New York Weddings

There’s no denying Ariel Foxman, Editor-in-Chief of InStyle and his love Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, New York City public school principal know how to throw a good party. But when we’re talking about their wedding designed in the hands of Fête, it’s a party taken to a whole new level. The grooms opted for a dark, moody palette with unexpected details, including a wall of peel-off escort cards and a bagel and schmear send-off for guests. Brian Dorsey captured all the images and we’re only just getting started.

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From The Grooms… The inspiration was a winter wedding that would feel lush and “undone” and have deep botanicals. Also, the we used ideas from the Dries Van Noten show, which referenced Dutch masters with gold, black, red and purples.

Jung Lee’s design is stand out because she and her team at FETE manage to epitomize your personal taste—the idiosyncratic things you’ve always imagined for your big day, the little flourishes that only you and your partner find amusing and delightful—while at the same time incorporating and elevating it to a standard of elegance and luxury like no other. And even as the final product is the height of sophistication, the appeal is contemporary, approachable and fun!

Our favorite part of the day—besides exchanging our vows to one another—was seeing how each and every detail came to life. Whether it was the peel-off escort card wall or the personalized chargers at everyone’s seat or the bagel and schmear send off with our charitable donation sticker affixed to each bag. Seeing the attention to every element and knowing that our guests experienced our day in exact balance that we had imagined, was simply amazing.

From the designers, Fête…

Seating Concept 

As guests entered cocktails, they saw a wall application stating “Find Your Name” – it was scored into small rectangular pieces that served as guests’ escort card. Fete team helped guests peel their rectangular “escort card” off the wall. As guests peeled the card off, it became apparent that there was some image or painting underneath the application. By the end of cocktails, guests could finally make out the painting, which was an enlarged print of a watercolor painting an artist friend made for Ariel and Brandon.

During the planning process, Jung came up with the idea when the couple shared the painting with Jung – she knew it needed to be featured at the wedding, especially given the venue.

Curved Carpeted Aisle

The curved shape of the ceremony space inspired the idea for a curved, carpeted aisle. It increased the drama and beauty of the ceremony as a friend and recording artist sang her love ballad “With You”. Listen to it and it will become one of your favorite processional songs ever.

Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios | Cinematography: Craig William Films | Floral Design: Fete | Cake: Sylvia Weinstock | Catering: Restaurant Associates | Venue: Brooklyn Museum

This is the sort of day that reminds me just why I love a classic wedding.  From the beautiful details crafted by Polka Dot Events to the bride’s stunning Monique Lhuillier gown to the fabulous Hudson Mercantile setting, every last moment is woven with gorgeous traditional touches with just a hint of contemporary style.  Judy Pak was on hand to capture every moment perfectly and you can see them all right here in THE VAULT.

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From Polka Dot Events… Melissa and Reed wanted a New York wedding that incorporated traditional and modern elements yet still flowed elegantly from ceremony to cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. They more than succeeded, with every piece of the day more impressive than the last. They started out getting ready at the Ace Hotel, then took a classic trolley car to the ceremony at the majestic St. Francis Xavier. Despite a cloudy day they still got gorgeous pictures on the Highline, and then went over to Hudson Mercantile for a night of drinks and dancing.

Everything about the reception was distinctly “them”. The cocktail hour on the roof of Hudson Mercantile featured a Cigar Roller, jazz band, and an Escort Card Mirror that Melissa made herself! The reception was perfected with lush florals by Creative Edge, chic lighting by Bentley Meeker, and four long tables that set the room perfectly for dancing, which was obvious since there was hardly anyone sitting all night! The guests left happily with Limoncello favors, picked out because of Melissa and Reed’s honeymoon in Italy.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Kiss The Bride Films | Coordination: Benor & Beik | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Empire Cake | Bride's Shoes: Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Creative Edge Parties | Hair + Makeup: Michiko Boorberg | Venue: Hudson Mercantile | DJ + Band: Aria Melody DJ | Getting Ready Venue: Ace Hotel

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Yes, the reception is the celebration, but the ceremony is what unites you as husband and wife. So, reading this Bride’s note that “the ceremony was the most memorable part of the wedding.” With a dear friend officiating, the ceremony brought every guest in Brooklyn Winery to tears, laughter and cheers. From there, the night only got better with Designs by Ahn florals, a Sweet Booths photo booth and a sparkler exit. See it all from Meg Miller Photography and Rob Adams Films in The Vault!

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From The Bride….After finally settling back to reality from the absolutely unexpected proposal from James, the vision of our wedding was clear from the start – an unconventional and personal event that mimics a fun night out in the city where we fell in love and grew together as a couple. Brooklyn Winery suited this purpose – the space was the perfect combination of vintage and modern, casual but elegant filled with reclaimed wood creating a romantic, chic, and sophisticated interior unfolding within the industrial exterior. As a fully functional winery, the venue set the stage for the perfect night that intimately engaged our loving friends and family.

As we planned the rest of our wedding, we focused on creating a personal and inclusive experience, a conversational celebration for all so the guests were part of our story from the start. The wedding logo was one of the small but key elements that runs the theme throughout – a claddagh ring encircling a Chinese character “double happiness” to represent the joining of our families from different cultural backgrounds. To echo the rustic style of the venue, we wrapped each invitation in burlap with a twine tie; and to personalize, we tied a small wooden tag with a personally written message to each of our guests. The wedding logo was also featured on our table cards, photo-booth prints, and place cards. Each place card was placed in frames that we displayed on two 7-foot tall, custom made wooden standing shelves that was personally made by James’ father! The design was the perfect paring to Brooklyn Winery.

The ceremony was the most memorable part of the wedding. We asked our dear friend Laura Ahern to officiate our ceremony. As someone who introduced us and witnessed our relationship from the start, there was no one more appropriate and perfect than Laura to help tell our story. Laura gave us more than we could ever have hoped for. She delivered with a combination of quick wit and a big heart that kept the mood light and entertaining, bringing our story to life, filling the room with energy and laughter. Our own vows, which made for some very emotional moments, brought the crowd to tears, laughter, and cheers. It was perfect; and it made us so happy having been told by many that it was the best ceremony ever experienced and shared!

