New York Weddings

From the custom wedding dress, to the sleek and modern design details, to the finest city venue, this Brooklyn wedding is the epitome of the ultimate city affair! With incredible event designing and florals by Faye + Renee, the day was glamorous yet minimalist and modern all wrapped into one. Get ready to be inspired after browsing the gallery all captured by the super talented Ryon:Lockhart Photography!

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From the bride… Daniel and I met at Hofstra University our last semester in 2010. We were paired together alphabetically by last name. As soon as we all introduced ourselves, it was interest at first sight. Daniel is smart, witty and made me laugh through our conversations on facebook chat. I looked forwarded to when our group had to meet. Right before graduation we went on our first date walking through Central Park. We ended up officially dating a few months after, which turned into four blissful years.

His proposal was very romantic! We took a trip upstate NY to Seneca Lake for his birthday. We went wine tasting and later that night we went to a farm to table dinner with Riesling wine pairing. The owner introduced herself and started to give us a tour which lead us into the tasting room which is were Daniel proposed! It was such a magical night with great conversations of love with the surrounding company.

We knew we wanted to have an original wedding, that takes you away from your traditional hall. Daniel comes from a huge family and I come from the opposite, we had to find an accommodating venue that could hold 250 guests. We knew we wanted to be in New York with a warehouse vibe. It was the second venue we looked at and once we arrived, we both knew this was it! The Liberty Warehouse in Red Hook Brooklyn has two floors, open raw concept with the ability to create anything you wished. Our vision was to create a speakeasy vibe, utilizing both floors and outside. The venue director, florists and props along with the DJ & lighting made it happen. They were all on board with our vision which we had ample time planning with our two year engagement.

The wedding weekend quickly arrived and it was an incredible kind of homecoming for us. We had our Welcome Gathering in the Penthouse Suite at Gild Hall Hotel which was a nice ice breaker since it was the first time the entire bridal party was together. The next morning the myself and the bridal party rushed off to the Liberty Warehouse to get ready in the bridal suite which offered the perfect lighting for our makeup artist and a big space to get ready. The boys got ready at the hotel that offered the perfect gentlemen setting with leather and metal details.

My dresses were designed by Rolando Santana which slid on like a glove, I wanted to stick with a timeless, classic look. I trusted all my bridesmaids to pick out their dress of choice. Daniel wanted to stand out so we chose a navy suit with black lapel while the groomsmen had black tuxes. When everyone got together for pictures it blended so well.

If I had to describe the day with one word, magical. We were nervous about the day since there was a hurricane coming up the coast. Fortunately it decided to hold off, we had our ceremony outside with the sun setting in the back of Lady Liberty. Cocktail hour was out on the Promenade listening to the Brooklyn Bluegrass Band and indulging in the food. We were then whisked away to the second floor to have dinner, listen to speeches and of course dance with our parents. Then it was time to party! We allowed all the guests to move downstairs where we turned it into a speakeasy vibe. There was antique furniture set up on the perimeters of the dance floor and access to enjoy the outside as well.

The night ran so smoothly, all the decor and music was perfect. For dessert we had Waffles and Dinges outside and inside guests could enjoy cake and espresso. All our vendors we worked with were more than accommodating, they were or became friends. We had a enchanting night and it was wonderful to be surrounded by friends and family. Ryon : Lockhart Photography captured beautifully this magical day that everyone cannot stop talking about months later!

Photography: Ryon:Lockhart Photography | Videography: Kiss The Bride Films | Event Design: Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design | Floral Design: Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design | Wedding Dress: Custom by Rolando Santana for Ports 1961 | Cake: Lucky Bird Bakes | Wedding Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Catering: The Liberty Warehouse | Hair and Makeup: Artist Makeup Academy | DJ: Dash of Class | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Wedding Venue: The Liberty Warehouse | Dessert: Wafels Dinges

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Cinematography

Kiss The Bride Films

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With a sweet couple celebrating seven years of wedded bliss and a view of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop, Esther Sun captured what can best be described as pure magic. Each and every image captures the beauty of love, the beauty of Brooklyn and the celebration of seven wonderful years.

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From the couple… Anniversaries, an opportunity to look back and fill up on gratitude for all the blessings through the years. 7 years after our wedding, we’ve passed many milestones – first jobs, first apartment, two lovely daughters, our first business, first pets, first mini van… We also picked up our fair share of battle wounds and scars, won many victories, had suffocating lows, blessed many, and received even more blessings and promises. Honestly, we have been in such a busy and chaotic season in our lives that I wondered if we would have the time or energy to take a night off and celebrate. But this year, not only did we have our first date night in ages, but we also took a day to get dressed up, get hair and makeup done, and have our photos taken for the first time in 7 years! Because marriage is worth celebrating. Because our wedding day was the last time I focused on the importance of preserving our memories of us as a couple. And because showing our girls how to honor, love and respect each other well is one of the best things we can do for them. I’m convinced the world needs more positive images not just of the wedding day, but also the many years of marriage. We need to celebrate the sacredness of marriage and cherish the day-in and day-out, sometimes non-glamorous, displays of forgiveness, perseverance, commitment, hope, selflessness, and love.

Photography: Esther Sun Photography | Hair & makeup: Dlala

With a venue as beautiful as the Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, you can never go wrong with a simple and classic design just to simply enhance the beautiful backdrop. That’s exactly what this couple did with stunning white florals and lush greenery by Seaport Flowers. This couples’ happiness and love shines through the entire gallery all captured to perfection by Brklyn View Photography!

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From the photographer…Weddings at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are my absolute favorite. You are in the middle of one of the busiest boroughs in all of New York City, yet once you enter beyond the gates, you find yourself inside a luscious garden that is quiet, calm, and completely picturesque which is exactly why Marilyn and Dan wanted to get married at The Palm House!

The bride got ready at the ever stunning Crosby Street Hotel located in SoHo, Manhattan. The hotel rooms have an eclectic decor and abundance of natural light which is a photographers dream. Marilyn wore her grandmother’s gold necklace, which has been worn by all the women in her family on their own wedding days for three generations and counting! It is a true family heirloom. The Bride wore a delicate lace embroidered wedding dress that took everyone’s breath away once she slipped it on.

Dan and his groomsmen got ready at the couples’ apartment in historic Brooklyn Heights. Looking dapper in his tuxedo, he was excited to travel to Brooklyn Botanic Gardens for the couples first look in front of The Palm House. We took full advantage of the sun drenched magnolia plaza during their bride and groom portraits. Their wedding ceremony was held outside in front of a stunning tree just before sunset. Their priest was one of the funniest officiants ever and had everyone in attendance laughing out loud to his cheery annotates and clever analogies. Guests were treated to sunset cocktail hour outside on the terrace before the reception began inside stunning glass atrium of The Palm House.

