A Romantic Riverside Wedding with Preppy Charm and Summer Hues

By Kevin Harson15 July 2025

Pink, green, and cream were grounding colors for this romantic June celebration at home. The backdrop of the bride’s family estate provided a natural scenery that truly impressed guests upon arrival.

The weather was a perfect 77 degrees, with a gentle summer breeze. The ceremony was held at a quintessential Episcopal church, its stained glass windows bathing the 180 guests in a kaleidoscope of colors. The celebration continued with dinner and dancing at her parents’ stunning waterfront home. Inspired by the soft, dreamy tones of summer—and the bride’s fondness for pink—the color palette showcased delightful shades of pink, neutral tones, and vibrant greens. A custom floral chandelier was the main centerpiece of the tent, complemented by basket lights and a personalized monogram to create a custom dance floor. Coastal yet preppy details ( rattan textiles and linens in shades of cream and pink ) were elevated by the floral design – hanging vines and pink blossoms bloomed with elegance and freshness. The open sailcloth tent provided relief as the sun set on the Tred Avon River. As it became dark, the pool was illuminated, and dancing began.

Jon proposed at a picnic lunch in the Loire Valley during a romantic trip to Paris. The couple chose June 8th to wed in Oxford, MD, where the bride’s parents had settled in 2020. Kat had always envisioned her wedding day to be full of warmth, family, and friends. When the couple’s parents suggested a wedding for 180 on the lawn, it was all hands on deck.

Anne Barge ‘ Heart and Soul ‘ was Kat’s gown of choice. She wore her aunt’s pearls and her mother’s heirloom earrings. Her shoes were Jimmy Choo. The mother of the bride wore a pink Watters dress.

Kat’s bridesmaids wore pink Alfred Sung dresses with matching floral strap heels by Gianna Binni.

Jon wore a Ralph Lauren purple label tuxedo.

Upon guests’ arrival at cocktails, champagne and small bites were offered on the lawn. Annapolis-based Ken’s Creative Kitchen featured local rockfish and farm-to-table style dining for all 180 guests.

Following the intimate ceremony, guests were whisked away to the Williams’s residence, where they enjoyed cocktails, a delicious summer seafood dinner, and dancing beneath a grand sailcloth tent. The Maryland sunset painted the sky with hues of periwinkle, orange, and pink, casting a magical glow over the celebration.

All in the Mix is a local baker in Easton, MD. Tiny blue butterflies adorned the three-tiered cake.

Amidst this beauty, there was a poignant reminder of loved ones lost; a rainbow appeared in the clear sky during the reception, a testament to the bride’s brother, whose spirit graced this unforgettable day. The bride lost her brother in 2020, and the family believes this rainbow was a sign of his presence. Kat and her father danced to ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. There was not a dry eye underneath the tent.

Flashback to a humid Saturday afternoon in NYC, September 2020. Jonathan Blake found himself at Greenwich Street Tavern in Tribeca surrounded by friends. A few tables away, Katarina Williams and her friend savored a glass of chilled white wine. Their eyes met, introductions ensued, and soon, Kat and Jon’s groups decided to merge tables. Before they parted ways, Jon and Kat exchanged numbers. Three weeks later, Jon summoned the courage to ask Kat on a proper date, and from that moment on, their journey together unfolded.

The family dog greeted guests during cocktail hour!