New York Weddings

It’s easy to talk about Bryce Covey’s photography. Because it’s beautiful. Because it pulls you in and makes you never want to leave. So if you’re lucky enough to score Bryce to shoot your engagement pics – like this stunning couple – well, assume that you’ll walk away with the equivelant of very very fine art. Especially when Central Park serves as your backdrop. So much more right here!

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From the bride…New York City defines who we are. We wanted to take engagement photos where the scenery and setting was familiar and comfortable, but timeless. Central Park is our retreat, where our engagement photos would capture the true essence of our happiness within our known surroundings. We have so much history in Central Park, and knew the culture and landmarks would be the foundation for an organic and creative experience with Bryce.

We also wanted to capture our engagement photos on our private personal roof deck, the setting in which my fiance proposed. Bryce is an incredibly creative artist, as his photos captured moments of serenity and intimacy involved in our lives. During this whole process, we were able to pause and reflect on our love, joy, and genuineness towards one another.

Photography: Bryce Covey Photography | Film: Richard Photo Lab | Bride's Park Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Bride's Park Shoes: Louboutin | Bride's Rooftop Attire: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Bride's Rooftop Shoes: L.A.M.B | Groom's Jeans: Diesel Jeans | Groom's Park Attire: J.Crew | Groom's Park Shoes: Stubbs And Wootton | Groom's Rooftop Jacket: J.Crew | Groom's Rooftop Shirt: Hugo Boss

This wedding is New York City at its finest. The Audrey Hepburns, Grace Kelly’s, Frank Sinatra’s of wedding with a sense of tradition and elegance built into the very foundation. Photographed by Lilian Haidar this wedding will have you at hello and hold your hand right through I-Do. Just make sure to take some time to pore through the galleries!

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From the bride…Though I grew up across the Hudson, Dave and I have chosen to make Manhattan our home together (he is a lifetime New Yorker). We chose the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park for its modern ballroom, delicious cuisine, and excellent service. The hotel’s location also happened to be the perfect setting for one of our themes for the evening, which was emphasizing the our New York/New Jersey background. Our beautiful photographs by Lilian Haidar Photography taken in nearby Battery Park overlook both the skyline of New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty. We continued this theme in our music selection (along with our bridal party, we entered our reception to our band’s rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind”, which then segued into our first dance to Bruce Springsteen’s “Jersey Girl”) and overnight guest welcome bags (which we filled with our favorite local and homemade goodies).

Our design began with wedding paper by Short Girl Long Name. The gorgeous custom-designed invitations, envelope liners, programs, and escort cards included floral elements and our monogram, which were both repeated elsewhere in our design scheme. As a unique and whimsical touch, I chose to include our deco-style monogram on both my veil and manicure. When looking for color inspiration, we were influenced by the saturated hues of the sunset. The bouquets of our bridesmaids truly “popped” against their champagne-colored dresses, and the contrast had a huge impact in our photographs.

When designing our space, we wanted our guests to feel that they were at an intimate ceremony and then invited to a beautiful dinner party. In a space as large as that of the Ritz Carlton’s ballroom it is no easy task to create a sense of both warmth and formality, all without being stuffy–yet Matthew Robbins and his team truly helped us realize our vision. Our chuppah was lush and overflowing with beautiful florals, and its canopy was draped with the prayer shawls of both our maternal grandfathers–a beautiful reminder of their presence. Luscious floral arrangements on the tables were clustered with candles housed in metallic votives of different shapes and sizes. The hints of gold on the chargers, the silver of the modern table numbers, and the metallic threads running through our linen tablecloths reflected back the warm candlelight.

One of my favorite moments was revealing the surprise groom’s cake. Cake Alchemy shaped the chocolate chip, pretzel, caramel, and Guinness confection into a larger-than-life replica of a hat from Dave’s baseball team. His reaction was truly priceless! Our wedding cake was what I like to call a “naked cake”–delicious cake without the traditional fondant. Along with our central chocolate malt cake, Momofuku also provided a apple pie cake, a dulce de leche cake, and a mint cookies and cream cake. By alternating flavors among the place settings, our guests could share and taste all the different choices.

We were truly thrilled how all of the details came together to create such a wonderful and memorable experience for our wedding day. Our band had our friends and family up and dancing, and guests repeatedly told us that they loved that all generations were on the dance floor the entire night. From searching for inspiration with my sister (who was my maid of honor), to spending the morning with my best girls, to marrying my love and celebrating with all our family and friends, our wedding was the perfect experience of bespoke lush elegance in New York City.

Photography: Lilian Haidar Photography | Floral Design: Matthew Robbins | Wedding Dress: Isaac Mizrahi | Wedding Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Ceremony Venue: The Ritz Carlton New York, Battery Park | Reception Venue: The Ritz Carlton New York, Battery Park | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Make-Up: Laura Mitchell Makeup | Hair: Styles On B | Band: Totally Live LLC | Groom's Attire: Martin Greenfield | Officiant: Rabbi Michael Freidman | Bridal Belt: Millie Icaro | Bridal Shoes: Chanel | Groom's Cake: Cake Alchemy | Groomsmen's Gift: Hammer On Steel | Manicure: Nail Sakura | Second Photographer: Photo DH | Veil: Timeless Weddings | Wedding Paper: Short Girl Long Name

It’s always a given that a wedding captured by Jen Huang will indeed be gorgeous. But this nautical infused installment of a fellow wedding photographer Bride is blowing our minds. And really it leans more towards elegant and classic with a hint of modern but still has that seaside feel. From pastel blooms by Blade NYC to loads of pretty ocean views, see it all unfold right here.

