New York Weddings

If the bride’s custom designed gown had anything to say about it, this wedding was fabulous. Traditionally New York classic, with black ties and a cathedral length veil. A Kennedy-esque feel to the whole shebang. A crisp fall day in the city. And images from Craig Paulson Photography. Everything with a subtle nod to fabulous. And that is the kind of wedding that can get anyone out of a Monday morning funk. Especially with a trip to the gallery!

Rob and I have known each other for over 15 years as our families were neighbors and friends. We went to high school together, I played Field Hockey with his sister, and we kept in touch through his family’s annual Thanksgiving Holiday party. I thought Rob was very cute, and I always looked forward to seeing him at this annual event, but since we lived on opposite coasts for many years, our relationship was nothing more than a family connection. It wasn’t until we both moved to Manhattan after getting our MBA’s that we reconnected, started to date, fell in love and got engaged (on the High Line no less). It was only fitting to celebrate our marriage in the city where our relationship blossomed, and our wedding was exactly the classic New York wedding I had always wanted.

We were married on October 13, 2012 at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church with a black tie reception at the University Club of New York. The date itself was important to us for a few reasons; it was a year after we got engaged, and also the same weekend my parents were married 43 years earlier. I always wanted to have a similar romantic fall wedding, and nothing is more beautiful than the fall in New York. The vision for our wedding was classic, timeless elegance. From the dress to the table settings, I avoided the trends and wanted a wedding that would last the test of time; even some of the elements delivered on a style and aesthetic I had been envisioning for years.

Our invitations were very traditional, and immediately set the tone for the affair. We had custom engraved invitations with a simple black Eaton font without any other frills. It was just the right understated design, finished beautifully with bold hand addressed calligraphy.

I always knew exactly the style of wedding gown I wanted to wear on my special day. Channeling Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, my ideal style was modest, simple but dramatic. My vision was so specific that I ended up designing my own gown and had it custom made with the help of the fabulous Birnbaum & Bullock wedding atelier. The fabric was a thick ivory duchess satin. The gown had a high boat neckline with a fitted bodice that tapered in at my natural waist accentuated with a skinny belt. The dramatic skirt began with large box pleats all around the waist leading into a full skirt and a stunning train, and also included pockets! Tiny satin covered buttons cascaded down from the back of the neck all the way through the tip of the train. Several petticoats added to the fullness of the skirt, which paired well with an equally full cathedral length multi-layered veil. The gown was everything I had always wanted; I felt elegant, comfortable, and feminine.

I always worried that the big day would go by too fast and looking back I am happy to say that I enjoyed and remember every moment from the time I woke up until the band played their last song. After getting hair and makeup done at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon on Fifth Avenue, I was ready for an exciting photo session with the wedding party. We took photos throughout the stunning University Club, Central Park, and along Fifth Avenue. I will never forget walking throughout the city on that crisp and sunny fall day, with my bridesmaids holding my train and every passerby cheering for us, taking photos and wishing us congratulations! We even stopped traffic on Fifth Avenue for a classic photo in the middle of the street with a romantic dip and a kiss.

The ceremony at the stunning Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church was traditional and filled with love. The programs were engraved with custom plates in a similar style to the invitations, the pews were trimmed with white rosebuds spray roses and ribbon, and the alter was dignified with a large silver trumpet vase overflowing with gorgeous white and crème hydrangea, lisianthus, and roses. The bridesmaids wore golden “latte” strapless long satin gowns with a cascading ruffle and chic slit. They carried tight white bouquets of roses and calla lilies, complimenting my bouquet of a round and tightly shaped clustered bouquet of Vendella roses combined with Majolica spray roses and rosebuds. The groomsmen were dapper in black tuxes with white calla lilies on their lapel, coordinating with the groom wearing a white rosebud.

We exited the church and our guests celebrated by tossing rose petals on us as we lead the group on a memorable but short walk to the reception just one block away. The University Club was the perfect classic venue we were looking for and their team not only brought our vision to life, but treated us like we were part of their family. Rob and I wanted to make sure we had time to enjoy the moment with our close friends and family, so while the rest of the guests made their way up to the main dining room on the 7th floor, we gathered for a brief cocktail and toast.

On the 7th floor, guests were greeted with a stunning tall trumpet vase brimming with white blooms and greens that accompanied their table cards done in the same hand calligraphy of the addresses. A cocktail hour included numerous passed hors d’oeurves such as oysters, tuna tartar, and caviar, and was an exciting moment for us to join all our guests for the celebration. The main dining room was so gorgeous in itself with its tall ceiling, gold sconces, fireplaces, traditional paintings and two-floor high windows with royal draperies, that we didn’t need to add much to create an elegant effect. Each table included a silver gallery bowl with a ball of 100 white Vendella roses, paired with tall silver candlestick and 24” tapers, as well as numerous votive candles.

From the moment entered the dining room and came on the dance floor to “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison, The Pete Saunders Band had the whole wedding dancing the night away. We wanted to make sure our guests had a good time, and with their nonstop mix of 80’s classics, rock anthems, and pop hits, the dance floor was never empty! Everything was timed perfectly with long dance sets, a sit down dinner, and maid of honor and best man speeches. The three course dinner was decadent and classic and included a seafood salad, roasted veal chop or seared red snapper, and a chocolate trio or a warm apple tart; not to mention the 4 layer vanilla wedding cake with lemon crème and fondant icing with calla lillie detail.

The big day came to end an end with cutting the cake on the middle of the dance floor, and a touching toast from the groom. Our wedding was brought to life with every elegant detail, but it was made memorable because of the love the filled the day; our guests could feel the love and adoration we had for each other, and we felt so loved and blessed to share the occasion with our closest friends and family.

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Photography: Craig Paulson Photography | Florist: Belle Fleur | Venue & Catering: The University Club | Officiant Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston | Gown Boutique: Custom via Birnbaum and Bullock | Musician/DJ: Hank Lane | Hair and makeup: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon | Ceremony: Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church | Band: The Pete Saunders Band | Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy Social in Latte satin | Cake: The University Club | Stationery: Arzberger Stationers | Bride’s Earrings: Pearl and diamond drop earrings from an Estate Sale | Bracelet: Pearl 3 strand bracelet from Grandma’s collection | Right Hand Rings: David Yurman / Wedding Rings: Donna Sackowitz | Bride’s Shoes: Grazia

It’s bound to be a gorgeous start to our wedding filled week when a New York Botanical Garden beauty from Ciro Photography pops into our inbox. The gorgeous venue grounds, mixed with rustic + elegant touches and stunning blooms by Surroundings Flowers, made for the quaint and cozy wedding day this sweet couple had dreamed of. See the rest right here!