One of the most memorable speeches was given by Marilyn’s father. He gushed about his daughters accomplishments before recounting one of his favorite childhood memories of Marilyn in her swimsuit as a baby. He even brought it from home for everyone to see! Marilyn and Dan know how to d-a-n-c-e and had a great time on the dance floor while Hank Lane Band brought the house down – no one sat down during the reception!

The Bride and Groom are just the sweetest, kindest and most thoughtful couple and I’m so honored I was a part of their wedding celebration! Congratulations Marilyn and Dan!

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Floral Design: Seaport Flowers | Wedding Dress: Essence Of Australia | Invitations: Minted | Reception Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Brides Shoes: Badgley Mishka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Hair & Makeup: Lynette Gutierrez from Angelo David Salon | Groom's Attire: Black Lapel | Groomsmen's Attire: Black Lapel | Getting Ready: Crosby Street Hotel | Wedding Band: Hank Lane Music

This fete from Bashful Captures is the definition of urban chic. From the greenery-adorned brick backdrops and twinkling lights overhead to the Bride in her modern strapless Carolina Herrera dress and her bridesmaids in black, it’s the perfect blueprint if you’re planning your Big Day bash in the city.

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From Bashful Captures… Suzie and Jiwon started their wedding day at The William Vale, with the most gorgeous NYC skyline view. Their wedding party were all dressed in black. The bridesmaids wore all different black dresses, which looked super chic. Suzie’s simple Caroline Herrera dress was accessorized by her beautiful blue earrings. The hotel was just a few minutes away from their venue, so we walked around the neighborhood to take some pictures with all the fun backdrops in the area. Even on the hot summer day, Suzie and Jiwon were all smiles and enjoyed every moment of their special day. Their beautiful ceremony took place at the new and gorgeous Dobbin St. In Brooklyn. Upon arrival at Dobbin St., guests are welcomed by the venue’s dramatically fun cobalt blue wall. You then proceed through the elegantly black and white tiled foyer, that leads to the gorgeous open space where the awesome party would later take place. But before they kicked off the dancing and partying, Suzie and Jiwon had their heartfelt ceremony on the rooftop surrounded by their loved ones. The wedding decor reflected the couples urban and chic style throughout their wedding.

Photography: Bashful Captures | Floral Design: TJ Flowers | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Cake: Sugar Suckle | Invitations: Paperless Post | Shoes: Aquazzura | Rings: David S. Diamonds | Catering: Purslane Catering | Make up & Hair: Amy Chin Beauty | DJ: In The Mix | Hotel: William Vale | Dobbin St: Dobbin St | Video: Forged In The North | Wedding Coordinating: Starling On Bond

When the Bride’s dress is named the “Cleopatra” and features elegant, draped beading at the back and a romantic, flowing skirt, you know she is going to look unique, strong, and beautiful. And the goodness doesn’t stop there! This Brooklyn wedding photographed by READYLUCK, epitomizing bohemian elegance with details from the warm color palette to the assortment of lanterns, can’t be missed!

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From the Bride… Before we ever started the planning process, we shared the vision that we wanted our wedding to be an event that would bring our friends and family together to eat delicious food, dance to great music, and celebrate love in all its many forms. We couldn’t have been happier with the end result!

My dress was “Cleopatra” by Amanda Wakeley – I knew I wanted something totally different, and I felt beautiful and strong in it. I wore a bracelet custom designed to match the dress, and my mother added extra beading from the dress to my grandmother’s brooch pin, which I wore in my hair. Steve wore a Hugo Boss tux with a custom shirt by Martin Greenfield Clothiers of Brooklyn, New York, and a gold wedding band by Rebecca Overmann.

We co-created our ceremony with our lovely officiant, Deborah Roth, who helped us weave together customs that were meaningful and genuine to us. We placed a “wishing stone” on each guest’s seat prior to the ceremony and had our friends and family imbue them with good wishes during the ceremony; they are all in a vase in our home now. Our favorite crafted detail was four scarves, one from each of our mothers and maternal grandmothers, woven together and used to bind our hands in an infinity circle for the handfasting part of our ceremony – one of the world’s oldest wedding customs and the likely origin of the term “tying the knot”! It was such a powerful way to honor the strong women in our lives who helped teach us how to love.

Because Liberty Warehouse provides such a beautiful blank slate, we wanted colors that would really pop off the tables and walls. We decided on a mix of greens and jewel tones that would be bright and colorful while also being warm and inviting. One of my best friends made our cake – an ode to our childhood days of making sweet treats together. All of the decor, flowers, and details were orchestrated by the talented Konstantinos Floral Design and Decor Group, who executed this organic, bohemian vibe that had the room dripping in flowers and lanterns. We had a table with pictures of our grandparents as a nod to “our beginning.” Pegasus Productions designed the lighting, including the outdoor ceremony area, which then become a lounge area for guests during the reception.

Our favorite DIY project was a mural of letters and cards that we constructed for the cocktail area. Three months into our relationship, I moved 3,000 miles across the country for a year and a half, and because of this we accumulated quite the collection of notes and letters. Along with some cards from close family and friends, we decided to display these on a beautiful wooden door that we found in a local Astoria recycling warehouse.

Our favors were also a special “NY” DIY project. We knew our reception would go late into the night (a pizza truck showed up at 1:00am), so we decided to send guests home with breakfast – a brown paper bag with two bagels from our beloved Brooklyn Bagel (cream cheese and plastic knife included), honey sticks, and a choice of our three favorite teas from our local tea shop, Tea & Milk. Guests told us this absolutely saved them from hangovers!

There were so many incredible moments – probably the most memorable, though, was the last dance to “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons, a song that had special meaning to us. Marcus Reid Band of Hank Lane Entertainment played an incredible version of the song that had us and every one of our guests wildly jumping up, throwing our hands in the air, and singing along to the chorus! It was such an amazing end to an evening of seriously some of the best music we’ve ever heard.

One piece of advice that I would give Brides-to-be is to focus on the big picture – for the night of and in the larger scheme. It’s easy to get stressed by the details and decisions, but ultimately you and your guests may not even notice small details. Your guests will however feel the vibe and tone that you set. Staying focused on the message about yourselves and your values will absolutely translate to your friends and family.

Photography: Readyluck | Floral Design: Konstantinos Design | Wedding Dress: Amanda Wakeley | Lighting: Pegasus Productions | DJ: Hank Lane Music | Groom's Attire: Martin Greenfield | Venue: The Liberty Warehouse

Planning your wedding from the other side of the world might sound stressful, but this laid-back Bride and Groom took it in stride! With the help of Rock Paper Scissors Events, they created a relaxed, intimate Brooklyn celebration all the way from Australia – they didn’t even step foot in their venue until the week of the wedding! Jennifer Pauls, a sweet friend of the couple,  captured the fun-filled and joyous day, which you can see more of in the Vault.

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From Rock Paper Scissors Events… When we asked the couple to describe the feel of their ideal wedding, they said relaxed, warm, and intimate. Those ended up being the perfect adjectives to describe this Brooklyn wedding, held at Frankis Spuntino, the closest place locals have to a “backyard.”

