An Intimate Waterfront Wedding at the Wauwinet in Nantucket, Massachusetts

Elizabeth Mix (30 and a director for community engagement) and Nick Armstrong’s (36 and a research director) Nantucket, Massachusetts, wedding was an intimate, oceanfront affair with a laid-back yet romantic vibe. From the get-go, the couple knew they wanted to keep the celebration small and began planning a weeklong getaway for their closest family members and friends. “Nantucket immediately came to mind,” Elizabeth says. “I spent a summer there when I was 18 and ever since I have always dreamed of returning.” A month after their engagement, the couple paid a visit to the quintessential New England vacation spot and it was there that they discovered the Wauwinet. “It was closed for the season and the island was overcast, but even during the off-season you could see the beautiful landscaping and gorgeous views and feel the intimate, romantic vibe,” Elizabeth says. With the Wauwinet providing a striking backdrop for the day, the couple kept the decoration to a minimum and instead focused on the sentimental details that would truly give the ceremony and reception personal flair. Floral arrangements made by the couple and Elizabeth’s sister using freshly picked blooms and birch details, like personalized escort cards, signs and table numbers (all handcrafted by one of Elizabeth’s former students). They came together to infuse the sophisticated setting with a natural, organic feel. To celebrate those who had played an important role in their relationship and served as examples of strong partnership and marriage, Elizabeth and Nick asked a close friend to officiate the ceremony and had Nick’s mother and good friend do all of the readings. After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour outdoors overlooking the water, with the sounds of Jeff Ross’s acoustic guitar softly playing in the background. Later they headed inside to the Wauwinet’s dining room for a delicious dinner of seasonally inspired eats. A tip from Elizabeth and Nick: "Reflecting back, we learned that it is important to do what you want to do. Keeping our wedding small allowed us to do what we had always dreamed of and was the intimate experience that we wanted to start off our married lives together.”