New York Weddings

There’s gift giving, and then there is gift giving with Sweet Whistle, an online boutique that takes wedding gifting to an entirely new level of awesome.  Imagine a modern + fresh take on telling your nearest and dearest thank you (or asking your bestie to be your bridesmaid) with carefully curated boxes that are as fun and festive as they are pretty.  Sweet Whistle “wraps an experience”… and it shows.

With Sweet Whistle, meaningful gifts just got a whole lot easier with custom packaging, fabulous customer service and a made for the occasion approach.  Think a plethora of gift pairing options to choose from, amazing personalization, direct shipping to you OR your event space and a Sweet Whistle gifting guru overseeing the entire process, guaranteeing your style and price point.  Not to mention that each curated gift from Sweet Whistle is sourced primarily from artisans in the Unites States that are known for their fabulous food or wares.  Which means those whimsically packaged boxes so meticulously put together are more than perfect for welcome boxes, turndown gifts, event favors, bridal party gifts and thank you’s.

Visit Sweet Whistle today to start your amazing journey into gifting the right way.  And don’t forget to ask them about their custom options!

What: Sweet Whistle is giving away one “The Sweetest Thing” gift box, sent with their signature “XOXO” packaging! (Value $75)

How: To enter, head on over to Sweet Whistle and leave a comment below telling us which gift package you can’t wait to order for your big day!

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on May 1, 2015!  For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, lovelies!

501 Union is quickly becoming one of my favorite standout sites. Chic and versatile, it can take on the vibe of any sort of celebration and for this spring soiree it embraced modernity with Bella Figura’s gorgeous stationery suite and pretty pastels with these beautiful blooms by Bourgeon. Brklyn View Photography captured every perfect petal and sweet embrace; see all these stylish snaps right this way.

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From Brklyn View Photography… Ashley’s stunning wedding dress from Nicole Miller was accented with her Lulu Frost jewelry, gold heels and bright red lipstick. Ashley’s three sisters, along with their mother, wore shades of blush bridesmaid dresses from BHLDN and carried stunning bouquets from Bourgen. The brides drop-dead gorgeous bouquet literally took my breath away!

Jonathon shared a round of drinks with his best men at the nearby Lavender Lake before sharing his first look with Ashley outside of 501 Union. The weather called for rain throughout the day but we were lucky enough to be outside for their portraits around the venue and along the Gowanus canal.

The couple met in New York but their wedding was full of guests who traveled from all over the globe. Their intimate ceremony was officiated by Jonathon’s best friend, who after a brief incident with the microphone, happily pronounced them husband and wife. There was not a dry eye in the crowd! It’s customary British tradition for the best man’s speech to embarrass the groom, which of course had everyone laughing in their seats! The couple opted to share Dough Doughnuts instead of a traditional wedding cake and danced the night away with sounds from Scratch Weddings.

Ashley and Jonathon are one of the nicest, sweetest and most thoughtful couples I’ve had the privilege of photographing on their wedding day. I’m so honored I could be their with them to capture their happiness and document their amazing wedding! Congratulations Ashley and Jonathon!

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Floral Design: Bourgeon | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Stationery: Bella Figura | Shoes: J.Crew | Jewelry: Lulu Frost | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Ryan Brown Catering | Makeup Artist: Laramie Glen | Hair: Styles On B | Calligraphy: Everly Calligraphy | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Wedding Venue: 501 Union | Day Of Coordinator: Jove Meyer Events | Dessert: Dough Brooklyn | Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Veil: Lovely Bridal Shop

With all the details that go into planning a wedding, we can’t imagine pulling together a day this beautiful in just 4 months. But that’s not the only remarkable thing this couple did, they also managed to keep it a secret! These guests were in for quite a treat when they arrived at New York’s Blue Hill Farm. With stunning florals from Rountree Flowers and Erik Ekroth capturing every lovely detail, we are in love with this surprise affair!

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From the Bride … Surprise! When our small group of friends and family arrived in the silo area of Blue Hill at Stone Barns on September 26, 2014 to celebrate our engagement over an intimate dinner (and wine, lots of wine), however, they had no idea that in less than 30 minutes, they would bear witness to the most memorable moment of our lives: the moment we said “I do!” Our experience shows that you really can plan a dream wedding in 3 months … while moving across the country, starting a new full time job, and keeping it all a big secret!

Ever since Dave planned our first “mystery date” we have taken every opportunity to surprise each other with fun dates ranging from special dinners, to baseball games, to road trips out to the lavender fields in Long Island. We’ve had so much fun surprising each other (and getting surprised!), that it was only fitting to turn the tables and work together to surprise our friends and family. Further, by keeping it a surprise, Dave and I could make our special day entirely our own, not worrying about the well-meaning friends and family members who many times want to insert their own opinions into the planning process.

Only my mother and father knew! They both did a great job of keeping mum and, to be honest, I never could have pulled off such a magical wedding without everything my mom did to help. She even had a few surprises for us up her sleeve in terms of décor, but stayed very true to keeping everything in line with what we had envisioned. The wedding was a surprise to everyone else, even my brother, my closest girlfriends, and Dave’s family and friends.

While Dave and my father welcomed our guests, I “hid” upstairs in the HayLoft bridal suite, which had a little window from which to see everyone getting off the shuttle. Somehow Dave managed to play it cool (it was my exceptionally emotional father about whom we worried the most!), saying hellos and making introductions before leading everyone outside. A surprise to us, my mom worked with a calligrapher in North Carolina to design a special font for our big day, using that design to create chalkboards welcoming our guests and letting them know what was about to take place! Looking back, they really made the wedding. Beyond letting guests know what was coming, the font and style set the mood for the evening – rustic and laidback, but at the same time adding a level of detail that demonstrated that, despite being a surprise and taking place only 4 months after getting engaged, our wedding was by no means thrown together as an afterthought.

Photography: Erik Ekroth | Floral Design: Rountree Flowers | Wedding Dress: Olia Zavozina | Ceremony Venue: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Reception Venue: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Boots: Frye Boots | Hair / Makeup: Margie Bresciani | Music: Venus Ensembles | Programs: The Paper Source | Wooden "Surprise" Signs: Country Outfitter

Whenever I visit New York City, no matter the season, Bryant Park is one of my do-not-miss spots, but in the summer it truly blossoms. Saying your “I do’s” here, among all the big city beauty, is one for the books and Lane Dittoe captured this elegant summer celebration in all its glory. This gallery has me not only aching for the sweetness of summer but for a Big Apple adventure as well.

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From the Bride… Our wedding from start to finish was a dream come true. Richard Chiu and I (Diana Her) met in a college class in New York City but didn’t start dating until many years later with a chance meeting on a cold winters day in a coffee shop.

After dating a little under a year we knew we wanted to be together forever. It was a match neither of us could thought would ever happen. Richard is Taiwanese American and I am Brazilian-Taiwanese, and we both grew up away from our parents, so we matched together on many levels.

