Real Wedding: Maia & Michael
Band: Sultans of Swing
Catering: Brant Point Grill
Hair + Makeup: Darya Salon
Invitations: Marty Kelly Paper
Sometimes it's the most unexpected characters that bring two people together. Coworkers at Citigroup in New York City, both Maia and Michael were newly attached to their dogs and it was through their love of their four legged friends that the two formed a strong connection.
Maia had planned on using Murphy, her basset hound, as a "screening device" for potential suitors when she heard Michael declare that there were only two type of people in the world: Dog people and everybody else. It was that attitude, and the fact that a single guy would make a commitment to being a dog owner that sold Maia on Michael. The two knew their relationship was serious when Michael's dog moved in with Maia before he did!
With Michael reluctant to propose, due to a bad past breakup, it was a near tragedy that gave him the idea that he wanted to spend his life with Maia. While walking in New York City, Michael was hit by a car and was severely injured. Realizing life was too short not to take a chance, Michael proposed in the ER, but Maia was hesitant to accept, due to the trauma he was under. He didn't relent however, and asked the question several times before Maia finally realized he was serious.
With Maia's family ties to Nantucket, including an ancestor that helped found the island community, and Michael's nautical and Navy background, the couple decided on having the wedding there. Maia had always dreamed of being married on Nantucket, and being able to share that special place with Michael and all their guests was a real treat. Maia was adorned with a necklace that had been passed down and worn by all the women in her family tree on their weddings. They elected on going with a beach theme for the decor as well. Samantha Hall, the on site wedding planner at the White Elephant Hotel, was heavily relied on to plan the remote event and provide recommendations for several Nantucket-based wedding professionals to help out.
The minister that officiated the wedding had advised Maia to drop the traditional vows to "honor and obey" her new husband. With their relationship being so much about equality, Michael had jokingly resented the removal of these typical vows. Although Maia had told the minister she wasn't going to go with the "honor and obey" route, she improvised and jokingly said it anyways, which brought out shocked expressions from both Michael and the minister, which became one of the couple's favorite photos. While the joke may have been on Michael on the wedding day, he often brings it up that she pledged to honor and obey him for eternity.
When it comes to planning a wedding at a remote location, such as Nantucket, Jennifer and Michael suggest hiring a wedding planner as soon as possible and based out of whatever location the event is being held. This helps organize the other wedding professionals without having to take weekly trips to the location. It's important to remember that not everything will go as planned and to just go with the flow. Sometimes it's the small moments where a hiccup occurs that creates some of the best memories. And for the brides, pins and a lot of hair spray are essential when having an outdoor wedding. You never know how windy it will be and that could completely ruin the hair!