Julia and Eli's love story began at summer camp when they were just 17 years old, and it was only fitting that the Atlantic Ocean became the backdrop for another defining moment in their relationship – their wedding.
The couple, who met while working as overnight camp counselors at Camp Rotary, paired the natural coastal beauty of Misselwood Estate with a tropical-inspired floral palette to create a unique and unforgettable celebration. Their oceanfront wedding, photographed by Photos by Annalee, was a fresh take on the traditional New England coastal style.
A Wedding Morning Filled with Coastal Character
The contrasting getting-ready spaces at Misselwood Estate created two distinct settings for the beginning of the day. Julia prepared in a bright and airy bridal suite, while Eli and the groomsmen gathered in a wood-paneled library. The difference between the two spaces brought its own visual interest to the wedding morning, moving from soft natural light and bridal details to the richer, more traditional character of the library.
Tropical Wedding Flowers by the Atlantic
Rather than relying on a traditional coastal palette, Julia and Eli introduced color through tropical-inspired wedding flowers in shades of green, pink, and mauve. The richer tones offered an unexpected contrast to the blues, grays, and natural textures of the Atlantic coastline. Against the historic estate and oceanfront setting, the florals felt vibrant without overpowering the landscape.
Waterfront Portraits Along the Rocky Coastline
Some of the day's most striking portraits took Julia and Eli beyond the manicured estate and directly toward the water. The rocky coastline created a beautifully raw backdrop, with the Atlantic stretching behind them. Against that landscape, the polished wedding fashion and colorful floral design took on an almost editorial quality.
An Oceanfront Celebration at Misselwood Estate
With its sweeping views of the Atlantic, Misselwood Estate didn't require the couple to manufacture a sense of place. Instead, the wedding design worked alongside the property's natural surroundings. The tropical-inspired palette brought warmth and color to the coastal landscape while allowing the ocean to remain one of the celebration's most memorable visual elements.
A Tented Reception Designed Around Togetherness
The celebration continued beneath a tent, where the reception shifted the focus from the dramatic oceanfront setting to the people gathered inside. Thoughtful details and emotional moments filled the evening, but the atmosphere remained joyful and people-centered rather than overly formal. For a couple whose relationship began with friendship at 17 and grew through so many different chapters of life, that sense of connection felt especially fitting.
A Love Story That Grew Up Alongside Them
Julia and Eli's friendship stretched from high school into college, with Eli transferring schools so they could finish that chapter together. Years later, a carefully orchestrated family lunch became an oceanfront proposal, and eventually, another stretch of coastline became the place where they celebrated their marriage. That history gave their Misselwood Estate wedding an emotional foundation that no design detail could manufacture.
As Julia and Eli looked out at the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the tropical-inspired florals, family, and friends who had watched their story unfold, they created a wedding that felt intentional without losing its ease – beautifully designed, genuinely joyful, and centered on what had mattered to them from the beginning: being together.
Source: Wedding Chicks
