A Whimsical, Shabby Chic Wedding at Bonnet Island Estate in Somerset, New Jersey

When it came to planning their wedding, Shannon Foley (30 and a director of admissions) and Adam Vonheeder (32 and a dockbuilder) took matters into their own hands. For eight months, the couple crafted, designed and collaborated on every last detail, from the vibrant watercolor invitations to the handmade table numbers and beautiful garden-inspired bouquets to bring their romantic, shabby chic vision to life. The Bonnet Island Estate was the ideal location for the whimsical affair, the waterfront location providing a striking natural backdrop and quaint setting for the pair to say their “I do’s.” The day kicked off with a ceremony in the estate’s quaint boathouse chapel. With the help of MDS Floral Design, Shannon and Adam infused the understated space with undeniable warmth and romantic flair, decorating the exposed beams and stone fireplace with lush full blooms in cheerful shades of pink, lots of candlelight and a wispy wedding arch made from vines. The couple wrote their own vows and their close friend and officiant, Reverend Brian Leidell, further personalized the ceremony with heartwarming anecdotes and quotes from one of the couple’s favorite songs. A cocktail hour overlooking the water followed, where guests sipped on “Sweet Love” signature cocktails — a summery mix of Prosecco, St. Germaine, muddled strawberries and mint — and snacked on an inspired selection of passed hors d’oeuvres, chef stations and a raw bar serving up fresh oysters, shrimp and clams before heading into the ballroom for a night of dinner and dancing. Candelabras dripping in crystals, vintage lanterns, lace linens and bud vases filled with pink garden roses dotted the reception tables, softening the vastness of the ballroom’s 30-foot cathedral ceilings. After dinner, the nine-piece band Daddy Pop got guests up out of their seats and out onto the dance floor with a mix of upbeat country and pop hits. A tip for the taking from Shannon: “Remember to have fun and enjoy it. Wedding planning can get very overwhelming, but don’t settle for anything less than your dream. Also, be prepared; you literally have to chase down people to RSVP and people do cancel and try to add guests at the very last minute.”