New York Weddings

The Plaza Hotel has set the scene for some pretty spectacular weddings in its time, but I would have to say this elegant beauty from Brian Hatton Photography definitely ranks amongst the prettiest. And the most special. With so many talented people pulling together to pull out the stops (on top of touches like a work of art cake masterpiece from Ron Ben Israel), it goes without saying that this soiree simply shouldn’t be missed – so join me in the gallery for even more.

And it all continues with this gorgeous film by NY Filmworks…

From Brian Hatton Photography… Leading up to Jay & Tony’s wedding, there was a heightened sense of anticipation and coordination between all the various parties involved. Everyone knew this one was a little different. First off – this would be the very first gay wedding ever at The Plaza Hotel, New York City’s iconic centerpiece at the base of Central Park and Fifth Avenue. We knew that The Plaza ballroom would be transformed in such a way that had never been done before. Ron Ben Israel would be there to personally present a wedding cake right after the legendary Donna Lewis sings her hit “I love you always forever” for the first dance. We also knew that the wedding would serve to generously support and raise awareness for the organization “It Gets Better” which assists struggling LGBT youth.

As excited as I was to capture all of these things… I was reminded upon entering the dressing room that like any wedding, I would be telling a heartwarming story about family. Over the course of these images you’ll get to know our grooms, their families and two children. A modern family indeed.

Wedding Photography: Brian Hatton Photography / Wedding Venue: The Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York / Event Planning: Emily Reifel from The Plaza Hotel / Floral Design: Golf Srithamrong from Tantawan Bloom / Wedding Cinematography: NY Filmworks / Wedding Cake: Ron Ben Israel / Lighting: Bentley Meeker / Musician: Donna Lewis / Announcer: John Taylor

If I could rush off tomorrow and tie the knot at the Peconic River Herb Farm, I totally would – and it has everything to do with these two sweeties and their beauty of a day captured by Love by Serena, or what I’m calling an organic meets DIY meets simply elegant masterpiece.  Trust me, spend just one moment in the gallery of pretty, pretty images and you’ll feel the exact same way.  Because this is the kind of day that dreams are made of with a breathtaking tented reception, candle-filled mason jars and dried flower centerpieces from Flores del Sol.  Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

From the Bride… Scott and I were very excited to do a First Look. We had stayed with many of our friends in the days leading up to the wedding and didn’t have a lot of private time. After running around like crazy getting ready before the wedding, it was so wonderful to have a private moment before all of the happy-chaos to just be together and enjoy each other’s company alone (well, with Chad and Serena!). It also allowed us to calm any pre-wedding jitters and get in as many hugs and hand-holds as possible. There was still plenty of excitement when we saw each other down the aisle, and seeing each other beforehand did not detract from how magical that moment was. We love that we got to see each other in our full wedding regalia before the rest of our guests did – it’s this special moment we’ll always have, just the two of us.

Our favors were ginger-molasses cookies baked by my mother-in-law and the table numbers were wire-wrapped by one of our friends. The decor on the entry table and any live plant material was all sourced from the farm. We incorporated the idea to put mason jars on the trees from the couple that got married at the site before us, but tweaked it by standing the candles in salt. The dried flower centerpieces were from Flores del Sol on Etsy. The bouquets were also from Flores del Sol. They’re still beautiful and I consider them heirloom pieces.

From Love by Serena… At the wedding, Stephanie’s mom told us that the wedding location meant a lot. She used to take Stephanie to the Peconic Herb Farm when she was a young girl and it was one of her favorite spots. There’s so much beauty there and it has such a calm feel.

Photography was the utmost importance to Stephanie and Scott – and we really had an absolutely amazing time working with them and getting to know them. They’re incredibly sweet and madly-in-love… and we’re so, so glad to be able to call them friends.

Wedding Photography: Love by Serena / Wedding Venue: Peconic River Herb Farm in Calverton, New York / Floral Design: Bouquets from Flores del Sol / Catering: Maple Tree BBQ / Desserts Pies: Briermere Farms / Favors + Decor: DIY by the Bride / Music: DJ Taro from Sugartown Industries / Stationery: Paper Source / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Liz Claiborne via DSW / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Their Choice / Groom’s Attire: Tommy Hilfiger via Macy’s / Groom’s Shoes: Alfani via Macy’s / Groomsmen Attire: Their Choice / Wedding Rings: Michele Mercaldo Jewelry

I am just smitten over fall in the city. A time where cobblestone streets and brick buildings create the perfect pairing for fiery autumn foliage. And who better than Poppies & Posies to craft gorgeous floral designs of deep red and orange hues that are not only the bride’s favorite colors, but the groom’s alma mater team colors as well! Oh, and photographer Charlotte Jenks Lewis took this gorgeous day and made it nothing short of brilliant. To see more of this pretty day, head on over to the gallery.

From the Bride… When we started planning, all Moody and I knew was that we wanted our wedding to be a great party! I had been to events at the Foundry before, and given that we lived just a few miles away in Astoria, it seemed like the perfect spot. I brought Moody there and he loved it just as much as I hoped he would. The venue encapsulated everything we wanted in a wedding location: beauty, history, and a view! I had always dreamed of a fall wedding. Moody and I are both drawn to autumnal colors (I love the vibrancy of reds, oranges and yellows, and Moody, um well, he’s partial to the color orange representing his Syracuse basketball team). Poppies & Posies brought our vision to life with their gorgeous arrangements. 

