New York Weddings

Inspiration is like my coffee, my fuel. It gives me energy to tackle my day in the prettiest of ways, so when I came across this beauty of a shoot at one of my favorite venues, The Foundry, I just knew it would be like a double shot to my morning inspiration-fest. And boy was I right. It was dreamt up by one fabulous team – with florals from Mimosa Floral Design Studio, invitations from Foxy & Winston, delicious desserts from Cake & Co and Fatty Sundays & Co, – and then all snapped up by the seriously lovely Kate of Kate Ignatowski Photography. So it’s safe to say, this is one fabulous start to the day. See it all here.

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I LOVE  The Foundry in Long Island City! Our team was inspired by its 19th century history, so we kept the style soft and romantic with vintage decor and soft colors. We focused on creating unique inspiration in all areas of the shoot, from the tablescapes to the dresses and hair styles. 

We chose three dresses, starting with the long slim deco inspired, strapless dress with a center front bodice detail of satin covered buttons. The daisy pattern raschel all over lace, has blossom embroidery, and the soft A-line skirt had a slight train. The second dress was a tea length, strapless dress of silk satin-faced organza. The neckline and hem are trimmed with flower theme lace galloon trim to create a romantic effect. Perfect for a Sunny Spring Garden wedding. The final look was a dramatic, full-length ballerina skirt of Tulle over silk taffeta. When worn with the Lucienne jacket, it creates a handsome tailored look.

The bride’s hair styles start with a sweet side pony, wrapped in a braid; followed by a side braided bun, draping the hair over her ears (known as the grandma bun); and finally she wears her hair down in messy, carefree waves.

The invitation suite was crafted via Letterpress, using Cranes Lettra, Cotton Rag, Lord Byron, Gold and Teal Ink.

The décor includes a Pistachio Velvet Mid Century Arm Chair with tufted detail, “depression” glass for the teal and pink mini cake stands, books from the early 1900s, milk glass candlestick holders, miniature champagne coupes, assorted apothecary bottles, silver cake platters and vintage mismatched micro floral china.

We chose two table settings. Starting with the first beautiful and economic tablescape, we used a combination of vintage glass bottles, milk glass and mercury glass and filled them with an assortment of soft colored blooms. Predominately cream extra large ranunculus, with accents of antique plum ranunculus, tea roses, sahara rose and vendela roses. Heather, jasmine vine, dusty miller and seeded eucalyptus are added in for texture. To tie the flowers in with the invitation we decided to add Queen Anne’s lace which matches the peacocks tail perfectly. We decided a delicate nod to the peacock was better than peacock feathers. The combination and containers give you the ultimate vintage, romantic and antique style.

The second tablescape was set asymmetrically with the crystal candelabra placed at one end instead of dead center. This adds a sense of drama to the table. A small arrangement was placed at the top of the candelabra and a traditional low pedestal centerpiece in a vintage mercury glass vase included more of the same luscious blooms as above: large cream ranunculus, white ranunculus, antique plum ranunculus, sahara roses, vendela roses, tea roses, heather, Queen Anne’s lace, seeded eucalyptus, dusty miller and Swarovski crystals for just a touch of sparkle and sense of royalty.

The traditional hand-tied bouquet used many of the same floral elements, with the addition of an antique rhinestone brooch. Stems are wrapped in ivory satin and finished with dramatic long lace trim.

The dessert table was decorated with a large cream vendela rose display, and vintage bottles were nestled in as well to tie everything together. The cake was accented with pearls, blush flowers, ruffles and a diamond cuff band to tie into the colors and style of the shoot. The naturally flavored, chocolate covered pretzels were laid out as an additional dessert and shown packaged as a wedding favor for guests. The flavors included in the shoot were: Berry Granola and Custom Colored White Chocolate Sprinkle.

We are really excited to share this lovely romantic wedding inspiration shoot at The Foundry in Long Island City.[dotted]

Photography: Kate Ignatowski Photography | Location: The Foundry |  Florals + Chalkboard Design: Mimosa Floral Design Studio | Set Design: Gina Lynn Powell, Event Planner | Invitation Suite: Foxy & Winston | Decor: Little Vintage Rentals | Cake: Cake & Co | Desserts + Favors: Fatty Sundays & Co | Mice Figurines: R.John Wright | Wedding Dresses: Fancy Bridal NY | Make-up: Jonny Polizzi | Hair: Andy Tseng | Model: Nicole Claase

I adore Lindsay from Readyluck, and if you don’t know why yet, you’re about to find out. Beyond the amazing (really, amazing Lindsay) photographs she takes at every single event she captures, she is just the sweetest, which this bride can, and did, attest to. When you’re marrying the love of your life, you shouldn’t have to worry about a single thing. Lindsay makes sure of that, all the while capturing memories in the best way possible.

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From the beautiful bride… Neither of us is from New York City, but it is our home together so we didn’t want to get married anywhere else. The Farm Museum was the first and only venue we visited. We wanted something cozy, friendly, and outdoors, and loved the concept of a farm wedding in the city (it is the only working farm in NYC). We are both animal lovers, which made the Farm an appealing choice. (All of our guests loved hanging out with the alpacas.) Plus, our first apartment together was in Queens, so the borough holds a special place in our hearts. Our family and friends were gracious enough to travel here, so we created a New York experience for them spanning the entire Labor Day weekend and several boroughs, including a Yankees/Orioles game and Welcome Party at Doug’s office the night before the wedding. The wedding goes by so quickly, so I’m glad that we had the extra time over the weekend to spend with them.

We had lots of inspiration since we were lucky enough to have been invited by our friends and family to some amazing weddings over the years. We picked out the things that that we liked from these weddings and melded them together in a way that suited us. We incorporated some traditional things into the day, like toasts and a first dance, and chose to ignore others, like a wedding party and a cake cutting.