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From the Bride… Brian and I grew up one state away from each other, but our lifestyles felt worlds apart. What is most fun to me about a wedding day is the beautiful blending of two groups of family and friends who have all supported us from day one. It was important to us to combine these two amazing circles in the best way we knew how…. by taking the elegance of New York and my Greek traditions and mixing them with the laid back vibe of a New Jersey beach town. Larchmont Yacht Club was perfect because it was close to my childhood church and it had an open-air reception with a view of the water filled with millions of sailboats. Plus there was a canon at the end of cocktail hour. We can’t forget that.
As a wedding photographer myself (Love & Light Photographs) with a love for graphic design and styling, I had so much fun trying to marry these two points of view. The invitations by Smock really illustrated this with the gorgeous foiling on the invitation surrounded by a whimsical font in a soft “dusty shale” color. The bridesmaids dresses in dusty shale was the inspiration for everything. Anne from Blade NYC worked so closely with me to create the gorgeous flowers for the day. She understood my vision perfectly. I had this notion that nothing said understated elegance like a single stem flower (such as the gorgeous dinner plate dahlia) in a bud vase. For a year I collected these bud vases from anywhere and everywhere to create this look, and Anne pulled it together perfectly! She even tied a piece of my mother’s wedding dress around my bouquet for a personal touch.
The farm tables were the center point of the reception room and it fit the entire wedding party. It was so great to be surrounded by our friends during the reception. I want to thank my Mother and Grandmother (Yiayia) for helping me find the perfect fabric in the exact dusty shale color in a pattern similar to a Greek key! It was in the discount bin at Calico Corners just waiting to be scooped up and loved! We shipped the fabric to Florida and my ‘Yiayia’ hand sewed the runner for me in record time. My mother made the matching pillows for our Bride & Groom chairs. My dear friend Elizabeth created the name cards for the farm tables with gorgeous watercolor, and we made it cheeky by writing all of Brian’s funny nicknames for our friends. It was important to us to still have fun and keep it light because all of our friends have such a great sense of humor!
Every little detail of our wedding day was thought out with love. My mother, aunts and I created little boxes tied with gold twine containing the Greek tradition of “Koufeta”. I created tags on Moo.com to explain the tradition behind them. The “Let’s Eat!” menus and wedding programs were designed by me and printed by our dear friend Ellen. The amazing seating chart signs were created by Katie Fischer Designs – I still have one framed and hanging over my desk! My mother handmade the envelopes of lavender that said “Toss me!” Coming out of the church to all of our family and friends waiting to toss lavender was definitely one of my favorite parts of the day. For wedding party gifts, we gave all the guys Sperry boat shoes and the girls received custom clutches from Etsy which I filled with Stila lip gloss, macaroon pill boxes, and Hanky Panky underwear. I gifted the mother of the bride and groom a Wedding Chick’s handkerchief with a thank you note to each of them. I hope all these details show that just because a lot of our wedding had a touch of DIY does not mean it can’t look elegant and put together.
The day was not complete without our band, Twilight, which was playing all of our favorites such as Billy Joel, Queen, and Frank Sinatra. At the end of the night I surprised Brian with doughnuts from his favorite little shop down in Lavallette, NJ called Donuts Plus. The shop owner drove all the way to New York and back just so we could have freshly baked doughnuts on every table. Our wedding day was incredibly sentimental and just FUN. Brian and I have never smiled so much, and we danced the entire time. Thank you to everyone who made this day so special. I get teared up just thinking about it.
I also want to thank Jen Huang and Melissa Kruse for the wonderful opportunity to have our day captured by both your unique eyes at different points of the day. It was a dream come true as a photographer myself to have you both there!!!

Photography: Jen Huang Photography | Floral Design: Blade Floral and Event Designs | Wedding Dress: Lusan Mandongus | Cake: Sweet Lisa's | Invitations: Smock | Ceremony Venue: Greek Orthodox Church Of Our Savior | Reception Venue: Larchmont Yacht Club | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup Artist: KD Studios | Hair Stylist: Alyse B Salon | Band: The All Stars | Grooms Attire: Indochino | Bridal Shop: Be Unique Boutique | Bridesmaid Clutches: Vincent V Designs | Groom's Shoes: Navy/Tan Sperry Topsiders | Handerchiefs: Wedding Chicks | Invitation Shop: Yes, I Do! Exclusive Invitations And Unique Gifts | Seating Chart: Katie Fischer Design

Coral is one of those colors that adds INSTANT pretty factor to any wedding. But when it’s splashed against the mountainous beauty of Upstate New York, squeal-worthy images are basically a given. Add in bright blooms from Trillium Florist plus pretty captures by Catherine Rhodes, and you’ve got a day that’s sure to take wedding world by storm.

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From Catherine Rhodes Photography…. Alissa and Zubin were married on Lake Placid this Fall! Their beautiful I DO’s took place along the water with the most beautiful mountain scene as the backdrop. Alyssa wore a custom veil that not only created some of the most beautiful bridals I have taken to date, but also doubled as a train. Alissa and Zubin opted for a first look outside their hotel and venue, the WhiteFace Lodge and Canoe Club. This moment was one of the sweetest of the day, filled with so many tears and smiles that it would make your heart burst.

