For Sophia Ein and Keith Cohen, summers have always had special significance. The couple, who have known each other since childhood, grew up in Maryland and spent summers in New England. Sophia’s family would visit Keith’s for weekend trips from Rhode Island and would often stay at his grandmother’s house in Katama. It was at that house that Sophia caught her first fish off the dock. And it’s on that same dock, on a sunny day in August 2020, that Keith got his first look at his soon-to-be wife on their wedding day.

The couple became engaged on Thanksgiving Day of 2019, and knew pretty quickly that the Island would be the location for their wedding. With an original guest list of 250 people, they looked at various venues to accommodate that number. “We always wanted to have [Keith’s grandmother’s] house be incorporated in some way,” said Sophia. But when the pandemic hit, they shifted gears and chose to have a smaller version of their celebration exclusively on the Katama property. “Having the whole thing there ended up being so special,” she said.

While the venue changed, their vision and décor for the day remained the same. The couple tapped KG Events & Design as their planners. “They totally got the vibe,” said Sophia. “I didn’t pick out those lanterns or those chargers. She showed me some options and I was like, ‘Wow, this is exactly what I wanted, and I didn’t even know I wanted it.’”

As an early present, Keith’s mother gifted them the rights to a floral print by London-based artist Sophie Witham of Blossom & Dill to incorporate into the wedding. “That print became our masks, it was on our giveaway bags, and it was really very much the inspiration...of how we wanted the wedding to look,” said Sophia. It even helped inspire their florist, Aubrey Sirois of Aubrey Maria Designs. “I mean, the dining room centerpieces, I don’t even know where she came up with those,” Sophia raved. “Those were so magnificent.”

It was a tough decision, they admit, having to significantly pare down their guest list and not having certain guests be present. They also introduced a color-coded wristband system that indicated guests’ comfort level with social contact. Even so, they made the most of their day and created memories that will last a lifetime. One was during their first dance to “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Willie Nelson. “At that moment…a five-minute rain shower passed through on a sunny day,” said Sophia. “That was pretty magical.”

Details

Wedding Date: August 20, 2020
Photographer: Christine Sargologos
Wedding Planner: KG Events & Design
Caterer: Premier Chef Services
Cake: Val Cakes
Flowers: Aubrey Maria Designs
Music: The Sultans
Tent + Party Supplies: Tilton Tents and Party Rentals
Transportation: Stagecoach Taxi
Hair + Makeup: Sea Spa Salon
Dress Steaming: Chrysal Parrot
Calligraphy + Stationery: Order She Wrote
Accommodations: The Harborside Inn + Harbor View Hotel
Welcome Party: Atria
Activity: Mad Max Sailing Adventures
Their Best Advice: Use local vendors. “We were so pleased with everyone on-Island who helped make our weekend so special!”