I’ve never really been the girl who wanted a glamorous, princess wedding (in fact, I want to elope), but there’s something about this wedding that has me completely enchanted. The stunning Rosecliff Mansion (where The Great Gatsby was originally filmed). The Bride’s Ines Di Santo dress. The oh-so-elegant reception designed by Sayles Livingston Flowers. It all adds up to one truly magestic day. Get inspired with gorgeous images from CLY by Matthew assisted by Matthew Ree in THE VAULT!
From The Bride…To us, wedding was both a scene out of a chapter from our favorite book, and a nostalgic moment from our dreams. We kicked off the wedding celebration the day before with a picnic-style polo match. The players, Suleman, his family and friends, played as we cheered and enjoyed Ghanian, Eritrean and American cuisines–dishes representative of our cultural origins. Our venue, Rosecliff Mansion, has special significance; it was a historic home that we visited while in college. During this visit we joked about the idea of having a wedding at Rosecliff without having any clue that years later this would foreshadow our wedding. Rosecliff is also the backdrop of where the story from our favorite book, The Great Gatsby, was originally filmed. The orchids adorning various tables and corners of the venue were also symbolic. Orchids are the flowers Suleman sent me every Valentine’s Day for the past 7 years. As a tribute to our engagement, we featured Tuscan wines native to the local region where Suleman proposed. Our signature drink was a concoction created by our friends from Newport, RI using apples from their Newport orchid. On each table we placed a card to have our guests play a game of “I Spy.” With the provided disposable cameras, our guests snapped “spy” moments on the list such as a moment where the groom was caught playing with his ring or a group photo.
Photography: CLY BY MATTHEW | Cinematography: D.P. Weddings | Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Design | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Bride's Shoes: Sergio Rossi | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Catering: Blackstone Catering | Makeup: JOANNA PETIT-FRERE | Hair: Nancy V Brown | Groom's Attire: Black Lapel | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Rosecliff Mansion | Groom's Shoes: Louis Leeman | Photography - Assistance: MATTHEW REE PHOTOGRAPHY