New York Weddings

If you logged on looking for something fabulous today, you’re in luck. You can thank STAK Photography for this one. It’s a brilliantly gorgeous fall wedding that is going to warm your heart and break out your biggest smile. It’s all stunning autumn colors here and happy, happy love there. Cute shoes and cakes so delish. And the best part is… it’s all right here!

From the beautiful bride … Dave began working an Israeli startup in 2010, forcing him to make three to four business trips a year. In November of 2011 he was called out again and asked me to join him there. I was fussy about the distance and taking time off from work- I had no clue he planned to propose in a place that is very special to my Jewish family and me.

It rained all week, and on the rainy second-to-last night of the trip we went out to dinner at one of the “foodiest” restaurants in Tel Aviv. After the dessert course, Dave asked me if I wanted to see the photos he’d been taking. Oblivious, I say ok and flip through the photos on his iPhone. I stop at one that I don’t recognize. He sees my confusion and asks if I want a better look- and pulls out the small box that’s pictured in the photo.

It’s a wooden box that my mother gave to him to use for this very purpose. On the lid was Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” and inside was my ring. Even though we were seated at a big, round bar and surrounded by people, no one seemed to notice us and the moment was very intimate. This was something we were both so sure of and still it was unexpected and exciting. We turned to the bartender for sparkling wine to celebrate, and the restaurant erupted with cheers of “Mazel Tov!”

The wedding colors were purple, yellow, white and silver. I love yellow as a happy wedding color and yellow autumn leaves. I loved the combo of dark purple and yellow, complimentary. And lots of birch! I remember birch trees from growing up in Latvia, and it’s such a beautiful natural texture & pattern. I tried to incorporate it where possible to make the wedding more seasonal: the invitation paper had a slight wood-grain texture and yellow birch leaves that we found in botanical drawings; the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets were wrapped with birch bark; the chuppah was simple made of birch and moss; our ketubah featured two joined birch trees; our guest place card holders were real Vermont birch branches cut in half (I hand-stamped the place cards a few days before the wedding, oy!); I found large birch-like vases that matched our ketubah and we used them on the ketubah display table; our cake had was decorated with real twigs made to look like trees; a porcelain vase painted with a birch pattern held my bouquet on our sweetheart table during dinner. Did I mention I used a lot of birch? 

Dave didn’t have many requests for the wedding, but he insisted that he shouldn’t see my in my dress until I walked down the aisle. I’m a photographer myself and I knew that meant we wouldn’t have more than an hour for our couples’ portraits during the cocktail hour between ceremony and reception. He insisted, and it meant a lot to him, so I stopped trying to change his mind. It was hard to keep details about the dress or my hair from passing his view during the planning months- but the moment he saw me come down the aisle, I realized why he wanted it that way. He got emotional and held back tears during the whole ceremony, which helped me keep it together since one of us had to smile!

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Photography: STAK Photography | Ceremony + Reception: The Roundhouse | Florist: Monica Chimes Floral | Dress: Elie Saab, Pronovias | Headpieces: Nina hair pins | Shoes: Joan & David, Kate Spade | Suit: DKNY | Hair: Feliciana Evaristo | Makeup: Meredith Hayman | Stationery: Jenuine Paper Company | Favors: L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolate

We’re having a KT Merry party today and it’s starting with this New York engagement. But it’s more than just your typical e-session. It’s a love affair captured on the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan with everything from coffee shop lounging to fancy garden strolling and through the lens of KT it’s all pure magic. Have a look at the full gallery right here and sit tight because we have a wedding coming up next that is sure to dazzle you to bits.

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Photography: KT Merry | Hair + Makeup: Antoine Brechu | Lime Dress: Topshop | Necklace: J.Crew | Lace: Monique Lhuillier via Rent the Runway  | Pink: Nicole Miller via Rent the Runway | Shoes: Aldo | Grooms wardrobe: Jeans: Saturdays | Shirt + Pants: J.Crew | Boots: Bloomingdales | Glasses: See | Blazer: H&M | Shirt: John Varvatos | Bow Tie: Zara | Boots: Topshop | Locations: Sweet Revenge + Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Erik Ekroth can do no wrong in my eyes. His eye for photography always makes me swoon, and when he is shooting a wedding like this one at The New York Botanical Garden filled to the brim with some of the most stunning florals I’ve ever laid eyes on from Surroundings Flowers – I drop everything. Because a wedding this lovely deserves some serious time to soak in every last gorgeous image, and you can do just that right here.

From the Bride… Max and I attended the same university but experienced two different sides of campus, literally. After graduation, a dear mutual friend connected us in London. This began our love story. Our relationship encompassed some long distances over the years! Los Angeles-London, London-Austria and finally New York-London. Many email exchanges were sent and long phone calls made at exact times of day. It allowed us to have a slow, old-fashioned courtship. When we got engaged in 2011 on a stunning beach in Bali, we knew our love would endure throughout the unpredictable events that life may bring, just as promised by marriage.

I wanted a summer wedding as it’s my favorite season of the year. We decided that New York City would be the ideal, central location to gather our international family and friends. The criteria that was important to us was as follows: a personal ceremony incorporating my Chinese and his Austrian roots, great food and fun for our guests, and no drama. Also, we adore nature, but that seemed nearly impossible to incorporate into a city wedding. When we found the New York Botanical Garden, we instantly knew it had the right combination. Abigail Kirsch would deliver a modern menu and dedicated service and the gardens would be the natural, airy setting we desired.