From the Bride… June 2nd, 2012 was the most exhilarating and exciting day for my husband Kevin and me. We found the perfect venue for us; a quaint, cozy, rustic stone mill situated in the middle of the beautifully serene New York Botanical Gardens that created the perfect, elegant yet casual, vibe we were going for.

The day turned out better than we could have imagined. The venue was more beautiful than we remembered. The flowers and decorations were just what we wanted. Our DJ was phenomenal. Everyone was having a blast. We had so much fun with our family and friends. The only thing we worried about was feeling like we missed out on moments here and there while we were busy having fun throughout the night. Luckily, our fabulous photographer, Rich Ciro, captured moments we missed and moments we love to relive by looking at the photos over and over again. We can not stress the importance of having an amazing photographer document such a significant day. We feel truly blessed that everything came together so perfectly.

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Wedding Photography: Ciro Photography | Wedding Venue: Stone Mill, New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, New York | Floral Design: Diane Wagner from Surrounding Flowers | Wedding Cake: Abigail Kirsch | Music: 74 Events | Wedding Dress: Marisa | Shoes: Kate Spade | Hair + Makeup: Sachiko Yanase

I knew this couple was awesome the very minute I read that they letterpresses and edged their own invites and save-the-dates.  I mean, that’s some serious dedication to DIYing their Big Day.  And then I laid my eyes upon their beyond stunning celebration captured by Lauren Gabrielle Photography and, well.  They went from awesome to AWESOME.  Because any duo that fills their wedding with gorgeous blooms from Flowerful Events and vibrant hues as far as the eye can see is most definitely amazing.  See for yourself in the full gallery.

And a special film from Joe Minnella Cinematography to keep this pretty party going…

From the Bride… My favorite place in the whole world is a local beach near the town where I grew up in New Jersey. It’s where Jaime and I spent countless summer days in the 6 years we were dating, it’s where he proposed to me, and it’s where I always thought I would get married.

Jaime and I met in Philadelphia when we were both freshmen at St. Joseph’s University and now live in New York City. We researched venues in New York City, Philly, and everywhere in between. In the end, we chose a venue that had great food, outdoor space, and was close to the church we chose. The Oyster Point was the perfect mix of traditional ballroom – for that large sit down dinner – and although it was not on the beach, the views allowed us to feel like we were near the sea that I loved so much. It sits on the Navesink River and has a huge outdoor space that we were going to use for our cocktail hour, but unfortunately it rained! Even with the rain, it was a beautiful location for an end-of-the-summer wedding.

When it got down to the details of the day, we did a lot ourselves. The biggest accomplishment (BY FAR!!!) was letterpressing (and edging!) our own Save-The-Dates and Invitations. This was my idea, but Jaime was a trooper and helped during the whole painstaking process. We received so many compliments from friends and family who had no idea we made them. Other DIY projects for the wedding day included: hand-sewn church programs, dinner menus which were folded into each guests’ napkin, framed table numbers, personalized hangers for the bridesmaid dresses, and a happily ever after sign. We took on a lot, but we ended up with a wedding that was completely personalized to us. Those details are what made the day OURS.

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Wedding Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Ceremony Venue: St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey | Reception Venue: The Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, New Jersey | Floral Design: Flowerful Events | Wedding Cinematography: Joe Minnella Cinematography | Wedding Cake: Piece O’Cake | DJ: Denny Testa | Wedding Invitations + Stationery: DIY by the Bride + Groom | Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Donna Morgan | Groom’s Attire: Marc Ecko | Groom’s Shoes: Converse

I may have to declare today Forged in the North day after swooning all morning over the gorgeous Hampton’s wedding they’ve shared with us! The intimate + romantic affair took place at a private residence in Sag Harbor and was crisply decorated with white linens and lots of candles. The adorable couple ended their best day ever by inviting their guests to the beach to light + send off wish lanterns! Be sure to see the rest of this beauty in the full gallery.

From the Bride…  Let me start by saying that wedding planning was a joy for my husband and I. We really enjoyed every moment which was, I am sure, due to the fact that we had an intimate affair of 85 guests. Every single person at our wedding was and is the most important people in our lives, and that made everything else easy. We were, of course, also thrilled to start our lives together and pretty much had the same vision in mind for the process- to enhance our lives together and not to stress out or add friction to our relationship over one night. When Roy and I started wedding planning, we quickly knew that we wanted our wedding to be different and reflect our relationship. As we started looking into venues, we toured a handful of catering halls, and immediately we just knew it wasn’t us. We desired an intimate yet sophisticated setting, customized to our personalities and we knew that would mean bringing everything in. This eventually led us to look at summer homes in the Hamptons- the perfect setting for our May wedding.

The house we rented was the perfect backdrop for us, the decor was minimal yet elegant, and there was a private beach down the road which is where we would host our ceremony. We were really taking a leap of faith because, while we would rent a tent, the entire ceremony and cocktail hour would be outdoors. The odds were in our favor because on that Spring day, the rain dried up, the clouds parted and we were blessed with the most perfect sunny, 80 degree day. As for decor, people would always ask us “What colors are you using?”, and we would say, “White with candles” which is all we wanted. In the natural, green setting of the backyard, with the deep blue pool in the middle, the fresh white linens, the draped tent and the white flowers added a clean, crisp touch. The candles also provided such a romantic feel, especially at nighttime as the sun went down and we danced in the dim lit tent.

The best part of the wedding was at the end of the night, when we recruited (and surprised) all of our guests by asking them to return to the beach where we said our nuptials and light wish lanterns. It was a sea of black (well past midnight at that point) and everyone held lanterns to lead the way. Then one by one we all watched our wish lanterns fly into the sky. It was a magical day which ended in a magical way.

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Wedding Photography: Forged in the North | Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venue: Private Residence in Sag Harbor, New York | Wedding Planning: Oventz International Planning | Wedding Cinematography: Wellspun Weddings | Floral Design: D for Decor | Wedding Cake: Sweet Creations by Susie | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom’s Attire: Tommy Hilfiger | Hair: Beautiful Brides by Lauren | Makeup: Jacqueline Shepherd

Firefly Events took one of our favorite spots, The Foundry, and transformed it into this sparkliest of Fall affairs. Folded into the day is the coziness of candlelight, the beauty of autumnal florals by Fox Fodder Farms and an event with the ease of a dinner party yet the unbelievable beauty of one of the biggest days of this couple’s life together. And the whole lot is made even more beautiful at the hands of Mademoiselle Fiona. Her images are artwork pure and simple and they’re all sitting pretty right here.

