1. Real Weddings

A Chic, Garden-Inspired, At-Home Wedding at a Private Residence in Southampton, New York

Maria Bueno (31 and director of Cheim & Read) and Brad Waywell (31 and director of DiDonna) planned a chic garden affair for their wedding at Brad’s f

Maria Bueno (31 and director of Cheim & Read) and Brad Waywell (31 and director of DiDonna) planned a chic garden affair for their wedding at Brad’s family home in Southampton, New York. Wanting to create a laid-back atmosphere that felt more dinner party than formal soiree, the quaint home was the perfect fit and offered a stunning natural backdrop. “There is a gorgeous deck behind the house, which is naturally designed to be an aisle with a platform at the end and next to it, an open and beautifully manicured lawn,” Maria says. “It was made for a wedding.” Drawing on the site for inspiration, Maria and Brad chose a garden-inspired theme and a palette of soft blush, pink, cream and silver hues. Francesca Events helped ensure the day went off without a hitch, from the intimate ceremony overlooking lush gardens to the poolside cocktail hour and tented reception. Frank Alexander NYC delivered in a big way when it came to the decor, bringing about a relaxed, rustic charm with a contemporary twist through pieces like wooden farm tables, transparent chairs, flickering candlelight and varying arrangements of organically styled florals. Mercury glass and mirror details added a polished touch to each tabletop and intensified the ambient effect of the warm lighting. Lounge vignettes boasting oversize chairs and natural wood tables were scattered throughout, providing guests with cozy spots to kick back and take in the beautiful view. “We wanted our guests to have the freedom to move throughout the night and not feel tied to their table,” Maria says. Food was one of the evening’s standout details, with Cobblestone Catering blowing guests’ taste buds out of the water with everything from Montauk striped bass seviche and Spanish chicken empanadas to grilled swordfish and an assortment of homemade pies. After dinner, the newlyweds and their guests danced until the wee hours to an upbeat mix of contemporary dance and Latin hits. A tip from Maria: “Open and honest dialogues are critical during the planning process, and at the end of the day, everything really does fall into place.”

Regas Studio took the reins on all of Maria and Brad’s stationery needs, creating custom pieces with the couple’s elegant, romantic and nonfussy vibe in mind. “It was important for us to carry the palette and feel of the wedding from the first to last communication,” Maria says. Hand-lettered calligraphy and letterpress details gave each element a refined, personal feel, while pink-foil beveled edging added a hint of glamour.
When it came to choosing a gown for her five bridesmaids, Maria wanted something that would be comfortable, but also flattering on everyone. With blush playing a key role in the color scheme, the pale pink hue seemed like the perfect choice. In terms of style, a Jim Hjelm design with a long A-line silhouette, V-neck and thin straps fit the bill. For a hint of glitz, the girls accessorized with Jenny Yoo’s Mischka belt, shimmery silver sandals and dainty jewelry.
The ceremony took place on Brad’s parents’ back deck overlooking a beautiful natural farm preserve in Southampton, New York. The aisle leading to the main platform, where Maria and Brad exchanged vows, was surrounded by sunny yellow lilies and lush green grasses that swayed gently in the wind. A birch chuppah was placed at the edge of the deck, topped with sheer white fabric and framed by French flower buckets filled with bright white blooms. “It was an incredible setting and the weather that day could not have been more perfect,” Maria says. “The bluest sky imaginable, no clouds and a beautiful sunset.”
Frank Alexander created a stunning, textured arrangement for Maria’s bouquet that perfectly captured the elegant yet laid-back vibe. The bouquet was filled with peonies, roses, hydrangeas, proteas and more in soft shades of pink, purple, blush, cream and silvery gray. As a sentimental touch, he wrapped the bouquet in the sleeves of Maria’s mother’s dress.
Inspired by Kate Moss’s elegant, old-world-bohemian dress, Maria knew she wanted a gown with an ethereal, 1930s feel and a hint of shimmer. She found it in Rosa Clara’s Ubela gown, an airy, sheath-style with beaded embellishments. To complete the look, she added a diamond solitaire necklace, tennis bracelet and drop earrings, as well as a vintage art deco bracelet that had been in Brad’s grandmother’s family for over 100 years.
After saying “I do,” Maria and Brad ushered guests to the front of the house for signature cocktails and mouthwatering appetizers by the pool. Soft Latin jazz played softly in the background while guests mixed and mingled and nibbled on lobster rolls, tuna tartare and devils on horseback. The bar was under a pergola draped in vines and seasonal flowers and illuminated by brightly lit pillar candles arranged in hurricane vases.
The Southampton, New York, reception was held under an expansive, open-air tent. Frank Alexander worked his magic, transforming the space into the picture of elegance with a rustic-chic twist. Country farm tables with weathered wooden tops were draped with white open-weave linen runners and assorted arrangements of organically styled blooms in soft blush, green and cream hues. Bistro lights hung overhead and lots of candlelight cast a warm, romantic glow over the space.
Hints of silvers were sprinkled throughout the decor in the form of mercury glass vessels and mirror accents, which reflected the warmth of the bistro lights and flickering candles to create an air of romance and ambience throughout the spacious tent. To help guests find their seats, hand-lettered mirror place cards with painted floral motifs were placed atop the rose-colored chargers at each setting.
To inject the rustic, romantic decor with a modern edge, Frank Alexander paired each of the country farm-style tables with transparent Miro chairs. This let the striking summery tablescapes take center stage, while adding dimension and intrigue to the overall design.
Not wanting their guests to feel chained to their seats, Maria and Brad installed lounge vignettes throughout the reception tent, each featuring cushy white chairs and natural wooden tables topped with lush floral arrangements. It provided guests with a place to relax after dancing, eat dessert or take in the breathtaking views. “We wanted our guests to have the freedom to move throughout the night,” Maria says. “Guests really enjoyed using the lounge area, and it made for a perfect spot for the after-party.”
When Brad’s brother was 8 years old, he planted an apple seed at their Southampton, New York, home. A beautiful apple tree grew from it. Maria and Brad saw the tree as the ideal spot to display their hand-lettered mirror seating chart and display family photos for guests to enjoy—a sort of play on the idea of a family tree. “It was a really personal and special way for our family and friends to engage with our family history and a special moment for us to watch come to life,” Maria says.
After the traditional first dance, for which Maria and Brad danced to Duncan Sheik’s interpretation of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird,” DJ Ray Jarrell of Jarrell Entertainment kicked the evening into high gear with an energetic mix of Latin, dance, hip-hop and classic hits.
For favors, Maria and Brad gave their guests a taste of local flavor from Southhampton, New York, since many of their family members and friends had come from out of town. Since beach plums are abundant in the area, growing along the Hamptons shoreline, the couple asked local Elizabeth Yastrzemski to make batches of beach plum jam for guests to take home.