It was important to us that our guests have a great time and feel loved, especially since many of them had traveled to be with us that weekend. So we wanted a fun, casual atmosphere. We started serving drinks before the ceremony and walked around and chatted with our guests. This helped calm our nerves as well as create a relaxed atmosphere. Since I wanted to spend the entire night dancing, we went right into a dance set after our first dance (a wonderful suggestion from our DJ) rather than waiting until after dinner. We were doing a “soul train” line before the buffet even opened and it was magical.

Doug and I wanted everything to reflect our personalities, so we brought in elements from our respective hometowns (Baltimore, Maryland and Coventry, Rhode Island). We served Utz potato chips before the ceremony and had several cases of Natty Boh and Naragansett beer on hand. Our dogs are a huge part of our lives, but they weren’t allowed at the Farm, so we incorporated them in other ways. We used their images in the Invitations and on the custom pint glasses (which Doug designed) that we gave away as favors. We also included them in our “First Look” photos, which were done near the hotel before we hopped on the yellow school bus that took us, as well as our guests, to the Farm.

My mother grew most of the flowers that we used to decorate the reception. She spent the year before the wedding collecting vases, pots, etc. at antique stores and Goodwills. The rest of the flowers, including the flowers for my bouquet and Doug’s boutonniere were picked on the Farm the day of the wedding. (Jeanne, my mother’s best friend, made the most beautiful bouquet for me hours before the ceremony, as well as Doug’s boutonniere.) My mother and an amazing group of people, including a family friend, my aunt and my best friend’s mother, spent the day decorating the barn for the reception. Doug and a group of our friends set up the outdoor lighting and decorations. At the end of the reception, my mother gave away the table decorations to our guests.

The few minutes that Doug and I had alone before the ceremony were awesome. We were standing in the barn/reception space. It was very surreal; seeing the tables set up beautifully, the late afternoon sun reflecting off the glasses and silverware. The entrance song, “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds, was just about over. We looked at each other (between sips from our cans of Natty Boh), smiled, and walked out. I thought I would be terrified walking the length of the field from the barn to the ceremony spot, but instead I was thrilled and completely happy. Our friends and family stood and clapped and cheered as we made our way to them. They were giving off so much love that it was impossible to be nervous.

We danced our First Dance to Adele’s One and Only. We danced for a few seconds by ourselves and then invited our guests onto the dance floor to join us. I will never forget the feeling created by all of those couples, and even a few trios, sharing that experience with us. The love in the room was palpable.

Lindsay was terrific. A close friend of mine hired Lindsay to photograph her wedding, which took place a few months before ours. When she emailed me the link to Lindsay’s portfolio I knew immediately that she was the right person for us too. Doug and I wanted someone who shot in a photojournalistic style and would be able capture the spirit of our event without a bunch of staged shots. I was nervous about being the subject of so many photos, but Lindsay made me feel completely at ease. I never once felt like having my photo taken was an intrusion or annoyance. She blended seamlessly with out guests and was delightful to work with. She went above the call of duty and even carried our oldest dog, along with her cameras, to the “First Look” when he decided he didn’t feel like walking.

We loved her sense of adventure and desire to try things that were outside the box. She brought a Polaroid, which resulted in some awesome and unique photos. Doug and I are creative and adventurous, so we were totally on board and appreciative.

When we saw the photos for the first time after the wedding, I was speechless. They were spectacular and perfectly captured the love and spirit of the day. I felt like I was back at the Farm surrounded by all of my favorite people. Every time I want to conjure that feeling, I have the photos as a guide.

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Photography: Lindsay of Readyluck | Dress: Jill Andrews Gowns | Venue: Queens County Farm Museum | Music: DJ Gary Hoffmann | Officiant: Roberta Koepfer | Food: A. Jeff Riley Bon Soir Caterers | Flowers: Queens County Farm

New York City has a way of making you fall head over heels in love… and not just with your soulmate, but with the city itself.  The hustle and bustle, bright lights and breathtaking landscape – it’s one of the most exciting locales in the world.  Which is why this gorgeous Alberta bride convinced her dapper beau, friends and family to fly thousands of miles to celebrate their wedding in Big Apple style.  The result?  A magical affair held at the amazing Peninsula Hotel with some of the most beautiful details you will ever lay your eyes upon.  See every last moment captured by Hazy Blur Creative in the full gallery.

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From The Bride… When my husband proposed to me in August of 2011, my mind instantly went into planning mode. The first hurdle to overcome was to convince my fiancé that we should get married in my dream location – New York City. I first visited NYC when I was 18-years-old and instantly fell in love – I always said I’d get married there but convincing my fiancé, family and friends would prove to be somewhat of a challenge. Being from a small town in Alberta, Canada, this couldn’t have been more of a shock to our families (especially my husband’s!). When most people think of destination weddings they think Hawaii or Mexico, but our idea of a perfect destination wedding was the Big Apple itself. The search for the venue was on! Many locations were out of our budget or we couldn’t meet the minimum guest requirement and then my mom mentioned The Peninsula and the fact they had a rooftop bar. I researched the hotel and was instantly in love! What’s more New York than a rooftop patio right on 5th Avenue!

Planning a destination wedding is a tough task in itself, but it’s even harder when it’s in New York City. There is no shortage of vendors to choose from, all of whom are amazing. Most of our vendors were chosen sight unseen which made for an extremely nervous bride at the best of times. The day of the wedding came and was more perfect than we could have ever imagined. I had a vision of our wedding being romantic and whimsical and our florist did an amazing job of bringing that vision, which was laid out through email, to life.

As my dad passed away seven years ago, it was extremely important that my Grandma and Aunt were both able to attend my wedding. At 83 years young, my Grandma boarded the plane and headed to one of the busiest cities on Earth. When she walked into my bridal suite the morning of my wedding, I was completely overcome with emotion. Nothing could have been more special to me than to have her with me, my dad’s mom, on the most important day of my life.

Aside from it being slightly chilly that evening (48 degrees isn’t exactly ideal for an outdoor wedding), the day went off more perfectly than I could have dreamed. I married the man of my dreams in the world’s most amazing city surrounded by our closest family and friends.

