A Relaxed, Beach Wedding at 101 Centre at Beach Haven, New Jersey

Since both Jesse Leonard (38 and a prospect researcher) and Nicole Belkin (33 and an orthopedic surgeon) love the beach, the couple celebrated with a relaxed affair and a weekend of activities at a beach house down the shore.

Making a nine-bedroom house the home base for the week, the couple wed on the property under a flower-adorned gazebo before walking with their guests to the clapboard bed-and-breakfast, where they danced to a mix of pop and country. “We wanted to bring together the most important people in our lives,” Jesse says. “The house made it easy to entertain, then spend the week at the beach.” 

Both Jesse and Nicole wore elegant, strapless gowns for their waterfront wedding on Long Beach Island.

“Don’t feel pressured to do anything because of tradition,” Nicole says. “Do what you want, nothing more and nothing less.” 

Both brides walked down the aisle separately—Jesse with her father and Nicole with her uncle.

At the reception, the brides “converted a few selfie-stick haters” by offering guests the portrait tools, plus custom sunglasses and koozies. The newlyweds also cut into a huge whoopie pie instead of a traditional cake. “This is a staple item at all my family functions,” Jesse says. “Not including it was not an option.”