Chelsea Votel and William Chapman both grew up in Twin Cities, Minnesota, just miles apart. “We watched each other grow with keen, admiring eyes across two or so decades. As life progressed, we were both wrapped up in our own adventures and had expanded beyond the community that originally tethered us,” Sea says. “It was only after several years that a mutual curiosity and obsession for music reconnected our hearts.”
Three years later, while the two spent time in Mexico for Billy’s birthday, he dropped to one knee in a quiet corner of the beach, on a moonlit walk back from dinner.
For Sea and Billy, selecting a wedding venue emerged as the most formidable decision in the wedding planning process. With the guidance of Manda Worthington of Mae&Co Creative, the couple came across The Bowery Hotel. “The moment we set foot within its space, we felt an immediate connection. It blended the timeless charm of classic New York City with an aura of romance and dreaminess that we sought to create,” Sea explains. “Our hope was to capture an ambiance that could transport our guests to a different realm, achieved through a harmonious interplay of music, decor, and vibrant energy.”
Guests soon received Camila Dias of Carta Plena’s floral-adorned copper invitation suite, detailed beautifully by Laura Chautin’s illustrations. And Anni Graham was behind the lens all weekend.
As the bride aimed to maintain a theme of timelessness across all facets of the wedding, she ultimately chose Vivienne Westwood’s Long Cocotte dress in Absence of Roses for the ceremony. The three-piece ensemble—featuring a skirt and bolero—gradually unveiled its layers throughout the evening. To complement the elegance of the dress, the bride selected white slingbacks by Manolo Blahnik. She took an understated approach to her jewelry, wearing a pair of tennis bracelets that belonged to her mother. Following the first dances, she switched into a Magda Butrym mini dress—fit for all the celebrations to come.
“For beauty, my goal was to achieve a natural, dewy, summer-inspired radiance,” Sea notes. This was brought to life by the lovely Sasha from Stacie Ford’s team. “For hair, I opted for a sleek ponytail crafted by the very talented Teddi Cranford from White Rose Collective, which beautifully complemented the dress adding a modern, elevated twist.”
“Billy’s ensemble mirrored this dedication to timeless elegance,” Sea says. He donned a sleek Saint Laurent black tuxedo, featuring a handsome shawl collar. For a sentimental touch, he wore gold family heirloom cufflinks passed down from his father.
Although the couple opted against a traditional wedding party, they honored a select group of friends—fondly referred to as VIPs—throughout the weekend. Billy’s VIPs wore black tuxedos with matching ties, while Sea’s ensemble dressed in Reformation silk dresses of different styles.
On June 24, 2023, the two wed at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in NoLita. Two Winsome Floral bouquets beautifully scaled the walls of the church’s entrance. Once inside, Sea and her father walked arm in arm down the aisle as the cathedral’s music director, Jared Lamenzo, harmonized “Comptine d’un autre été: L’Après-Midi,” composed by Yann Tiersen.
Sea and Billy exchanged traditional vows layered with personal sentiments before they recessed—as newlyweds—against Max Richter’s reimagining of “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi. Contrary to her expectation, Sea felt a sense of tranquility and grounding during the service. “Having our loved ones present to bear witness to our commitment intensified this feeling,” she says. “The experience was, in essence, transcendent.”
Afterward, guests gathered for cocktail hour on a picturesque patio overlooking the city. Baby Soda, a lively jazz ensemble set the tone—channeling the ’20s—as spritzes and hors d’oeuvres made their way around. “Billy and I ventured to take a sneak peek into the dining room ahead of our guests, as we neared the end of cocktail hour,” Sea recalls. “Mae&Co displayed their genius once again by artfully draping floral installations across the ceiling, an ethereal touch that transported everyone into a realm of enchantment. The aura was further accentuated by the warm glow of candelabras adorning long tables, intertwining to orchestrate a symphony of ambiance.”
After a delectable array of dinners and desserts featuring burrata and From Lucie cakes, the newlyweds shared their first dance to DJ TK’s rendition of “Your Love is King” by Sade. “Witnessing the gathering of our family and friends in a single space, engaging in conversations, rekindling old connections, and forging new ones was an absolute joy,” Sea concludes. “It was a heartwarming sight that brought so much happiness.”
