“Carry out your vision. Be respectful of everyone’s opinion, and thank them, but make sure you do what makes you both happy,” says Jaclyn Zagorski of her seaside wedding to Adam Cohen. “We are so glad we did!” Not taking the traditional route, the couple wanted a quaint locale with a modern aesthetic for their summer celebration. A rooftop lounge, overlooking the lapping waves of the Atlantic Ocean, offered the relaxing atmosphere they desired.

Prior to the ceremony, it was important to the bride that she and her father share a special moment. When Jaclyn was growing up, she and her father had a standing McDonald’s date every other Friday. So in honor of those special times, they enjoyed their usual meal before he escorted her down the aisle to the next phase of her life. The bride was radiant in a strapless gown with a ruched bodice, sparkling belt, and ruffled skirt. Beneath her veil, a crystal diadem adorned her blonde waves. Dressed for the season, the groom and his groomsmen donned sand-toned suits. Bridesmaids were dressed in bright coral dresses accented with mint heels and accessories to provide a splash of color.

For the reception, the indoor-outdoor space was decorated in an all-white color palette with contemporary elements including spherical paper lanterns, which were suspended overhead. Tables were swathed in creamy linens featuring fluttering circle appliqués and topped with tall glass vases brimming with ivory hydrangeas. Single blossoms and full bouquets of orchids, peonies, and roses were displayed throughout the room – hydrangea bubbles even dotted the turquoise pool. A custom acrylic table and modern trays were designed specifically for the event by the couple's florist, and an array of taper, floating, and suspended candles in varied glass vessels magically illuminated the scene.

The bride and groom worked with the chef to compose a tantalizing tapas menu for the evening. “Each guest was able to try all six entrées,” she explains. “[Tapas] were passed around for several hours.” This way, attendees were not limited to one selection, and it encouraged mingling during the festivities. “We wanted people to flow freely,” says Jaclyn.

Even though the couple would have liked more than a year to plan their wedding, everything turned out just as they envisioned. This was encapsulated by their observation after the vow exchange, which Jaclyn and Adam agree was their most memorable moment of the special day. “We stood together, alone in the corner, and just looked around,” recalls the bride. “We said, ‘we finally accomplished this, we did it!’”