On Valentine’s Day 2013, us forever became a reality. I really had no idea it was coming and I’m usually keen on picking up surprises. Richard cleverly botched dinner reservations to a restaurant I wanted to try to fluster me, which worked perfectly, because I was quite annoyed. We had to scramble and find any place to eat given many restaurants were booked for Valentine’s Day. He surprised me towards the end of dinner with Broadway tickets. As the show concluded, I thought that was the end of the evening as we walked towards the subway station to head home, until he wanted me to close my eyes in front of the subway station. With my eyes closed and not knowing at all what was happening, he guided me towards a path and I felt us riding an elevator going up. When I finally could open my eyes I was staring at Richard on his knees on top of Times Square with a bed of roses spelling out “Will You Marry Me?” I pretty much obliged and said “Yes!” with tears in my eyes. And little did I know he had already asked my parents for their permission to marry me. That was the sweetest thing.

The very next day I immediately started to plan the wedding I always wanted. We explored venues throughout New York City and Long Island, but nowhere seemed quite right until we went back to Bryant Park the second time, with the thought of having a wedding there. Bryant Park was perfect – summer in New York City to me is always majestic and grand. There is just something about towering skyscrapers surrounding a lush green lawn and landscape. As I stood on the grass and took in the view of the park, there was a sense of peace and beauty among the dense crowd of people and the bustling sounds of the Big Apple. This was it! This is where I wanted to marry the love of my life.

We were thrilled with Lane Dittoe’s photography as we met him for the first time in San Francisco and Napa Valley for our engagement photo shoot at Castello di Amorosa. It was like having a bit of Italy here in the US, we felt like we were in a movie.

Richard and I had the time of our lives, and I’ll never forget the joy and love on the faces of all of our friends and family gathered around us in this special day.

Photography: lane Dittoe fine art wedding photographs | Floral Design: Occasion9 | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Wedding Cake: Sugar Flower Cake Shop | Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas | Reception Venue: Sequoia Restaurant | Bride's Shoes: Louboutin | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair And Makeup: VickyC5 | Groom's Tux: Calvin Klein | Photo Site: Times Square | Photo Site: New York Public Library | Photo Site: Bryant Park Hotel | Veil: Vera Wang | Wedding Bands And Engagement Rings: Cartier

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Jenny Yoo

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Raise your hand if one of your big wedding goals is to get ‘in shape’. I’m betting lots of digits are up in the air! There’s no denying a wedding is a serious motivator to get fit and healthy. So today, we’re diving into the topic with this fresh inspiration from Rebecca Yale paired with tips from five SoulCycle instructors, where loving your body and strengths takes center stage, because strong is the new sexy.

WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR BRIDES-TO-BE FOR GETTING FIT AND HEALTHY FOR THEIR WEDDING?

Erin T: Come up with a regimen that you actually see yourself continuing post wedding. You will invest more in this new lifestyle and instead of it feeling like “crunch time” (no pun intended!) it will feel like a new and exciting chapter in your life…just like your marriage should feel! Plus, there are tons of celebratory events leading up to the wedding that can lead to unhealthy choices. These are some of the few times in your life where all of your loved ones are coming together from afar to celebrate you! You only live once, so make sure you don’t let fear and stress hold you back from fully enjoying these events, just make it a goal not to over indulge.

Becca: It’s all about what makes you feel good!! Focus on gradual lifestyle changes rather than abrupt dietary restrictions and strenuous workouts. Choose foods that won’t weigh you down and focus on an exercise that will make you feel successful. Your wedding should be all about you, so you want to set yourself up with confidence and strength rather than a stressful crash diet and overwhelming workouts.

WAS THERE A CERTAIN PART OF YOUR BODY YOU CHOSE TO ACCENTUATE FOR YOUR WEDDING? WHAT EXERCISE DID YOU DO TO FOCUS ON IT?

Madison: Definitely my upper body. I have a bigger chest and decided to wear strapless. I started watching a lot of YouTube videos for toned arms! Loved it. There is also a tough arms section in all SoulCycle classes – when you teach multiple classes a week, that really adds up!

Karyn: Most wedding dresses are sleeveless which means you’ll be showing off your arms. In preparation for putting those naked limbs on display I would do the following: Bicep Curls using 10-15 lb hand weights, Pushups (great overall body exercise, but big focus on chest, shoulders and back), Tricep Presses overhead with one 15-20 lb weight, Tricep Dips, Shoulder Presses overhead with 15-20 lb weight.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP AT-HOME WORKOUT TIP FOR PEOPLE THAT DON’T HAVE SOULCYCLE IN THEIR AREA?

Sunny: I’m always game for a good run. Throw on your favorite songs, put on your sneakers, go out for a quick run and break a sweat!! So good for you. And if you can’t go outdoors, a quick plank while you hum through one round of your favorite song will get your body feeling a little tighter!

Erin T: Be flexible and don’t have crazy expectations! If you are too busy to get to the gym, the day is not lost, fit in some kind of workout even if it is at home during the commercial breaks of your favorite show. It is usually not the missed workout, but how much we beat ourselves up about it, that significantly slows down our progress. Also if the weather is nice, try and get outside!

Karyn: Bodyweight exercises! Squats, lunges, planks, pushups, tricep dips. They’re incredibly effective and versatile (you can add variations, target different body parts based on hand/foot positioning). Mix cardio in (jumping jacks, jump squats, burpees, mountain climbers, etc.) to really up the calorie burn.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH FITNESS AND NUTRITION WHEN PREPPING FOR YOU WEDDING?

Madison: Since I work in the fitness industry working out wasn’t an issue but I knew my eating habits would have to change. I ate a lot more at home and shopping at the farmers market for the freshest ingredients. After a few months I realized I liked cooking so much that I stuck with it even after the wedding.

Karyn: Listening to my body. Eating clean (whole foods, nothing processed) makes me feel good physically and mentally. The same thing goes for working out. Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, making you feel more confident. Just get moving. Personally, I’ve never regretted working out. Just something to think about!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNACK TO KEEP YOU ENERGIZED DURING THOSE STRESSFUL PRE-WEDDING MONTHS?

Sunny: A mixed baby greens salad with plain or candied walnuts (plain is healthier choice), grapefruit, beets already prepped (Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods sells them this way), goat cheese crumbles and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Madison: A DIY Green Juice, the perfect post-spin drink. Ingredients: Kale, Spinach, Celery, Ginger, Pear, Lemon.

Erin: Avocado toast with olive oil and chili pepper flakes.

Karyn: A protein smoothie. Ingredients: A couple ice cubes, a handful of spinach, blueberries (frozen or fresh), half a banana, a spoonful of almond butter, 1/2 cup to 1 cup of almond milk, 1 scoop of protein powder (I use BiPro whey protein).

