It all started on TikTok. The wedding planning, that is. The love story begins many years prior to the advent of the popular social media app, back when Madelyn Redmond and Cobin Leindecker were just students at The Dunham School. But when Cobin proposed in the Bahamas in August 2024, Madelyn was already recalling her TikTok history.

“I immediately remembered seeing this TikTok of a bride at Rosecliff Mansion, and I just couldn’t get it out of my head,” Madelyn says of the venue, which was the site of filming for the first The Great Gatsby, in addition to now serving as a museum. “They were originally booked solid for two years, so the August Events team showed me so many other amazing venues, but nothing felt exactly right. Then, one day in December, I got a call from them telling me that there had been a cancellation at Rosecliff and that the venue was now available on September 6. It felt like fate.”

From there, the couple leaned on Tiffany Pilgrim and Maranda Cardinale of August Events. Madelyn narrowed down her priorities: showstopping florals, a waterfront ceremony and a seated dinner.

“I was in PA school, so I waited until my May graduation to choose most of the details,” Madelyn recalls. “But I’m a decisive person, so I knew what I wanted.”

And what she wanted was a classic vibe that served to showcase the natural beauty of the venue. White florals. Plenty of candles. A cocktail hour enhanced by a gospel choir. Tiffany and Maranda drew from Madelyn’s dress—a Monique Lhuillier creation found through a trunk show at I Do Bridal Couture in Covington that effortlessly blended a classic, full ballgown with a modern neckline—to inform the wedding’s overall design.

“We always draw inspiration from the bride’s dress into our design process. It reveals so much about a bride and her vision for her wedding day,” Tiffany says. “We layered heavy candlelight onto romantic, textured linens to soften and contrast the ballroom’s strong architectural lines. Oversized florals in modern shapes kept the design properly scaled. The wedding cake had a modern design that mirrored both the lace and lines of her dress. Everything added impact without competing with the ballroom.”

The mansion’s main ballroom was the center of the Leindecker celebration. The couple’s about 100 guests were seated for dinner in the space, and Madelyn made a second impression by debuting a half-up hairstyle and a new look for her dress, which was now without the long-sleeve, lace jacket she had worn for the ceremony.

“I don’t like to be the center of attention, so I didn’t even want to do the first dance,” Madelyn confesses. “But Cobin insisted.”

“I knew it would be a special moment we both would regret if we did not do it, and we are both glad we did,” Cobin says. “It was a time in the day when it felt like it was just us two. I chose the song ‘To The Ends of the Earth’ because I thought the song told a story of how I really felt about her.”

This sentimentality was carried to every detail of the couple’s intimate affair. Madelyn’s beloved grandfather officiated the ceremony, in which Madelyn’s mother walked her down the aisle. And in addition to spending time with each guest during the seated dinner, Madelyn and Cobin wrote handwritten letters to each attendee, which served as their seating card. “People really made an effort to come that far and support us,” Madelyn says. “We wanted to thank them.”

Hosting the event out of town, the couple says they were able to have the intimate experience they were hoping for while also creating memories in a new place. Now, all Madelyn and Cobin need to do to relive their magical wedding weekend is to catch the next flight to the East Coast.

“It was the best day of my life,” Cobin says. “I got to marry my best friend and the girl I love most in this world at one of the nicest places I have ever been. Getting to marry your best friend, waterfront, where The Great Gatsby was filmed, is a very special feeling that I’m so grateful for.”

Hear from Him & Her

How did you know he/she was the one?

C: I could not see myself spending the rest of my life without her. When I felt I couldn’t live without her, I knew she was the one.

M: He consistently shows me unconditional love, and I couldn’t imagine going through the big moments in life without him.

What is one detail that stands out when you think back on your wedding day?

C: I will never forget the feeling I got when I saw her walk down the front lawn.

M: Having my grandfather officiate our ceremony was one of the most special parts of the day. He plays such a huge role in my life, so having him marry us was a blessing. The gospel choir was a close second!

How would you describe your wedding in 5 words or less?

C & M: Timeless, intentional, detailed, intimate, fairytale

If you had one piece of advice for engaged couples, what would it be?

C & M: Your wedding is the only time in your lives that everyone you both love is gathered in the same place, at the same time. Remember that, and cherish the time you have with everyone together. Take a few minutes during your reception to stand back and take it all in. The day goes by incredibly fast. Take a moment to remove yourselves and appreciate all of the details.

CEREMONY & RECEPTION Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, Rhode Island / COORDINATOR August Events / CATERER Blackstone Catering / CAKE Confectionery Designs / FLORIST Flowers by Semia / INVITATIONS Paper N’ Things / BRIDAL GOWN Monique Lhuillier, I Do Bridal Couture Covington / BRIDESMAID DRESSES Dessy Group / RINGS Anton’s Fine Jewelry / HAIR Dani Borgmeyer, EGGIE Salon Studio / MAKEUP Maddie Grabert / VIDEOGRAPHER Abshire Films / BAND Speechless Music