We had about six months to plan our wedding. I relied heavily upon my iPad to gather all my inspirations in one place. Our color theme was fresh green and white, with pops of summer pinks and oranges. The inspiration behind the flowers was to create an elegant arrangement with an organic shape incorporating my favorites such as orchids, calla lilies, peonies, and garden roses. Diane Wagner helped to realize my vision of a slightly formal yet relaxed vibe through the fluid feeling of the flowers gently spilling out of their vases.

Our favors had “please enjoy” written on them. This message had a secret meaning for us. While in Bali on our engagement moon, the hospitality staff would bow and say to us “please enjoy” at every meal. We were tickled by the simplicity and graciousness of these two words together and wanted to pass the sentiment on.

I wanted to celebrate the individuality of my bridesmaids with different dresses. One of my attendants lived in Los Angeles and was pregnant at the time, so I chose the dresses with each bridesmaid separately over the course of a few months. Silk chiffon fabric was the unifying element. Each bridesmaid had her own color and flower, and then her flower was mixed into my bouquet to represent her imprint upon my life.

Our officiant, Reverend Macomb, was chosen because she is a specialist in interfaith and intercultural weddings. We wanted to honor Max’s Catholic heritage and celebrate my family’s Christian beliefs, while remembering the Buddhist roots of my grandparents and incorporating my meditation practice. Our ceremony ran longer than planned but it stayed true to the heart of us and I’ll never forget it. The weather forecast for our wedding day had been sunny all week but when we awoke on the day, the sky was dark and stormy. Would you believe the sky cleared entirely, twenty minutes before the ceremony? The sun lit up and the sky was a crystal blue.

My father-in-law, a world renowned opera singer, absolutely delighted us and our 176 guests by singing several Cole Porter songs during our reception. Another beautiful and talented friend sang our first dance, an intimate and heartfelt rendition of Eva Cassidy’s version of “Fields of Gold”. Our DJ was incredible and kept the dance floor packed. In fact, we received many compliments about the wonderful energy of all our vendors.

Many married friends told me that the celebration would fly by. I set an intention to be fully present and savor each moment as soon as the wedding weekend kicked off at the rehearsal dinner. My advice to any bride is to do your homework, choose your top three must haves, and don’t sweat the rest. Gaze into your beloved’s eyes as you say your vows and “please enjoy”.

[dotted] Wedding Photography: Erik Ekroth | Wedding Venue: The New York Botanical Garden | Officiant: Reverend Susanna Macomb | Floral Design: Diane Wagner of Surroundings Flowers | String Trio: Venus Ensembles | Catering: Abigail Kirsch | Invitations: Bella Figura | Wedding Dress: Badgley Mischka Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BCBG (orange gown), Jill Stuart (green gown), Aidan Mattox (floral gown) | Groom’s Suit: Roberto Revilla Bespoke | Bride’s Earrings + Rings: Kwiat | Makeup: Nam Vo | Hair: Jennifer Brent | Band: Claire Fuller | DJ: DJ Vida Ventura of Scratch Weddings

Peplum is bar none my favorite trend of the season. Skirts, shirts, dresses, you name it. But when I came across this bride bold enough to rock the prettiest Oscar De La Renta peplum gown, let’s just say I found a wedding that will forever be a fashion favorite. Throw in one of the coolest city venues plus design by Hatch Creative Studio, and you’ve got an urban affair that’s made to be swooned. Get ready for Photopink NYC’s gallery of stunning captures and a film from Tweed Weddings that’ll have you reaching for the nearest tissue.

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From the Bride…When we envisioned our wedding we saw a very organic, woodsy and mismatched vibe. That is why we fell in love with the Metropolitan Building from the start. The collection of furniture, alcoves, vignettes and unique rooms-it was exactly what we were looking for. In fact it was the only venue we saw because when we found out they had the date we wanted we immediately signed up! We also wanted the wedding to be very personal and very “us” so we incorporated goofy, creative accents to add to the already unique vibe. We used mismatched chairs, a mix of round and rectangular tables with different centerpieces and floral arrangements throughout. We loved the vintage feel of the Metro Building and I played off of that idea for my dress, a 50’s-esque peplum to which I added black band around the waist.

Our color palette was deep and autumnal. We didn’t want it to feel like there were any set color schemes so we went with a mix of jewel tones like bordeauxs, greens and eggplants mixed with neutrals. We wanted a warm and intimate feeling that coordinated with the loft-like atmosphere in the building like bringing a bit of the outside in. The floral arrangements spoke beautifully with the brick and wood in the room and we kept the rooms dimly lit with candlelight.  All we wanted for our wedding day was to fill the room with love, laughter and a whole lot of dancing. We were so happy to be surrounded by all of our friends and family and couldn’t wait to finally be a Mr. and Mrs. The entire night was full of smiles and crazy dance moves which is everything we could have asked for. I wanted a mix in the floral arrangements so each table was a bit unique. Adding mercury glass, bell jars, candles and vases the tables added to the organic and wild look that we were going for.

Aaron and I tried to make the wedding as unique and personal as possible. Starting with the ceremony- my oldest brother composed our wedding march, which was absolutely beautiful, it meant a lot to us to involve our family in more ways than one.  We designed the programs ourselves (along with all of the other invitations) including custom illustrations of each member of our wedding party which were later projected onto white balloons, a creation of my other brother, over the photo booth- it added a bit of humor and whimsy. We also custom designed our escort cards using a vintage chair motif, which was incorporated in our save the dates- a nod to the furniture collection at the venue- on post-it notes. Aaron always leaves post-its with funny and sweet messages around our apartment for me and we wanted to work them in in a special way. The guys all wore custom Converse sneakers with the date and their nickname embroidered on the side in Aaron’s favorite colors-orange and black of the Baltimore Orioles. One more special touch was dessert, which I had overnighted as a surprise for Aaron. Since our wedding also happened to be our 5-year anniversary I had his favorite dessert, Ted Drewes Custard, shipped directly to the venue from St. Louis, where we met during college.

