A Nautical Wedding at the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts

Almost ten years after Michelle Ventresca (26 and in advertising) and Donny Dunham (25 and in finance) met on their high school golf team, they became engaged. The couple was on a waterfront walk surrounded by blue hydrangeas in Newport, Rhode Island, when Donny popped the question. Over the next 16 months, they planned a nautical wedding in Chatham, Massachusetts. “The Cape has always been sentimental to us, and really fits our personality, as we love being outdoors, boating and enjoying some rest and relaxation along the coast,” says Michelle. With a nautical theme in mind, the couple accented their wedding in neutral tones and navy. Michelle and Donny’s 160 guests sat in white folding chairs as the couple said “I do.” Their beachside wedding was held under a starfish and neutral fabric accented arch. Afterward, guests moved to the Chatham Bars Inn’s boat house for cocktail hour complete with a raw bar and an open bar. Once inside the Beach House, each guest found his or her seat on a rustic white window frame and was asked to sign vintage boat oars for the couple’s guest book. Michelle and Donny served a seated meal before treating their guests to a four-tier golden vanilla and red velvet wedding cake with strawberries and champagne mousse filling. The couple and their guests spent the night dancing to DJ J. Boogz of ECF Entertainment in the Monomoy Ballroom before taking their sparkler exit. “We didn't want the night to end,” says Michelle.