A Bright, Classic Wedding at the Lake of Isles in Mystic, Connecticut

Allison Kaiser (32 and a VP of digital ad operations) and Daniel Willis’s (31 and a research scientist) wedding was all about fusing classic elegance with the playfulness of summer. After choosing Lake of Isles as the spot to host their mid-September nuptials, a country club with beautiful lake views and an elegant ballroom, Allison’s original plan for a nautical theme went out the window. “I had always wanted a nautical theme, but it didn't make sense to me with a reception at a golf course,” Allison says. The couple opted for a funky chevron motif instead, paired with a bright, eye-catching color palette of coral, pink, gold and navy hues. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on the Lake of Isle’s water-facing deck, before heading indoors to the spacious ballroom for a night of dinner and dancing. “We cut the appetizer course from the menu because we wanted dinner to fly by so we could start dancing,” Allison says. Vibrant pink, red and white blooms paired with chevron-accented candleholders softened the stately feel of the space, infusing the room with a touch of fun, festive flair. In the months leading up to the wedding, Allison’s stepsister asked each guest to send her a photo of themselves holding a sign with some words of wisdom for the newlyweds. She made a slide show with all the photos, and worked with the venue to show it during the reception. “It was an amazing surprise for us and our guests and a great token to remember the day by," Alison says. "Dan's brothers also surprised us by playing the trumpets for the first song to get the party started." A tip from Alison: “Don't sweat the small stuff. I was so focused on the tiniest things and how they would look. When the day came, I didn't even notice them.”