From there we headed to a mini portrait session on the lake before the I DOs along the water! Alissa and Zubin were married under a Chuppah held by friends and family members, which was truly a beautiful site. After these two made things official we headed out to a field surrounded by breathtaking mountain views for their wedding day portraits!

Alissa and Zubin celebrated late into the evening with their family and friends at the WhiteFace Lodge with both traditional and non-traditional tunes thanks to their DJ, Events Sound Inc. Their day was truly special and one that I will most certainly not forget!

Photographer: Catherine Rhodes Photography | Florist: Trillium Florist | DJ: Events-Sound Inc | Wedding Venue: WhiteFace Lodge And Canoe Club

I know I am not supposed to be a jealous blogger, but honestly, some days I just can’t help it.  Because a wedding as amazing as this?  I want it.  I want that gorgeous calla lily bouquet from Folly Flowers and Joy, that stunning Vera Wang gown and that fairytale-esque ceremony that will literally take your breath away.  See it all captured beautifully by Charlotte Jenks Lewis in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Jake and I met three years ago after brunch in the East Village. I had just moved to New York City from Miami, and Jake had been living in NY for 10 years. Although Jake is from Atlanta, and I’m originally from Michigan, we decided we wanted a New York wedding. We both just love the incredible city where we met!

We chose Fort Tryon Park for the beauty of the park, and the backdrop of the Hudson River and the George Washington bridge. The Park also carries with it a sense of history and some beautiful architecture – it was originally constructed in the 1930’s by the Olmstead Brothers. The overall look of the wedding was Old New York and our colors were Black, White and Wine!

Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography | Florist: Folly Flowers | Invitations: Festivities Birmingham MI | Invitations: Festivities Birmingham MI | Bride's Shoes: Rachel Roy | Caterer: New Leaf Restaurant | Makeup: Ashlee Glazer | Groom's Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke | Bourbon Cakes: Bees Knees Cake Cups | Bride's Bracelet: Vintage | Bride's Dress: Vera Wang | Bride's Hair: Angela DeSoto | Bride's Purse: Vintage | Bridesmaids Dress: Elie Tahari | Cocktail Napkins: Etsy | Furniture Rental: Patina | Hair Comb: Jenny Packham | Mother-of-the-Bride's Dress: Badgley Mischka | Restaurant: New Leaf Restaurant

If you ask me, finding your love in New York City is a fairytale all its own. But for these two sweeties, it was only the beginning. They celebrated their love with a Midsummer Night’s Dream inspired wedding brought to life by Iviejoy Flowers, The Dedicated New Yorker and 74 Events. It’s whimsical, garden romance at its absolute best, and you can see why in 1313 Photography’s captures right here.

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From the Bride… Brian and I met and fell in love in NYC, so we wanted to celebrate in the city that holds so much meaning for us, but we also wanted to offer a new take on a “non-typical NYC Wedding” and offer our guests a fun, unforgettable experience. So we came up with the wedding theme of “Rustic City Love”, which combines our love of NYC with rustic and cozy elements that represent our aesthetic and more laid-back lifestyle.

We also wanted the day to be filled with meaningful things that were near and dear to us, so we took on many DIY projects that represented the “rustic” and the “city”. Friends and family helped us fold and string together 1000 paper cranes made from NYC subway maps, we created our own wine in collaboration with the Brooklyn Winery, the groom’s mother handcrafted a cookie bar with wedding-related cookies like “tie the knot” and “love letter” cookies, and the table names featured locations in NYC that played a role in our relationship.

Our vendors gave us a wedding that was nothing short of magical! Ivie Joy transformed the space into a Midsummer Night’s Dream-inspired garden wonderland, 1313 Photography captured all the heartfelt moments of the day, and DJ Gaza kept the party going all night long! Most of all, we were overwhelmed by the love and support from our family and friends. We could not have been happier celebrating our marriage surrounded by our loved ones!

Photography: 1313 Photography | Coordination: Alexandra Townsend | Floral Design: Ivie Joy Flowers | Wedding Dress: St. Patrick-La Sposa | Ceremony Venue: The Foundry | Catering: Real Food Catering | Hair + Makeup: Sachiko Yanase | DJ: 74 Events | Bridesmaids Dresses + Groom/Groomsmen Suits: J.Crew

We’ve had our share of stylish brides graces the pages of SMP, but perhaps none quite like this. This west coast beauty, Rebecca Resnick, just so happens to work as a stylist to the stars – stars like Tina Fey, Adriana Lima, Marissa Miller and Sarah Michelle Geller – so obvi her wedding was going to be off the charts lovely. Set at the Richard Gere’s stunning property and captured by Trent & Dara Bailey this gallery is the prettiest place to start your week.

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From Trent Bailey… Rebecca + Chris live on the west coast but got married at the BEAUTIFUL Bedford Post Inn (owned by Richard Gere) on the east coast where they are from.  The wedding was a beautiful mid-day ceremony with a ceremony and cocktails in the garden and a beautiful lunch in the dining room. Everything about this day was perfect…but with Rebecca being a celebrity stylist in LA their wardrobe details were just amazing….and her Celine dress was quite possibly one of our most favorites ever!

