Once Upon a Summer's Day

Once Upon A Summer's Day

By Taryn King, Editor | Photography courtesy of Photos by Brittany Lauren

The social-circle dance between two interested singles is a story that many of us are familiar with. Crossover events between mutual friends are bound to keep you bumping into each other, where you steal quick glances at each other and exchange secret smiles… but neither of you ever has the courage to make the first move. And then, after months of these indirect run-ins, one of you finally works up the nerve to tamp down those butterfly nerves and approach.

The rest of the story can go one of several ways, but for Lexi and Mark, it was only the beginning. It started with a long conversation where the rest of the world fell away, and when they looked up, they were the only two left in the room. A few dinners later, the two were virtually inseparable.

Fast-forward to June 12, 2021, New York City. Being one of Lexi and Mark’s favorite places, the two were there on a weekend getaway. And Mark had a plan.

“After a wonderful day of walking through the city, meeting friends for brunch, and enjoying a late dinner in the West Village,” Lexi recalled, “Mark asked me to take a little walk before returning to our hotel. We made our way into Central Park, where Mark stopped next to a lamppost, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. He had carried the ring in his pocket all day waiting for the perfect, quiet moment.”

And of course, she said, “Yes.”

Lexi later surprised Mark at their rehearsal dinner, at Eden restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, with a groom’s cake that looked like Central Park. As a nod to their special spot, she surrounded it with pictures from their many trips to NYC.

While they are not Delaware locals — Lexi is from Annapolis, Md., and Mark is from Rochester, N.Y. — the Delaware coast is a special place that holds meaning for the pair.

“I grew up spending the entire summer in Rehoboth Beach, so it has always felt like home. When I met Mark, I couldn’t wait to share this part of my life with him. He also quickly fell in love with the Delaware beaches, and we began spending a lot of time there together. In fact, a few nights in Rehoboth was the very first ‘trip’ we took together.”

Which is why it’s no surprise that the couple chose to celebrate their unity and commitment to each other in a place that holds some of their favorite memories.

In choosing their venue, it was important to the couple that their guests experience the same kind of fun, relaxed, magic-filled beach weekend that they enjoy so much throughout the summers. The Lighthouse Cove Event Center checked off all their required boxes, from delicious food and a stunning sunset to a beach bonfire and dancing.

As a welcome party for their guests, a beach bonfire was arranged after their rehearsal dinner.

“Words can’t describe the feeling of seeing so many people we love from various walks of life all gathered together in one place,” Lexi said. “It was so relaxed, but so magical. We roasted marshmallows, caught up with people we hadn’t seen in a while, and watched the moon rise over the Atlantic Ocean.”

Intimate, fun and thoughtful are how Mark and Lexi described their wedding. For inspiration, they drew heavily on their love of the area and its role in their relationship. To capture the light and airy spirit of a summer day, they opted for an elegant coastal palette for their décor. In keeping with the theme, the backdrop of their ceremony was kept deliberately minimal, to allow the sunlight sparkling on the Rehoboth Bay and the brilliant white of their flower arrangements to shine.

Unexpectedly, after the couple said their I-do’s and shared their first kiss as husband and wife, every boat anchored just offshore honked their horns and all the people on board cheered as a fun surprise!

A favorite detail was their tablescape approach. Each table was named after a favorite Delaware beach location, and a custom watercolor painting of each place served as the centerpiece.

Rather than send their guests home with standard favor options, Lexi and Mark took the time to handwrite a personal letter to each of the guests, and placed them at their table setting. Guests were able to read the letters before the couple was announced at the reception. At sunset, their photographer gathered all the guests on the beach for an incredible group shot that the couple later used for their thank-you cards.

After their wedding weekend, the two headed to historic Lewes for several quiet nights at the Inn on Canal. For their first wedding anniversary, they recreated their mini-moon by staying in the same room, eating at their favorite restaurants, and spending the afternoon at their favorite beach in Cape Henlopen State Park.

Mark and Lexi’s first year of marriage was full of travel and adventure. They took their honeymoon in Southern Italy, with stops in Lisbon, Portugal, and then during a later trip to Paris, France, they included a visit to Dublin, Ireland. But, for most of the year, the pair have spent their time doing things they love together.

“Going to concerts, taking trips to the beach, paddling around in our kayaks, cooking a new recipe — except we got to do these things as husband and wife, and there was something very, very special about that.”

Featured Vendors:

Photographer - Photos by Brittany Lauren

Videographer - Gretta Greenwald Videography

Venue | Planner | Catering - Lighthouse Cove Event Center

Day of Coordinator - Anchor and Lace

Entertainment - DJ Tonez

Cake - Carolina Sugar Fairy

Flowers - Floral Inspirations

Signage - Pretty Little Weddings

Hair | MUA - Andrea Bounds Beauty

Dress - Justin Alexander

Suit - Brooks Brothers