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Wedding Photography: Randy at Photopink NYC | Wedding Planning: Loli Events | Floral + Event Design: Hatch Creative Studio | Wedding Cinematography: Tweed Weddings | Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Invitation Design: Tiny Awesome Things | Officiant: Rabbi Sari Laufer | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Metropolitan Building | Lighting: Lightworks Interactive | Music: Bobby Attiko with Hank Lane | Catering: Inhouse + Baked Red Hook | Cake: Nine Cakes | Hair: Lacy Redway with Timeless Glow Bridal |    Make-Up: Anthea King with Timeless Glow Bridal | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Shoes: Valentino | Jewelry: Miriam Salat | Tuxedo Cuff: C Wonder | Ring: Grandmothers Heirloom | Groom + Groomsmen: J.Crew + Converse

When I first spot a wedding, I immediately start pulling apart all the details that I love but this one struck me because, to be honest, I loved all of it. It has all the elements for a gorgeous affair. One part summery blooms by Rebecca Shephard, another part great venue like The Foundry and two parts fun loving couple. And we can’t forget the towering cupcakes or the rockstar photographer Trent Bailey. See what I mean? It’s way too hard to pull apart. Instead, enjoy this baby as one beautiful whole in the full gallery.

From Trent Bailey Photography…Veronica and Eddy had a modern meets vintage vibe with fusion of cultural elements (mainly Latin and some European).  They actually greeted guests for the cocktail hour BEFORE the ceremony took place, which helped set the celebratory mood of the day.

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Photography: Trent & Dara of Trent Bailey Photography | Getting Ready: Hotel Ravel | Venue: The Foundry | Floral Design: Rebecca Shephard Floral Design | Cupcakes: Kumquat Cupcakery | Catering: Real Food Catering | DJ: Valley Entertainment

Imagine a parade of the prettiest never-seen-before gowns by the most sought after designers in the world, and you’ve pretty much imagined New York Bridal Market. It’s where the artists of lace and satin display this year’s works of art, and this year did not disappoint, it wowed. We have Jillian Modern Photography to thank for giving us the prettiest of peeks into this mecca of bridal couture, so be sure to check out each gallery for a look into all the lovely (from backstage and beyond) from Oscar de la Renta, Angel Sanchez, Ines di Santo, Reem Acra and Rivini.

First we have the oh so fabulous Oscar. Or more formally known as Oscar de la Renta. I’ve swooned over every dress he’s ever put on his runways, and this collection is no different. It’s bridal perfection, and I suppose I expect nothing less from the genius behind the designs. See the full gallery here.

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And then there is Angel Sanchez who literally made me stop in my tracks with this year’s collection. It’s got major wow factor, yet still classic and clean all at the same time. The result is one seriously stunning collection, and it’s all waiting for you right here in the full gallery.

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Next up is Ines di Santo, and I could give a standing ovation to each one of the gorgeous gowns that paraded down this runway. They will make every Bride feel like the most beautiful girl in the room, and honestly, what’s better than that? See even more right here.

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Reem Acra produces the pretty year after year, and this year? Even more so. The collection sparkles and dazzles, with gowns that make a statement yet are sophisticated all at the same time. It’s a powerful combination, and you can see it all right here.

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And last but certainly not least is Rivini. Pure style perfection with gowns that I wouldn’t mind slipping into. Purely feminine and purely lovely, each gown that made its way down the runway couldn’t be more gorgeous. See it all here.

It’s all pure bridal eye candy, and we can’t thank Jillian from Jillian Modern Photography enough for giving us this backstage look into all the lovely! xoxo

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Photography: Jillian Modern Photography | Designers: Oscar de la Renta, Angel Sanchez, Ines di Santo, Reem Acra + Rivini

 

Caroline Frost Photography always produces the pretty. That’s just a known fact. And when she gets to capture a couple this lovely? That’s when we all get to be dazzled by a plethora of prettiness. Add a cute little pup and some amazing light in Central Park, and lovelies, it just doesn’t get better. See it all here.

From the Bride… We first thought of having an engagement photo shoot because our wedding would be celebrated in Brazil, where I came from, and we could not take our little dog Luigi with us. By having photos with him, we could make Luigi part of our engagement and wedding celebration.

When Caroline asked us to choose the location and what we wanted for our photos, we had no doubt, we immediately thought of Central Park. We used to live a few blocks from the east side of Central Park and since I arrived in New York in August of 2011 that place has been my getaway of the madness and speed of the city. Also, Luigi’s favorite place to go for a walk was in Central Park and he knew by heart how to get there. Eventually that became our favorite place too, where the three of us shared so many great moments together. Since we used to do a lot of picnicking in the park during the summer, we chose our trusty picnic blanket that Breyten and I bought when we were still living in London to use in the photos. To represent the celebration of our love and our family, we decided balloons would be a lot of fun.

All of the props, our photogenic Luigi, and the beautiful weather made it such a special experience for us that we barely felt like we were being photographed. I guess the images portray that. I was amazed by how our photographer Caroline Frost Shea, who met us for the first time on the day of the photo shoot, could capture so precisely how meaningful that park is to us, how happy we felt in that moment and how much love we three have for each other.

