New York Weddings

There is no denying it, this wedding had me at The Central Park Boathouse. Not only are the snaps from Brian Dorsey Studios seriously stunning, but every special touch put into place by Ever Swoon is enough to send me into a Pinterest frenzy.  With every sweet smile and Lenox Hill bloom, I’m falling more and more in love with the gallery, right here.

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From the handsome Groom… Two years ago, I asked the most amazing woman to marry me. I felt like the luckiest guy in the world when Dani said “yes” while I was down on one knee. We had met almost four years before and I loved her more and more each day. She was the one! I knew it right after we met.

Even though Dani and I both went to James Madison University and had the same circle of friends, we had never met. It must have been fate that we were meant to meet several years after college. We met one November night in 2008 at a dinner set up by a mutual friend of ours. We all met at a restaurant and I was floored when I saw her. She was absolutely stunning!! I knew immediately that she was special. I only had to talk to her for a few minutes before I knew that there was something between us.

Later that week I called Dani to ask her out. I could not have been more nervous. Lucky for me she said “yes”. We went to a nice Italian restaurant as I obviously wanted to impress her. When we wound up at Dave & Busters that night playing air hockey and skee ball against each other, I could only think that this was it. I found her! This was the woman I would eventually marry.

We dated for a few more years and we fell more in love each day. I was going to have to plan our engagement very carefully as I wanted to truly surprise her, which was going to be a difficult task. I told Dani her birthday gift was a trip to Napa; a place both of us loved to go to. After finishing a wine tasting at our favorite vineyard, I took Dani outside to take in the beautiful views. I gave her the birthday card I wrote for her and by the time she finished reading it, I was down on one knee. It all seems like a blur but I will never forget the look on her face. We celebrated for the rest of the weekend and when we got back to New York, it was time to start planning the wedding.

Our wedding day could not have been more perfect. We got married at our church, St. Ignatius Loyola, and had the reception at the Central Park Boathouse. The moment I saw her walking down the aisle at the church, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of overwhelming joy and happiness. I was going to wake up to her smiling face every day for the rest of my life. We were both surrounded by all of our friends and family. Dani had everything planned down to the smallest detail. From the band that kept everyone on the dance floor, to the wedding cupcakes, and even down to singing happy birthday to her two younger cousins who had to share their day with us. It seemed like a fairy tale wedding to me.

Every day that passes I’m reminded that I’m the luckiest man alive because not a day goes by that I can’t help but wake up with a smile on my face. She has made me the happiest man on earth and I love her more and more each day.

Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios | Videographer: Well Spun Wedding Films | Wedding Planner: ever swoon | Florist: Lenox Hill Florist | Wedding Gown: Kleinfeld Bridal | Cupcakes: Magnolia Bakery | Stationery: East Six | Church: St. Ignatius Loyola | Reception Venue: The Central Park Boathouse | Entertainment: Hank Lane Music | Groom's Attire: Alabaster & Chess | Transportation: Silver Star Limousine | Beauty: Once Upon A Bride | Hotel Bridal Suite: The Waldorf Astoria | Pizza Truck: Pizza Luca | Rehearsal Dinner: Sidecar

As much as I love weddings – and believe me, I do! – it’s what happens after the vows that really fills my heart. I’m talking that let’s-grow-old-together love captured so perfectly in this anniversary party from Rebecca Yale Photography. Wedding pro Pickles And Pies and her beloved celebrated five years of marriage with their nearest and dearest, and the photos are memories they’ll cherish for years and years to come.

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From Erin of Pickles and Pies….As someone that has my own business, Pickles and Pies, that does wedding coordination and event styling, I never get to do anything nice for myself when it comes to celebrations. I find that I’m a bit tapped out creatively. But as my 5 year wedding Anniversary with my husband Hunter approached, I knew I didn’t want it to go by without something a little bigger. We have such an amazing support system of friends, and we really felt like this was the year to include people we love in our celebration. We invited friends that were in attendance at our wedding, as well as friends that we have become so close with, that we wish we had known them when we WERE getting married.

It all started with the dress. I had been eying this Adrianna Papell dress for quite some time, and found myself saying things like, “If I only had the occasion to wear that dress”. I think too often we do that about clothes we love. I decided to MAKE the occasion! This entire night was built around this dress.

Hunter and I are total Brooklynites. We love our neighborhood, and it’s the only place we imagined having our party. I contacted The Bedford, and they were fabulous. We knew we wanted a feast for our friends. Something a little over the top. And the folks at The Bedford knocked it out of the park. We dined on cheese and charcuterie, oysters on the half shell, roasted bone marrow, kale ceasar, grilled octopus, whole grilled trout and grilled steak with chimichurri. After seeing the room for our party, I knew what direction I wanted to take the styling. I wanted something sexy. Deep jewel tone flowers that burst on the tables, brass bowls, and brass mismatched candlesticks with long white tapers.

We contacted photographer Rebecca Yale to shoot the event. She perfectly captured us and our day together before dinner. She accompanied us as we strolled through our neighborhood hand in hand. My amazing husband of five years also surprised me with a gorgeous art deco ring from Grace Lee Designs. The champagne and wine flowed throughout the night, and we ended with delicious Chocolate Molten Cake made with Mast Brothers Chocolate, a local favorite. It was the perfect evening that we will cherish always. From this day forward, I choose the dress first, and let it inspire me.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Floral Design: Pickles And Pies | Dress: Adrianna Papell | Reception Venue: The Bedford | Shoes: Tribut Ives Saint Laurent | Ring: Grace Lee Designs | Suit: Paisley And Grey | Coordination And Design: Pickles And Pies | Groom's Shoes: John Varvatos | Leather Jacket: Free People

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Now this is how you celebrate true love: take one amazing love story (seriously), two stunning sweethearts and a backdrop like the ever-fabulous NYC.  Then add an elegant wonderland of wintery goodness and an amazing team of vendors (think Jenny Yoo, Blank Slate Events and Lion In The Sun) and, voila.  Awesome nuptials in one, two, three.  See it all captured beautifully by Karen Hill right here. 

