Montauk Beach Wedding in The Knot

For those of you outside of New York and for those in New York who have yet to see Gabrielle and Michael's Montauk Wedding featured in the fall/winter issue of the knot magazine in print, I just received these online images of the actual pages.







Many thanks to the knot for their recognition and to Robert Wagner for his fine photography!

Real Wedding: Best Montauk Wedding 2009

I have been sitting on this blog post with good reason for months! Today I am thrilled to share the secret I've been keeping for just as long. I proud to announce that The Knot has published Gabrielle and Michael's Montauk wedding in their Fall/Winter 2010 issue! The online version of the feature is here.

The setting was stunning and I thoroughly enjoyed helping this very special couple plan their seaside chic wedding. The couple married at sunrise and then provided their guests with coffee.

Later that day, the newlyweds were joined by fabulous photographer Robert Wagner. They visited all their favorite Montauk spots making the most beautiful pictures along the way.


















Friends of the Bride's parents are jewelers and designed the couple's wedding rings.


Macaroons accompanied the pies for dessert. They rested in a base of dried cous cous creating the look of sand.





The couple purchased their flowers wholesale in Manhattan at the flower market and Gabrielle with the help of her mother, aunt and cousin arranged all the flowers at a house her family rented for the weekend.

The tables were simple, breathtaking and fit the setting perfectly. Each table was positioned under the tent in such a way that all guests could enjoy the magnificent views of the boats, lake, harbor and sunset.

Guests names were written on stones, the bottom of each stone indicated what table Gabrielle and Michael's guests were sitting at: Surf, Sand, Sea, Sun...
The gentlemen's names were written in white and the ladies in yellow. The couple hand picked each stone and made effort to match the stone to the guest, for example the children had pebbles and the bride's parents' stones were more prominent.

Each guest's place at the table was marked with their favor of flavor. Sea salt was the favor, appropriately. There was three varieties: Himallayan, Fleur de Sel and Atlantic Sea Salt. The bride paid close attention when it came to who got what salt. Guests with more adventurous palates got bolder flavored salts and she also made sure couples did not go home with the same salts. She wanted them to have a variety of salts to sample after the wedding.



Planning a wedding in Montauk can sometimes present challenges but is very rewarding and absolutely worth it in the end.



Thank you Gabrielle and Michael for enlisting my services and entrusting me with your wedding.

New Yorker's: check newsstands now for The Knot's Fall/Winter 2010 issue in print!



Photo Credit: Robert Wagner Photography

Montauk Wedding Invitations

The invitation truly set the stage for Mike and Gabrielle's warm and charm filled outdoor wedding. The bride had very specific ideas and Avivit Fisher was asked to design an invitation to communicate this vision to their guests. This was the result:


The couple loved this concept and carried it out beautifully into many of the details of their day, including the favors, table names, menus and more.




Editor's note: The flower post was postponed and will be published at a later date.

Getting Married in Montauk

The treasured town of Montauk is located at farthest tip of Long Island. It is a charming weekend away for busy New Yorkers and an excellent alternative to an urban venue or a traditional destination wedding. Over the last few months I have had the pleasure of spending time in Montauk with a special couple planning their September wedding. Surrounded by water and serving up scrumptious seafood, the easy breezy beach town is intoxicating, but hosting a beachfront wedding is ironically not so simple.

While there is no shortage of beautiful, inspiring and sometimes misleading ocean front photography on the internet, setting expectations and filling inspiration boards of alfresco inspired couples, planning that wedding in Montauk can prove challenging.

Location: Always one of the most important decisions when planning a wedding, the location sets the stage and tone for the entire event. Montauk is no exception. In fact this element takes a heightened significance if you are considering a wedding that showcases Montauk’s natural elements. (beaches, cliffs or the lighthouse)

Weather: Check the average forecasts and temperatures for date you are planning to get married. This will help you prepare for heating units, generators and umbrellas if necessary. This will also allow you to inform your guests, so they can dress appropriately and come prepared to be comfortable, enabling them to enjoy your wedding.

Logistics: Note sunrise and sunset times so lighting can be addressed. Unless, you have hired a planner, caterer or a venue that will oversee everything, remember to consider restrooms, electricity and sound systems.

Regulations: Speak to someone locally. There are rules about the volume of amplified music in the evening, serving alcohol on the beach and permits. Permits are necessary for weddings of fifty guests or more. Using a tent? The fire marshal must come and inspect the tent at the property. There is a fee for this. Private beaches or residences are ideal options, but accessing them without a personal relationship or a huge budget is difficult.

Season: Summer is easily Montauk’s peak season, which means the small town will be bustling. Accommodations are in greater demand, minimum night stays will be enforced, negotiating power is weak and traffic is heavy. If you can get married in Montauk before Memorial Day or after Labor Day, you’ll save money and your guests will enjoy the value associated with this fishing town.

There are many things to take into consideration when planning a wedding at “The End”, but with careful planning the effort is worthwhile and you and your guests will thoroughly enjoy your Montauk wedding and the entire experience.

Marrying in Montauk

Today was a productive and picturesque day for a dear couple marrying in Montauk in September. They signed contracts, booked overnight accommodations and shopped for flowers (just to see what's out there and to gauge what will be available in September) This talented couple is going to brave the flower design on their own!


Farm fresh yellow cherry tomatoes were pop in your mouth dirty delicious.


These vibrant flowers were $10 for the biggest bunch at Helen's Greenhouse & Flower Farm.


The bride preferred this more subtle color palette.


The blackberries were a personal purchase, and perfection!


I love seeing flowers in their natural state.


One of the brides favorite, a consideration for the escort card table.


We collected beautiful stones that will be incorporated into their table decor.


Then we dipped our feet in the water!





Photos by the new iPhone.

Hello Montauk!

A recent scouting trip to Montauk was wonderful and left me wanting more. If I can enjoy it this much off season, Montauk in the autumn will be the perfect destination for this couple and others planning a fall wedding. "The end" of Long Island is a magnificent setting for new beginnings. We saw a wide range of venues, from stables to state parks to a surf lodge. Consider this city alternative if you enjoy water front views, fresh seafood, lighthouses and a laid back sophistication.