An Elegant, Nautical-Inspired Wedding at The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Cecile Stamos (30 and a stay-at-home mom) and Travis Johnson (35 and a product design engineer) met through Match.com. "Our first date lasted an entire weekend," says Cecile. "I felt instantly comfortable with him, as if we were old friends." The couple dated long-distance for a year and a half before Travis made the big move from Iowa to Chicago to be with Cecile. It wasn't too long after that he popped the question. For their wedding, the Midwest-based couple decided to take head east to Rhode Island, not far from where Cecile grew up in Connecticut. "We both love New England and its coastal charm, so when we got engaged, there was no question that we'd get married there," says Cecile. The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island was the perfect location for their elegant, timeless wedding with a hint of nautical flair. The historic seaside venue offered an outdoor terrace with breathtaking ocean views, where guests sipped on lavender-infused champagne following the ceremony, and a classical ballroom with sophisticated decor for the reception. Arrangements of pale pink and ivory garden roses and hydrangeas topped the reception tables, surrounded by a scattering of candles adding to the evening's romantic ambiance. Tying into the nautical theme, blue and white striped ribbon adorned the wedding cake, the escort cards were displayed in a beach-inspired display and out-of-town guests were greeted with nautical-themed welcome bags on their arrival at the hotel.