From Firefly Events: One of the biggest perks of planning Norah and Jacob’s autumn wedding, was getting to know them and becoming friends! These two are not only super sweet and laid back, but also creative, thoughtful, and completely in love. Right from the start, these two knew they wanted something a little different for their wedding…at our first meeting they told us they wanted the day to have the feel of  “machinery reclaimed by nature”. We immediately fell in love with this unique concept and got right to work fleshing out all the fun details.

The Foundry provided the perfect backdrop with it’s authentic industrial aesthetic and ivy covered walls. Guests were led into the intimate greenhouse space for a ceremony filled with beautiful ferns and colorful branch arrangements. We worked with Taylor from Fox Fodder Farm to create industrial vignettes throughout the ceremony and reception, using everything from rusted iron wheels and aged Terracotta pots, to vintage apothecary jars and organic pieces of driftwood. Taylor’s beautiful floral designs, including the brides stunning bouquet, provided the perfect balance of softness and a hint of romance.

Although Norah and Jacob currently live in San Francisco, (with their adorable dog Mellie) they both LOVE New York, and have tons of friends and family living close by. Getting married in NYC provided the perfect excuse to head east and enjoy the city. We made sure that guests got a chance to take in the beautiful city skyline on this crisp fall night, as we invited them to enjoy cocktails on The Foundry’s sprawling terrace. This space was extra cozy thanks to a good old fashioned bonfire where guests could make their own s’mores. Radish provided a sweet version with Mast Brothers chocolate, as well as a savory version created just for Norah and Jacob, featuring homemade cardamom marshmallows. Yum!

Radish continued to wow the crowd with a family style feast of seasonal treats including Grilled Honeycrisp Apples, and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. Taper candles in vintage brass holders, along with strings of amber lights, created a warm and intimate atmosphere where guests toasted the bride and groom with plenty of champagne and funny stories.

One of the best parts of the night was watching everyone cut loose on the dance floor to the amazing mix of dance music, provided by Kenan of Les Loups. Norah and Jacob wanted to skip the pop music, but not the dance party- and that’s exactly what they got! After working up a sweat, guests were also treated to velvety slices of chocolate cake from 9 Cakes. With gold icing and delicate sugar flowers, this trio of cakes were almost too pretty to eat.

Thankfully Fiona Conrad was with us from beginning to end on this magical day, catching every sweet and beautiful moment. Norah and Jacob are such a special couple, and Fiona captured that in every image.

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Photography: Mademoiselle Fiona with Second Shooter: Caroline Frost | Event Design and Planning: Firefly Events |Ceremony and Reception Location: The Foundry | Getting Ready Location: Soho Grand | Flowers: Fox Fodder Farms | Caterer: Radish Catering | Baker: 9 Cakes | Wedding Dress: Ian Stuart | Invitations and Stationery: Winsome Brave | Hair: Sally from Styles on B | Makeup: Nicole Sievers | Music: Kenan from Les Loups | Officiant: Hope from A More Perfect Union | Bride Shoes: Kate Spade

You know what makes me happy?  Colorful weddings.  Vibrant, full of life, downright gorgeous colorful weddings.  They never, ever fail to make me smile.  So, when I first laid my eyes on this Long Island beauty, well… crazy joy started flowing through my veins.  Because this breathtaking gem is not only boasting bright pops of purple, pink and yellow, but an entire gallery of pretty captured by Robin Roemer AND one seriously adorable duo.  And I happen to love those, too.  Click here for more.

From the Bride… When Mark and I began wedding planning, our three “must-haves” were: an amazing photographer, a live band, and lots of fun color! Luckily we were able to find and have all three on our big day which made it that much more fun and memorable for everyone!

The morning of the wedding, I got ready at my parents house on Long Island. My bridesmaids and I listened to music, sipped mimosas, and had bagels, all while praying that the rain would let up. It was pouring all morning! Mark and the groomsmen got ready at the hotel that our guests were staying at, 20 minutes away. Our prayers were answered and right before we had to leave for the church, the rain stopped and we were able to take a few pictures outside my parents’ house!

We had our ceremony at the beautiful old church in my hometown that I grew up going to – Saint Patrick’s Church in Bay Shore, New York. It was a sweet, simple ceremony performed by my father’s cousin. Afterwards, we took pictures at the Brightwaters Lakes nearby. Again, miraculously, the rain held out until right before it was time to head to our reception! We had our reception at the Royalton Mansion in Roslyn Heights. It’s understated elegance made it the perfect location for us and the food and service were beyond incredible! In addition, thanks to the East Coast Band, our guests were up and dancing way before dinner was even served!

Overall, Mark and I had such an amazing, special day! We had so much fun with our friends and family and we feel so lucky to have had it all beautifully captured by our talented photographer Robin Roemer! It was a perfect day we’ll never forget!

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Wedding Photography: Robin Roemer Photography | Second Photographer: Chelsea Slyer | Ceremony Venue: Saint Patrick’s Church in Bay Shore, New York | Reception Location: The Royalton Mansion in Roslyn Heights, New York | Floral Design: Spitz & Peck | Ceremony Music: West Islip String Ensemble | Reception Music: East Coast Band | Wedding Invitations + Stationery: Sir Speedy Printing of Bay Shore | Wedding Dress: Watters | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amsale | Groom’s Attire: Indochino | Hair + Makeup: A Woman’s Way

Never before have I seen a wedding of such perfect modern minimalism. The clean lines, the streamlined style and the seemingly effortless design all make up this most intimate urban affair that just found a home on my favorite weddings list. The always talented Judy Pak makes every image sing, so be sure to sit and stay awhile in the full gallery right here.

From the bride…We wanted our day to be modern, intimate and effortless, but also uniquely us. Our personalities manifested in all of the day’s details.  Having spent much of my early time in New York working in contemporary art galleries, I’d grown to love the clean lines and openness of the exhibition space. The Glasshouses (the first venue we looked at) was just perfect with its raw format… not to mention its 360 degree views of the city and outdoor terrace. Many of our guests would be traveling in from out of town, some visiting for the very first time, and we couldn’t think of a better way to show them the city we’d grown to love so dearly. As a fan of many-a-cuisine, Charlie’s adventurous palette led us to select Creative Edge Parties as our caterer. Instead of having a traditional sit-down dinner, we chose to entertain with a cocktail-style party, complete with heavy passed hors d’oeurves and small plates, as well as a “steakhouse” food station and a risotto bar. For dessert, we opted to go cake-less, and chose a “milk & cookies bar” with mini milkshakes, various cookies and flavored milks for dipping. The remaining details just fell into place as the big day approached.

