1. Real Weddings

Danielle & Michael: A Waterfront Wedding in Long Beach Island, NJ

When Danielle and Michael were growing up in separate circles in the same New Jersey town, they had no idea that true love was right under their noses

When Danielle and Michael were growing up in separate circles in the same New Jersey town, they had no idea that true love was right under their noses. After Danielle returned home from college, mutual friends had decided to gather at a local bar, where she and Michael quickly became better acquainted. The two knew they had found the real thing in each other. The Bride Danielle Boiko, 28, speech-language pathologist The Groom Michael Goglia Jr., 28, sales The Date June 15 But on one Friday five years later, when Michael made up an excuse not to go ring shopping, Danielle thought she'd never make it to the altar. Little did she know his excuse was really a decoy so he could take her out to dinner with family and present her with a romantic proposal later on that evening. The couple decided to plan a beautiful summer wedding by the Jersey shore -- one of their favorite places.

The cocktail hour was held outside on a veranda overlooking the water. Guests sipped cucumber vanilla martinis and listened to steel drum players.
The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of white peonies with French ribbon in white satin to match her gown.
The reception space was designed to resemble the hull of a boat, and the cathedral windows helped to create an open, airy environment.
Little pails brimming with Swedish fish, sunscreen, and an Evian spritz played up the seaside theme and made the perfect to-go token.
Danielle wore a 54-inch veil decorated with ribbon and rhinestones and complemented it with a Swarovski crystal, starfish hairpin to carry into her beach theme.
Truly committed to their oceanfront surroundings, Danielle and Michael tied neutral escort cards with black print to small, white, finger starfish.
The bridesmaids wore lovely, black, tea-length dresses by DaVinci accented with rhinestone stars pinned at their waists. They carried white kissing balls of peonies and ranunculuses tied with white taffeta and sheer white ribbon.
Slightly torn edges added a natural touch to the square, letterpress invitations.
To celebrate their union, Danielle and Michael glided along to Endless Love for their first dance.
The four-tiered white cake with cannoli cream filling was covered in white fondant frosting and white chocolate coral and seashells.
We picked Bonnet Island Estate because of our love for the shore, says Danielle. It reminded me of the mansions in Newport that I was always fascinated with.
The couple said their vows in the Boathouse Chapel, which Danielle absolutely adored because it was rustic and reminded her of New England. The post and beam chapel was all white with an old wood floor and doors that opened out onto the ocean. Guests viewed the ceremony from long white benches.
Each table was named after a city on the Jersey shore and decorated with tall glass vases filled with shells, coral, and starfish.