It was also important to us not to have a formal sit-down dinner. We loved the idea of people moving around, dancing and chatting without being stuck at a table all night. Melissa and Shaun at Great Performances understood what we were looking for and helped us create the ideal menu for our “floating dinner.” We served a “Fall Harvest”, which included kabocha squash roasted with maple syrup, roasted cod, a pork roast with cranberry relish, Peter Luger’s steak sauce, root vegetables, creamed spinach, “Syracuse” salt potatoes, wild mushrooms, and seckle pears with cardamom, among other things. We served a variety of pies instead of a wedding cake, plus a side of fall-toned M&Ms (which we couldn’t resist given our matching initials).

Moody is a full-time stand-up comedian, and we had many funny friends in attendance. Moody incorporated some of his act into his incredible toast; fellow comedian Jon Fisch did a wonderful job of officiating the ceremony (jonfisch.com), and my best friend Erica gave a toast based on the well-known Letterman bit. It was called “The Top Ten Things You Always Wanted To Know About Molly But Were Afraid to Ask.” My uncle Arnold and his dear friend Allan sang us some a capella doo-wop love songs, and they were amazing. They sang ABCs of Love and I Promise to Remember both originally by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. They should go on tour. DJ Kenan kicked-off the dance party, and our guests danced from cocktail hour ‘til the very end of the night. It was an absolute blast. We truly had the best NYC wedding team ever. And we can’t thank our family and friends enough for making it such a perfect night!

Wedding Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography / Second Photographer: Sandy SooHoo, Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography / Wedding Venue: The Foundry in Long Island City, New York /  Floral Design: Poppies & Posies / Officiant: Jon Fisch (Friend of Couple) / Catering: Floating Dinner by Melissa Perrotti + Shaun Roberts of Great Performances / Pies: LittlePie Company / Invitations: Vera Wang / Calligraphy: Janelle Sing / DJ: Kenan Juska of Les Loups pictures + songs / Wedding Dress: Dennis Basso for Kleinfeld / Bride’s Sash: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Bracelet + Earrings: Borrowed  / Bride’s Hair Clip: Amanda Judge / Groom’s Suit: Theory / Groom’s Tie: Armani (Bride’s Late Father’s) / Engagement Ring: Bride’s Grandmother’s / Groom’s Wedding Band: Bride’s Late Father’s

There’s just something about this engagement session captured by Elisabeth Millay Photography that makes me happy.  Like, an all caps kind of HAPPY that puts a smile on your face that won’t go away. The reason?  The beyond adorable duo strolling casually through the streets of their West Village neighborhood, looking uber-chic with their cute-as-can-be King Charles Spaniel, Lady, in tow.  Don’t miss a minute and join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

From Elisabeth Millay Photography… Casey and Joel are marrying in Napa next summer. They took engagement photos walking through their West Village Neighborhood in Fall. Their beautiful King Charles Spaniel, Lady, joined them for the outing.

Wedding Photography: Elisabeth Millay Photography /  Location: The West Village Neighborhood, New York City, New York

It took just one visit to Bedell Cellars and these two adorable lovebirds were hooked.  Makes sense, really. Who wouldn’t want to say “I Do” beneath a majestic oak tree, followed by a breathtaking reception overlooking acres upon acres of gorgeous vineyards?  And when that breathtaking reception includes the floral stylings of Karen Lenahan Designs, the prettiest of pink hues and Alexandra Meseke Photography on hand to capture all of the lovely, well.  Sign us up.  Click here for more.

From the Bride… After Jason and I got engaged we took time to enjoy our engagement and figure out what was important to us in a wedding. We went back and forth with going to city hall or having a wedding with friends and family. The most important thing to me was making the wedding about us and getting married outside! We wanted to do everything ourselves in terms of financial and planning decisions, eliminating any of the typical wedding family dramas! Eight months after our engagement we visited out first venue, Bedell Cellars. Immediately I could see us getting married there under the Oak Tree and dancing along the vines. We knew we wanted an outside ceremony/reception and have the outdoor feeling without being in a big white tent. Bedell was the perfect place and after seeing a few more places nothing could compare.

Finding perfect vendors that match our design aesthetic was very important and made the day perfect. Having a design background I was able to evoke the same feeling from the save the date to the hand stamped favor was very important to me. Personalizing the day was something we paid a lot of attention to. From picking exact songs, flowers, fonts, and even a speciality drink named after our dog truly made day about us and our relationship. Our family and friends were in awe of the attention to detail and how much we catered to our guests and made them feel like they had a special part in our day. It was a truly memorable and beautiful event where even the wedding was perfection.

Wedding Photography: Alexandra Meseke Photography / Wedding Venue: Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue, New York / Floral Design + Lighting: Karen Lenahan Designs / Event Design: DIY by the Bride / Caterer: Fresh Flavors / DJ: Ray Jarell from Jarell Entertainment / Wedding Stationery: Suite Paperie / Chalkboard + Signs: Roma Sison King (Bridesmaid) / Bottles + Jars + Vases: Pat Catans + Etsy / Wedding Dress: Christos via Amsale Flagship Store / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / First Dance Song: The Beatles “Something”

Reason number 9,325,637 why I love New York City?  It makes one heck of a backdrop for engagement sessions.  Case in point?  This beautiful shoot captured by none other than the fabulous Trent Bailey, which features both an adorable (+ stylish) duo and image after image of the city they love (and where they fell in love!), NYC.  Take a gander at every magical moment in the full gallery.  It’s amazing.

