New York City Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

We’d Get Up at 4am For An Engagement Shoot as Gorgeous as This

Four o’clock in the morning is always a tough pill to swallow… unless you’re having your engagement pics taken by Sophie Epton at sunrise with the skyline of NYC behind you. Sophie snapped these two as they strolled across the Brooklyn Bridge, and with the city to themselves, they ventured to Washington Park to continue the fun. With sights to see and sweet moments galore, we have quite the gallery, definitely worth spending some quality time in. Join us there, right this way…

From Sophie Epton Photography… Ray and Wes are some of the nicest clients we’ve ever had, and when they asked us to photograph their engagement session in NYC (the city where they started their life together) we couldn’t wait to pack our bags and jet off to the Big Apple to document this special occasion!

While getting up at 4am is never fun, it’s always worth it for the shoot, especially in a big city! We were all up bright and early on a brisk June morning right as the sun was peeking up over the Brooklyn Bridge… and it felt like we had the entire city to ourselves. We shot at all of Ray and Wes’ favorite areas… DUMBO, the Brooklyn Bridge, Washington Park, and even managed to get in a few photos of the two of them in the street while taxis sped by in the hectic energy of the urban jungle. Ending our shoot at the beautiful High Line by the Chelsea Market, Ray had us all cracking up talking about how “he could finally eat a bagel now that the shoot was over.” Ray and Wes, we adore you and our time together in the city… can’t wait for the big day!

This Modern NYC Affair Was Planned in Only 6 Weeks

In the scheme of wedding planning, six weeks is but a blink of the eye. And while most couples are just beginning to settle on a date, these two planned one very chic wedding. New York City set the stage for this intimate gathering of family and friends designed by Bespoke Only, with florals and all the greenery by Peartree Flowers and images captured by James A. for Judy Pak Studio. Imagine the most stunning, chic, beautifully modern cocktail party you’ve ever been to and you get this perfect celebration.

Planning a wedding takes a very long time, and Jodi and David love each other so much that they did not want to wait. After considering eloping, but realizing it was not for them, as they both wanted their families to be present, they did the next best thing- had a small wedding for immediate family 6 weeks after they got engaged and surprised everyone else by telling them in the save the date that they were married and now wanted to party with everyone. It was funny because people didn’t know if they were married already or first going to getting married. It was as if they did not know how to read the card. That said, they wanted an amazing party to friends, family, food, photos, dancing and more. To this end, they planned with Bespoke Only, a huge cocktail party on what turned out to be the most gorgeous NYC Sunday night in June. They enlisted to help of many vendors including Judy Pak, who captured the most incredible images. Their emotion, love and excitement was captured in every photo. They did a terrific job- so much so, that the photographers themselves felt like friends. Jodi and David wanted them to have as much fun as everyone at the party- and this shows in every image. What was so special was that Jodi and David were able to relive their wedding with all their friends and family through decorative elements such as calligraphed vows in a mirror, displaying items used in the ceremony, and wearing the same jewelry as a nod to those they love present and past for all to see. While yes Jodi and David’s wedding and celebration was somewhat unorthodox, it was perfect for them and their wanting to start their life as a unit immediately. And perhaps the biggest perk to come from it, like their website says, it allowed David to move into Jodi’a apartment sooner.

Family Heirlooms Make for a Timeless Wedding

Elizabeth and Daniel have several incredible marriages to look up to as inspiration for their own – both their parents and Elizabeth’s grandparents have been happily married for 30, 40, and 70 years respectively! Fittingly, they chose to incorporate little items from each of these couples throughout their wedding day, from a handkerchief to the cake topper. The result was a timeless celebration of love and family, planned to perfection by Cynthia Ross Events and captured by A Day of Bliss Photography.

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From the Bride… Dan and I were married on September 24, 2016, the same month my parents had their 30th wedding anniversary and the same year my grandparents reached 70 years of marriage. Plus, Dan’s parents have been married for over 40 years – we are so lucky to have so many great examples of loving marriages to look to!

We choose to get married in New York because we began dating and ultimately fell in love here in this beautiful city. Plus, I’ll let you in on a little secret – I had been dreaming of getting married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral since I was a little girl, so it truly made our wedding a dream come true.