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From Karen Hill… Alexander and Crista were married in November, 2013 in NYC. They met in Verbier, Switzerland in July 2009. Raised in London by an American mother and a Swedish father, Alexander grew up skiing in Verbier in the winter and attending the famous classical music festival during the summer. Crista, an American violist from New York was performing in the festival orchestra and on the memorable night she played in a production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, she also happened to meet a tall and handsome boy at Pub Mont Fort – the nightly post-concert festival hang out spot. Crista and Alexander enjoyed a few evenings together at the pub, not expecting much to come of anything since Alexander was due to return to work in Stockholm, Sweden while Crista was on her way back to New York to finish her Masters at Juilliard. Crista said goodbye, only to discover a few days later that the company Alexander was working for had declared bankruptcy and that he was looking to re-locate to New York to live with his brother. In early October, Alexander visited New York and took Crista for a long walk around the Central Park reservoir. Within a few days he had gotten a new job, and within a few weeks he had packed up his life in Stockholm and moved to New York city. The rest is history…

On their wedding day, it was most important to them to have an intimate event with their closest family and friends. Their ceremony was of central importance as they said their vows and entered into a lifelong covenant. The heart of their reception was a deliciously lengthy dinner where they enjoyed unforgettable speeches from their toastmaster, the bride’s brother, their parents and bridal party. Crista says, “the best moment of the day was sitting down to dinner as a newly married couple, surrounded by the people we love the most. Walking down Madison Avenue to our hotel in full wedding attire at the end of the night was also an unforgettable moment”.

Photography: Karen Hill Photography | Floral Design: Blank Slate Events | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Lady M Confections | Stationary: Lion in the Sun | Church: St Peter's Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Lotos Club | Rings: Greenwich Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup: Evy Drew | Hair: Nubest Salon | Band: Grand Central Sound | Ceremony Musicians: Julliard Music School | Ceremony Top: salaam bombay

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Jenny Yoo

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When the Bride works at Elle and the Groom is an avid shoe collector, you expect a certain level of style, and this Brooklyn bash didn’t disappoint. Full of personal touches, bright blooms by Taylor Tomasi Hill, and some very chic guests, this wedding captured the spirit of this adorable couple perfectly, and Kate Ignatowski snapped up every minute, so we too can enjoy the fun of these festivities.

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From Kate Ignatowski… When the bride is a brand manager for Elle and the groom is an avid shoe collector, you know the wedding will be styled to perfection. Patrice had thought through every detail, including the getting ready room, which I really appreciated as the photographer. The Wythe Hotel room had enormous windows for dreamy light and the blue wallpaper was the perfect complimentary color for the overall vibe of the wedding. Another detail I loved was the guests’ attire – the ladies were all dressed to the nines in colorful, glittery gowns and guys decked out in the sharpest suits.

From The Bride… Our wedding was a perfect reflection of our life; intimate, full of laughter and all about the details. From the very beginning we knew we wanted a small wedding. We wanted to have a destination wedding but it would have limited the amount of guests so I decided to bring the destination to us instead. When we found MyMoon, it felt like we were transported to an exotic location. This was the place! I couldn’t believe we were just in the middle of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. My entire wedding was inspired by the roots and feel of the venue. MyMoon is very dramatic which meant we did not have to spend much decor. With a tight budget that was very important to us.

Due to the tight budget, I tried to DIY as much as I could but for some things you have to bring in the experts. I had a very specific vision for my florals. I wanted them to be happy, a little wild yet very sophisticated at the same time. That’s harder than it sounds! Luckily, Taylor from TTHBLOOMS actually embodies those things and I gave her free reign to make magic happen.

Photography: Kate Ignatowski Photography | Floral Design: Taylor Tomasi Hill Blooms | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Hair Stylist: Mount Tabor Park | Wedding Venue: My Moon | Cake Artist: Gladis Bakery | Groom's Tux: Ralph Lauren

I had an image of what winter weddings look like and this elegant celebration blew that idea out the window. Held at the stunning Bourne Mansion, the ceremony was outside with the florals and beauty of the bride’s dress showing off gorgeously against the crisp winter skies. Robert And Kathleen worked their magic and caught it all and these photos have me completely rethinking winter weddings from now on.

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From Robert And Kathleen Photographers… When Jenna and Alex first met, it could have been the perfect time for the start of a romance. They were living in the same state, in the same city, on the same campus even, both students at Yale. They were going through a similar life experience, she was in her second year while he was a junior. Both of them trying to navigate the tricky terrain of college life while simultaneously laying a solid pathway to their future careers. They understood one another and knew how to make each other laugh. They would smile when they saw one another and, if things had been different, they could have sparked a relationship back then, connecting over coffee on campus or having a first date at one of the famous pizza places in New Haven. But in that point of their lives, while the logistics may have seemed perfect, the timing just wasn’t right.