Becca: DIY Tzatziki Yogurt. Ingredients: Chopped cucumber added to a plain Chobani yogurt with olive oil, salt and pepper.

WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING TIPS FROM Kleinfeld Bridal, Fashion Director, Terry Hall…

1. Strapless is a great way to show off your shoulders and clavicle, which is very subtly sexy. A deep V like the Dennis Basso that Karyn wore is a great way for a bride to show off her toned arms and chest because the eye is drawn downwards to the V and toned arms frame that V. 

2. For a bride who is proud of her legs, high-low illusion dresses have become very popular as can be seen in both Erin’s Zuhair Murad and Pnina Tornai dresses. The overall effect of the floor length illusion dress still elongates the body for an elegant look making the bride appear taller, yet still leaves room for the fun element of showing off those legs. 

3. Brides should look at their gowns as a piece of art regardless of price point—the focus of the dress can draw the eye to a certain point and accentuate what you love, while also drawing attention away from other areas. Madison’s striped mermaid Hayley Paige dress elongates the body starting at the sweetheart neckline and showing off some subtle cleavage without being too on display. 

4. You can always make a dress smaller, but it can be very difficult to have a dress made larger so buy the dress at your current size and then tailor it. Alterations are a vital part of how the dress will look and you don’t want to cut corners.

From Rebecca Yale Photography… As a wedding photographer I get to meet brides early in their wedding planning process. Over the next year of planning those brides will be constantly inundated with marketing and media telling them to lose weight for their wedding. Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day and there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a wonderful goal to get healthy and fit and feel great both inside and out before and after your wedding. As someone who’s never been very athletic, discovering SoulCycle was a game changer before my sister’s wedding. The idea is to focus on health and fitness not inches and dress sizes and pretty quickly you end up feeling great and that confidence shines from the inside out on your big day. We asked five Soul Cycle instructors to model wedding dresses that show off their favorite body part and asked Kleinfeld’s bridal expert, Terry Hall, for some tips on how every bride can show of their favorite feature!

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From SoulCycle… For many brides, wedding planning comes hand in hand with strict diets and endless trips to the gym. There is an undeniable pressure to lose weight for the big day and many turn to unhealthy extremes. Though, in the wake of recent “strong is the new skinny” messaging, we are seeing a new wave of women focused more on being and feeling healthy and fit instead of obsessing over their dress size. SoulCycle is a fitness community aligned with these same values. Brides ride at SoulCycle to prep for their weddings and get encouragement and motivation from the community. Aside from getting fit, SoulCycle is a place where brides-to-be come to de-stress from all the planning! The 45-minutes during class allow riders to forget about everything else, set an intention, and focus on themselves. We also host fun events for weddings parties, bachelorette parties—you name it! It’s always such a fun experience.

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From Cheeky Details… We kept this shoot simple and fresh while letting the SoulCycle message shine through: “Take your journey, change your body, find your SOUL.” We incorporated a floral palette that consisted primarily of yellows (Soul’s color) and whites. We constructed a hanging floral backdrop,hung from the ceiling for the ladies to strike a pose in front of and loved how the yellow flowing pops added a touch of whimsy to this otherwise modern space. The second set was our favorite and was completely inspired by the black and white photo collage backdrops that Soul uses to surround their logo in their studios. As luck would have it, the shoot venue had large panel doors that were gridded—we decided that it would be the perfect way to incorporate a subtle nod to something so inspiring. We adhered 72 stems of all different types of yellow flowers to each panel to create a floral wall backdrop for the group shots—simple, yet absolutely stunning.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Photography: Rebecca Yale Portraits | Floral Design: Cheeky Details | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Shoes: Valentino | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Shoes: Kate Spade | Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Hair and Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Venue: 404 NYC | Accessories: Hushed Commotion | Both Wedding Dresses (Karyn): Kleinfeld Bridal | China: Vera Wang | Models: SoulCycle | Photography - Assistance: Rachel Watkinson | Wedding Dress (Becca): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress (Erin): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress (Madison): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress (Sunny): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress Group Shot (Becca): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress Group Shot (Erin): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress Group Shot (Madison): Kleinfeld Bridal | Wedding Dress Group Shot (Sunny): Kleinfeld Bridal

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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For their July nuptials at 501 Union, this perfect pair wanted to celebrate America’s birthday in a fresh new way. Events By Melissa McNeeley utilized coral and navy accents and seasonal staples to set the scene. From quintessential summer foods a la Betty Brooklyn to 74 Events kicking off the festivities with party crackers, every detail Lindsay Hite snapped was elegant yet celebratory and it’s all here!

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From the beautiful Bride… For our July 3rd wedding, we wanted to evoke the feeling of the 4th of July without American Flags and presidential portraits. We chose our colors, navy, coral and ivory as a play on red, white and blue. We also wanted to focus on the idea of celebrating Americana and summer, so we incorporated little details like baseball and backyard games as well as quintessential summer foods like watermelon, lemonade and pie (who doesn’t love pie?).

For favors, we did sparklers and matchbooks which both hit the 4th of July theme, as well as a traditional wedding favor with the matchbooks, something that has been a family tradition. The key was to use all these details in a way that still felt elegant and celebratory, which we accomplished with the help of our awesome vendors. Some of our favorite elements were the party crackers to kick the night off, ombre centerpieces and table numbers made to look like baseball pennants.

Photography: Readyluck | Event Planning: Events By Melissa McNeeley | Floral Design: Mimosa Floral Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Invitations: Paper & Parcel | Catering: Betty Brooklyn Catering Co. | Hair And Makeup: SB Beauty | DJ: 74 Events | Bridal Boutique: Mark Ingram Atelier | Ceremony And Reception: 501 Union | Design Consultant, Graphic Design & Signage: Sharp Shooter Signs

Sunny skies, a sparkling river, two adorable lovebirds saying “I dos” beside an old gorgeous mansion; it doesn’t get much better than that. Hudson River Photographer was there to document it all at this summer celebration and we have this glowing gallery to sink into and get this week started. Not too shabby for a Monday morning, if I do say so myself.

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From Hudson River Photographer… This beautiful wedding was at A Private Estate in Germantown, NY. The happy couple was married on the Estate’s Great Lawn, which leads down to the Hudson River with the 19th century Estate overlooking the ceremony. The reception was held in a beautiful 1860’s barn, onsite.

Photography: Hudson River Photographer | Event Planning: Every Little Detail | Floral Design: Floral Fantasies By Sara | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Catering: Twisted Soul | Entertainment: Marquis Evans | Wedding Venue: A Private Estate | Rentals: Events Unlimited Party Rentals

Determined to make their nuptials has unique as their own journey, this couple took their preppy northeast style and tossed in some Texas charm, coming together in one glorious celebration. Under the guidance of ever swoon, country music meshed perfectly with the Bride and her lovely ladies, with the team of Trent, Dara and Mark of Trent Bailey Photography capturing it all for us to gush over right here.