Because we have so many marriages to model ours off of, we wanted to include as many things from those as we could. The cake topper was used at my parents’ wedding, the handkerchief I carried was my grandmother’s, and Dan carried his grandfather’s ruby ring with him the entire day. These small things helped us incorporate our families into our wedding day.

Dan and I like to read every night before bed, so we couldn’t help but sneak away to get a few pictures in the Yale Club library! Afterwards we continued celebrating and dancing, so it was no bedtime ritual that night.

High Fashion Inspiration for the Modern Bride

If you’re idea of modern includes stark, neutral design, then let this colorful inspiration prove you wrong. Incorporating high fashion beauty with modern color blocking and the most vibrant of hues, this shoot planned by Chloe and Mint, with florals by Of the Flowers and images captured by Sally Pinera, will have you crushing on gorgeous gowns.

Unusual. Unique. Out of the box. Modern. – These were the words surrounding this amazing color block theory shoot. For the modern bride wanting to express a unique wedding that is highly fashionable, this is for you! Color blocking has been around for ages but we don’t see them well executed at weddings. Going from a singular color to multiple tones, color blocking allows the bride to focus on very intricate and particular details to execute tastefully. We had the pleasure of working with Gabrielle who was our fashion stylist -With gorgeous Marchesa and Claire Pettibone gowns and simple yet alluring makeup. We had soft pink with poppy red, orange sorbet with lavender, and baby blue with sunny yellow. All of these color blocks are versatile and would be perfect for any season! For the final tablescape encompassing all three color blocks, we had an all white tabletop, floral arrangement, ghost chairs against silky assorted fabrics hanging representing each color block. We hope to inspire the next modern bride to do something as unique as these inspirations!

A Glam NYC Wedding for the Modern Bride

A black tie wedding with the Statue of Liberty in the background? It’s hard to think of anything better! And that’s exactly what we have for you today, pretties. Love Me Do Photography and Shutter and Sound Films captured Sharleen and Andy’s modern, glam wedding complete with geometric accents and moody florals arranged by Designs by Ahn, planned by the ever-talented Erganic Design.

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From Carina of Love Me Do Photography… Photographing Sharleen and Andy’s wedding was a dream come true for any photographer. Weather-wise, it was a perfect September day, and Sharleen and Andy looked phenomenal. Sharleen thought of everything when it came to her Bridesmaids and guests, making sure everyone had what they needed to be comfortable and have fun throughout the day. I loved that they opted to walk from the hotel to the venue for photos, because we got some of the best photos on our five minute walk down the street. Everyone was in such good spirits and was truly excited for the couple. Lots of tears were shed and smiles were all around. Being there and photographing their evening, you really got a sense of how great Sharleen and Andy are, and how much their friends and family genuinely love them. Because I know how much Sharleen and Andy value photography, I feel so honored to have been picked to photograph their wedding.

From the Bride… Andy and I often joke that we’re like the same person. Our relationship is effortless, and we’re so eerily on the same wavelength that to be with each other is almost to be with ourselves. We both know how hard that is to find, so the very likely prospect of never having met is scary to imagine. We didn’t swipe right, work together, or have a single mutual friend — I happened to sit in an empty seat next to him at a fundraiser, and he struck up a conversation. Had any single circumstance been different, we’d never have met. So, despite the fact that we’re both skeptics with very different backgrounds — he’s a born-and-bred New Yorker, I’m from Ottawa, Canada — our story has turned us into reluctant believers of sorts.

A major style inspiration for our big day was the fact that I’ve always known I wanted a black tie wedding. I wanted guests to have an excuse to dust off their tuxes and gowns and really bring it! With the help of my planner, Sojourner of Erganic Design (who was a total godsend and came recommended by Be Inspired PR), this led to a “modern glam” aesthetic with a geometric triangle theme and a color palette of black, ivory, and mixed metallics of gold, copper, and rose gold. I’ve always been drawn to darker, moodier elements, so we incorporated that into style accents — black stationery with gold foil, some dark flowers, and black candles.

