Haley Richter, the vice president of Lisi Lerch, matched with Hunter Brooke McMullin III on Bumble during Labor Day weekend in 2016. That first week, they went on four dates. “I knew he was the one!” she admits. After five years together, Hunter surprised her with a sunset proposal on Cruz Bay Beach. It was perfect, as he planned the entire event for several months with Haley’s parents and sisters.
When the couple began planning their wedding, they immediately considered Cape May, New Jersey. Hunter spent summers visiting the seaside destination and soon brought Haley there when they started dating. The Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May was the only venue they toured. It had everything they wanted, from a waterside tent to its timeless coastal aesthetic. Haley enhanced the space with elements of florals, bamboo, and shades of blue. In fact, the couple’s bamboo crest used for their save the date cards was the catalyst for the rest of the wedding’s design elements. “Our florist Garden Party, planner Kristen Barse from Bel Momento Weddings, and illustrator Taylor Near of Mulberry & Elm were the key players in making all of our wedding dreams come true,” Haley shares. Photographer Rachel Pearlman documented every picturesque shot.
The bride also had a specific vision for her wedding wardrobe—she wanted to design all of her accessories. “I love working for a jewelry company and wanted to incorporate that into the day of the wedding,” she says. From the very moment she and Hunter were engaged, she launched into crafting her wedding day earrings with pearl stones encircled by an intricate diamond pattern. She ended up not even wearing her designed sapphire and diamond earrings for her reception because she was simply having too much fun to remember changing cues.
Her wedding dress was a Jesus Peiro creation that she further customized in a bright white with big bow sleeves. She paired it with her mother’s diamond bracelet, the diamond and sapphire bracelet her groom-to-be gifted her that morning, and Loeffler Randall heels. She kept her beauty look natural and glowing with high volume hair by Say I Do Hair & Makeup.
Hunter kept his groom’s look classic with a bespoke tailored Indochino tuxedo that featured a shawl lapel, double vents, and satin accents. He added some personal touches with a light blue monogram on his French cuff shirt to match their wedding colors. The lining of his tuxedo showcased a skull and crossbones pattern to pay homage to the nautical location of their wedding and some of Cape May’s pirate history. He completed the outfit with white gold cufflinks from his bride—these were upgrades from the less valuable pair she gave him years earlier that he lost!
The 11 groomsmen all wore classic black tuxedos to match Hunter. Haley’s two sisters, who served as joint maids of honor, wore Jenny Yoo Enchanted Floral Whisper dresses in blue. Her eight bridesmaids all donned navy looks of their choice with floral-inspired earrings that Haley designed for them.
On May 20, 2023, Hunter’s dear friend, Brendan P. Welsh, officiated the ceremony with his Masters in Divinity from Princeton University. Brendan was able to weave together the perfect non-denominational message of love, partnership, marriage, and the couple’s love story. “During the ceremony, we both felt overwhelmed with emotion and happiness,” Haley remembers. The groom even teared up when he saw his bride walk down the aisle. “It was such an amazing feeling to look out for all of our friends and family who were there to celebrate our love,” she adds. “I wish we could live in that moment forever, it was pure happiness.”
Cocktail hour commenced with signature drinks and a raw bar of the finest seafood selections, all freshly prepared and presented under an ice sculpture. It was time to finally party, and no one could kick things off like the 12-piece CARNIVÁLE band. This was actually the first vendor Haley and Hunter even booked. Dinner consisted of surf and turf fare and toasts from the father of the bride and the best man. Haley and Hunter cut into their Bake Works cake.
The bride and groom shared their first dance to “L.O.V.E.” by Nat King Cole and practically never left the floor. A hot dog truck served late-night food before they all headed into the trolleys to the couple’s favorite beach bar, Carney’s, for the after-party.
