

Elegant place cards with compass favors on a dark blue surface Nautical themed decor with signed oar, map, and rope detail

Elegant hydrangea centerpiece on blue and white striped table

Wedding bar with illuminated letters and family monogram Bar menu sign with cocktails, beer and wine list displayed elegantly

Seafood display in a boat, full of shrimp, oysters, and ice

Delicious hors d'oeuvres with meat, onion jam, and cream cheese on a platter Wooden spoons in a rustic navy and white striped mason jar

Cigar box with cigars on display for an event on a blue tablecloth

Budget Breakdown

Planner/Coordinator : The Perfect Plan- 3k
Caterer : Clambakes Etc.-13k
Band : Hip Shot Band-6k
Trolley : Rockstar Limo-3k
Brunch Caterer and Hot Dog Cart : Doggz and Hoggz-$500
Tent, Tables, Chairs, Linens : ABC Event Rental-6k
Desserts : Queen’s Cups- gifted to us
Photographer : Deborah Zoe Photography 7k
Florist : Lopez the Florist-6k (big discount for family gift)
Ring Bands : Sachs Jewlers-10k
Videography : Digital Imaging of Cape Cod-3k
Violinist : Ed Bell-300
Dress : Studio Levana from Alexandra’s Boutique-3k
Veil : Made by the Bride’s mother
Shoes : Ralph Lauren-150
Bridal Hair : Bellezza Spa-900
Suit : Puritan Cape Cod-3k (custom)
Groomsmen: Vineyard Vines- 70
Invitations and Papergoods : The Pink Polka Dot-1100
Rentals : True North Rentals-1k
Bridal Makeup : Kim Richard-600