This preference also led to the selection of our photographer, Carina of Love Me Do Photography. So many portfolios looked the same to me, with the same whitewash, color palettes, filters, and poses. At first sight, Love Me Do Photography’s work jumped out at me. It was just as beautiful and dramatic as any, but with raw emotion, grit, and split-second moments I felt were missing in others’. Going with them was one of the easiest (and best!) decisions we made.

When venue-hunting, our two requirements were a great “New York” feel and a space that had character. We saw many venues that had one without the other. At the suggestion of a friend, we checked out Battery Gardens and instantly fell in love with their location, their floor-to-ceiling windows, and the epic view. Since our ceremony would be onsite, we loved how there were distinct, separate areas for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception (this was harder to find than we expected). Exchanging vows while the sun sets, with the Statue of Liberty in the background? Yes, please.

Despite some ominous weather forecasts, we got super lucky with the weather, and it was a dreamy September day – warm and sunny with a few clouds and a great breeze for photos. The whole affair went off nearly without a hitch, save for the linen rentals not showing up, my bustle loops breaking, and a guest arriving with an unexpected plus-one! If anything, these hiccups just made for good stories.

People warn you that the day whips by in a blur, and they aren’t kidding, but time did almost seem to stop at certain moments: watching Andy’s eyes twinkle as he read me his vows, listening to my sisters sing a song we used to sing as kids during their speech, hearing my dad laugh as we danced. Andy and I are both pragmatic to a fault in many ways, so justifying a big wedding wasn’t always easy, but it was truly a special, spectacular day, and we couldn’t be happier with it.

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A Classic NYC Wedding Not To Be Missed

It doesn’t get much more classic than a NYC wedding and this one hits it out of the park. No surprise then that the team behind it all is absolutely topnotch. From Ashley Douglass Events to DESIGNS BY AHN and Face Time Beauty Concierge, it’s a home run. And then we have Glen Allsop of Christian Oth capturing all the beauty and romance – hop on over to our gallery to see all the magical moments!

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From Ashley Douglass Events… In what feels like a far-away land from NYC, through the blooming summer trees, you can see the George Washington Bridge in the distance hanging over the Hudson. You feel as if you’re on top of a skyscraper watching over the city, but you’re on the top of Wave Hill in Riverdale surrounded by unimaginable natural florals and rolling hills. The sunsets stretch on longer than any other summer sunsets as the sky reaches out more vast than anything else your eye can see. A garden that is open for the public to enjoy during the day, and a special place to let your evening wedding grow bright – Wave Hill’s stone walk ways, gardens, and graceful architecture will go beyond your imagination when creating your outdoor garden wedding.

This Wedding Is the Definition of Industrial Chic

I think you can get to know a lot about the kind of love a Bride and Groom just by their smiles. And these two? Well, their smiles say it all. Working with a handful of our fabulous Little Black Book Members including Polka Dot Events, 501 Union, Cobblestone Catering, Face Time Beauty Concierge and Isabelle Selby, they pulled off an industrial chic wedding for the books. Join us for allll the moody romance, over in the full gallery!

From Tracey at Polka Dot Events… Though both New York City born and bred, it took a move to Washington D. C. For law school at Georgetown University for Manhattanite Caroline and Staten Island native Max to meet and begin their relationship. The two were engaged by graduation and soon moved back to NYC where they settled in Brooklyn with their adorable doodle puppy named Edna. Caroline, an advocate and attorney, and Max, also an attorney, decided to hold their wedding at 501 Union, a former supper club with a swanky New York vibe, and teamed up with Tracey Goldstein of Polka Dot Events and Sachi Rose Design to transform the space, and plan an event that was uniquely “them.”

