Mary and Harold

 

Maybe it was the pretty pink roses, or the floral wallpaper that looked so much like my childhood bedroom, or the fact that I gave John those same monogrammed handkerchiefs a few Christmases ago–but I was in love with this wedding from the moment I first saw it. 

After a big hunt for the perfect venue, Mary and Harold fell in love with Block Island and The Atlantic Inn; close to both families, it was a divine destination for a nautical, New England wedding full of tradition and family. The couple welcomed guests with a beach bonfire Friday night, and with the help of Erica Trombetti of Infinite Events, threw a weekend-long celebration that guests won't soon forget.

Mary wore the lace gown both her mother and grandmother had worn, beautifully restored by Ann Hamilton. Gold Milk & Honey sandals paired with a pearl and crystal necklace, pearl studs and a tulle veil. Her bridesmaids looked darling in navy LulaKate dresses with coral sashes, and their baby's breath posies by La Bella Rose matched the bride's pink garden and spray rose bouquet. Harold wore a made-to-measure three-piece suit, and he and his groomsmen looked dapper in Southern Proper bowties.

The bride's uncle officiated the outdoor ceremony, during which Mary and Harold shared their own vows, sealed with an impromptu high-five–and, of course, a kiss. Dinner was preceded by a blessing and a traditional Scottish grace, in honor of the couple's shared heritage, and featured an enormous raw bar. And as the bride slurped an oyster in her heirloom gown with her nearest and dearest by her side, she knew it had been a beautiful day.

A huge thank you to Lara Kimmerer for sharing these gorgeous images with me–do you have a favorite for framing?

Tulle-Topped

Aren't these satin pumps topped with tulle rosettes dreamy?

Image by Jillian Mitchell, Zuri pump by Loeffler Randall.

Isn't it Romantic

I crawled home on Friday afternoon wearing my biggest, darkest sunglasses to nurse a terrible headache–but luckily, John had just landed at SFO and was there to help! I managed to work up an appetite for Indian food and after a few episodes of The West Wing (and lots of celebratory snuggles), I was sound asleep by 10–talk about a welcome party!

We were both up early on Saturday, and luckily my headache had fled. After curling up to enjoy the cloudy morning, we headed to our favorite grocery store to pick up a loaf of still-warm La Brea bread–the perfect vehicle for thinly sliced avocado and a poached egg, paired with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and roasted fingerling potatoes. After breakfast we tackled John's luggage and did a quick clean up, but the morning flew by and suddenly it was time for John to head across the Bay to St George Spirits. As he kissed me goodbye, we agreed to a date that evening, which I spent the rest of the day looking forward to! I filled the afternoon with reading, blogging and editing–plus restaurant recon. And even though SF is packed with fabulous restaurants, in the end I was pretty sure the best scene for us that night was on our cozy couch with a bottle of cider and a cutting board covered in snacks. Between the cheeses, country pâté, cantaloupe and prosciutto, almonds, olives, thick-cut potato chips, quince paste, grainy mustard and mission figs, we had a small feast as the fog rolled in!

John headed out on an early run while I stayed in bed with the Sunday New York Times, but by 9, it was time to get in gear! We got cleaned up, ran a few errands and managed to find a parking spot so close to Out the Door that we wondered if we'd read the signs wrong! We bellied up to the bar for coffee and tea before meeting up with a dear friend who recently moved to San Francisco for a delicious breakfast. We caught on up on jobs, family and life in the City before saying goodbye–here's hoping she lands the apartment just down the street from ours! John and I headed home and spent some time hard at work before curling up for an afternoon respite. We had a big roasted corn and avocado salad in the early evening before a stroll through our neighborhood, and prepared for the coming week by spending every moment of Sunday evening attached at the hip!


Tell me, what were up to this weekend? Start a great new book, eat a delicious meal or check lots off your summer to-do list?

Image by Laura Kleinhenz of Docuvitae, bouquet by Hoot & Heart, gown by Vera Wang, sandals by Christian Louboutin.

Champagne Mojito

John and I started a small herb garden this spring, and while everything is healthy, the mint is truly flourishing! We've been inspired to whip up mint juleps and mojitos, but with a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge, the mint's found a new home in this cocktail!


Champagne Mojito

1/2 oz cane syrup

6-8 mint leaves

1 1/2 oz white rum 

3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Angostura bitters

Champagne

Pour cane syrup into bottom of glass; press mint leaves with a muddler, being careful not to tear leaves. Add rum and lime juice, removing leaves for a cleaner cocktail, and stir to combine. Add crushed ice, stirring for 30 seconds; strain into a cocktail glass, then add a dash of bitters. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a healthy sprig of slapped mint. 

Notes: The garnish ain't just for looks (and John insisted I include that)–it's an aromatic that gives the drink its "taste". He was also very specific about the construction of this cocktail–tearing the mint will make it bitter, the Angostura bitters will cut the sweetness of the rum, bubbles and syrup. If your sparkler is a bit dry, you can always add a bit more syrup–cheers!

Image by Katie Stoops Photography for Southern Weddings Magazine.