Real New England Weddings

Julie Shapiro & Erik Snyder
September 15, 2007
Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod
Photographs by Person + Killian

Growing up in Weston, Julie Shapiro spent summers on Cape Cod. When she started dating Erik Snyder at Cornell, he began tagging along. Before long, he’d fallen for the Cape—and Julie, now co-owner of National Jean Company. When they decided to tie the knot, the beach in Chatham was a natural choice. The day of, though, pouring rain forced the Chatham Bars Inn staff to move everything inside. When the clouds finally cleared, Julie told her father, “I want to get married outside.” “He said, ‘Okay. I’m gonna make it happen.'” And with jokes lifted from the wedding scene in The Princess Bride, Erik’s dad kept guests laughing as he officiated. “It was amazing,” she says. “Beyond anything I ever expected.” –Andrea Perera

1. Julie’s lace Angel Sanchez dress and custom, lace-adorned veil came from L’élite Bridal Boutique. 2. When a downpour left the beach too wet for a ceremony, the Chatham Bars Inn staff set up an altar on a terrace overlooking the water. 3. At a casino-themed after-party, Julie surprised Eric with a cigar roller. 4. Dramatic lighting played up Carol Silverstein’s pink-toned floral centerpieces. 5. For her maids, Julie settled on Maria Bianco Nero dresses from Neiman Marcus. “They change color in different light,” she says. “They reminded me of sea goddesses.” 6. Guests played poker, blackjack, and roulette at the after-party. 7. Fireworks set off from a barge lit up the night. 8. Pale pink roses mingled with purple hydrangea in the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

THE FILE

Makeup
Katrina Hess Makeup Studio, 105 Newbury St., Boston, 781-710-6865, katrinahess
weddings.com.

Hair
Debbie Welch of Studio 9, 9 Newbury St., Boston, 617-267-9990.

Bridesmaids
Maria Bianco Nero dresses, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com.

Menswear
Ralph Lauren, 93-95 Newbury St., Boston, 617-424-1124.

Caterer
Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, 508-945-0096, chathambarsinn.com.

Flowers
Original Touch, 14 Partridge Rd., Lexington, 781-862-6471.

Cake
Party Favors, 1356 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-566-3330, partyfavorsbrookline.com.

Band
Radiance from Wilson Stevens Productions, wilsonstevens.com.