A Beachy Blue Wedding at the Silver Swan

Real Weddings

Jimmy Buffett + buoy centerpieces + an aquamarine color scheme = a king crab of a beach wedding.

// How They Met

While on winter break her junior year of college, Kelley Dreher landed a temporary admin gig at her mom’s company. Colin Bohlman was also working for Southern Pacific Supply, but he spent most of his time in the door shop, fulfilling orders. That is, until Kelley showed up. Suddenly, Colin was finding all sorts of excuses to visit the office. By the end of the week, he worked up the nerve to ask Kelley out — right in front of her mom! Fortunately, both were impressed by his pluck and Colin quickly planned a first date to the National Aquarium.

// Their First Date

As an avid fisherman, Colin did his best to impress Kelley with his knowledge of the aquarium’s tenants. Kelley, meanwhile, had a different agenda: she just wanted Colin to hold her hand. They ended the tour and headed to dinner, where both settled on seafood entrees. “We still laugh about it to this day,” Kelley says. “We went to the aquarium to see all of the fish and then ate fish for dinner!”

// The Proposal

Colin proposed two years later, on Halloween weekend 2017. Kelley was reluctant to come home because of an important physical therapy exam, but Colin convinced her to stay for 24 hours. They spent the evening carving pumpkins with Kelley’s family. When it started to get dark, Colin and Kelley’s dad set the pumpkins out on the front porch. “I came outside and searched everywhere for the pumpkin I carved, until I finally realized what the pumpkins were saying,” Kelley says. Colin had carved out “will u,” “marry,” “me?” and an engagement ring. Of course, everybody was in on the surprise and already waiting at a nearby restaurant to celebrate.

// Their Venue

Kelley and Colin decided to get married at the Silver Swan Bayside because of its intimate, waterfront setting, which was conducive to both an outdoor ceremony (Kelley’s priority) and an arrival by boat (Colin’s priority). “When we went for the tour, Caitlin, who ended up being our day of planner, was so incredibly helpful,” Kelley says. “The venue provided all of the linens, food, bar, chairs, tables, etc., which was [a huge advantage] since I was still in grad school.” One of Kelley's favorite details was the ceremony arbor Colin built. "It looked so beautiful with the reflection of the water and the sun," she says.

// Their Vision

Kelley and Colin wanted their wedding to encapsulate their laid-back love of the beach, so they knit their day together with marine details, from handcarved buoys, which served as table centerpieces, to a shadow box filled with wooden fish for guests to sign. The groomsmen wore fish socks and the bridesmaids wore braids and flowy turquoise dresses. For their cocktail hour, they set up lawn games and played Jimmy Buffett. After their reception, the party continued at The Jetty, a nearby dock bar. "It was a day full of love, happiness, and fun!" Kelley says.

// The Menu

Kelley and Colin's signature drink was a "married mule," with copper mugs doubling as wedding favors and escort cards. The best bite was a tie between cupcakes and the crab-stuffed flounder, which reflected the couple's Maryland roots.

// In Memory

Two essential people -- Colin's mom and Kelley's grandmother -- were missing from the pair's big day, which Kelley and Colin acknowledged with a candlelit memory table. Although Kelley's grandmother passed away six months before the wedding, she was able to help pay for Kelley's gown. "Knowing that she was a part of my dress made it that much more special," Kelley says.

// Credits

BRIDE'S GOWN: Love by Pnina Tornai (designer) Kleinfield Bridal (shop) // HAIR: Paige Clifton of PSC Hair Artistry // MAKEUP: Kate Face Beauty // JEWELRY: Kendra Scott // BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Show Me Your Mumu // DESSERT: Blue Crab Cupcakes // FLORALS: Petal Pushers // INVITATIONS: Basic Invite // MEN'S ATTIRE: JoS. A. Bank // MUSIC: DJ Jimmy T Entertainment // PHOTOGRAPHY: Cambria Creative Photography // RINGS: Traynham's Jewelers // VENUE: Silver Swan Bayside // VIDEOGRAPHER: Le Moment Capturer