Kara and Kyle's romantic Cape May wedding was a celebration of their nine-year relationship, their love of the beach, and the vibrant coral peonies that bloom in Southern New Jersey each June.
Coral Peonies Inspired the Entire Wedding
The coral peony became a visual thread that ran throughout the Cape May celebration, appearing across the stationery and floral arrangements before being reinterpreted through the dance floor backdrop and even Kara's bridal fashion. Photographed by Rachel Pearlman Photography, the peonies were designed by a local florist, many of which were handpicked from a nearby farm just days before the ceremony, ensuring they were at their most beautiful for the wedding.
A Hand-Painted Wedding Gown
Kara's wedding gown from Lela Rose Bridal Atelier carried the floral story into one of the day's most memorable fashion moments. She wore a Lela Rose gown featuring delicate white peonies hand-painted across layers of tulle. For the ceremony, she added a matching bolero and coordinating veil, creating a romantic, dimensional look that felt beautifully connected to the flowers appearing throughout the rest of the wedding.
A Traditional Wedding with a Personal Touch
Kara and Kyle chose to skip a private first look, saving the moment they saw one another for the ceremony itself. Guests gathered at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May, where a string quartet accompanied the ceremony and Kyle's sister performed a song. The anticipation of waiting until the aisle made that first glimpse particularly emotional.
A Celebration in Full Bloom
Outside the church, the floral design took on another life. Flowers lined the steps as Kara and Kyle made their exit, while the coral peony motif continued throughout the larger celebration. Because many of the flowers had been sourced locally and picked only days earlier, the arrangements felt intrinsically connected to Cape May and the fleeting beauty of early summer.
Family Traditions and Personal Style
For dessert, Kara and Kyle looked beyond the traditional tiered wedding cake and toward Kara's own family history. They served Stock's pound cake from Philadelphia, continuing a tradition that had already appeared at two generations of family weddings. The same cake had been served at both Kara's parents' wedding and her grandparents' wedding.
A Sequined Second Look
For the final hour of the reception, Kara traded her romantic floral Lela Rose gown for something made for the dance floor. She changed into a strapless sequined mini dress by Anne Barge, shifting the fashion story from hand-painted romance to full-on celebration. With the band playing Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston classics, the sparkling second look felt perfectly suited to the energy of the evening's final stretch.
A Love Letter to Cape May in Coral Peonies
Kara and Kyle's wedding worked because the details weren't chosen simply for how they would photograph. The peonies reflected Southern New Jersey in June. Many of the flowers came directly from a nearby farm. Cape May's beaches already held years of memories and the story of their engagement. Kara's gown transformed the wedding's floral motif into fashion, while a beloved Philadelphia cake connected their marriage to two generations before them. Together, those details created a celebration that felt deeply rooted in both place and family.
Their wedding was a testament to the beauty of their relationship and the importance of honoring their personal style and traditions. As Kara and Kyle described it, "a weekend we'll never forget." And perhaps their most convincing review of all? "And it was downright fun!"
Source: Wedding Chicks