Jaime and Rich actually planned their wedding all the way from Australia (the Bride is American and the Groom is Australian) and had never seen the wedding venue in person until they arrived for their wedding week. They told us a great story about why they chose it: “We chose this venue because we have seen ‘Being Frank’ on VICE, and we love the Franks’ passion for genuine, authentic food and the emphasis on family style meals surrounded by people you love.”

Jaime and Rich wanted a wedding that was all heart, with great food and close friends in an unpretentious, comfortable atmosphere. You’ll notice that the Groom wasn’t wearing a suit, and there was no wedding party in matching outfits. The amazing photos were taken by a friend. The whole wedding has this fun, authentic, naturally joyful vibe that radiates from the pictures.

A lot of Brides can learn from Jaime to focus on what is really important – you can create a wedding that is full of meaning without the stress of superficial details. Jaime and Rich brought us in to help create their vision of a gorgeous, natural, laid back design for their wedding day. They were a dream to work with and as laid back, fun and happy as their photos suggest.

Photography: Jennifer Pauls | Event Design: Rock Paper Scissors Events | Floral Design: Rock Paper Scissors Events | Wedding Dress: Charlie Brear | Catering: Frankies Spuntino | Bridal Boutique: Charlie Brear From Lilac Rose | Menus, Place Cards: The Groom | Musician: Matt Hartke

Not only is Michelle Elaine one of New York’s most sought-after wedding planners, but she’s an avid marathoner and certified personal trainer. She loves helping brides whip into shape before the Big Day, and Michelle is sharing some of her favorite slim down moves you can do just about anywhere. Pair this nine-step circuit with a clean eating plan and you’ll see big results in no time.

Lie on your right side keeping a steady form with your shoulders, chest, hips and legs in line with one another (*If you find yourself leaning forward or backward, and/or having difficulty keeping your balance just lean down on your elbow instead of fully extending your right arm.) You’re going to hold this position for 30-60 seconds, then switch to your left side and hold for another 30-60 seconds.

Get into a full plank position, as if you are about to start a push-up. From here, bring down your right arm and then your left so you get yourself into a plank position, and then lift your arms back up, leading with your right arm into that full plank position. You will keep bringing your arms down and up for 30-60 seconds, then switch to start with your left arm & perform for another 30-60 seconds.

Similar to the Tree Plank except this time both legs are fully extended and you will now dip your side down to just touch the ground and then bring back up. Perform these dips for 30-60 seconds and then switch to your opposite side for another 30-60 seconds.

Get into a full plank position and just place your left arm behind your back. Hold your body steady, don’t dip your hips down or push your butt up. Hold this position for 30-60 secondsand then switch arms.

This one is a little tough! Get into full plank position and then raise your right arm and left leg, hold for 30-60 seconds and then switch for left arm and right leg. (*This may be difficult to keep balance, if you need to, just kneel on the balancing leg.)

Get down on all fours and just lift your right foot to a 90-degree angle/hip height so that your foot is flat to the ceiling. Press up for a few inches as you bring that foot up and then lower back down and repeat for 30-60 seconds. Switch to your left foot & repeat for another 30-60 seconds.

Balance yourself into a full plank position with either a yoga ball or medicine ball and then lift your left leg and hold for 30-60 seconds while keeping balance. Then switch to your right leg & hold for another 30-60 seconds. (*The yoga ball, and/or a medicine ball will add difficulty so you can certainly opt for just having hands flat on the ground instead.)

Exactly what you’re thinking, just a basic push-up! But push-ups can transform your upper body & muscle tone! Start in a full plank position and then bring your body down & push-up. (*If you feel your hips sinking or your butt pushing up, place both knees down for assistance & keep the body steady.) Perform 10-15 push-ups.

Stand straight, head, shoulders, hips and feet aligned. Cross left arm over right & hold at a 90-degree angle, then lunge forward with your left leg. Continue to lunge forward alternating legs for 30-60 seconds. Then hold the lunge for 30-60 seconds and switch, this time starting with the right leg.

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Pair this Workout With Clean Eating for Max Results!

Photography: Laura Barisonzi | Make Up : Zann Parker | Hair: Styles On B | Sky Gallery: Sky Gallery | Trainer: Michelle Elaine Weddings

We learned some pretty hair tricks to get into the Valentine spirit on Friday, and now we’re ready for the finishing touches, just in time for our romantic dinner date this evening. In the spirt of all things sweet, this “Chocolate Smokey Eye” tutorial by Face Time Beauty Concierge is the perfect little piece to amp up your look for a special celebration. You Look Lovely Photography captured it all step-by-step, making it as easy as can be… now, if only your chocolate souffle plans were as simple…

Some people opt to do a smokey eye before any other makeup is completed but we actually prefer to begin with a completed face before starting a smokey eye. It is much easier for us to envision how heavy the smokey eye should be if we are able to consider the perfected complexion. In this tutorial, we started with a “completed” face and have swept a soft layer of translucent powder over the eyelid for blending purposes.

Sweep a tan/beige over the entire lid and a bit above the crease. Be sure to choose a color that is not too dark. A beige hue with a hint of pink can brighten up the eye and be a great base.

Pick a darker brown (this is where the “chocolate brown” hue comes in handy) and focus on the sideways “v” of the eye in the outer corners. For example, sparingly sweep the chocolate brown from the outer corner inward and a touch above the crease line and then brush back to the outer point of the “v” and down towards the lash line. This gives the eye definition and depth.

If needed, grab the soft beige or tan color used in step #2 to soften the chocolate brown (this is helpful if you want to soften the look). Also, use a gold or silver tone (the brighter you go, the more contrast) right in the center of the lid to reflect light for illumination.

Use the chocolate brown shadow to create a soft, smokey line on the bottom lash line. Be sure to blend this so the powder disperses and the line does not read too harsh. Draw a thin line of black or deep brown kohl liner on top lash line and use a brush to blend (we love the eyeliner by the new Estee Lauder line, Estee Edit). The idea is to get the darkest hue closest to the lash line and then for the depth of color to disperse as it gets closer to the brow.

Photography: You Look Lovely Photography | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Venue: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Flower Crowns: Crowns By Christy | Robes: Girl and A Serious Dream

Today may be Friday (reason enough to celebrate) but with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re feeling extra special. But why limit the excitement – and the hearts, sweet treats and romance to just one day? Why not celebrate all weekend long? That’s just what we plan on doing – specifically, with these festive hair tutorials thanks to Face Time Beauty Concierge, captured by You Look Lovely Photography!

Half Back Heart Hairstyle

Begin with hair brushed out. Take two sections from either side of head and bring back into a pony. Secure with elastic.

Grab a small section of hair from left side (above ear) and pull towards elastic. Take the end of the section and fold into the center of secured hair and pull thru. Let end hang.

Repeat Step #2 on the right side of the head. This time, use a bobby pin to pin hair over elastic neatly. Place the bobby pin underside of hair so it is hidden.

