1. Real Weddings

A Nautical, Summer Wedding at Guilford Yacht Club in Guilford, Connecticut

Jackie Gornik (32, a recruiter) and Adam Fackler (30, an equity research analyst) met working in the same office building—specifically when they found

Jackie Gornik (32, a recruiter) and Adam Fackler (30, an equity research analyst) met working in the same office building—specifically when they found themselves heading home around the same time each night. "We became fast friends chatting as we walked to our cars," recalls Jackie. Over the course of their daily walks, they bonded over a love of the outdoors, hiking, traveling, sports, a dream of moving west, and a shared appreciation for good food, good music and a good martini. Adam proposed in the same spot they had their first date—on the top of Sleeping Giant in Hamden, Connecticut. "Sleeping Giant has been meaningful in Adam’s family for generations, so it was no surprise to us that on that cloudy, cold day, the sun came out just as he began to propose," says Jackie. Inspired by their love of nature and wide open spaces, the couple decided on an "outdoor chic" theme for their oceanside nuptials, following their sunny outdoor ceremony with an airy indoor reception. Nautical, DIY touches and a cheery color scheme of blue and yellow brought their lighthearted summer celebration to life.

Jackie designed their navy and white gatefold wedding invitations complete with a subtle compass design.
Jackie carried an organic bridal bouquet of fluffy white peonies. A broach belonging to her late aunt was pinned to the stems as her something old.
Jackie and Adam Wedding Party
The bridesmaids bouquets were cheery bunches of craspedia, dusty miller, yellow lilies and fiddlehead fern.
Jackie wore a bracelet made by a family friend to which she affixed a sailboat charm that Adam had given her in the beginning of their relationship
"We were inspired by nature and wide open spaces, knew that we wanted the wedding to be outside near the water, and the venue to have an open feel to it," explains Jackie.
"It was very important to us to incorporate our amazing family and friends into the wedding day," says Jackie. "Therefore, we asked a close family friend to officiate the wedding, which gave the ceremony a very intimate feel, and struck the perfect balance between spiritual and personal elements."
The couple's waterfront wedding ceremony included a sand unity ceremony that involved mixing two different colored sands.
Jackie and Adam Wedding Ceremony Recession
"I envisioned the escort cards hanging like leaves from branches on a tree which I created with pots, branches, and ribbon displayed alongside family photos," says Jackie.
DIY Family Tree Escort Cards
Guilford Yacht Club Wedding Reception
Jackie and Adam named the reception tables after places they had visited together, and created their “table numbers” using pictures of them from each specific place.
Cherry Tomato and Mozzarella Appetizers
Tuna Passed Appetizers
"Our search for our venue wasn't easy, as we wanted to find a site that perfectly matched the vision in our heads. Little did I know that the mock-ups of our invitations (which contained a compass) would lead us to the perfect venue...the Guilford Yacht Club in Guilford, Connecticut," says Jackie. "It was picturesque, with a gorgeous building with an open feel, and the sparkling water of the Long Island Sound in the distance. It just felt right."