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From The Bride… Adam and I wanted our wedding to first and foremost feel like “us.” We both grew up in the north, me in Toronto, Canada, and Adam in New York City, but both spent several years in Texas. We met at SMU in Dallas, Texas and knew each other through mutual friends and shared political sciences classes before dating. Because we met through mutual friends, we are lucky enough to still have an amazing group of best friends that knew us both individually before dating and have also known us for many years as a couple. After college, we both moved to Washington, DC. Adam proposed on a spring afternoon in DC with both of our families waiting to surprise me afterward to celebrate. We started discussing where we would get married and New York City seemed like the most central meeting spot for our DC, Canada, Texas and NYC crew.

We ended up picking the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens (in Park Slope, Brooklyn – where Adam grew up) as the spot for our ceremony and reception. We had the ceremony in the beautiful gardens and the reception in the Palm House. We also wanted our guests to get the full New York City experience so everyone stayed in SoHo and we arranged transportation to Brooklyn. It was so much fun getting ready in the Mondrian SoHo (a hotel that shares my love of blue and white décor) and such a blast having the after-party in the stunning Mondrian bar. We felt like the blend of neighborhoods really gave everyone a taste of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Through a college friend of mine, I found Tamra of ever swoon and knew she had to be our wedding planner. Tamra is super creative, always organized, sweet, personable and constantly ready to make even the most mundane tasks a celebration… not to mention she is a fellow Texan, so it was a perfect match. We could not have enjoyed the process nearly as much as we did without Tamra guiding us through it. With me taking the bar exam one week before our wedding, Tamra was a savior!

Being faithful people, we knew we wanted someone to marry us that knew us both deeply. My big brother, Jordan, is a man of strong faith and couldn’t know either of us better – the perfect officiant. So the three of us wrote the entire ceremony together – pulling from pastor friends’ previous ceremonies and traditional ceremony books. I have to say, standing at the altar with Adam and my brother, Jordan, officiating, was by far the highlight of that day. In that moment, the bond between Adam and I was not only forever changed, but the bond between the three of us as siblings became more solid and deep than I could have ever imagined.

Adam and I have a very similar style and so we wanted the wedding to reflect that along with our New York, Texas and Canada backgrounds. So became our northeast preppy meets Texas wedding. Our décor included preppy touches like seersucker tablecloths during our cocktail hour and blue and white Chinoiserie vases and invitations, Texas touches like serving Shiner Bock beer and having an SMU basketball court groom’s cake, and Canadian touches like serving Molson Canadian beer.

As for music, our favorite types of music are country music and acoustic music artists like Ray LaMontagne and John Mayer, so we wanted a band that could play both of those genres (which is rare in a wedding band!). In the end, we found the perfect southern band, the Gold Magnolias, from Austin, Texas. Their bluesy, Austin country music style was a perfect reflection of our style.

My Uncle Gerry sang and played his guitar for our first dance. My Uncle Gerry is an amazingly talented musician (as well as businessman) and sang my parent’s first dance at their wedding over thirty years ago. We worked together to select a song that showcased his talents and was meaningful to us. His beautiful acoustic rendition of John Legend’s “All of Me” had us all in tears.

Lastly, our exit was very important to us and because our venue didn’t allow sparklers I had almost given up hopes of a grand exit. But the week of the wedding, Tamra came to the rescue and got us streamers for everyone to wave as we exited. The streamers still showed up perfectly in the dark on film (which was our other concern) and became a fun dance accessory for many at the after-party.

Overall, our day was beyond magical. We kept hearing how intimate it felt with so many family members playing important roles and with such a large group of amazing friends all there to support us. It was also a perfect reflection of who we are individually and as a couple – our styles, our backgrounds, and our beliefs – and I am so happy we spent the time to make it uniquely “us.” Our photographers of Trent Bailey Photography, also could not have captured each and every moment more beautifully. We will cherish that day forever!

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Event Planning: ever swoon | Floral Design: Blade Floral and Event Designs | Cakes: Ana Parzych Cakes | Stationery: Lana's Shop | Ceremony Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Hair And Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Music: The Gold Magnolias

In my opinion, choosing all of the accessories to complete a bridal look is almost as much fun as picking out the dress — especially when they’re from couture bridal accessory designer, Sara Gabriel! On Thursday, April 16, 2015, Gabriella New York Bridal Salon is hosting a Sara Gabriel trunk show and appearance from the designer herself. From headpieces and veils to sashes and jewelry, this is the perfect opportunity to complete your “I do” ensemble.

I mean, how gorgeous? I can’t get enough of these incredible hairpieces + jewels. Not only will brides attending the trunk show get the opportunity to meet Sara Gabriel and try on her stunning accessories, but all accessories will be 10% off for one day only! To help visualize the completed look, Facetime Beauty will be on hand to provide free hair and makeup to the brides-to-be.

To book your appointment, head over to Gabriella New York Bridal Salon. Happy accessory hunting, my dears!

With two ceremonies in one gorgeous upstate New York town, this multi-cultural celebration infused two distinct family backgrounds into one amazing soiree. With the help of Tinsel & Twine, this couple took on the challenge and with bright blooms and invitations by Printerette, they created a whimsical, romantic style all their own. Closer to Love captured every sparkling second; see it all right here.

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From Closer To Love Photography… Joanne and Manan are one of those couples that leave such a lasting impression that when we look back on the time we spent together, it’s a surreal feeling of endless gratitude. We are so thankful for these two! Their intentional love for each other and for those around them… and their genuine thoughtfulness and generosity since the very beginning, has been a pure treat for us. They invited us along for their beautifully modern and cultural New York wedding day and, although a hurricane almost uninvitedly showed up for the weekend, the sun shined through and a shower of blessings prevailed. Below Joanne, the stunning bride, gives us a glimpse of all the awesomeness that took place on the wedding day of their dreams. It was one we will never forget! 

From The Bride… When Manan and I set off to plan our wedding, we knew we had a herculean task in front of us. Due to our different backgrounds, we needed to have both an Indian and Filipino Catholic wedding in one day, which meant blending cultural traditions with our own desire for a romantic, whimsical, and relaxed outdoors affair. Indian weddings tend to be these large, colorful, and festive gatherings with strong traditions, so by nature it can automatically dictate many visual elements of the wedding. But we were up for the challenge and determined to take that foundation and make it our own.

With this vision in mind, finding the perfect outdoor venue that provided the level of customization and flexibility we needed was tricky. We focused on the Hudson Valley, a little north of Manhattan, as we have always loved its charm and rustic beauty. Although Manan and I were both raised in New York City and met there, the idea of having our wedding surrounded by nature felt special and a departure from our frenzied day-to-day city life.

