“Many college basement parties” aside, Bridget and Gilman, who met at Roanoke College, say that a dinner at an oyster bar marks their official beginnings. Gil proposed six years after that first date, on a walk along the Nantucket bluffs. Aptly, their May wedding had a coastal-meets-modern theme, played out in neutral hues with gold accents. Soaring cherry-blossom trees punctuated the waterfront reception’s clear-top tent with bright splashes of color and complemented the white blooms, including orchids and roses, throughout.
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At cocktail hour, guests were offered a taste of Gil’s Connecticut hometown with Blue Point oysters. Nods to Maryland—where Bridget is from and the pair live now—included crabcakes paired with filet mignon at dinner, Southside signature cocktails made according to the recipe from Baltimore’s Green Spring Valley country club, and lemons and peppermint sticks in the favor bags. As they said their goodbyes the next morning, the newlyweds sent guests home with centerpieces from the big day.
The Details
Planning and design: Elizabeth Bailey Weddings
Florist: Blue Vanda Designs
Invitations: MLC Designs
Cake: Sugar Bakers
Hair and makeup: Caitlyn Meyer
Bride’s attire: The Plumed Serpent Bridal
Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: The Black Tux
Bridesmaids’ attire: Dessy
Music: Spectrum from Washington Talent Agency
Transportation: Chesapeake Charters
Draping, lighting, rentals, and decor: Event Pro; White Glove Rentals; AFR Event Furnishings; Select Event Group; Party Rental Ltd.
Tent: Loane Brothers
Photographer: Lisa Blume Photography
This wedding originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Washingtonian.
Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.