From the Bride… Mike and I fell in love in New York City. As the seasons of the city progressed, so did our love for each other. We grew to adore both the well known and lesser known parts of New York, as we explored Manhattan together. In the summer, we escaped to the High Line for evenings walks and to capture a bit of peace in the city. In the fall, Mike cajoled me on, as I spent weekends in Central Park, training for the NYC marathon. He would always keep a smile on my face, as he tried to rollerblade, bike and run with me, so that I wouldn’t be lonely in my training. In the winter, we explored the city’s farmer’s markets and sipped cider. The following spring, Mike got down on one knee, near a cluster of Cherry Blossom Trees in Central Park, and asked me to marry him. I was completely shocked, surprised and overjoyed.

As we began to plan our engagement shoot, we wanted to capture the areas that were, in our eyes, the essence of NYC. We wanted to include our favorite spots, where we shared some of our first dates and fondest memories – especially on the High Line in Chelsea and in Central Park.

Our photographer, Trent, was such an inspiration to work with and so patient! Our session was rescheduled a few times, due to rain. However, the third time was the charm and he perfectly captured our special moments on our finally sunny day!

Wedding Photography: Trent from Trent Bailey Photography / Locations: The High Line Park + Meatpacking District + Central Park in New York City, New York / Bride’s Attire: H&M + Ann Taylor + J.Crew / Hair: The Dry Bar / Makeup: Holly for Facetime Beauty Concierge

This time last week, those of us on the east coast were hunkering down for hurricane Nemo. We woke up to a winter wonderland to say the least, and I just love that these two cuties took advantage of the stunning snowy scene for their engagement session. Because not only did they have a day full of memories, but they also now have a gallery of gorgeous images to give those memories life thanks to Anne-Claire Brun Photography. See it all here.

From Anne-Claire Brun Photography… Michelle and Joe got engaged in Rockefeller last march. They live in Los Angeles and came back from a conference in Cancun. They hesitated a long time before deciding to do an engagement session. They got in New York right before all the flights were cancelled and thought that the photos would be under a gray cloudy sky. But then, the blizzard came…and went to leave behind an amazing Central Park covered in snow. It was sunny today, what a luck! In Central Park, everybody was skiing (really!), riding on sleds… It felt like a holiday!

Michelle and Joe were so happy to have their photos taken in the snow since they don’t see much of it in LA! We crossed the Brooklyn Bridge right after that to take a few more with the skyline of Manhattan in the background. There was almost no one there, the snow was blown away by the wind on the top of the buildings. It made it feel like it was snowing again. In the end it all worked out perfectly!

Photography: Anne-Claire Brun Photography / Location: Central Park in New York City, New York

Long, long ago we hosted the most amazing contest from Dior. And the prize was fabulous. It gifted wedding day makeup to one lucky bride, and guess what? This is THE gorgeous bride, Ashleigh. I’m pretty certain she needs not a stitch of makeup to look beautiful but all jazzed up by Dior is a whole other ballgame of gorgeous. And I haven’t even touched on the actual wedding; a city dweller’s dream full of easy, dinner party-esque details by PUBLIC and photography by Tonhya Kae that will literally stop you in your tracks. See a giveaway come full circle with the rest of this beautiful day right here.

From the Bride and Groom… Ian and I decided on a long engagement so that we could take our time to plan our wedding amidst our busy lives, in an even busier city, and enjoy the whole process. We agreed that the three most important aspects of our wedding planning were the photography, the food, and our loved ones. We wanted a no frills wedding that was intimate, reflected us as a couple, and focused on our love for each other and our family and friends. Ian and I had a hard time determining a city, much less a venue. We went back and forth half a dozen times on the location: Seattle, Napa, NYC. The list went on. He was from the Seattle area, me from Michigan, but we met in NYC and currently call it home. Then, Ian took me out for my birthday dinner to a restaurant in the Nolita/SoHo area that I had been dying to try. We walked into PUBLIC and immediately fell in love with the warm industrial feel, exposed brick, and downtown vibe. It captured our chic yet laid back and inviting personalities. Not to mention, the food was phenomenal! We knew at that moment this place was where we wanted to get married. Why not get married in the city where we first met? And PUBLIC just so happened to be located on Ian’s favorite street in all of Manhattan. 

The only requirement I had with my dress was that I wanted to be comfortable. The moment I slipped on Claire Pettibone’s “Faye,” I didn’t take it off for 2 hours. I absolutely had one of those “when you know, you know” moments that you read or hear about. Other details included wearing my great grandmother’s diamond earrings that she wore on her wedding day in the Philippines. My mother-in-law made my birdcage veil using the material from her wedding veil. 

The decorations were simple and uncluttered, as to not take away from the aesthetics of the venue. I picked a palette of peach, grey and antique gold to accent the end of Summer/start of Fall, as our wedding was Labor Day weekend. We had several DIY details in our wedding accomplished by many helpers. The night before the wedding was absolutely crazy and stressful but one of my fondest memories with my bridesmaids, even if we only got a few hours of sleep. Our lovely friend, Liz Harrison, made the most delicious and simply elegant cake. It was exactly how we imagined our wedding cake with a single Peach Garden Rose and two Succulents.

My sister and sister-in-law made cupcakes and cake pops for our dessert table for guests to enjoy. Ian’s family took some wine bottles and painted them with chalkboard paint, which we used for our table numbers. We had a chalkboard seating chart in an old frame (great for last second changes if needed). Our favors included mini first aid kits in muslin bags that we hand stamped as a nod to our profession as doctors. Lastly, my father-in-law, Jon, performed the ceremony that included a personal message to us and also asked our guests for their commitment to us to uphold our marriage. We are forever humbled and grateful for our incredibly talented friends and family who helped create such a beautiful day for Ian and me. It truly takes a village, and we absolutely love our village!