Pump some hairspray into these hanging strands near the “heart” for texture and use a second elastic to secure new ponytail (the other elastic is hidden above).

Embellish and adorn with flowers or a pretty flower crown!

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Tousled French Twist

Start with beachy, textured waves for this look.

Take a section of hair aligning from the middle of the ear down to neck and firmly grasp. Twist the section from roots twice around and secure with bobby pins on underside of twists so the pins are hidden.

Take a larger section on the left hand side starting from above ear and twist three times and secure with elastic where both sections meet. Secure twists with bobby pins on this side as well.

Pump texturizing spray into air and use fingers to rub ends so the hair gains body and appears full.

Secure a flower comb into the twist or adorn with a pretty flower crown!

Photography: You Look Lovely Photography | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Venue: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Flower Crowns: Crowns By Christy | Robes: Girl and A Serious Dream

Can I just say that Kathleen and Justin deserve some kind of wedding planning medal for pulling off a day in two parts? Beginning with a traditional tea ceremony in midtown Manhattan followed by a Brooklyn celebration beneath the cherry blossom trees, they made a multicultural wedding look effortless as can be. DESIGNS BY AHN worked her floral magic and Sawyer Baird photographed the entire affair, and there’s much more waiting this way.

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When planning a spring wedding under the cherry blossom trees in the city your heart skips a beat, in all of the right directions. Right? Kathleen and Justin shared a beautiful day at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. From all the small details to the big ones, Kathleen spent hours working on her wedding to make sure it was absolutely perfect.

On the wedding day we woke up to the coldest and stormy weather that was completely not ideal for the outdoor ceremony that was planned, our fingers remained crossed for the best and we made what we had work, as you do. The bride and groom had a traditional tea ceremony in midtown Manhattan that was surrounded by their closest family and friends. Later we all rode together to Brooklyn – making the ride with their the cutest thing. Justin had not seen Kathleen yet, as they did a first look when we got to the gardens. So the entire ride, he was blindfolded with Kathleen not even five feet away. It was one of the cutest wedding day experiences that I have had the honor of being a part of. Can you even imagine being less than five feet away from your future spouse and not even peeking to see them? Easy to say – I think the rest of us would have failed that task!

As we arrived at the garden the weather began to clear, it was amazing. Though it was still cold, Kathleen’s dream of being married under the cherry blossoms was underway. Proving that even when things aren’t perfect, they actually really area. As their closest family and friends gathered around at the ceremony you could tell how much these two were loved. The outpouring support to keep the ceremony outside, regardless of the cold weather, was just the icing on the cake. Besides, the arch by Designs By Ahn was beyond stunning under the cherry blossoms and I truly think it had no other place, expect to be where it was! It was so fitting, elegant, and simple.

Later on that evening Kathleen and Justin celebrated by laughing, dancing, and even bringing the band out to the dance floor. Proving that weddings are honestly just about a good time, love, and laughter.

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Wedding Cake: Cafe Pinot | Brides Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup Artist: Reiko Utsugi | Band: Silver Arrow Band | Mens Attire: Balenciaga | Hotel: Park Hyatt New York | Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Bridal Hair: Reiko Utsugi | Groom's Bowtie: J.Crew | Grooms Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Silver Arrow Band

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It may only be mid-January, but this Brooklyn fete has me daydreaming of warmer spring days to come. Planned by Viva Max Weddings and featuring some pretty fab LBBers (including Wythe Hotel, Jackie Schneider Beauty and 74 Events) it’s a fete that is absolutely bursting at the seams with blooms by Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design and dotted with city skyline views like this. Thanks to a guy + a girl photography‘s stunning work behind the lens, we can soak in the warmer season to come in The Vault!

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From Viva Max Weddings… Before throwing themselves into wedding planning, Taylor and Dan prioritized two things: to have a wedding that was uniquely theirs – true to their style, their relationship, and the things they love – and to throw a killer party for their friends and family. The level of personalization for their wedding was intense – from a bee motif used throughout their décor items from molded butter to stationery, R2D2 cake toppers (a nod to their love of Star Wars), and a monogrammed corn hole board (a homage to their college football tailgating days at Boston College)!

The couple had a full schedule packed for their wedding weekend, as Dan’s family flew in from Minnesota. Rehearsal dinner was at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, and the Minnesotans had a special Hudson River tour on a historic boat the morning of the wedding for the ultimate New York experience. Taylor started her day at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, with her bridesmaids (and a bridesman!) getting back massages from a masseuse throughout the morning. Dan and his guys were at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott, where their gifts from the couple were funky socks that matched each groomsman’s personalities.

Taylor and Dan tied the knot at the Brooklyn Botanic, with their friend Brennan Carley officiating. Guests sipped signature cocktails with bee-motif’d cocktail stirrers as they signed in on Jenga blocks with advice for the couple. The color palette was also super complex – mint, grey, ivory, black, and gold throughout, with pops of color in light pink champagne glasses, contrasting brights in bouquets, and deep hues of purple and burgundy in the centerpieces. Taylor and Dan’s attention to detail and creativity came together for a spectacular and unique wedding that nobody is sure to forget!

From the Bride… Prior planning the wedding, before I got immersed in all the amazing, fun decor details and vendor choices, my two biggest priorities in my vision were that Dan and I had a wedding that was uniquely ours – true to our style, our relationship and the things we love, and that we threw a killer party for our friends and family. I wanted people to walk in and think – this could only be Dan and Taylor’s wedding.

My color palette was a bit all over the place. I incorporated soft greens, and mints, grey, and ivory with black and gold details at the reception, through our table top decor, alongside various pops of color throughout the event that primarily came from the flowers, which truly were a focal point of the wedding. The flowers pulled in deep purples and reds, grey roses and even some flowers that were truly almost black. The bridesmaids bouquets incorporated yellow and orange hues, with funky feathers, which were one of my favorite details! I never envisioned having such a colorful wedding (I basically have an entirely black and grey wardrobe), but once I started picking decor and flowers, I realized that’s what really felt right! We also had beautiful light pink glass champagne glasses that were served with champagne or mint / cucumber seltzer water, given to guests as a welcome cocktail before the ceremony – we got a lot of compliments on that fun color detail!

We had a lot of unique and DIY details. R2D2 cake toppers (Dan and I both love Star Wars), a bee motif that was present throughout the wedding (a bee was on our monogram that we used on napkins, invitation suite, etc) and we also used bee butter molds alongside honey comb at each table for guests to eat with their bread! We had two games of corn hole at the cocktail hour to pay homage to our college football tailgating days at Boston College and fun signature cocktails!

My favorite moment (other than marrying my best friend) was cutting the cake. Even though people were watching, it felt like a more intimate, fun moment that Dan and I enjoyed together during an evening that’s filled with a lot of mingling and chatting with guests!