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Photography: Trent & Dara Of Trent Bailey Photography | Wedding Dress: Celine | Bride’s Shoes: Miu Miu | Ring: Cartier | Groom’s Attire: Theory | Groom’s Shoes: J.Crew | Tie and Shirt: Tom Ford | Floral Design: Xquisite Events

There’s starting off the week in style, and then there’s starting off the week exactly like this: with a traditional meets uber-chic NYC affair chock-full of gorgeous details (hello ruffles) and crazy cool stylings.  Think a bride and groom who could.not.be more stunning and a gallery of lovely captured by  a guy + a girl.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From a guy + a girl… It was a rainy Friday morning in September… we arrived at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park, excited to finally meet Nicole and Eric who we knew, from our initial chats, were going to be one of the most laid-back, cool couples we had ever worked with. And they did not disappoint! We walked into Nicole’s room to a sweet playlist filling the air and a bunch of girls with fabulous up-dos (by Sylyse @ Shampoo Ave B) and gorgeous eyes/brows (by Amy Jones of Sally Duvall) texting, tweeting and sipping champagne, per the norm. Nicole handed us the shoes, jewels and dress to photograph…and we became obsessed with her effortless, fabulously unique style! The super-cool hardware woven into her jewels and the metallic feather-y leather of her heels.

The rest of the day was more of the same – effortless, incredibly tasteful and unique style-y details. We loved their enthusiasm during couples and bridal party portraits, which involved walking through puddles and cobblestone in stilettos, some stray glitter confetti that we then had to pick out of her fab up-do, a french bulldog named Pearl and the NYPD.

We loved Nicole and Eric’s short but sweet first dance, their handmade cake topper, the venue (obsessed with tribeca rooftop) and last but not least – their fantastically fun and happy family and friends… who, may I add, are one talented group of dance-floor-ologists (especially this one who managed to not only do the worm in a skin-tight red cocktail dress… but do it with grace and dignity– see below for proof). Thanks to DJ colleen crumbcake!

Rain or shine (and we had both), Nicole and Eric’s wedding day was just about as amazing as it gets. We loved every minute!

Photography: a guy + a girl photography | Dress: Vera Wang | Necklace: Dannijo | Catering: Apogee Catering | Makeup: Sally Duvall | Hair: Shampoo Avenue B

New York City and classic weddings go hand-in-hand. And there’s something about the city hussle paired with Cinderella elegance that this brilliant wedding embodies. With seriously amazing florals from Metro Flowers Of Great Neck to the bride’s Marchesa Couture ballgown, we’re saying you can’t miss a moment! Combine the images from Captured Photography By Jenny with the highlight film from Moho Creative and we have a show-stopper at The Pierre on our hands!

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From Captured Photography By Jenny… Randall & Natalie decided to have their wedding at The Pierre in New York City. The day was filled with Israeli traditions, chic details and dancing.

Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny | Videographer: Moho Creative | Floral Design: Metro Flowers Of Great Neck | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Band: Carnegie Hill For Element Music | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Wedding Venue: The Pierre

Have I mentioned just how much I love a good inspiration session?  How I fall head over heels for the gorgeous details and breathtaking settings?  And this crazy cool bundle of e-session inspiration from Jose Rolon?  It’s climbed high atop my list of faves with stunning florals from Rountree Flowers, fab paper goods from Katie Fischer Design and some serious awesome captured by Chellise Michael.  See it here.

As New Yorkers, we often forget we’re truly a water city and an island surrounded by it!  Only recently has the city taken advantage of this wonder by building new piers and expanding the length of The Hudson River Park, creating worlds making you feel like you’re miles away from the hustle and bustle. With a miniature golf course, volleyball court, a steamboat tender, Pier 25 (currently the longest pier in New York City) serves the perfect setting for an engagement shoot with real life crazy-in-love couple, Will & Fernando!  Serving as a backdrop is the the newly completed exterior of One World Trade which was bonus everywhere we went!  With a couple props and recruiting a few the most talked about folks in the industry, including the ridiculously talented Chellise Michael Photography, this inspiration became the real deal.

From Jose Rolon… Living in Tribeca, my family and I take many walks to Pier 25, whether it’s early in the morning with our dog or to catch a sunset at the end of a hard day. On some of these walks I started to think of how there’s been an interesting shift in our industry where engagement shoots are no longer a luxury item, but almost common place as you would have wedding photos or proposals themselves. Although there are a couple exceptions here (what’s a couch doing in the middle of a volleyball court?), my goal with this shoot is to encourage a more organic approach. To genuinely allow couples to be themselves in their own environment as opposed to being in a studio or forcing yourselves to drive Upstate to find an empty field of tall grass (unless you live there, of course). Even with all the natural settings, scoring a fun loving couple, and Chellise Michael Photography providing her undeniable skills, it didn’t hold us back from bringing in some of our industry friends to help heighten your senses!

Uniquely custom made invites by Katie Fischer Design, lush bold dahlias, safflowers, and Milva roses by Rountree Flowers, playfully written delectable treats by Swallow My Words, and sexy furniture provided by Patina Vintage Rentals!

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Photographer: Chellise Michael | Wedding Planner: Jose Rolon | Floral: Rountree Flowers | Invitations: Katie Fischer Design | Edibles: Swallow My Words | Furniture: Patina Vintage Rentals | Menswear: Bonobos | Engagement Ring: Jelena Behrend Studio | Extra Decor: CB2 | Shoes: Cole Haan | Boat: The Lilac | Pier 25: Hudson River Park

E-sessions like this make me happy.  And not just because these two are seriously adorable (they sooo are) or because their vintage chic theme is beyond awesome (it sooo is).  No, this shoot is more than that.  It’s two people so in love that even Hurricane Sandy couldn’t stand in their way.  And how amazing is that?!? See it all captured by Everest Road Photography right here.