Two years later, Jenna received an unexpected email. It was Alex, reaching out to reconnect. He wanted to see how she was doing and, though he didn’t say it, he was looking to see if there was the potential to now turn that friendship into something more. By all accounts, that should have been an inconvenient time to start a romance. They were living in two different states, in two different cities, nearly 100 miles apart. They were going through two different experiences. Jenna was finishing up school in Connecticut while he was embarking on his career in New York City. They could have been discouraged about the idea of a long distance relationship, with train rides and heartfelt conversations over the phone rather than face to face. But in that moment, at that point in their lives, the timing was perfect. They enjoyed the long phone conversations getting to know one another in this new light. They looked forward to the train rides because with each inch of track they traveled they were getting closer to one another. When Jenna graduated, she enrolled in medical school in New York. Finally, they were in the same city again. Now they were living a shared life experience, navigating the road of young adulthood side by side.

A few years later, Alex bought Jenna a ring. He had known that he wanted to marry her since shortly after they reconnected so many years before. Now it was just a matter of finding the perfect time to ask the question. He booked a room at the Palace Hotel, planning to ask Jenna in their gorgeous courtyard. Only when he arrived that day, he found that the courtyard was covered in scaffolding. But he didn’t let that discourage him. The timing might have seemed wrong, there may have been obstacles in his way, but that had never stopped them before and he wasn’t about to let it now. He arranged for a beautiful suite in the hotel and when Jenna arrived he dropped down to one knee and asked her to be his wife. Just as she had years before, Jenna said yes. Yes to the man who started out as her friend and turned into so much more. Yes to the life they had started to build together. Yes to the future that she began to dream of so many years before when she received that unexpected email from the guy who always knew how to make her smile.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers | Floral Design: Pedestals Floral Decorators | Reception Venue: Bourne Mansion | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Caterer: Bourne Mansion | Make-up: Jason Ascher | Hair: Chris Lospalluto | DJ: 74 Events | Bridal Gown: Amsale

We know you don’t need another reason to obsess over the lovely that is Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, but we thought we’d give you one anyway: the Anna Maier Trunk Show.  A four day fashion extravaganza featuring some of the most beautiful gowns you will ever lay your eyes upon.  Think stunning silhouettes and sophisticated fabrics that will leave you speechless.  They’re that awesome.

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Designed by the ever-talented Charles Bunstine III, the new Anna Maier collection is what we’re calling the pinnacle of bridal perfection, aka, a custom gown that is fit exactly to your measurements with some of the most amazing silk and lace fabrics in existence.  And not only do they feel and look fabulous, their body-enhancing silhouettes are the epitome of curve defining with trains that are jaw-droppingly gorgeous.  Elegant, timeless and all sorts of fabulous… the new Anna Maier line is most definitely a can’t miss.

Can’t wait to see these stunning gowns in person?  Call Gabriella New York Bridal Salon at 212.206.1915 to schedule an appointment to see the new collection.  The Trunk Show will run from Thursday, January 29 – Sunday, February 1 and you can even meet the designer in person on Saturday!  Have so much fun, lovelies… I am so jealous.

I love honoring tradition, and this richly ornate Prospect Park Boathouse affair does just that. Incorporating subtle cultural motifs like lush coral Amanda Morgan Jacobs bouquets and a textured lace Lian Carlo gown proved to be the perfect blend of urban modernity and tranquil tradition. Brklyn View Photography captured their beautiful love story and you can see it all here.

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From the Bride… The highlights of the day were putting my fabulous Lian Carlo wedding dress, meeting my husband to be on the steps of the Brooklyn brownstone and walking down the aisle as a married couple, all three beautifully captured by Jainé and her team.

Richie and I wanted a very richly detailed, ornate and beautiful wedding. Our main themes were coral, my favorite color, and cobalt blue, the color of the sapphire in my engagement ring. However we had a lot of ideas about what we wanted to do with the main colors, and decided we would incorporate textures and cultural motifs that would represent both our backgrounds, places we had traveled to and where we had lived.

I am Nigerian, specifically from the Igbo tribe, were coral and lace have strong traditions. Richie has a Lebanese and Russian heritage, both cultures well known for their intricate and detailed patterning. We tried to bring these elements out in a modern way with our invitations, the bridesmaid dresses and my wedding dress.

We chose to have the wedding ceremony at the beautiful and traditional Eastern Orthodox Church in Boerum Hill Brooklyn. Richie’s parents used to attend the same church when they were younger and it has many memories and connections to Richie’s family. We love how beautifully ornate and warm it was and in the Antiochian Lebanese tradition, with beautifully painted icons, the gorgeous blue and gilded gold vaulted wood ceiling.

After living on Hong Kong Island we realized how much we both love being close to the waterfront and being outdoors so for the reception venue we had both wanted a relaxing outdoor feeling for our guests to enjoy so we chose the boathouse and played up the lakeside picnic atmosphere with the coral/peach colored fruit on white fruit plates that the guests could casually eat, coral napkins and white lace trimmed fans.

Richie has also live in Kentucky and is a charming and traditional man so Richie and the grooms wore coral bow ties and coral socks. The guests received chocolate bourbon balls treats at their tables.

I would say our day was full of contrasts. Even though we both love and respect our culture and heritage and are both very traditional we are equally modern and wanted to give the whole day a soft modern, light aesthetic and well as a rich, heavy traditional one. We wanted to be in the heart of urban Brooklyn like the cities we had live in together (Richie was born in Brooklyn, I was born in Lagos) but at the same time be at the tranquil and romantic, bucolic lakeside. In the end it was a beautiful day.