As we sat in our seats during dinner and looked around at our family and friends, we felt so blessed to see everyone engaging and enjoying the moment. The room was so full of love. And you would think that after spending their entire morning and afternoon with us, our guests would be ready to call it a night. Nope. They continued the party at the Biergarten at The Standard with us over beer and more love and laughter. We also truly lucked out with our photographer, Tonhya Wysong, of Tonhya Kae Photography. Not only do we have incredible photos from our engagement session and wedding day, we gained a beautiful friend. 

Wedding Photography: Tonhya Kae Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: PUBLIC in New York City, New York / Wedding Coordination: Kimberly Johnson of PUBLIC / Wedding Design: Bride and Groom / Floral Design: Keiko Hendrick (Maid of Honor) / Officiant: Jon Horner (Father of Groom) / Wedding Cinematography: Micael Preysler / Wedding Cake: Liz Harrison (Friend of Bride and Groom) / Mini Cupcakes: Vanessa Horner (Groom’s Sister-in-Law) / Pops: Keiko Hendrick (Sister of Bride/Maid of Honor) / Wedding Invitations: Hello!Lucky / DJ: Rolando Calip, Jr. of DEFTMIX / DIY Details: Flowers and Centerpieces (Maid of Honor + Bridesmaids), Wedding Programs/Wedding Favors (Bride + Groom), Place Cards (Bride + Mother of Bride), Table Numbers:(Best Man), Seating Chart: Bride / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Bride’s Veil + Hair Accessory: Mother of Groom / Bridesmaid’s Attire: J.Crew / Hair: Anne Zeygerman (Friend of Bride) / Makeup Artist: Maricela Garcia, Dior / Groom’s Attire: Bar III (Suit) + Heutchy (Shoes) / Groomsmen’s Attire: Kenneth Cole

Give me an e-session starring a gorgeous couple and an architectural gem in the middle of NYC and I’m one happy girl. The couple’s chic attire was the perfect juxtaposition to the beautifully weathered 5 Beekman Street, where Erik Ekroth worked his photography magic. See the rest right here!

From  Erik Ekroth… Erin & Sean’s engagement photo session took place at a cool old NYC building with an amazing skylight!

Wedding Photography: Erik Ekroth /  Location: 5 Beekman Street in New York City, New York

We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again (probably a thousand times) – we love, love, love weddings hosted at The Foundry. With it’s industrial chic vibe, we swear it attracts some of the most stylish couples around. This wedding planned to perfection by Ang Weddings and Events and captured by Catherine Leonard Photography happily proves our point, and it all comes to life image after image in here.

From the Bride: We got engaged just two months before we moved from New York City to Paris. Knowing that it would be difficult to plan a wedding from overseas, we decided to get as much done before we left. The Foundry was only the second venue we visited. As soon as we walked in and saw the exposed brick and unique metal work, we knew it was the perfect spot for us. With the venue in place, we found an amazing planner who could help us execute the smaller details from afar.

Our goal for our wedding day was that every detail would reflect something about us as a couple. My husband’s family is from India and mine is from the South, though we are both New Yorkers to the core. As neither of us is religious, we chose a non-traditional ceremony that blended our cultural backgrounds. Our aim was that everyone there–religious or not–would feel comfortable. We said both traditional American vows and Hindu vows and we exchanged flower garlands, a Hindu tradition that symbolizes two families uniting into one.

We looked long and hard for a caterer who could execute our culinary vision for the evening: Indian-inspired passed appetizers during cocktail hour, an inventive new American dinner, and passed mini French desserts during dancing. We were blessed to finally find Sonnier & Castle, who went above and beyond our expectations and had people raving about the food. In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, we instead chose banana cake with cream cheese frosting from Billy’s Bakery–my absolute favorite in New York. This ensured that people got amazing cake, and it was also quite budget-friendly.

And all of this was captured by the very talented Catherine and Allistair from Catherine Leonard Photography. We loved working with them: they put us at ease during the first-look and kept everyone in line during the group portraits. We couldn’t have asked for a better team to immortalize our perfect day.

Wedding Photography: Catherine Leonard Photography / Wedding Venue: The Foundry in Long Island City, New York / Event Planner: Ang Weddings and Events / Floral Design: Bride and Blossom / Officiant: Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway / Caterer: Sonnier & Castle / Wedding Cake: Billy’s Bakery / Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals / Lighting: Universal Light and Sound / DJ: Scratch Weddings / Ceremony Music: Penguin Music / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Christine / Ring Bowl: Paloma’s Nest / Wedding Dress: Victoria Nicole via Wedding Atelier / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Banana Republic / Groom’s Attire: Baldwin Formals

If there is one thing we just simply cannot get enough of at SMP, it’s a good dose of inspiration. And Monday seems like a perfect day to serve it up a with heaping side of style. We can thank Cozbi Jean Photography for today’s inspiration overload – she dreamed up (and then snapped up) all the gorgeous in this gallery. So whether you are craving stunning bridal styles, gorgeous calligraphy, stunning florals or envy-worthy jewelry – you can see it all right here.

 

 

From Cozbi Jean Photography… I wanted to create an inspiration bridal shoot that emphasized various ideas on how to achieve a relaxed and romantic setting for an intimate wedding gathering even if done in non quint-essential bridal ways. I wanted to especially focus on how to keep the feel of a wedding personal and not stuffy. I took inspiration from some of my own clients that have thrown the most natural, honest and simple wedding fetes that incorporate both the normalcy of their love and lives, yet throwing in a few unique details to make their occasion a soiree nostalgic of nuptials. From local farm-to-table menus, ‘decorations’ simply being a collection of things from their home {textiles, glasses, vases, chairs}, to even non-traditional or not-expected bridal attire, I tried to create a palate of ideas for other unique brides looking to do something similar.

