Intimate Ceremony & Big Bash: A Laid-Back New England Wedding

Beach wedding bride and groom gazing at each other

Are you wanting an intimate wedding but worried about excluding too many of your close friends and family? Why not do what Melissa and Peter did and keep the ceremony quiet and then throw a bigger reception a few days later. Genius, right?!
So, just keep scrolling to see how this laid back New England wedding plays out then check out the full gallery to see more! These lovely couple of days was captured by Lara Kimmerer Photography.

Elegant navy heels with gold bow accents for a bride

Ivory lace wedding dress hanging near honeycomb lattice

Elegant beaded clutch and chandelier earrings on display

Nix The Pomp & Circumstance

From Elegant Aura Wedding & Event Planning: Melissa and Peter wanted a non-traditional wedding celebration - no pomp and circumstance for them. That didn’t mean, however, that they would sacrifice style, elegance or fun.

Bride and groom pose with bouquet at beach wedding

Beach wedding ceremony with bride and groom holding hands

Bride and groom kissing wearing elegant wedding attire

Bride holds vibrant orange and blue wedding bouquet

Intimate Seaside Wedding

Race Point in Provincetown holds a special place in Melissa’s heart, as her family has been spending summers there since her childhood. When she and Peter began dating, she would bring him there to watch the sunset while creating their own new memories.

So, it was no surprise their ceremony took place at sunset on Race Point in early September. Among the sand dunes, and in front of 10 family members, Melissa and Peter exchanged their vows. After sunset and a champagne toast, the family enjoyed an intimate dinner at a local restaurant, Ten Tables, no cameras allowed.

Beach wedding with bride bouquet and couple walking on sand

Group of friends celebrating with champagne on the beach during a wedding

Couple toasting with elegant champagne flutes during a celebration

Bride with a shawl holding a glass of champagne on the beach

Newlywed couple enjoying the beach view together after the wedding

Fast forward to Melissa & Peter's Reception

Their final event, a Coastal New England Picnic, was held at another favorite seaside area – but this time, on the beautiful border between RI and MA known as the South Coast, where Peter spent his childhood beach days.

Coastal New England picnic invitation with lobster and pig illustrations

Couple holding beer and pumpkin, enjoying autumn outdoors

Couple holding drinks and a pumpkin with love sign

Wedding favors with jars and a floral arrangement on display

Wedding guests signing guest book and sharing advice at reception

Wine bottles with a pumpkin marked drink, perfect for fall

Chalkboard menu displaying beverages, with wine and beer options for a party

Locavore Dining

Food has always been an important part of Peter and Melissa’s relationship, especially all things local and sustainable. They wanted to plan an event around the perfect blend of their favorite things about New England: the ocean, seafood, “backyard” barbeques, local beer and wine, and of course, family.

Celebrating all things local, the Picnic included: wines and beers from Westport Rivers, Newport Winery, Newport Storm and Buzzards Bay Brewery, a feast of grilled sausages, lobster rolls, oysters, fresh local vegetables and cheese from nearby farms, striped bass (caught in a local fishing tournament the day before!), and a roasted pig.

Couple enjoys picnic while event is happening in the background

Fresh oysters on ice with a sign and a man taking one

Oyster shells in a basket near a festive outdoor dinner party

Various delicious dishes and grilled food at an outdoor gathering

Fresh cooked lobsters in a bucket with a sign for lobster rolls

Keeping Things Casual

The gorgeous fall foliage of Columbus Day weekend, an old meetinghouse, (white) tent, checkered tablecloths, picnic blankets, and lawn games set the tone for this casual 90-person clambake/BBQ. The bride and groom wore jeans, and suggested everyone else should, too.

People enjoying a party outdoors near a large wooden house

Two men playing beer pong, a fun outdoor drinking game

Family enjoying outdoor games like horseshoes and sack races on a lawn

Seasonal Desserts

The casual theme carried through to the desserts, where Melissa and Peter skipped the wedding cake, and instead opted for caramel apples, s’mores cupcakes and fruit pies.

Photo booth sign directing to a family ready for their photo