10 Jul Long Island’s North Shore: A Destination Beach Wedding to Remember
A dream wedding day at The Crescent Beach Club as told by the bride.
Pre-Wedding Jitters
I woke up to the sun peeking through my curtains. The feelings of overwhelming excitement and joy consumed me. And, at the same time, terrifying fears about wedding mishaps tried to take over. It was the morning of my wedding day – the day that I had been tirelessly planning for over a year. The day was here, the sun was shining, and the plans were in motion. Everything was running smoothly, except for the impending late afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast!
I love the beach and have always dreamt of having my ceremony in front of crashing waves under the colorful brilliance of a setting sun. I knew mother nature is never predictable, but I was born on the north shore of Long Island and was determined to have a beautiful destination beach wedding right here on Long Island. So, we took the plunge and planned our beachfront wedding hoping and praying that the weather would cooperate.
The Calm Before the Storm
We pulled up to our amazing wedding venue, The Crescent Beach Club. As I stepped out of the limousine, I could feel the warmth of the summer sun on my forehead and shoulders. I could hear the waves rolling up on shore and smell the saltwater from the Long Island Sound. I knew the next few hours would go by so fast, so I took a moment to myself first before going inside. Walking out onto the deck of The Crescent Beach Club’s Ocean Restaurant, I soaked in the view of palm trees swaying in the breeze. It was such an emotional and peaceful moment at the beginning of my wedding day.
Now it was time to get the day started! I was escorted to the Bridal Suite with my bridal party where we finished getting ready. We spent the morning laughing and enjoying some cocktails, and as the ceremony got closer, the jitters crept in. The plan was for our wedding ceremony to be during sunset on the beach followed by a lively reception under the stars. While I tried not to think about it, the chance of thunderstorms was still on the forecast.
Caribbean-Style Sunset Vows
The sun began to set, and the sky was filled with a beautiful mixture of orange, blue, yellow and red. In the far distant northern skies, ominous thunder clouds set the scene. But luckily, the skies over The Crescent Beach Club remained clear and brilliant.
It was such a surreal moment walking down the sandy wooden aisle. I looked out at the smiling faces of our loved ones and was overcome with emotion listening to the gentle sound of waves. The sky could not have been more beautiful as the sun set deeper into the western sky. At the end of the aisle was my soulmate. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was that the beautiful wedding ceremony of my dreams was finally here.
As we recited our vows, some thunder grumbled far away. We even saw some flashes of lightning in the distant skies. This sound and light show only enhanced the ambience of the ceremony. Then it was time to seal our union with a kiss! Hand in hand we walked back down the beach aisle, finally a married couple. We were ready to let loose and allow The Crescent Beach Club to do what they do best.
Cocktails Under the Palms
The band started playing music and we were transported into a cocktail hour to remember. Our guests mingled throughout the beautiful beachfront venue and were ready to dine on an extensive selection of hors d’oeuvres. Guests chose from an array of mouthwatering tapas, Italian favorites, and a charcuterie display to die for. The scene was beautiful with stunning views of palm trees swaying in the wind and waves crashing on the shore.
Under the Moon & Stars
Our guests were then transported to the beautifully decorated reception area and it was time for dinner. When planning our wedding, it was very important to us to have a meal that was both elegant and delicious. The Crescent Beach Club did an incredible job at their tasting showcase, and we were ready for our guests to be wowed.
Our menu had a delicious option for everyone. From the sea, they served savory herb-crusted salmon with a beurre blanc sauce. The local Long Island farms were featured with a truffle-infused Mediterranean chicken paired with artichokes and parmesan. From the land, The Crescent Beach Club chefs prepared grilled filet mignon with a port wine demi-glace. And our vegetarian guests indulged in Peruvian quinoa with an assortment of local, pan-seared vegetables. The chefs paired delicate flavors to create mouthwatering delicacies. Our guests still talk about how delicious the food was to this day.
Sweet & Savory Memories
We never wanted the night to end. After dancing the night away and indulging in beach cocktails and exquisite delicacies, it was time to cut the cake! Our cake was elegant and beachy and fit in beautifully with our décor.
We couldn’t stop there for dessert. In addition to the cake, guests indulged on assorted mousses and truffles, strawberry shortcakes, tiramisu, and cookies with milk shots! We also experienced the Crescent Sweet Shop, complete with ice cream and toppings. We even had a Milk & Cookies station that added an extra touch of sweetness that tied everything together.
The Last Dance
Our destination beach wedding day went by in the blink of an eye, but we truly savored every moment of our amazing waterfront beach celebration. We still dream about every dance, every photo op, every congratulations, and every hug and kiss. Before our last dance, we strolled down to the ocean with our photographer who captured some fun, last-minute shots that are some of our favorites. Thank you to The Crescent Beach Club for making my destination beach wedding a dream come true. It was perfect from start to finish and truly a day we’ll remember forever!