Photography + Styling: Cozbi + Liz from Cozbi Jean Photography / Venue: Tashi & Bobo Studio in Brooklyn, New York / Floral Design: Tashi & Bobo / Calligraphy: Charis Fisher from Apercu / Wedding Dress: Handmade French Lace + Justin Zachary Bartle / Bride’s Accessories: BHLDN / Jewelry: Delezhen / Shoes: Miu Miu “Smoking Slipper” via Nordstrom / Model: Christina

True love isn’t just for couples, it’s for wedding bloggers too. Because when I laid eyes on this beautiful Brooklyn wedding from Clean Plate Pictures, I was 100% mesmerized and there was no turning back. The way this adorable missus and her hip-as-can-be mister look at each other is positively heart melting. And the pics of him serenading his beautiful bride. Sigh. Then there’s that bouquet!?!? Beyond chic. Art actually. With planning by Shannon McCormick at Naturally Delicious, this New York soirée seriously knows how to bring out the swoon in SMP. You can check out all the rest right here in the gallery. After all, I’m sure I’m not the only one who fell hard for this music-infused lovefest.

From Clean Plate Pictures… Music is one of the most important parts of a wedding and the music at Eli and Kathryn’s wedding at The Green Building was a-mazing! Soul singer Roscoe Robinson sang during the ceremony and later a New Orleans-style brass band surprised all the guests by marching in and leading them in some crazy dancing. Eli (better know as Eli Paperboy Reed) is a singer himself and has a great voice, which we know because he serenaded his lovely new wife. The decorations and details were gorgeous and the couple were as sweet as they were stylish. It was a beautiful night.

From the Bride… Eli and I grew up in the same town in Massachusetts but didn’t meet until the last day of high school. Eli was sitting outside at a party and I walked up, sat down and introduced myself. It was really out of character for me to do something like that, but I don’t think anyone was more surprised than Eli! The two of us became close that summer, and kept in touch afterwards, but didn’t start dating for five more years. I moved to Brooklyn the following fall to study fashion design and Eli moved to Mississippi to pursue music. We reconnected at my 23rd birthday party in New York. He was living in Boston at the time but after about a year of dating and spending many hours traveling between Boston and New York we moved into our first place together in Brooklyn.

In August of 2011, Eli had just gotten home from a long European tour. We spent an afternoon walking around Brooklyn, visiting our favorite vintage shops. After we got home I wanted to take a nap, but he kept insisting we go and have a glass of wine in the park. He dragged me out and before we could even spread our blanket on the grass he blurted out The Question. I think the ring was burning a hole in his pocket! It was a total surprise but also a totally perfect moment.

We loved that the Green Building was a blank slate, and we could do whatever we wanted. It’s been so many things to so many different couples. Eli is a singer and I am a display coordinator so the ability to put our own personal touch on things was important from the start. I had planned on having a very DIY wedding but just as planning started, I went from freelance work to a demanding full-time position. I am so thankful to our friend and stylist Michelle Ferrara, our coordinator Shannon McCormick at Naturally Delicious and Eli for making everything turn out perfectly.

Before the wedding, Michelle and I went to the flower district in midtown Manhattan and walked through the lovely aisles in search of inspiration. We talked about what I was drawn to, as well as what I wanted to avoid. When it came to my bouquet I told Michelle that I trusted her, and wanted her to express herself. She asked me one question: “How crazy is too crazy?” I said “It can’t be too crazy”. On the day of the wedding she did not disappoint, creating a combination of dramatic shapes and unique elements that made me feel like I was carrying a piece of art down the aisle.

Eli and I collected vintage postcards from the early 1900’s showing Brooklyn landmarks for our save the dates. I typed each message out individually on an antique typewriter that was a gift from Eli’s parents. With bleach and a q-tip I was able to “erase” the old messages so the cards looked like new. I really didn’t plan on having wedding colors in the traditional sense. The raw space of The Green Building with its brass chandeliers and brick walls really spoke for itself. Tea lights along the walls and down the tables created a romantic glow. The rest of the décor was composed of soft whites with touches of peach and apricot along with metallic and natural elements to create contrast. We wanted to create a feeling of “discovery”; Everywhere our friends and family looked they found unexpected details. More than once we heard that the atmosphere was “dreamlike”. Eli sums up the broad theme of our wedding as “travel and home.” Travel, in that we’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world together so we incorporated some of our favorite things from places that we’ve been and used vintage suitcases, maps and globes as props around the venue. Home, in that Brooklyn is our first home together so we had the wedding at a very Brooklyn venue, served local whiskey and beer and took our photos on the beautiful Gowanus canal.

We wanted the ceremony to be very personal and unique, but also carry the weight of tradition. We incorporated symbolic elements from Eli’s Jewish heritage such as standing under a Chuppah and the celebratory breaking of the glass. A few weeks before the wedding, my mother gave me a handkerchief embroidered by my great-grandmother that she had saved for the occasion. I pinned it to the inside of my dress just before I walked down the aisle. The oldest guest at the reception was a cake topper that has been at every wedding in Eli’s family since 1885. We were so nervous about his aunt bringing it from Chicago because it’s made entirely of spun sugar! In addition to a regular guest book, we fixed up an old reel-to-reel tape deck and used it as an “audio guestbook” for guests to record messages on. We listened to the tape as soon as we get home from our honeymoon and got to relive the night.

