“The groom loves to surf, they both love the ocean, this is their special place where they come to get away from it all — and it’s where they wanted to start this new chapter of life,” says wedding designer Jove Meyer, of Jove Meyer Events. That’s exactly how wedding planning unfolded for one New York City couple who got married at the storied Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York.

The ceremony took place at water’s edge, with the vow exchange framed by two tall vases filled with breezy palms — the signature motif of the Surf Lodge that the couple used on their invitations.

After the first kiss, the duo led guests down the boardwalk and onto the indoor-outdoor deck, where they enjoyed cocktails, mini lobster rolls and a raw bar featuring oysters, clams and crab legs in the cool sea air. The covered part of the deck proved an ideal spot for dinner and dessert. 

Here, the palm motif carried over to frame the seating assignments and table menus. Table settings featured the Lodge’s own turquoise-trimmed napkins, in which he tucked the place cards.

“I let the space speak for itself,” Meyers says. “Everything we brought in was meant to complement the surroundings, not compete.” Instead of floral centerpieces, for example, he chose succulents and placed them in shells and small copper vessels.

The naked wedding cake was accented with succulents as well.

“This wedding worked so well because the couple embraced the energy and look of the setting,” says Meyer. “I loved the authenticity of this wedding — it was a place that was special to the couple and that came through. So chill. So laid-back. Just perfect.”

Photo Credit: Gary Ashley of The Wedding Artists Collective