My flowers were absolutely out of this world. I still gush about them and day dream about them. I knew that flowers were going to be extremely important to me during the planning process, and my florist really delivered. They set the tone for the decor and vibe that I wanted – a true mix of elegant and whimsical. When I first walked into the room before the ceremony, they took my breath away. I wanted texture and color to be paired together in a way that was truly unique – and I think the flowers definitely accomplished that! Throughout the cocktail hour there were beautiful smaller arrangements and lanterns scattered around the space, the escort table arrangement was stunning, and all the bouquets were absolutely stunning alongside the sea foam-y color of the bridesmaids dresses. The groomsmen boutonnieres were so unique and fun! Our floral ombre on the cake is probably another favorite detail of mine. It was totally dreamy…

The gown I ended up buying was the 3rd dress out of 8 that I tried on. I immediately fell in love with it – I knew right away that it was my dress. I wanted something classic, with a bit of sexiness. I went into my dress appointment at Kleinfelds with an open mind and I couldn’t have imagined a better dress for me!

Our wedding favors were mini bottles of mango habanero jelly from Shelbourne Farms in Burlington, Vermont. Dan and I took a long weekend trip to Burlington last year to celebrate our anniversary we visited Shelbourne Farms on a beautiful, chilly sunny day. We ended up in the gift shop stuffing our faces with their home made mango habanero jelly on crackers for about 15 minutes, and bought a ton to bring home. We loved it, and thought it would be a fun, unique gift that people would actually want! I wanted our favors to be useful – or edible.

One piece of advice that I would give brides-to-be: Take in every moment of your special day – from the minute you wake up until the minute you go to sleep. Take it all in!

Photography: a guy + a girl photography | Event Planning: Viva Max Weddings | Floral Design: Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Cake: Patina Catering | Invitations: GubbaGumma Studio | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair & Makeup: JACKIE SCHNEIDER BEAUTY | Calligraphy: maggie burdge | DJ: 74 Events | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Hotel: Wythe Hotel | Wedding Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Hair Piece: jennifer behr | Rentals: Octavia & Brown | Wedding rings: Peter Germano

Incase you wanted proof that the 501 Union is just about the coolest place to tie the knot, then let Dina and Dustin’s wedding celebration captured by Rebecca Yale Photography be all the evidence needed. Complete with a french fry bar (!!), fab florals from DESIGNS BY AHN, the sweetest fur baby AND a few carousel portraits, we’ve got it all (including those beautiful Jenny Yoo gowns), waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Rebecca Yale Photography…Dina and Dustin were married on a beautiful Fall day at Brooklyn’s 501 Union. The bride and groom were surrounded by their friends and family, and their adorable fur-baby, Mochi, who walked down the aisle with the groom. The couple began their morning getting ready at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park City where they did a romantic first look in a garden just the two of them before heading over to Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO for portraits. The couple had a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in private with their parents and the bride’s grandmother, followed by the ceremony officiated by a friend set against a backdrop installation of green, white and gold foliage and roses created by Ahn Designs. After the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers at the bar before a family style dinner at long banquet tables in the dining room followed by an evening of dancing the night away!

From the Bride…After a year and a half of long distance dating, Dustin and I got engaged and the countdown towards ending our separation across country began. It was decided that following the wedding, I’d relocate to Dallas. Dustin knew that moving was a big decision for me as I had lived in Brooklyn my entire life – and how hard it is to leave New York City, a place like no other. To honor that, we decided our wedding would take place in Brooklyn so that I could say goodbye.

501 Union came across my Instagram feed right before Dustin proposed. It was the first venue I reached out to as it definitely fit the look we were going for: industrial with a bit of history and a modern vibe. 501 Union was our first stop and it ended up being the only venue we looked at because Dustin said, “I can see myself marrying you here.” I wanted to roll my eyes and say that there were still other appointments. Even though I thought we should look at more places, I felt the same. It was decided then 501 Union would be the place we’d say I do.

Autumn is my favorite time of year in NYC. We chose a date in early October, which was deemed auspicious in the lunar calendar by my traditional Chinese family. As a self-proclaimed non-girly girl who tends to prefer dark monochromatic colors, we went with navy, grey, ivory, and gold for our industrial chic theme.

After checking venue off the list, we began building our D+D wedding dream team! The first member to join was the effervescent Rebecca Yale, who we both fangirl’d over after our first meeting. It was not just over her portfolio, but how at ease we both felt with her. Over the next year, Rebecca was a rainbow of a person to correspond with, and I am grateful to have built a friendship with her in that time. Dustin and I couldn’t have been more blessed to have her document one of the biggest days of our lives.

That set the tone with all the other wonderful vendors we’d come to find, and we were beyond lucky and privileged to have them be a part of our wedding day. I’d like to thank all the amazing ladies (and a few gentlemen) that Dustin and I interacted with during our wedding planning that helped make our wedding day so memorable.

Special thanks to Caroline and Holly (aka 14 carat) of Fig and Pig for answering our millions of emails; Ashley Chamblin for being an absolute coordination boss bae; Victoria and the DBA team for dealing with a bride who was very particular with flower colors; and lastly, Jennifer at 501 Union for being our wedding guardian angel. As a bride who never ended up making a Pinterest board and had the added difficulty of planning a wedding during a long distance engagement, I couldn’t have done it without you BAE-yonces. Thank you for helping create the wedding of my dreams and giving me the ultimate goodbye to Brooklyn. For it is said, by Notorious B.I.G, to “Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way,” and it was a magical night where we were able to share our love with family and friends in Brooklyn.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Cinematography: Atomic Tangerine Film Co. | Coordination: Ashley Chamblin Events | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: Lucky Bird Bakes | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Rings: Tiffany & Co | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Fig And Pig Catering | Makeup: Anny Chow | Hair: Andy Tseng | DJ: DJ PHILMATIC | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: 501 Union | Bride's Band: Cat Bird | Bride's Veil: Sara Gabriel | Dog's Bow Tie: Crew Lala | Flower Girl Dress: Nellystella | Groom's Ring: Blue Nile | Groom's Shoes: Bruno Magli | Groom's Tie: The Tie Bar | Groom's Watch: Rolex | Hair Accesories: BHLDN | Photo Booth: Lumi8 | Signs and Escort Cards: Janet Yang Calligraphy | Vow Books: Seniman Calligraphy

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Cozy, chic and as sweet as the cake they sliced at the end of the night. This wedding may have been in the Big Apple but it was warm and welcoming, removed from the hustle and bustle at Brooklyn Winery. Soft mint greens and golds decked out the space and Brklyn View Photography captured it all for our eyes’ delight – see it all in our Vault right this way!

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From Brklyn View Photography… Sometimes when you meet the right person, you instantly click and you know in your heart you were meant to be together. For Sammie and Tomer, that was exactly the case. These two wonderful people are deeply in love, you immediately notice how they light up the room with laughter and smiles! Celebrating their wedding with delicious food, amazing wine and awesome music was very important and once they visited the Brooklyn Winery, they were smitten with the venue!

