It may have been one of the chilliest days of the year but that didn’t stop these two from throwing one chic celebration and warming our hearts. From the beautiful gown from Lovely Bride to some of my fav getting ready pics at the Wythe Hotel, Ashley Caroline and Cullen Studio captured every second as these New Yorkers said “I do” at Brooklyn Winery. Get all cozy with our pics in the VAULT right this way!
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From the Bride… “New York, New York so good they named it twice” is a quote that hangs on the gallery wall in our living room and embodies everything we wanted for our wedding. New York City is the place we met, fell in love, and built a life together, so what better place to have all our favorite people join us to celebrate the beginning of our next chapter as husband and wife!
Having a winter wedding wasn’t something we originally planned for, or even thought of, but it turned out to be exactly what we wanted the weekend to be – all about our guests celebrating with us! With family and friends traveling from all over the country (and world!) New York City was the perfect international hub that allowed easy access for everyone and endless possibilities for places to stay and things to do. Using the Riley & Grey wedding website platform allowed for guests to RSVP online and find all our our weekend information in one place.
What we wanted more than anything was to spend time with our guests and for guests to feel like they were a part of our weekend and not just another number on the list. We hosted a welcome dinner the night before, the main event, a casual after party, and the day following the wedding we rented out a laid back neighborhood bar for everyone to gather and swap stories over pizza and brunch cocktails.
Guesterly books allowed us to “introduce” the guests to each other by sharing a photo, their connection to the bride and groom, where they were from, and a fun fact about each and every one. Many guests told us later that they carried them around all weekend and would make connections or speak to people they saw in “the book” that they may have never met without it.
When we decided to have a New York City winter wedding, the venue was the first decision we made. We searched for a venue that could host the ceremony and reception to cut down on transitions and everyone having to bundle up and go back out in the cold.
Once we discovered the Brooklyn Winery, we immediately loved the vibe of the space and set up a time to check it out. Their Director of Sales, Rachel, gave us a tour and broke down how the event would run; every detail she shared seemed to be better than the last! She understood our vision and made us feel that this was the place for us. They took care of everything from the food, to bar, to table settings, and candles which made the logistics of the day so much easier.
The space itself has so much character so keeping it simple with the flowers and decor was the way to go. With the addition of striped table runners, white florals, and an abundance of candlelight, the venue felt welcoming and romantic. The string lights that we chose were the perfect touch on a dark winter night.
Photography was the most important thing to me and I wanted to find someone who could capture us as a couple as well as all the small, in-between moments of the day. Some photographers looked too formal, some too predictable, but when I came across Ashley Caroline, her work blew me away. Andy loved that the couple’s looked comfortable and that she focused on using natural light as much as possible. The images are so special because they live on after that one day in our lives and bring us back to so many happy moments. Ashley’s calm demeanor and personable approach made the day go incredibly smoothly even when it ended up being the coldest February 20th in NYC history and we had to stay inside for all the photos! Luckily the incredible floor to ceiling windows at the Wythe allowed for the beautiful light to pour in and accommodate 25+ people and even our dog.
Since I did not want a strapless dress, my selections were more limited. The staff at Lovely allowed me to browse their selections and choose a variety of styles. I fell in love with Rosa Clara’s designs because of the intricate beading and attention to detail. The low back balanced the high neckline and it was unlike any dress I had seen before.
I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life who also happen to be in the business of weddings. From my sorority sister who helped design our invitations and personalized logo that we used throughout the weekend, to my friends from high school who each have Etsy stores of their own for welcome bags and chalkboard signs, to a childhood friend who brought our floral vision to life! Working with friends made the day that much more special and memorable. Our videographer filmed two of my best friend’s wedding earlier in the year, so I knew he was going to capture the day perfectly and he didn’t let us down!
When discussing how we wanted the day to be, Andy and I kept coming back to the idea of a unique experience for our guests with our family and friends at the heart of it. We had a small bridal party with just our siblings and important children in our lives. My uncle and friend sang an amazing rendition of “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” while we walked down the aisle and our guests sipped cocktails in their seats. We wrote each guest a personalized note that served as their place card sharing memories and the reception was free of long speeches with only my parents and me and Andy saying a few short words of thanks. We wanted it to be a fun, unforgettable party celebrating the beginning of our married life together.
Photography: Ashley Caroline Photography | Cinematography: Cullen Wedding Studio | Florist: Emily Reid Events | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clará | Invitations: Seaside Paperie | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: Daniela Rodriguez NYC | Band: The A Band | Wedding Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop | Bridesmaid Belts: Lucy Bridal Boutique | Flower Girls: Nordstrom | Getting Ready Venue: Wythe Hotel | Guest Event Guide: Guesterly | Signage: East To West Studio | Welcome Bags: Distance To The Moon | Welcome Bags: Paper Peony Designs
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