The rest of the night was truly blissful…a candlelit family style dinner with Matt La Von’s Jazz Quintet providing the perfect background music for a meal that any NYC foodie can appreciate. Later, everyone danced to the amazing music by DJ Chavez with the floor packed to the brim all night.

From the first look, the ceremony, the speeches, to the first dances and the epic dance party, the talented teams from Meg Miller Photography and Rob Adams Films beautifully captured every moment. They blended in seamlessly into the background while managing to be close enough to capture some of our most intimate moments. Meg and Rob’s teams were an absolute joy to work with and we can’t imagine anyone else we’d want in charge of capturing our memories.

From the beginning, it was very important to us to have a modern, unique, and intimate experience on our wedding day. As each chapter unfolds, it was the most joyful, beautiful day we could have ever hoped for and more.

Photography: Meg Miller Photography | Cinematography: Rob Adams Films | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Invitations: Park Slope Press | Bride's Shoes: Mui Mui | Jewelry: Swarovski | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup: Sabrina Gilbert | Hair: Kristina Maccaro | DJ: The Knot | Groom's Attire: Charles Tyrwhitt | Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC | Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Chalkboard Wedding Program: Andrea Casey | Photo Booth: Sweet Booths | Quintet: Scratch Weddings

There’s saying “I do” in style, and then there is saying “I do” aboard The Duchess, an insanely gorgeous yacht that is equal parts fun AND sophisticated.  Think fabulous contemporary decor, a floating rooftop (!) and panoramic views of NYC that will wow every.single.one of your guests.  I mean, celebrating your newlywed status floating past the city you love? Sooo glamorous.

Whether it’s enjoying the newly built Duchess Lounge on the yacht’s second deck, sipping cocktails from their full-service bars or partying the night away on their oversized, hardwood dance floor, The Duchess has everything (and I mean everything) you’ve ever wanted when it comes to hosting your dream wedding. I’m talking climate controlled interiors, a state-of-the-art sound system (hello, live music or DJ) and outdoor furniture perfect for lounging.  Not to mention The Duchess’ sister property, Fish Bar, is THE place to host your rehearsal dinner, a fab cocktail party or even your reception.  We love them.

Whether you plan on an intimate “I do” with eight of your nearest and dearest or want to host a sit-down dinner for 400, contact The Duchess TODAY to begin your journey to that dream day. Star gazing is totally included, my friends.

THE GIVEAWAY

What: The Duchess is giving away a romantic dinner for two at their sister property, Fish Bar! (Value $200, Gratuity Not Included)

How: Simply leave a comment below telling us why you love yacht weddings! (Ex: They are sooo unique!)

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, June 17, 2016.  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, loves! xo

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Photography: Allan Zepeda (Image 2,4) + I Do Weddings (Image 1,3)

No one does a wedding like New York City — just look at this Manhattan affair. With a gorgeous Lihi Hod dress from Gabriella New York, a navy velvet Chanel clutch, lush florals from the talents at Putnam And Putnam, and a Momofuku Milk Bar, this day was as chic and iconic as the city itself. And it was captured to perfection thanks to Trent Bailey Studio. Head to The Vault to fall in love with it all!

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From The Bride…Shay proposed during a ski trip to Utah. We were with a group of friends – all of whom were experienced skiers or snowboarders. For me – it was my first time skiing ever. On the first day we went out, I spent most of the time on the bunny hill and really enjoyed it, and bragged to Shay that I wasn’t falling at all and was ready for the real mountain. Shay obliged, but said “if you’re not falling, you’re not trying!”. I was sure that I was just a freakishly good at skiing, and went confidently down the mountain and of course found myself falling non-stop, until the last fall when I felt something happen to my knee. I was sick from it, and all our friends and Shay convinced me that my knee was probably just “bruised” and that we should slowly go down and then we could go home. After finally making it down and some hot chocolate, we drove back through the valley and stopped at a pretty snow covered campsite. I was certainly not in the mood to get out of the car, but didn’t want to be the party pooper and joined the group. Shay and I went off to a beautiful tree and snow canopied clearing, and it was there that he got down on one knee and proposed. Needless to say, it was the last thing I expected after falling down the mountain, but immediately cried tears of joy and said yes! I forgot about the knee until the next day when it ballooned to the size of a cantaloupe. That week I found out that I completely tore my ACL, and needed surgery. Long story short – I tore my ACL and then Shay proposed an hour later. It was definitely one of the best days of my life.

We wanted our wedding to feel unique, personal, and we wanted everyone to have a good time. We started looking the NY area and the Bowery Hotel was the third and final place we looked. It was a no brainer – the space felt really special, beautiful, and timeless. And it was six blocks from our apartment, and there was something really awesome about the fact that our wedding was in our neighborhood. That made it feel distinctly personal.

The design at the Bowery is already amazing, and so we did not need to do much more to dress it up beyond flowers. Putnam & Putnam was our first choice among the florists we looked at, and their prior work was inspiration in itself. Their aesthetic and vision is exactly in line with our taste, and so it was easy to really let them take have at it. Everything was stunning, particularly the candlelit backdrop where we said our vows.

A lot of the inspiration for other details were driven by our shared history. Our wedding DJ was DJ Baby Blu – he DJs at Brooklyneer on Friday and Saturday nights and we always have a blast dancing there. Long before we were engaged we both said to each other that he should play at our wedding. Our wedding cake was Momofuku Birthday Cake – the same cake that I got for Shay for his 30th birthday and we both said then that it would be the cake at our wedding (and it provided inspiration for our friends’ wedding too!). The recessional that the musicians played was from Hans’ Zimmer’s “You’re So Cool (part of the soundtrack of one of our favorite movies – True Romance). Our photographer worked at a friend’s wedding and produced amazing, dreamlike photos for them. My hair and make-up was done by Mala – the same woman who has done my hair (and my sister’s) for the last ten years. Our favors were photos from the photobooth Mashbooth – this was such an easy decision since we can never resist a photobooth.