The biggest surprise of the night was the band’s entrance. At just the right moment, The Green Building’s bay door opened and the brass band “second lined” in, with the sound of trombones, trumpets, tubas and drums filling the room. Nobody had any clue what was coming and immediately the whole room was on their feet. Later Eli surprised me by singing the song “Something You Got” to me with the band. He held my hand while he serenaded me and I blushed the entire time.

Photography: Clean Plate Pictures / Venue: The Green Building / Event Planning + Catering: Shannon McCormick at Naturally Delicious / Event + Floral Design: Michelle Ferrara / Invitations: Michelle Ferrara / Cocktail Music: Select Blendz Doo Wop / Reception Music: High and Mighty Brass Band / Dress: Ellis Bridals via Sposabella Bridal / Tuxedo: Michael Andrews Bespoke / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Groom’s Shoes: Barney’s / Hair: Damian Monzillo of Scissor and Comb / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung / Rings: Erie Basin

If you just so happen to be in the beginning stages of wedding planning, then you’re in some serious luck because Divine Light Photography, along with some other amazing vendors in your area, put together a superbly chic and out of this world gorgeous photo shoot, all to help inspire you. Just imagine industrial chic meets a secret garden and you’ve got wedding gold. See it all right here in the full gallery!

From Divine Light Photography… When designing this shoot, my focus was not only to inspire, but to showcase amazing Brooklyn designers, as well as the event space. There is so much talent in Brooklyn, and we wanted them all to be able to shine doing what they do best! From our gorgeous event space, The Green Building, to our florals & cake designer, everyone was so inspiring to work with! We wanted to showcase a vibe for the girls who want to get creative with their wedding design. Very industrial chic meets secret garden and we couldn’t have been happier with the result.

When I spoke with our amazing floral designer Denise, I shared that I really wanted to give inspiration for the girls who love the city, but also want a outdoor feel. She absolutely blew me away with her gorgeous designs, I love the unique use of mosses and the florals she arranged. Each artist we worked with brought their own specialties to table and they all worked together flawlessly. Our amazing cake designer Penny created such an amazing work of art! We wanted to utilize succulents, bc they are such an interesting floral choice, and she handcrafted the succulents for the cake! I couldnt believe it!

One of our favorite details were our laser cut wood invitations. Innovative and unique stationary can really set your event apart from the rest, as we always say, its all in the details! When i asked Matthew our invitation designer, he shared the following on his thoughts,

“I try to make things useful to their recipients. Sometimes that’s through the invitation and sometimes I find other place to do that. Here, it was through the placecards, which had holes that allowed them to double as a mountable nametag. We experimented with a couple materials, settling on a laser-engraved wood invitation to keep a crisp, but organic feel.”

I completely agree with Matthews thoughts! I loved the clean organic feel of the invitations, which really carried through the entire shoot.

All in all, everyone showcased a gorgeous design, and I believe we came away with some lovely images that girls can derive inspiration from for their own weddings.

Wedding Photography: Divine Light Photography / Venue: The Green Building in Brooklyn, New York / Floral Design: Denise Fasanello Floral Design / Linens: Connie Duglin Linens / Cakes – Penny Stankiewicz from Sugar Couture  / Wedding Stationery: A Fine Press

This Hudson Valley wedding is sweet sophistication. It’s a wedding where family, friends, good food, and true love take center stage. A wedding everyone chips in to help bring the couple’s vision to life.  A wedding that makes you remember what it’s all about. The very talented Jacqueline Schlossman of Readyluck captured this laid-back love affair and we’re totally captivated by every single farm-fresh image. It’s proof yet again that rain can’t dampen the spirit of such a special day and it’s all right here for your viewing pleasure.

From Readyluck… Emily, a professionally trained former boxer and yoga teacher and Nicole, a public school teacher, tied the knot on July 27, 2012 at Liberty View Farm in Highland, New York. This is a couple that gives back to their community and it shows; they are centered and creative people that were very enjoyable to work with. Their family and friends came together to support this union on a stormy morning. I arrived to the tune of muddy puddles and tons of rain wondering how this would all come together but confident that something special would occur. It was amazing to see so many of their friends decorating the barn and arranging the chairs as they made the decision to have the ceremony inside; they were running around with rubber boots on and making sure everything looked beautiful. I have never seen a more supportive group of people during the wedding day; their community helped them make it happen and delivered more toasts than I’ve ever experienced at a wedding. Inside the main house, their caterer friends were prepared organic and farm fresh food to be enjoyed throughout the afternoon and evening. The certified organic apple orchard and farm was an idyllic setting and became even more amazing when the sun came out after the ceremony for their portraits. What an awesome venue, and I was so thrilled to work with the owners Billiam and Rene who are both amazing people and have made contributions to the farming and political worlds. 

Photographer: Jacqueline Schlossman of Readyluck / Second Photographer: Meaghan Carpenter / Venue: Liberty View Farm / Flowers & Decor: Couple, Friends and Family / Food and Drink: Aaron Unger of Night Kitchen Catering

This wedding is so perfectly New York City. It’s everything I love about that those bustling boroughs all wrapped up in one stylish post. It’s a gorgeous Wtoo gown from Lovely Bridal Shop meets the gritty downtown streets. It’s the celebration of two stylish Brides and their obvious love for each other with the Big Apple proudly serving as the background. The scene is perfectly set for all this Manhattan magic to unfold at The Bowery Hotel and Housing Works Bookstore Café, and thanks to Olya Vysotskaya Photography we can see it all right here.