From their Staten Island Ferry Save The Dates (with Edna as the Captain) to their Earth-Day influenced favors (complete with Baggu reusable bags, ACLU bookmarks, the US Constitution, and seed packets) each detail of the wedding embodied Caroline and Max’s unique touch and personalities. Groupings of wildflowers lined the aisle leading up to a wild and asymmetrical cherry blossom chuppah with colorful orange, green and burgundy floral accents. Caroline, her mother and brother walked down the aisle to Sweet Caroline as the room smiled and giggled at the song choice. The ceremony was officiated by Cantor Nancy Bach, and Caroline and Max recited their own vows. Inside the reception, a large greenery installation was created to look as it was creeping out from 501’s skylights, and large wood tables were decorated with lush and colorful urn centerpieces and still-life accents of greenery and fruit. At each place setting sat natural linen napkins, sprigs of rosemary and a combined menu-placecard complete with an illustration of Edna in her dinner gear. The night was full of delicious new American style food from Cobblestone Catering and ended with a delicious dessert table of sweet bites and a small cutting cake from Luckybird Bakery.

This Couple Met Above the Clouds, Literally!

I feel absolutely blessed to experience others’ love stories for a living. Love and (pretty details) for a living ain’t bad my friends. If you’re an avid SMP reader, you get to experience that love on the daily, too. Today’s story is ridiculously romantic. This adorable duo literally met above the clouds, on a jet of course! Once you’re done admiring Charlotte Jenks Lewis‘ imagery, read the Bride’s writeup to find out just exactly what these two chatted about on that first-meeting flight and how it inspired their wedding day.

From the Bride… Jacob and I met in truly the most serendipitous of ways: on an airplane from Florida to New York! It was January 8, 2011; I was on the way home from a Disney trip with friends and Jacob was coming home from a business trip. While I maintain Jacob was totally unhelpful as I struggled to put my bag in the overhead bin, he has a very different memory of the entire encounter! Either way, once he pulled out an obscure book written by a historian I love, we started talking. Two hours flew by, and the rest was history!

As two history nerds, when Jacob and I got engaged we knew we wanted to create an elegant museum wedding with a classic New York City feel that also incorporated organic elements through the use of outdoor space. With that in mind, our design inspiration quickly became Elegant, Organic, and Modern. After looking at a few historic New York venues, we saw the Museum of the City of New York. A classic Georgian mansion with a striking marble staircase that served as my aisle and a beautiful brick-inlaid terrace overlooking Fifth Avenue and scenic Central Park, we knew we had found the perfect venue. Aiming to play up the museum’s dramatic design elements rather than trying to overpower them, our color palette featured marble, ivory, pale grey, and blush rose for the ceremony, while the rest of the evening featured mauve, plum, green, and gold.

Coming down the marble staircase and seeing Jacob grinning up at me and the smiling faces of 185 of our closest friends and family is a moment I’ll never forget. With the museum’s light installation glittering above me as I rounded the spiral staircase, I remember thinking that this moment was uniquely wonderful and just right. And from there, the night only got more incredible; we kept one of the museum’s exhibits open for our guests to explore, the food was delicious, and our amazing band kept everyone on the dance floor all night long. At the end of the night, we gave our guests airplane-shaped bottle openers as favors, with tags on them reading, “From Delta 1296 to 5.20.2017…” as an homage to our unlikely meeting story.

Our wedding was the absolute most fun, exciting, and special day of our lives, and we feel so lucky to have been able to celebrate our love with the people most important to us. So, my one piece of advice for brides on their big day? Do your best to stay truly mindful and in-the-moment for each part of the day. Remember that everything will inevitably fall into place, and as for the things that don’t, no one will be the wiser, so dance the night away with people you love and have the BEST time!

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Jenny Yoo

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This NY Loft Wedding Is Simply Perfection

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!

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!

Adorable Central Park Engagement Shoot

Some photo shoots are just so easy, breezy, you sense it immediately upon looking at the pics. And this engagement session is one of those. These two cuties are so full of love and laughter and these pics by Erika Brown radiate it wholeheartedly. They strolled through Central Park and dipped and danced, smiled and swirled… and we can’t get enough!

From Erika Brown Photography… This was a simple yet truly unforgettable engagement session in the heart of NYC. Tim and Kristy are so incredibly sweet and completely in love so photographing them and capturing these special moments was so, so easy.

