Kristen & Joe: A Romantic Beach Affair At Trumpets At The Gate

 

Obstacles inevitably arise during the wedding planning process. But imagine your wedding is just six weeks away and the contract with the venue falls through. This is the situation Kristen, this month’s Bride & Blossom Featured Bride, and her then fiancé, Joe, found themselves. But with an open mind, and some help from Kristen’s sister, Rachel, who also happens to be Bride & Blossom’s founder, the couple pulled off the seemingly impossible and had the celebration of their dreams.

Part 1: Proposal & Planning

When Kristen and Joe first met on a Wheels Up flight from Los Angeles to their mutual friends’ vineyard in Carmel Valley, the connection was immediate. Kristen reminisces, “We spent the entire weekend drinking wine and talking about our hopes and dreams. On Sunday, I told my best friend that I was going to marry him. She thought I was nuts! But I knew Joe was a game changer.”

Kristen grew up on the East Coast. She brought Joe, who is originally from Colorado, to New York for a weekend in Southampton so he could meet her family. “We had so much there, especially at Flying Point Beach,” she says. The couple made a second trip out East exactly one year later. One morning, Joe, armed with two coffees in hand, convinced Kristen to wake up early to watch the sunrise at their special spot, Flying Point Beach. They relaxed on a blanket and talked about their future and families. Then Joe pulled out a box. “I was so surprised that my first response was, ‘Dammit, Joe!’ It was a hilarious first reaction,” Kristen says, “but I quickly followed up with a ‘Yes!’” And what about the ring? Kristen answers, “I was so proud that he had chosen the most beautiful ring without any help from my four sisters or friends. And it looks like a diamond rose, our joint favorite flower.”

 

 

 

Once the initial shock and excitement subsided, Kristen began the process of wedding planning. “Joe proposed to me at the beach. He first met my family on a beach weekend. So getting married on a beach out East was important to us.” They found a venue on the water. But at about six weeks from their wedding date, the owner started changing the terms of their agreement. “Specifically, he was putting limitations of what Rachel could do with floral décor,” Kristen explains. When the couple was finally offered their security deposit back, they took it and walked away.

 

 

To top everything off, it was Kristen’s birthday weekend. While celebrating at a restaurant in Eastport with her family, Kristen noticed the beautiful wedding venue next door called Trumpets At the Gate. She says, “I had no idea about this venue. The surroundings were very picturesque with dune grass and swans swimming around. I was so attracted to it, but was feeling a little pessimistic at the moment. However, Rachel insisted on calling them to see if they had availability.” The owners got back immediately. Turns out, Trumpets At The Gate is a family run business and they had an opening on the couple’s scheduled wedding day. “They were so helpful and accommodating and just wanted us to have the wedding of our dreams,” Kristen remembers.

 

 

Typically, a bride chooses her wedding flowers after finding a venue. Kristen’s circumstances were different. As fate would have it, Trumpets At The Gate provided the perfect setting for her modern romantic style. Offering scenic views of Moriches Bay, the venue is marked by a magnificent ballroom, cathedral ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and natural light, evoking a refined, yet inviting atmosphere. “We used a lot of roses,” Kristen says, “and the traditional rose color, which is a burgundy and Joe’s favorite color.” The breathtaking palette also included varying shades of red and blush. The bride was sure to acknowledge her sister’s work in bringing their wedding vision to life. “Rachel knew exactly what we wanted. She helped guide us in rounding out our flower choices. We ended up with the most magical and opulent wedding archway, bouquets, and table arrangements.”

 

 

Next week in Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals, Kristen talks about her stunning Martina Liana gown and the meaningful touches she incorporated into her special day.

Couple’s Vendor List

Venue: Trumpets At The Gate
Photographer: Kim Mancuso Photography
Bride’s Dress: Martina Liana
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Fame & Partners
Makeup: Love Your Face Beauty
Hair: Khris Wilson
Planner: Stephanie Gatton Events
Invitations: Minted
Music: DrUnoAndDubs
Catering & Cake: Trumpets At The Gate