Eli and Mike’s Cape Cod Wedding at the Pelham House Resort

Elissa and Michael met when they were undergraduate students at UMASS Amherst in a journalism class. Elissa said that she saw a cute guy wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt and knew right away that she needed to talk to him. Last year he proposed to her while they were on a short vacation in Maine and of course she said yes!

When they reached out to me to discuss wedding photography packages, I immediately got to know Elissa and her mom Alina, who had a major part in planning this amazing day. It was clear to me that Elissa and Michael are both so loved by their parents and family and while they were not yet married, the families were already so connected.

I was so happy when they told me they wanted to work with me. They had a really beautiful ceremony planned and a very fun reception to follow.

They booked the Pelham House Resort in Dennisport, Massachusetts for the whole weekend to celebrate their wedding. The venue over looks two private beaches on Nantucket sound. The beach is a lovely place to sit and watch the boats go by. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of a seal popping its head out of the water.

Elissa and Michael decided to book this venue because it could accommodate so many family and friends for the whole weekend and keep them all at the reception site. When there is a wedding at the Pelham, they close the resort to the public so the venue is really focused on catering to the unique needs of the wedding.

On friday they had a rehearsal dinner at Swan River Seafood Restaurant, followed by an after party at the Pelham in the resort bar. The staff was so committed to catering the the wedding’s every need, even on the days before and after the actual wedding.

Elissa got ready with her bridal party and family at her parent’s home in Dennis. They sipped samosas and snacked on breakfast while having their hair and make up done.

Michael got ready at the Pelham House with his best friends. The morning was slow and relaxed. Staff finished decorating the tent while guests spent time by the pool and poked around the beach before getting ready for the ceremony.

They had a beautiful ceremony at the Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich, Massachusetts surrounded by all of their closest family and friends. The priest gave a nice sermon. There were readings, live music, and candles were lit as a sign of Eli and Mike joining their families together.

After the ceremony, the guests gathered outside of the church to cheer on the newlyweds as they took the first steps of their new adventure together.

As soon as we arrived back to the Pelham House, guests were treated to cocktail hour. There were lobster rolls and lamb chops and mozzarella skewers and all sorts of other delicious platters moving around the party.

I spent some time on the beach with the couple and their friends before catching the last bit of cocktail hour. Eli and Mike’s bridal party were so stylish and such a treat to photograph.

Eli and Michael had their first dance, there were many very funny and endearing toasts from friends and family. There was an incredible cake decorated with a cascade of hardened sugar that looked like sea glass, parent dances, and one of the most contentious bouquet tosses I’ve ever photographed.

Just as the reception wound down I noticed the staff of the Pelham buzzing around the beach setting up bonfires for the guests. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow that night but I’m sure the party kept going into the wee hours of the morning.

Thank you Eli, Mike, and to your parents Alina, Ed, Mike, and Linda, for all of your hospitality and for all of your help with planning this event. We had SO much fun photographing this wedding and were so energized by being right on the beautiful ocean surrounded by such a fun crowd. You all made us feel like family. Much love to all of you!

Vendors:

Venue - The Pelham House Resort Dennisport, Massachusetts

Event Planner - The Perfect Plan

Flowers - Robin’s Flower Shop Boston, Massachusetts

Cake - The Casual Gourmet

Suits - Milton’s The Store for Men

Dress - Kleinfeld Bridal

DJ - DJ Cookie Policy

Make-up - Nic B Make-up / Courtney Martins Makeup

Limos / Trolleys - Cape Destinations

Videographer: The Hale Channel