From Everest Road Photography… Lyndsey and Derek are two people who love and live deeply. When deciding on engagement photos, they wanted to do a vintage-style shoot at Coney Island where they got engaged. Then Hurricane Sandy hit the coastline and I assumed the plans would be reconsidered, but they weren’t. A month after the storm, on a beach still wearing signs of its devastation, and in weather much too cold for frolicking in the sand, we did the shoot at Coney Island and somehow it was wonderful. It was beautiful to see their resolve and how they refused to let circumstances dictate their dreams, a sentiment echoed around the city in the weeks following the storm. It was uplifting to see the genuineness of their smiles, and to watch them find joy in each moment, especially the ones they spent together.

Photography: Everest Road Photography | Hair: Lizzy Weinberg at Pimps and Pinups | Groom's Attire: Urban Outfitters | Bride's Attire: Asos | Sunglasses: Tory Burch

I would say this wedding from Alicia Swedenborg is my dream wedding re-do, but I don’t think that’s quite enough. I think the wedding, complete with the cool, neutral color palette, beautiful NYC skyline views, and gaggle of adorable kids is what I want my life to be like. I would absolutely pack up and move right into this wedding, because it’s just SO beautiful!

From the stunning bride… Our story began in California nine years ago, when Randall moved from New York to attend Graduate school at UCSF/ UC Berkeley. We met a year into his program, but it wasn’t until four years later that our friendship grew and love blossomed. Fast forward a few years… Randall graduated and began working in NYC while Fatima stayed West. Thus began our long distance relationship and endless days and nights shared on Google Video. For our three year anniversary we spent a glorious few days in Napa Valley Wine Country. After a tour and tasting (a.k.a. liquid courage) at the beautiful Castello di Amorosa Winery, Randall led Fatima to the Royal Dining Hall to “take more pictures.” It was here that he surprised her with the anniversary gift he was preparing for months – his proposal. After more than a year of living nearly 3000 miles apart, Fatima moved to the East Coast to join Randall and say “I do.”

We felt the wedding was an opportunity to celebrate our love and, as one of our first major endeavors as we entered into marriage (as a team we needed to plan, negotiate, budget), it was also a chance to also strengthen our relationship. With that said what we most wanted was for our family and friends to be able to have fun and share in our love for each other so we focused on creating a meaningful ceremony. Our wedding procession marched in to a rewritten version of “Hey Ho” by the Lumineers and we wrote heartfelt vows to each other.

We also had two amazingly talented vendors: Alicia Swedenborg as our photographer and Love Note Cinema for our Film Maker. The exceptional artistry of their work is only exceeded by their kind, generous, and fun personalities. We love what they created for us and, most of all, that they were able to capture all the emotion of our wedding day.

We also wanted to be able to reuse as much as we could after the wedding so we purchased candles, frames, and décor from home stores that we could use to later furnish our apartment. Randall picked out a pale grey suit from Zara that he could wear again for formal events and as well as separately for casual occasions. We wanted the kids in our wedding party to be comfortable (we happened to have our wedding on one of the hottest weekends of the year), so we chose white cotton dresses for the girls and gave the boys different shorts and button-up shirt options to choose from.

The wedding also allowed Fatima to fully embrace her inner DIY! A few of her favorite DIYs included: sewing lace detailing and creating rose-shaped buttons for her portrait-backed wedding dress; hand crafting invitations with linen and the logo Randall designed; and arranging flowers with Randall from the NYC flower market. Working together as partners on nearly every aspect of the wedding challenged us in this labor of love and helped to make our wedding day truly a fruitful and unforgettable experience. We hope you enjoy seeing a bit of it here!

Photography: Alicia Swedenborg | Videography: Love Note Cinema | Gown: Camille La Vie | Ring: Sylvie Collection | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Hair: Drybar | Dj: AVC Music | Venue: Giando On The Water | Grooms Suit + Shoes: Zara | Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse

Modern meets awesome in this gorgeous Tribeca 360 affair and, let me tell you loves, it’s awesome.  From the chic black and white color palette to the jaw-dropping views to a bride and groom who know a thing or two about throwing an amazing wedding, it’s the kind of day that makes you want to party the night away.  Thank you, Brian Dorsey.  Thank you. Click here for more.

From the Bride… Since neither of us are from NY, yet we both consider it our home, there was no question that we would plan our June wedding in this great city. Our guest list included friends from all over the world; Georgia, the UK, California, Honk Kong, Kenya and even as far as Singapore, so we wanted to host a New York inspired evening – modern, chic, and sophisticated.

We chose black and white as our colors to keep with the black tie dress code. The groomsmen were dressed in matching Hugo Boss tuxedos and ties, while the bridesmaids each selected her own floor length black gown. Our interfaith ceremony included traditions from Judaism and Christianity, but Mark’s favorite part was the breaking of the glass. I completed a family tradition as we said our “I do’s” under our family Chuppa, under which my three siblings were all previously married.

The tables were adorned with varying white flower arrangements, playing with textures, dimensions and heights, beautifully executed and perfectly matching my vision. Each guest was assigned a neighborhood of Manhattan for their table and the area was highlighted on a chic map of Manhattan. Unquestionably, the most talked about aspect of our wedding were the “Who’s Who” booklets found at the place settings. Each guest was listed with details about their relationship to us, as well as an interesting fact. This was the perfect ice breaker for our tables of mixed friends.