What also made the wedding really special was our ceremony. Our friend Laura Goode officiated. She is a writer, poet, and filmmaker, and she worked with us and our parents for months to put together a really thoughtful and personal ceremony. She translated our relationship beautifully, and our guests couldn’t stop talking about it. We are so lucky she agreed to help us out.

We are not the most DIY of people – although we did a lot of planning ourselves and Amanda at the Bowery did the rest of the heavy lifting (and she did an amazing job, as did the rest of the staff there!). The most tangible DIY element was the wedding programs – our friend Lucy sent us a template and I played around with it to make it our own, and printed them at Paper Presentation on 17th street. The morning of the wedding I was still threading the programs with the ribbon and had to enlist my mom, sister, and friends to help finish them!

For me, walking through the doors and down the aisle with my father was so surreal. It was absolutely stunning to see our closest family and friends in one room, and to have Shay at the end the aisle. Holding hands and saying our vows was the best part of all. And funnily enough, another favorite moment was when we accidentally forgot to exchange rings so we did so right after the ceremony with our parents and siblings circled around us.

The party was a blast and to this day we keep hearing stories from our friends about their versions of the night. And to top it off, we had our friends drinking a special cocktail named “if you’re not falling, you’re not trying”. Many of them were trying very hard that night.

Advice:
– Try to keep it personal! And it doesn’t need to involve a lot of DIY to be personal if that’s not your jam.
– There’s inspiration beyond pinterest! I actually found Putnam & Putnam and my dress designer (Lihi Hod) on instagram.
– Something will go wrong but you probably won’t know, so don’t worry. It’s beyond your control.
– Have fun with it! It’s only one day and the most important thing is the marriage. Planning is a good chance to figure out how you navigate through some difficult situations together.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Floral Design: Putnam And Putnam | Wedding Dress: Lihi Hod | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Packham | DJ: DJ Blu | Groom's Attire: Sebastian Grey | Venue: The Bowery Hotel | Bridal Boutique: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

When the floral designer behind Maiden Kind became a bride, she and her love knew a city celebration was in order. But rather than elope, they chose the next best thing – a wedding inspired by an intimate dinner party. They scaled down the guest list, reined in the details and focused on the love, plain and simple. D’Arcy Benincosa captured each and every moment you’ll adore, epic first look included.

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From The Bride…When Nick and I got engaged, we knew immediately that we wanted our wedding to air on the smaller side. Intimacy felt really important to us and we wanted to be able to really focus on one another. We also knew that a New York City location was a must, since we met in our East Village apartment building and consider NYC our home. We began planning a 75 person wedding which we thought was small wedding. But we found ourselves quickly loosing sight of what was important to us- each other. It became too much about the details and making everything perfect. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a big wedding and all of its details- I’m a wedding florist after all! But when it came down to planning my own wedding, I realized it just wasn’t for me. After considering eloping, we came to the conclusion that it was absolutely essential to be surrounded and witnessed by our immediate families. An intimate dinner party was in order.

The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn had always been my dream venue. But with our original 75 people, their ballroom would have been too large. But in the end it worked perfectly! We rented one of their suites overlooking the Manhattan skyline for our ceremony and dinner. It was truly the best location and setup. The Wythe was incredible to work with and it really felt like a wedding…Just a tiny one! Plus their wine selection and menus were amazing. 

Since we didn’t have a bridal party, we didn’t really think too much about color palette too much. We drew slightly from the environment, as we knew there would be the Wythe’s signature blue and white toile wallpaper, hopefully a sunset over Manhattan and lots of brick!  We bought Nick’s suit first and wanted it to be something that he’d wear countless times. We chose a blue suit with very subtle pinstripe. I also felt that since our wedding was going to be intimate, I would want to be comfortable and non-fuss. I actually didn’t spend too much time on dress hunting. I went to J.Crew and then spotted my Rosa Clara in a magazine and went on a mission to find it.  It had the sophisticated, urban appeal that I was after and I didn’t have to worry about extra tricep presses since it had long sleeves! For jewelry I wore my mother’s gold locket that she actually wore on her wedding day. It houses a baby picture of me and my sister. So that felt really special. If I have a daughter someday, I hope she’s want to wear something of mine on her wedding day. I also carried my grandmother’s handkerchief with me. It was beautiful and absolutely essential. 

My mom, mother-in-law and sister helped me do the florals and it was truly the most fun!! We didn’t have a palette in mind when we arrived at the flower market. But we ended up choosing colors that mirrored my Mociun engagement ring. Everyone always asks, “did you find it stressful to be the bride and the florist?!” It wasn’t stressful…But that’s probably because I wasn’t flowering for a full-sized wedding! If that were the case, I would have hired out!  

One thing we did splurge on were photos. Photography is really important to both of us and we wanted someone to capture the emotional aspects of our day. D’Arcy Benincosa was a perfect match for us and we were so glad we flew her out from Utah for our day. She also shot our engagement photos, they are fabulous! 

My favorite part of our wedding was the ring warming ceremony during our ceremony. We played a beautiful piece of music by Andrew Bird and our rings were passed amongst our family members. They each held our rings for a moment while they infused them with love and well wishes for our future. It was so moving, I highly recommend it if you’re thinking about a small wedding. 

We didn’t offer traditional favors. But we did bring gifts for our parents. As a way to thank them for getting us to this point in our lives. Nick and I were both born in 1985 and I’ve travelled to The Loire Valley in France with my family, so we gifted them each of bottle of 1985 Chinon. They loved the thoughtful gesture…And the wine too. 

