Jan 27, 20204 min read

Kelly + Michael's Cool Seaside Wedding in Cape May!

Updated: Jan 29, 2020

When you come across the coolest bride and fall in love with her amazing seaside wedding, you definitely reach out to get all the deets! This week's gorgeous wedding features some of the loveliest beach wedding decor, to say nothing of the stunning natural beauty of the setting!

Kelly and Michael tied the knot at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May. The celebration included a beachside ceremony with personalized vows, what we think is the most delicious sounding wedding cake, and tons of amazing beach-themed details. Kelly was a dream in her Evelyn Bridal A-line gown (which she ordered with custom pockets) and looked incredible next to her bridesmaids who wore vibrant blue dresses and her dapper groom who wore a black tuxedo with white bowtie.

Scroll down to read all about this dessert-loving couple's story, and to view their wedding album, beautifully captured by photographer Zac Santanello!

How did you meet?

We got set up! I was living and working in DC, and my coworker Steve was Michael's best friend from high school. He would always talk about his friend Michael, but he lived in NYC and I had no interest in dating someone long distance. After a few years, we finally met in person and the rest is history!

How did he propose?

We planned to meet for a picnic dinner in Central Park on a Tuesday after work, which wasn't out of the ordinary. It was a little rainy so the park was really empty, and after we finished eating he got on one knee and proposed! I was over the moon to say yes and he had arranged for a photographer to be there so we got some great shots. Afterwards, we went to a restaurant for drinks and dessert with both of our families on the upper west side. Absolutely my favorite Tuesday of all time.

What was the process of finding your dream dress like?

I loved going dress shopping with my mom and sister, it was so fun to do just the 3 of us and everywhere we went made me feel so special. We went to a boutique store in Cape May first, which was so fun and included cupcakes and champagne. I had a pretty good idea about what I was looking for, but I tried on every style just to be sure..

We went again to a few shops in Philadelphia, and at Ashley’s Bridal I found three that I loved. I tried them each on over and over until I settled on my favorite, an a-line ballgown by Evelyn. I loved the tulle bottom half and the sparkles on the top, and my own personal touch- I got pockets cut into it.

Did you have a wedding theme?

What we wanted was for the wedding to be a huge party for everyone who loved and supported us, we wanted them to walk away having had an awesome time eating, dancing, and drinking, and knowing how in love we are with each other and how grateful we are for our friends and family. We loved that it was in Cape May, a place I grew up going in the summers and that Michael and I spent a lot of time together while we were dating.

What did you enjoy most about planning your wedding?

I love planning, so the whole process was a lot of fun for me, though of course overwhelming at times. Michael and I worked really hard to create a day that we and our guests would treasure forever, and I certainly think we did. Cake tasting! We did this together of course. We both take dessert very seriously and ended up with an amazing cake that our guests loved so much - we don't have any left over to eat on our one year anniversary- but we will be sure to order a fresh one. The cake was cookie butter batter, with layers of Nutella and the outside was buttercream, my mouth is watering just thinking about it...

Finding ways to make the day unique to us. We ended up getting personalized color changing cocktail cups which were a fun surprise for the guests. Another detail was the sea salt favors that we assembled ourselves- they were Amagansett sea salt from New York- a nod to our favorite restaurant there.

I loved the time I got to spend with my mom and sister. They were so helpful in giving me advice, but also supporting me unconditionally, and the planning process brought us closer than ever. I couldn’t have done it without them!

Favorite memories of your wedding?

I loved our personalized vows, we each spent a lot of time on them and we read them to each other for the first time in front of all our loved ones. They were very emotional and personal, and really made the ceremony feel authentic to us..

Michael surprised me by vowing to cheer for the Eagles, and the crowd erupted (he then mumbled something about this being only when they are not playing the Giants but it was hard to hear). Michael also sang and played guitar to me at the beginning of the reception- Georgia by Vance Joy which was so romantic and a part I’ll never forget.