The bride wore a stunning lace gown and drool worthy, crystal encrusted heels by Badgley Mischka. The House of Makeup kept Sammie camera ready throughout the day which was an amazing treat for any bride-to-be. This sweet couple had their first look in Brooklyn Heights before heading over to Brooklyn Winery for their wedding ceremony and reception. Violet and Verde’s mix of white and green flowers created a beautiful muted color palette which helped bring their cozy chic vibe to life. Each bridesmaid wore a soft pale green dress by J. Crew and a unique gold bracelets engraved with the latitude and longitude coordinates where each lady first met the bride. How wonderful is that? Sammie and Tomer stood under the floral Chuppah as they exchanged their vows to become husband and wife. The newlyweds danced to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” for their first dance and were simultaneously serenaded by all of Sammie’s bridesmaids. It was such a sweet and touching moment! Words cannot express how much being part of Sammie and Tomer’s wedding has meant to me. They are two of the kindest, sweetest and most fun couples I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. I knew from the very first moment when we spoke, I was meant to be their wedding photographer and part of their love story forever.

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Coordination: Whimsy Weddings | Floral Design: Violet and Verde | Wedding Dress: Bijou Bridal | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: Confetti Grey | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: Diamonds Doing Good | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: The House Of Makeup | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Groom's Attire: Sean Vokshoor, Zohreh Inc | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Getting Ready Venue: Vinoy Renaissance

If you thought planning a wedding set smack dab in the middle of the holiday season was impressive, just you wait. Because this couple did that with only 55 days to make it happen. Thanks to the DM Events, along with 74 Events and Trent Bailey Studio behind the camera, you’ll see how just the right vendors helped bring together the New Year’s wedding of their dreams. Oh and this year? These two will now be celebrating as a sweet family of three.

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From the Bride…Chris and I met in 2009 when we both worked at a large law firm in New York City. Our transition from colleagues to friends to dating took a brief four and a half years, but when we finally got together in August of 2013 it was clear to me that it had been him all along. Our relationship moved quickly after that, and on a chilly night in January of 2015 Chris proposed to me on the streets of Manhattan with the Chrysler Building as a backdrop.

Soon after, we started considering wedding options. I knew the exact feel I wanted for our wedding – an intimate, outdoor summer affair, full of soft light and natural, organic details. I spent hours browsing Style Me Pretty for inspiration images of peony-filled bouquets and soft-hued bridesmaid dresses. But that all changed in late October, when we unexpectedly found out that I would likely have some infertility issues. Our doctor told us that in order to have the best chance of conceiving naturally, we should move our family planning up as much as possible. Chris and I didn’t hesitate. We knew that having children was something we both wanted dearly, so I got to work.

We decided on a New Year’s Eve Wedding, which gave us exactly 55 days to plan. We couldn’t believe our luck when we found out that The Wythe Hotel, a venue we had previously toured and fell in love with, was available. We booked it immediately and everything started to fall into place. I eschewed the soft, organic details I had planned on for a color palette that was moody and romantic. The deep burgundy accents and pops of gold were a perfect complement to the industrial setting and already celebratory night. As the clock neared midnight, our friends and family all joined us on the dance floor to say farewell to 2015 and usher in 2016 in the most amazing way possible.

My favorite moment came when we had our first dance. We chose ‘It Had To Be You,’ – a song we picked from ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ which always somehow felt like our story – two friends, living on the Upper West Side, who eventually realize they were meant for each other all along. In those moments, time seemed to stop and for the first time that day it was just Chris and I, dancing to our story and enjoying everything that was taking place around us.

While our wedding looked nothing like what I had imagined, it turned out to be exactly what we needed. We were so lucky to have had the most incredible day and to start our lives together surrounded by our closest family and friends. Chris and I are now expecting a little girl in November, and we could not be more excited to celebrate this coming New Year’s Eve as a family of three.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Event Planning: DM Events & Design | Floral Design: DM Events & Design | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Stationery: Lion in the Sun | Hair + Makeup: Glamsquad | DJ: 74 Events | Venue: Wythe Hotel

What do you get when you combine mimosas and matrimony? Why this colorful brunch wedding of course. It’s Brooklyn meets bold details and we’ve got it all captured by Emilia Jane Photography in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Tom and I first met in high school in Orlando, FL and reconnected in New York City in November of 2013. He proposed on July 30, 2015 at the Top of the Standard in Manhattan.

New York City has been our home for a number of years and we wanted to celebrate our marriage in the city we both love. After touring many event spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the River Cafe was our last stop in early September of 2015. We were both immediately drawn to this beautiful and historic restaurant next to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Many people asked why we chose to have a daytime wedding. The truth is, we not only wanted to do something a little bit different but we also wanted to show our closest family and friends why we enjoy living in NYC so much and what we like to do on a typical spring Saturday – enjoying the city with our friends!

We were married in an intimate ceremony in the private garden behind the River Café, overlooking downtown Manhattan. After the ceremony, we moved to the flower-bedecked terrace for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by lunch in the garden room. It was doubly amazing when we noticed the FDNY fireboats shooting water in all directions behind us on the East River!

Having our wedding celebration at the River Cafe combined many things that we both love: a beautiful and historic setting by the Brooklyn Bridge, wonderful food at a Michelin star rated restaurant and breathtaking views of the NYC skyline.

Another favorite part of the wedding planning process for me was working with wedding dress designer, Samantha Sleeper. I found her line in a tiny boutique in Brooklyn and decided to reach out to her directly to meet her. Soon after visiting her studio in Gowanus I found the dress of my dreams, a beautiful combination of lace and flower embroidery. After working together from January to May, we became friends and she also attended our wedding.

Having a daytime wedding celebration was a dream come true for us and our families and we could not be happier with our choice.

Photography: Emilia Jane Photography | Styling: Liz Polden | Wedding Dress: Samantha Sleeper | Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Anny Chow | Hair: Andy Tseng | Groom's Attire: Custom Born To Tailor | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: The River Café | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Getting Ready Venue: McCarran Hotel Brooklyn

It’s one of those stories you hear about from time to time but wonder, is that how it really happened? In this case, it sure did! These two met in the elevator of their apartment building and well, after a couple more run-ins… let’s just say the rest is history. But not before they kicked it all off with a spring celebration filled with cherry blossoms and sweetness. Brklyn View Photography captured it all – see their happily ever after right this way!

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From Brklyn View Photography… The story of how Nadia and Tim met sounds like it’s the plot of your favorite romantic movie. They met in the elevator of their apartment building in Brooklyn. It was love at first sight and after a few weeks of bumping into each other, Tim finally asked Nadia out and the rest, they say, is history! The happy couple wanted to celebrate their wedding in the place where their love story began and Brooklyn was the only choice. They chose Maison May (formerly iCi Restaurant) in Fort Greene for it’s quaint location, gorgeous outside garden and of course, delicious food.

