Real New England Weddings: Joyce Kim & Jesse Carroll

Photos by Lisa Rigby Photography

It was supposed to be a quick stop. Joyce Kim had just arrived on the Cape for a visit with her close college friend Marisa Theobald. Rather than spend the night catching up, though, Marisa asked Joyce if she wouldn’t mind accompanying her to a party. Marisa’s grandfather had passed away a few months earlier, and the family was gathering on his birthday to celebrate his life. Joyce agreed, and a few hours later found herself lingering at the dinner, talking with her friend’s fiery-haired cousin, Jesse Carroll.

“When she left, I remember wishing I could have spent more time with her,” Jesse says. The two became friends on Facebook, and began dating soon after. And while their first meeting was a family affair, Jesse was far more discreet with his proposal. “I told him that I didn’t want him to propose anywhere that people would watch and clap,” Joyce says. So Jesse asked her to marry him in their South End home.

For their wedding day, the couple chose to return to the area where they first met, even enlisting a minister who had been at that fateful party to officiate. Their venue, the Old Sea Pines Inn, reminded them of a Victorian dollhouse, Joyce says, and they outfitted it with homespun touches with the help of their families. She says that planning a wedding in Chatham made her feel like she’d grown up in the town: “It felt like I was not only marrying a family, but marrying a community as well.”

Left: Jesse’s mother works at the Chatham Candy Manor, so a candy bar was a must-have. The bride and groom picked sweets that celebrated the Cape, like chocolate-covered cranberries. Right: Joyce’s engagement ring and band are from Tiffany & Co., and Jesse now wears his grandfather’s wedding band. “His grandmother wanted him to have it once she heard we were engaged,” Joyce says.

Oasis Salon & Day Spa, in Chatham, did Joyce’s hair and makeup. “My hair was a last-minute decision. We decided that day that wearing it down would look good with the dress.”

Left: Escort cards peeked out from a grassy display set up at the entrance to the reception. Right: The bride wore purple Kate Spade heels to match the bridesmaid dresses.

The wedding party hammed it up on Nauset Beach after the ceremony.

Left: Joyce wanted a palette of purples and yellows for her floral arrangements. “We added touches of gray to keep it from being too Mardi Gras–esque,” she says. Right: Per Jesse’s special request, South Yarmouth–based baker Dottie Lovely whipped up a Funfetti cake. The couple purchased the cake bunting on Etsy.

 

THE FILE

Gown: Justin Alexander, RK Bridal
Shoes: Kate Spade
Hair and Makeup: Oasis Salon & Day spa
Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew
Menswear: J.Crew
Bride’s Rings: Tiffany & Co.
Cake: Dottie Lovely, The Cake Lady
Flowers: Meredith Fancy, Fancy Flowers

 

Want more? Check out all of our Real New England Weddings for this season.