Summer '08 :: Tide the Knot

Once upon a time, a sun-kissed little blonde girl fell in love with the beach. She frolicked and rolled in the waves and proclaimed, at age five, that her favorite food was lobster. A child of the sea and rightly so, her parents and both sets of grandparents are lifelong sea lovers. Many holidays and family celebrations took place at the beach—filling the young girl’s head with warm, loving memories. It was only fitting, then, that when that Tyler Sims grew into a young lady and met Andy Buck, her special someone, she would want to return to the sea and share this love with him. A small, idyllic chapel located a few minutes from the bride’s family beach home was deemed the “perfect spot.”

Many hours of planning and preparing went into that day and finally the time to leave for the beach and the wedding arrived. Family and friends (like me) packed with care and departed with great anticipation of having a grand time.

The morning of the wedding, the mother-of-the-bride jumped out of bed and threw back the curtains to be greeted by the hoped-for glorious day. The night before, weathermen had predicted severe storms, but this small seaside town escaped that unwelcome fate. The festivities could begin!

The bride arrived at the whitewashed chapel in a floor length Alençon lace gown, her silk veil billowing in the breeze, holding an exquisite bouquet of full white peonies. A pair of gardenias adorned her chignon. At her side, her bridesmaids, including her sisters, clad in short white dresses carried clusters of green hydrangeas.

The chapel itself was a study in “less-is-more” elegance. Small bay wreaths (repeating the green of the hydrangeas) lined the windowed sidewalls and were draped with linens bearing the bride’s new monogram. At the front of the chapel hung a simple wooden cross decorated with a palette of white flowers twined together by a swag of bay leaves.

As the procession began a group of barefoot, white linen-clad youngsters gamboled down the aisle holding a garland of bay leaves to herald the arrival of the bride. Her moment arrived, the exquisite bride glided down the aisle to meet her groom whose lapel boasted a boutonnière of lilies-of-the-valley, which means “you’ve made my life complete” in the language of flowers.

Post-ceremony, bells rang and the bride and groom made their way through the assemblage of friends and family who showered them with rose petals and well wishes.

An allée of trees led us all to the reception’s opening tent which gave way to the most enchanting scene: a large green lawn bordered by white tents housing luscious treats and decorative touches that followed the bride’s chosen Tuscan theme. Gossamer fabric panels hung from the sides of the main tent and blew in the wind, echoing the movement of the bride’s veil as she arrived. As we stepped onto the great lawn, the air seemed different—lighter, brighter, redolent with the fragrance of flowers and traditional Tuscan aromas. This heavenly elixir mixed with good-natured conviviality to besot the guests.

Even the tent cooperated by providing a floral canopy in the form of hanging glass bud vases, each with a different flower. They danced in the beach breeze as the couple danced their first dance.

For refreshment, trays of strawberry mojitos and large cylinders of iced citrus waters were offered. Sumptuous wedding cakes tempted us all. The bride’s cake was a six-tier white cake decorated with sugared green grapes featuring a different flavor in each layer. Chocolate lovers descended on the groom’s table boasting five outrageously sinful chocolate cakes. A large dark chocolate raspberry truffle cake emblazoned with the couple’s monogram was surrounded by such indulgences as a chocolate mint cake dripping with chocolate ganache and a chocolate mocha cake with chocolate fudge pirouette cookies tied around its circumference.

At the end of the lawn stood a tent that resembled a lively trattoria complete with antique wooden tables lined down the center with rustic antique clay pots. Medleys of vegetables, flowers, and herbs filled the pots. Hanging arrangements displayed Tuscan floral bouquets of dahlias, rosemary, sunflowers, alliums, and green grapes.

Neighboring tents contained tables of seafood piled high. Stone platters with artfully arranged sushi were encircled by a vast array of fresh pink shrimp. And yes, lobster rolls were on offer! Children colored, played, and ate at the “Children’s Table” as their parents strolled about the great lawn and partook of all the delicacies. Young gents challenged one another to rousing games of bocce as others settled into large white suede sofas to savor the glorious day. To provide the utmost comfort, baskets containing parasols and flip-flops dotted the venue.

As the sun set, the warm salty wind and ocean surf beckoned the newlyweds. Hand in hand, they departed to greet the sea with its sugary sand and crystal waters and the beginning of a new life together.

Summer 2008 | By Leah McKinney | Photos by Sheila Goode Photography Floral Designs by Nouveau Flowers | Cakes by Confections on the Coast