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Photography: Caroline Frost Photography |Location: Central Park | White Dress + Necklace: Anthropologie | Metalic Dress: All Saints | Shoes: Arezzo (Brazil) +  Sigerson Morrison

I think it goes without saying that I am kind of obsessed with love. It consumes my days and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Reading a description from a Bride like this beauty below that is simply overflowing with joy gets me all giddy inside, and the beautiful images from Kayla Adams that illustrates her gorgeous day just make me want to stand up and cheer. It’s perfectly beautiful and perfectly them, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

From Kayla Adams… Rob and Dolly were married at the Desmond Tutu Conference Center in Manhattan last fall. Earlier that week though, they officially tied the knot at New York City Hall in front of the two friends that originally set them up years ago. Rob was part of the team that helped renovate City Hall a couple years ago, so the day was incredibly special for them being there. After the ceremony, we walked over to the Wedding Garden across the street, snapped a few photos, then met up in Brooklyn to take some portraits. Dolly grew up spending time with her family in Rockaway Beach (which is still recovering from the damage from Sandy), and we hit up all her favorite spots. In light of the hurricane, I know a lot of these spots are really special for her and her family.

From the Bride… After Rob and I got engaged, we started looking for venues practically right away. We were living in North Carolina at the time, and briefly thought about getting married there, but since most of our family and friends live in New York, it only made sense to celebrate close to the people we love.

One constraint we had was that we wanted to have an outdoor wedding (hard to do in New York City) and we came to realize that, surprisingly, we wanted a bigger wedding then we anticipated.  As we set out to plan a wedding in New York, we had a feeling in the back of our minds that the wedding planning could get away from us quickly, and we wanted to maintain a sense of connectedness and privacy for ourselves. We decided to have the best of both worlds and have both a traditional wedding, where we could hang out with everyone we care about and a private ceremony for us, at the City Clerk’s Marriage Bureau, two days before the traditional wedding. Our “City Hall” wedding was magical. We took the subway in the morning to the City Clerk’s office, blending in with commuters, feeling like we were keeping a huge secret.

At the City Clerk, we met our witnesses (the two friends who introduced us) and our photographer, the lovely and talented Kayla Adams.  While we were waiting for our number to be called we took some photos in the gorgeously renovated space, which was a lot of fun. While we were dating, Rob supervised the Bureau’s renovation, which gave the venue added meaning. The ambiance of the space was surreal. Couples in all shapes, colors, ages, sizes, and dress codes were there to make a commitment to one another. It felt like the Love DMV! When our number was called, we were lucky enough to get a sincere, New Yawk-accented clerk who had a huge stage presence. After we were married, we took a cab to have a celebratory lunch in Chinatown. The day was ours alone and it was fantastic.

Our traditional wedding took place at the Desmond Tutu Center in Chelsea. After seeing numerous venues in New York that fell short in some way, we found one we both loved for its gothic architecture, history, convenience, and gorgeous courtyard. Having our family and friends surrounding us outside under a canopy of trees during our ceremony was a powerful experience. I’m so glad we got to have part of our wedding outdoors. We had a great time at our traditional wedding and wouldn’t want to have done it any other way.

My unsolicited advice to couples is to sit down and think about what you want from your wedding.  Whatever that may look like, there may be a way to incorporate everyone and everything you want — either traditionally or not or both!

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Wedding Photography: Kayla Adams | Wedding Venue: New York City Hall + Desmond Tutu Conference Center | Floral Design: Flowerful Events | Desserts: Margaret Palca Bakes + Venieros | Favors: Homemade chocolate butter crunch made by Bride’s Mom | Escort Card Board: DIY by Bride’s Mom | Menus, Programs, Direction Signs: DIY by the Groom | DJ: DJ EKO | Wedding Dress: Adele Wechsler from Veka Bridal Couture | City Hall Dress: Nordstrom | Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers | Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds |Ties: Brooklyn Tailors  | Hair: Soon Beauty Lab | Makeup: Bride’s Mom

It’s always kind of been a dream of mine to get married in Manhattan, but as I’m already married and still need a few more years to convince my husband to marry me all over again, I live vicariously through weddings like this. Weddings that happen at the Loeb Boathouse Central Park. Weddings with more glamour in their stilettoed left toe than in my whole life. Weddings with details carefully thought out by Exquisite Affairs Productions. Really, just this wedding, captured brilliantly by Agaton Strom.

And before you move on to the gorgeous gallery, see their winter wedding highlight film as captured by John Miller at First Day Films…

Lauren and James from First Day Films on Vimeo.

From the beautiful bride … James and I met shortly after graduating from college at a mutual friend’s party.  At the time, never would I have imagined that the cute guy I met in a bar would today be my loving husband.  For our official first date, James asked me to pick out a Halloween costume with him (original, huh?)  We met in the Union Square Farmers Market on a Saturday afternoon, and walked around the area in search of a long blonde rock-star wig… for him.  Four and half years later, James asked me to go for a walk through Gramercy, and on our way he got down on one knee in the exact same place we first met in Union Square and proposed.

Once the planning of the wedding began, we knew we wanted a quintessential New York wedding and quickly settled on The Central Park Boathouse.   The setting was so rustic and beautiful, and the venue was a place we knew we’d always be able to easily return to and reminisce on our wedding day.  While our March 2^nd date was cold, the weather did not bother us when it started to snow during the ceremony and created a magical quality.  The night was the most memorable night of our lives.