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Floral Design: Jaclyn Journey | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Reception Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse | Brides Shoes: Rachel Simpson | Catering: Movable Feast | DJ: Todd Jones | Groom's Suit: Good Fit Fashions | Groomsmen Suits: Zara

Industrial loft weddings are my jam. They’re the perfect combo of romantic + sassy, and this gorgeous Brooklyn affair (hello, sweet Greenpoint Loft) is taking it to an entirely new level of awesome. Think gorgeous blooms from Martha Ramirez meets stunning crystal chandeliers. See it all captured beautifully by Cara Leonard right here.

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From Cara Leonard Photography… A beautiful wedding with a mixture of such a variety of elements. Industrial loft, grit and grunge with elegance and beauty. This bride, a fashion designer in NYC, and groom put together the MANY talents they had at hand to create one of the most fabulous weddings I had been to. So many people in their lives came together to create a wedding, that wasn’t just beautiful in terms of aesthetic appeal, but in ways far beyond that. Each person involved in the production of this event was in one way or another a huge part of who they were. The bride, alongside one of her best friends, designed her own wedding gown, they had a family member who was once a florist, a baker friend who provided goodies, and the list goes on and on. This wasn’t a traditional wedding with a list of given vendors, it was much more than that.

Photography: Cara Leonard Photography | Event Design: Linda Bernal | Floral Design: Martha Ramirez | Wedding Dress: Timothy Penird | Ceremony Venue: Greenpoint Loft | Catering: Eddies Pizza Truck | Catering: Hidden City Cafe | Framing: Silver And Linda's Framery And Gallery | Picture Printing And Table Numbers: TMK Print Solutions | Veil: Samuel Bennet Designs

Weddings with a view pretty much take the cake in my book. So, when I discovered that recently opened skyline sanctuary, Upper Story by Charlie Palmer, combined two of my favorite things (food and skyline views) I had to pinch myself. Taking in the Midtown Manhattan skyline is stunning, but their food? Well, it’s legendary. Perfect for private events, this sophisticated sanctuary is the perfect place for any soirée.

From Upper Story… Renowned chef and restaurateur Charlie Palmer officially debuts his all-new sophisticated private events and wedding venue in NYC’s Decoration & Design Building. Following an extensive six-month build out, Chef Charlie Palmer is proud to announce the official opening of Upper Story by Charlie Palmer on the 14th floor of the Decoration & Design Building on Monday, January 12, 2015. 

Boasting 2700 square feet of sophisticated dining and private entertaining space, including division into two areas, each accommodating 70 guests and 90 guests for seated affairs or 160 when combined, and up to 300 in the combined space for cocktail-style receptions. The 1000-square foot balcony offers panoramic views beyond Midtown and the Upper East Side, a prime location for alfresco receptions overlooking the 59th Street Bridge and wedding ceremonies and keynote speaker addresses are idyllically positioned with same scenic backdrop. Additionally, the venue offers state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a green room or bridal suite for day-of preparations. Menus are customized for each event to meet the needs of the host or group—be it a bride, fundraising committee or corporate planner.

Offering an extensive list of event menus ranging from breakfast to dessert and everything in between, Upper Story’s experienced culinary crew is the best in the business. Led by longtime Palmer protégé Adam Bordonaro, the kitchen’s flawless plates are prepared with the highest quality of ingredients with menus customized to the specifications of each event. Palmer and Bordonaro have a few unique menu items up their sleeves, including a “progressive tasting menu,” which consists of six dishes presented as side-by-side stations, each served with a paired cocktail or beverage. The venue will also offer a variety of experiential activities for off-site planners and group meetings, including cocktail demonstrations from Palmer’s Crimson & Rye craft cocktail team, cigar tastings from Nat Sherman, cooking classes, and more. Sample menus can be seen here.

With a location in the esteemed Decoration & Design building, this all-new venue required the expert hand of renowned designer, Scott Salvator. Taking a modern yet classic approach, Salvator introduced a soft color palette with dark nuances offset by burnished mirrors, complementing both the daytime and nighttime views through Upper Story’s expansive windows framing the unparalleled Manhattan skyline view. A dream for event designers and planners, Upper Story’s atmosphere is the perfect combination of blank slate and subtle décor.

The most exciting and inviting event venue in midtown Manhattan, the space sparkles with an unparalleled richness and provides the perfect stage for any event alongside our culinary creations while guests raise their glass to the most amazing city light views. 

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Welcome to the family Upper Story! xox

This Tappan Hill Mansion love story is one chic affair. Overlooking the Hudson, this darling duo sweetly said their vows and kept the day personal from start to finish. With ribbon accents and mercury glass, Diana Gould made sure a vintage vibe echoed throughout, while Brian Dorsey Studios captured up a gallery that defines a modern love story.

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From the Bride… Mark and I met while studying abroad in Rome during our junior year of college. After dating for 8 years, he pulled off the surprise proposal of a lifetime. He asked me to marry him during my school fundraiser and then had our families and friends waiting nearby to celebrate.

We wanted our wedding to reflected our personalities so we added our own personal touches everywhere. Upon stepping outside at Tappan Hill Mansion, we immediately knew the beautiful stone patio overlooking the Hudson was the perfect place for us. The vintage vibe set by our custom-made invitations was recreated throughout the entire day, from the ribbons blowing off the last row of chairs during the ceremony, to the mercury glass vases overflowing with flowers at the reception. For the ceremony, we created fun, unique wedding programs that captured our relationship. We are both teachers so we asked our students to give us their “Advice for a Happy Marriage”, the best bits of which were read aloud during the ceremony. Our breathtaking flowers were a soft mix of pink and white peonies, garden roses and ranunculus in white, cream, and a touch of pink, accented with lamb’s ear around the edges. The grooms’ cake that showcased all of Mark’s favorite things.

