1. Real Weddings

A Waterfront Garden Wedding at the Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond in St. Michaels, Maryland

Kathryn Jaffe (28 and a lawyer) and Ryan Boothe (32 and a business owner and lacrosse coach) celebrated their nuptials surrounded by their loved ones

Kathryn Jaffe (28 and a lawyer) and Ryan Boothe (32 and a business owner and lacrosse coach) celebrated their nuptials surrounded by their loved ones at a dreamy waterfront garden party at the Inn at Perry Cabin at Belmond in St. Michaels, Maryland. “Ryan really loves the water and wanted to incorporate that into our wedding,” Kathryn says. “And I really love beautiful gardens and flowers. The Inn at Perry Cabin was the ideal combination with absolutely gorgeous grounds and an entirely waterfront property. We really wanted a sophisticated, elegant wedding that was also relaxed and intimate.” Kathryn and Ryan decorated their picture-perfect venue with a soft and organic palette of ivory, blush pink, raspberry pink, peach and boxwood greenery, which added a subtle and sophisticated romance. 

Drawing inspiration from the inn’s manicured grounds, Kathryn worked with her planner to incorporate custom botanical and garden designs in the ceremony and reception decor. Using boxwood hedges, topiaries and three custom-designed tablescapes, they captured the couple's garden vision. Kathryn, a fan of watercolor painting, had a custom watercolor design created to match the aesthetic of their garden venue. “Our planner and stationery designer created so many opportunities to incorporate that design,” Kathryn says. “The pieces are something I will hold on to forever.” From the invitation suite to the beautiful three-tier cake, the painterly floral design was a unifying element throughout the wedding. After saying “I do” with the picturesque Maryland waterfront as their backdrop, Kathryn and Ryan celebrated with a garden cocktail party and tented reception. During cocktail hour guests kept cool with rosemary lemonade and Shoo-Fly Punch (bourbon, ginger beer and lemon). Kathryn and Ryan worked with the inn to create a menu that highlighted local and seasonal produce, such as heirloom tomatoes, Silver Queen corn and Maryland crab cakes. “The inn provided the perfect reflection of us as a couple,” Kathryn says. “It was both elegant and relaxed.” —Marissa Hermanson

A custom botanical watercolor design by Inslee was a unifying element through the invitation suite.
“The Inn at Perry Cabin was the ideal combination of absolutely gorgeous grounds and an entirely waterfront property,” Kathryn says.
Kathryn carried a textured bouquet of garden roses, peonies, dahlias and veronica in soft shades of ivory and pink, tied with a blush silk ribbon. “I wanted peonies so baldy, but they weren’t in season,” Kathryn says. “Two days before the wedding, my wedding planner found some online and had them shipped overnight as a surprise so I could carry them with my bouquet. I was thrilled!”
Kathryn wore a Romona Keveza flute-shaped lace gown with cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. A blush, pink silk liner under the delicate lace added contrast and romance. She accessorized with glitzy earrings and a dainty gold necklace with a solitary diamond.
Bridesmaids donned strapless floor-length Donna Morgan dresses in “petal” pink and carried an ivory and pink bouquet of roses, dahlias and hydrangeas.
Flower girls wore white and pink organza dresses that were embellished with a flower at the waist. As they walked down the aisle, they carried a garland of fresh flowers rather than throw petals.
The groom sported a Black by Vera Wang dark gray slim-fit tuxedo, perfect for the couple's alfresco black-tie affair. Ryan accessorized with a simple garden rose boutonniere and light gray socks that were adorned with red and navy blue anchors, a nod to their nautical venue.
Overlooking the water, the ceremony site was decorated with vintage furniture rentals and a lush boxwood arbor with sheer curtains.
A custom wooden sign with beautiful script added a sentimental touch.
After Kathryn and Ryan said "I do," guests sipped on refreshing beverages during a garden cocktail party before making their way to the tented reception.
Drawing inspiration from the inn’s lush, manicured grounds, Kathryn worked with her planner to incorporate custom botanical and garden designs in the ceremony and reception decor.
Ryan swept Kathryn off her feet with a surprise proposal one night after coaching a lacrosse game. He had the kids on his lacrosse team hold up signs that read "Will you marry me?"
Using boxwood hedges, topiaries and three custom-designed tablescapes, the couple's garden vision was captured during their tented reception.
Boxwood arrangements added a sophisticated touch and were a nod to the inn's formal gardens.
A plush sette adorned with rose gold and blush pillows provided a luxurious place for guests to sit and enjoy cocktails.
Tables were adorned with blush linens and floral arrangements of roses, dahlias and hydrangeas.
Kathryn carried the garden theme throughout the tablescape, from the custom watercolor floral print on the menu to the beautiful botanical plates.
Two tiers of red velvet and another of coconut with strawberries were covered in light pink fondant and the same custom Inslee botanical watercolor design that was used on Kathryn and Ryan's invitation suite.