Caroline Emily Christman, who works for creative agency Southside Creative, met Jacob Francis Cremer at a Robert Graham party in the Lower East Side. They had both worked for the brand, but at different times, so they knew the same people. “The band threw me a T-shirt from the stage, and Jake said, ‘If you put that shirt on, I’ll buy your drinks for the rest of the night.’ Of course, without hesitation, I threw the shirt on over my top. He then said, ‘I hope you’re drinking well!’” says Caroline. After she moved to Chicago, Jake proposed in front of Roy Lichtenstein’s Ohhh . . . Alright . . . at The Art Institute of Chicago.
When it came to planning the wedding, the bride-to-be already knew she wanted a garden party. “I envisioned lots of loose, colorful flowers, shades of blush, and watercolor stationery with beautiful greens,” she explains. When they found The Capen House, in Winter Park, Florida, the groom was convinced, even before the bride, that it would be their venue. “The more I visited it and figured out the layout, I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else,” she says. To help plan the event, the couple hired Katie Scully and Em Gibbons, from Blue Ribbon Weddings. And to bring her invitation suite to life, Paige Nethers of Two Peas Designs did all of the calligraphy.
To pick her dress, Caroline went to New York with her mom and three of her bridesmaids, who live there. Her inspiration images were all over the place, but she knew she wanted something whimsical and unique. And, as soon as she slipped on a Jenny Packham gown from Gabriella New York, she nearly forgot everything else she had tried on prior. “At my previous job, doing PR at HL Group, I worked the Jenny Packham ready-to-wear show for many seasons, so it felt special to wear one of her gorgeous creations,” Caroline says. On the day-of, Jake surprised her with diamond earrings by her favorite jewelry designer, Susie Saltzman, which she’s worn every day since the wedding.
The groom wore a navy tuxedo from Suit Supply with navy velvet slippers, while the bridesmaids were in their choice of dress in blush. “Some were in Reformation, others in Jenny Yoo and BHLDN. They came together so beautifully,” Caroline says. Groomsmen wore suits from The Black Tux, while the ring bearer, Decker, wore navy pants with suspenders and black Converse. The adorable flower girl, Olivia, wore a white dress with a blush ribbon and flowers in her hair—she was only one year old at the time, so Decker led her down the aisle.
In front of Lake Osceola, the bride walked down the aisle with her father to a live acoustic guitar playing “In My Life” by The Beatles. With greenery and sculptures surrounding them, the couple was married by their close friend, Blair. “She was the perfect choice because she knew both of us individually very well, before knowing us as a couple, so it was a unique perspective,” says Caroline. Under a flower arch, their vows were read aloud, and they sealed it with a kiss! When they recessed, guests tossed blush rose petals and the guitarist played “You Are the Best Thing,” by Ray LaMontagne.
From the ceremony, guests went straight to the cocktail hour in a secret garden-type setting. Everyone sipped on Aperol spritzes, rosé, and spicy Moscow mules. Then, people made their way through the garden and under the Sperry tent for dinner.
Baby greens and berry salads served as the appetizer, followed by grilled beef tenderloin filet and grilled mahi-mahi with roasted potatoes and tri-color roasted carrots. During the meal, Caroline’s father kicked off toasts, and then both maids-of-honor, Ashley and Bethany, and both best men, Jake’s brother, Michael, and friend, Kyle, followed with their own speeches. “We were in tears, loving all of it and laughing non-stop,” says the bride.
After, guests moved inside the house for dancing. The newlyweds took to the dance floor for their first dance to “At Last,” performed by their amazing band, Bay Kings Band. “The last song played before the exit was ‘New York, New York’ by Frank Sinatra. Everyone can-can danced and sang along–it was a great moment,” Caroline remembers.
Once the night came to a close, the couple hopped into a vintage Triumph, owned and driven by one of Caroline’s dad’s best friends, Tony. “He even wore a driving cap for his role–he loved every second of it!” she says. They then cruised to the after-party at a speakeasy on Park Avenue. “Jake and I got there first, and to get to the bar you have to walk through a restaurant. Everyone cheered and clapped for us, as we made our way through and up the stairs.” When everyone met up with them, they refueled with pizza and danced the night away.