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Wedding Photography: Hazy Blur Creative | Venue + Catering: The Peninsula Hotel | Officiant: Lisa Traina | Floral Design: François Pijuan Floral Design & Event Décor | Wedding Cake: Sugar Couture | Wedding Dress: Blush Bridal & Special Occasion Wear in Vancouver | Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen  | Chairs + Chargers: Something Different Party | Bridesmaids Dresses: Allure Bridesmaids | Grooms Suit: Rob Rae Clothiers | Groomsmen Suits: Jos A. Bank | Hair: Joe at Melange Salon, Peninsula Hotel | Music: Star Talent, Inc.

There’s just something so refreshing about this wedding… something that kind of grabs ahold of your heart and never lets go.  It’s the simple sophistication of a breathtaking Finger Lakes backdrop paired perfectly with the planning expertise of Elizabeth Duncan Events and a bundle of beautiful blooms from Stacy K Floral.  It’s a mesmerizing rustic meets romantic vibe joining forces with an amazing red barn and a tented reception that will, put simply, blow your mind.  And it’s image after image of pure lovely as captured by Nessa K Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

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From Elizabeth Duncan Events… The banner over the dance floor read “Magic Surrounds,” and from beginning to end, K.C. and Aaron’s wedding was just that – magical.

K.C. and Aaron started dating in high school in Northern Virginia and over their twelve-year relationship they spent many summers at Aaron’s family lake house in Branchport, New York. K.C. also has family roots in the Finger Lakes area. The sentiment of so many memories together and undeniable beauty of the surroundings coupled with the opportunity to provide their guests with a true escape led K.C. and Aaron to their wedding celebration on Keuka Lake.

K.C. wanted to create a wedding environment for her guests that highlighted the beauty and meaningfulness of the area with a natural romance and vintage touches woven together in a sophisticated and refined look. What was created was just that and more – a relaxed and rustic lakeside escape and revival of the “modern ruins” of the historic barns on the family property.

From seasonal fruit jams made by K.C. in the welcome gifts to the farm-to-table menu paired with locally-grown and produced wines to textured floral arrangements featuring local, seasonal elements such as dahlias, thistle, blackberries, grasses and vines, K.C. and Aaron imbued their wedding celebration with as many details as possible that were homemade and highlighted the bounty of the region. K.C. also created her own custom font and hand lettered much of the printed materials and signage at the wedding.

One of the barns on the property had served as storage over the years and became the source for many creative ideas. Old washbasins became coolers for wine at the bars, beautiful fireplace mantles became the anchors for a cozy lounge by the dance floor, jam jars became the vases for the centerpieces, old farm tables were used for some of the bars and food displays, and wine crates, baskets, plates and platters added additional rustic touches.

From the perfect blue sky to the sentimental waterfront ceremony to the gracious hospitality to the sparkling send off, K.C. and Aaron’s wedding truly was filled with magic.

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Wedding Photography: Nessa K Photography | Wedding Venue: Private Residence, Branchport, New York (Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes) | Event Planning: Elizabeth Duncan Events | Floral Design: Stacy K Floral | Catering: PURE Event Catering | Invitations: Minted | Linens: Table Toppers | Wedding Dress: Lazaro | Groom’s Attire: Custom | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair: Ismail of George’s at The Four Seasons, Washington, DC | Makeup: Robyn Fazio | Tent + Rentals: Hank Parker’s | DJ: CNY Select DJs | Valet: Premier Parking Services  | Restroom Trailer: Crescent Moon

I’ve fallen in love. In just a few short minutes, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with this couple and their beautifully moving film from Rob Adams Films. It captures a day that plays out like a fairy tale. A gorgeous Bride, a dashing Groom tying the knot at none other than The Plaza Hotel while the snow falls beautifully outside. It’s a day dreams are made of, for both Brides and bloggers alike, so hit play and give yourself sometime to get lost in all the lovely today…

Running Around Me :: Annie+Chung :: The Plaza Hotel :: New York City Wedding Cinematographer from Rob Adams Films on Vimeo.

From Rob Adams… The Plaza Hotel in NYC has seen countless high-profile celebrity and dignitary weddings over the last 100 years. Annie and Chung were added to this prestigious list with their grand and opulent affair complete with a first-look just outside the second floor Terrace Room, home of their beautiful ceremony. 200+ people populated the Grand Ballroom for a glamorous reception. Annie is as gorgeous of a bride as I’ve ever seen. She has a classic beauty, is graceful, dainty and charming plus fun-loving. Chung is a dapper, young entrepreneur with a great sense-of-humor and his quick wit lightens up even the massive rooms at The Plaza. Annie and Chung’s first look is the crescendo of this film. It snowed like crazy that day so everything was shot inside The Plaza’s decadent gothic structure. The lighting was soft and subtle, the mood was glamorous, and the gifts….well they are…”whoa.” You’ll see. [dotted]

Cinematography: Rob Adams Films | Wedding Venue: The Plaza Hotel, New York City | Wedding Photography: Jana Williams Photography | Event Design: Tantawan Bloom | Event Coordination: Emily Sheifel | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Gramercy Tavern |

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Some things in life are just a given. You’ll never have to argue that the sky is blue, or that this wedding at The Bowery Hotel captured by Dave Robbins Photography is perfection. Because it’s just fact. With Ang Weddings and Events at the planning helm and floral design by Blooming Today it’s no surprise the day was perfectly pretty. It was all topped off with a buffet of cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery serving as the icing on the cake for this gorgeous day, so devouring this gallery? That should also be a given. See it here.

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From the Bride… Brian and I met through Nicole, his cousin and my best friend and matron of honor. I’m from Dallas and Brian is from Long Island, so our theme was “Texan Weds Yankee”. We incorporated Texan and New York elements to showcase our backgrounds. We first saw The Bowery Hotel while attending an after-party for the band, The Strokes after their MSG show in 2011. The second we walked into the Bowery, we both instantly fell in love with the space. It was such a unique venue and we knew that if we were going to be married in New York City, we would have to try and somehow swing the Bowery. Our puppy, Penny Lane is our family and had to be included in our special day!