Being the foodies we are, this was a huge focus for the night and our guests certainly left full! After midnight snacks of mini Ruben sliders, pigs in a blanket, and lobster mac, we ended the night sweetly with a candy bar, each of the candy’s representing something specific to Mark and me. Our delicious cake was topped with personalized Princess Peach and Toad figurines (an inside joke), dressed in a wedding gown and tuxedo.

Despite the unusually hot 95 degree weather in June, the day went off perfectly thanks to all of our vendors and having our closest friends and family with us to celebrate.

Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios | Florist: Cornucopia Flowers | Dress: Peter Langner | Cake: Audrey's Fine Baked Goods | Reception Venue: Tribeca Rooftop | Lighting: Frost Productions | Band: Element Music | Hair + Make-up: Once Upon A Bride

Now THIS, loves, is exactly how you do an elopement: with a crazy awesome city hall wedding followed by a cross-country tour of the United States.  I’m talking a month-long celebration of “I do” kicked off by the sweetest of ceremonies and a romp through NYC, all captured by Cassi Claire.  See every last smile-inducing moment right here.

From Cassi Claire… Weddings come in all different shapes and sizes, and for Lorna and Andrew their wedding came in the form of a one-month adventure across the US! Having been together for more than nine years, they decided to celebrate by hopping across the ocean from Scotland into the hustle and bustle of NYC. After officially tying the knot at city hall, their honeymoon consisted of a whirlwind trip across the US to New Orleans, Texas, the Grand Canyon, California, Boston, and more!

From the Bride… Andrew and I got engaged on my 30th birthday in Barcelona, while on holiday. We had been together for nine years, so although I was surprised at the time, it wasn’t entirely unexpected and most people reacted with a “finally!”

I started to look at venues and dresses, and actually bought a wedding dress, but I felt my heart was never really in it. I never really had an ideal wedding plan and although I had enjoyed my friends weddings; I never really felt the need to replicate it. However we ploughed on, even visiting venues and planning menus but without any real commitment.

As time went on, the idea of a small wedding and a big holiday (we love travel!) seemed more and more appealing. Then we discovered it is actually quite difficult to have a small wedding! It’s hard to cut people out when you have such great friends. So, inspired by someone else who eloped, we thought, why not? New York City seemed ideal – it’s the place you always see in movies – and it did not disappoint!

What a day we had – and made all the more special by our fantastic photographer. I won’t lie the day was a bit stressful… it was hot, we had to change hotels that morning, and my hairdresser didn’t speak English. Nevermind that Andrew forgot my wedding ring for our ceremony! But I would not have changed it for the world. We live in the biggest city Scotland has to offer and we love the city-scape!

After our elopement, we embarked on a whistle stop tour of what is an amazing and awesome country! From NYC we headed to New Orleans followed by Austin, TX. We road tripped from Austin to Vegas – we made a stop in Albuquerque for some Breaking Bad sight seeing and even flew over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter!

After Vegas we drove to the Yosemite National Park and stayed in a great little village called Grovesland with the oldest Saloon Bar in the country apparently! And of course, we couldn’t come to California without a wine tasting! A few great days in San Francisco ended our tour of CA, but we dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean one last time before we left for Boston. A red eye flight and an hour of sleep later we were at Fenway Park watching the Red Sox (well done on the World Series!) with friends. Our last day we had a traditional American diner breakfast. It is a trip we will never forget. Thank you USA for being a great host!

Photography: Cassi Claire | Floral Design: Flowers In The Window | Dress: Monsoon | Ceremony: NYC City Hall

Fall may still be months away, but that doesn’t mean I can’t spend my Tuesday soaking in my favorite season.  And thanks to the always amazing Ulysses Photography and one seriously gorgeous Garrison wedding, I’m doing just that.  The soft hues, the classic meets elegant vibe, the breathtaking scenery… fall can’t come soon enough.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… After Mark’s beautiful proposal, we shared a quiet sunset together while enjoying our glasses of champagne. We knew we wanted to relive the tranquility and warmth of that moment on our wedding day and so our pursuit for the perfect venue began. We wanted a venue that would give us and our guests a breathtaking, uninhibited view of that same beautiful sunset and we eventually found it at The Garrison.

The Garrison possesses an organic yet modern elegance; it couldn’t have been more perfect for the timeless and romantic feel we were going for. We kept the colors soft – blush pink, ivory, silver – and loved the vintage feel of metallic so mercury glass (and quite a bit of it!) was infused throughout the décor. Votives added so much warmth and with the ceiling-to-floor windows in the ballroom and cocktail room, you would almost forget you were indoors.

Because our wedding was in the fall, we wanted to incorporate aspects of the fall into our décor while keeping with the soft blush colors we loved. We decided to use silver painted mini pumpkins to display our leaf shaped escort cards and off-white pumpkins and gourds from a farm in Mark’s hometown were brought in to decorate focal points in the reception. It was important to personalize as much as we could and we did so by making all of our display signs, escort cards, and ceremony programs. We also had framed pictures and handwritten letters displayed throughout the reception for that added personal touch. We wanted our guests to feel like they were at our home and as much as our wedding was about us, we wanted to show our guests it was just as much about them, too.