My hairpins were made from my mom’s wedding dress lace and my bouquet was also bound by the pearl and lace sleeve of her gown. My dress, Mirielle by Anna Maier, was corded French rose floral lace over a double charmeuse underdress. The team at A Little Something White in Darien, CT was able to customize my dress to provide me with two different looks; during the ceremony I wore an elegant, lace bolero with capped sleeves and a plunging back, which complimented my veil and hairpins. For our reception, I detached the lace bolero to reveal a strapless, sweetheart neckline and changed from my Kate Spade blush peep-toes into sparkly Jimmy Choos. A delicate organza sash with an oversized bow completed the reception look.

When our guests weren’t on the dance floor, they were either feasting on the delectable Abigail Kirsch menu, taking part in the photo booth created by my sister, enjoying the breathtaking views, or snacking on our personalized wedding car cookie favors. Every detail was thought through to create an intimate, elegant, and light-hearted atmosphere. Our families, friends, and wonderful vendors helped us create a magical day that we will never forget.

Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios | Event Planning: Diana Gould | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier | Cake: Abigail Kirsch | Invitations: Alpine Creative Group | Catering: Abigail Kirsch | Makeup: Christina Amador | Hair: The Beauty Parlor | Favors: The Flour Pot Cookies | Bridal Dress Salon: A Little Something White | Ceremony Programs: First Comes Love Prints | Groom's Cake: Sweet Lisa's | Hairpins & Veil: A Little Something White | Location: Abigail Kirsch | Music: Craig Scott Entertainment | Video: LOVE in PROGRESS video productions

Here’s what I call a seriously good decision: hiring the always amazing Femina Photo + Design to tackle your wedding photography, plus your invitations.  Because with Femina Photo + Design you’re getting two talented (+ fun-loving) ladies that know a thing or two about pretty weddings.  Think jaw-droppingly gorgeous paper goods meets stunning imagery that will take your breath away.

Based in NYC and Philadelphia, Femina Photo + Design not only offers boutique design services and amazing photography, they’re known for their outstanding customer service, as well.  Which means joining forces with a team of talented professionals that will work with you, hand-in-hand, to tell your story.  From the beautiful paper goods that capture your theme perfectly to that end of the night kiss you’ll frame and treasure forever, Femina Photo + Design’s love and knowledge of the wedding industry bursts through each and every item their crafty hands touch.  They’re awesome.

With resumes that include traditional photography, advertising design and commercial photography, these longtime friends are the epitome of creative.  Throw that bundle of talent into your wedding and, voila!  Absolute perfection from start to finish.

Can’t wait to start your journey with two of the finest vendors you’ll ever meet?  Email Femina Photo + Design NOW to get the ball rolling… and don’t forget to mention “SMP” for $250 off any complete Wedding Collection! 

There is something about old estates that I find so intriguing. They have a romance within themselves, and this wise couple knew not to compete with that beauty. They used Alder Manor as the perfect inspiration for their beautiful day and the finished result is an effortless masterpiece. Isabelle Selby captured it all and we’ve gathered these works of art in one perfect place for us all right here!

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From The Bride… Brandon and I have one of those whirlwind romance stories – we were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend and after much resistance finally met. After that night we were completely inseparable! We were engaged a year later in December of 2012. The most vital piece of the puzzle was finding the venue. We searched high and low – typical catering halls, eclectic spaces, destination – but nothing felt quite right. I love to peruse blogs of all kinds and I stumbled upon this hidden gem, Alder Manor. We set up a walk through and instantly fell in love. It was unique and stunning, it just fit our personalities. I love the grandeur of the property – once a luxurious weekend home of a mining tycoon with sculptured gardens, an organ built into the walls and even an indoor pool! It now lays in somewhat ruin giving it a tragic but romantic feel that I just couldn’t get out of my head. To give ourselves a bit more planning time we opted for an early June 2014 wedding which turned out to be a spectacular day! I know June weather can be fickle but we really lucked out – it was a beautiful and mild.

I was asked so many times what the theme was and I never had a direct answer for that. The venue really set the tone – we just wanted it to be beautiful and romantic and Alder Manor does that all on its own. Our invitations were very soft so we decided to carry that throughout the day. We picked light colors, mint green and pale pink – they really complemented the garden-like feel of the outdoor space and ceremony. They also inspired the flower arrangements and our DIY projects. We wanted to put our touch on the day so we created the programs, place cards, seating chart, cake toppers and ribbon wands. It was a true labor of love and made seeing all the details come together in such a special way so rewarding!

The emotion of the day was so overwhelming – I will carry that feeling with me throughout our life together. I’m so grateful for everyone that made our day so memorable and complete!

From Isabelle Selby Photography… I could ramble on about Maureen and Brandon for quite some time, but I’ll try to keep this short as Maureen has already so eloquently told you about their day. I’ve been to a lot of weddings and the effortlessness and calm that Maureen had throughout the day was really stunning. They were both glowing and I was just so impressed by the way that they truly were enjoying the day and staying present. When I first met Maureen she told me about Alder Manor in a way that the art history nerd in me went ecstatic. An old estate that she wanted to let do the talking for their day and she was spot on. The history of the manor and the beautiful details don’t need to be overshadowed and the soft pinks and mint throughout the wedding only exemplified the estate’s natural beauty.