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Wedding Photography: Dave Robbins Photography | Reception Venue: The Bowery Hotel | Ceremony Venue: Church of St. Joseph | Officiant: Father John McGuire | Event Planning: Ang Weddings and Events | Floral + Event Design: Blooming Today | Cupcakes: Magnolia Bakery | Invitations: Designed by friend of the Bride | Wedding Day Paperie + Favors: DIY | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale | DJ: Play Something Good | Makeup: Kim White | Sight Seeing Bus: Gray Line

I’m just going to go ahead and thank Unique Visions Studio for this one. That’s all I really can do. It’s so beautiful that all I can do is send them a big hug, kiss, and thank you. You are going to love this video more than slow Saturday mornings. And don’t worry, I already thanked Unique Visions Studio for us all.

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From the blushing bride … We met as two undergrad Business students enrolled in Theater 101 in pursuit of an easy language arts credit at Emory University. Though Matt never said a word to me for the first two months of the class despite working on group projects together, while out celebrating Halloween one night, he approached with the famous first words, “Can I get your digits?” Little did we know that some eight years later this would lead to a marriage.

The college romance eventually turned into a relationship that transported to New York City, where we both worked post college. Over the years, we grew to love many things together, namely bike racing and bulldogs. Once we brought Winnie, an adorable and spunky English Bulldog, into our lives in August of 2011 we knew that she had to play a big role in our upcoming wedding!

During two years of wedding planning, we had envisioned a casual beach wedding in the style of a destination wedding, with a weekend full of events for our guests. We began our special weekend getting married in the sand in perfect sunny weather at the Montauk Yacht Club with our close friends and family and bulldog by our side. Before the ceremony we had a great ‘first look’ session with Jason and Karen alongside our cinematographer from Unique Visions Studio who filmed the perfect casual scene along the docks of the Sound. The ceremony was intimate and casual, with vows we wrote and our bulldog Winnie acting as flower girl, escorted in her own adorned wagon and tutu.

Our friends and family came ready to party, in the first dance set before any food or toasts had begun, our guests were already dancing on the floor, doing the limbo, and trying to put Matt’s head through the ceiling during the Hora. And yet, amazingly Jason and Karen were able to catch the chaotic moment with pure joy on everyone?s faces. The rest of the night was a haze of amazing memories, which luckily we can look back on fondly for years to come.

The fun continued Saturday with a daytime beach party at Navy Beach, also in Montauk. We met with Jason and Karen beforehand to do some more casual shots along the water in a less rushed timeframe than the prior day. Bloody Mary’s and watermelon margaraitas were the drink of choice and everyone partook in a DIY cornhole we made with our faces on top while rehashing the previous evenings festivities and enjoying the perfect weather, a nice break from the tornadoes occurring in Brooklyn. The perfect wedding weekend, with the perfect friends and family sharing in our joy. We are excited to have the memories to enjoy for a lifetime!

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Photography: Jason Groupp Photography | Cinematography: Unique Visions Studio | Flowers: Pennington Flowers, Jeff Pennington | Ceremony Location: Montauk Yacht Club | Friday Reception Location: Montauk Yacht Club | Saturday Reception Location: Navy Beach | Birdcage Veil: Brides Head Revisited, NYC | Dress: Watters, Cabo | Hair & Makeup: Hannah Ho | Groom’s Suit: Custom Tailored by Zohre | Groom’s Shoes: Hush Puppies | Cuff Links: Michael C Fina | Invitations: Designed by Matt Richardson | Officiant: Paul Weiss | Music: Rob Kelley of 74events, DJ gaza | Band (Saturday): Josh Cho Hawaiian Band | Cookie Bar (Friday): Water Mill Cupcake Company | Cake (Saturday): Gurney’s Bakery | Customized Candies: Pappabubble, NYC | Cornhole with our silhouettes: made by Bride and Mothers | Winnie’s Tutu: Etsy

With a total sense of serenity and seclusion, you’d never, ever guess this gorgeous wedding was set in the center of the Bronx. Stone Mill at the New York Botanical Garden, to be exact. And while you know we’re always up  for a good city wedding, there’s something so gosh darn stunning when the urban and outdoors mix. The full gallery is where all the pretty ever-flows thanks to the captures from Brklyn View Photography. Sneak a peek right here!

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From the Bride…Paul and I had grand ideas of getting married in the Catskills or Adirondacks since we are both lovers of the outdoors but soon realized we wanted to stay closer to home. We starting checking out various parks and venues around the city, and we knew from the moment we visited the Stone Mill at the New York Botanical Garden we would be married there. I had visited the garden several times during my four years at Fordham University, which is right across the street, but I never paid much attention to the little stone building on the river. Paul loved how serene and tranquil it was even though we were still in the Bronx. We were sold and the date was booked!

Our vision for the wedding was based on the venue and its surroundings. Beautiful, rustic, and sophisticated but also warm and inviting. Our vendors understood what we wanted and I can say they all nailed it. We really let them take what we wanted and run with it. While I am pretty Type A about most things in life my wedding was the one time that I kind of let go and just rolled with the punches, we trusted the people we chose to work with and it really paid off.

I am happy we went with a laid back approach because it was nice being surprised by some of the little details that the vendors were given creative license with on our wedding day. We had a small guest list which was perfect for us and for the space. It really gave us time to connect with everyone during the cocktail hour and reception. I suggest that you just enjoy your day, in the end you will be married to the person you love the most, even if they show up 45 minutes late for your first look….

