1. Real Weddings

A Bright Nautical Wedding at Maritime Parc in Jersey City, New Jersey

Trisha Taylor (34 and a senior project manager) and Ernie Volkmann (35 and in banking) grew up in the same town but attended separate high schools. Al

Trisha Taylor (34 and a senior project manager) and Ernie Volkmann (35 and in banking) grew up in the same town but attended separate high schools. Although they met briefly when they were fourteen or fifteen, they didn't really get to know one another until almost twenty years later when they bumped into each other at a bar in Hoboken after graduating from college. Ernie took the opportunity to look her up on Facebook and ask her out on a date, and they have been together ever since. He proposed less than a year later just a few days before Christmas under the tree in Rockefeller Center. They got married at Saints Paul and Peter Catholic Church in Hoboken, New Jersey with a waterfront reception across the river at Maritime Parc in Liberty State Park (one of their first date locales) in Jersey City. Inspired by the venue, Trisha and Ernie decided on a nautical wedding theme with anchors incorporated into the invitations, place cards, and even the bouquets and boutonnieres. Other nautical elements included sailboat-shaped wedding favors and metal lantern centerpieces with rope, glass fishing floats, and flower arrangements designed to look like coral. The wedding party dressed in light formal wear with tan suits and flowy strapless dresses to stay cool in the hot August weather. Following the reception, guests were invited outside to watch a celebratory fireworks display on the waterfront. Overall, the wedding was elegant but relaxed, as Trisha explains, "We wanted the day to be easy, laid back, and fun."

Trisha knew she wanted to include peonies in her bouquet, but unfortunately they were not in season. She compromised with her florist and got a bright pink garden rose bouquet with just a few white peonies for contrast. For a finishing touch, the bouquet was wrapped in lace from Trisha's christening gown to represent her "something old."
Champagne-Colored Bridal Peep-Toes with Rhinestone Flowers
Sleek Bridal Updo and Bright Pink Lipstick
Nautical Turquoise Wedding Invitations
Monogrammed Striped Turquoise Wedding Beach Bag
Trisha found all of the flower girls' white dresses on Zulily and paired them with bright pink flower crowns. The ring bearer wore a tan vest to match the groomsmen, along with a turquoise blue button-down.
Trisha's bridesmaids wore long, strapless Bill Levkoff dresses in the same shade of turquoise. They picked out the dresses together in the perfect shade to complement their bright pink bouquets.
Tan Groomsmen Suits with Blue Plaid Ties
Ernie and his groomsmen wore matching tan Joseph A. Bank suits to stay cool in the summer heat. They accessorized with blue plaid ties and elegant white peony boutonnieres.
The groomsmen wore blue boutonnieres accented with magenta roses to match the bride's bouquet. All of the boutonnieres and bridesmaid bouquets were wrapped in twine (to resemble nautical rope) and decorated with small anchor charms.
Ceremonial Bagpipe Musician
The Ceremony at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Bubble Ceremony Exit at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
A simple tree with dangling crystals decorated the navy blue escort table. Each of the place cards were stamped with whales, anchors, and captain's wheels in keeping with the nautical theme.
Centerpieces incorporated metal lanterns accented with rope, sea glass, and glass fishing floats. A variety of textured flowers were used to create bright red and pink arrangements that resembled coral.
For favors, Trisha and Ernie gave their guests sailboat-shaped cookies decorated with turquoise and blue icing. They attached nautical anchor gift tags with the same anchor symbol that was used in the wedding invitations.
Trisha and Ernie had an incredible menu of hors d'oeuvres, a grilling station, a tapas bar, beef tenderloin, and sea bass served with their signature nautical-inspired cocktail called the Maritime Punch. For dessert, they cut into a stunning three-tier patterned wedding cake with navy striped and bright coral pink flowers on top.
Trisha wore a classic strapless, lace Paloma Blanca wedding dress in a mermaid silhouette with a decorative beaded sash. She especially loved the dress because it was not too formal and comfortable in the summer humidity.
Bride and Groom with Celebratory Fireworks