1. Real Weddings

A Chic, Nautical Wedding at East Hampton Point in East Hampton, New York

Jill Garry (30 and a merchandise planner for Saks Fifth Avenue) and Conor Sullivan’s (34 and a merchant mariner) wedding had an elegant nautical vibe

Jill Garry (30 and a merchandise planner for Saks Fifth Avenue) and Conor Sullivan’s (34 and a merchant mariner) wedding had an elegant nautical vibe. After toying with the idea of a destination affair in places like Block Island or Vermont, the couple decided to keep the festivities local, hosting the event at East Hampton Point in East Hampton, NY. “Having met in the Hamptons and spending so much time there in the summer with our family and friends, we knew in the end that it was the place for us,” says Jill. Playing off their love of the water and Conor’s work as a merchant mariner, the couple decided to weave a subtle nautical theme throughout the day, offset with classic, elegant elements that would give the day a polished, timeless feel. Rope knots made an appearance during the ceremony, dotting the ceremony aisles, and infused the church with an unexpected, yet playful maritime vibe. They resurfaced for the reception, serving as the base for the shimmery script table numbers. As a nod to their proposal (where Conor, at the spur of the moment, decided to pop the question, presenting Jill with a shackle that would serve as a place holder until they went shopping for a ring), the couple used shackles for their napkin rings. Other nautical details included a boat bookshelf, which Jill and Conor painted and used to display the escort cards. A color palette of gray, mint, white, pale pink and silver, plus arrangements of lush, full blooms kept the decor feeling sophisticated and classic. Fun surprises like a lively New Orleans-style band, which kicked the reception off with a second line parade, unexpected treats (like candied bacon!) and an after party at the couple’s favorite local bar, the Stephen Talkhouse, full of dancing and tasty late-night snacks spoke to the couple’s fun-loving personalities and were touches that went over big with guests. “For Conor and I, the most important things were a great band, great food and plenty of booze! We just wanted everyone to be able to concentrate on having a really good time, so we also tried to arrange for as much transportation for people as possible,” says Jill.

Whimsical Floral and Nautical Invitations
After deciding to propose to Jill, Conor took the traditional route and asked her parents for their permission. Once secured, he couldn’t contain his excitement and opted to pop the question right away — like that very night. The spur of the moment decision meant he didn’t have a ring yet, so he headed to the hardware store and picked up a shackle typically used to tie ropes on a ship, fitting seeing as Conor is a merchant marine. He picked Jill up at the train station, drove her home and got down on one knee saying, “I don’t have a ring for you right now, I want to get you exactly the ring that you want, but anyone who can be shackled to me for the rest of our lives won’t mind wearing this for a little while.” and slipped the shackle on her finger. “I wore that on my finger everyday until we got the real ring, which is gorgeous!” says Jill. “I have to admit, the shackle really was kind of a cool accessory to wear, so I wore it again the night of our rehearsal and we also incorporated shackles into our reception.”
To ensure that their out-of-town guests felt comfortable upon their arrival, as well as all weekend long, Jill and Conor made Hamptons-inspired welcome bags to put in each of their rooms. The kits included protein bars and sweet treats for guests to nibble on, plus first aid and beach must-haves like Emergen C and sunscreen.
While Jill says that her gown was not what she originally pictured herself getting married in, the gorgeous Monique Lhuillier design suited both her personal and wedding style perfectly. The standout feature of the elegant A-line gown was the unique lace and lattice overlay and illusion neckline that offered a contemporary twist on the classic fabric. The lattice captured the essence of the netting used in fishing, tying in perfectly to the wedding’s seaside locale and nautical theme.
Hair and makeup artist Pam Geiger used a curling iron to give Jill loose natural waves. She then took two sections of hair from the front and worked them into a braid, which wrapped around the crown of Jill’s head, adding in a few small flowers as a decorative touch. “I always knew I wanted to wear my hair the way I did on my wedding day, so it didn’t hurt that the feel of the dress was a perfect match!” says Jill.
A few days before the wedding, Jill met with her florist at Amagansett Flowers by Beth to create her bouquet. They went for a romantic look, choosing a palette of pale pink and gray and lush, full blooms. Garden roses and lamb’s ear introduced a note of softness to the arrangement, while an eye-catching oversized dahlia added texture and depth.
Using the seaside locale as inspiration, Jill selected a color palette of three colors — mint, gray and champagne — for the bridesmaid dresses. She found the perfect style at J.Crew, which had a strapless neckline, flattering A-line silhouette and draped detailing at the bodice. The girls paired the look with metallic sandals and understated jewelry.
For the bridesmaids’ bouquets, Jill opted for a style different than her own, but still had a romantic feel and textured look. Amagansett Flowers by Beth pulled together a summery, cheerful, yet undeniably romantic arrangement of ivory hydrangeas, peach garden roses, seeded eucalyptus, dusty miller and silvery gray succulents.
Traditional Church Ceremony Processional
Nautical Programs with Floral Anchor Motif
East Hampton Church Ceremony
Before heading to East Hampton Point for a waterfront reception, Jill and Conor exchanged vows in a traditional church ceremony. To give guests a taste of what was to come, the couple gave the church the nautical touch, decorating the church pews lining the aisle with natural rope monkey’s fists.
Jill and Conor decided to kick off the evening’s festivities with a bang with a surprise entrance at the reception. A lively New Orleans-style brass led the newlyweds and their wedding party second line style onto the Easton Hampton Point’s deck to the beat of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
The Hamptons was a special spot for both Jill and Conor, not only had they met there, they spent a significant amount of time there each summer with their close family and friends. Though they toyed with the idea of Block Island or Vermont when looking for locations to host the wedding, the ultimately decided on East Hampton, knowing it was the perfect fit. “The feeling was part nautical, part polished restaurant. There is even a giant mahogany sailboat in the bar!” says Jill.
East Hampton Point Outdoor Cocktail Hour
East Hampton Waterfront Cocktail Hour
Hydrangea and Brunia Berries Centerpiece
Nautical Boast Escort Card Display
East Hampton Point Indoor Reception
Ambient Pillar Candle Lanterns
Succulent and Buttercream Pearl Wedding Cake
Ivory Hydrangea and Garden Rose Centerpieces