Hydrangeas Filled Every Part of This Wedding at The Cliff House in Cape Neddick, Maine

Few people understand the strain of the pandemic as much as health care workers Smita Sihag (42 and a surgeon) and Christina Valente (30 and a health care administrator). Which is why it was so special for the couple to have the chance to celebrate their love with their nearest and dearest, despite the hurdle of a postponement. The duo planned a wedding on the coast of Maine, near where Smita’s family owns a home and she spent summers growing up. The day embodied a romantic, coastal garden party with touches of culture from the couple’s Indian and Italian roots. The reception menu was one of the many elements that showcased this blending of cultures. Smita and Christina served Indian dishes like saag paneer, Italian pastas and salmon as a nod to the waterfront venue.

"On the wedding day, we both wore heirloom jewelry. I wore pieces that had been passed down from my Grandmother and Christina donned a ring her Grandmother had left her," says Smita. It was especially meaningful that the couple wore heirloom jewelry on the big day, because, they explain, “we went through a lot in our relationship in regards to acceptance from family.” Their journey as a couple is also why the vow exchange was Christina’s favorite part of the wedding day: “Smita already knew how much I loved her, so I wanted our family to feel our love.” 

The pair envisioned an aesthetic that felt “coastal and romantic, but not preppy.” The invitation suite for the destination event included a custom map and an envelope lined with a drawing of the venue. From the ceremony arch to the cake, hydrangeas anchored the wedding design. Roses and ranunculus, meanwhile, were woven throughout Smita’s and Christina’s bouquets.