WellWed in the Hamptons

Erin Thayer was skeptical about the idea of meeting Mr. Right at a wedding, but then a seating chart foul-up landed her at a table of strangers, including Ted Dickson. After a few awkward moments, Erin and Ted hit it off and spent the rest of the evening together. The attraction was instant, and 24 hours after they said goodbye at the wedding, they were chatting on the phone — Erin from her New York City apartment and Ted from his home in Baltimore. A year and a half later, they’d clocked hundreds of hours of phone time, hundreds of e-mail messages, and plenty of train time before Erin made the move to Baltimore.

Ted was determined to get Erin’s father’s blessing before popping the question, but getting time with Erin’s busy dad proved tougher than he’d expected. At a clambake celebrating Erin’s grandparents’ 60th anniversary, Ted saw his chance and seized the moment. Fortunately for him, his intended was completely oblivious to his machinations: Erin actually interrupted Ted’s conversation with her dad without realizing what the two of them were talking about. So Erin suspected nothing when Ted suggested they take a late-night walk down to Gibson Beach, something they did frequently when visiting Erin’s parents in Sagaponack. They were watching the ocean together when Ted asked Erin to stand up. She did, bemused, while he dropped to one knee and slid a ring onto her finger. There was much laughing, crying, and jumping up and down before they headed back to Erin’s parents’ house to celebrate with her family.

Choosing a wedding location was easy for Erin and Ted, who had spent many happy times on the Sagaponack Beach. For Erin, who’d grown up in the Hamptons, a wedding at home felt exactly right. Ted and Erin wanted to share their favorite place with friends and family and opted for a September celebration that would let them enjoy the gorgeous Hamptons’ scenery without the hordes of summertime tourists. Erin’s parents volunteered their backyard for the reception, and everything else fell into place beautifully. Inspired by the crisp blue September sky and early autumn sunflowers, daisies, and chamomile, Erin chose a palette of navy blue brightened with white and yellow accents. Erin’s mom designed and made white even wove personalized Nantucket baskets for each of Erin’s nine bridesmaids.

Ted’s mom did the calligraphy for the escort cards. The other vendors, many of whom were longtime Thayer family friends, made the wedding planning easy. Ted’s friend from his hometown in Alaska, the Reverend Norman H.V. Elliot, ventured down to the “Lower 48” to perform the ceremony at the same church where Erin’s parents were married 37 years before. The day was exactly what Erin and Ted wanted: an intimate, welcoming celebration of family and friends.

At the reception inside the tent on the lawn, guests found their tables named for the various beaches and bays Erin and Ted had visited together in Alaska and the Hamptons, including a special Lake Erie table for the couple whose Pennsylvania wedding had been the occasion for Erin and Ted’s serendipitous meeting. The wedding celebration lasted late into the night, with the bride and groom dancing together with their families, friends, and neighbors. At one point, Erin looked around the crowded dance floor and, seeing their friends and family of all ages dancing together, felt joyfully overwhelmed with all the love and support. “Of course, I was also glad they were all having a great time!” says.

Special Touch: Erin’s mom made Nantucket baskets for the bridesmaids & Ted’s mom did the calligraphy on the escort cards.

Photography: Kate Webber - www.katewebber.com
Other Professionals: Cake: Have Your Cake | Day Of Coordination: Tailored Productions | Entertainment: Mamalee, Rose and Friends, Sonimax Sound and Light | Gown: Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier | Invitations: Saima Says Design