After a fantastic rehearsal party at Locanda Verde the night before, Charlie and I woke up late to a room service breakfast and the most beautiful sunlight. From that point on, the day was a perfect whirlwind. While my bridesmaids, beautiful in French blue Amsale gowns, and I, waiting to put on my Anne Barge gown, got ready in our suite, the boys had a pre-wedding cocktail in the hotel bar.  As a lover of photography, I had found perfection personified in Judy Pak a full year before our wedding day. She shot our engagement photos and graciously accepted the task of shooting our wedding. That day, we began the pre-wedding shoot with a first look in the middle of Park Avenue and transitioned downtown, near the venue, to continue the shoot on the High Line. Our wedding party was able to enjoy a quiet moment and a glass of champagne on the venue’s balcony before the ceremony began.
 
It wasn’t until our piano violin and guitar trio (from Hank Lane) began the prelude (an instrumental version of Birdy’s cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love,) that the extreme emotion of the day’s events surfaced. The music just brought me completely into the moment. I grasped my father’s arm as the processional began (another instrumental version of ‘I Can’t Help Falling in Love’) and we walked down the aisle to meet the most amazing man and begin the most amazing of celebrations.  

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Wedding Photography: Judy Pak | Assistant Photographer: Brklyn View Photography | Wedding Venue: The Glasshouses in New York City | Wedding Coordination: Angie Nevarez of Baton | Catering: Creative Edge Parties | Floral Design: Tim McFadden | Band: Pete Saunders Band | Table Numbers: Gauge NYC | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Nicole Diguglielmo | Hair: Chuck Olson of Tommy Guns Salon | Makeup: Nicole (n.diguglielmo@yahoo.com)

When a wedding from DM Events pops up in our inbox, I know we are in for a treat. I set all things aside so I can completely focus on the pretty, and this wedding shot by Judith Rae at the Liberty Warehouse was no exception. With beautiful design elements around every corner perfectly conveying the vision of this couple’s big day topped off with an oh so pin-able cake from Nine Cakes – it’s all worthy of your undivided attention. See it all here.

From DM Events… Christine and Bill were a blast to work with! When we first met, they were not sure exactly what their wedding style was, but they were clear about one thing: it was going to be fun! Well despite the storm that threatened to rain out the day, the wedding was, in fact, a blast! With a full dance floor, and packed photobooth, Christine and Bill celebrated their love exactly as they envisioned.

We quickly realized that Christine was drawn to items with an elegant, romantic feel to them… but she also loved bling, so we had to find a way to “marry” the two. We found beautiful wire mesh lanterns with touches of jewels on the outside – they were the perfect item around which to build the wedding design. We surrounded them with mint julep cups filled with purple roses, for a bit of the traditional elegance Christine loved. We filled the remaining tables with varying shades of purple blooms including antique hydrangeas, roses, and dahlias. We knew that candle light would be an important element of the design if we wanted to give Christine the romance she was drawn to, but we also knew that the votives used had to be unique and different, or the design would become too traditional. We found gorgeous mismatched silver votives, with amazing texture and detail, to help make the romantic glow extra interesting! Christine’s accessories and jewelry really added the extra bling to the design that she craved.

Christine and Bill wanted to ensure that the wedding dinner was both easy on the eyes and the stomach, and with River Cafe catering the night, it was as slam dunk! Betsy, the amazing force behind Nine Cakes, created a stunning confection creation for the couple. Christine and Bill honeymooned in Italy, and wanted guests to have a taste of “La Dolce Vida” as well, so they also had Betsy whip up a cupcake for each guest to take at the end of the night.

Every couple wants their wedding day to be perfect – and with an impending storm, Christine and Bill certainly had extra wedding day stress. But it was beautiful to see them beat the storm – in the end, they decided the weather didn’t matter as their love. A lesson we should remember.

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Photography: Judith Rae | Assistant Photography: Jonathan Tan + Luis Zepeda | Venue: Liberty Warehouse in New York City, New York | Event Planning, Design + Florals: DM Events | Cake: Nine Cakes | DJ: Scratch Entertainment | Photo Booth: Famous Booth | Makeup: Erika Franco Hair and Make Up

There’s almost nothing I adore more than a good New York wedding. The kind of wedding where the city isn’t just a setting, but is the very center of a love story. So when this beautiful couple set out to plan their day, they chose to celebrate with an ode to old New York–the city at the very center or their story. See the whole day unfold with the stunning images from Trent Bailey Photography in the full gallery here.

From Trent Bailey Photography… Erica & Dave were married on one of the most beautiful November days New York has ever seen. The perfect weather was just the beginning of this beautiful day. One of Erica and Dave’s top priorities for the day was to have beautiful photos to remember the day by. They selected the penthouse of the Hudson hotel for it’s beautiful decor, sun filled rooms, and a terrace with beautiful views of Manhattan. We were so elated to see the getting ready location and were able to capture the first look as well as the family portraits on the terrace. The couple met just weeks before graduation from Columbia University so it was only fitting that they returned to the chapel on campus to exchange vows in front of family and friends. Erica said she “wanted the wedding to embody a romantic, vintage New York. New York City, our home, was the perfect landscape for our wedding as we had the opportunity to incorporate so many personal touches.” They chose Central Park, one of their favorite New York locations, as the background for photographs with their wedding party. We gathered with the bridal party on the very bridge where Dave proposed and then we danced the night away at the Central Park Boathouse.

From the Bride…When my husband and I started to plan our New York wedding, my first priority was to find the perfect wedding photographer. I wanted to find someone who could capture the emotion of our wedding day in a beautiful, timeless style and Trent & Dara exceeded my expectations. They worked together seamlessly on our wedding day to produce a gorgeous collection of photographs that we will share with our family for generations.

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Wedding Photography: Trent and Dara of Trent Bailey Photography | Wedding Planning: Sara Kate Events | Wedding Cinematography: Milestone Video Production | Floral Design: Lenox Hill Florists | Catering The Loeb Central Park Boathouse | Entertainment: Hank Lane Productions Makeup: Mala | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Groom’s Attire: Suit by Astor and Black | Groom’s Accessories, Tie: J. Crew | Groom’s Shoes: Prada | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J. Crew and Leifsdottir

It’s a well-known fact that Brooklyn weddings are awesome.  Very awesome.  And since we happen to love awesome weddings here at SMP, basking in today’s Prospect Park Boathouse soiree is like THE perfect way to spend the day.  Especially since this affair happens to be boasting some of the most colorful (+ gorgeous) florals you’ll ever see from Seaport Flowers, a divine Anne Barge gown via Lovely Bride and moment after moment of pure joy captured expertly by Sasithon Photography.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… From the start, we wanted our wedding to be a fun, personal celebration with lots of good food and dancing. We chose to get married in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, not far from where we live, and found that the Boathouse was the ideal venue. Its Beaux arts-style structure lent itself to an elegant aesthetic, and its location on a lake surrounded by trees was visually stunning.

