1. Real Weddings

Caroline & Robert: A Blue Wedding in Wilmington, DE

Planning a wedding was a breeze for college sweethearts Caroline Payot and Robert Hoffman Jr. -- the bride had long loved the dramatic Hotel du Pont b

Planning a wedding was a breeze for college sweethearts Caroline Payot and Robert Hoffman Jr. -- the bride had long loved the dramatic Hotel du Pont ballroom. Completing the classic look, something new (her gorgeous wedding gown) had a part too by influencing the blue color scheme. THE BRIDE Caroline Payot, teacher THE GROOM Robert Hoffman Jr., works in sales THE DATE August 1 Caroline and Rob met as undergrads at Loyola College in Baltimore. The relationship remained friendly if unromantic until Caroline graduated. Rob had moved to New Jersey by then and theirs was a long-distance romance for two years. Then one day, during a weekend trip to Cape May, after dinner and a walk on the beach, Rob fell to one knee and proposed.

The Guests
The Bridesmaid Bouquets
Sometimes the smallest detail inspires the design of a wedding. For Caroline and Rob, that detail was the pretty blue sash that circled the waist of the bride's Amsale gown. That shade of soft blue was echoed in the flowers, the wedding invitations, the maid of honor's gown, the flower girl's dress, and the wedding cake decorations. We were never intentionally trying to make this a major 'theme,' Caroline explains, but it just came together beautifully.
The Couple
The Flower Girl Details
The ceremony took place at St. Joseph on the Brandywine at the pretty yellow church set on a trim, green lawn. When it was time to exchange their vows during the Catholic Mass, Caroline and Rob turned to face the congregation.
The Ceremony Site
The party soon moved on to the luxurious Hotel du Pont. Says Caroline, As I got older, my mom and I would talk about how beautiful the du Pont would be for a wedding. It turned out to be the only place we looked at for the reception.