Jessica Griffith, founder of the chicest custom game board company around, Nine Fair Backgammon, and John Schumacher matched on several dating apps. “I finally went out with John after our seventh cancelled date—giving him plenty of amo to roast me in his toast at our wedding,” she says. After one-and-a-half years together, he proposed with custom golf balls that read, “Will you marry me?,” presented right before a trip to Hobe Sound in Florida.
Since Nantucket has always been a special place in their relationship, they knew they wanted to get married in the First Congregational Church and at the Great Harbor Yacht Club there. To help plan their traditional ceremony and outdoor garden party reception, they hired Bespoke Nantucket Events by Sarah. And to execute their floral vision, they trusted Dawn from Soiree Floral, who brought the arrangements from their invitations to life.
To walk down the aisle, Jessica chose the fourth dress she tried on—a Carolina Herrera strapless gown. “I loved it immediately, and that was it!” she says. She completed the aisle look with Seaman Schepps flower earrings, “something borrowed” from her mom, and a diamond ring that John surprised her with—her “something new!” Although she was hesitant on an outfit change, the bride found a Markarian slip dress at their showroom and knew it was perfect for dancing and cutting the cake.
The groom looked handsome in a custom tuxedo by Devan Vincent and Belgian loafers. For his “something old,” Jessica gave him a Pepsi Rolex from the year he was born. The groomsmen wore their own navy suits, black shoes, and an Hermès tie featuring a shark fin print—a nod to all the shark sightings around the island. Bridesmaids wore custom designs by New York-based tailor Jeff Todd.
On a beautiful summer day in July, the ceremony was officiated by Reverend Ruth and kept short, as it was one of the hottest days of the season. “I was surrounded by all my loved ones and wanted to soak in every second of the day,” the bride says. After being announced as husband and wife, guests were greeted at the cocktail hour on the club’s lawn to a raw bar and a martini bar.
The newlyweds entered their marquee and took to the dance floor for their first spin to “Get Down On It” by Kool and the Gang. After the delicious dinner, a gorgeous cake from Nantucket Bake Shop, decorated with pink florals, was romantically cut and served as dessert. Then, the band’s horn section led everyone inside to get the party started.
Once it reached the early hours of the morning, the after-party commenced in true house party style with 30 racks, sing-alongs to Queen and Supertramp, and fireworks 4:00 am.
