Regan + David

Best of Both Worlds

Regan + David

oth small and large weddings have their perks. Smaller gatherings provide an opportunity to be more intentional with the guest list and allow ample time to visit with those who attend.

On the other hand, larger weddings are a great way to accommodate big families, ensuring that no one feels slighted for not receiving an invitation. A larger event is also helpful if you have several siblings or close friends whom you want to include in the wedding party. Plus, who doesn’t love a good party?

But what about creating a day that incorporates the best aspects of both? That’s exactly what Regan Northrop and David Pagone did for their wedding on Sept. 24, 2021 – and Sept. 25, 2021.

“One of my pet peeves of going to weddings is the in-between time between the ceremony and reception,” Northrop said.

That prompted the couple to initially look for one venue where they could host both the ceremony and the reception.

“But with that, we are both religious and have wanted to get married in the church since we were little,” Northrop said.

The solution? The couple chose to do a small church ceremony with a limited number of family members and friends on Friday before the rehearsal dinner, followed by a larger ceremony and reception with an extended guest list on Saturday.

“It all seemed to flow the way the ‘day before’ the wedding should,” Northrop said. “We just technically got married.”

Although the invitations to Friday’s ceremony were kept to 60 of the couple’s nearest and dearest, Saturday’s event

Planning Pointer

Say “I do” to stealing a moment for just the two of you. “We took a moment before dinner and went out into the field with our photographer to take some sunset photos,” Northrop recalled. The sunset was less than spectacular, so instead, the couple used the time to practice their first dance. “Kim left us after a little bit, but she sure did get some funny pictures of us dancing on logs by ourselves. Those turned out to be some of my favorite photographs.”

Planning Pointer

The couple skipped the “first look,” opting instead to write the other a note to read while getting ready, and they surprised each other with a gift. Pagone surprised Northrop with her wedding band, which he selected himself, and Northrop gave Pagone a gift that had once belonged to his late grandmother.

The couple chose to marry in a small church ceremony surrounded by family and friends the day before their larger celebration.

welcomed 175 guests – a number the couple said felt perfect for a larger celebration.

“We wanted to be able to talk to everyone there, so we didn’t want [the guest list] to be too big where that couldn’t happen,” they said.

At fewer than 200 guests, the evening had all the vibes of a fun party, without overwhelming the couple or making guests feel unappreciated. The other perk of planning back-to-back wedding celebrations of di erent sizes was that it o ered something for everyone.

“The Friday ceremony meant so much to our families,” Northrop said. “I think it was more emotional having a smaller group.”

It also helped to curb some “wedding jitters,” allowing the couple to truly live in the moment of the day. “Technically, we were already married [Saturday],” Northrop said. With some of the butterflies and nervousness out of the way, Saturday’s event became a celebration of gratitude.

“Something we will remember forever [is] seeing every single person who has influenced our lives in some way all in one room celebrating us,” Northrop said. “When you look back on that, it’s a pretty cool thought.”

Vendors

Wedding Coordinator: Door County Event Planners Ceremony/Reception Venue: Badger Ranch Photographer: Kim Thiel Photography Flowers: Flora Flower Shop Catering/Dinner Vendor: Thyme Catering Cake/Dessert: FlourGirl Patissier Music/DJ: Elite Music Service Hair: Details Hair Innovation Makeup: Jill Kristen Artistry Rehearsal Dinner Venue/Catering: Horseshoe Bay Beach Club Bartenders/Bar Service: Door County Event Planners