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Photography: Brklyn View Photography | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Stone Mill at New York Botanical Garden | Floral Design: Surrounding Flowers and Events (Diane Wagner events@surroundingsflowers.com) | DJ: Scratch Wedding | Hair + Makeup: Sissi Chan |  Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Kleinfeld | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini | Bridesmaids Dresses: Little Borrowed Dress | Groom + Groomsmen Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Can you even imagine getting married at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden? The minute I send my head down that road of imagining that scenario, I end up in a tizzy of excitement. It would be like a sensory overload in the best possible way, where your ceremony space basically decorates itself. A dream come true, dare I say. And that dream came true and then some for this gorgeous Bride on her biggest of days. And it.was.stunning. Lucky for us, Sara Wight Photography captured every gorgeous moment, and you can see them all right here.

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From Sara… A New York native, Caroline had always dreamed of getting married at the Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. When Luke proposed, they booked the venue immediately. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the foliage more beautiful for their outdoor garden ceremony performed by Rev. Timothy Morehouse, an Episcopal priest. Vibrant flowers decorated the solarium and patio outside. They also incorporated unique “New York” elements into the elegant decor, such as a Brooklyn Bridge stamp for their guest book. Rob Kelley of 74 Events kept the guests dancing well into the night.

From the Bride… We’re pretty dedicated Brooklynites, so the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and its Palm House conservatory made a perfect setting for our late afternoon wedding in the early fall. The gardens were gems, still blooming with flowers. Our ceremony was celebrated under a spectacular old weeping willow, whose branches swirled and rustled in the evening breeze as we said our vows.

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Wedding Photography: Sara Wight Photography | Ceremony Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Reception Venue: Palm House | Floral Design: Seaport Flowers | Catering + Wedding Cake: Charles Sally Charles, Exclusive Caterer at The Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Entertainment: Rob Kelley from 74 Events | Wedding Dress: Cymbeline | Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade | Invitations + Paper Suite: Bella Figura |Groom’s Attire: Brioni

Have I mentioned that I love rainy days?  Because I do.  I love them with a serious, serious passion… and I adore them even more so when they are wrapped up in a glamorous engagement session like this one captured ever-so-beautifully by Lindsay Madden Photography.  A romantic romp through Central Park, it’s a stunning duo meets one crazy gorgeous Badgley Mischka gown meets, you guessed it, a whole lot of dancing in the rain.  See every amazing moment in the full gallery.

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From Lindsay Madden Photography… Rachel and Ryan are from Pennsylvania and traveled to New York City for their engagement session. Everyone wishes for perfect weather when it comes to an outdoor photo session. We didn’t get what we wished for. Instead, we got something better. We got an empty Central Park filled with puddles and misty skies which led to some of the most romantic images I have captured in a long time. Rachel and Ryan will be marrying each other this year at the Crossing Vineyards Winery in Pennsylvania and I can’t wait to capture their special day!

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Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Gold Sequin Dress: Badgley Mischka | Necklace: Laila Rowe

From this moment on, this sweet fête will forever define whimsical backyard weddings for me. Why you ask? Well because it’s just everything. Everything that makes me adore backyard weddings mixed with a seriously talented (and handy) couple who helped make it all come to life. And when we get to see it all come to life via the gorgeous images from Dutton + James? That’s when I’m a goner, and I will officially proclaim this wedding as a must see. Do so here. 

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From the Bride… There was never a question on where we would get married. We caretake a house on 180 acres in Upstate New York and the owner gave us his blessing on using the land, so that was a no brainer. It was so important to us to give our guests an experience. We wanted an “adult camp” vibe. We built a bar from old windows and cedar posts, had a BB gun range made from pallets and lots and lots of consumed beer bottles, a fire pit, a teepee, and lots of fireworks.

Our wedding day is a blur. The level of emotion and adrenalin on your wedding day is indescribable. Just imagine that everyone you know are there: from your childhood best friend that you haven’t seen in a decade, to your parent’s friends who have known you all your whole life, plus your family, friends, and coworkers. And there is so much love and energy directed your way, it’s just amazing!

Jeff and I both work in set production so we spend a lot of time building, sourcing and shopping for jobs. That came in very handy for our hodge podge aesthetic. Everything about our wedding was for us, by us, so we had creative free rein. We also had time to make it happen since we were living at the venue. We rented the tent, tables, chairs and dancefloor from Sav On Party Rental in Kingston, New York. Everything else was a mix of estate sales, thrift stores, yard sales and found objects. Our friends were very generous with their time and resources. For catering we hired Hickory BBQ Smokehouse in Kingston, New York. They were unbelievably helpful and delicious and happy to accomodate me with my provided vintage platters. The beer came from Brooklyn Brewery and Keegan Ales. Wine and Liquor from Astor Place Wines (who accept returns on unopened liquor!)

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Wedding Photography + Photo Booth: Dutton + James | Ceremony Location: Hunting Lodge near New Paltz, Upstate New York | Flowers: Wildflowers picked by our friends from the neighboring fields | Catering:  Hickory BBQ Smokehouse  | Wine + Spirits: Astor Place Wines | Beer: Brooklyn Brewery + Keegan Ales | Tent + Chairs + Tables: Sav On Party Rental | Wedding + Dress: Vintage

A proposal in Grand Central Station seems like something that only happens in the movies, but for this beautiful bride and groom, it was a very amazing, very wonderful reality.  One that was followed by applause from a happily stunned crowd of strangers, a mad dash through the rain and a night spent soaking in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” on Broadway.  Topping it all off?  Their beyond beautiful wedding planned by the always-amazing Loli Events, which was literally bursting with gorgeous details, stunning blooms from Blush Designs and love-filled moments aplenty.  See it all captured by Michael Simon in the full gallery.

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And a breathtaking film from Hello Super Studios to wrap up the day… Enjoy, lovelies.

From the Groom… Autumn in New York. Arguably the most beautiful city at its most beautiful time of year. The sights, the sounds, the smells, everything that makes New York, New York. It’s fitting that a couple from New Orleans, Louisiana, would choose New York as their destination to get married. We’ll tell you why we chose New York, but first, we want to tell you how.

It was a cold and rainy November evening in New York. Harry Connick Jr., also a native of New Orleans, was on Broadway in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” and we were blocks away, having dinner in Grand Central Station at Cipriani Dolci.