Once we booked it, the details all flowed out. I chose blue and coral as our main colors, with hints of greens and pinks. Early on in the process, I decided to work with Seri & Michelle of Little Miss Party, who were fantastic in helping us iron out the logistics of the event. My mother, who lives in California, was also crucial in helping to plan. Our invitations were designed by my husband’s brother, an artist, who took his inspiration from the Boathouse itself.

We were lucky to have worked with a talented photographer for our engagement shots, so the photography wasn’t a question. When we got engaged, a friend recommended Sasithon Pooviriyakul, who we met and immediately liked. The engagement photos she took of us turned out wonderfully, and with her exquisite eye for detail and documentary style, we knew we wanted to work with her for the wedding. She was a part of the process early on, and helped us plan out the day and made sure to document every moment. She captured the entire day beautifully.

I chose sunny, bright flowers to complement the Indian Summer feel of a mid-September evening, and selected sunflowers, my favorite flower, to add touches throughout the event. My husband and I spent hours working on the ceremony, which we wrote ourselves, and incorporated elements from literary, Catholic and Jewish traditions, reflecting our varied backgrounds. We were married outside on the lake, and selected a chuppah, covered with sunflowers, and held by various friends and family. My uncle became officiated in order to marry us. We asked friends to read selections from a few of our favorite writers. And, during the vows, we decided to thank each of our parents individually. After the ceremony, we stole a few minutes upstairs on the balcony, which was very sweet.

For the reception indoors, we served lots of small hors d’oeuvres and champagne, followed by a sit-down meal of heirloom tomato salad and chicken and fish with greens. Since many of our guests were from out of town, we wanted to treat them to a few Brooklyn-centric surprises. Right after dinner, we had a cart from Uncle Louis G show up to serve Italian ices, which was followed by cake and a DJ playing soul music. We danced outside until 11 p.m, and ended the night with a toast at Brooklyn Inn.

Wedding Photography: Sasithon Photography | Second Photographer: Carmen Santorelli | Wedding Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse in Brooklyn, New York | Hotel: Nu Hotel | Event Planning + Design: Little Miss Party Planner | Floral Design: Seaport Flowers | Catering: Movable Feast Catering | Music: DJ Fine Wine | Wedding Invitations: Tim Cavnar | Printing + Letterpress: Lion in the Sun | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via Lovely Bride | Seamstress: Esin | Shoes: Kathryn Amberleigh | Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew | Groom’s Attire: Theory | Hair: Donne Salon | Makeup: Sarah Egan +  Sybil Secor

When putting together these stunning images from Sue Kessler of Christian Oth Studio, I felt as though I was watching the wedding of an old Hollywood starlet unfold. Grace Kelly to be exact. A perfectly timeless beauty marrying her dapper groom at the Brooklyn Museum in the most elegant of affairs. It reads like a movie, and looks equally glamourous thanks to the talented workings of Bellafare and Fleurs Floral & Event Design. It’s a dream wedding come to life, and you can indulge in every gorgeous piece of it right here.

And be sure to catch every last beautiful moment in their film by Love & You…

From Bellafare…Clare’s vision for her wedding day was classic and timeless with a touch of glamour. Before hiring us, she had already chosen the Brooklyn Museum, which served as a stunning backdrop for the wedding she envisioned. The Beaux-Arts Court at the museum is grand, with an early twentieth century vibe, which we we used as an inspiration for the overall decor. The archways, glass floor, and large brass chandelier only added to the drama of this beautiful wedding.

Clare and Jon exchanged vows at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in lower Manhattan. As Clare elegantly approached the altar, she looked reminiscent of Grace Kelly on her wedding day in 1956. After the ceremony, guests departed the church in double decker buses and toured the city before arriving at The Brooklyn Museum for cocktails, while Clare and Jon came straight to the venue in a vintage black Rolls Royce.

During the cocktail hour, as a french trio played in the background, guests mingled and sipped champagne cocktails in the modern museum lobby. Immediately following the cocktail hour, guests were transported back in time as they picked up their escort card from the elegantly adorned table with a silk, champagne linen and an arrangement full of magnolia leaves, before entering through the Beaux-Arts Court’s archway, draped in velvet fabric . Half of the reception tables were set with ivory, blush, and champagne florals placed in vintage urns and glass revere bowls, while the other half added a bit of height with tall, white dendrobium orchid arrangements, which cascaded over each table. Gold and ivory menus were at each place setting and guests toasted to the happy couple with vintage inspired champagne flutes. At the head table, a hand calligraphed blush and gold place card marked each seat, while the mirrored runner and collection of candles added a bit of sparkle. As guests dined, Frank Sinatra and Etta James crooned quietly in the background, and once the entree was finished, Hudson Project brought up the tempo and had guests on their feet throughout the rest of the night.

Wedding Venue: Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York | Wedding Photography: Sue Kessler for Christian Oth Studio | Wedding Planning + Design: Bellafare | Floral Design: Fleurs Floral & Event Design | Catering: Restaurant Associates | Music: The Hudson Project via Elan Artists | Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Transportation: Silver Star Limousine + Grayline + J&R Tours | Wedding Stationery: East Six | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Hair: Laureen Krawse for Styles on B | Makeup: Nicole Sievers | Cinematography: Love & You

Once in awhile a wedding comes along that checks every single love of mine. This usually entails a sun-filled beach wedding somewhere tropical. But sometimes it is all about a romantic winter affair. And this baby has a whole lot of checks. Great photography at the hands of Tracey Buyce: check. A sea of beautiful blooms crafted by Renaissance Floral Design: another check. Modern meets whimsical meets traditional meets gorgeous: check, check, check, and check. It’s a clementine-filled love affair and you can see even more right here.

From the Bride… Bill and I attended the same, small law school in upstate New York, but we didn’t meet each other until a school trip to Cleveland, Ohio. While there, and in true ladylike fashion, I challenged him in a drinking game. The rest, as they say, is history. After Bill proposed, we quickly decided on the historic Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, NY and picked a December date. I had always wanted a winter wedding done in bright, punchy colors. No snowflakes, red-and-green, or sparkly winter inspiration for us.

