The couple drove off in a golf cart at their NJ country club wedding

wedding day golf cart for golf course wedding

Colleen and Kevin met through mutual friends in college, and after moving through life together for 9 years, Kevin asked Colleen to marry him in Florida at a marina overlooking the Gulf. When the couple started looking for a wedding venue, they loved the idea of a destination wedding; however, they really wanted to be close to home in New Jersey. The couple loves to golf together, so it is easy to see why Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey was the perfect venue for their union. With Colleen's love of English ivy, yellow-centered flowers, and design details, she knew that she wanted some assistance with translating her vision into reality. Ness McGovern Events and Design was the perfect partner, and from there, Ness and Colleen were off to the races, designing and planning a wedding in 9 months! Keep scrolling to see how they created a ballroom full of greenery, with pops of yellow, fine paper goods, and a blast of a party that was captured beautifully by Monika Eisenbart and Brandon Lee Films.

watercolor flower wedding invitation suite

something blue Badgley Mischka wedding shoes watercolor venue invitations

blue feather-trimmed silk getting ready pajamas

Designing an organic color palette

Colleen wanted to keep the color palette organic and timeless with greens, whites, and gold accents. She wanted greenery to be the star of the show, complemented by white and cream flowers with vibrant yellow centers. Thanks to the talented Alla Veytsman of AV Floral Design, the wedding day was a vision of greenery and delicate white blossoms, which perfectly captured the romantic garden aesthetic the couple envisioned.

off the shoulder crepe wedding dress bright yellow center flower bouquet

A bridal bouquet of ivy

The bride held a whimsical bouquet of creamy florals with golden centers and hanging vines of ivy, inspired by the watercolor designs of their custom invitation suite created by Tea Jam Studio. The bouquet was adorned with a white grosgrain ribbon, hand painted with symbols of their relationship.

bridesmaid wicker basket bouquets

Bridesmaid bouquets in baskets

The bridesmaids (dressed in velvet dresses from Dessy Group) carried the most darling floral arrangements in wicker baskets with silk ribbon, and the arrangements were as practical as they were beautiful! Colleen didn’t want her bridesmaids to have to carry around delicate bouquets all day, so the baskets were the perfect solution. The girls could put them down anytime they needed without worrying about damaging the flowers. They were also a convenient place to keep their tissues and lipstick.

private country club first look

A celebratory golf cart!

‌Colleen and Kevin opted to have a first look before the ceremony, where they shared an emotional reunion which set the heartfelt tone for the day before they zipped around the golf course on a golf cart decorated in their wedding blooms.

white flower and greenery columns

watercolor wedding welcome sign on easel watercolor wedding ceremony programs

golf course wedding ceremony

Wicker baskets of grasses and florals

The ceremony was held on Canoe Brook’s stone terrace overlooking the golf course. The aisle was decorated with wicker baskets of grasses and flowers and guests were serenaded by a string quartet while they waited for the bride to walk down the aisle. Colleen and Kevin exchanged their own heartfelt vows against the backdrop of a stunning and lush asymmetrical arch. The arch was then repurposed behind their sweetheart table at the reception.

golf-inspired seating chart

Centerpieces surrounded by moss

‌At the reception, the centerpieces alternated between low asymmetrical floral arrangements and tall tree-inspired installations surrounded by moss and bud vases. This created visual interest and made Canoe Brook’s high ballroom ceilings feel more intimate. The tablescapes were complemented by chinoiserie patterned linens, moss table numbers, rattan chargers, and green tapered candles in hurricane vases.

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A wooden cake topper

Their cake was topped with their wedding monogram made from wood by the bride’s Matron of Honor, Shannon Webster of The Crafted Moment, while their signature drinks - “John Daly” and “Cart Girl” - played off their love of golf.

red velvet suit jacket

An outfit change for the groom

‌Mid-reception the groom changed into a custom red velvet smoking jacket courtesy of Cad and The Dandy. The bride loved her dress from Kyha Studios, though, so much she kept it on all night!

dancing bride