We were on the fence about having a wedding cake,as we hadn’t seen anything that really spoke to us. We would have been satisfied with desserts from the Wythe. But I’m sure glad we opted for cake because it was one of the most fun things we planned! I honestly don’t remember exactly how this came about…but at the time I was “internet pals” with the incredible food blogger Molly Yeh – who is known for her cakes with marzipan cutouts. We got to chatting about her coaching me to bake my own wedding cake and it turned out that she was actually in town a few weeks before our wedding. So I chose her recipe for chocolate tahini cake with tahini buttercream frosting and I baked the layers before she arrived. Then we assembled and decorated it together in my Brooklyn kitchen. Well, she did most of the decorating while I tried to soak up as much cake knowledge as possible. I am obsessed with pigs, and if I was ever going to have a wedding cake it would have to feature two piggies in love (dream cake)! Plus, it added a really playful element to our evening! 

Photography: Darcy Benincosa Photography | Floral Design: Maidenkind | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara | Cake: Molly Yeh | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Makeup: Natalie Livingston | Hair: Troy Beard | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Venue: Wythe Hotel

Pup lovers rejoice because this fur baby turned ring bearer is the cutest thing you’ll see all day. Mabelle, the couple’s shar-pei carried the rings down the aisle and took this Brooklyn wedding to a new level of fun. Sophie Kawalek captured and we’re hanging out here in the gallery.

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From Sophie Kawalek Photography…From the minute I met Rachel & Patrick, I knew their wedding was going to be amazing. Both artists, they set out to create an event filled with gorgeous sunlight, an incredible ceremony + reception space in the heart of Brooklyn, and whimsical yet modern details – including a vintage-inspired Sue Wong dress and fresh greenery by Pamela Cravens throughout the event.

Rachel and Patrick planned the entire thing themselves, hand selecting each vendor to compliment their unique day. It was filled with touches of intimacy, as the couple read each other handwritten love letters during their first look, heard speeches from multiple close friends, and had the bride’s brother walk their shar-pei, Mabelle, down the aisle to deliver their wedding rings.

Everything was inspired by a lush and modern palette of white, classic navy, and fresh green – from the stunning vintage-inspired emerald velvet bridesmaids dresses to the eucalyptus and bay leaf garlands running the length of each dining table, to the bouquets – primarily greenery, with soft white flowers.

The ceremony was led by Patrick’s childhood reverend, who had traveled from Savannah, Georgia, to be part of the event. Interspersed with singing and guitar played by one of the groom’s close friends, it was filled with light and emotion as the couple exchanged beautiful custom rings and read short vows.

Rachel, a bride of Chinese descent, changed twice from her elegant white dress to something more traditional and spent her reception in two stunning red and gold cheongsams that her mother helped select for the big day. The night ended with cake decorated with rows of fresh blossoms by The Movable Feast and dancing for family & friends.

Photography: Sophie Kaye Photography | Cinematography: Nick Collingwood Vintage | Floral Design: The Flower Girls | Wedding Dress: Sue Wong | Bride's Shoes: Adrianna Papell | Rings: Barkev's | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amazon | DJ: Kyle Wukasch | Groom's Attire: H&M | Groomsmen Attire: H&M | Officiant: Reverend Brad Waller | Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse | Catering + Cake: Movable Feast | Cheongsam: Mount Tabor Park | Hair Accessories: Avigail Adam Jewelry

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P.S. More Sweet Pups Who Stole the Show

10 Pups That Stole The Engagement Show

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10 Pups That Stole The Engagement Show

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Most Brides and Grooms plan an after party to keep the celebration going all night. But if you ask me, what this Bride (an editor at Real Simple) and Groom chose to do is so much more fun! After their New York City-inspired I Dos (apple escort cards and a Momofuku Milk Bar cake), they headed to the adjacent bowling alley, where the party continued, Jenny Packham wedding dress and all. See all the fun from Sarah Tew Photography and Crown Street Productions in The Vault!

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From The Bride…I met John in a bar while we were both journalism graduate students at Northwestern University. We were friends for a few months, but we didn’t start dating until two days before I moved to London for an internship. We spent that summer exchanging emails, and he finally came to visit me over Labor Day. That kicked off two years of long distance dating—I moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism, and he stayed in Chicago to work for a start-up that had formed out of his graduate school work. Finally, in September 2011, John moved to NYC.

We both love the city— it’s where we live and work, and it’s the first city we lived in together. It’s where we cemented our relationship and where we got engaged in November 2014, on a bridge in Central Park that we love. We knew even before we got engaged that we wanted to celebrate our wedding in NYC. I felt strongly about choosing a venue that showcased the city, and I fell in love with Current at Chelsea Piers when it was still just a construction site. I loved how it juxtaposed the natural beauty of the Hudson River with the sparkling lights of the city, plus it promised a sleek, modern design with a showstopper of a ceiling. It felt like our favorite parts of the city mashed together, and, as West Siders, the idea of having a wedding on the Hudson River was especially appealing.

Visiting Current in the months before our wedding and watching it morph from a construction site to a venue made it feel like our project. I wanted the space to look both lush and urban. The first element I knew I wanted was a floating Chuppah, with candles and flowers (which Atlas Floral Decorators brought from my imagination to life). I’m Jewish and John is Catholic, so this modern take on the traditional felt like just the right centerpiece for our ceremony.

While the big picture of planning was, of course, important, I really wanted the small details to bring everything together. A few of my favorites: We used apples as escort cards, with paper “leaves” pinned to the top (a nod to the fall season and, of course, the Big Apple). We both love playing games, so we used Jenga pieces as a guest book, asking people sign their names and include their best advice or a memory (we’ve loved playing our custom game in the months after the wedding). And as a journalist, paper details are extremely important to me, so I worked with a designer on a custom, graphical program and a playful menu for the tables.