With typical winter colors out of the running, the driving force for our wedding design came from my personal style, which I describe as a “marriage” of Anthropologie and CB2—a little bit vintage and whimsical, with a healthy dose of modern. The inspiration started with two things: orange clementines in milk glass, and an edge-painted, gray letterpress Irving invitation from Bella Figura. From there, I found the most beautiful gray, pink, and orange Aimee Wilder wallpaper—which ultimately ended up as the runner on the head table, and on the escort boards—and a concept and color palette started to take shape. Because I had lots of contrasting design components, I wanted a unifying element that we could repeat throughout the day. We decided on a gray-and-white chevron pattern and incorporated it everywhere—from the flower girls’ skirts, to the napkins on the head table, and the to-go cookies for the end of the night.

I also saw the wedding as an opportunity to flex my crafty, creative side (not something that gets much use in my day-to-day life as an attorney). I designed our day-of wedding paper and, with the help of my amazing mom, executed seemingly-endless DIY details like the table numbers, escort boards, and signage. The design was very “me,” but our day also highlighted some of the most memorable moments that Bill and I have shared as a couple. The cocktail hour featured a chef-manned Thai station (a nod to a trip Bill and I took after graduating law school), and the bar poured wine from our favorite vineyard. And although Bill and I didn’t know each other in our undergrad years, I have heard all about his college a cappella group and I’ve met many of his friends from those days. As a surprise, I arranged to have the group travel to Saratoga and perform between dinner courses.

Wedding Photography: Tracey Buyce Photography / Wedding Venue: The Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, New York / Wedding Planning: Shannon Whitney of Wedding Planning Plus / Floral Design + Linen Rentals: Renaissance Floral Design, LLC / Rentals and Lighting: Clifton Park Rental Center / Wedding Catering: Mansion Catering / Wedding Cake: Villa Italia Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Bella Figura / Misc. Wedding Stationery: Bride’s Design / Band: Phase One of Craig Scott Entertainment / Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Fur Wrap: Family Heirloom / Bride’s Earrings: Honeybee Collection (Hope Star Deco Earrings) / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Makeup: Make Me Fabulous / Groom’s Tux: Tommy Hilfiger

Sometimes I come across a wedding that simply makes me stop in my tracks. A wedding that is so beautiful, so well thought out I can’t help but set aside some time to revel in it all. This is just such a wedding. Captured beautifully by Sarah Postma Photography at the magical Oheka Castle, every detail is not only a reflection of this love-struck couple but it also a very good reason to get swept up in it all. Which you can do right here.

And you simply can’t miss their film from McKenzie Miller…

From the Bride… Perhaps it’s because I’m a writer and I’ve always appreciated symbolism, but it was really important to me that the details of our wedding be infused with meaning and help tell a story about ourselves and our relationship. Although neither myself nor my husband were particularly crafty before our big day, we ended up creating many of these personal touches together and it turned out to be a great bonding experience (I know, I am incredibly lucky to have found a guy who was not only involved in wedding planning, but also sat for hours assembling confetti packets for our ceremony!).

I met my husband, Jesse, through mutual friends at a concert in Central Park, so our wedding took on a loose Central Park theme. The stunning formal gardens at our venue, Oheka Castle, were designed by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted who created the layout for Central Park. We stuck to whites and greens for our flowers to give it a lush park feel and topped our cake with bride-and-groom birds purchased on Etsy that resemble glamorous pigeons. Even my dress featured a French floral lace, which tied in nicely with the nature motif, although I admit it was the unique fabric and unparalleled fit of the gown that made me choose it in the first place!

Since I work for Time Out New York, I am constantly dragging Jesse all over the five boroughs to do all of the fun things my magazine—a weekly guide to New York City—covers. We wanted our escort and table cards to reflect how our relationship developed in NYC, so we had a graphic designer friend, Ryan Adair, design MetroCard escort cards and corresponding neighborhood table cards that resemble subway signs. All of the tables were named after neighborhoods Jesse and I have been to together, and the back of each card displayed a memory that we shared in each area. Jesse is an anesthesiologist, so as a nod to his profession I created a sign for our guest book that asked attendees to “write a prescription for a happy marriage.” A portion of the proceeds from our favors (heart-shaped Linzer tart cookies and chocolate chip cookie brownies from Baking for Good) benefited Doctors Without Borders.

Finally, we both wanted to incorporate our family into our wedding, in both literal and less obvious ways. Jesse’s grandfather, a Lutheran minister, did the opening and closing blessing at our. We also displayed wedding portraits from all of our immediate family members (reaching as far back as Jesse’s great grandmother!) in the entryway at our reception. As for the more subtle nods, I had ordered a custom tea towel calendar from Etsy embroidered with a heart around our wedding date, but since my wedding didn’t have a rustic feel, I had my grandmother adhere it to a ring bearer pillow she sewed using silk dupioni left over from my cousin’s communion dress. My maternal grandfather passed away two years ago so my florist weaved two rosary bracelets he bought me during a trip to the Vatican onto my bouquet. Not only did I feel like a part of him could be there to walk me down the aisle, but one of the bracelets happened to be blue.

While all of our planning and hard work certainly paid off (even distant relatives in attendance said they got a great sense for what we’re like as a couple!), all of those wonderful details would be fuzzy memories if they weren’t captured so beautifully by our photographer, Sarah Postma, and our videographer, McKenzie Miller. They were both so unobtrusive and yet their work allows us to relive the best day of our lives in such a special way!

Wedding Photography: Sarah Postma Photography  / Ceremony Location: St. Edward Confessor Church in Syosset, New York / Getting Ready +  Reception Venue: Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York / Wedding Coordinator: Cloud Nove Events / Wedding Cinematography: McKenzie Miller / Floral Design: Murphy & Company / Wedding Cake: Oheka Castle  / Cake Topper: Purple Madison / Music: Times Square Orchestra / Wedding Invitations: East Six / Escort Cards + Table Cards: Ryan Adair / Favors: Baking for Good / Ring Bearer Pillow Custom Tea Towel: Giggle Room /Wedding Dress: Anna Maier Ulla-Maija “#3407” / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Bari Jay / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Pretty Plum Sugar / Mother of the Bride’s Attire: Oscar de la Renta / Groom’s Attire: Baldwin Formals / Hair: Candice LaRocque / Makeup: Divine Artistry

We love a lot of things here at SMP New York. We spend our days gushing over gorgeousness, so there is ultimately a lot to love. But something that makes us giddy as all get out is introducing you to talents in the industry who we now call family. So on this lovely Saturday morning, we’ll do just that. With two talents right in your back yard – W Studios New York and Flowerfetti – that you’ll definitely want to bookmark and buddy up with…

First let’s make a little visit to W Studios New York. It’s no secret that SMP loves – LOVES – photography, so we are always on the look out for talented folks who capture the most gorgeous of days. So we were counting our lucky stars when we landed on W Studios New York. They are talented and then some, so do yourself a favor and spend some time swooning on their site to see for yourself.

