A Nautical, Bohemian Wedding at The Atrium in Wilmington, North Carolina

After spending several months together as graduate school classmates, Lydia Valenta (23 and a physical therapist) and Cain Ringstaff (28 and a physical therapist) finally struck up a conversation (and they haven’t stopped talking since). The two exchanged handwritten letters while dating long distance, and later went on to exchange vows in the beachside town of Wilmington, North Carolina—a perfect fit for their laid-back personalities. Surrounded by their brick-lined venue draped in ivy, the newlyweds celebrated alongside family and friends under string lights in an open-air reception while Lydia's brother's band played in the background. An array of sea glass, shells and fishing net covered long dining tables, giving the chic, urban space a nautical twist. Another beach-inspired touch: Sand dollars that Lydia's parents had collected just after they got married. After Lydia exchanged her heels for a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, the newlyweds cut into a vanilla brown butter cake that they had baked together just for the occasion. "We kept the guest list small and focused on sharing our day with the people we love most," Lydia says. "At the end of the day, it's about celebrating a life-long promise with your best friend."—Juliette Cheatham