Brittany & Nathan
LongHouse Reserve, Sat Oct 7th
We remember once reading somewhere that love is like light – it either snaps on like a lightbulb in a dark room, or shows itself slowly like a sunrise. For Brittany it was the latter; her love for Nathan illuminating with time. After meeting their senior year at George Washington University, a mutual friend invited them on a paddle boat ride around the tidal basin where Brittany and Nathan were put in the same boat. “At first I thought Nathan was very quiet and reserved,” says Brittany. “As I got to know him I realized how unique and special he really was.” For Nathan, Brittany’s personality was a little more pronounced. “My first impression was that she was this cute, sassy girl who was always making me laugh,” he recalls. As the two got to know each other better, a deep connection grew. “With every experience we shared I fell more and more in love with him.”
It was so comforting to know I had a partner the entire way. He made everything fun and easy even in the most stressful situations.
Brittany
Brittany: Having our wedding at Longhouse was a no-brainer. We knew we wanted to have a destination where all our family and friends could be with us the entire weekend. The Hamptons was an obvious choice as I spent childhood summers on my family boat in Montauk, and once Nathan and I started dating, we shared so many amazing memories out there together. It was a meaningful place for both of us that our guests wouldn’t have to travel too far to get to. When the unique opportunity to have our wedding at Longhouse came our way (they only do two big weddings a year) we went to go visit the grounds and it was love at first sight. We saw some other venues as we didn’t want to make any rash decisions, but nothing compared. We knew Longhouse would provide a unique experience for our guests and the pictures would come out incredibly with all the greenery and unique art. It proved to be the perfect venue.
Nathan: The easiest decision for me was definitely the band. It was the first decision we made before even confirming Longhouse, and had so much fun meeting with Element.
Brittany: Having a wedding outside was a blank slate. Everything needed to be brought in. There were so many elements and decisions that needed to be made and vendors to juggle. It got overwhelming at times. Luckily we had amazing planners to keep us on track.
Nathan: Definitely the guest list. We were trying to keep the day intimate to people who had a close relationship with us, but also wanted to be inclusive.
Seeing Brittany for the first time was a surreal experience. She looked amazing!
Nathan
Every turn really is a feast for your eyes... I truly feel lucky to have had my wedding there.
Brittany
It represents so much of why we were there in the first place. That piece of paper will forever remind us that we are bound for life.
Brittany
Brittany: Going into the wedding planning process it was always my vision we were trying to execute. I assumed that as a result I would be doing the majority of the planning. Whenever I got flustered or overwhelmed, Nathan always stepped in. Whether it be to execute, or just be a soundboard for me, he was always there. It was so comforting to know I had a partner the entire way. He made everything fun and easy even in the most stressful situations.
Nathan: I learned that Brittany and I are an amazing team. We had to work together in a new way than before, but our relationship definitely grew through the process.
Brittany: Teamwork. Together we can conquer anything, and we will always have fun along the way.
Brittany: When Nathan recited his vows. He was incredibly poised and spoke so eloquently. Everything he said came from the heart and I was so proud to be up there with him. I remember feeling that even though we were standing in front of all our family and friends, it felt like it was just us.
Nathan: The first look stands out the most. It was built up so much during the day and seeing Brittany for the first time was a surreal experience. She looked amazing!
Everything he said came from the heart and I was so proud to be up there with him.
Brittany
We had to work together in a new way than before, but our relationship definitely grew through the process.
Nathan
Brittany: Our Ketubah. It represents so much of why we were there in the first place. That piece of paper will forever remind us that we are bound for life. I also love that our dear friends have their signatures on it as witnesses. It’s incredibly special and i will always remember all of us signing it.
Nathan: Brittany’s maid of honor Lindsay got us our vows printed and bound in our wedding invitation booklet as a gift. Our vows were such a special part of the day, and we’re happy we can now display them at home.
Brittany: It was so thrilling to know that we were bringing our guests somewhere most have never been to. The grounds have a natural flow that took everyone through so much beauty and art during each moment of the night. Every turn really is a feast for your eyes. It was so fun in the design process incorporating the natural surrounding elements into the day. I truly feel lucky to have had my wedding there.
Nathan: Brittany and her mom decided this is where she wanted to get married many years ago; fortunately I was on board.
Nathan: Even if your wife says she doesn’t want your help….she wants your help
Brittany: Never go to bed angry. Communicate and resolve the issues in the moment so you can move on from it.
Brittany: Try not to stress. No matter how much you plan, something will go wrong. It’s inevitable. You just have to go with the flow and know that more than likely your the only one that notices. I think it’s also important to constantly remember what this is all for. You get to marry your best friend and no amount of stress can take away from how exciting that is!
Nathan: One, hire a great band. It’s way more fun when everyone is on the dance floor the entire night.
Two, make a conscious effort to be together at all points during the night. It is easy to get pulled in different conversations, and when all is said and done, you want the memories and pictures to be of the two of you together.
Make a conscious effort to be together at all points during the night... You want the memories and pictures to be of the two of you together.
Nathan
Together we can conquer anything, and we will always have fun along the way.
Brittany
With a graduate degree in painting, Nathan Smith brings a distinctly compositional sensibility to his work at The Day, where he is also known as the house philosopher. Having extensive experience living internationally, Nathan has a special ability to pick out the unique beauty of varying cultural traditions—something he is able to do whether the wedding is in New York or a more exotic destination.