Our wedding day wouldn’t have been possible without the support and help from our family, bridal party, and exceptional vendors. Vendors in particular included Sara from Floral Fantasies who captured our vision with her beautifully prepared centerpieces and bridal bouquets. Annie, the event coordinator we worked with at The Garrison was our rock; her dedication, professionalism, and expertise kept us pulled together throughout the different planning stages and flawlessly orchestrated the events of our wedding day. And as beautiful as the day was, it would have all been lost to memory if it weren’t for our incredibly talented photographers, Ulysses and Jenni. They not only allowed us to relive special moments Mark and I shared, but also allowed us to experience the unique moments shared amongst our guests that we missed. You are as great as the company you keep and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to the successful planning of your dream wedding.

To all future brides, congratulations on your engagement and merry planning!

Photography: Ulysses Photography | Floral Design: Floral Fantasies By Sara | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: The Pastry Garden | Invitations: Papyrus | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair: Sydney Madison Salon | Favors: Moochie's Macarons | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Bridesmaids Gifts: Niquea.D | Location: The Garrison | Music: A Perfect Blend Entertainment

If there were any reason for me to move to Brooklyn, it’d be to share the same area code as A Lovely Universe. And lovely sums it up perfectly as there isn’t a single thing that doesn’t make me buckle at the knees. As if it can get any better, the sweet shop owner has agreed to answer some of our burning questions about business ownership, and all things style. Captured by Rima Brindamour, there’s more right here.

SMP: Tell us a little about A Lovely Universe!
A Lovely Universe is a lifestyle shop in the heart of Boerum Hill, Brooklyn located right off of busy Atlantic Avenue on cozy Bond Street. Inside the shop, you can find little treasures such as vintage inspired women’s clothing, accessories, little handpicked gifts and paper goods. I opened the doors this past September after dreaming of owning a shop since I was a little girl. When I quit my fashion job at the beginning of 2013, I made a promise to myself that I would follow my passion and open up a shop by the time I turned 25 which is exactly what I did!

SMP: What’s it like to run your own shop?
Running the store is hectic, magical and inspiring. Even seven months in, A Lovely Universe has evolved and has totally taken on it’s own little sweet life. Every day is different and anyone in retail will tell you that there are certainly ups and downs. But truly, each day I wake up and feel excited to get to the store to see what the day has in store. I never know who I will meet, what the neighborhood will be up to or what new designer I will come across that I just need to carry in the store. It’s safe to say I wear every single hat possible and make it my mission to see that everything runs smoothly on a daily basis.

SMP: Any tips for someone hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Understand marketing and PR very well. Be fluent in social media, have a subtle interest in psychology (seriously!) and have a passion for meeting new people. Work in retail and ask a ton of questions to those who own small businesses. Go to trade shows, understand trends and learn the industry language so you know what will be in store for you. Even if you aren’t necessarily ready to open your own brick & mortar location, start small and do what you can to make your goal a success. Be focused on what it is your brand will be and understand who your customer is. Be patient but pro-active, learn to multi-task like crazy and go for it

SMP: What’s your secret to success?
I’m not sure I have any secrets to success but a good rule to follow is to realize that there is no such thing as luck! Nine times out of ten, you have to go after whatever it is you want yourself. Don’t wait around for something perfect to just fall into your lap without any true work or planning. If you have an idea, research it and pursue it honestly and wholeheartedly… the success will eventually follow in one way or another. Also – embrace the mistakes. Just never make them twice!

SMP: One thing you’d tell someone who’s about to start their own business?
Do your homework and make sure that it’s something that you love and can handle thinking about/working on 24/7. Just like in any career, you have to be sure that your personality is a good fit for it. Not everyone can be everything! Starting your own business takes a lot of guts, patience and hard work. Make sure your ducks are all in a row (especially financially) and that you’re focused. But other than that – life is too short to worry too hard. If it’s in your heart, then pursue it!

SMP: What do you look for when sourcing items for your shop?
As I’ve grown to get to know my customer, I definitely buy according to what I feel they would fall in love with. Everything that comes into this store needs to not only make sense aesthetically and be consistent with A Lovely Universe’s overall feel, but it has to just make sense in general!

When shoppers come into my store, I hope that they feel it’s a nice little pretty escape from busy city life. Everything in the shop is not overwhelmingly trendy, can be worn from season to season, day to night and nothing is priced higher than $100. I love the idea that someone can stop in & pick up a pretty dress for a date night, a hand made birthday card for their best friend, a candle for their bedroom and a beautiful statement necklace, all without feeling guilty for spending too much on something they won’t use. I make sure that everything I source, especially clothing, can easily flow into someone’s sense of style, making them feel like an even better version of who they already are.

SMP: 5 things every style savvy woman should own
1. A classic brown leather bag, either in tote form or cross body
2. A great collection of comfortable & pretty dresses and blouses that can take you from day to night.
3. The perfect pair of jeans
4. Comfortable and classic leather booties
5. A red lip!

Photography: Brindamour Photography | Shop: A Lovely Universe

To say I “like” this wedding is probably the understatement of the year. It’s a head over heels, let’s grow old together love affair and it has everything to do with Mademoiselle Fiona and Daughter Of Design. These two joined forces for one wildly romantic Lower East Side  “I do” and there’s soooo much more sitting right here.

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From the Bride… Looking back, I’m so grateful that we started our life together with this special event.

Jon and I started off our wedding day by roaming the streets of the city, taking photos and tip toeing around yesterday’s fallen snow. Luckily, the weather cleared that morning and we enjoyed our time together under some much welcome sunshine.

I felt most nervous while waiting in a cupcake shop across the street from the ceremony. Thankfully my mom provided all the support I needed. She fixed my hair, adjusted my veil and assured me everything would be okay.

