A Timeless Beach Wedding at the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa in Old Saybrook, Connecticut

When Ernest Nalband (23, a mechanical engineer) and Jenna MacDonald (21, a biology teacher and student) met, it was in high school – but they were from different towns and attended rivalry schools. Jenna’s mother was also Ernest’s Vice Principal! “We first met at our local small town grocery store, we talked a little afterwards and we found out that we had a few good friends in common,” Jenna says. “A few months passed and we hadn't talked at all, and I attended a big soccer game under the lights at his high school with some friends. I hear someone behind me saying ‘Hey! I know you!’ and I turned around and it was Ernest. The rest is history and we knew from early on that we would end up together forever. Six years later we both were not having the greatest summer and were looking forward to the vacation we planned in May to stay at my parent's place in Provincetown, Massachusetts, for the first week of August. We arrived around noon and headed to the beach and planned to go back to the beach for the sunset... it was Ernest's idea. We were about to head to the beach for the sunset later that evening and a big thunderstorm rolled in. My mom and sister were still there on the last day of their vacation and urged us to still go because it could make for some great photos! So we went on our way and as we were driving the sun started to come out, and by the time we parked at the beach and there was a beautiful sunset starting while it was still raining and a rainbow was developing to the East. Ernest told me to hop out of the car to take photos because I had my rain jacket on. I got out and turned around and there was another rainbow behind us! I told him to get out because there was a double rainbow happening. Immediately the rain subsided and everyone was piling out of their cars to take photos. I was running around the beach trying to get photos without other people in them. Ernest told me that we should go further down the beach, where you could see the storm moving off the water onto the tip of Provincetown. I was continuing to take photos and I turned and looked at him and said "Ernest, this is perfect... just perfect." Ernest looks at me and says "Well, it’s about to get more perfect.” He gos down on one knee and pulled out a box and opened it and asked if I would marry him! I of course said "Yes!" with no hesitation. After one wedding date and venue that they eventually nixed, they tried again with a beach venue and fell in love.“As soon as I saw the Saybrook Inn & Spa's photos I knew that it was the place -- it was too perfect,” Jenna says. “It was on the waterfront with a marina and a lighthouse on the dock, Ernest and I both love lighthouses! We visited and had brunch at their restaurant Fresh Salt (amazing!), met with an event planner and signed and paid the deposit right then and there. I have loved the beach and ocean since I was a child so I was now in my element for planning this ocean & beach-themed wedding. I wanted it to be simple, beautiful and timeless. Our colors were white, silver, grey and seafoam blue. The colors just came together as we went through the planning. The ceremony was held outside on their big patio that overlooked the marina, the cocktail hour was also outside on the patio and the reception was inside the main ballroom. After the wedding ended we invited all to join us for a little after party on the patio and in the restaurant and then for brunch in the morning at Fresh Salt. We wanted our guests to share the weekend with us and enjoy everything with us!”