After weeks of searching and almost giving up hope, we found Red Maple Vineyard and knew it was the perfect fit. The vineyard/farm had everything we were looking for: breathtaking views, an elegant but relaxed atmosphere, lots of space for our 250 guests, and most importantly, phenomenal food (the number one priority for us!). One of our favorite features of the venue is their farm-to-table approach – many of the ingredients from our dishes were sourced right from the venue grounds. Furthermore, the vineyard was only a few minutes away from the loveliest quaint stone chapel where our Catholic ceremony would take place.

Once we locked in the venue, everything fell into place based on the feel we had in mind. Our decor was inspired by the outdoors with an elegant take on the vibrancy of Indian weddings. This led us to a palette of sage greens, summery peach/orange tones, and gold. All of our florals, beautifully crafted by the Tinsel and Twine team, were loose, lush, and incorporated my favorite flowers – garden roses and dahlias.

Every detail was carefully thought out with a decidedly personal and playful touch. We wanted each element to represent us as individuals and even more so as a couple. Our invitations had whimsical, hand-drawn illustrations of us, the NYC skyline, and the vineyard. We worked with the Red Maple Vineyard team, as well as a separate Indian caterer (Moti Mahal), to create an amazing and diverse menu featuring local, seasonal food and ethnic dishes – they were even able to incorporate a family recipe for my favorite Filipino dessert! A dear friend’s beautiful calligraphy graced our invitations and escort cards, and the centerpiece of the wine room was a marquee LOVE sign my husband made. Throughout the reception, there was a flipbook booth and a s’mores firepit, and we capped off the night with sparklers. Overall, we wanted a meaningful and fun experience for our guests, as not only were they sitting through two ceremonies, but they’ve supported us all 12 years of our journey together.

Ultimately, we got the wedding of our dreams, and it came to life in a way that we couldn’t even have imagined. Two days before the wedding, a hurricane was looming and seemed to threaten the weekend, but the skies cleared up and the storm actually cooled the air so that we were blessed with a gorgeous sunny summer day with no stifling heat and humidity. As a cool breeze wafted through the tent in the evening and guests danced under the stars, I remember feeling blessed to be surrounded by all my favorite people under one roof celebrating the next chapter of our lives. We are so grateful to our family, friends, and incredible team of vendors who were up for the challenge. Their creativity, passion, and collaboration really allowed us to pull off the perfect mix of traditional, whimsical, and romantic. It was a day we will cherish forever and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Photography: Closer to Love Photography | Videographer: MPW Media Group | Invitations: Printerette Press | Calligrapher: Persimmon Studio | Lighting: Vivid Events | DJ: Bollywood DJs | Bride And Groom’s Indian Ceremony Outfits: Various Shops In Iselin, NJ | Bride’s Shoes: Prada | Day Of Paper Goods: Erin Braun Design | Flipbook Booth: Ovation | Floral Design And Event Planning: Tinsel & Twine | Flower Girl Outfits: Olivia Kate Couture | Groom’s Suit (Western): Vera Wang | Indian Caterer: Moti Mahal | Makeup/Hair: JAC Beauty | Vineyard: Red Maple Vineyard | Wedding Dress (Western): Pronovias

We really can’t get a more iconic NYC celebration then this one right here. Having met while both working at the Wall Street Journal, these two Manhattanites, with the help of Ang Weddings & Events, used that as inspiration and brought the Big Apple to life for their friends and family at the amazing Morningside Castle. Mademoiselle Fiona captured it all and these pics are bound to become classics.

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From the Bride… Shortly after moving into NYC, I met Jay at work. We were both in advertising at The Wall Street Journal. It doesn’t get more ‘New York’ than that. Our relationship is, and was, so easy, honest, and New York City. I quickly realized that I was really just existing in the city, not truly living, up until meeting Jay. We wanted those details of our simple story to envelop our wedding. Effortless, but obviously filled with love. To me, this meant two things: cozy November and a whole lot of DIY.

I saw a tiny picture of our venue on Pinterest (of course) and I spent DAYS trying to track down this Hogwart’s Hall lookalike venue. It was love at first sight, and we let Morningside Castle set the tone.

To me, NYC equals iconic and classic, so we didn’t want to go with any themes or current wedding trends. Instead, I chose subtle “Emilee and Jay” touches that meant most, and DIYed the heck out of them. I’m lucky in that I’m decisive. Once I knew what we wanted, I could execute on it. It was almost cathartic. Come home, pour a glass of wine, chat about our day while staining some large doilies for custom menus. We were never rushed with last minute DIYing and kept our sanity! Our sanity was also saved by our vendors. I put so much effort into sharing our story with our wedding guests, and Ang Weddings and Events put in even more effort in helping to flawlessly execute our day, while Fiona perfectly captured it.

Some of my favorite touches of our day were small nods to where we met – newspaper fabric napkins, and mini custom newspaper wedding programs that were handed out during our ceremony. Our escort cards were chocolate subway token coins, and tables were marked as meaningful subway stops. We did away with a traditional basket for cards, and I somehow found an amazing, old apartment mailbox wall unit on eBay. My parents built (!!) an adorable photo wall, and of course, our favors were candy apples.

Photography: Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography | Event Planning: Ang Weddings and Events | Florist: JR Floral Design | Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Nine Cakes | Ceremony Venue: St Patricks Old Cathedral | Reception Venue: Morningside Castle | Shoes: Louboutin | Makeup: Nicole Sievers Makeup Artistry | Hair: Styles On B | Band: New York City Swing

Marriage is more than just the union of two people, and this heavenly wedding is proof. These Battery Gardens nuptials are the perfect blending of two families, two cultures, and two sets of traditions. Not to mention the gorgeous colors, luscious floral arrangements, and enviable decor. We got lost in the snaps from Judith Rae Photography, and you can too in the full gallery here!

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From the bride: Tom and I met in college. Tom was probably among the first 10 people I met at Columbia. We ended up living in the same building, a floor apart. In almost every respect, we are two complete opposites, but I think that is what has made us work so well together – we challenge each other in almost every way, which has resulted in both of us widening our understanding of the world, each other, and ourselves. We survived two years of long distance between DC and New York after college, during which we took a trip to visit a friend in New Zealand, where Tom proposed to me. Neither of us is very cheesy nor romantic, but it was probably the most romantic setting you could imagine: in the middle of snowcapped mountains with the sun coming up.

