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If you think Whitney Weeks and Doug Pickett look like they jumped right out of aRalph Lauren catalog, it’s because they actually did. “We met at the Ralph Lauren headquarters during a fitting for a shoot six years ago,” says Whitney, who’s the brand’s women’s fashion editor. “He was the face of the men’s Polo ads, and I was the stylist on the shoots back then. Doug has worked with Ralph Lauren for almost 15 years, so he is practically family to the advertising team. Funnily enough, I actually used to have an ad of his taped up inside my locker at school. Anyway, on my first day of work, my boss actually told me she knew my future husband and had him in mind. She was adamant that we were a perfect match—even though we didn’t realize it at first!” Now, Doug is finishing his studies at Columbia University while working at Cedar, a health care startup. “He models occasionally but is mostly focused on his career,” says Whitney, who is still at Ralph Lauren.

They had been dating for two years when they decided to take a New Year’s vacation to Costa Rica together. “After surfing one morning, we went on a long hike to a fairly secluded waterfall,” remembers Whitney. “It was really hot, and I jumped right in, wondering why Doug was being so cautious. He then swam up to me with the ring on his pinkie and proposed.”

Whitney’s family has been going to Martha’s Vineyard for generations, so it was an obvious location choice for her wedding. Staunchly against any kind of event that felt preppy or cookie cutter-ish, she held all of the festivities up island. “It is much more pastoral and bucolic,” she says. “I love how there are stone walls in fields that go right to the ocean, surrounded by old trees, beautiful lighthouses, and cottages. I wanted the vibe to be laid-back and natural, and not take away from this stunning setting where horse fields meet the beach.” Having driven by the Allen Farm for years on trips to Aquinnah, she always thought it was the most picturesque spot on the island. “I loved the idea of the wedding party spending the day swimming and having fun at the beach in front of the farm, then glamming up for the big event later that night,” she says.

Whitney opted not to have a wedding planner and took a very DIY approach to the whole process. “This proved to make me slightly insane for a few months, as I wanted everything to be perfect for friends, family, and the entire Ralph Lauren team,” she admits. “Luckily, friends were kind enough to help with things I couldn’t do alone, though.” One of her favorite parts of the planning process was working with Happy Menocal, a Brooklyn-based artist who created the couple’s custom crest, invitations, ceremony cards, and menus. “Everything she did was a total work of art,” says Whitney.

For her dress, the bride wanted a dreamy, romantic-feeling look that fit with the location of her wedding, and ended up going with one by designer Lihi Hod—the third she tried on during her search. “My friends told me I’d be crazy not to wear it,” she says. She ended up working with the designer to customize it by shortening the sleeves and making a few other minimal changes. “I loved the lace and the low back—it felt very feminine but also bohemian.” For jewelry, she wore a pair of her mom’s diamond stud earrings and her espadrilles were by Ralph Lauren. “I needed something I could walk on grass in but also shoes with height as my husband is a foot taller than I am!” She worked with White Rose Collective to book her makeup. “They set me up with Ingeborg, who was such a wonderful, soothing presence throughout the day. She kept it really natural and pared down, so I felt like myself—just a ‘glowier’ version!” Longtime coworker and friend Louis Angelo had done the hair on many of the shoots Whitney had styled at Ralph Lauren, so while also attending as a guest, he stepped in to create her loose wavy half up, half down look.

The ceremony took place where the field meets the sea on the Allen Farm, surrounded by horses and sheep. Whitney’s bridesmaids each wore a different white dress and walked in to “The Winner Is,” a song from the movie Little Miss Sunshine, a favorite of Whitney’s. They were escorted by groomsmen in navy Ralph Lauren suits. “I had given all of the bridesmaids personalized gold lockets as gifts, and they all looked like angels,” says Whitney. The bride then walked down the aisle to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” “It was a long walk from the farmhouse, where I got ready, down to the water, so my dad and I had an amazing moment to really talk to each other and shed a few tears,” says Whitney.

Family friend Valerie Biden Owens—Vice President Joe Biden’s sister and the best man’s mom—officiated the ceremony. “She is an incredible woman and did a spectacular job,” says the bride. “There were lots of laughs, a few tears, and an amazing kiss.”

Afterward, guests made their way up a hill for the reception. Renny & Reed, based in New York City, oversaw the flowers—loose arrangements of orchids and moss in whites and deep greens—and decor for the cocktail tent and dinner. “They did my sister’s wedding as well and were so wonderful to work with,” says Whitney. Local caterer Annie Foley put together a menu consisting of mostly organic ingredients that included miso cod and beef tenderloin. “We wanted everything served family-style so guests could really interact and get to know each other as they ate at the long farm tables named after destinations around the world that we’d traveled to together,” says Whitney.

The newlyweds kicked off the party with a first dance to “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding. “We had a lot of back and forth about this,” admits Whitney. “I am incredibly shy in front of groups, so ultimately I told Doug to pick whatever he wanted as long as it is easy!” Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, a band out of Martha’s Vineyard that Doug had picked, got everyone out on the dance floor early on. “They continued to dance for hours,” remembers Whitney. “After the noise ordinance forced the party to end, our guests departed, and Doug and I went down to a cottage on the property that’s right on the beach, where we spent our wedding night. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.”Read more at:prom dresses manchester | cheap blue prom dresses