Rather than having one big centerpiece on the tables, we used several flower vessels, with lots of candles, for visual interest and different points of entry for the eye. I tried to keep the focus on rich, fall colors, with touches of metallic silver. Abigail Kirsch is known for having lots of food, and they did not disappoint. From the inventive appetizers (mac and cheese cupcakes! pumpkin soup shooters!) all the way to the pizza and pretzel cart on departure, our guests left stuffed. We also love visiting Momofuku Milk Bar on the Upper West Side, so choosing their apple pie wedding cake was one of our easiest decisions.

On the day of the wedding, we took photos at The Highline—one more great example of the natural meeting the modern. Our mutual friend, Angela, became ordained for the occasion—she brought us together more than six years ago in graduate school, so it only felt appropriate that she bring us together in this official way. Everyone warned me that the ceremony would be a blur, but for me it was one of the clearest memories from the day—we delivered our own vows and we each had one of our siblings give a reading, which was especially meaningful. Afterward, we danced all night to Element Music’s Radio Underground—my family and friends are big dancers, so finding the right music was a must. And, because we weren’t ready for the party to end, we finished the night by bowling (yes, in my wedding dress) at Bowlmor in Chelsea Piers.

Photography: Sarah Tew Photography | Cinematography: Crown Street Productions | Floral Design: Atlas Floral Decorators | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Abigail Kirsch | Hair + Makeup: Paul Labreque | Band: Element Music | Favors: Custom Wine Bottles | Ties: Burberry | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: Angela Kwan | Venue: The Lighthouse At Chelsea Piers | Cake Topper: The Knot Wedding Shop | Calligraphy + Chalkboard Signs: Kurtz McKinnon Creative LLC | Chair Sign: Etsy | Cocktail Hour Napkins: Wedding Paper Divas | Hair Accessories: Jenny Packham | Hangers: Etsy | Head Table Place Cards: Etsy | Table Numbers: Etsy

Bridal Market was insanely awesome, but do you know what’s better than sitting in the audience, viewing from afar?  Getting up close and personal with the gowns themselves. Enter Bridal Reflections and their Galia Lahav Trunk Show, four full days of breathtaking fashions straight from the runways. It’s couture bridal meets stunning evening wear and it’s most definitely a can’t miss, loves.

All happening on May 12th-15th, the Galia Lahav Bridal & Evening Wear Trunk Show at Bridal Reflections is everything you’ve ever dreamed of… and so much more.  Think awe-inspiring illusion backs, breathtaking tulle skirts and Italian ivory lace all coming together to create designs that are as luxurious as they are extravagant.  From the “Le Secret Royal” couture bridal collection to the “Gala No.2” bridal collection to the “Black Pearl” evening collection, each gown is intricately crafted in Israel and features endless details that will wow you AND your loved ones.  We’re obsessed.

Grab your besties and contact Bridal Reflections TODAY to book your appointment to see the latest and greatest from Galia Lahav.  Trust me, loves… you are about to meet THE ONE.

Bridal Salon: Bridal Reflections | Gowns: Galia Lahav

What happens when you combine the chicest Bride ever with a wedding at the Brooklyn Winery? Major allure. Starting with that show-stopper of a gown (I mean, hello velvet neckline!) to the speckled purple orchid bouquet (total perfection), we’ve got Brindamour Photography to thank for this stunner of a celebration. See it all in The Vault!

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From Brindamour Photography… I’m so excited to share this Brooklyn Winery wedding. Badr and Michèle are dream clients, the sort I literally write about in a notebook when at a photography workshop and am instructed to describe my dream client. They are calm and totally relaxed, they trusted me every step of the way, their families were so sweet and kind to me all night, and on top of all that, they are gorgeous and have great style. Michèle wore a stunning Tom Ford gown with a beautiful velvet neckline and carried a speckled purple orchid bouquet designed by Gabrielle Aronas of G! Designs. I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into their wedding day! XOXO

Photography: Brindamour Photography | Floral Design: G! Designs | Wedding Dress: Tom Ford | Cake: Francois Payard Bakery | Reception Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Engagement Ring: Melissa Joy Manning | Makeup: David Walker Jr. | Hair: Romain Perriniaux | Favors: Miss Dawn | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Hotel: Wythe Hotel

Every day at SMP is pretty fabulous, but when your day also happens to include the brilliant work of Craig Paulson Photography, well… that’s a day that is a little extra special.  Think breathtaking imagery from a talented team that knows all there is to know about capturing your Big Day perfectly… from that ah-mazing First Look to the last kiss of the evening.  You HAVE to meet them, lovelies.

Founded in NYC and specializing in New York and destination weddings, the Craig Paulson Photography team has been organically photographing Big Day moments for over 15 years… and pride themselves on being completely unobtrusive when it comes to your wedding day moments.  I’m talking YOUR unique story remembered forever in stunning images you didn’t even know were being captured.  They’re just that good. From their high level of professionalism to their artistic take on every second to awe-inspiring images that you will cherish for always, hiring Craig Paulson Photography is an absolute must.

Ready to begin your journey to the images of a lifetime? Contact Craig Paulson Photography TODAY for that perfect blend of modern portraiture and classic photojournalism.  We can’t.wait to see the breathtaking results.

Photography: Craig Paulson Photography | Makeup & Hair: SB Beauty | Design and Florals: 5th Avenue Weddings

Break out the bubbly, loves.  TOMORROW Houghton is hosting an exclusive buy-now-wear-now event to launch their fabulous Spring/Summer 2017 Bridal Collection and guess what?  You are all invited.  Yep, that’s right.  The first 25 brides who RSVP will get access to the presentation, meet designer Katharine Polk AND be the very first to shop the new styles.  A reason to celebrate?  You know it.

We absolutely adore Houghton and their fabulously chic + edgy + seriously stunning bridal styles… I don’t need to tell you that.  So when they told us that TOMORROW, April 16th, they were hosting their first-ever “Shop the Runway” event featuring their breathtaking Spring/Summer 2017 Bridal Collection, we grabbed our heels and threw on our party pants.  I mean, a day of Houghton’s sleek and sophisticated styles + a meet and greet with the designer + tasty cocktails and music curated by artist Kenyon Phillips? You don’t want to miss a minute.

