Bride of the Month: Jenna Thornley

Photo Captured By Carlos Alvarado of Fresh New Angle

Here at Art Paper Scissors, we absolutely love bringing a couples’ wedding theme to life. From save-the-dates to invitations to thank you cards and everything in between, Art Paper Scissors is a couple's one-stop-shop for all things wedding stationery. 

Today we are chatting with our newest bride of the month, Jenna Thornley. The new Mrs. Thornley and her husband Aidan tied the knot last month in October 2018 with a gorgeous celebration at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. We loved designing their nautical navy wedding invitations, perfect for their celebration in Asbury Park.

Jenna is sharing all of the details of their wedding day - read on and enjoy these beautiful photos, captured by Carlos Alvarado of Fresh New Angle and guests of the wedding!

Art Paper Scissors: Tell us about your wedding day. The date, place and any extra fun details you would like to share.

Jenna: Aidan and I got married on October 27th, 2018. Living near the beach, Aidan and I knew that we wanted our wedding to be near the ocean. It is a sense of peacefulness for both of us. We also knew that we wanted our location to be practical as far as distance and having everything being at one place. Neither of us were connected to a specific church and we knew that we wanted to make it convenient for us as well as our guests.

Having the ceremony, reception, after party and hotel all at one location was perfect! We fell in love with the venue, the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. We knew that if there was not ideal weather, the inside would be beautiful for pictures. I was very glad that we picked such a beautiful location because we had a nor’easter on the day of our wedding! My family has been involved in the boating industry for a long time. When I was looking for ideas on Pinterest, I came across a picture of the escort cards on a floating boat key chain. I knew from that moment I wanted to have a nautical theme. It was amazing to see all the little details that you plan come together the day of the wedding.

Art Paper Scissors: How do you remember that special day? Any great memory that stands out?

Jenna: Looking back on our wedding day, people tell you that the imperfections make for great memories; I knew that it was not going to be without some flaws, however, I look back at it and regardless of the minor issues, I still believe it was the perfect day. There are two memories that stand out as great moments.

We decided to do a first look and after all the pictures were done, we went back to the “getting ready room” with both parts of the bridal parties and our immediate families. Just sitting there talking with everyone was amazing. All the stress of the pictures was over and we could just hang out together before the rest of the guests arrived.


My second favorite moment was right after the ceremony. Aidan and I went into the reception room with our photographer to take some pictures before everyone came in. Just looking around the room before everyone came in was so special. It was so quiet and looking at all the little details that came together was amazing. I was so happy we were able to have a few moments to ourselves in the room before the 200+ guests came in.

Art Paper Scissors: What is your favorite part about being married?

Jenna: Aidan and I have known each other since middle school. I am lucky to have not only married an amazing man but also my best friend. We have also been living together for about 2 ½ years before we got married, so we did not have the added stress of moving in or having to learn about each other’s (good and bad) habits. Most people would say nothing felt different after getting married but I would disagree. After we got married it felt more permanent, but in a good way. Looking at Aidan, and knowing he was my husband instead of just my boyfriend or fiancé, was so calming.

Art Paper Scissors: Describe your wedding theme and feel in 3 words. Why did you choose this theme?

Jenna: Nautical, elegant, simple. I saw a picture of floating boat key chains as the escort cards and I knew I wanted to have a nautical theme. We did oars as our guest book, buoys as our table numbers, different shades of blue for the bridal party, anchors as our cake toppers and other little details.

I have always loved the beach and my family has always been around boats. I did not necessarily want a beach theme, but I loved the concept of nautical. The bridal party had just baby’s breath for the flowers and I have always loved the simplicity of that. The tables had baby’s breath with white hydrangeas. I felt like it did not take away from the beauty of the room but was just enough of an elegant touch.

Art Paper Scissors: How did you decide on your nautical navy wedding invitations?

Jenna: Since I knew I wanted the nautical theme, I met with Lisa and we discussed what I liked and did not like. I did not realize that I was not a huge fan of compasses until she showed me a picture of one as an option for the invitation! She came up with this ship’s wheel with our initials and date and we were able to incorporate that into other little details of our wedding day. We put it on the escort cards, on the boat key and on our toasting glasses. Aidan and I love blue and white so we knew those colors were going to be incorporated in the wedding details. Lisa was able to capture what I did not even know I wanted on our invitations.

Art Paper Scissors: What design element or feature was a “must have” for your wedding invitations?

Jenna: Going into our initial meeting with Lisa, I was not even sure what I wanted for our invitations. Simple, elegant and nautical were the only things I had in my mind. I cannot imagine now having done any other invitation. It fit Aidan and I perfectly and was unique and individual to us. I LOVED the design she created for us with the ship’s wheel.

Art Paper Scissors: What advice do you have for other brides and grooms looking to incorporate their theme or personal elements into their wedding invitations?

Jenna: Initially, I did not think invitations were important. Lisa had mentioned it is the first thing (aside from the save-the-date) that your guests will see that will give them an idea as to what your wedding will be like. I received so many compliments about the invitations! I was so excited for people to see them. My advice would be to use Lisa! Aside from that, think about how you want people to see your wedding through the invitation. It really is the first look people will have as far as your wedding. Is there something that you want to incorporate into your details that you can also include in your invitation? Something small that might be repeated or used again? I loved our invitations and I would not have changed a thing!

Thank you, Jenna and Aidan! We are so happy that you enjoyed every moment of your wedding day. Congratulations!

Looking for the perfect invitations for your dream wedding? Click here to contact the Art Paper Scissors team and get started.