About W Studios New York…Stephen is the principal photographer of W Studios New York, but he is the first to say he couldn’t have gotten where he is today without the support of his partner, Yuliya. Together they both attribute the success of W Studios NY to their couples. This boutique New York City studio is tailored to capturing the candid and compelling moments that happen when couples are happy & in love on their wedding day. Just as much attention is paid to story telling throughout the day as to lighting. Both Stephen and Yuliya earned BFAs from the School of Visual Arts; Stephen’s photos have been featured in numerous publications around the world. Stephen started photographing weddings in NYC nine years ago straight out of high school and has never looked back. One of his favorite elements about having a boutique studio is that he often finds himself talking to his brides and grooms over a cup of coffee or glass of wine about life as well as their big day.

Three lucky winners will win a discount of $499 off of any full-day wedding package by W Studios New York by answering this question: Which wedding moment are you most excited for your photographer to capture? Winners will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, March 29. (Subject to W Studios New York availability).

Bring up flowers at SMP HQ, and you’ll surely get a reaction of squealing bloggers. There is nothing that makes our hearts pitter patter more than beautiful blooms, so welcoming Flowerfetti to our SMP New York family is a no-brainer. Because being showered by a sea of petals on your big day basically sounds like a dream, but Flowerfetti makes it reality.

About Flowerfetti…Create fairytale endings with natural Flowerfetti. Signature flowers and herbs inspired by the language of flowers shower good wishes – toss roses for love, lavender for devotion or rosemary for remembrance. Inspired by an herb garden, Flowerfetti began with a new tradition of tossing fragrant lavender confetti. Our collection now includes enchanting wildflowers, elegant rose petals, modern white flower confetti and seasonal holiday blends. Serve from elegant silver bowls, rustic moss baskets, sweet pails, stylish favors or petal cones (available). Our large, 100-cup boxes of rose petals are perfect for bridal paths and romantic accents. Flowerfetti is available in 25-cup bags (serves 75), charming wedding pails and custom amounts, and the company ships nation-wide.

We welcome you with open arms and are thrilled to have you in the SMP New York Family! xoxo

I tend to get a little excited when Divine Light Photography sends a little somethin’ special our way. That’s because they happen to be serious geniuses at capturing those moments that make your heart swoon – and today’s beautiful West Point engagement session is certainly no exception with a stunning bride-to-be, a beyond breathtaking Fall landscape and a handsome groom in uniform.  Say it with me, lovelies… Swoon. Worthy.  Click here for even more.

From Divine Light Photography… JiEun and Adam wanted to have their engagement session at West Point Academy, just a little ways up the Hudson from New York City where Adam attended and graduated. The school is as picturesque as it gets and the Fall colors brought the hills and grounds to life. The school also has the best view of both sides of the Hudson seen anywhere. 

Wedding Photography: Divine Light Photography / Location: United States Military Academy in West Point, New York

I often catch myself feeling beyond lucky for getting to spend my days poring over love stories. And if that wasn’t good enough, I get to swoon over the stories captured by talented people like Shannen Natasha Weddings. Whose images of this Bedell Cellars wedding make me feel like I am right there dancing the night away with this stunning couple after a perfect day. That’s nothing short of lucky, and I couldn’t be more thankful that my day will be spent right here.

From the Bride… I grew up in a small beach town on the North Fork of Long Island—90 miles and a world away from New York City. After Billy and I started dating, I introduced him to the area, and he loved it as much as I do. We’ve spent some of our happiest, most relaxing weekends there, and it was an obvious spot for our wedding. The North Fork has great beaches, farms and vineyards, and we wanted our wedding to reflect everything that we love about the area. We hosted a rehearsal dinner BBQ beach bonfire at my parents’ house, and planned the wedding at a nearby vineyard.

We wanted the wedding to feel rustic, but elegant—and most of all, to celebrate our love for each other and our guests. We worked with a wonderful florist, who sourced local, seasonal flowers. Instead of a wedding cake, we served pie from a local farm stand. To reflect our love of travel, we asked guests to sign a giant, Lonely Planet travel book—picking a destination that was special to them. We brought in a phenomenal band from Manhattan, and danced like maniacs all night.

Our lovely photographer, Shannen Natasha Weddings, took photos before the wedding—at my parents’ house and on their boat. She made us feel comfortable and relaxed, and captured our emotions perfectly. I bought inexpensive shoes, knowing that if that if we threw the kind of party we wanted, I’d be barefoot and dancing by dessert. Thankfully, we were right.

Wedding Photography: Shannen Natasha Weddings / Wedding Venue: Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue, New York / Floral Design: Rebecca Jens from Moments in Time Floral Design / Dessert: Briermere Farms / Band: Rhythm Collective via Elan Artists / Wedding Invitations: Crane & Co. / Wedding Stationery: The Ink Spot / Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta via Kleinfeld Bridal / Rings: T. Gluck / Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew / Groom’ s + Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew / Men’s Ties: Vineyard Vines / Hair + Makeup: Carolyn’s Salon

There is a lesson in this lovely post today – if after months of planning your big day doesn’t quite pan out like you envisioned, grab your insanely talented photographer (I’m talking to you Carmen Santorelli Photography), and recreate those moments on your home turf. It allowed this Bride to don her gorgeous Jim Hjelm gown again, and gave her groom a good excuse to get a little dapper. But most importantly, it gave them gorgeous images they can treasure forever. See them all here.

From Carmen Santorelli Photography… Andrea and A.J. got married in Boston this past September, and sadly, the weather didn’t quite cooperate on their wedding day. But that didn’t stop them from having beautiful wedding portraits. Since they live in NYC, we met in Central Park and recreated the magic with a ‘Day After’ session. I loved the delicate feminine touch of the floral design, the effortlessly styled groom, and the bride’s stunning gown!

Wedding Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography / Location: Central Park in New York City, New York / Floral Design: 2H Flowers / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Veil: Bridal Veil Falls  / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse

I couldn’t imagine a world without weddings.  A world void of those awe-inspiring, squeal-inducing, get your heart racing moments that make up the happiest of happy days in a couple’s life. Not only because weddings showcase the most lavish design and gorgeous gowns, but because when you stop and look, and I mean really look, you see the emotion and love that shines brighter than any floral arrangement or cake design could. Like the Groom, so eager with anticipation and the Bride who couldn’t wipe the smile off her face if she tried. It’s those very moments that are the heart and soul of this New York wedding so perfectly captured by Erin Hearts Court and filmed by Crafthouse Productions. And there’s even more to love in the full gallery right here.