From the Bride… Manhattan is not only my hometown, it’s also the place we met and fell in love. (New York was also one of a handful of states where we could get married legally!) We knew as soon as we set foot in Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo that we wanted to be married there. It’s located in a gorgeous New York townhouse on a classic cobblestone street. The bookstore space was everything we wanted: intimate, romantic, and, best of all, filled with books. Robyn proposed at the Brooklyn Public Library, so it seemed fitting that we hold our wedding in a bookstore! We continued the book motif with our escort cards, which were printed on vintage library cards and displayed in real card catalog drawers. Many of our guests actually took them home. Once we chose the venue, all of the other details seemed to choose us, especially my blush tulle dress and our lovely photographer, who shoots real film and has a collection of vintage cameras. We kept the décor simple because we didn’t want to compete with the colorful book displays that first drew us to the space. We used silver grosgrain ribbon to make inexpensive table runners and deep purple napkins to add a pop of color. String lights and votive candles brought out the warmth of the rich wood paneling. We chose the Bowery Hotel, on Manhattan’s still-gritty Lower East Side, for our first look and wedding night. As we walked from the hotel to Housing Works, we received many well wishes from tourists and panhandlers along the street. Only in New York!

Photography: Olya Vysotskaya Photography / Second Photographer: Asya Photography / Wedding Venues: The Bowery Hotel + Housing Works Bookstore Café both in New York City, New York / Floral Design: Florisan LLC / Catering: The Works Catering / Wedding Cupcakes: Sugar Sweet Sunshine / Escort Cards: DIY / String Quartet: Harmonia Strings / Wedding Dress: Wtoo Brides “Olivia” via Lovely Bridal Shop / Veil: Custom Made via M&J Bridal Salon / Earrings: Perfect Details / Hair Comb: “Something Borrowed” / Cardigan: Vintage /  Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Suit: Theory / Rings: Catbird + Mark Morrell / Robyn’s Hair + Makeup: Jackie Schneider Beauty /  Ría’s Hair: Zion Bakari (zionbakari@gmail.com)

When ultra chic and super glamorous meet in Manhattan they make pure wedding magic. Now add romance, sophistication, a Sylvia Weinstock cake, AND a signed pair of Louboutin sparklies (be still my heart) to the party and we’re officially under the spell of this NYC soirée. Fortunately enough for all of us, every moment, every drool-worthy detailed, every gorgeous blossom is captured to absolute perfection by Ira Lippke Studios. Now, you officially have permission to get lost in the absolute elegance of this Big Apple bash right here in the gallery.

From the Bride…. Paul and I met in April 2008. I was beginning a new job and excited to start my career, never thinking it would lead me to my future husband. After much time spent together at work and at social functions, we found it impossible to stay away from each other. Four years later, on my family’s annual trip to Maui, we took a walk to one of our favorite spots overlooking the ocean and after an emotional, special and memorable talk, he got down on one knee and proposed!

We knew we wanted to get married in the fall, so I began planning right away and started sharing our experience on my blog, Leather & Leops. We wanted a New York City wedding and on September 22, 2012 we were married at the beautiful Cipriani 42nd St. Prior to the ceremony, Paul and I took pictures along the streets of New York and in Grand Central Station. Our first time seeing each other was at Grand Central. I stood in the middle of the station, surrounded by tons of strangers watching me and when Paul walked in it was like there was no one else around us. It was a moment I will never forget. Our ceremony was held at Cipriani and was very short and simple but emotional and special. We had a 5 piece instrumental band that played songs of our choice to accompany the bridal party . We choose neutral tones, whites, greys and silver for our colors with mirrored accents and lighting. The first time we walked into the room, we were blown away, it was truly a remarkable sight. From the tenting of the room, to the tall orchids, mirrored runners and surrounding candle light, our vision really came to life.

Our reception was a party from the moment it began. We had a fifteen-person band and they had the whole room dancing, we even ended up on the stage at one point! Our first dance was to Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “Jersey Girl” and we found it only fitting to have two guitarists play our favorite Springsteen tracks during the food courses. We had a white backdrop and a photographer doing photo shoots with fun accessories which was a hit with the guests. Our cake was decorated to match the beading detail of my wedding dress and the speeches from my dad and maid of honor and best man were truly touching. I ended the night with an outfit change into my “dancing dress” and Paul and I danced the night away into the early hours with all of our closest family and friends. It was truly a night that we will never forget.

Photography: Ira Lippke and Angi Welsch for Ira Lippke Studios / Venue + Catering: Cipriani 42nd Street / Event Coordination: MSK Event Planning / Ceremony Music: Gale Curtis / Reception Music: Starlight Orchestra / Flowers: Stone Kelly / Wedding Dress: Kenneth Pool / Reception Dress: Marchesa / Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo / Cake: Sylvia Weinstock / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Hair: Mahogany Grace / Makeup: Ashlee Glazer / Invitations: Bernard Maisner

Oh, Brooklyn. A borough filled with so much inspiration and creativity, it’s no wonder that it was chosen for the backdrop of a picnic-social inspired wedding. The bride, a designer herself, had many DIY tricks up her sleeve including throwing a garden party where her favorite gals helped create beautiful florals purchased at the local Chelsea flower district. These gorgeous pops of color were captured by the talented Trent Bailey, who continues to keep us in awe with every snap he takes. And as you wander down love lane with this gorgeous couple, stop by the gallery for more of these breathtaking photographs.