After a holy ceremony at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, all our guests strolled through the streets of Nolita to the Bowery Hotel, only a few blocks away. Kaylin Clinton and her band crooned jazz to start the evening. Then we kicked off our shoes and danced to 90’s beats that Jon and I picked out together, Toward the end of the night, Jon swept me away when he serenaded me with a mesmerizing trumpet solo (he secretly took lessons so he could give me the surprise of my life!). Hearing the notes of “Moonlight Serenade” float through the candlelit room capped off a hard to believe evening.

In the weeks leading up to the wedding, I found this beautiful perfume to wear just for the day. I use it sparingly, but when I do, I am transported back to that day.

Photography: Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography | Videographer: Kiss The Bride Films | Planner: Daughter of Design | Florist: Fox Fodder Farm | Wedding Dress: Delphine Manivet | Cake: Chikalicious Cupcakes | Ceremony Venue: St Patricks Old Cathedral | Reception Venue: The Bowery Hotel | Make Up: Eun Jung Kim | Hair: Styles On B | Calligraphy: Tara Jones Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: Burberry | Transportation: Brilliant Transportation Ltd | Reception Band: Blue Opal Jazz | Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd

As much as I love an elaborate date with my honey, my favorites are always those laid-back days of frolicking around town, holding hands and talking over coffee.  A day that is exactly like this cozy e-sesh captured beautifully by Caroline Frost Photography.  It’s a simple look at love in its purest form with one of the most adorable duos you will ever see.  Get lost in the full gallery.

From Caroline Frost Photography… Tyler and Bailee met and fell in love their freshman year of college. Not too long after, Tyler staged an elaborate proposal that involved a rabbit trail of clues all the way from Ohio to Colorado where he proposed. Never have I had a couple so easy to photograph because their love for each other cannot be contained. They wanted their engagement session to be in NYC where they are to start their married lives together.

Photography: Caroline Frost Photography

Truth be told, I’m a sucker for rich, romantic hues and ultra-luxe styling. And when it’s in the context of a modern day Marie Antoinette shoot? You better believe I’ll be swooning from beginning to end. Held at Brooklyn’s 501 Union and captured by Katie Osgood, the gorgeous full gallery is the best place to get the pinning party started.

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Inspired by the rich hues and decadent scenes of Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antoinette, we decided to produce our own modern day version of the Queen celebrating with her ladies in waiting. The luxe finishes housed at 501 Union in Brooklyn, New York proved to be the perfect Versailles backdrop for our December 11th winter shoot. Gabriella Bridal in Manhattan provided beautiful gowns for the shoot.

Sugared fruit, purchased from Chelsea Market, Nova Perfume and lots of trinkets from our Brooklyn homes made for a luxe stylized setting. Since we love to craft at Starling on Bond we decided to make sparkless sparklers on set by using tinsel, chop sticks and floral wire, which proved to be a festive yet easy to assemble prop. With the modeling assistance of a few close friends, the day of dress up ended with laughter and champagne toasts.

Photography: Katie Osgood Photography | Floral Design: Starling On Bond | Cake: Cheryl Kleinman Cakes | Stationary: Starling On Bond | Make-up: Celeste Loft | Hair: Styles On B | Venue: 501 Union | Gowns: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon | Perfume: NOVA | Props: Starling On Bond | Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals

You know what I love more than an intimate NYC wedding?  An intimate NYC wedding in the middle of winter.  One that has a breathtaking ceremony amongst a gorgeous backdrop of trees and a beautiful reception held at the New Leaf Restaurant.  It’s perfection, lovelies.  See it all captured by Michelle Lange in the full gallery.

From the Bride… My husband and I are based in New York and wanted our wedding to feel like an amazing, relaxed party with all our favorite people. John is from Ireland and I am from Australia so our nearest and dearest are scattered all over the place. Some of our best friends and family had never met, so we wanted to keep the event casual and intimate knowing that the personalities of the mostly Irish and Australian crowd would provide plenty of gaiety once they all met.

Our ideal location was going to be somewhere in New York City that felt organic and mellow, but easy to access. We were so lucky to find the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar in Fort Tryon Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It had beautiful gardens and views. The restaurant, in a stunning stone cabin, with some of the best food in New York was the perfect size to fit our 57 guests. We were married in late March and this winter was brutally long so the trees were bare and the sky gray, but our brilliant photographer Michelle Lange made it look like a wonderland with beautiful muted greens, purples and pinks.

In a fit of DIY-craziness I decided to hand embroider the initials of our guests on handkerchiefs. I love to sew, but after completing about half the guests, I was perhaps not as enthusiastic as I had been at the outset!

My favorite part of the day was John’s speech. John is typically pretty reserved, but to have him stand up in front of everyone and talk about how he fell in love with me and even quote my favorite poems and books was something I still tear up thinking about. He does have a wicked sense of humor, so it did start off with a joke about how it was not a sham marriage for a green card. Otherwise, seeing everyone we love so dearly in one place singing, dancing and chatting away was extraordinary and in fact, the only two single people at the wedding who met that night have been dating ever since, so love was undoubtedly in the air.

Photography: Michelle Lange Photography | Floral Design: Kate Woodhouse | Wedding Dress: RK Bridal | Cake: A Simple Cake | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Makeup: Nicole Sievers Makeup Artistry | Hair: Styles On B | Wedding Venue: New Leaf Restaurant | Second Photographer: Cassidy Parker Smith