We were pretty open minded when it came to what kind of wedding we wanted, but the decision came easily, as both of our families were especially excited about the idea of an Indian wedding. We decided not to go with a planner because the whole event was unique (a modified Tamil ceremony followed by a more western reception) and we were getting married in New York (where we and both sets of families live). We figured that, between all of us, we could handle it. Most importantly, we both felt like we knew every detail and it really felt like a personal ceremony because we had been so closely involved. The reason we were able to pull it off without a planner was because of everyone’s help. My brother stayed up with us multiple times until 2 am folding programs, checking table numbers, and helping out in countless other ways; his fiance did all of my make-up; Tom’s mother ran a million errands; and my friends came over at the drop of a hat to help me whenever I asked, and were especially helpful with sorting out all of the details for me the day of the wedding. Tom was just as involved as I was, which was hugely helpful – he came to almost every meeting with every vendor, and even went to some without me. Above all else – my mother… she did basically everything. She sorted out the entire ceremony and personally selected all of the saris you saw the women in Tom’s family wearing. She also picked my wedding sari without me even being there! The wedding wouldn’t have happened without her.

Planning the wedding was a lot of work and was a little bit stressful, but both of us had a day filled with joy, and we look back on it as one of the best day of our lives. All of the work was definitely worth it!

Photography: Judith Rae | Floral Design: Atlas Floral Decorators | Reception Venue: Battery Gardens | Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Makeup: Sarah Levin | Hair: Indu Manian | Hair: Amour de Hair | Officiant: Priest Badhri Narayanan | Band Reception: Faze 4 Orchestras | Bridesmaids Saris: Lasya (Usha Umapathi) | DJ Ceremony: Bollywood DJs | Evening Saris: Frontier Raas | Morning Saris: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Video: LOVE in PROGRESS video productions

If there were one word to describe this NYC wedding, it would be timeless. Captured through the lens of Ashley Caroline, the gorgeous bride wearing Carolina Herrera and makeup by Face Time Beauty was radiant when she got her first-look at her soon to be husband. The bridesmaids wore stunning cream gowns by Alfred Sung Via Weddington Way tying this all-white affair together. This not-to-be-missed fete is everything we dreamed of and more. Don’t miss a minute here!

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Our ceremony took place at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, which is a breathtakingly stunning church. The priest that presided over our Nuptial mass was a family friend who flew in from Ireland to perform the ceremony. Another thing that was important to us was having everyone be “present” during the ceremony, so we asked our guests not to take pictures or have their phones out. We were hesitant about how family members would react to our no camera rule during the ceremony, but it made the ceremony that much more intimate and our photographer made her photographs available for download afterwards.

The New York Athletic Club was the perfect place to capture the timeless, classic wedding of our dreams. Everyone looked sharp in black suits, tuxes and dresses, perfectly complementing my classic Carolina Herrera wedding gown and Paul’s bespoke black tuxedo complete with a “real” bowtie. The guests were greeted by live piano music during cocktail hour where they left fun Polaroid pictures in our guestbook and signed an antique globe. One of our tables was decorated with a golden elephant representing our post-marriage move to Bangkok, Thailand. Our guests raved about the walk-on patio overlooking the sunset landscape of Central Park.

Our incredible DJ/Live band combination led by Bill Galbo introduced us as dinner started, and we swept into the beautiful banquet hall for our first dance while the first course was being served. He pulled everyone out of their seats to join us as “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, our first dance, came to a close and he picked up the tempo with Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.”  The night ended with everyone on the dance floor. We were encircled by all of our closest family and friends, and as Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” came to a close, the dancing circle collapsed into a giant 100-person group hug.

It was truly the most amazing, and memorable day we have ever experienced. We have never felt such joy and happiness!

Photography: Ashley Caroline Photography | Cake: New York Athletic Club | Invitations: The First Snow | Church: The Church Of The Blessed Sacrament | Reception Venue: New York Athletic Club | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Weddington Way | Hair & Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Calligraphy: Southern Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: Indochino | Ariston Flowers & Boutique: Ariston Florist | Bridal Boutique: Carine's Bridal Atelier | Bride's Sash: Oscar De La Renta | Bride's Veil: Tia Mazza | Candles: Poppies And Posies | Chair Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals NY | DJ/Band: The Knot | Dress Designer: Carolina Herrera | Groommen's Tux: Jos. A. Bank

Despite having emergency dental work done just days before their wedding, this Bride wasn’t going to let a minor mishap alter her perspective. Why? Because at the end of the day she was marrying her best friend, and that was simply a beautiful thing! And it truly was a beautiful thing. With a gallery brought to life by CLY BY MATTHEW, every detail is downright dreamy and you can relive it all right here!

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From the beautiful Bride… Three days before our wedding day, I was faced with a mini-debacle, a nightmare bound to make any bride shudder: my face was swollen to the size of a very large grapefruit due to an emergency dental surgery. At that point, all we could do was simply laugh about it and hope for the best. After agonizing nights of pain, prayers and antibiotics, everything miraculously came together on the big day – and even if it hadn’t, we knew all that mattered was that we were getting married, and that was simply a beautiful thing! The little “stressful” things that naturally accompany the final week of the wedding coupled by my chipmunk face, all this became insignificant as we reminded ourselves of what this wedding was truly ALL about: to be surrounded by the people we love the most in the world, celebrating our new journey as husband and wife. On the morning of our wedding day, the skies had cleared up (literally and figuratively) to be the most beautiful Saturday in June! Everything fell magically into place, like everyone told us it would, and needless to say the day, our wedding day, was just…. perfect.

Our inspiration for the wedding was for it to feel rustic and romantic while having an overall relaxed, fun atmosphere. As long-time Manhattan residents, we wanted our guests to see a different, more serene side of New York which was why Hudson Valley seemed like the natural choice. In terms of venue, we had but one criterion: no wedding halls. Brotherhood Winery was the first venue we had visited and we immediately knew it was “the one”. We quickly fell in love with the exposed brick, the wooden beams and the rustic charm of the historic winery.

We wanted to add personal touches as much as we can. Upon arrival to the hotel, our guests were greeted with welcome bags containing some of our favorite snacks; most being Korean snacks from our childhood. As for wedding favors: we’re both book lovers so giving books as favors was an idea we immediately fell in love with. From a list of our all-time favorites, we had chosen a total of seven different books for our guests and personalized each of them with old-fashioned library check-out cards.

Photography: CLY BY MATTHEW | Videography: Digital Memories | Event Planning: Lauren Paige Associates | Floral Design: James Murray Florist | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church In Goshen | Reception Venue: Brotherhood Winery | Shoes: Louboutin | Catering: InnCredible | Band: East Coast Band | Ceremony Music: Dorian String Quartet | Ceremony Programs: Minted | Photo Booth: Viral Booth | Veil: Vera Wang

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I’ve heard my fair share of wedding wisdom, but this Bride’s advice – to find one moment of peace in the middle of your wedding day, to candidly bask in your joy – is one I’ll take to heart. I trust her, for when you look through these pics of her classic NYC wedding, captured by Ashley Kelemen and Luke Lindgren Cinematography, I’m pretty sure she was living the dream.

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From Ashley Kelemen… Erin and Tucker are a dream couple. They’re wildly in love, super laid back and have incredible taste. They pulled together an intimate, family-centric day full of laughter and chic details, with special touches like the vintage trolley to move their bridal party around the city. All in all, their beautiful, classically New York wedding was a day to remember.