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Photographer: Agaton Strom | Makeup: Sally Duvall | Ceremony & Reception: The Loeb Boathouse Central Park | Coordinator: Christine Viola, Exquisite Affairs Productions Inc. | Cinematography: First Day Films | Florist: Lenox Hill Florist & Events | Officiant: Rabbi Maurice Salth | Band: Hank Lane, Pete Saunders | Cake: Mark Joseph Cakes | Bride’s + Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuiller | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Men’s Fashion: Hugo Boss | Candy Bar: LB Candy Buffet | Photobooth: We Love Photobooths | Shuttles: Brownin Transportation | Paper Products: C’est Papier

New York City weddings.  Four words that conjure up images of bow-tied grooms, breathtaking cathedrals and ballroom receptions chock-full of glamour.  Yep… when I think classic, stop-you-in-your-tracks weddings, I think NYC.  Which is why my heart beat just a little bit faster (okay, a lot faster) when I first laid eyes on this beautiful day from the ever-amazing Trent Bailey Photography.  The true definition of a traditional stunner, it’s all of the aforementioned (hello, New York Palace Hotel) with a big ol’ dose of take your breath away pretty.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… I have two moments from my wedding day that really stand out as being the most memorable. Walking down the aisle was very emotional and meaningful for me. While the church was filled with people and gorgeous flowers, we could only see each other. I felt so connected to him at that moment- it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before- I hope I never forget how it felt to see him for the first time that day.

My second favorite part of the day was our entrance into the reception. As we walked in, all of our guests were already dancing and packed on the dance floor. As we walked in, we were literally surrounded by all of our favorite people, clapping and cheering for us. It was such an adrenaline rush– it reminded us of how blessed we are to have so many people who love and support us. It also set the mood for what turned out to be an amazing party!

The cliche saying that “everything happens for a reason” rang true on our wedding day. About two months before the big day, I received a call from the New York Palace that the entire building and courtyard would be covered in scaffolding on the day of the wedding. For those of you familiar with the NY Palace Hotel, you know that the most beautiful part of the venue is the facade of the building and the gorgeous courtyard- those are two of the main reasons I booked that venue- very iconic New York. So, to say that I was devastated when I learned of the scaffolding is an understatement. I frantically tried to find a different venue– to no avail. Turns out, the scaffolding was the biggest blessing! Between my amazing florist and the event planner at the Palace, we were able to transform the courtyard into the most beautiful, intimate, and magical space. It was truly like a dream- no one even noticed the scaffolding and some of my guests thought I did it on purpose!! The images from the courtyard are some of my favorites!!

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Wedding Photography: Trent & Dara of Trent Bailey Photography | Ceremony Venue: Church of St. Monica’s | Reception Venue: New York Palace Hotel | Cinematography:  Michael Justin Films | Cake Artist: Ron Ben Israel + Conti’s Pastry Shoppe | Floral Design: Diana Gould | Band: Hank Lane | Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta (Custom Train) via Bridal Reflections NYC

Katelyn James called this a “magical winter wedding” and I for one was floored. A winter wedding in NYC… quite possibly the most amazing combination, but also perhaps the most risky. Yet this truly is a fairy tale kind of day for a fairy tale kind of love. And there is so, so much more right here.

From Katelyn James… Ross and Brittany have been sweethearts for years and years. Ross, being from London and Brittany coming from Virginia, it had to have been fate that they met and fell in love in one of the greatest cities in the world.  They celebrate their wedding day at the Loeb Boathouse… one of the only venues in New York City that feels removed from the chaos and commotion of the city streets. Tucked away inside Central Park, the Boathouse was the perfect location for this intimate wedding. They celebrated with 80 guests from all over the world. Groomsmen came from Turkey, London and even Oman to be a part of this big day for Ross and Brittany! It was just like a fairy tale… which is what Brittany intended for it to be. She wanted a magical winter wedding and that’s what she received. It’s still amazing to be that we were able to capture so many portraits in Central Park without any bystanders and tourists in the background! It truly was the perfect day for an NYC wedding!!! 

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Wedding Photography: Katelyn James | Getting Ready Location: Empire Hotel in New York, New York | Wedding Venue: The Loeb Boathouse in New York City, New York | Floral Design: Lenox Hill Florist & Events | DJ: L & S Entertainment | Wedding Invitation Supplies: The Paper Source | Favors: homemade | Wedding Dress: Mori Lee via RK Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Attire WTOO by Watters via Here Comes the Bridesmaid | Groom Attire: Paul Smith | Hair: Caitlynn Demetrician

New York weddings make my heart pound faster. It’s that oh-so-special city that takes any event from elegant to unforgettable. And while I could go on for days about just how chicness of this winter affair, can we just take moment soak in the perfection that is this BHLDN-clad bride? Clear your morning sched and start your Wedding Wednesday off right in the gallery of Bia Sampaio’s stunning captures right here.

From the Bride…We knew we wanted our wedding to be small and really feature our city-New York. Our whole vision really clicked in when we found our reception venue, the Andaz 5th Avenue. It was the perfect blend of our styles (Brendon loves all things modern and sleek and I love things with a more vintage feel) and allowed our reception to feel both casual and elegant. They also source all their food and beverages locally, and prepared and served the meal for our guests in their beautiful open kitchen.  Our band, led by singer Doug Acosta, filled the night with Sinatra-age standards, and truly brought the whole wedding to life! I planned most of the day from out of town (I was traveling the country with my show at the time) and, while there were many stressful moments, it is absolutely possible! I was lucky enough to secure the most wonderful vendors and locations, who really connected with me and understood exactly our dreams for the day! They made it possible for us to enjoy every minute of our wedding day and not stress about anything!