From the Bride-to-be… Tim and I met on Valentines Day 2014. We had a mutual friend throwing a Valentines Day party and after some persuasion from our best friends, both decided to attend. Our mutual friend introduced us almost immediately after I arrived and as the night went on, we kept finding our way back to each other :)

After a couple weeks, Tim asked me out and we had our first date at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC. I know it is super cliche but we pretty much hit it off from the very first date. Fast forward to April 8th, 2016…. I had thought I was attending a close friend’s birthday party but little did I know Tim had much more planned. We walked up to the Gramercy Park Hotel (where we had that very first date) and Tim proposed outside while inside awaited our parents and closest friends ready to celebrate our engagement with us!

As for the wedding… I am definitely most excited to marry my best friend and absolute love of my life. I cannot wait to get our lives started together as husband and wife.

The engagement shoot was an absolute blast! Tim and I were a little apprehensive about doing an engagement shoot to begin with because we felt like that just wasn’t us (boy were we wrong). After some persuasion from our amazing photographer, Erika Brown, we decided that it probably was a good idea. We went into the engagement shoot very practically. We would be able to get used to being in front of the camera while our photographer would get to know us. We decided to do our shoot in Central Park in NYC, a very meaningful location to us considering New York is where we met and started our lives together. The shoot itself ended up being so much fun and actually a very romantic afternoon together. Erika’s fun loving personality and professionalism made Tim and I feel beyond comfortable in front of the camera. We are so excited about the pictures we took during our engagement session. We truly believe they capture our personalities and love perfectly :) To say we are more than excited to have Erika photograph our wedding is an understatement!

Photography: Erika Brown Photography

“Same-Sex Marriage Is Not Legal in Our Country, So We Married in the U.S.”

This is the kind of story that makes me eager to log on to SMP every day. It’s not about the details, no, it’s a pure dose of LOVE. Because love is love, and nothing (not even a country) can deny that. Seth and Jacky are brave, strong and admirable for their journey to say I Do. Alisa Ferris‘ imagery paired with their story below is bound to brighten your day.

Seth and Jacky are not able to enjoy the simple luxuries that many couples take for granted. They can’t hold hands or kiss in public. Cozy Instagram pics? Posted with caution. The couple is from Indonesia where same-sex marriage is not recognized, and even worse, neither is homosexuality.

The two met online when Seth was just 19 and Jacky was 16; they maintained a friendship for 4 years before venturing into a romantic relationship. Fast forward eleven years, and the couple have pretty much done it all; here’s the scoop on these savvy business owners, parents and gay rights advocates.

“In Indonesia, homosexuality is not widely accepted, and gay marriage is non-existent,” stated Jacky. “After more than ten years together, we grew weary of the subterfuge and felt that we deserved to have what so many others already have.”

That mindset sent the two packing for NYC where gay marriage is legal. Their elopement in NYC was followed by a quick Honeymoon in D.C. (and a Beyoncé concert, of course!). The result was a 3-day photo session around Washington D.C. and New York City that is an emoji heart feast for the eyes.

“We have Style Me Pretty to thank for our photographer, Alisa Ferris. When we read about how she saved another couple from wedding disaster (READ: “Their Photographer Didn’t Show Up! Here’s What Happened Next), we knew we had to have her,” said Seth.

Now that their nuptials are legal, the pair are becoming recognized as gay rights advocates in their home country. “Not only did we want to get married for ourselves, but also, to set an example for our son, Jasper,” commented Seth. “We wanted to show him to stand up for what you believe in.”

“What we didn’t realize was that so many others would be inspired by our actions. Since we’ve become more open about our relationship,” Jacky continued, “I’ve received messages from many young kids telling me they were on the brink of suicide until they heard our story; now they have hope of living a life of love and happiness.”

Having overcome such challenges has made this power couple even stronger. Seth, the mastermind behind the couple’s advertising agency, and Jacky, a prominent fashion designer, whose clothes have been spotted on the likes of Neyo and Lance Bass, now look forward to the future with a relaxed heart.

From Alisa Ferris… When I heard Seth + Jacky’s story, I knew instantly I wanted to document the story of their love. Sadly, even in the U.S. wedding industry, you will encounter vendors who don’t support same-sex marriage. In my role as a photographer of same-sex marriages, I’m not merely an artist, I also consider myself an activist.