From The Bride… Tucker and I have been together for just short of a decade, since our sophomore year at Villanova University, and we both felt it very important that the wedding feel very us. We were very excited to incorporate specific elements that would really resonate with our guests, from the allusions to Villanova to the personalized guest book chronicling our lives and lineage, starting as far back as our grandparents’ weddings. From the beginning I wanted the details to feel unique and interesting but not distracting from the importance of the day itself.

I worked really hard to strike what I felt was the perfect balance of classic and contemporary. The church and ceremony were very traditional and sentimental; the priest who performed our homily married my parents, one of my aunts, and my sister and brother-in-law, and baptized my siblings, my goddaughter, and myself. My father walked me down the aisle to Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary at the suggestion of St Francis’ music director; thinking of the organ pouring out the first few notes still brings tears to my eyes. At the reception, the tables were named after places that meant a lot to us at school and I surprised Tucker with a groom’s cake in the shape of the Villanova V. I loved that the day’s loose theme was also reflective of our current life in New York City, with a black, white and navy color scheme throughout, and a skyline motif running through the programs, menus and placecards. Being on the water was crucial to both of us, which is why we were incredibly excited when the clouds parted and the rain stopped shortly before the ceremony, to make way for a gorgeous NYC sunset overlooking the Statue of Liberty. By the time we finished portraits and joined cocktail hour, we were ready to party. I had Roz stay and take off my cathedral veil and throw my hair into a massive bun so that I could dance. We had a big dancing faction among our friends and family and really appreciated that our band understood our boogying needs and provided one smash hit after another.

We were so fortunate to work with such incredible vendors. I was lucky enough to meet Ashley when she was still a New Yorker working in fashion sales. I always admired her passion for photography and was beyond excited when she made the transition to shooting weddings full time. She introduced us to Luke who’s responsible for our amazing wedding videos – people still call me in tears when they watch for the first time. We enjoyed them so much at the end of the night we convinced the two of them to drop their gear and party with us through the after party and into the early hours. It gave my perfectionist side a lot of relief to know that we were working with such talented vendors who executed every element of the day with beauty and elegance. If I had one piece of advice it would be to find one tiny, intimate moment of peace in the middle of the day and candidly bask in your own joy… and if at all possible, have someone capture it on film.

Overall, it was an absolutely incredible day and if it were possible, I’d live it over and over indefinitely. In the eternal words of Biggie Smalls, “it was all a dream.”

Photography: Ashley Keleman | Videography: Luke Lindgren | Florist: House Of Flowers | Cakes: Cornerstone Caterers | Invitations: Designers Fine Press | Invitations: Write On Larchmont | Ceremony: St. Francis Xavier | Reception Venue: Battery Gardens | Brides Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids Dresses: Tadashi Shoji | Makeup: Imane Fiocchi Of The Beauty Exchange | Hair: Roz Murray | Band: The Charles St. Paul Dance Band | Transportation: Jake's Limo | Bridal Veil: Valentino | Brides Gown: Yaki Ravid | Dress Shop: Bridal Reflections | Film Lab: Indie Film Lab | Getting Ready Venue: Andaz Wall Street | Grooms Cufflinks And Bowtie: Hermes | Grooms Shoes: Hugo Boss | Grooms Tuxedo: J.Crew | Photography Assistance: Alan Barrington Evans | Programs, Menus & Placecards: Minted | Table Cards: The Love Paper Co.

Here’s what I know: this wedding is awesome.  It’s elegant, sleek and sophisticated and features one of the most stunning + sweet duos you will ever lay your eyes upon (truly).  Bundle up all that amazingness with a dream team of vendors (think Erganic Design, X-Quisite Design, Rob Adams Films and Vanessa Joy Photography), plus one look after another of pure love and it’s a day that will make your heart happy. See it all in the beautiful film and fabulous gallery below.  

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From Rob Adams Films… A little rain, okay, a LOT of rain still wasn’t enough to make this grand wedding any less epic. Everything about Teresa and Jeffrey is beautiful. Not only are they beautiful on the outside but their souls are beautiful, their families are beautiful and their wedding reflected exactly that.

It was rainy all morning, but we were still able to get the helicopter in the air and get a great overhead view of the Westchester Country Club. From there, beautiful gifts were given to both sets of parents and to the bridal party. The indoor ceremony was emotional and the perfect length giving guests ample time to enjoy a plentiful cocktail hour and then an intimate but high-energy reception.

We ended the night with Teresa and Jeffrey braving the rain to get some beautiful off-camera lighting nighttime shots.

Photography: Vanessa Joy Photography | Cinematographer: Rob Adams Films | Event Planning: Erganic Design | Floral Design: X-Quisite flowers & events, inc. | Reception Venue: Westchester Country Club

I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous Art Deco inspired weddings in my day, but never one done quite like this.  And by “quite like this,” I mean a non-stop dance party featuring beautiful blooms from La Fleur Event And Floral Design, a crazy awesome 501 Union setting, champagne towers and golden confetti.  Yes, golden confetti.  Kelly Kollar captured every fabulous moment… and the gallery?  A must-see. 

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From Kelly Kollar Photography… I knew as soon as I met Ava, and heard about her plans to create an Art Deco inspired wedding celebration, that her’s would be a wedding to remember! She didn’t disappoint… from her stunning Zac Posen gown to the champagne towers and glitter confetti drop, Ava and Josh’s wedding was one of the most creative and stylish I’ve seen so far.

From The Bride… For six months, my hairstylist Joey was pushing me to go out with one of his clients. After reluctantly giving in, Josh and I went on our first date in the fall of 2009 at the downstairs wine bar at Peasant in Nolita. We dated on and off, were friends for a few years, and gave it another shot in December of 2011. We were engaged a year and a half later and have spent everyday together since that December night.

As an event producer, my job takes me on site visits from time to time. In July 2013, my boss sent me to the Boom Boom Room at the top of the Standard Hotel on an “emergency” site visit. Little did I know Josh would be there waiting on one knee with our favorite champagne, a bouquet of gardenias (my favorite) and, of course, a ring. Getting engaged in the Boom Boom Room was the perfect place. Josh knew this was one of my favorite rooms in NYC with an incredible view and art deco design. We spent that weekend at the hotel and started planning our wedding.

Most of our friends and family live on the East Coast, so a New York wedding made most sense. We went to look at the Green Building in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. After looking at the space, we were invited to also look at their sister venue, 501 Union, across the street. The space was still under construction and wasn’t slated to open until fall 2013. 501 Union is a beautiful open-air space with modern, yet art deco inspired geometric lighting fixtures with palm tree wallpaper. Once I saw the beams in the outdoor ceremony room, I immediately envisioned a hanging arrangement from the ceiling. We also wanted to create a more intimate environment and loved the idea of a space that could accommodate long farm tables with family style meals to help our guests co-mingle. Although we were in the early stages of our search, I knew this was our venue. I ideally wanted to create a relaxed, chic art deco inspired atmosphere with champagne and lush greenery.