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Wedding Photography: Bia Sampaio | Ceremony: St. Paul the Apostle | Reception + Catering + Cake: The Andaz 5th Avenue | Floral Design: Angelica Flowers and Events | Band: Doug Acosta and Band | Bride’s Dress: Catherine Deane for BHLDN | Bride’s Hair Pins: Paris by Debra Moreland for BHLDN | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Matron of Honor Dress: J.Crew | Groom’s Suit: Theory

When two architects wed in NYC, you just know The Foundry is going to hit it out of the park on every level. The stunning venue is perfect for two architectural lovers… the perfect backdrop for the biggest day of their lives. And with both Belathee Photography + Elaine Melko Photography there with their cameras, you just know the gallery is worth an hour or two of your time!

From the Bride… Planning a wedding together seemed like the perfect first project for two young designers from Brooklyn, New York. Scott and I met on the first day of graduate school where we studied Architecture, and were pretty much inseparable from the beginning. Scott’s undergraduate background is in graphic design, so I knew this groom would definitely want a say and a role in the details of the wedding. Our wedding was a way for us to share our love and love of design with our family and friends, so they could get to know us even better as a couple and feel like a true part of our special day.  

The ceremony for us was a highlight of the day. We chose St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University for its historical, architectural beauty and also because it provided a non-denominational space to share both our faiths equally. We integrated both our faith traditions through music selections, readings, and messages shared by family and good friends. Our string quartet did a beautiful job keeping the ambiance intimate and special, as did my amazing friend Kathryn’s piano solo. The contributions of our friends and family were a true gift to us.  

After leaving Columbia, we were taken by trolley through Central Park (one of our favorite spots and where Scott proposed during a NYC Marathon training run) and then finally to The Foundry in Long Island City.

The Foundry was such a stunning, unique place for us to celebrate our reception. We loved the raw feel of the space, the urban surroundings, and the ivy filled courtyard. We wanted to highlight these features with minimal decorations. Therefore, we gravitated towards a subdued palette and let white flowers and tea candles highlight the space. We focused on small details for each of our guests. At each seat, a letter-pressed menu was held by a white, faceted cube. These ‘cubes’ have a story for Scott and me, which we wanted to share with our guests even in a small way. The faceted design is also quietly carried through in our white on white embossed invitations, response cards, and name card holder. All of these objects were designed and fabricated by the bride and groom (well, mainly the groom, but I did do a lot of sanding if I recall).

Our wedding gave us a chance to collaborate with some amazing and talented individuals. Yen and Gary of Real Food Catering were so much more than caterers to us. They created a delicious, inventive menu for our guests as well as patiently guided us in so many decisions for the day. Our friend and designer Sarah Fulton created simple yet stunning silver and crystal earrings for each of the bridesmaids. Our florist, Rose, helped us celebrate spring through her subtle peony and ranunculus bouquets and arrangements. We are grateful to our photographer, Annabel of Belathee Photography for sharing her visual talents with us.

When we look back, it’s definitely the most memorable and beautiful project we’ve collaborated on so far and such an unforgettable way to ‘officially’ start our lives together.

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Wedding Photography: Belathee Photography + Elaine Melko Photography | Ceremony Venue: St. Paul’s Chapel, Columbia University in New York, New York | Reception Venue: The Foundry in Long Island City, New York | Floral Design: Designs by Rose | Catering + Event Planning: Real Food Catering | DJ: David Swirsky from Expressway Music | Cubes + Name Card Display: Scott Savage | Wedding Invitations Design: Scott Savage | Invitation Printing: Boxcar Press | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Jim Hjelm | Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Sarah Alice Fulton | Makeup: Amanda Sheehan | Groom’s Cufflinks: Scott Savage

From the Jenny Packham dress to the custom veil to her absolutely beautiful smile, this bride is stunning. And her wedding, a Jewish-Persian fusion affair captured by Bia Sampaio Photographs, is absolutely breathtaking. The light, the fresh ambiance of the garden, the warmth of the entire night. Perfection. The kind of perfection that makes a gallery worth a few hours of your time.

To leave this wedding on the best foot ever, don’t miss this film from Valerie Barnes Films! [iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/58559526 601 338]

From the stunning bride … We chose Stone Mill because we were looking for a place that felt somewhat like an oasis. Being in nature and being in an area of calm was very important for both of us. We could see ourselves getting married outside by the river. Everything felt in place. We were able to know what was happening next but also kind of be in the moment and appreciate what we were experiencing as we were experiencing it. We tried to remind ourselves it was going to pass very quickly and we were trying to get glimpses of everything and be as much there as we could. [dotted] Photography: Bia Sampaio Photographs | Cinematography: Valerie Barnes Films | Dress: Jenny Packham | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Veil: Custom designed | Hairpiece: Vintage 1920’s hairpiece | Flowers: Surroundings Flowers & Events + Diane Wagner Designs | Ceremony and Reception Location: The Stone Mill at the NY Botanical Garden | Invitations + Programs: Smitten Owl | Caterer: Abigail Kirsch | Band: Golem | Bridesmaid dresses: Donna Morgan, J.Crew, Tara Jarmon | Groomsman attire: J.Crew and Jos. A. Bank

One peek at the photos you’re about to see from Stylish & Hip Weddings, and you’re going to think the wedding was a gorgeous tropical destination wedding. Somewhere on a beach with margaritas just out of site. But the absolutely stunning bash was at Navy Beach. And it is just that. Stunning. So stunning, in fact, I’ll be spending my day in the full gallery daydreaming of a life so beautiful.

From Stylish & Hip Weddings… Anya & Trevor had the most picturesque romantic wedding right on the beach in late September at Navy Beach! Anya is a fashion buyer at Barney’s and Trevor is an A&R guy at Sony. So this couple has impeccable style & taste.

