Some weddings linger in memory not for their grandeur but for the heart that pulses through every detail. Rachel & Steven’s wedding at Beach Plum Farm in Cape May, New Jersey, was exactly that — a celebration that balanced elegance with intimacy, and joy with tender remembrance.
The day began with a quiet, emotional beach vow exchange at sunrise, just the two of them, savoring a moment of privacy before the whirlwind. With an emphasis on presence and connection, they chose a first look so they could spend every possible moment with their family and guests.
The ceremony unfolded within an ellipse of hedges, surrounded by loved ones and filled with deeply personal touches: Rachel’s brother walked her down the aisle in honor of their late father, her brother-in-law officiated, and their siblings stood beside them. The absence of Rachel’s dad was deeply felt, but also honored with details like a photo charm in her bouquet, a ring bearer pillow embroidered with his handwriting, and a dance with her brother to “Save You a Seat” by Alex Warren — reminders that love endures beyond this life.
From heartfelt vows to cocktails under clear skies (a gift they like to think was her dad’s presence at work), Rachel & Steven created a day that was intentionally personal, full of laughter, and endlessly meaningful. Every detail reflected who they are — from DIY invitations and custom illustrated dog-themed coasters to a cake baked by Rachel herself. It was a wedding that embodied joy, creativity, and most of all, the power of choosing one another every day.
“Love is about choosing each other every day. Things won’t always be perfect, but at the end of it all, there’s no one else you’d rather come home to than your best friend.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Steven followed me on Instagram two years before we ever met, and I always wondered who this random guy was—especially when his face kept reappearing in my Hinge likes over the years. It wasn’t until his fourth or fifth attempt to match with me on the app that I finally gave in and replied. From there, things moved quickly. We exchanged numbers, started texting nonstop, and the connection was instant.
I kept thinking, can it really be this easy? I hate to sound cheesy but when we met in person, everything fell into place. It felt effortless, natural—like the universe or someone or something had been quietly working behind the scenes, waiting for the timing to be just right.
From that very first date, we were inseparable. We moved in together after four months, got a dog within a year, and now—married and searching for our first home.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
It was deeply important to feel my dad’s presence on our wedding day. He passed away seven years ago from brain cancer, and there were countless moments during the planning process when the weight of his absence hit me hard—especially knowing he wouldn’t be there to walk me down the aisle or share a father-daughter dance. That said, I’m incredibly grateful for my big brother, who stepped into that role with so much love and strength.
We found meaningful ways to honor my dad throughout the day. The ring bearer pillow was embroidered with a handwritten note he once gave me, my bouquet held a charm with his photo, and my brother and I danced to “Save You a Seat” by Alex Warren—a beautiful reminder that love doesn’t leave us.
What part of your wedding day was most important to you?
From the beginning of wedding planning, Steven and I were intentional about staying present and soaking in every moment—both with each other and with the friends and family who traveled from near and far to be with us. Initially, we were set on not doing a first look; there’s something timeless and emotional about the groom seeing his bride for the first time walking down the aisle. But ultimately, we chose to do it.
It allowed us to share a quiet, meaningful moment together before the whirlwind began—and more importantly, it gave us the chance to be fully present with our guests from the ceremony all the way through cocktail hour and the reception. Being able to mingle with our guests over cocktails and appetizers, then dance all night long with them during the reception, was everything we had hoped for. Sharing those moments—laughing, celebrating, and truly connecting—meant the world to us.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
The best thing we’ve learned from one another is how to communicate and support each other through stress or tough moments. Everyone has bad days and faces challenges, and it’s so important for your partner to be there for you in the way you need them to be—and it’s just as important to be able to identify and communicate the type of support you need.
We laugh about this but whenever one of us is venting or upset, we’ll ask: “Do you want to be helped, heard, or hugged?” It’s a simple question, but it makes a difference. Especially during the chaos of wedding planning, when I’d spiral about all of the details, Steven would jump into “fix-it” mode—and sometimes all I really wanted to do was complain whilst being handed a glass of wine.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
One of my favorite things about Steven is his uncanny ability to make me laugh—anytime, anywhere. He has this effortless way of turning even the most mundane moment into something hilarious. His quick wit and uniquely sharp sense of humor never cease to amaze me, and no matter what kind of day I’m having, he always finds a way to lift my mood.
Steven doesn’t always have the best way with words so I’m quoting his text message exactly as it states: “Favorite thing about you is probably that you’re my best friend and we just have fun together we don’t need to be out or doing something we just laugh alllllll the time and I love your face and I love how kind you are and I love how thoughtful you are and I love how I know you’re going to be the best mother to ever mother.”
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
One of my favorite parts of our wedding was all the personal, DIY touches we brought to life. I fully leaned into my creative side—from designing our invitations, cocktail hour and dinner menus, to baking several Italian olive oil cakes the week of the wedding as our dessert. But the standout project has to be the custom coasters I made for cocktail hour.
I got it in my head that our dog needed to be part of the celebration in a big way, so I painted a cartoon-style illustration of her with a champagne tower balanced on her back, scanned it into my computer, and turned it into coasters for guests. It was over-the-top, totally unnecessary, and completely perfect.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
You’re a team—always on the same side. When any issue arises, it should always be the two of you together versus the problem.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love is about choosing each other every day. Things won’t always be perfect. There will be moments of frustration, days when one of you is in a mood, or when you unintentionally get on each other’s nerves. But what matters most is knowing that, at the end of it all, there’s no one else you’d rather come home to than your best friend.
Bride: Rachel Giovanello Oliver / @rachelgiovanello
Groom: Steven Oliver / @stoliver
Venue: Beach Plum Farm / @beachplumfarm / @caperesortsweddings
Photography: Elle Austen Photo
Videography: Toast Weddings / @toastweddings
Florals: Cape May Flower Co. / @capemayflowerco
Hair & Makeup: Sarah Slade Salon / @sarahsladesalon
Band: Back2Life (BVT Live) / @bvtlive
Planner & Rentals: Shore Thing Event Services / @shorethingeventservices
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / @maggiesotterodesigns
Tuxedo: Rocco’s Custom Tailor / @roccocustomtailor
Cake (by the bride): By Ray Baking Co. / @byraybakingco
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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