There was so much about the day that I loved documenting, but a few things that stood out were the very apparent love between the two of them as well as the families and friends, the ceremony that included a shout out to their beloved dog who wasn’t present, the beautiful manor and the dancing. They are incredible dancers and the guests would cheer along, which made it ten times more exciting. All in all it was a day that felt truly genuine and full of love. Congratulations, Maureen + Brandon!

Photography: Isabelle Selby Photography | Coordination: Jennifer Dukham | Floral Design: Sprout Home | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Ceremony: Alder Manor | Reception: Alder Manor | Shoes: Sophia Webster | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Chefs At Work | Makeup: Christina Amador | Hair Stylist: NY Prostyle | DJ: DJ Shakey | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Robes: Designs By Celia

We’ve been fans of Kendall of Styled Snapshots for some time now, but we were totally over the moon when we found out she was engaged. So it goes without saying we are beyond thrilled to share Rachel Pearlman‘s gorgeous images of their engagement session (complete with adorable pup) with all you. The countdown until their sure-to-be-gorgeous wedding is on! See even more here.

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From The Bride…We wanted to re-capture some of the special day when Matt proposed, so we shot a lot of the pictures right in Grand Central. After Grand Central, we headed up to Central Park and brought our furry family member, Hadley along to join in. Rachel Pearlman did an impeccable job capturing every detail and especially our personalities and love for one another. We are thrilled to have her with us on our wedding day next October. I hope you all enjoy taking a peek and let the official one year countdown BEGIN!! Kendall Kremer sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?! ;) You can follow along with my wedding plans, details, etc. via instagram over the next year with the hashtag #StyledSnapshotsWedding.

Photography: Rachel Pearlman Photography | Dress: Club Monaco | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Makeup: Rob Harmon | Venue: Grand Central Terminal

From college sweethearts to the crafty grandma, I was won over pretty quickly with this wedding. Married at the same chapel where they met years ago, this couple put that personal touch throughout their celebration. Kelsey Combe captured every perfect detail, many of them crafted by the bride’s grandmother, and I have a feeling they’ll be on our Pinterest pages for weeks to come.

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From The Bride… After Tommy and I got engaged we started the planning almost immediately. In fact, I sent an email to the head of the church that very same night! Getting married in our college chapel was really important to us, and once we secured that everything else fell into place. Now that I think about it, once we met there 8 years prior everything started falling into place.

They say when you plan a wedding you should deal with the big things first (venue, vendors, etc) and think about the details later. I was the exact opposite. After securing the chapel I came up with some details that I knew I couldn’t live without. Anyone who knows me knows that when I shop I get something in my head, and I search until I find exactly what I’m envisioning. I was the same with wedding planning.

I just wanted our wedding to feel like “us” and represent our taste. I dreamed that everyone would feel like they were at a dinner party in our home…even though there were almost 200 other people around.

I’m blessed to have a grandmother who is not only extremely crafty but also wanted to be involved in the process every step of the way. I would come up with an idea and show her a picture, and she would develop a few different prototypes by the next time I saw her. We DIY-ed as much as we could and our world became a sea of burlap, mason jars, lace, gold spray paint and flea market finds. Sometimes I would pick up something I saw, like a bird cage or old shutter box, without knowing what it would turn into. I just knew everything fit the “feel” of our wedding and helped bring my vision to life. I wanted everything to feel personal and have a story behind it. I loved the idea of reusing things that had been a part of someone’s life. I repurposed vintage finds, like an old typewriter, and even wrapped my bouquet in the silk belt from my great grandmother’s wedding dress. The most special touch was that my grandma handmade my veil and dyed it with tea to perfectly match the color of my Tara Keely dress.

We wanted our guests to be focused on having fun and a great summertime meal, so the food at our wedding played a huge role. We had a grill going all night and even a fire pit with s’mores for our late night snack. Crabtree’s Kittle House is an amazing indoor/outdoor venue, and we even lucked out by having a perfectly cool evening in the middle of July. Besides the staff helping us create our exact vision, the Kittle House was originally a barn built in 1790, so it definitely fit our rustic, vintage vibe. The best part was the all the details of the day that I poured over for months were perfectly captured by our amazing photographer, Kelsey Combe. She understood the feel of my day from the moment we met, and made sure that it would all be documented in gorgeous photographs.

Photography: Kelsey Combe Photography | Videography: Well Spun Wedding Films | Floral Design: Cheshire Tree Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Chantilly Patisserie | Invitations: The Paper Source | Ceremony Venue: Chapel Of De La Salle And His Brothers | Reception Venue: Crabtrees Kittle House | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair & Makeup: The Dream Bride | Band: Enjoy! | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Transportation: MG Limo | Bride's Earrings: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaid Robes: Silk And More | Groom's Bow Tie: The Tie Bar | Maid Of Honor Dresses: Amsale

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Kelsey Combe Photography

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This little wedding has reminded me that sometimes simplicity reigns king. That more than boatloads of decor and mile-long guests lists, the day is about love. And when this Australian couple opted for a wedding in Central Park, surrounded by their dearest, they took that mentality and brought it to life. Brklyn View Photography came alongside to capture the pretty and we can’t get enough.

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From The Bride…Despite the expectation that little girls always dream about the day they will get married, a big white wedding never occurred to me. So when the wonderful moment of our engagement came, I didn’t automatically start appointing my posse of maids and conducting recess of the beautiful harbourside venues dotted around Sydney. Rather I started plotting how I could avoid all of the fuss. However, eloping wasn’t an option. Not only is my husband of the more traditional type who would want to share the moment with at least one or two of his friends and family, but his mother had also sadly missed her eldest daughters wedding 11 years ago when she had to undergo emergency heart surgery the day prior. I knew how much it would mean to her which meant we would have to do something to involve our immediate family.

