When I hear the words classic New York, this is exactly the type of affair I imagine. A wedding day as glamorous as can be, with a nod to details that will forever be in style and photography so breathtaking, it should be hanging on the walls of a museum. And it’s no wonder because the vendors behind this Bowery Hotel wedding are some of the best in the business. From the details so perfectly executed by Lyndsey Hamilton Events to the florals lined up in a stunning row by Belle Fleur and the pictures shot by Michael Falco of Christian Oth Studio, this is a guaranteed to be added to your favorites list the second you lay eyes on the full gallery.
From Christian Oth Studio…Rich in European heritage, Stephanie Sgroe brought a touch of Europe to New York City in a gorgeous affair at the Bowery Hotel. The couple met while interning at Morgan Stanley in Washington DC. She was a junior at George Washington University and he was spending the semester “abroad” through Hobart College. There, in the winter of 2004, marked the beginning of their journey. Frank Trotta, with Brownstone Investments, asked Stephanie, a stylist for Ralph Lauren, to marry him on the Puerto Rican beach March 28, 2011. This New York couple had always planned to have a destination wedding, but after much thought, decided to wed in their beloved City. Much of the bride’s family came from Europe, which led to their decision to wed at The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral following with a reception at The Bowery Hotel.
Family is an integral part of their lives, evident in carrying on family tradition with bride and groom gifts. Stephanie gave Frank a Longines watch, which his mother did for his father at their wedding. And just as she, Frank continued a tradition that Stephanie’s grandfather started in France and has passed through the generations, giving her a Hermes scarf, along with a bracelet. Stephanie wore her grandmother’s signet ring on her pinky as her “something old,” her stunning Christos dress was “something new,” an antique hairpiece from her best friend was “something borrowed,” and undergarments served as “something blue.” She chose to give her bridesmaids’ monogrammed boxes from Ralph Lauren and Frank gave individual gifts from Kaufmann Mercantile to his groomsmen along with a pair of Ralph Lauren cufflinks to his best man. With family bring a huge part of their lives, it was important to the couple to honor Frank’s father, who passed away in 2006. In the back of their ceremony program, they wrote a dedication in remembrance of him.
“I wanted to give our guests an experience they had never had before,” said the Bride. “The Bowery gave us just that because it is so unlike anything else in the City. The tapestry filled walls and floor to ceiling windows, you feel like you are in the English countryside.” Walls of exposed brick, white linens adorned with greenery, and candelabras wrapped in vines, gave guests the feeling of being in a castle. Hints of Italy shined with invitations printed on the oldest Italian paper and authentic Italian food served for dinner. A surprise everyone enjoyed midway through the night was a gelato bar with flavors of hazelnut, banana, and chocolate. A jazz band played during dinner then guests danced the night away with DJ Johnny Stewart. When Stephanie was asked to describe her day, she said it was her idea of a modern fairy tale; classic and romantic, with a touch of whimsical! “My Dad put it best when describing what we wanted to Meredith Waga from Belle Fleur…’the botanical gardens on fire,” said Stephanie.
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Photography: Michael Falco of Christian Oth Studio | Event Planning: Carrie Sartor, Lyndsey Hamilton Events | Ceremony: The Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral | Reception: Bowery Hotel | Floral Design: Meredith Waga, Belle Fleur | Cake: A Simple Cake | Bridesmaid Dresses: Saja | Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Wedding Dress: Christos | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren Purple Label | Wedding Rings: Ultimate Jewelry Designs | Music: Bon Musique + DJ Johnny Stuart | Invitations: The Printery | Hair + Makeup: Damali NYC