1. Real Weddings

Vikki & Mike: A Summer Wedding in the Hamptons, New York

Vikki Capparelli and Mike Bonick met as teachers in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The two were just friends at first, but it wasn’t long until their friend

Vikki Capparelli and Mike Bonick met as teachers in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The two were just friends at first, but it wasn’t long until their friendship turned romantic. After four years of dating, while the two were living and teaching at the same Florida elementary school, Mike proposed to Vikki over the school’s TV broadcast system. Instead of giving a joint announcement about the school play together like they were supposed to, Mike took over the mic and serenaded Vikki with “You Are My Sunshine,” followed by a proposal, while the entire school watched. The Bride Vikki Capparelli, 28, teacher The Groom Michael (Mike) Bonick, 38, teacher The Date August 8 Just a few months into planning their wedding, Vikki and Mike entered the 08/08/08 wedding contest from Eight O’Clock Coffee and The Knot -- and won. Their prize? An over-the-top summer wedding at a Hamptons estate planned by celebrity wedding planner Evette Rios and supervised by Meredith Aman from S3 -- plus a Luxury Included® honeymoon at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa in St. John, Antigua. To tie it all together, a coffee theme was woven throughout the wedding day, including a color palette of brown and cream with gold accents, along with fun extras like coffee bean-filled centerpieces and votives.

The bride accessorized with stylish silver shoes from Blue Tux. “I wore them all night. They were a perfect fit,” says Vikki. “I felt like Cinderella from my veil all the way down to my shoes.” The bridesmaid shoes, as well as Vikki’s and her maids’ handbags, were also designed by Blue Tux.
The brown and white escort cards were set out at the entrance to the reception tent and featured a formal, elegant script.
The formal, white china place settings accented with coffee beans featured rattan chargers atop taffeta tablecloths. Menus printed on cream and brown cards finished off the look.
Large, satin-lined burlap sacks were tied to the back of each reception chair. Inside, Vikki and Mike’s guests found bags of Eight O’Clock Coffee and hand-painted coffee mugs from Designs by Lolita. Designs by Lolita, Savannah, GA
Vikki wore a chic Priscilla of Boston gown accented with a crystal-and-lace sweetheart neckline. A trumpet-style skirt gave her dress extra flair.
Vikki and Mike shared their first dance to “I Could not Ask for More,” by Sara Evans. Vikki’s youngest sister Cassie provided the vocals, making the event even more special.
Vikki’s half-up hairstyle embodied the effortless elegance of the day. Two delicate braids were swept back and accented with a summery orchid. The rest of Vikki’s hair was done in full curls that cascaded down her back.
Vikki and Mike’s reception tent was decorated to look like a Panama-style plantation. The tent was decorated in an elegant array of coffee-related hues, like cream, brown, and gold, to infuse Vikki and Mike’s color scheme.
White flower wreaths floated in the nearby pool while large, stone planters filled with seasonal flowers, like hydrangeas, dahlias, and delphiniums, helped define the ceremony space.
Mike and his groomsmen sported traditional all-black tuxedos, but he stood out from the other guys in a cream-colored vest. Vikki’s bridesmaids wore chocolate, cocktail-length dresses by Melissa Sweet, which perfectly complemented the coffee theme. To complete their looks, Vikki and her bridesmaids enlisted the help of makeup artist Johan Roa at Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa in New York City. Bridesmaid Dresses: Melissa Sweet, MelissaSweet.com Makeup: Johan Roa, Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa, New York Hair: Jessie Jean, ShiBui Salon, Palm Beach, FL
Vikki and Mike’s towering, eight-tiered, white cake was covered with roses.
Glass vases filled with coffee beans featured white votive candles and created a warm ambience.
To invoke a plantation-like atmosphere, blossoming centerpieces of branches were adorned with greenery and red berries and accented with coffee beans.
Tossing petals were packaged into brown boxes and handed out to guests at the ceremony.
Vikki and Mike exchanged vows beneath a lilac-adorned trestle alongside a beautiful blue pool at The Social Life Estate in the Hamptons.