Real Wedding: Katie & Tom
Ties & Sashes: Vineyard Vines
It was late summer in Edgartown and the evening was drawing to a close when Katie Kiddler and her sister Becky decided to stop at a local bar for a drink before taking the ferry back to their summer home on Chappaquiddick Island. As they settled into their seats and took in their surroundings, the sisters noticed a familiar face at the end of the bar. Thoroughly engrossed in a Red Sox game was "Happy on Chappy," a stranger they had nicknamed after years of seeing him on his way to and from the Chappaquiddick Ferry, consistently grinning and wearing only his bathing suit. In disbelief the sisters attempted to discern whether or not it was really him, but out of context, they couldn't be sure. The women decided to approach the mystery man and soon learned that he was in fact, "Happy on Chappy," or Tom Kent, as he was known to most people. Becky began asking all the questions the sisters had been waiting to ask after years of speculating on "Happy on Chappy's" comings and goings, but Katie found herself uncharacteristically quiet.
Despite Katie's reserve, she and Tom both knew there was a connection, but the summer was almost over. Katie returned to her home in Darien, Connecticut and months went by. She kept thinking back to that night at the bar until one day, the phone rang and Tom Kent was at the other end of the line.
Two years later, Katie and Tom headed to Long Island for Tom's nephew's wedding. Tom's whole family was in attendance, as were Katie's three sons. That weekend, the couple met their families at their beach club in Rye, New York for dinner. After the family had settled in, a waitress approached the party carrying a silver serving tray. She said, "Ms. Kidder, this has been ordered by Mr. Kent" and lifted the domed cover to reveal an antique octagonal diamond ring with sapphires and diamonds set along the sides. Tom got down on one knee and proposed in front of the crowd (needless to say the ornate silver platter and ring beneath had drawn the attention of more than just Katie and Tom's family members). When Katie gave a resounding yes, applause and cheering filled the club.
Katie and Tom decided that "Chappy" would be the perfect place for their wedding. The ceremony took place at Katie's fathers property on Chappaquiddick and he helped make the ceremony beautiful for the couple and comfortable for their guests. Katie and Tom's children made up most of the wedding party. Tom's daughter Victoria was Katie's maid of honor and his son, Jack, was his best man. Katie's three sons, Burke, Chad and George walked her down the aisle and some of Katie's favorite kids were the flower girls and boys, tossing petals from Louise Sweet, outfitted in custom Vineyard Vines ties and sashes.
Two friends presented the newlyweds with a hand-blown, glass bowl explaining that the circular ring of the bowl symbolized timelessness and asked guests to fill the bowl with personal notes, so Katie and Tom could hear the stories, experiences and advice of their friends and family.
Katie praises the work of her wedding professionals in creating a relaxing event, tailored to her needs. The celebration went exactly as planned. The only unexpected twist was the paparazzi's confusion as to whose wedding was taking place. Helicopters and photographers appeared on site, hoping to confirm rumors that the celebration was for Chelsea Clinton's much anticipated wedding. One would hope they realized their mistake when an airplane Becky had hired flew over the ceremony with an enormous banner in tow, exalting, "Congratulations Katie and Tom!"
Katie & Tom's Advice:
1. Relax. I was jumping off the dock, swimming hanging out with friends, a couple of hours before the wedding.
2. When you know it's right, everything just falls into place. There is definitely work, but the vendors we hired were professionals when it came to their product. Their knowledge was greater than mine, so I was relaxed.