Long before their first date in February 2024, Claire Emily O’Callaghan, a content creator and stylist, and William Van Brunt Knox, a sales director at Sports Illustrated, had been living parallel lives. The two met through mutual friends on Nantucket, only to discover they had grown up just 15 minutes apart in Connecticut. Call it the invisible string theory in action.
A year-and-a-half after they started dating, Will proposed during a sunset boat cruise in Greenwich. “It had poured all day,” Claire remembers. “But I swear, just as we were stepping onto the boat, the sun came out.”
From the very beginning, Claire knew she wanted to get married in her hometown. “I grew up going to Westchester Country Club, which is where one of my sisters got married. So, to do something slightly different, we chose Manursing Island Club, which is right next door on the beach and the most beautiful setting,” she explains. Will’s side of the story was represented, too: The rehearsal dinner and welcome drinks took place at Round Hill Club in Greenwich, where he grew up spending time—and, coincidentally, where Claire’s other older sister was married.
During a trip to New York Bridal Fashion Week, Claire discovered Australian label Shehzarin Batha Couture and immediately connected with the designer’s aesthetic. Together, they created a custom strapless wedding dress, and Claire added a sheer off-the-shoulder wrap. Simple diamond studs and a necklace by Stephanie Gottlieb completed the look.
The night before the wedding, Claire wore a Rohe dress with Manolo Blahnik heels, Chan Luu earrings, and a Marlies Grace clutch for the rehearsal dinner and welcome party. And because there’s no rule that says all of the wedding traditions have to happen on the wedding day, Claire and Will got a few out of the way early. “We closed out the welcome drinks with my bouquet toss,” Claire says. “It was such a fun way to end the night!”
The next morning Claire got ready with her sisters and her hairstylist Cynthia. Her bridesmaids coordinated in shades of yellow, with two wearing Delphine and the third choosing a Louise New York dress. Will also went custom in a linen suit by Proper Cloth with Allen Edmonds loafers.
On September 19, 2026, Claire and Will married outside at Manursing Island Club, with the bride’s eldest sister officiating. “My sister gave the most beautiful sermon, and it was so special having her speak to Will’s and my relationship,” Claire says. A priest who has been close with Claire's family for years gave a blessing, and the couple exchanged vows they had written themselves. “It was surreal reading them,” Claire remembers. “I think they made everyone feel and understand how much love we have for each other.”
After the ceremony, everyone moved into the clubhouse, where the newly minted Knoxes put their new last name to good use behind the bar. Guests ordered spicy Knox-aritas and Hard Knox Spritzes, riffs on the couple’s favorite cocktails, before sitting down to dinner. Claire and her mother designed the tables themselves, layering custom Table Two Studio placemats and napkins with wicker chargers and votives.
After dinner, Claire and Will opened the dance floor with their first dance to Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need”—and from there, Claire barely left it. “Our dance floor was so fun, and I didn’t leave it once,” she recalls. A DJ and saxophonist kept the party going all night.
Later, churros and mini espresso martinis made the rounds, while mini carrot cakes, fruit tarts, and custom Tony’s Chocolonely bars filled the dessert table. And when Manursing Island Club officially closed for the evening, the party simply changed addresses. Everyone headed to a bar in town, where pizza, candy, and more dancing carried on until the early hours.
