Ceremony: Gay Head Lighthouse
Reception: Private Residence
For New Yorkers Lara Gaumert and Casey Woo, Martha’s Vineyard offers a welcome change of pace.
Lara, who grew up in Connecticut and had often visited the Island while working as a nanny, introduced Martha’s Vineyard to her now-husband while they were dating. Casey, a California native, was skeptical at first.
“When we went, it could not have been a more pleasant surprise,” Casey says. “It’s one of the few places that we travel to – and we travel a lot – where we actually relax. We feel away from it all.”
Lara says, “We both thought it was such a special place.”
So it was an easy decision for the couple, who met while working at Morgan Stanley, to get married on the Island.
Their June nuptials at the Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah occurred less than a year after Casey proposed to Lara on the remote beach at Chappaquiddick’s Cape Pogue.
“We definitely wanted our wedding to be outside,” Lara says. “We wanted to take advantage of the beauty of the Island and the setting we fell in love with.”
It was the view over the Aquinnah cliffs that sealed the deal for that location. So on a sunny Saturday at three o’clock, 105 guests gathered next to the lighthouse, looking out on a sweeping view of Vineyard Sound, as Reverend Patricia Newell Bennett of Chilmark officiated.
Flower arrangements by Donaroma’s in Edgartown were inspired by an Aquinnah sunset: coral and hot pink peonies, tangerine and hot pink roses. White flowers gracefully adorned an archway, and Lara carried gardenias, white freesia, white orchids, and sprigs of rare jasmine to honor Chinese ancestors.
“It was absolutely gorgeous...all snug and nice,” Casey says, reflecting on the emotions it evoked for him. “It was beautiful. I think that was the word. I did tear up a little.”
Lara had a similar response when she saw how fully her vision had come to life. “Just seeing everybody in one place....Walking down the aisle was an amazing moment and I’ll never forget it.” To capture the moment, Casey had a helicopter swing by to take aerial photographs.
The reception was held at a private residence nearby on Lighthouse Road. At cocktail hour guests sipped on the signature drink, the Woo Woo (pomegranate juice, limeade, and a choice of vodka, rum, or tequila), and the menu featured marinated lamb and roast cod.
Lara, the daughter of a chef, says the couple delighted in planning some satisfying late-night snacks for their guests: truffle grilled cheese, mini sliders, a gelato bar, and warm chocolate chip cookies with milk.
But nature had something even sweeter planned to cap off the day. Casey and Lara had gone to the beach to take some pictures with photographer Joe Mikos, and as they came back to the reception, they saw that the sunset had lured all of the guests outside.
“Everybody was so excited, taking their own photos, getting so into it,” Lara says. “That happiness, and seeing the guests really enjoying themselves, was probably my favorite moment.”
Details
Day-of Coordinator: Patrie Grace of With Grace
Photographer: Joe Mikos
Rehearsal Dinner: Atria
Celebrant: Reverend Patricia Newell Bennett
Brunch: Dr. Daniel Fisher House
Caterer: V. Jaime Hamlin and Sons Catering & Party Design
Cake: Cakes by Liz
Gelato + Dessert Bar: Val & Al’s Vineyard Gelato
Flowers: Donaroma’s + Krishana Collins of Tea Lane Farm
Music: Cellist and Violinist Stephen and Susan McGhee +Jeremy Berlin Jazz Trio + Eye 2 Eye Rentals: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals + Classy Comforts
Transportation: Martha’s Vineyard Transport
Aerial Photos: Nantucket Aerial
Video: Ray Roman
Makeup: Stephanie Freda
Graphics: Tara Kenny of Illumination Design Group
Favors: Chilmark Chocolates