After our meal, in a very crowded Grand Central Station, I got down on one knee and asked Erin to marry me. The crowd dispersed, people began to snap pictures and point their cell phones at us. In a scene reminiscent of a Ron Howard movie, the crowd had almost formed a perfect circle around us and in the middle of Grand Central Terminal, with cameras flashing and people clapping, Erin said “yes.”

She cried, I cried, I think there may have been a baby crying too, and together, we shared a moment in New York, in a specific spot where so many memories came before us, and we made our own.

After we composed ourselves, with tears in our eyes, or maybe it was the rain, probably both, we ran a few blocks to see Harry Connick Jr. fall in love in a way that can only happen on Broadway.

Sitting there, wet, cold, yet completely in love and the happiest we’d ever been, we decided to get married in New York. Now we just needed venues.

We chose 620 Loft and Garden for our ceremony, Central Park Boathouse for our lunch and Mad 46 for cocktails and cheesecake. From the beginning, we wanted an entire day dedicated to showing off the city that we love so much. We felt that each venue was special in its own way and very much, a classic piece of New York. It was important to us to be able to revisit each location for years to come, knowing they would always be there. Having the ability to stand in our footprints years from now with our future children was something that was a big factor in our decision making process.

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Wedding Photography: Michael Simon Weddings | Ceremony Venue: 620 Loft & Garden | Reception Venue: Central Park Boathouse | Wedding Planner: Loli Events | Cinematography: Hello Super Studios | Floral Design: Blush Designs | Ceremony Musicians: Amara Strings | Cocktails: Mad46 at The Roosevelt Hotel | Vintage Cab: Checker Guy | Wedding Dress: Chloe and Reese via Wedding Belles, New Orleans | Groom’s Attire: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty

One step in Central Park and you simply know you are walking around a wonderland begging to be captured. And if you are a resident of the great city of New York, then capturing your engagement session here should be close to mandatory. And after taking a peek at all the pretty captured by  Ciro Photography, having them behind the lens should be mandatory too. See why here.

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From the couple… Out of all the times we’ve been in Central Park over the years, it seemed so different that day. There was an outdoor concert, a bunch of softball games, and hundreds of runners– but we weren’t part of any of it. We were our own unit just enjoying our time together. Rob brought me these beautiful flowers and afterwards, thanks to Rich’s suggestion, we tried an amazing waffle from the Waffle & Dinge truck parked outside of the park.

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Photography: Ciro Photography

Old school New York. A time where life was just a bit more fancy and tradition reigned supreme, and a style that is still sought after to this day. That style? It was redefined by this stunning soiree at The Essex House. Captured by the beyond talented Shawn Connell of Christian Oth Studio, every gorgeous detail now sits in a stunning set of frame-worthy images. And you can devour each one right here.

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From Christian Oth Studio… Maggie and Matthew met in 2009 at the First Annual Kentucky Derby Party sponsored by Esquire Magazine and hosted at Eleven Madison Park. Matthew popped the question at the same restaurant where they met, two years later!

The couple opted for a traditional New York-themed wedding. They wanted to capture an old-New York feel and felt as though a fall wedding would really be the perfect time to capture the true essence of the city. Maggie and Matthew decided on The Essex House as the perfect venue, located across the street from Central Park. The Beauz Arts Grand Salon boasts hand painted murals and chandeliers, which were a highlight. White flowers with gold accents adorned the room. The paper details matched the decor, all white adorned with gold. To keep the New York theme, candy apples labeled “A candy apple from the Big Apple” were provided at the end of the night, along with a snack from a traditional Nathan’s hot dog truck that the couple had parked outside of the venue for guests to enjoy.

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Wedding Photography: Shawn Connell of Christian Oth Studio | Venue: The Essex House | Event Coordination: Jason Kwintner of The Essex House | Floral Design: Chestnuts in the Tuileries | Lighting: L&M Sound and Lighting | Band- Hank Lane (The Kenny Ford Band) | Save the Date Invites: Ceci New York | Invitations, Place Cards, Paper Décor: Custom via Reed Cohen Papers & Events | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhullier | Groom’s Tuxedo: Paul Smith | Groom’s Shirt: Prada | Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Hair: Ruben Colon of Sally Hershberger Salon | Makeup: Audra DeGregorio | Bride’s Veil: Saks Fifth Avenue | Robe: Oscar de la Renta

I can remember the first time I stumbled on Caroline Yoon’s work. I can remember because I was mesmerized. I instantly fell in love with every.single.image her lens captured, and it started a full-blown love affair that will probably never end. So when she sent over this beyond gorgeous engagement session, with a Bride-to-be who’s style I want to steal, I stopped everything I was doing just so I could soak it all in. And boy was that time well spent. See why here.

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From the Bride-to-be… Our story begins like any other; all love really does.  The meeting was unexpected and from the moment John and I first met, I knew he was special and worth getting to know better.  Our first date was at the Big Apple BBQ.  It was the perfect first date, as we share a passion for food and all the best in life.  Ever since that day when we shared a rack of ribs, we have grown to love each other more and more each day and cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives together.

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Photography: Caroline Yoon Fine Art Photography

Unfussy, wide open beauty is something that seems easy enough but takes a very special mix to get right. That mix needs to be paired down to only the most beautiful elements, nothing too overdone. Think figs decorating a simple white cake, an old barn gussied up with colorful florals and photo-ops in fields with hoofed friends. This wedding shot by Christina Szczupak Photography has that equation down to a science. Martha Clara Vineyard + bright blooms by Karen Lenahan Designs = wildly good looking nuptials. Have a look for yourself right here.

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From the Bride…Lou and I really wanted to enjoy simply being engaged. We decided not to think about wedding planning until the time seemed right. We had just moved out to California together, and it took us about five months until we started to discuss planning our wedding back home, in New York. I’m really grateful that we took that time to bask in the bliss together, before turning our focus on all of the details.