Kick off New York Bridal Week in total style by RSVPing to Houghton’s first-ever “Shop the Runway” event happening TOMORROW.  You’ll be able to buy select styles, including signature HOUGHTON x Commando bodysuits, separates, intimates and accessories.  Remember – the first 25 brides to request a ticket will get exclusive access, so do not wait a moment and request a ticket by emailing rsvp@houghtonnyc.com and include “SMP” in the subject line.  Have sooo much fun, lovelies.

This, loves, is a wedding that simply screams chic.  From those crazy beautiful gold heels (I want) to that stunning Chalayan gown (totally custom for the lovely bride) to the gorgeous florals from Occasion9. Jessica OH was on hand to capture every awesome moment, including a flower girl who REALLY knows how to make an entrance.  See it all in THE VAULT.

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From Jessica OH… Nate + Golnaz were married at Studio 450 in NYC. Paying homage to Golnaz’s hertiage, a “so-freh” was placed at the ceremony sight + housed many elements signifying different blessings for the couple. During the ceremony, the couple fed each other honey + had sugar sprinkled above their heads by family + close friends.

Golnaz’s gown was handmade just for her by one of her favorite designers, Hussein Chalayan. Wanting a handmade touch to her chic wedding day, Golnaz’s mother knitted all the little hearts for the seating chart.

The couple opted to have a logo that was featured on her invitation suit, welcome bags + a neon sign overlooking the dance floor. The couple also had their hashtag, #nateandgolnazforever made into a neon sign for the guest polaroid book table.

Photography: Jessica OH Photography | Event Coordination: SL Events | Floral Design: Occasion9 | Wedding Dress: Chalayan | Cake: Magnolia Bakery | Hair + Makeup: Paul J Devito | DJ: DJ Kami | Groom's Attire: Sebastian Grey | Venue: Studio 450 | Photography - Assistance: AMC Photography

This shower crafted by Twenty Three Layers along with florals by Van Vliet & Trap should get the best ever brunch award and it has everything to do with the dessert spread. Donuts, artisan marshmallows AND gem shaped cookies are only the beginning. Try adding a savory farm-to-table breakfast, like 3 billion choices of drink bars and a sea of pretty color captured by Kathleen O’Donnell. It’s proving that being surrounded by pastel is the best way to brunch. A mimosa bar helps too.

We just loved planning this very special shower for our guest of honor! Such a fun theme with our favorite color palette (pastels) + a modern twist of geometric shapes giving the room a clean, fun and lively vibe!

As guests enter the space they drop books and gifts onto the custom book cart. Servers offer them welcome cocktails and a specialty mocktail we named “Flower Child” as the mocktail was adorned with edible flowers. We built a custom juice bar with Juice Press organic juices which was a total crowd pleaser! Along with a Mimosa + Bloody Mary station set up on opposite ends of the bar.

Working within a raw space, we wanted to create a warm and comfortable environment by adding a lounge area which we styled using pastel touches.

For the kids, we created their own little area where they were able to do fun diy projects and take photos of each other using pastel polaroid cameras! There was a DIY Onesie station where adults were able to have some fun with the kids-hanging their dolled up onesies from a close line.

Poppy’s Catering provided a Farm to Table experience offering delicious salads, proteins and yummy quiches! And for that sweet treat, we created one of our signature style dessert bars filled with yummy treats For the backdrop we framed a piece of the same fabric we used for the table runner, tying it all in.

Photography: Kathleen O'Donnell Photography | Event Planning + Design: Twenty Three Layers | Floral Design: Van Vliet & Trap | Cupcakes: Magnolia Bakery | Catering: Poppy's Catering | Artisanal Donuts: Dough | Custom Table Runners: Minted | Fresh Juices: Juice Press | Furniture Rentals: Taylor Creative | Graphic Design: Two Paper Dolls | Marshmallows: Three Tarts Bakery | Marshmallows: Squish Marshmallows | Paper Crowns: origami est | Raw Space: The Glasshouses | Rentals + Fabrication: Evolution Rentals | Vegan Cupcakes: Babycakes | Vegan Donuts: Dun-Well Donuts

Gabriella New York gives us a lot of reasons to celebrate and this month is certainly no exception.  That’s because on April 13th and 14th, they’ll be hosting a Sara Gabriel Trunk Show and, let me tell you, loves… it’s going to be awesome.  Think stunning handmade veils, headpieces and jewelry more than perfect for you + your wedding.  Mark your calendars and break out the bubbly. This is going to be sooo good.

When it comes to adding just the right touch of gorgeous to your wedding day attire, designer (+ total genius) Sara Gabriel knows everything.  I’m talking dazzling Swarovski crystals, delicate French Lace and intricate detailing carefully crafted into each and every handmade accessory.  Which means that whether you’re a romantic bride planning a sweet garden affair or a modern fashionista ready to party the night away on a rooftop overlooking the city, Sara Gabriel has a piece that will truly speak to your personal style and individuality.  And did I mention they are ALL truly breathtaking?? We love.

View the latest Sara Gabriel has to offer in gorgeous veils, amazing overskirts, detachable straps, stunning headpieces and dazzling jewelry + meet the designer herself (!) at Gabriella New York’s Sara Gabriel Trunk Show happening on April 13 – 14, 2016.  Visit Gabriella New York here or call 212-206-1915 to book you appointment.

If you heart New York, then you are going to heart this classic New York City wedding. From the English Garden-inspired Bryant Park ceremony and Bryant Park Grill reception to the Momofuku Milk Bar wedding cake and all-night dance party thanks to 74 Events, this was the ultimate Manhattan affair. Add in a glamorous Bride and Groom and Ryon:Lockhart Photography to capture al the magic, and you’re left with photos as iconic as the city itself in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Our story began in New York City – meeting through mutual friends and the rest, as they say, is history. Our lives melded together seamlessly, falling in love with the city as our backdrop. Shortly after our engagement we made the decision to move from New York to Los Angeles, kicking our wedding planning into high gear!

