A Nautical Vibe and Intimate Boat Ride at This Waterfront Wedding

Katie and Chris tied the knot on June 15, 2024 at Bay Head Yacht Club.

Their Story

Katie Curtin and Chris Westenhiser met on Hinge in February 2020, just weeks before the world shut down. During the pandemic, they each decided to move back home with their respective parents, Katie in Basking Ridge and Chris in Randolph—luckily only a 15-minute drive.

“It was basically like high school dating again,” Katie recalls with a laugh. “While it was a strange time, we enjoyed every minute we spent together and with our families.”

Over the next few years, the couple’s relationship blossomed over games of tennis and pickleball, building a shared home in Hoboken, and trips down the Shore to Bay Head, where they tied the knot on June 15, 2024.

The Proposal 

In October 2022, Chris planned a surprise trip for Katie’s 30th birthday—not revealing their destination (Miami) until they arrived at the airport. On the last night of their vacation, Chris popped the question during an evening walk along the beach.

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Details of the Day

Katie has been going to Bay Head with her extended family since she was a little girl. “It was our summer spot,” she says of the small borough in Ocean County.

When Katie and Chris began dating, they started spending summer weekends there together. Katie had always dreamed of getting married in Bay Head, and Chris readily agreed that it was the perfect spot for their big day.

They picked the waterfront Bay Head Yacht Club for their nuptials, and went for a nautical, beachy vibe on their wedding day, achieved with a mostly neutral color scheme and an array of glorious florals from Jardiniere Fine Flowers, consisting of white peonies, cappuccino roses, white roses and greenery.

The Bay Head Yacht Club’s spectacular setting along the water provided a picturesque backdrop for taking photos, enjoying cocktail hour on the deck, and celebrating with family and friends.

Guests danced the night away to the energetic sounds of the couple’s favorite band, Brian Kirk & the Jirks, who Katie and Chris have seen perform in their Hoboken neighborhood and at other venues around New Jersey. “They were absolutely amazing and had all of our guests up dancing and singing the entire night,” Katie says.

Saying “I Do”

Katie and Chris penned their own vows, but decided to exchange them in private, prior to their ceremony with all 205 of their guests. Doing so gave the couple a chance to remove themselves from the celebratory aspect of their wedding day and reflect on what it was really about. “This is about us and the two of us starting our lives together,” Katie says.

Favorite Moment

Instead of taking a private moment together in the bridal suite after their ceremony, Katie and Chris took a boat ride, just the two of them, and then met their guests at cocktail hour.

“It was so unique and so special to have a moment to ourselves on the water before celebrating with our family and friends,” Katie says.

Advice For Other Couples

“On the day of, don’t worry and stress about all the small details,” Katie says. “Once your day is here, soak it up and enjoy every minute.” 

Honeymoon

After a two-week trip to Hawaii—where they surfed, snorkeled, relaxed on the beach, and played tennis and golf—Katie, 32, and Chris, 31, are at home in Hoboken.

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