A Colorful and Whimsical Summer Wedding on Shelter Island

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Grace and Kevin met in February 2023, and their first weekend trip together was to Shelter Island, New York, where Grace’s family has had a home for nearly twenty years. They later got engaged during a cozy getaway at Wildflower Farms in the Hudson Valley, celebrating the news around the property’s iconic fire pit. When it came time to choose a wedding location, they kept coming back to Shelter Island, a place they both love and where they could gather their closest family and friends.

Location: Shelter Island, New York
Style: Coastal Eclectic, Colorful, Maximalist
Number of guests: 125
Time of planning: 1 year
Setting: Tented Seaside Backyard
Season: Summer

Grace and Kevin had gorgeous weather on the day, and it gave the celebration a magical feel and brought Grace’s vision to life. Lacy Karl of The Party New York planned and designed it with great care, shaping every detail so the weekend felt like theirs, from the setting to the smallest touch. The most meaningful part was sharing Shelter Island with their closest friends and family and having everyone they love together in one place.

Fashion

Grace wore the Mayra gown by Mira Zwillinger, with Larroudé shoes, her Jenna Katz engagement ring and wedding bands, and hair and makeup by Special Effects Salon. She knew its whimsical floral design was special from the moment she first saw it online, and after trying on just two other dresses, she slipped into the Mayra and knew she’d found the one. She felt beautiful and special in it.

Kevin wore a navy Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a classic bow tie and coordinating shoes. The deep navy stood out against the seaside, and the timeless look made him feel confident throughout the celebration.

Ceremony

From the moment the couple booked the venue, Grace knew she wanted Kelci of Shelter Island Flowers, whom she had long admired for the bouquets at her charming farmstand. Kelci, a talented floral designer, grows most of her flowers on her own farm on Shelter Island, so it meant even more to know that many of the wedding flowers grew on the very island where Grace and Kevin exchanged their vows.

The ceremony took place at the Dering Harbor Inn, on a bluff above Shelter Island Sound. Grace’s best friend, Casey Licari, officiated and filled it with a mix of heartfelt emotion and humor. With gorgeous weather and a calm waterfront setting around them, Grace and Kevin felt an unexpected calm as they got ready to walk down the aisle, in place of the nerves they’d expected.

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour was set along the waterfront, where guests gathered around a custom bar covered in playful, whimsical illustrations and stripes by Olivia Provey. Escort cards were attached to hand-painted shell magnets made by Lucie de Moyencourt of Shellegance, an artist Grace had admired for years.

Planning & Reception Decor

The couple wanted their wedding to feel like an East Coast summer: colorful, joyful, and whimsical. One of Grace’s favorite parts of planning was working with illustrator Olivia Provey on the invitation suite and day-of paper goods. Inspired by vintage shell illustrations and playful patterns, Grace pictured a celebration with a coastal, sea-influenced feel that didn’t lean too far into a traditional East Coast preppy look. She also loved the idea of layering patterns, colors, and textures throughout, and her planner, Lacy Karl, brought that to life with patterned lanterns, linens, and chargers from Caroline Irving & Daughters.

The reception took place beneath a sailcloth tent full of color, pattern, and texture. Printed lanterns layered with woven rattan shades hung above the dance floor, where the Rakiem Walker Project kept guests dancing all night. Delicate bud vases and lush arrangements of peonies grown on Shelter Island sat on the tables, and pink and orange candles cast a warm, romantic glow across the tent.

Reception

Grace and Kevin will always remember the sunset and golden hour, and the moment they looked around the glowing tent and saw all their guests enjoying the celebration. The reception was lively and full of color, with music, heartfelt speeches, and dancing that never stopped.

Advice from the couple:

• Grace and Kevin advise other couples to stay true to what feels most personal and choose details that genuinely reflect their story. They also emphasize the importance of hiring the right planner, someone who understands your vision, brings it to life, and allows you to be fully present throughout the celebration. Surround yourself with vendors you trust, enjoy the planning process, and try not to get caught up in making every detail perfect. Most importantly, take a few quiet moments together during the wedding to pause, look around, and appreciate having everyone you love gathered in one place. The day passes more quickly than you can imagine.