Nestled in the heart of the city, Bryant Park Grill was a quintessentially New York venue. The view from the roof offers the city skyline while also overlooking the lush greenery of Bryant Park in August. It set the stage for the “English Garden” vision in my mind, which the brilliant Rawan Rihani of Aurora Botanica executed perfectly. Rawan’s expertise in floral design, along with her kind spirit, make the wedding floral planning process seamless! From the flower adorned cake to the sweetest flower girl crown, and everything in between, it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Our cross country move had an unexpected twist – it led us to our amazing photographers, the husband and wife team at Ryon:Lockhart Photography. Recommended by west coast friends, we were trading places with Sarah and Tim as they relocated from LA to NYC, just in time for our nuptials. We overlapped with them in Los Angeles and were able to do some engagement photos in Venice beach. I love that we did our engagement photos in Los Angeles because along with our
wedding photos, we capture our tale of two cities. The moments Ryon:Lockhart captures with their artistic eye and gorgeous use of natural light are lifelong treasures for our family.

The wedding weekend quickly arrived and it was an incredible kind of homecoming for us. To have all of our friends and family surrounding us in New York City for the weekend was truly magical. It’s a special time capsule that I can always replay in my mind. Kicking off the weekend in our old neighborhood favorite, 12th Street Ale House, our rehearsal dinner at Perry Street, and the perfect wedding day at Bryant Park Grill – it was a dream weekend with our beloved friends and family. Our DJ, Duane Harriot of 74 Events, had the crowd on its feet throughout the night. Looking out from our sweetheart table at dinner, Phil and I were overwhelmed with gratitude to be surrounded by the wonderful people sharing in the joy of our wedding: parents, aunts, and uncles who have nurtured us through the years, friends who have become family. Phil’s mom exclaimed the next day (as we polished off the top of the Momofuku wedding cake in her kitchen!) “you could feel the love in the room – it was palpable.

Photography: Ryon:Lockhart Photography | Floral Design: Aurora Botanica | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Bryant Park Grill | Makeup: Stephanie Perez | Hair: Kristina Maccaro | DJ: 74 Events | Groom's Attire: Lanvin | Venue: Bryant Park Grill

D’Arcy Benincosa has officially given you 106 reasons to elope in a public library. One look at these captures and you’ll be ready to read some romance novels after you’ve scrolled through (it’s just that good). Transforming a public space into a private moment, this gallery proves that the previously unthinkable is totally attainable and not only that that, but it’s also mega chic. See it all firsthand in The Vault!

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From D’Arcy Benincosa… Classic. Romantic. Nothing says it like a throw back to Black & White. With a lovely open backed gown from the new collection at Romantique by Claire Pettibone, this simple black and white wedding is the perfect inspiration for an elopement city wedding.

Photography: Darcy Benincosa Photography | Florals: Maidenkind | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Cake: Lucky Bird Bakes | Makeup + Hair: Angela Boswell | Suit: H&M | Dishware: West Elm | New York Public Library: New York Public Library | Stationery Design: Niru & Baku | Veil: SIBO Designs

Vintage glam with a romantic twist, this ridiculously stunning and intimate Gramercy Park Hotel wedding captured by none other than Christian Oth Studio is just New York City wedding perfection. With sweet personalized details and two of the most adorable dogs ever, this gallery of images is just as good as it gets. See even more in the VAULT. 

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From The Bride…Michael and I met eight years ago in New York City through a mutual friend. Though we dated long-distance for three years between London and New York City before we both finally called the Big Apple our home, it was our love for traveling and our two puppies that kept our spark alive. True to form, he proposed during our trip to Costa Rica and I immediately started our wedding planning!

From the moment we walked in, we knew Gramercy Park Hotel was going to be our wedding venue. In fact, it was the only venue we visited. We wanted a classic New York wedding that was glamorous and chic, yet intimate and cozy at the same time. The rooftop terrace at the GPH provided us with just that and more. From the candlelit lanterns that lined the terrace to the lush, green garden throughout to the fireplace in the light bulb room, it was a beautiful, stunning venue. Not to mention it had an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline as well as eclectic works of art (Damien Hearst, Andy Warhol), all of which set a romantic, yet playful tone for everyone. As food lovers, we were even more excited when we found out Union Square Hospitality, a Danny Meyer company, would be catering our event.

Given the venue, we knew vintage glam would be our theme but with a romantic twist. I chose a mermaid Vera Wang dress that had a stunning train and a beautiful jeweled sash to go along with it. My bridesmaid wore rose champagne sequined dresses that I found from Australia. My mom and I also decorated two birdcages for cards and well wishes with feathers and pearls. She’s also into figurines so she made two Hello Kitty bride and groom figurines. Table signs and escort cards also had tints of gold on them, which complemented well with my flowers of white, rose pink and gray.

Personalizing the details to our wedding was a lot of fun. My favorite was the inclusion of our dogs, Cuba and Harvey, in their tuxedos in the wedding photos and the walk down the aisle. They are such a huge part of our family and we love them so much! We even had a reading titled “How Falling in Love is Like Owning A Dog” by Taylor Mall.

As romantics, we also decided to choose to do a wine box ceremony, to help us remember the reasons why we got married by writing love letters to each other sealed in a special wine box. To honor my Chinese heritage, I also changed into a traditional red Qi Pao for dinner and my father/daughter dance. The day prior at the rehearsal dinner, we performed a Chinese tea ceremony at an Italian restaurant named Valbella in order to infuse and honor Michael’s and my culture together.

As wine lovers, we also brought in our favorite champagne and wines to accompany our wedding. In particular, one of the Bordeaux bottles (Calon Segur) had a label with a heart on it, which helped us symbolize our love on the day. Because of this, we incorporated the wooden wine case into the display during cocktail hour. And instead of a traditional wedding cake, we went with an ice cream cake from a local Brooklyn ice cream shop to reflect our love for Carvel when we were kids!

