There are some weddings where every detail feels like it belongs together, and Courtney and Doug’s Hempstead House wedding was exactly that. Set at the historic Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve on Long Island, their celebration paired the grandeur of the estate with deeply romantic details, vintage influences, and a rich palette of dusty pink, burgundy, cream, black, and white.

After eleven years together, Courtney and Doug were married on the 11th of April, a subtle detail that made the day feel even more personal. From the candlelit reception and layered florals to the custom paper details throughout the celebration, their wedding felt elevated without losing the personality that made it distinctly theirs.

A European-Inspired Wedding at Hempstead House

One of the most striking things about Hempstead House is how easily it transports you somewhere else. Between its stone exterior, Gothic architectural details, wood-paneled interiors, arched windows, and waterfront grounds, the estate has an old-world quality that feels more like a European property than a venue just outside New York City.

Courtney and Doug embraced that character rather than competing with it. Their design incorporated vintage-inspired details, romantic draping, layered textures, crystal glassware, moody florals, and abundant candlelight. The result felt collected and intentional rather than overly coordinated.

The ceremony took place outside against the estate and waterfront, surrounded by loose, garden-inspired florals in shades of blush, cream, burgundy, and green. Even their dachshund joined the celebration dressed for the occasion, adding one of the sweetest personal touches to the day.

Vintage Details and a Moody, Candlelit Reception

Inside Hempstead House, the design became warmer, moodier, and even more layered.

Dusty rose menus sat over patterned blue-green napkins, while crystal glassware, silver accents, taper candles, and sprawling floral arrangements filled the tables. Burgundy and muted pink florals added depth against the lighter linens, while candlelight transformed the grand architecture as the evening continued.

One of my favorite elements was the contrast between the historic setting and the slightly unexpected use of color and pattern. Rather than designing everything to perfectly match, the details complemented one another. The blue patterned linens, dusty pink paper, burgundy accents, vintage glassware, and florals all felt as though they had been collected together over time.

Courtney’s embroidered Kim Kassas Couture gown fit that approach beautifully. Its intricate detailing felt completely at home within the architecture of Hempstead House while still feeling unique and fashion-forward.

Custom Wedding Stationery Designed for Their Hempstead House Wedding

When designing custom wedding stationery, I always want the paper to feel like an extension of the celebration rather than a collection of separate pieces placed around the room.

For Courtney and Doug, that meant carrying the romantic, vintage-inspired aesthetic into each of their wedding day details through color, typography, shape, and ornamental artwork.

I designed custom menus in a dusty rose tone with vintage-inspired floral detailing, along with coordinating table numbers in deeper burgundy tones. The contrast allowed the pieces to feel related without making every item identical.

Their custom bar signage became another opportunity to introduce something a little more decorative. Rather than using a traditional rectangular sign, we created a custom die-cut shape surrounded by ornate, vintage-inspired artwork that felt particularly fitting against the lush floral installation.

Wedding Day Paper That Became Part of the Design

Some of the smallest paper details ended up having a significant impact on the overall guest experience.

Instead of traditional place cards, each guest’s name was printed on an individual ribbon tied delicately at their place setting. Against the layered tablescape, the ribbons added movement and softness without introducing another heavy paper element.

For the seating chart, individual cards were arranged across a custom lattice display outside Hempstead House. The structure’s soft green tone and climbing greenery connected beautifully with the grounds while allowing the individual stationery pieces to remain the focus.

Custom cocktail napkins and matchbooks featuring Courtney and Doug’s monogram carried their wedding identity into even smaller moments throughout the celebration. The matchbooks in particular felt right at home among the vintage details of the day and became something guests could actually take with them.

These are the details I love most about creating custom wedding stationery and wedding day paper because the stationery doesn’t have to stop with the invitation. It can become part of the environment guests experience throughout the entire wedding.

Creating a Wedding That Felt Personal to Courtney & Doug

What made this celebration especially beautiful was that the details never felt like details simply for the sake of having them.

Courtney and Doug had a clear point of view, and the team at Apricity Event Co. brought those ideas together throughout the property. Courtney and Doug originally found Word For Word Designs through Apricity, and it was such a pleasure creating paper pieces that complemented the larger vision they were building for the day.

From their dachshund joining the celebration to the significance of marrying on the 11th after eleven years together, there were personal moments woven throughout a wedding that was otherwise incredibly grand.

That combination is what made the celebration so memorable: historic architecture and elevated design alongside details that still felt completely personal to the two of them.

Planning Your Own Custom Wedding Stationery?

Vendor Team

Venue + Catering: Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve
Coordination + Production: Apricity Event Co.
Florals: Yana Team Decor
Photography: Kyla Jeanette
Videography: 87 & Smith
Stationery + Wedding Day Paper: Word For Word Designs
Beauty: Beauty Icon
Band: Hudson Horns
Lighting: Fusion Productions
Cake: Dreamy Figs
Rentals: Party Rentals LTD, Something Vintage Rentals, Little Vintage Rentals, Nuage Designs, Early Bird Vintage
Photobooth: Majestic Photobooth
DJ: Jay Bonax / 4AM NYC
Fortune Teller: Sassi Entertainment
Bagpiper: NYC Bagpipes