A Classic Summer Wedding in the Hamptons

Chelsea Laverack and Scott Clifford first met through mutual friends at a Rangers watch party in New York City. But while they call the city home, East Hampton has always been their special place. For starters, Scott popped the question there on April 1, 2017. "He proposed on the beach, and I thought it was an April Fool's Joke," Chelsea recalls. But, much to her pleasant surprise, it wasn't. In fact, both of their families were in on the plan and waiting at Chelsea's house for a celebratory dinner—and later, dancing at The Stephen Talkhouse!

On June 16, 2018, the couple invited 250 guests to join them in East Hampton for a ceremony at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, followed by a tented reception at a private club. "I have spent every summer of my life in East Hampton—it has always been my favorite place in the world," says the bride. "It has been my dream since a little girl to get married in the village church and have my reception on the golf course at our club." With Chelsea's vision set, the couple called on Easton Events to help bring her ideas to life. "We wanted the wedding to feel like old East Hampton—very summery, relaxed, and not too fussy," she explains. Ultimately, they accomplished that look with plenty of blue-and-white details, arrangements of hydrangeas and local blooms, and special touches inspired by the bride's family home nearby.

Photographed by Patricia Lyons, this summer wedding is full of flowers, fashion, and fun. Keep reading for more!

On the big day, Chelsea invited all of her bridesmaids to get ready at her family's home in East Hampton and gave them matching pajama sets by The Pillow Bar for the occasion. "It was such a blast to have my closest friends there with me," she says.

The bride, of course, donned pajamas with her new married monogram on the pocket. And the monograms didn't stop there! The couple asked artist Janelle Sing to create a custom crest using their initials and had it printed it on day-of items like cups, matchbooks, and napkins.

Chelsea’s mother and sisters, who served as maids of honor, helped zip her into her classic Amsale wedding gown. She paired the plunging sweetheart neckline with a flowing veil and a traditional bouquet of lily of the valley.

The blue muscari in the groom and groomsmen’s boutonnieres perfectly matched the bridesmaids’ white rose, peony, and muscari bouquets—as well as the maids of honor’s Katie Fong dresses!

Scott’s groomsmen went coastal classic in navy blue blazers and pastel ties, and Chelsea’s bridesmaids donned a variety of navy dresses, also by Amsale. Chelsea loved having her family’s dog, Mulligan, on hand for the fun the morning of the wedding.

Before walking down the aisle, the couple embraced their East Hampton setting by posing for portraits at Chelsea's house, as well as at the town's iconic Hook Windmill.

In fact, the ceremony program featured an illustration of the windmill and the ceremony venue in watercolor.

At the church, a stunning arch of hydrangeas and white roses accented the entrance, where Chelsea waited with her father before walking down the aisle. Chelsea and Scott exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony that included readings from the Old and New Testament by their godmothers.

After being showered with white petals by their family and friends, Scott and Chelsea made their getaway in a decorated golf cart before heading across the golf course for a few private moments as newlyweds.

Chelsea and Scott had their wedding party meet them out on the golf course. “We had a private toast with our closest friends, overlooking the ocean,” says the bride. After the cheers, the bride couldn't help but pose for some bridal portraits in the golden hour light.

The reception took place on the golf course as well. There, they set up a sailcloth tent (featuring whale-accented flags up top!) and arranged lounge areas outside so guests could enjoy the early June sun while sipping rosé.

Escort cards were displayed on a vintage wooden table, which was decorated with hydrangeas and pink roses in the mother of the bride's collection of antique vases. "My mom and I wanted the reception to feel like you were stepping into our family’s house for a summer supper," Chelsea says. "We used her collection of vintage spongeware pitchers and other pottery as the vessels for all the floral arrangements in the cocktail tent. It immediately made me think of home!"

A brass band led the way as the newlyweds made their grand entrance. "We wanted to have a special entrance into the dinner tent and worked with Jimmy Vali's team on a custom trumpet entrance to one of our all-time favorite songs, 'You Can Call Me Al' by Paul Simon," Chelsea says.

The inside of the tent was filled with garlands of greenery up top and towering arrangements of delphinium down below.

Long tables were topped with white linens and patterned white-and-blue runners, which perfectly matched the blue cushions on the chiavari chairs. Napkins were embroidered with the couple’s monogram and finished with a sprig of muscari.

“We served a Long Island–inspired meal, including late-night doughnuts from Dreesen’s,” says Chelsea.

At the end of the night, the bride changed into a shimmering silver Oscar de la Renta gown and blue Manolo Blahnik pumps for the couple’s sparkler send-off. “We left the wedding in a vintage orange Bronco as a nod to the Denver Broncos, Scott’s favorite sports team," Chelsea says. "I had to drive the car in my send-off dress because Scott cannot drive a stick shift. It was hysterical!"