We decided to have a small wedding overseas and later have a larger wedding celebration in Sydney, Australia. There was no question that we would get married in Central Park and I set about finding our incredible celebrant Jeddah Vailakis. Jeddah’s warmth and style jumped out at me right away, and reviews from other couples she had married backed this up.

We settled on The Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn for our reception for something a little different, and because the Manhattan skyline views are unmatched. The private loft was a beautiful option to also offer our guests an experience they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to have such as a restaurant, we rented the private rooftop loft which gave us a stunning dining area surrounded by floor to ceiling windows and a private top floor terrace with point blank views across the Manhattan skyline. Perfect for sunset drinks and canapes before dinner.

Finding a photographer was somewhat easier as photographs tend to speak for themselves. I scoured pinterest and wedding blogs and kept coming across Brklyn View Photography, Jaine Kershner’s incredible wedding photography. She was so great to work with and understood what we were trying to achieve perfectly. Her images took us back to the day and I love the special moments she captured.

All our guests chose to stay at Trump Soho which was the ideal base for exploring New York without being constantly stuck in the hustle and bustle of midtown. We loved the local restaurants and bars on offer and the rooftop pool was an added bonus in the August heat!

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Wedding Gown: Dolce & Gabbana | Reception Venue: Wythe Hotel | Brides Shoes: Gianvito Rossi | Officiant: Jeddah Vailakis, NYC Wedding Officiant | Brides Hair Accessories: Dolce And Gabbana | Getting Ready: Doonbeg Lodge | Makeup & Hair Artist: Book Your Look | Music: Frank Persico

There’s such a beautiful warmth and energy to this New York City wedding that immediately drew me in when Rebecca Yale Photography sent over the glowing imagery. It’s the kind of celebration that’s filled with a cheerful wave of laughter, sweet moments of anticipation, darling little blooms from Designs By Ahn, and of course, the hottest (pink) bridal party around. Feel the buzz of this NYC love in the gallery.

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From Rebecca Yale Photography…Trifon and David’s autumn wedding in New York City was everything a perfect city wedding should be- a day full of love, friends and a ton of laughter! I couldn’t get enough of David’s laugh during portraits! The morning started off with a lovely intimate reveal in the church’s garden before their guests arrived and the ceremony started. Trifon and David each pinned each others boutonnieres before heading inside the church to greet all their very colorfully dressed bridesmaids. The girls wore fuschia dresses accented with different unique pieces of turquoise jewelry gifted to them by the grooms. After the ceremony at the Greenwich village church the guests made their way over to the wonderful west village restaurant, One If By Land Two If By Sea for a luncheon reception. Guests milled around the cozy brick restaurant as light streamed in through the large glass windows. Before kicking off the dancing guests toasted with the French Assistance, the grooms’ signature cocktail, made of St. Germain, green Chartreuse, Champagne, tarragon and pink peppercorn.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Stationery: Crane & Co. | Church: First Presbyterian Church | Reception: One If By Land Two If By Sea | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lela Rose | Makeup: Rae Dawn J | Makeup: Orglamic Beauty | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Save The Date: Paperless Post

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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This UK couple is out to prove that great style can be achieved no matter how small-scale the affair. Opting for a destination elopement, they designed a simple ceremony for two in Brooklyn Bridge Park with Mirelle Carmichael along to document the day. And in a Laure De Sagazan and Designs By Ahn bouquet, the glowing bride managed to steal the show, nonetheless. See more here!

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From The Bride…Neil and I met over 12 years ago so it came as a complete shock when he got down on one knee and proposed. I thought we were fine, we didn’t need to, we were happy just as we were. But then he asked, and I was elated… if a little overwhelmed!

Some girls have their wedding day all mapped out. I was not this girl. Both of us struggled to define exactly what we wanted our wedding day to be. The only thing we were very clear on was that, for us, marriage was a commitment between two people. I like you and you like me. We wanted the wedding to reflect this and so we decided to elope and go it alone (much to the disappointment of friends and family!). Above all, we wanted our marriage to be an adventure…and so we decided to start with one.

We chose New York because we both love the city and everything it has to offer. Many brides want a beautiful backdrop for their wedding. Ours was the urban landscape of New York which, for us, holds a beauty all of its own. A cityscape may not be every brides dream but it made our wedding day feel real rather than a fairytale.

Neither of us wanted the day to be stressful which might sound at odds when I tell you we are both from the UK. But it could not have been simpler. We found a lovely officiant, an amazing photographer and picked a date. We were all set. We flew over a few days before and picked up the license from city hall. The beauty of eloping to New York is that you can get married just about anywhere (unlike the UK) so we decided to choose somewhere together once we got to New York, rather than a ‘wedding package’.

We got married down by the Hudson in Brooklyn Bridge Park because it offers beautiful views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, before jumping a cab to the High Line for photos. The people of New York could not have been lovelier, stopping to ask us if this was a ‘real wedding or a photo shoot’…so much fun! We finished the day watching the sunset over the city on the rooftop of the Standard, listening to jazz and drinking cocktails before heading back to the Nomad Hotel for dinner. The twinkly lights of New York offered our perfect backdrop.

Our family and friends forgave us (I think!) and we held a celebratory reception at one of our favourite restaurants back home. Again, very simple. In our eyes we had the best of both worlds, we got to share our wedding day together and also with our nearest and dearest. Perfect.

