Inspired by all things Brooklyn, this couple looked no further than their local surroundings to hand-craft a sweet day of nuptials. It’s an affair so stylish (hello gorgeous lace dress) and filled with meaningful details (hello sea of papel picado) that make for a wedding so personalized and uniquely them. Captured by Jenelle Kappe Photography, see more of these two lovey love birds + their pup and their day of merriment in the full gallery.
From the Bride… We meet in 2008 at an art event. I was involved with someone at the time so I did not pay too much attention to him. We connected added each other on Facebook, saw each other at another event two weeks later, and that was it. Fast forward to Valentine’s Day weekend 2010 — we were both single. He posted something regarding music, and I responded. With that, we began corresponding via tweets, emails and text. A few weeks later we had our first date. It was supposed to be a concert, but the act canceled, so we met up for happy hour and ended up nearly closing the bar. From that day on, we just kept going. Six months later (this being NYC with its crazy-high rents), his roommate moved out and I moved in. We have a “his” and “hers” version on our wedding website.
From the start, we knew we wanted to share our daily lives with our family and friends. Getting married outside was a no brainer, and Johann sweetly said he would prefer a morning ceremony. Clearly he had no clue what went into making a wedding, but he stated that he wanted to be married all day long, that and he didn’t want to sweat too much. The inspiration was Brooklyn! Local! This was a casual Brooklyn day, Lali and Jojo style. The venue was our local bar, and because it has an eclectic vibe, I was able to mix in my own cake stands, candy dishes, tin cans, pictures of my great-grandparents and these fabulous pillows a friend gave us as a wedding present. My great-aunt gifted me fabric place mats and croceted dollies, which were used at the cake table. My cousins sent us handmade mini baskets from Mexico, which were made by the indigionus people of my family’s home state of Chihuahua. They held traditional Mexican wedding cookies that were made in Mexico by family there. The teddy bear who stays in our bed even was front and center for both the ceremony and reception. All these were little things that my family and friends could recgnize as us. my great aunts began to cry when they saw pictures of their parents (my great-grandparents) framed and displayed. I wanted them to know that regardless of how far we are, I will always know where we started.
My sister made my bouquet from bodega bought flowers and ribbons I had. I asked her to place my late Abuelita’s (paternal) road runner pins on her bouquet and mine. I did not want our budget to be eaten up by flowers, so we bought small glasses and shot glasses from IKEA, and I ordered white carnations. I know carnations are not a fancy flower, but they remind me of the large bouquets my dad would get me as a pre-teen to celebrate my birthday. They made me feel fancy. To make it more us, we bought white papel picado from La Sirena in the Lower East Side. My favorite moment was our vows. We are bilingual, but being able to both say our vows in Spanish really hit home for me. We didn’t tell each other we would be doing that. I also loved having my great-aunts and grandma sing to us during our first dance. The song was chosen by my grandfather, who was unable to attend due to health. Of course, seeing our families let loose and dance together was great! And having my sister stand up next to me — she is little but, boy, her support was mighty that day!
Wedding Photography: Jenelle Kappe Photography / Ceremony: Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York / Reception: Rustik Tavern in Brooklyn, New York / Flowers: DIY by the Bride’s Sister / Carnations: Global Rose / Event Design + Planning: DIY / Officiant: Rodney Ladino / Road Runner Pin: From the Bride’s Grandmother / Papel Picado Banners: La Sirena / “We Do” Dish: Pink Olive / Guest Book: Stephanie Somers / Wedding Dress: Diane von Furstenberg / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / Bride’s Earrings: Michael Kors / Bride’s Bracelet: Kate Spade / Bride’s Purse: Zara / Hair: Laureen of Styles on B / Makeup: Anita Negron (Bride’s Best Friend) / Groom’s Shoes: UNIQLO + Puma / Groom’s Bow Tie: Macy’s / Groom’s Socks: UNIQLO