Nadia wore a stunning structured wedding dress and veil from Carol Hannah. She splurged on her blue studded Valentino shoes and wore her grandmother’s crystal vintage necklace and earrings for her something old and borrowed. Nadia’s bridesmaids each chose their own dresses. The only prerequisites were that they had to be blush and sparkly – so pretty! The bride and groom got ready separately at the Wythe Hotel before heading to the church in Manhattan. Tim was in awe of his blushing bride as she was escorted down the aisle by her Father and Step-Father. After their wedding ceremony, we headed back to Brooklyn to the breathtaking grounds of the Pratt Institute to take their bridal party portraits.

It was peak cherry blossom season in New York City and we took full advantage of the lush garden and fresh blooms. Guests arrived at Maison May and were treated to glasses of champagne in celebration of the nuptials. Custom table names were created by Laura Hooper Calligraphy that represented important Brooklyn streets and locations that were meaningful to the couple. Each place setting was set with a package of lavender shortbread as their wedding favors. The intimate space of Maison May was perfect for their small wedding. Guests dined al fresco outside in the garden under the string lights. Nadia and Tim’s wedding day was perfect from start to finish and I’m so happy that they asked me to be part of such a lovely celebration.

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Floral Design: Molly Oliver | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Cake: Ladybird Bakery | Invitations: Foxy & Winston | Ceremony Venue: St. James Episcopal Church | Reception Venue: Maison May Dekalb | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Makeup: Rose Fortuna | Favors: Two Moon Shortbread | Desserts: Dough Brooklyn | Getting Ready Venue: Wythe Hotel | Table Numbers: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Need a reason to break out the bubbly and celebrate? Well one of our fave bridal shops on the planet, Lovely, is hosting TWO amazing trunk shows and we’re throwing on our party shoes pronto. Think a plethora of beautiful + knowledgeable Lovely locales meets the stunning gowns from Anna Campbell meets the boho vibes of Rue De Seine. Mark your calendars, because this is beyond awesome.

Known for her elegant + sophisticated styles, Anna Campbell’s newest collection, Ceremony, is everything you’ve ever wanted in your Big Day attire, plus sooo much more than that. From the beyond flattering silhouettes to the intricate details that will WOW to the breathtaking craftsmanship that literally shines through each and every piece of silky fabric, we can’t wait to see these stunners in person.

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Anna Campbell Trunk Shows

Philly: 10/14-10/16 |  LA: 10/21-10/23 | San Francisco: 10/28-10/30 | Washington DC: 11/11-11/13 | Rochester NY: 11/18-11/20 | Houston: 12/9-12/11 | Charleston: 12/16-12/18

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Ultra-feminine and completely free-spirited, Rue De Seine’s latest collection, Love Spell, is for all of you lovelies looking to walk down the aisle in a seriously stunning boho beauty.  Think gorgeous details woven into every.single.gown, the finest of fabrics and a laid-back, yet completely elegant vibe that we can’t get enough of.  You’re guaranteed to fall sooo in love.

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Rue De Seine Trunk Shows

NYC: 10/28-10/30 | Houston: 11/26-11/28 | Philly: 12/2-12/4 | Miami: 12/9-12/11 | San Francisco: 12/16-12/18 | Washington DC: 1/6-1/8 | Charleston: 1/13-1/15

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Contact Lovely today to book your appointment, because that dream gown? They have it, y’all.

Photography: Chaz Cruz Photographers | Farm: Alicia Adams Alpaca Farm | Hair/Makeup: Miss Harlequin | Photo Studio: 139 Fulton Studio

With an oncoming hurricane, some logistics had to be reworked a bit for this Brooklyn bash but the smiles and fun loving energy never, ever faded. Cynthia Chung went along with the wild ride, capturing all the laughter that this Bride and Groom brought with them – see our favorite moments below and more in our Vault right here!

Whimsical Brooklyn Bash

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Whimsical Brooklyn Bash

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From Cynthia Chung Photography… New York City got hit with some high winds that weekend because of Hurricane Joaquin but nothing stopped us. With a high energy and fun bridal party, a stylish bride and groom, nothing could dampen our day. We geared up and breezed through Grand Central and had the ceremony indoors at an adorable restaurant – which had an awesome vibe of comfort and cozy. Add in some crazy swing dancing, dinosaur wedding favors, dang delicious dinner, drinks and cupcakes – well, it was definitely a night to remember!!

From the Bride… Miles and I met in Brooklyn, and it’s where our life and love have grown together, so it was the only place we could see ourselves getting married that felt true to both of us. Our vision for our wedding was to have a good party, with good food, good music, and all of our favorite people by our side. Or as I deemed it “just north of an elopement”. What unfolded from that was an intimate affair with a vintage vibe and a lot of sentimental value throughout.

From the beginning the plan was to have a ceremony at a waterfront park in Brooklyn, officiated by one of my best friends, followed by a reception at Le Barricou, a restaurant that was a long-standing date night spot for Miles and I. And then to top it off, a stellar jazz band, because we often enjoy live music together in the city and wanted to share that with our guests. Of course… it wouldn’t have been OUR wedding if things had gone according to plan. Fast forward to the big day, a hurricane might be hitting New York, it’s windy and rainy, and we’re making a last minute relocation of our ceremony to the back of Le Barricou. Stressful… but as my mom put it, I was born during a hurricane and here I was getting married during a hurricane… so “there’s your sign”!

Lucky for us, Le Barricou was incredibly accommodating, and also happens to have a lovely skylight in their back room we could be married beneath. Before we knew it, we were mass texting our guests to show up an hour late at a new location, and the huge balloons that were supposed to serve as markers in the park had now become our altar decorations. And Cynthia, our most wonderful photographer, was quick on her feet in suggesting Grand Central as an alternate place for our photos, where she so patiently guided our quirky and wild bridal party through the masses like the pro she is. I’m so thankful for the people who rallied around us to make the last minute changes and decisions we had to make possible! 

Like many brides do, I spent a lot of time on Pinterest – me against the internet – pining after pretty details, but also not wanting to do a ton of DIY projects. In the end we kept it simple. I made menus that had a mad-lib on the back which proved fun for our guests, a friend illustrated a cute wedding map for us, and we spray painted tiny dinosaurs gold to use on escort cards that doubled as favors (because Miles and I have dinosaur nicknames for each other). Beyond that, we relied on the decor of the restaurant and good company to set the mood for our reception, which was perfect for us. 

And just like that, we were married! I’m confident that it was the combination of beauty and chaos that made it the PERFECT DAY. In the end, everything came together even better than we’d imagined, curveballs and all, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way!

Photography: Cynthia Chung Photography | Floral Design: Stems Brooklyn | Wedding Dress: Theia | Cupcakes: Heavenly Crumbs | Bride's Shoes: Anthropologie | Hair: Foxy Salon | Band: Dennis Lichtman and Friends | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Le Barricou | Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop | Wedding Map Illustrations: The Paper Gnome

Ben and Kim’s love story began long before their wedding day when they were just a pair of high-school sweeties growing up in New York City. Fast forward 13 years and there was zero question where they should tie the knot. “We knew Brooklyn was where we wanted to be married – outside, right on the water, with the city that raised us in the background,” said Kim. China Jorrin photographed the celebration full of beauty and emotion like you’ve never seen.

