Exclusive: Taylor Strecker and Taylor Donohue's Intimate Coastal Wedding in Massachusetts

When Taylor Strecker, host of the daily talk show The Taylor Strecker Show on Patreon and the podcast Taste of Taylor, first met videographer and editor Taylor Donohue at a video shoot, it was not love at first sight. They had the same name, after all, which was "unforgivable" in Strecker's book. However, Strecker did need a videographer for her blog and hired Donohue for the job. They quickly became friends and developed feelings for each other. While Strecker was recently separated and never had feelings for a woman before, she decided to make a move. Taking that chance worked out, and Taylor and Taylor fell in love.

After five years of dating, Strecker and Donohue decided on an engagement date and shopped for their rings together at Love Locked. On November 10, 2020, each of them created a surprise proposal for the other. Strecker blindfolded Donohue and took her to their favorite piano bar Marie’s Crisis, where she got down on one knee. Donohue planned for their roof deck to be decorated, and hired their old friend Ed McFarland to cook a private dinner for them at their apartment in Jersey City.

The couple decided to get married on August 14, 2021 at Taylor Strecker's parent's home in Cohasset, Massachusetts. "It was a no-brainer," says Strecker. "During the pandemic, the Taylors were 'stuck' there for six weeks, so it became our second home and we wanted to share this picturesque New England harbor with the rest of our family and closest friends."

"We got engaged in November, so only had nine months to plan," notes Donohue. "That said, with our crazy work schedules and our 'it’s-just-a-dinner-party' mentality, we only kicked into high gear in the last six weeks. Despite that, they were able to keep it relatively stress-free—with only a handful of TS meltdowns with help from our amazing couples therapist!"

While the couple enlisted help of Kristen Campbell of Forklift Catering, they took a DIY approach to get the party together. "The week-of had major Father of the Bride vibes," says Donohue. "I hung the bistro lights myself and made the playlists for the entire weekend. Taylor Strecker dripped crystal candlesticks, and thanks to an unhinged shopping spree at Homegoods, transformed the front deck of her parent’s house into a Moroccan-themed lounge and dance floor. Strecker's sister Paige Dusel, handled the romantic indoor lighting and floral arrangements. Also, my sister, Ashley Lisi, married us!"

Ahead, see the beautifully intimate wedding planned by Kristen Campbell of Forklift Catering and photographed by Stacey Salter Moore.

The wedding day began with an unexpected surprise: A forecast of thunderstorms. One standout memory for Donohue? "Trying to put up Strecker's childhood best friend's mother’s 40-by-20-foot pink-and-white stripped tent the literal morning of the wedding for two hours to no avail," she says. "Yes, the brides were sweating with the guys trying to get it up." Despite the early-morning workout, the tent was no longer need at the end of the day. "It went from 100-percent rain to 0-percent while we were getting our hair and makeup done," recalls Strecker.

For their beauty looks, Strecker wanted "to look like an elevated version of my everyday self" and Donohue wanted a style that was simple and elegant. "All credit goes to my friend and hairstylist Julius Michael," says Strecker. "He has done my hair for years so I totally trusted that he would make me the best version of me! Plus his husband Artyoa is incredible at makeup. Dream team!"

For her bridal look, Strecker chose a jumpsuit from ASOS Bridal. It was the 3 C’s...chic, classic, and it covered my arms," she says. "Bonus, it had pockets. I’m a sucker for pockets."

This jumpsuit actually wasn't Strecker's first pick. "I actually got it as a backup, but the more I looked around the more I knew it was the one! And, the fact that it was $200 was just icing on the damn cake," she says. "The best part is I found it through a Brides article for wedding jumpsuits. All I knew was that I wanted a jumpsuit and voila!"

As for her signature scent that day? "Le Labo Santal 33 and sweat. It was a heatwave," Strecker replies.

While Taylor Donohue had another dress from Net-A-Porter ready to go, she decided on her dress, a high-neck crepe dress from BHLDN, the morning of. She knew it was the one when "my sister, Ali, told me I had Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct vibes," says Donohue. For her accessories, she sported a Badgley Mischka diamond bracelet. "[It] was a wedding gift from my sister-in-law Lisa Donohue to my sister Ashley Lisi for her wedding," she notes.

As the ceremony began, the couple had flower boys throw petals ahead of the brides' entrances.

The brides asked each of their fathers to walk them down the aisle as a violinist played Canon in D during the procession.

"I always wanted Nantucket vibes, and she wanted something small and intimate," says Strecker. "Two blue hydrangea bouquets and 26 guests later—our dream came true."

The couple decided they didn't need to write their own vows. "We knew that our officiant, my sister Ashley Lisi, would say everything we wanted to say and more," shares Donohue. "And, true to form, she delivered with all the tears from both sides crying and laughing."

After they said "I do," the brides processed to a rendition of the Natalie Cole song "This Will Be" played by their violinist.

Even though the two Taylors pulled together their wedding in such a short amount of time, the easiest part of planning was working together. "We didn’t always have the same vision, but were always able to find a compromise," shares Donohue. "A miracle given there were two brides involved!"

After the ceremony, the brides took photos with their family and friends. In lieu of a wedding party, they had the kids attending serve as flower boys and girls. They all wore coordinated Ralph Lauren outfits for the event.

At cocktail hour, the brides and guests lounged with drinks to celebrate the ceremony and take a pause before a seated dinner. "Taylor Donohue is very low key (think Heineken) but I am kind of snobby (think Sancerre). So it was inevitable that the wedding would be elegant, but chill," says Strecker. "Very bridezilla meets bridechilla!"

The reception dinner took on a very simple and coastal feel. For the tablescape, the brides chose "neutrals because we wanted to play off the beauty of the water view," notes Strecker. "Centerpieces were simple and elegant from the delightful Richard at Hingham Greenery."

Forklift Catering created the perfect menu for a reception on the water. For the first course, the table was piled high with seafood towers featuring Duxbury oysters, colossal shrimp cocktail, and tuna tartare. Later, they served burrata with local baby gems, petit filets with broiled Maine lobster tails, and crème brûlée for dessert.

As the sun was setting, the brides took to the water to take in the moment. "Don’t sweat the small details because the only one who will notice is you," advises Strecker. "So when your Dad cuts the trees back too much, there’s no need to throw and adult tantrum because no one even noticed."

The brides decided they didn't need to spend the big bucks on their wedding cake. "My mother made the wedding cake herself, costing all of $7 with Duncan Hines spice cake and homemade icing," says Strecker.

As they carried on into the night, the brides had a blast on the dance floor and even both got impromptu lap dances from one of their guests— a "Magic Mike moment," they add.

"We weren’t planning on a formal first dance because we were nervous, but we ended up having an impromptu first dance at 12:30am to “Waiting For a Star to Fall” by Boy Meets Girl," shares Donohue. "We always joked it would be our first dance and, by mistake, it happened."