Photography: Alisa Ferris | Location: New York Public Library | Location: Central Park | Location: Library Of Congress

Celebrating Seven Years With an Iconic View

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.

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

Simple Garden Perfection In The Middle Of New York City

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!

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!

Classic NYC Romance + Glamour at Top of the Rock + Central Park

NYC may be a thoroughly modern city but there is something classic, something old school New York about this shoot. The glamour, the romance, we love it all. The only way to make it even better? Infuse it with a bit of fun, and that’s exactly what Rebecca Yale did (I mean, how adorable are these two!?). Add in Face Time Beauty Concierge helping this bride-to-be shine her brightest, and this gallery is absolutely picture perfect.

From Rebecca Yale… Paul and Dakota were introduced through their roommates at Penn State in the summer of 2011. After dating throughout college, they moved to Manhattan together so Paul could work in finance and Dakota could work in entertainment. Through busy schedules, they always made it a point to go back to Penn State for football games. Paul proposed on Penn State’s campus a few hours after the Penn State victory over Ohio State in 2016. They chose to do their engagement session on the top of New York City, Top of the Rock, that is. With magnificent views of the city they’ve come to call home, they enjoyed a beautiful summer morning on the roof of 30 Rock followed by a walk through Central Park.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Dress: Betsy & Adam | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Venue: Top Of The Rock

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Modern Garden Romance for Urban “I Dos”

We’ve unofficially deemed today a celebration of NYC. Beginning with this morning’s real wedding set in Central Park South and ending with an inspiration shoot at the Four Seasons downtown, we’re deep-diving this modern take on a hotel affair all designed by Classic Events NYC. Think clean lines, garden blooms, and moments of quiet romance amongst the bustling city captured by the incomparable Judy Pak. Get your city wedding fix with even more this way in the gallery.

From Classic Events NYC… When the venerable Four Seasons Hotel opened its new downtown location, we just knew it was a perfect match for our classic and timeless style. Our vision for this shoot was to complement the venue, featuring a modern garden-inspired table setting.

We called in expert floral designer, Belle Fleur NY, to create a floral-scape of dreamy whites and crisp fresh greens with soft delicate accents of pale periwinkle that softened the look of the contemporary ballroom and celebrated the beautiful spring season. The table design incorporated formal footed crystal vessels with potted Myrtle topiaries and faceted tumblers with a bevy of mixed florals including fluttering Sweetpea, Muscari, Patience Garden Roses, button Ranunculus, white Lilac, Parrot Tulips, and Hellebores.

Although the look felt very much as if we cut from the most exquisite European garden, we stayed true to a more refined and controlled silhouette to embrace the juxtaposition of a city-country style.

This Bride is a Real-Life Cinderella Beauty

I think a little part of every bride longs to feel like a princess. Whether her style leans modern, boho, rustic or classic, there’s something about the Cinderella moment that makes all our hearts skip a beat and today we’re seeing how this bride pulled it off. Kristin married her love Kevin in a jaw-dropping Pronovias gown with hair and makeup magic by Face Time Beauty and her ‘maids outfitted in Jenny Yoo. The entire day, including invites by Laura Hooper, is a New York dream and we’ve got it all from the lens of Rebecca Yale.

Kristin and Kevin were married in the most classic of NYC venues, at the historic Essex House Hotel, right on Central Park. The day began with both of them getting ready at the hotel with their friends and families before meeting at a bridge in Central Park for a romantic first look moment. As if it were straight out of any NYC rom-com musicians popped in under the bridge to serenade them and a group of tourists gathered on the other side of the bridge to watch their love story unfold. We walked around the Southern part of the park taking a few portraits before being joined by their wedding party for photos amidst the lush green trees of the park in June. Kristin’s bridesmaids sported mismatched Jenny Yoo dresses in both solid and patterned pink shades and were the perfect helpers with her gorgeous ball gown as we walked through the park. They each carried large lush bouquets created by Poppies and Posies. On the way back from portraits it began to drizzle and everyone huddled under the NY Athletic Club awning next door which made for a cute photo moment.