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We are two NYC kids who met at 15 years old, quickly becoming high school sweethearts. Ben is a video producer/editor/director and Kim works in casting for film and TV. After imagining the day of our wedding since we were teenagers, finally experiencing it after 13 years together, in front of our closest family and friends, was the greatest gift we could’ve received. We knew Brooklyn was where we wanted to be married- outside, right on the water, with the city that raised us in the background. The simplicity of our gorgeous white florals and neutral colors and style, perfectly reflected our vision for this incredibly meaningful day. It was an absolute dream.

What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

We envisioned a day filled with memories and love, surrounded by close family and friends. We knew our wedding would be fairly large – we have been together for almost 13 years and it was important to us to include all of the people who had contributed to our life together. It was truly special celebrating with the people we grew up with. We had always wanted to get married in Brooklyn – and knowing we needed a venue that could accommodate a large party, we knew immediately after finding it that The Liberty Warehouse was our dream location. We wanted an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour overlooking our beautiful hometown of NYC (which nearly didn’t happen due to the thunderstorms, but magically cleared just in time for the invite!!). We moved inside for the reception, surrounded by Amber lighting and flickering candles, while the sunset and outdoors were still accessible just a few steps away. It was absolute perfection. The entire staff at The Liberty Warehouse, led by Jeff Torem, were so wonderful throughout the planning process and made our experience one we will never forget.

Tell us about your color palette and style vision?

Ben and I wanted our wedding to reflect our warm, romantic, and simplistic style preferences. The neutral color palette we chose perfectly summed up our vision for the evening’s decor – white/cream, charcoal and dove gray, and black. White flowers with pops of greenery, light Amber lighting, and the gorgeous brick arched Liberty Warehouse structure in the background perfectly defined our personal style and vision for our Brooklyn wedding. My bridesmaids wore mostly long chiffon charcoal or dove gray/cream dresses (one gray Tulle dress for my youngest “Maid”, my sister Sophie), and the groomsmen wore fly black suits. Ben wore a stunning gray tuxedo with black lining on the pants/jacket. He looked so handsome.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?

We loved the idea of incorporating photographs of us, our family and our friends. Making our wedding as personal as possible was our priority. We knew we were going to use baby photos of us as our table numbers, which was such a fun and cute moment for us to do together. With this idea already planned, we decided to use baby photos of our bridal party on our wedding website instead of current photos. It personified this natural theme we had of incorporating the past and the present, as our relationship is such a wonderful reminder of time and love. For our guest book at the wedding, we had Polaroid cameras on the escort card table, so our guests could snap a photo of themselves and write us a little message as a keepsake. We also had photo collages of us and our families on the same table. We have such incredible families and we wanted to show them off!

What was your favorite moment?

Our ceremony was our favorite part. Our officiant Jeddah helped to create such a wonderful flow to the ceremony, allowing our personalities to just shine right through, resulting in a very moving and loving moment in the day. It’s what our guests reference as their favorite part in the day, as well. It was incredibly important for us to personalize our vows, and hearing each other’s words was a special experience for us both. After being together for so long, there were so many different things we could say in those 20 minutes. It was entirely about love and our devotion to each other- a mix of humor, romance and memories. We also included a moment where we thanked our parents, having them stand while we turned in their direction, and hear how special and inspirational they are to us, in our own words. That was very rewarding. The dancing was our other favorite part. Our incredible DJ Neza literally kept our guests on their feet the entire night. He crafted the evening so perfectly, knowing when to play certain songs, when to entice people back on the dance floor and also when to slow it down. He developed the perfect balance, and if we could have him follow us around in our daily lives, creating a life soundtrack for us, we would.

Your favorite crafted detail?

Personalizing our wedding was our favorite detail. From the table number baby photos, family photos, photos of Ben and I at 16 years old right next to a photo of us from this year, speeches from our parents and siblings, personalized vows – it was just us. Every moment, every word- it perfectly defined who we are as people in this relationship together, and what experience we wanted our guests to have on this day. We’ve known each other almost half our lives, and sharing the history of our relationship with those who know us best was our favorite part. Planning the menu was also incredibly fun… Because we like to eat. Who doesn’t!?

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

If time allows, space out the planning process so you don’t get too overwhelmed. We happened to have almost a 2-year engagement, and planning a NYC wedding does take some time, but it allowed us to really enjoy every detail without feeling too stressed. I also think it’s important for brides to just relish in this moment. Everybody says it, and I will add myself to the tally, but this incredible day that’s potentially taken so long to plan goes by so quickly. My sister gave me a great piece of advice that was passed down to her from a friend: take a moment during the wedding to just look out at your guests, look at the scene in front of you, and take it all in. Because in just a few short hours it will be over! As I was looking into The Liberty Warehouse from outside by the water, an incredible sunset behind me, I thought to myself, this is pretty special. This is a day about my love and me, and all of the people who love us most. It is a day of celebration.

Photography: China Jorrin Photography | Floral Design: Raven Hollow Guild, Inc. | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Deena Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Essense of Australia | Catering: The Liberty Warehouse | Makeup: The House Of Makeup | Lighting: Pegasus Productions | DJ: DJ Neza | Groom's Attire: Joseph Abboud | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: Jeddah Vailakis, NYC Wedding Officiant | Venue: The Liberty Warehouse | Bride's Hair: Drybar | Candy: Samuel's Sweet Shop, Rhinebeck NY | Groom's Shoes: Nordstrom | Groom's Tie: Pierre Cardin | Invitations + Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Just when I thought I’d seen it all, Bashful Captures sends along this styled shoot which totally redefines any and all preconceived notions of Brooklyn, because this borough? Well, it’s totally chic. A gallery complete with Violet and Verde blooms and undeniable beauty, we’ve got every bit of it waiting for you to fall in love with via The Vault!

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From Bashful Captures… When I first dreamt of this styled inspiration shoot, I wanted to create a unique, modern rustic look in Brooklyn, NY. I first started at Prospect Park, but as soon as we got there, it started pouring. Unfortunately, once the rain slowed down, there were puddles everywhere and we weren’t able to shoot outside the park. However, rain didn’t stop our shoot, but instead we took photos under the Peristyle which created this beautiful grecian look that went perfectly with this gorgeous BHLDN dress. Then once we got to Dumbo, BK, the sun started peeking out. This beautiful light peeking through the buildings created a very romantic feel for the shoot as well. Dumbo is one of the most popular areas that I often go for weddings or engagements sessions in NYC. I wanted to create a fun, but unique look that inspires brides to think out of the box.

Photography: Bashful Captures | Floral Design: Violet and Verde | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Invitations: Paula Lee Calligraphy | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair + Makeup: Ombre By E.J. Makeup Studio | Groom's Attire: H & M | Accessories: BHLDN