I was never a huge wedding person, but once my time arrived all the details started to matter. There were three non-negotiables for the wedding; I wanted to have a beautiful dress, flowing cocktails, and a full-on dance party. Once I found my dress, I thought it would be a great idea to place champagne towers on the tables. Not only did it fit into my theme, it also played into our intimate “get people together” environment. I sourced tiered lucite towers and had the caterer fill each row with coupes, sporadically alternated between champagne and our signature pink cocktail. The towers were accented with greenery and placed on every other table, allowing for convenient cocktail consumption. As for the dance party, I decided that confetti would bond everyone on the dance floor… and it worked!

Luckily, I had an amazing creative team that enhanced my vision and took it to the next level. My florist, Dawn, handled all bridal party florals and table arrangements. Dawn took the “art deco, Miami chic champagne, drug lord party” theme and ran with it. She conceptualized palm tree centerpieces, along with exquisite, overflowing greenery and florals for the tables. She also hand-selected all the bouquets and created adorable floral halos for the flower girls. Bonika, who specializes in aerial displays, helped craft and strategize the hanging floral pieces for the ceremony room. After numerous visits to the floral market, we combined neutral understated florals with hanging greenery creating an organic, romantic environment. In order to keep the structures fresh and un-wilted, Bonika worked overtime creating four hanging installations the day of. Both Dawn and Bonika executed flawlessly and I couldn’t have been happier with their work.

As for the dance party, our DJ, David Hollands set the tone post-ceremony with an hour of Reggae classics from the 70’s and 80’s, transitioning into a balance of old and new school dance, with the occasional indie track. Once the sun set, the confetti machine became a focal point, as the guests were showered with glitter gold confetti from all directions. Our flower girls were picking confetti off the ground and throwing it in the air making sure no one left uncovered in confetti. It was definitely one of the evening’s highlights.

At the night’s conclusion, guests were given an individual bag of Gimme! coffee as a departing gifts along with a berocca cocktail for the road. Josh and I were both thrilled with how the day turned out. We chose amazing vendors and cannot be thankful enough for their creative energies and execution. It was a perfect day!

Photography: Kelly Kollar Photography | Florist: La Fleur Event And Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Zac Posen | Catering: Foremost Caterers | DJ: David Hollands | Ceremony & Reception: 501 Union | Chuppah: Chuppah Studio | Day Of Coordinator: Stephanie Yeh | Floral Installations: Bonika Caroline | Getting Ready: The Broome Hotel | Groom's Tuxedo: Ralph Lauren | Make-up/Hair: Michiko Boorberg | Photography - Assistance: Tanya Salazar Photography

If you haven’t yet met Brideside, it’s time you do.  Because honestly?  They are about to change your world.  Think an array of stunning bridesmaid gowns, a could.not.be.easier ordering process, a personal stylist that knows a thing or two about helping you find the dress of your dreams AND a fabulous giveaway for your entire bridal party.  It’s your chance to win a $500 credit towards gorgeous gowns, sans drama, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. 

With one breathtaking collection after another in every style, shape and color of the rainbow, Brideside makes it easier than ever to make your besties forever happy.  Imagine shopping online in your yoga pants with a very fabulous twist – you can see the dresses in person before buying.  In other words? It’s how every girl dreams of bridesmaid dress shopping.  Here’s how it works:

Meet Your Stylist – Browsing gorgeous bridesmaid frocks online just got amazing with the help of one of Brideside’s FREE personal stylists.  Think of them as your very own wedding-style expert who will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process, from helping you create a “closet” of unique + oh-so-chic styles to keeping track of all of the specifics.  And Brideside introduced Jenny Yoo gowns this month, which means even more amazing styles to choose from.

Invite Your Besties to Your Brideside Closet – Now that you and your stylist are filling your Closet with some of the prettiest frocks imaginable, invite your bridal party to view your choices for those much-needed second opinions. And when you add or share a favorite, your stylist can see all of the happenings, so she is totally in the loop.

Try It On at Home! – Want to try on the dress before committing?  Once you have narrowed down all of the wedding loveliness to three must-have styles, Brideside will send them to you or your bridesmaids in a Brideside Box!  That means an at-home fitting party with your own shoes, jewelry and a little (or a lot!) of champagne.  Soooo fun.

Order “The One” – Now that you’ve chosen the perfect gown, you can work directly with your stylist to be sure everyone is fitted properly and that the dress of your dreams is ordered for each and every one of your ‘maids.  Oh, and it’s shipped directly to you.  It’s seriously awesome, and seriously stress-free. Seriously. I know, I know… you can’t wait to get started with Brideside.  Visit their website now or, if you live in Chicago, make an appointment with a stylist here.  You can thank us later.

What: Brideside is giving away a $500 credit to one bridal party! 

How: Simply sign up here by April 1, 2015 to be entered to win!

Who: The winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 3, 2015.

Good luck, lovelies! xo

Inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding gardens, this summer celebration in the Hamptons created an absolutely magical wedding wonderland. To top it all off, the blushing Bride wore an amazing Amsale gown, that couldn’t have fit this occasion any better, from the detailed, delicate bodice to the full skirt. Karen Wise captured every inch of pretty in this gorgeous gallery right here.

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Photography: Karen Wise Photography | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Groom's Attire: J.Crew

It doesn’t get more timeless than a traditional black tie affair like this NYC beauty at the Harvard Club captured by Ulysses Photography. Complete with breathtaking florals from Ariston Florist every detail is absolutely perfection, and this gallery proves yet again that classic weddings will always be in. See even more here.

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Photography: Ulysses Photography | Event Planner: Christine Fox | Floral Design: Ariston Florist | Wedding Dress: Kim Hicks Couture | Church: St. Thomas Of Fifth Avenue | Reception Venue: Harvard Club Of NYC | Shoes: Louboutin | Jewelry: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair & Makeup: Face the Day NY: Makeup and Hair Services | Lighting: Bentley Meeker | Favors: Neuchatel Chocolates | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Hotel: The Plaza Hotel | Bride's Gift: Chanel | Bridesmaids Clutches: Bijouled | Bridesmaids Earrings: Bauble Bar | Bridesmaids Hair: Drybar | Bridesmaids Shawls: J. McLaughlin | Custom Pocket Squares: Lazy Jack Press | Custom Wedding Map: EDanae | Groom's Custom Shirt: Rothman's | Groom's Gift: Rolex | Hairpiece: Wedding Atelier | Monogram: Grammarcy | Music: Hank Lane Music | Paperie: The Paper Place | Reception Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Video: Craig William Films | White Balloons: Balloon Kings NY