After portraits, everyone headed inside for some much-needed air conditioning on the humid summer day and we captured some family portraits in the beautiful ballroom, including some adorable moments with the bride and groom’s nieces and nephews who made some of the cutest flower girls I’ve ever seen! The couple said their I Do’s in the ballroom followed by cocktails next door before returning to the ballroom for an evening of dinner and dancing with their friends and families. The bride and groom have a very sweet dachshund named Georgia, who was included in their engagement session, and they decided to honor her on the wedding day by including her in their cake topper as a gold silhouette with them atop their cake.

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Having a City Wedding? Check Out this Urban Chic Brooklyn Fete.

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.

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.

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The Tale of a Marchesa Gown and the New York City Public Library

The only thing more gorgeous than an elopement at the New York City Public Library is that insanely stunning Marchesa gown. It’s a show stopper and when paired with simple, elegant details crafted by Query Events including the prettiest of paper goods by Cleggraphy Designs, this inspiration will have you craving a minimalist approach to saying “I Do”. Fall in love with this marbled gem captured by Callie Manion right here.

When you get the chance to shoot at the New York Public Library in a Marchesa gown, you pack your bags and get on the earliest flight out of Dallas! The design concept was really centered around the architecture of both the amazing front steps of the NYPL and the caped Marchesa gown. Keeping color to a minimum was vital in not overpowering the existing features – we opted for various shades of gray to mimic the marbled elements of the building and added a pop of black in our stationary pieces by Cleggraphy Design. Unfortunately we had a beautiful vintage car that cancelled less than an hour before their scheduled arrival. The only solution was to pull the inner New Yorker out of this Texan girl and hail a good old fashioned taxi! Although not the original plan, I’m thrilled at the truthfulness in those images! What a wonderful experience and dream come true to have this opportunity to work with so many amazing vendors!

This Mandarin Oriental Wedding Is the Epitome of Classic Glamour

There’s nothing like a glamorous, black tie affair in New York City, and this wedding checks off every requisite box with style: sparkly Miu Miu heels, Bridesmaids in gorgeous Lazaro gowns, Groom in a classic tux by Tincati, overflowing florals by Tantawan Bloom, and sunset views of Central Park. Pretty unbeatable, right? Get ready to be swept off your feet by this wedding at the Mandarin Oriental, captured by Brian Hatton Photography.

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From Brian Hatton Photography… Lidia and Anthony were married on September 26th, with their wedding ceremony and reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. Anthony is a real estate developer, and he and Lidia met as she was considering getting an apartment in one of his properties. He got wind of who was coming by for a showing and insisted on giving the tour himself! The rest is history.

The whole day took place at the Mandarin Oriental overlooking Columbus Circle in Manhattan. I love shooting in this spectacular space every year, not only for all the service and luxury of a 5-star hotel but also for the unparalleled views from the ballroom and bridal suite. Before the ceremony itself, Lidia and Anthony opted to do a first look just outside in the circle, and then we all hopped in Sprinter vans to head out for pictures at Lincoln Center. Then it was back to the Mandarin Oriental for the ceremony overlooking Central Park as the sun went down. The Bride and Groom were surrounded by flowers, and the Bridesmaids even had differing but complementary bouquets.

Tantawan Bloom is one of the very best florists and event decorators in New York City. They turned the Mandarin Oriental’s ballroom into a magical white wonderland. The whole day was filled with fine details and stunning visuals. The invitations were especially gorgeous, with each guest receiving a silk-covered bifold imprinted with gold leaf.

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Spring 2016

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A Central Park Engagement Session Never Goes Out of Style

There are few places more romantic than Central Park in the spring – I love Central Park so much, in fact, that I took some of my own engagement photos there. Between the pretty pink blooms on the trees, the warm light, and the general buzz of joy and activity all around, it’s the perfect place to commemorate a new beginning – like this dreamy engagement session by Greer Gattuso Photography. Don’t miss a single photo of this one – they’re all waiting for you in the gallery!

Caitlin and Brooks are having a destination wedding in New Orleans but decided they wanted their engagement photos in New York where they live. Beautiful Central Park in the spring made for a beautiful backdrop.

Photography: Greer Gattuso

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