Finally, as a tribute to our travels, the tags to our wedding favors from Macaron Cafe were printed like passport stamps. Michael and I love to collect passport stamps from around the world.

In the end, it was a really magical day for us. For all the work brides put into making this day a perfect day, a great photographer is extremely important to help document this special moment. Jack Jeffries from Christian Oth Studio did a fantastic job for us, getting beautiful shots that looked editorial as if they were to be placed in a magazine. And no matter how much brides plan, there will be stress in the days leading up to and on the day of the wedding. Having a good on-site event manager and/or a month-of-wedding coordinator can help brides alleviate a lot of the stress. Kay from GPH and Kristin Beckler certainly did for me. After all, it’s the biggest day of most girls’ lives and brides should enjoy and remember every moment of it.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Cinematography: Jaylim Studio | Event Planning: Kristin Beckler | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Ample Hills Creamery | Invitations: Paperfinger | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: White Runway | Catering: Union Square Hospitality Group | Hair + Makeup: Keri Berman | DJ: Generation Events | Favors: Macaron Cafe | Venue: Gramercy Park Hotel | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Valbella

It’s official, Trent Bailey Studio is the master of wedding photography. I mean, just take one look at this gallery and you’ll be hard-pressed to claim otherwise. From capturing the sweetest first look, to their darling exit, Daughter Of Design was on hand crafting wedding magic like you wouldn’t believe. Oh, and the Kiss The Bride Films? You won’t want to miss it. See it all below and in The Vault!

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From the Bride… We sort of have an unofficial “theme” to the wedding based on our hometown. We both grew up in Saltaire, Fire Island – that’s where we met as kids and also where we got engaged so designed the wedding around this idea of a “seaside home” vibe.

Many young girls and women spend hours dreaming of their wedding day. The dress. The flowers. The cake. The first dance. It’s hard for me to explain why I never dreamed about my wedding day growing up. It wasn’t for lack of excitement, or because I didn’t plan on getting married, I wanted to begin my experience with an open mind and feel free to do whatever felt right. That’s why, when it came time to begin the planning process with my husband, our perfect day came as naturally as our love for each other.

It is unusual, these days, to find the person you want to marry when you are fourteen. We both grew up spending our summers in a beach community on Fire Island. In our town there are no cars, bikes are the only form of transport, and people don’t wear shoes. The reason this place is so special though is because of the life-long friendships that are forged there. This was where our relationship started, and everything grew from there.
Michael proposed to me on that very same island, the night of the summer solstice, on a quiet sunset-lit beach. We later met up with our friends and family for an evening of celebration. It was a perfect night!

When it came time to start planning, we both agreed very early-on that the most important thing for us was to have all of our family and closest friends in attendance. With this in mind, we knew we wanted to keep our wedding fairly local; within a few hours of New York City. While we thought this decision had simplified the process, we had no idea how many wedding venues are in this area. Our amazing wedding planners at Daughter of Design helped us narrow down the choices and imagine all the ways each space could be used. When we came across the Altman Building, an old carriage house in Manhattan with white brick walls and vaulted ceilings, we didn’t know right away that this was the place for us. We decided to have our wedding here for two reasons; first it is a beautiful vintage-industrial structure, but more importantly, this wide open venue gave us the ability to be creative and to turn the space into anything we could imagine. Obviously this flexibility is a two-sided coin, more freedom meant more work, however, it also meant that each aspect of the design, decor and style were distinctly “us”! Our hand was in the detail of every element of the wedding.

Even though we chose not to have our wedding theme focused on Fire Island, it is such an important part of our lives that our talented florist, Louis Miller Design, and planner, helped us find ways to incorporate unique “nods” wherever we could. For example, our entryway was decorated with iron maritime lanterns, potted beach grass, and a wooden wagon. The escort card display was modeled after the tennis sign-up board from the island. Even the cocktail-hour had lights hanging from the ceiling to create a warm mid-summer feel.

Our ceremony was a few blocks from our apartment, at the church Michael and I are both members of. To help create a more personal experience Michael’s pastor traveled up from his home town in New Jersey. Her sermon was better than either of us could have imagined, drawing from aspects of both of our lives and recognizing the strengths in our relationship. It set this infectious tone for the night. The reception and after-party were executed flawlessly. For me the most challenging part of the wedding was not the decision making or the planning, it was trying to stay in the moment the entire time. What everyone tells you is correct, the whole thing goes by really fast. The best advice I could give to future brides and grooms on this monumental day is to enjoy every second and take in every moment.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Cinematography: Kiss The Bride Films | Event Design + Planning: Daughter of Design | Floral Design: Lewis Miller Design | Church: First Presbyterian Church In The City Of New York | Reception Venue: The Altman Building | Catering: PS Tailored Events | Hotel: Gramercy Park Hotel

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t completely and totally jealous of Alex and Cole. Not only are the gorgeous Bride and handsome Groom traveling around the world on an extended honeymoon, but they also had one of the chicest New York City weddings ever thanks to the pretty makers at Firefly Events. Every detail captured by Trent Bailey Photography in The Vault — from the pretty Poppies And Posies flowers to the Bride’s sexy Ines Di Santo gown — is guaranteed to make your heart happy!

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From Tent Bailey Photography…A beautiful downtown wedding on a late September evening.

Alex & Cole are currently traveling around the world for several months on an extended honeymoon. This couple met at Princeton and had a beautiful ceremony followed by one of the most celebratory and joy filled parties we have ever been a part of.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Event Planning + Design: Firefly Events | Floral Design: Poppies And Posies | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Catering: Creative Edge Parties | Makeup: Nicole Sievers Makeup Artistry | Hair: Styles On B | Band: Elan Artists | Venue: The Bowery Hotel | Bridal Boutique: Bergdorf Goodman