Cara Belmosto & Brendan McAuley


October 5, 2013
Sailing Camp Park
Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard

real new england wedding

Photograph by BELLO Photo

There were never any other fish in the sea for Cara Belmosto and Brendan McAuley. The high school sweethearts spent their formative years enjoying the Marshfield coast together. After reconnecting when Cara returned to the South Shore as an adult, they got engaged by a lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard. And when it came time to plan their big day, the couple decided to keep the aquatic theme going with a celebration at the rustic Sailing Camp Park, overlooking Lagoon Pond and Vineyard Haven Harbor in Oak Bluffs. “It combined two of our favorite things—antique vintage style and the water,” says Cara, who devoted the better part of a year to trolling flea markets and antiques sales with Brendan for unique items to repurpose—vintage wooden boxes and Coke bottles for a ring-toss game, old island postcards for escort cards, and mercury-glass vessels for the centerpieces. “We got things that paid homage to our families and the history we had,” Cara says. “So much energy and love was poured into the wedding.”

real wedding

Photograph by BELLO Photo

Cara’s lush bridal bouquet included roses, ranunculuses, and lamb’s ear. “I wanted something that was a little less structured,” she says.

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Photograph by BELLO Photo

The couple took photos with Scupper, their miniature Australian Labradoodle, after the ceremony.

real wedding

Photograph by BELLO Photo

The stationery suite included watercolor save-the-dates by Swiss Cottage Designs and nautical-themed invitations, accented by a vintage Vineyard map on the belly band, from Gus & Ruby Letterpress.

real wedding

Photograph by BELLO Photo

While they were getting ready, each ’maid wrote down on chalkboards how they knew the bride.

real wedding

Photograph by BELLO Photo

The bride and groom tied a fisherman’s knot at the end of the ceremony. “[It’s] supposedly one of the strongest knots you can tie,” Brendan says. “It was a significant way to show our bond.”

real wedding

Photograph by BELLO Photo

Brendan tore up the dance floor with the mother of the bride. “Knowing my mom, they were dancing to the Beach Boys’ ‘Be True to Your School,’” Cara says.

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Photograph by BELLO Photo

The DIY monogram above the fireplace was created with Christmas lights and cardboard letters spray-painted to look like metal. 

THE FILE

Cake: Cakes by Liz
Caterer: Tea Lane Caterers
Ceremony Music: Music Martha’s Vineyard
Florist: MV Florist & Gifts
Gown: Reem Acra, L‘Élite Bridal Boutique
Hair and Makeup: Annemarie Pierce, AMP Styling
Invitations: Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse; Macy’s
Party Rentals: Seaside Celebrations
Reception Music: Jon Zeeman Band
Wedding Bands: Barmakian Jewelers
Wedding Planner: Cara Belmosto/Anchor Events

 

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