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From the Bride… When Mike and I first got engaged we considered several places to get married: Singapore, Napa, Hawaii, Turks & Caicos. In the end we gravitated back to New York – the place where we live, met and fell in love. One of the first things my native New Yorker husband said was he wanted to get married outside of the city. The Garrison was one of the first places we visited and right away we knew that was IT. We like to hike in the Hudson Valley during the fall (our favorite season) and the venue has gorgeous views of the river, especially with fall foliage. The restaurant is renowned for its farm-to-table food, sourced locally from regional farms as well as their own. The Garrison is the perfect blend of chic yet intimate, elegant yet unpretentious venue we were looking for. Annie Rozycki was there to help with on-site coordination from the first time we stepped on the property through our wedding day.

In the beginning when we started planning I fretted about whether our wedding would truly represent who we are as a couple and as individuals. I realized that it naturally will be, through your choices and the people you choose to have with you that day. Our wedding was so much FUN, and more perfect than I could have imagined possible.

The best advice I can give to other brides came from two people who I adore – the first was from my event designer Tracy Taylor Ward, who told me when we first met: choose vendors who are not just talented but who you truly enjoy to be with. I followed that advice and can say that I adore every single one of our incredibly talented vendors. They were all utter professionals, passionate about their craft, and made planning our big day such a joy. Our wedding was flawless thanks to these wonderful people. The second piece of advice was from my aunt Cecilia: the weddings that people remember, and where they have the most fun, are the ones where the bride is relaxed and happy!

Wedding Photography: Erin Hearts Court / Ceremony Venue: St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, New York / Reception Venue: The Garrison in Garrison, New York / Wedding Design: Tracy Taylor Ward Design / Floral Design: Sprout Home / Wedding Cinematography: Crafthouse Productions / Wedding Invitations: Matthew Carrigan of Paper with Benefits / Band: Around Town Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Jewelry: Tejani / Beauty: StylesonB / Hair: Samantha Landis / Makeup: Sally Duvall Makeup Artistry / Groom’s Tuxedo: Armani

“Father of the Bride” just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite movies, so when I read that this gorgeous bride had always dreamt of an Annie Banks-style wedding day, I completely understood. Then I spotted her uber-breathtaking affair held at the Wainwright House and, well.  Let’s just say I was done for.  Because when you combine a seriously pretty Hudson Valley venue with a plethora of classically chic details, beautiful blooms from Daniel Florals & Events, Inc and glorious images from Robin Roemer Photography, that’s what happens.  Done and done.  Click here for soooo much more.

From the Bride… As a child, I loved the movie “Father of the Bride”, and I always wanted a beautiful wedding in my own backyard. While my own home could never accommodate such a wedding, the Wainwright House helped us feel like we were getting married in that same intimate setting. From the moment we arrived at the House for the first time, we knew this is where we wanted our wedding to be. The quiet setting on the water had the feel of a destination wedding even though we were only 30 minutes from Manhattan. The site also serves as a spiritual retreat center and when you’re on site, you truly understand why.

To support this setting, we wanted a classic, beautiful wedding that still felt fun, intimate, and approachable. From the hot pink shoes to the violin-guitar duo, we wanted guests to feel like they were at a celebration and were there to have a good time. For the placecards and table numbers, we bought vintage floral paper from all over the tri-state area to give to our florist – our own way of creating a “picked from the garden” feel. 

Neither my husband nor I could stop smiling the whole day, and felt incredibly present for every moment. The whole experience felt magical – even the next morning my husband looked at me and said “did that really just happen?”

Wedding Photography: Robin Roemer Photography / Wedding Venue: Wainwright House in Rye, New York / Floral Design: Daniel Florals & Events, Inc / Wedding Cinematography: Starlight Productions / Caterer + Wedding Cake: Cornerstone Caterers / Cake Topper: A Simple Start / Band: Dane Wright Band / Wedding Invitations: Designers Fine Press / Save the Date: Vistaprint / Wedding Dress: Junko Yoshiaka via Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal Salon / Bride’s Shoes: RSVP via Zappos / Bride’s Earrings: Lord & Taylor / Wedding Rings: Darien Jewelers / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Ann Taylor / Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Tie: Ermenegildo Zegna / Groom’s Cufflinks: Gwen Delicious Jewlery Designs / Groomsmen Ties: El Burgues

Love and glamour are literally filling every nook and cranny of this New York City affair. And the perfect images from Sue Kessler of Christian Oth Studio only add to the beauty of a husband and wife celebrating their love in the Big City and carving out some time for a few classic photo ops around Columbus Circle. The cityscape along with blooms from Renny & Reed and gorgeous details crafted by Classic Events added the perfect touch to this glamorous black tie affair. The result is nothing short of magical and you can see every last crazy good piece of it over in the full gallery,

From Danielle Elder of Classic Events… On what Sam thought would be an ordinary vacation to Puerto Rico, she met the man of her dreams. She was just enjoying her vacation, sitting at the bar when Jake approached her. It was like they knew each other their whole lives. They talked the night away under the stars. The vacation then came to an end; she went back to being a typical New Yorker and he returned to his military career. A week later he came to New York City and from that day forward the couple knew they couldn’t stay away from each other. So after making a long distance relationship work for months, Jake joined Sam in New York City. They then returned to Puerto Rico this time as a couple and on March 20, 2011 he proposed and she gladly said yes.

Sam and Jake’s wedding day was to be a complete reflection of them both as individuals and as a couple. She wanted classic New York City flare to marry her fiancé’s deep Oklahoma roots. So she chose the Mandarin Hotel with its amazing view of New York City to be their backdrop and we left it up to Renny and Reed to create a whimsical forest in the middle of Manhattan. They did an amazing job of bringing nature indoors with a chuppah made completely out of branches and flowers, topped off with centerpieces that resembled miniature trees. The room was warm and inviting. During dinner guests were surprised in classic New York City fashion as acrobats and dancers performed a floor show. And of course everyone was sent home with a sweet treat. A NYC taxi cookie paired with southern truffles by Cake Alchemy. Just like the couple, the parting gift was the combination of two worlds merged into one.

Wedding Photography: Sue Kessler of Christian Oth Studio / Wedding Venue: Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City, New York / Wedding Planning: Danielle Elder of Classic Events / Floral Design: Renny & Reed / Officiant: Susanna Weiss / Wedding Cake + Favors: Cake Alchemy / Wedding Invitations: Fancy That LLC / Save the Dates: East Six / Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Musicians: Juilliard String Quartet / Band: Karen Lloyd Band of Hank Lane / Entertainment: Acroback Productions Inc. / Lighting: Robert Stark Lighting / Hair + Makeup: Once Upon a Bride / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang