Regan Anderson and Joshua Stauffer met while they were both playing on the varsity lacrosse teams for the University of Michigan. Four years later, Josh proposed during a trip back to their alma mater.
The two had planned a trip back to Michigan to visit Regan’s former college roommate, and future maid of honor, as she was attending graduate school there. Her boyfriend, who was Josh’s college roommate (and future groomsman), was also in town. “It was the inaugural Michigan lacrosse game in their new stadium, so it was an opportunity for us to see everyone and catch a game as well,” Regan says.
It it was freezing at the game though. A snowstorm had dumped nearly a foot of snow on the ground. “It was so cold Josh decided that we should leave early and visit one of the parks we loved going to together when we were in school. Once we got there, I refused to get out of the car.”
After Josh convinced Regan to walk with him to a tree-lined path, he popped the question with a photographer friend there capturing it all. They then headed to get a celebratory drink, where they were surprised by both of their families, who had flown in from California and Florida.
Even though the couple lives in New York, they knew they wanted to tie the knot outside of Manhattan. They both grew up near the beach and still spend their summers visiting family on Long Island, so they were excited when the Peconic Bay Yacht Club was available. “It was stunning on the inside and felt just like we were hosting our wedding in our home. It was so intimate and cozy,” Regan remembers. Over eight months, from the engagement to their wedding day, the couple planned the entire event themselves.
The bride went traditional and followed the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” guidelines. Her something old was the locket engraved with her name that her late grandmother had gifted her when she was born. She borrowed her mother-in-law’s Tiffany & Co. diamond and pearl earrings, which were gifted to her by her husband on their 30th wedding anniversary. And, she paired her new dress with blue Alexandre Birman heels.
On the day of the wedding, weather was a factor again—it poured the entire morning. They decided the lawn would be too wet for guests and nearly moved the ceremony indoors, but both felt strongly that all would be dry in time for the service—and they were right! They held the intimate ceremony on the deck overlooking the boat basin. Before walking down the aisle, the two had a first look and shared letters they had written each other in place of vows. “It was the perfect start to the day and a very raw and personal moment I’m so glad we could share privately,” Regan says. Once the two said, “I do,” everyone moved inside for a seated three-course dinner.
While everyone was seated, the best man, Jeremy, and maid of honor, Kim, gave toasts, and both fathers thanked everyone for coming. Post dinner, it was time to hit the dance floor! The newlyweds had their first dance to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Sleeping At Last.
To cut the cake, the bride changed into a shorter Catherine Deane dress and a custom jean jacket with “Mrs. Stauffer” on the back. They ended the night in a classic New York way with a rousing sing-along of “Piano Man.” “We didn’t even plan it, but all our guests got in a big circle around the dance floor and sang it at the top of their lungs so loud you almost couldn’t hear the actual song,” Regan remembers.
As they made their exit, they hopped into the best man’s vintage baby blue Land Rover with tin cans tied to the back. “Josh and I were sitting in the trunk and realized the cans were sparking on the ground and bouncing up toward the glass back door. Thankfully, they didn’t do any damage, but it was a very cautious drive to the hotel,” Regan jokes. “It wasn’t one of my better ideas, but it’s something we can all laugh about now!”