When we looked at Martha Clara we knew pretty instantly that it was the right spot for us. Beautiful wide-open grounds, a charming barn and adorable animals, we couldn’t have asked for anything more. It had a very pure, free feeling to it without any unnecessary frills. The venue was completely DIY, which was awesome to us because it meant that we were able to fill it with our own personality and vibe. On the flip side of that, it was much more work and at times was difficult to organize from across the country. We couldn’t have done it without all of the help we received from our lovely family and friends, not to mention our wonderful vendors who helped pull it all together.

It was important to us to keep our day very family oriented and down to earth. One of my favorite things that we did was our photo wall. We strung up about 150 photos of our childhood memories with our families. I think it ended up being the perfect way to reflect on how blessed our lives have been. It also was a great way to honor our amazing grandparents and fathers who have passed on, and were sorely missed that day. It really made me happy to share that with our guests, and I think they felt the love, too.

The day was more than I can really put into words. There is nothing better than sharing such a special moment with the people we love, in such a enchanting environment. My best advice to those in the planning process is to simply keep in mind what’s truly important, and keep with what feels right to you. When times were stressful I would step back and think to myself, “Wow, I get to marry my best friend.” That one thought always put it all in perspective for me.

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Photography: Christina Szczupak Photography | Venue: Martha Clara Vineyard | Floral Design + Lighting: Karen Lenahan Designs | Cake, Pies, Cookies: Junda’s Bakery | Caterer: Christopher Michael | Printed Goods: Designed & Hand Stamped by bride | Stamps: Antiquaria | Paper: Paper Source | Wedding Dress: Lillen Collection | Shoes: Butter | Earrings: Yifat Bareket | Bracelet: Dragon’s Wire | Rings: Bride’s Grandmother’s | Pin on Bouquet: Dad’s High School Pin | Groom’s Suit: Joseph & Feiss | Shoes: Joseph Abboud | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jim Hjelm

Erik Ekroth is a genius.  A serious genius.  Because not only is he one super-awesome photog (he sooo is), he always, always manages to send us the sweetest of love stories, too.  Like these two cuties, who lived 1,700 miles apart (North Dakota to Oregon), met (briefly) on the city streets of Idaho and got to know each other over Facebook and long chats on the phone.  And when it came time to celebrate their nuptials, they picked a destination wedding in NYC, one of their favorite cities in the world and a place they could re-visit time and time again.  Are they adorable??  Yes, indeed.  See every last magical moment in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… I grew up in North Dakota and Marcus in Oregon. Late one Friday night, in 2005,  at the corner of 6th & Main in downtown Boise, Idaho, we met briefly and then went back to our normal lives 1,400 miles apart. But we never stopped thinking about each other– and it didn’t take long for Marcus to find me on Facebook. We started slowly getting to know each other over Facebook, texting and leaving each other 30-minute long voicemails. Pretty soon we were falling asleep together over the phone after hours and hours of just talking and getting to know each other. The distance couldn’t keep us apart for long. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

New York City was one of the first vacations we took together and we just fell in love with the energy of the city. The history, fast pace, bright lights, music, food, entertainment. It was unlike any place either of us had been before and we immediately knew we wanted to come back as often as possible. When we were trying to decide between getting married in North Dakota and Oregon, New York ended up being the perfect compromise. Our families hadn’t spent very much time together and had never been to New York. So we thought how wonderful it would be for us all to meet there and spend a week exploring all the beautiful parts of the city together.

We always wanted to get married in a special location that we could come back to 10, 20 or 50 years later (a place even our children could visit some day and see the exact spot where we got married) and our little area in Central Park turned out to be so perfect. We will never forget it.

Our wedding style was classic, timeless. One of my favorite colors is purple, so we used this as our accent color, along with black and white, throughout the wedding shown in the invitations, favors, the bouquet ribbons, bridesmaid dresses, and decorations.

The day came together perfectly. Planning a wedding while living across the country could be impossible, but we had such a wonderful team pulling it all together! I kept thinking that I should have been more stressed, but the entire wedding week was instead full of fun, excitement, family, and love. It was absolutely perfect! My favorite moments included walking through Central Park with Marcus and overlooking the city from our rooftop reception while close friends and family were able to get to know each other more. This was really a time where our families were able to meet each other and share in our love!

From the Groom… After our ceremony, I’ll never forget walking through Central Park hand-in-hand with Michelle in her wedding dress. Not only was it the brightest, happiest day in my life, but it was amazing to see the joy it brought to every one around us as well. In a big busy city, even strangers walking by stopped to watch us with huge smiles on their faces, congratulating us. It seemed like everything in the world slowed down for a moment just for the two of us.

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Wedding Photography: Erik Ekroth | Officiant: Jason Isbell | Floral Design: Lena Osorio-Gemisic | Ceremony Venue: Central Park, New York City, Cherry Hill | Reception Venue: Ink 48 Hotel – Heaven Over Hell’s Kitchen Suite | Event Design + Planning: Emily Lester | Invitations: Nicole Squires (Bride’s sister) | Cakes:  Ink 48 Hotel Print Restaurant | Musicians: Emsemble Champlain | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal | Groom’s Suit: Versace | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Hair: Lawanda Pierre | Bride’s Hair + Makeup: Claudia Nitkin (mclaudia78@aol.com) | Rings: Tacori

I’ve seen my fair share of classic soirees with just a touch of whimsy, but never before have I seen those two components blended together as seamlessly as they are in this stunning NYC affair captured by the ever-wonderful Ciro Photography.  An elegant ceremony held at the breathtaking St. Ignatius Loyola, followed by a glamorous bash at The Park Restaurant, it’s a dashing groom in striped bow tie meets a sophisticated color palette meets a bride rockin’ a Kate Spade necklace that will seriously take your breath away.  And the gorgeous florals from fLorEsta, LLC?  Amazing.  See it all in the full gallery.

And even more beautiful inspiration from the oh-so-talented Tim Alan Smith… Enjoy, lovelies.

