1. Real Weddings

An East-Meets-West-Coast Wedding at a Private Residence in Newport, Rhode Island

Erin Butner (30 and a designer and innovation consultant) and Tyler Stubbs (32 and an accountant and event executive)—design and event-planning pros i

Erin Butner (30 and a designer and innovation consultant) and Tyler Stubbs (32 and an accountant and event executive)—design and event-planning pros in their own right—fused East Coast charm with West Coast cool to pull off a “Hella-Wicked” wedding that was equal parts relaxed and refined. The couple live in San Francisco but headed east to celebrate with their family and friends at Tyler’s family home in Newport, Rhode Island. Nestled on six acres of rolling lawns and rocky exposure, the James Estate Carriage House, built in 1893, was the backdrop for the fun-filled bash. Erin and Tyler’s East and West Coast roots served as the inspiration for the day, with details speaking to the mountains and the ocean featuring prominently throughout the decor. “We’re pretty laid-back but styled people. We wanted our wedding to feel easy and unexpected but together and timeless,” Erin says. Several elements were included to speak to Erin's native Colorado, including arrangements of organic, wild greens; tie-dye bridesmaid dresses; a bluegrass-meets-rockabilly band; and a menu of mouthwatering barbecue fare. Meanwhile, the seaside locale, freshly caught seafood, classic navy suits and cider doughnuts paid tribute to Tyler’s Newport roots. The ceremony unfolded in a wooded clearing, with Erin and Tyler exchanging vows in a custom ceremony written and officiated by a close friend. Since they wanted the natural beauty of the scenery to stand out, the couple kept the decor simple, electing to sprinkle flower petals down the aisle for just a touch of texture. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a rowboat filled with beer and mini champagne bottles. “It was always my dream to get married while everyone had a drink in hand. We wanted people to start celebrating from the moment they arrived,” Erin says. The evening’s festivities embodied a sense of effortless elegance that reflected the importance of the occasion while encouraging guests to kick back and relax. Long beer-garden tables established a fuss-free tone for the soiree, while lush green garlands dotted with candles and full white florals delivered a healthy dose of sophistication to the tablescapes. Erin and Tyler dyed the napkins and shibori tablecloths themselves, injecting the decor with a punch of bohemian panache. “Tyler and I—and all our friends—like a good party. We knew we needed to kick off the night in a big way, so we had our band play a set while guests enjoyed a raw bar with oysters, ceviche and various other New England essentials,” Erin says. They also offered three signature drinks: tequila palomas, dark and stormy’s and a cider-bourbon cocktail with a slice of bacon. "People still talk about that drink,” Erin says. After everyone dined on Blue Ribbon Barbecue's brisket, mac and cheese and baked beans, the Deathbed Confessions band led a full-blown dance party. A tip from Erin and Tyler: “It’s easy to get caught up in the details to make it all perfect that you can forget the reason you’re doing it all—to spend the rest of your life with your partner. We were really diligent about getting away for hikes or dance lessons to make sure we weren’t getting too caught up in it.” —Libby MacCarthy

When it came to planning their fall affair, Erin and Tyler looked to their bicoastal roots for inspiration. Fusing New England charm with the West Coast’s laid-back vibe, the couple pulled off an undeniably “Hella-Wicked” wedding that was relaxed yet refined. Every detail embodied the theme, including the couple’s welcome kits, which featured a Hella-Wicked tote, custom koozies and postcards, snacks, water, a navy bandana and a map of Newport, Rhode Island, complete with a list of their favorite places.
For their florals, Erin and Tyler tapped the talent of close friend Danielle Bernhisel. “Wild, organic, not fussy and completely natural was the brief,” Erin says. “She ordered the perfect flowers, then ended up being so inspired by the grounds of the property that a good amount of the greens in our flowers came from it. Both my headpiece and bouquet were stunning. Flowing, free and alive, they captured the spirit of our wedding perfectly.”
Tyler put a modern twist on a classic “I do” ensemble by opting for a navy J.Crew suit, which he paired with a sharp white dress shirt and a black bow tie. “Tyler is a sneaker freak and wears Vans about 360 days a year. So we put him in black-and-white-checkerboard Vans—classic but with a twist,” Erin says. “I also dyed a shibori pocket square for him to tie it all together.”
“From the beginning, I knew the only color I would incorporate would be navy and that the napkins and tablecloths would be dip-dyed and shibori,” Erin says. So when her maid of honor spotted shibori maxi dresses at Anthropologie, Erin knew it was a match made in matrimonial heaven. To counter their laid-back look, Erin had the women accessorize with gold wrap sandals, Kate Spade knot earrings, a sailor knot bracelet from J.Crew and a lush, textured flower crown. “They looked gorgeous,” she says.
The ceremony unfolded in a wooded clearing, with Erin and Tyler exchanging vows in a custom ceremony written and officiated by a close friend. Tall green trees and lush bushes that had been on the property for over 100 years formed the backdrop for the intimate affair, with flower petals strewed about the aisle for a hint of texture and visual drama. A ukulele provided the tunes for the occasion and a rowboat bar brimming with beer and mini champagne bottles greeted guests upon arrival. “It was always my dream to get married while everyone had a drink in hand. We wanted people to start celebrating from the moment they arrived,” Erin says.
Tyler and Erin made a grand entrance to cocktail hour on the back of a 1969 Triumph Bonneville. After their portrait session, the newlyweds hopped on the back of the bike and rolled into the courtyard. “It was such a fun way to arrive at our reception,” Erin says.
An amateur calligrapher, Erin created the escort cards for the reception in Newport, Rhode Island. She hand-lettered the names of each guest onto natural-colored pendant cards, which were then displayed against a wood-paneled barn door.
Erin and Tyler kicked off the festivities with a bang, treating guests to a raw bar—served in a rowboat—passed hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails such as tequila palomas, dark and stormies and cider-bourbon cocktails garnished with a slice of bacon. “Yup, bacon. People still talk about that drink,” Erin says.
To ensure their decor tied into the evening’s "Hella-Wicked" theme, Erin and Tyler made all the linens for the reception. The couple created dip-dyed napkins in a cool shade of blue and shibori tablecloths with an undeniable West Coast vibe. The bohemian linens paired perfectly with the laid-back aesthetic of the textured green garlands and wild arrangements of ranunculus, grasses and wheat that ran the length of each farm-style table.
Guests found their seats by consulting customized brown paper bags that doubled as place cards. The bags featured the Erin and Tyler's wedding logo and each guest’s name, with a menu and compostable cutlery tucked inside. “It was a nice one-two punch,” Erin says.
To distinguish their seats from the others, Erin and Tyler adorned their chairs with custom canvas banners that read “The Mister” and “The Misses.”
For their first dance, Erin and Tyler chose Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere.” “Weeks of dance lessons helped us move it on the dance floor. Our routine had twists, turns, dips and even a 'Dirty Dancing' lift,” Erin says.