So whilst it isn’t for everybody, we wouldn’t change a thing.

Photography: Mirelle Carmichael | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Dress: Laure De Sagazan | Ceremony: Brooklyn Bridge Park | Officiant: Cheerleader For Love

From a sparkling Monique Lhuillier gown, to Regas paper goods, there are so many spectacular details from Loli Events that make this Glasshouses affair one of a kind. Charlie Juliet shared snaps of Rountree Flowers and delicious food from Blue Hill Stone Barn, proving every detail was delicious. 74 Events had guests dancing the night away while Kiss The Bride Films captured a sweet skyline memento below.

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From The Bride…My husband Oliver and I met during our first week as college freshmen at NYU in 2004. We stayed friends throughout the years until we became pretty close during our junior year. We moved in together shortly after graduating from NYU and after six years of dating he proposed in the most perfect way at our apartment in Hell’s Kitchen. I am originally from Texas and Oliver is originally from Germany, so we decided early on that we would get married in New York City because that is where we met and where we’ve lived our entire lives’ together. We knew from the start that we wanted to keep the wedding as small as possible – and that we wanted a venue that felt like “New York”, while also still feeing intimate. The Glass Houses in Chelsea was the last venue we looked at and after a short tour, we decided then and there that it was the venue for us.

I always knew that I wanted an evening wedding with a dark, yet glam, atmosphere. I decided on a deep purple as the base color with metallic accents and pops of deep magenta and red. The bridesmaids wore long Jenny Yoo dresses that could be tied in a multitude of ways, so that each girl would have their own individual style. Our florist created the most perfect arrangements for all the girls (including mine) and for the ceremony and reception. I LOVE flowers – an obsession that started with my great-grandmother and was passed down through my mother – so all of the flowers were one of my favorite parts of the day.

Our ceremony was short and sweet so we that we would have plenty of time for dinner and dancing. Oliver is a foodie – and most of our relationship has centered on dinner dates, trying out new restaurants, and cooking at home – so Oliver decided on a 4-course menu from Blue Hill. After dinner we moved to another floor for dancing and everyone danced the night away to our amazing DJ. Overall, the entire day and night were perfect. Since Oliver and I have been together for so long, our families and friends were already very close, and the love and excitement that we felt from everyone was magical and allowed us to have unforgettable day.

Photography: Charlie Juliet | Videography: Kiss The Bride Films | Event Planning: Loli Events | Florals: Rountree Flowers | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Love Street Cakes | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Hair: Dop Dop Soho | DJ: 74 Events | Ceremony Music: Venus Ensembles | Wedding Venue: The Glasshouses | Groom's Shoes: Louboutin | Lounge Furniture: Patina | Macaroon Tower: Laduree | Party Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Something Blue- Skull Clutch: Alexander McQueen | Stationary And Paper Products: Regas

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Jenny Yoo

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If I had to do a second e-sesh (which I would happily do), I’d take it straight to a gorgeous garden setting like this one from the seriously talented Judy Pak. She captured this duo in the most darling way, and I can’t stop staring. The fluffy blooms and the breathtaking scenery that New York Botanical Garden has to offer, and the sweet way these two cuties lean into each other… swoon central.

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From the beautiful Bride…Philip and I met a few days before New Years Eve at one of my favorite Gramercy spots in New York. What was supposed to be a 2-hour date turned into a 6-hour evening of good vibes and laughter. Our relationship was a whirlwind from that point on – from going to Coachella together a few months later (uncharacteristically for Philip, just two weeks before his board exam) to a vacation in the Caribbean a month after that. It seems cliche but when you meet the right person, everything really does just fall into place!

Once we got engaged, we were excited about all the fun things to come. A good friend of mine had an upcoming wedding so I was already scouring the wedding blogs with her. One day I came across this gorgeous garden shoot and I had to find the photographer. I was so lucky that Judy Pak was available for our engagement photos and not only is she very talented, but also an amazingly sweet person. She made Philip and I feel immediately at ease which was very important to us.

We love spending the day outdoors and wanted to find a location that offered a variety of landscapes. NY Botanical Garden was a perfect, serene location with less tourists and rules than many of the other options. It’s amazing that Judy was able to capture us at our best even though it was a hot day with a lot of walking involved to find special off-the-beaten path locations that we really loved.

Now we are working through the details of our wedding day and are so excited for it, but infinitely more excited about building our life together afterwards!

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Venue: The New York Botanical Garden

This shoot has it all: an enchanting backdrop, a stunning gold and black color palette and a talented team of vendors making it all happen.  Think magical images from Matthew Ree, beautiful florals from Designs By Ahn and the hair and makeup expertise of Mar from TEAM Hair And Makeup, who also happened to style the whole shebang (she’s awesome).  See every last breathtaking pic right here.   

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From Matthew Ree Photography… It’s a New York City styled shoot! We wanted to challenge ourselves to deal with the empty skeletons of trees in Central Park with a black and gold theme. We tried for a secluded and deserted city look. It’s obviously Central Park in NYC, but we wanted to create an empty, dry and even gloomy look of the city that the couple owns it all themselves. The hair and make up is couture, but mostly it’s about black and gold. It’s very fashion forward, but at the same time classy black and white chic. Mar from Team Hair and Makeup did not only the hair and makeup but also did the styling for this shoot.

Photography: MATTHEW REE PHOTOGRAPHY | Styling: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Dress: Black Halo | Shoes: Valentino | Hair & Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Suit: Zara | Venue: Central Park | Headpiece: Vera Wang