written by Megin Potter | Photos by Elario Photography
On the waters of Lake George, Jessica Adams Russell met Connor Kinzelmann. Unlike two ships passing each other in the night however, Jessica and Connor reconnected again shortly after for their first date at Max London’s Restaurant and Bar in Saratoga Springs. Two years later, while at the Sagamore Resort, Connor proposed.
Both Jessica and Connor love the water and selected Cape Cod, Massachusetts for their July 17, 2026 destination wedding. To create an experience uniquely their own, they chose the classic old-world charm of the Chatham Bars Inn for their rehearsal dinner and welcome party, and the modern luxury of the Wychmere Beach Club for their ceremony and reception space.
Captaining the Ship
Jessica fell in love with the Wychmere at first sight. The idyllic setting - with its astonishing panoramic oceanfront views and white sand beaches - is nearly a five-hour drive from the Capital Region, making planning a wedding there for 100 guests a challenge as unique as this love story.
“Achieving success at wedding planning is about understanding the couple’s vision, creating a thoughtful guest experience, and choosing really fabulous vendors,” said Billie Jo Newman. For 25+ years, Billie Jo has worked alongside Jessica’s mother and CEO of Frank Adams Jewelers, Kimberly Adams Russell, handling advertising, marketing, events and community relations for the fourth generation, family-owned business. Because she has known Jessica since her birth, Billie Jo was determined to create the wedding of her dreams.
“I know her and her style, and we get along really well,” said Billie Jo. The closeness of their existing personal and working relationship made communication during the year-long planning process infinitely easier – including an agonizing search for invitations, flowers, and signage in a very specific shade of blush pink, adding just the right touch of sophistication to the wedding’s beachy, laid-back coastal vibes.
Manning the Deck
Considerable time and research were put into finding and forging new relationships with vendors that made the event truly special.
“It’s not just about finding someone who is talented—it’s about finding people who really understand your vision, communicate well, and who you feel confident putting your trust in, from miles away,” said Billie Jo. Discovering proprietors like those running The Tern Inn Bed & Breakfast and Cottages was exceptionally rewarding. They were wonderfully warm and accommodating, even facilitating early bookings. Weeks after the wedding, guests were still raving about what an absolutely lovely stay they had there.
By also leaning into the family’s established relationships with local vendors and continuing to support those who have supported them through the years, the event felt even more meaningful (justifying the added travel fees and accommodation costs).
Leaving Port
Thirty-five years ago, Joe Elario photographed Jessica’s mother, Kimberly Adams Russell as she walked down the aisle. Since then, Elario Photography has become a local legend, so it was only natural that Joe’s son, JP Elario (who has followed in his father’s footsteps), would capture Jessica and Connor’s big day.
Working with Rena Zeppetelli, founder of Rena's Fine Flowers, and the mother of Jessica’s childhood friend, added another deeply personal layer to the destination wedding. To bring the floral vision to life flawlessly, Rena rented a floral studio on Cape Cod, creating a dedicated space to stage and prepare the arrangements – ensuring every detail of the floral design was executed exactly as Jessica envisioned.
Chris Garabedian, a family friend, bespoke tailor, and member of the clergy, officiated the ceremony.
Even with Billie Jo managing so many details from afar, having a highly skilled Wychmere wedding coordinator onsite proved invaluable. For a destination wedding, countless venue and location-specific details simply couldn’t be anticipated from home. Having someone on-site who knows Wychmere intimately provided both expertise and peace of mind, allowing Billie Jo to focus on the larger vision while the onsite team handled the many details that could only be managed in person.
Billie Jo also oversaw the personalized elements that made the celebration uniquely theirs, including custom signage by Designs by Viv, which incorporated the couple’s beloved French bulldogs, Pablo and Saint, into the wedding. Their signature cocktails, named for the dogs, added another playful and personal touch. A dedicated wedding website kept guests informed throughout the planning process while making RSVPs and last-minute updates easy for Billie Jo to manage.
As Jessica says… “It very much exceeded my vision. It turned out to be everything I wanted and more! Everyone saw my vision and helped make it become real.”
Venue: Wychmere Beach Club (@wychmereevents, @wychmerebeachclub, wychmere.com)
Photographer & Videographer: Elario Photography, JP Elario (@elariophotography, @elariofilms, elariophotography.com)
Flowers: Rena's Fine Flowers (@renafineflowers, renasfineflowers.com)
Wedding Gown: Galia Lahav (@galialahav, galialahav.com)
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lily Saratoga (@lilysaratoga, lilysaratoga.com)
Hair & Makeup: Teal Hair & Makeup Studio (@teal-studio, tealhairstudio.com)
Groom's Attire: Chris Garabedian, Bespoke Tailor (@chris_jack_garabedian, cgarabedian.com)
Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux (theblacktux.com)
Jewelry/Watches: Frank Adams Jewelers (@frankadamsjewel, frankadams.com)
Bridal: @markpatterson, markpatterson.com | Men's Band: @sylvie.jewelry, sylviejewelry.com
Local Wedding Coordinator: Billie Jo Newman (@billiejonewman)
Onsite Wedding Coordinator: Kristin Nashville, Wychmere Events
Stationery Suite: Prettiest Pixel (@prettiestpixel, theprettiestpixel.com)
Wedding Signage: Signs By Viv, Vivienne Walsh (@signsbyviv, signsbyviv.com)
Transportation: Chatham Valet (chathamvalet.com)
Photobooth: Smile Lounge, Greg Cushman (@smileloungeny, smileloungeinteractive.com)
Music: Ceremony/Cocktail Hour: Naavi Strings (@naavistrings, naavistrings.com)
Reception: Night Shift Entertainment ft. Upper East (@night.shift_entertainment, nightshiftent.com)
Rehearsal Dinner & Welcome Party: Chatham Bars Inn (@chathambarsinn, chathambarsinn.com)