Their beachfront entertainment was a Reggae band from Flatbush Brooklyn and their guest favors were the world famous crack pie from Momofuku milk bar. Their wedding cake was also custom made from Momofuku. At the end of the night we lit Sky Lanterns on the beach.

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Wedding Photography: Stylish & Hip Weddings | Wedding Venue: Navy Beach in Montauk, New York | Floral Design: Flowers by Beth | Wedding Cake + Favors: Momofuku Milk Bar | Band Leader: Winston Irie | DJ: DJ Soul | Wedding Dress: Custom Mika Inatome + the Bride

It’s so secret that I love winter. I super love winter. Almost as much as I love weddings in a barn. Put those two together, and it’s over, as far as I’m concerned. It’s over in a super gorgeous gallery from Alison Mish Photography, filled with lovebirds in sweaters and boots, snowy upstate New York, and sweet, pink cheeks. Make sure to see it all, right here!

From the Bride… We wanted to get married somewhere in “upstate” New York as this is where our relationship began. Seeing as Phil’s family and friends were from Ohio, mine from Pennsylvania, and our current location across the country in Oregon, we figured this was as good a place as any. My aunt found Full Moon Resort, and we fell in love with it.

Picturesque in and of itself, Full Moon provided us with ample opportunity to add in details of ourselves throughout the entirety of our wedding weekend. As a mini “destination” wedding, we wanted the weekend to provide the perfect atmosphere for friends and families to reunite.

Our ceremony was one of my favorite parts of the day as we had spent much time thinking out what we wanted our overall message to be. We desired it to be simple yet personal and perhaps a little different than the normal ceremony. The soft lights and the multitude of lit candles in front of a backdrop of burlap and lace made for a quiet, romantic feel. At the start of the ceremony, my oldest sister and Phil’s older brother carried each of our rings down the aisle with them and placed them inside a small wooden box that Phil had carved for me one summer while I was in Africa. Our rings themselves carried special meaning to us as they were made from Phil’s grandmother’s and grandfather’s rings. Phil’s ring was his grandfather’s, hammered and brushed for a softer look that would match my set, and my wedding band was created using the stones from Phil’s grandmother’s ring.

Guests then moved to the renovated barn on property where strands of lights were hung across the opening from the loft to the inner edge. Each table was decorated by a different centerpiece, each representing an aspect of Phil and I as a couple or individually. The evening took off—dancing helped along by one of Phil’s friends who played impromptu deejay and activities for guests such as thumb-printing and signing our guestbook tree and leaving us notes of advice in our Bible. The dessert table was full of “secret-kiss” cookies made by my sisters, spiced nuts made by my grandma, and our wedding cake—complete with apple and berry pies hidden within!

The weekend was beautiful and relaxed, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. The months of gathering decorations from different stores finally paid off as the seemingly random pieces came together to create the perfect setting. Throughout the planning it felt as if the wedding was turning into something more extravagant than Phil and I ever wanted or could have imagined, however, when all was said and done, each guest told us how every detail of the weekend shone with Phil’s and my personalities. This was what we had wanted—time with friends and family, a celebration uniquely us, and a weekend to remember!

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Wedding Photography: Alison Mish Photography | Wedding Venue: Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York | Event Planning: LeighAnn Sharon + Ashley Slovensky from Full Moon Resort | Floral Design: New Hampshire Woods Creations | Catering: Full Moon Resort | Wedding Dress: Wtoo via Ania Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: Frye Boots via Nordstrom | Bridesmaids’ Attire: BHLDN, Watters + David’s Bridal | Groom’s Attire: Jones New York | Hair + Makeup: Whitney Baur, family

I feel like bridal showers in general have been hit with a bad rep. But let’s be honest, silly games, crustless triangle sandwiches and a store-bought fruit plate isn’t really anyone’s idea of a good time. I’m thinking we need to abolish the stereotypical bridal shower altogether, starting with this one from  Jillian Modern. Venturing out to a wine shop with a handful of your favourite lady friends under your arm is one kind of shower I can wholeheartedly stand behind. Something fabulous to sip on, something delicious to nibble on and a handful of simple centrepieces will surely show those age-old bridal showers who’s boss! Who’s with me?! Ps – find the rest of this fun event in the gallery right here.

From Jillian… Pasanella and Son is the cutest little wine shop down in the South Street Seaport of New York. It’s housed in an old building that once acted as a mast factory for the ships that lived there a few hundred years ago. For those in the know, they have a secret back room that simply oozes ambiance and begs for an intimate event. So when it came time for Heather’s bridal shower, the location was obvious! Heather got right to work, gathering inspiration on her Pinterest board. She found a great free download on The Pretty Blog for the cutest vintage paper placemats, and who could resist the poms she scored on etsy. The space really speaks for itself, but one can never have too many details, am I right? Filling the room with all of Heather’s favorite people was the finishing touch.
[dotted] Photography: Jillian Modern Photography | Venue: Pasanella and Son, Vintners | Catering: Brooklyn Larder | Cupcakes: Sugar Sweet Sunshine | Invites: Wedding Paper Divas | Vintage Paper Placemats: Designed by The Wayfared Lens & can be downloaded at The Pretty Blog | Calligraphy: The Artful Pen | Poms: Paper White Designs | Cake Stands: Fishs Eddy | Pinterest Inspiration Board: here

Have you ever been in love with a bouquet?  I have… and it’s this breathtaking number created by Anthology Studio.  A perfect mix of modern and classic with bursts of vibrant purple hues, it’s one of the dreamiest bundles of blooms you will ever lay your eyes upon.  Also dreamy?  The wedding behind the bouquet, this upstate gem from Bailly Photography.  It’s DIY paper goods meets a breathtaking ballroom reception meets a whole lot of rainy day pretty.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride…Bryun and I wanted our wedding to be modern with some vintage touches mixed in, like my birdcage veil that I hand-sewed (I swear, I made and remade that thing about five times), an heirloom bracelet passed down from my grandmother that I wore as an anklet, and modern stationery and flowers. Since I do some graphic design work for my job, I was really particular about the stationery and fonts. We made our save the date postcards, invitations, ceremony programs, menus, favors and table numbers. I even constructed a light box in my living room using a desk light and a sheet of acrylic to be able to hand address the invitations.

