Reenie McKiernan and Chris Bounds first met during a summer term at SMU’s Taos campus, where they enrolled in the course at their friends' suggestion. As Reenie puts it, “Our friends were not subtle about trying to set us up!” Eight years later, Chris proposed just blocks from their Greenwich Village apartment at Washington Mews—followed by a Champagne toast with family, a surprise dinner that turned into a 50-person celebration, and a late-night apartment house party that set the tone for what was to come—a Nantucket wedding on June 21, 2025

When it came time to plan the celebration, the couple considered a variety of locations, from California to New Mexico to the East Coast. “All the venues were gorgeous, but I just kept saying, ‘It’s not Nantucket!’” Reenie recalls. The island’s mix of tradition, beauty, and casual charm felt like the right backdrop, and the couple designed the weekend to showcase as many corners of it as possible—from downtown and Straight Wharf to the church in town, and, of course, a final stop at Cru.

With Taylor Soule Events leading planning and Tori Samuel overseeing event design—and plenty of hands-on involvement from the mother of the bride—the weekend was thoughtfully paced, layered with detail, and full of movement. Photographer Jaimee Morse captured the events with a sharp editorial eye, while Willow Tree Films documented the celebration on video.

Florals by Kerianne Nelson Flora balanced Nantucket restraint with seasonal texture, while paper goods by Emily Baird Design, custom fabrication and furniture by Form Creative Services, draping by Drape Art Designs, and lighting by Catch Light Design rounded out the creative team.

Celebrations began with a playful “NanTexas”-themed welcome party as a nod to Chris’s roots and the place where he and Reenie met. Guests embraced cowboy hats and boots as they moved through downtown Nantucket, while the bride wore the Lein Constance dress paired with Miron Crosby metallic boots customized with ‘ACK’ and ‘R + C’ on the pulls.

When it came down to her wedding day ensemble, finding the right look took time. After trying on more than 30 dresses, Reenie chose the Mira Zwillinger Suma, paired with its matching veil. Comfort was non-negotiable for the long day ahead, so she opted for Chanel Mary-Jane flats, a decision she later called one of her best. Makeup artist Paolina Doycheva and hairstylist Kendall Williams led beauty for the day, finishing the look with a sense of polish and restraint.

The second look came together just days before the wedding, when Reenie pivoted to an Alexandra Pijut mini. “I immediately loved the Elsa dress. It’s so fun and felt so me," the bride shares. "I loved changing into this mini, putting down my hair and dancing into the night!”

Rather than attending a single static event, guests were guided through a series of experiences throughout the wedding day, starting with a ceremony at St. Mary’s Church. A string quartet and small choir filled the space, with a standout solo performance of "The Prayer" lending a sense of ceremony without excess.

Following the service, guests exited the church to a New Orleans–style second line band, dancing their way to shuttles as noise makers and streamers set a celebratory tone. The reception at Nantucket Golf Club unfolded across multiple spaces, beginning with an extended cocktail hour split between the front garden and back patio—complete with a raw bar, chipping and putting games, clam chowder shooters, and a fully custom 360-degree “Sailor’s Valentine” shell bar. An escort wall inspired by traditional Nantucket quarterboards doubled as both décor and keepsake—many guests even took theirs home at the end of the night.

Inside the tent, the couple made their entrance to "Gimme Gimme" by ABBA, immediately setting the tone for the evening. The Affinity Band of Aragon Artists kept the dance floor packed well past dinner, earning chants for an encore by night’s end. Toasts from Chris’s best man, Reenie’s sister, and her father struck the right balance of humor and reflection, with a surprise parents’ dance to "Lovely Day" offering a moment of warmth before the party resumed.

The cake—designed by Elizabeth Mayhew—was served late in the evening. Cigars, Irish coffees, mudslides, and "The Josie Bar"—named for their dog and inspired by Nantucket’s famous spot, The Juice Bar—ensured the night carried on without pause. And when the celebration moved to Cru for the after-party, the energy didn’t dip. “The Crucumbers were flowing, and the party wasn’t slowing!” Reenie laughs.

By the time the weekend came to a close, the celebration felt less like a single event and more like a shared experience—one shaped by place, pacing, and a deep understanding of how to bring people together. Nantucket did the rest.