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From the Bride… Ed and I were engaged in Kennebunkport, Maine overlooking picturesque Cape Porpoise harbor. Despite our fondness for the Maine coast, our first true love is New York City. We had both gone to college there, had lived there for the past ten years, and had met there – in Bryant Park. Without a doubt it was where we wanted to be married.

Our first task was to find the perfect Church to be married in. After spending a weekend exploring some stunning churches in Manhattan, we found ourselves blown away by St. Ignatius Loyola on E 84th and Park. The interior was beautiful beyond words and we immediately knew that this was the place we would begin the rest of our lives together.

Luckily for us, finding our venue was just as easy. I had read an article in the New York Times a few weeks earlier that suggested The Park Restaurant on W 18th and 10th Avenue. It was the first and only place we looked at! Set in the Meatpacking District, The Park provided an oasis for us and our guests with an amazing indoor garden, lots of natural light, and scene that only NYC can provide. My design style is classic (with a touch of preppy!) and I wanted to incorporate elements of both into the reception. 

Our wedding day was magical. After months of preparation all the little details came together seamlessly – from designing my girls’ clutches and necklaces, to the vintage hobnail candle holders on the tables, to the little whale belts for our nephews. We wanted a wedding that would be classic and timeless and we are so grateful to Rich Janniello of Ciro Photography for capturing it all. He did such an amazing job with us on our wedding day and the photographs speak for themselves… he is a true artist.

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Wedding Photography: Ciro Photography | Wedding Ceremony: St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City, New York | Wedding Reception: The Park Restaurant in New York City, New York | Wedding Cinematography: Tim Alan Smith | Floral Design: fLorEsta, LLC | Wedding Cake: One Girl Cookie | DJ: Jason Blends | Wedding Invitations: NMIphotocreations | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Bride’s Shoes + Necklace: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids’ Clutches: Deux Lux | Hotels: The Setai, NYC + The Soho House

I used to write Mondays off as just a dud of a day. It’s goodbye to the weekend and back to routine, but when the work week means it’s time to drool over the world’s most perfect weddings, the Monday morning outlook takes a total 180. So to start of this oh-so-happy day, we have the loveliest “I dos” on the Upper East Side. It’s the perfect blend of city views and enchanting garden with a fun pop of red thrown right into the mix. Lindsay Madden is to thank for every pin-worthy photo, and it’s a gallery you really don’t want to miss.

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From Lindsay Madden Photography…New York City is a really special place to have a wedding as it’s a place filled with so much culture, excitement & attitude. Joanne and Joshua opted to celebrate their special day at Astra right in the heart of midtown. Astra is a chic and modern venue that provides breathtaking views of the city streets below. Their ceremony took place at the lovely St. Francis de Sales which sits on the corner Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side. The Central Park Conservatory Gardens makes my heart happy and I love nothing more than using these secret gardens as a backdrop for portraits. I also loved the fact that we held bridal party and family portraits on the roof deck of Joanne & Joshua’s apartment building. So New York! Joanne & Joshua’s reception was an awesome party! Stage Floral Styling decorated the space with beautiful peach, pink and white flowers which rested in gold vases and the cocktail hour took place on the balcony 20 stories up! The atmosphere felt warm once the candles were lit and everyone partied well into the night thanks to the DJs of Expressway Music. Joanne and Joshua smiled and laughed throughout the entire day and I was lucky enough to capture their beautiful wedding!

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Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Second Shooter: B. Hull Photography | Floral Design + Lighting: Stage Floral Styling | Ceremony: St. Francis de Sales | Reception: Astra | Entertainment: Expressway Music Inc.  | Invitations: Betsy White | Cake: Lloyd’s Carrot Cake  | Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridals (Style 8856) via RK Bridal | Veil: RK Bridal | Shoes: Nina | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: After Six (Style 6613) via The Dessy Group| Hair + Make Up: DIY | Groom’s Suit: Burberry

We may be sitting on the edge of the summer season, but for all you lovelies out there planning fall fêtes, this wedding is going to be like the prettiest of planning presents. Because thanks to Ang Weddings and Events and Poppies and Posies it’s chock full of all the gorgeous details that make Brides (and us) swoon over cozy autumn affairs year after year. Hosted at The Bowery Hotel and captured by R Wagner Photography, this gallery is one seriously gorgeous place to be today. Join me there here.

Want more of this pretty party? Of course you do! And thanks to McKenzie Miller Films you get just that…

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From the Bride… When Matt and I talked about our wedding, we envisioned throwing an amazing party; a place to celebrate not only our love but also the love we have for our family and friends. The moment I walked into the Bowery Hotel I knew we had found that place and when I found out they had a date available in November 2012, we were sold. I always had wanted to get married in the Fall because of the rich colors of the season and the amazing food flavors. What was even more perfect about this date is that is was almost exactly 4 years to the date of Matt and I first meeting in NYC! I had a good idea of the look I wanted to create and used inspiration boards on Style Me Pretty and Pinterest to help narrow my vision. I also used Etsy to help find the unique details I was looking for to make the day perfect. Our entire wedding day was completely flawless and that was largely in part to the amazing vendors we had the pleasure of working with. Walking into the reception as husband and wife for the first time and seeing everyone we loved in one place was undoubtedly one of the happiest moments of our lives.

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Wedding Photography: R Wagner Photography | Wedding Cinematography: McKenzie Miller Films | Wedding Venue: The Bowery Hotel in Manhattan, New York | Event Planning: Ang Weddings and Events | Floral + Event Design: Poppies and Posies | Dessert Table: Sugar Sweet Sunshine | Music: Cello Quartet, 4 Leaf Clover, DJ Shiran + African Drummer from Orchestrations | Wedding Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studios | Calligraphy: Whoa Nelly Press | Programs: DIY | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Mark Ingram Atelier | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride’s Earrings: Lavender by Jurgita | Bride’s Shrug: Alex Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Monique Lhuillier via The Wedding Library | Hair: Roman Kusayev | Makeup: Chante Cutter