The minute we walked into The State Room in downtown Albany we knew that it was the venue for us. Not only was it symbolic because we began our relationship just a few doors down in an office building on State Street, but also because the venue was classic – exactly how we would describe our wedding. The most important thing to us was that we would look back in 25, or even 50 years, and still say, “Wow, that was a classy affair!”

Since I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to planning events and activities, I knew that I would take no chances with an outdoor ceremony or reception. This paid off because we woke up to tornado warnings and predictions of torrential rain for the afternoon. I kept joking with the photographer that I expected him to take a photo with a funnel cloud in the background. Did I hope for rain on my wedding day? Heck no. We had three different locations lined up to shoot photos between the ceremony and reception, all of which were outdoors. But as it turned out, it not only rained on my wedding day, it poured. I know some brides would freak out in this situation, but that’s just not my style. I was determined to stay calm and roll with the punches.

Thankfully, our photographer knew of a great spot where were would be primarily covered from the elements but would still give some natural light and the historic backdrop of downtown Albany.  As it turns out, the rain was a blessing in disguise. Since we only did photos in one location, we were able to get back to the cocktail hour of our reception and actually eat and drink and spend some relaxing time with our family and friends before we made our grand entrance into the ballroom. Later in the evening when everyone was dancing the night away, the photographer asked if we would step outside for some photos in the rain, sans umbrella. At that point, I figured why not? I’m so happy that we just went with it, and trusted his judgement, because we ended up with some beautiful photos surrounded by rain drops.

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Wedding Photography: Bailly Photography | Ceremony Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York | Reception Venue: The State Room in Albany, New York | Wedding Cinematography: NuVue Cinema | Floral Design: Anthology Studio | Bakery: Coccadott’s | Wedding Invitations: Michael’s | Wedding Dress: Mon Cheri | Bride’s Shoes: Glint | Groom’s Attire: Henry A. Davidsen | Hair+ Makeup: True Grace Makeup

One trip to the Big Apple, and it’s easy to see why people fall head over heels in love with it. It’s got a personality all of its own, so it should be no surprise the people that call New York City home are full of pizazz themselves. And when you pair that personality packed city with a couple with a style all of their own, you get a wedding like this one captured by Reminisce Photography that is nothing short of fabulous. See it all here.

From Reminisce Photography… Stefanie and Erik’s theme for their wedding was perfect for the city where they met and fell in love, New York! Their venue, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, was the perfect place to make their Big Apple dreams come true. With high, steel-beamed ceilings, the reception venue gave off the feeling of being underground in a train station (a brand new, beautiful train station, of course!)

Blue skies all around, the ceremony was held with gorgeous views of the Hudson River when Stefanie and Erik became man and wife. The bride’s flowers, white roses with pops of blue and green, reflect the her favorite colors, as do the blue bridesmaid dresses and the flowers everywhere (which filled the Lighthouse with a bright, vibrant feeling). A single, live violin played for the ceremony, making the moment extra romantic.

The reception room really brought the couple’s vision to life. The table numbers were each based on a subway line; the place cards had the New York skyline etched on the top. Each table also had a miniature subway train car and pens as favors for the guests. The loveliest part was the cake; a three tiered cake with the Manhattan skyline, different subway line signs, and to top it off, a Big Apple. It was truly a once in a lifetime wedding!

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Wedding Photography: Reminisce Photography | Wedding Venue: The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers at New York, New York | Catering + Wedding Cake: Abigail Kirsch | Floral Design: Superior Florist Ltd. | Wedding Stationery: Vistaprint | Wedding Dress: Matthew Christopher | Bride’s Veil: Designer Loft Bride | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein | Hair + Makeup: SalonPOSH

I can’t help but get a little giddy every time Wedding Wednesday rolls around. Not only because it means wedding after gorgeous wedding all day long, but the rally of excitement, excessive pinning, and #WW Twitter love that follows. But to kick off one such special day, it takes a wedding with an extra umph of sparkle. *Enter* this pretty little number from Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography that brings the modern fairytale fete to life. Join me for some major swoon in the full gallery right here.

From the Bride…Neither Simon nor I are from New York; Simon is from Bermuda and I am Canadian. Since we have built our life together in New York, we wanted it to be the place we were married. The emphasis for us was on family and friends and basically throwing an amazing party! We knew we wanted it to be unique. Alder Manor was the perfect place for us because it was outside of the city, huge, and so beautiful. The wallpaper was peeling off the walls in some areas but it added to the charm. The actually building was gorgeous and the grounds were sprawling and a little wild, which was perfect. It ended up being exactly what we hoped for – Fun, easy, and filled with the people we love.

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Wedding Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography | Wedding Planning + Floral Design: Fete | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Alder Manor | Catering: Silkstone Catering | Caricatures: Peter Woolcock |  Invitations: Sarah Dobson, Friend of Bride | Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid Dresses: Kaelen, Designed by the Bride| Clutch: Alexander McQueen | Wedding Bands: Eva Fehren