From the Bride… As we began scheming for our big day, we both agreed that our lives needed to be meaningfully interwoven into the wedding ceremony and reception. From season, to location, to flowers, to desserts, we wanted to provide a glimpse of our hearts and show our deep appreciation for the family and friends walking with us into our marriage. Since Derek and I met in New York and would call Brooklyn our home, we thought our wedding would be a great excuse to bring both our families here to the city to celebrate. And what better way to kick off our favorite season – summer – by ushering in the sunshine with a good ol’ picnic-social inspired wedding?

The ceremony was held in a quiet garden attached to Plymouth Church, a historical site in Brooklyn Heights. With one side of the garden bordering Orange Street, we were able to exchange our vows in front of family, friends and all of the Brooklynites who happened to take a sunny stroll that morning. The Green Building, which I first discovered in a Style Me Pretty post, seemed like the perfect venue to host an airy dawn-of-summer cocktail brunch to follow. The large windows, whitewashed walls, swung-open doors and friendly staff are all that what we had hoped for.

As a designer by trade, the aesthetics of the day came together with numerous DIY projects that I spearheaded with friends and my mom. The flowers were bright arrangements of coral peonies, english roses and other happy bursts of color. All their arranging was done at a garden party with my favorite ladies a couple days before the wedding. Our guests brunched at long tables set with white crocheted runners, antique colored glass and seersucker napkins. A street jazz band, Baby Soda, played alongside a rustic table laden with homemade pies and desserts, all baked by dear friends.

Our favorite part of the reception was months in the making. Derek and I penned individual letters of welcome and gratitude to each and every one of our guests. Our intent was to do our best to out-love these amazing people who came to celebrate our new marriage. We cannot be more grateful for our talented friends’ help in bringing this all together. Trent, our photographer and friend, captured the day beautifully, allowing us to continue to enjoy and share these wonderful memories.

Wedding Photography: Trent Bailey Photography / Wedding Venue: The Green Building in Brooklyn, New York / Floral Design: Purchased in Chelsea Flower District, DIY Arrangement by Bride + Friends / Day-of Coordinator: Latoyia of Breuckelen and Honey / Wedding Cinematography: Josh Itiola / Wedding Catering: Danny of Bottino / Wedding Stationery: Tracey King / Desserts + Pies: Liz Harrison of Somewhere North / Music: Baby Soda Jazz Band / Wedding Dress: Ivy & Aster via Lovely Bridal / Bride’s Turquoise Earrings: Bounkit / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Tie: William Coburn / Groom’s Wingtips: Ralph Lauren / Wedding Bands: Doyle & Doyle / Engagement Ring: Antique

There are stunning brides and then there is this beautiful Mrs., who will take your breath away from the very moment you spot her beyond gorgeous hair, too-good-to-be-true Christina Kara gown and downright happiness jumping from your computer screen.  I’m telling you – she’s amazing.  As is her dapper groom, who worked with her to create a day that was simply mesmerizing – from the sweet Belvedere Mansion location to the lush blooms by Linda Baldwin Flowers to an entire gallery of love-filled pretty captured by Jillian Modern Photography.  Don’t miss a minute in the full gallery.

From the Bride… The most memorable moment was the I do’s!! We exchanged our own vows and it was so amazing and special. There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. My one piece of advice is to love each other through the entire process. It can bring out the differences in people, so if you remember why you are marrying each other it is always a good thing. 

Wedding Photography: Jillian Modern Photography / Venue: The Belvedere Mansion in Staatsburg, New York / Floral Design: Linda Baldwin Flowers / Wedding Cake: The Pastry Garden / Entertainment: Turntable Events / Wedding Dress: Christina Kara via Blue / Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti /  Hair: Bumble and Bumble / Makeup: Lindsay (lindslee47@gmail.com)

In the middle of the concrete jungle that is New York City, Central Park is like an oasis. Its prettiness has attracted couples for year after year to serve as a backdrop for some of the biggest moments of their lives. I can’t say that I blame them, it’s pretty darn gorgeous, and the pictures below are proof. Priya Patel was the talent behind the lens that captured this darling duo in that oh so beautiful park, showcasing their love for the city and each other in the prettiest of ways. See it all here.

From Priya Patel Photography… Ben and Megan met and fell in love in New York City so when it came time for their engagement shoot, they knew they wanted to take photos somewhere quintessentially New York. They opted for Central Park since they both had spent lots of time running and walking in the park and had many fond memories there together. Plus, it’s a dog-friendly location perfect for some photos with their new adorable puppy Sophie.

When they first told me that they wanted to do their engagement shoot in Central Park, I was really excited and, to be honest, a bit nervous. Central Park is a very popular spot for wedding and engagement photos, and it can be difficult to avoid inadvertently taking the same photographs everyone else takes. Each person sees the world a bit differently and part of what I love about photography is being able to share the unique way I see things. So for this shoot, I challenged myself to forget every photo I have already seen of Central Park and shoot it my way.

Wedding Photography: Priya Patel Photography / Location: Central Park in New York City, New York

We’re wrapping up another fabulous week here at SMP New York with this picture-perfect vintage inspired wedding. Whenever we see weddings by Robert & Kathleen Photographers we get a little extra giddy inside because they have the most fabulous way of documenting all the details that make up your big day. And this day was filled to the brim with gorgeous details! Click here for even more.

From Robert & Kathleen Photographers… Kaitlin had a clear vision for her big day – a romantic, vintage-infused affair on the grounds of sprawling Long Island estate . With the help of Erica Powell from Ambiance Luxe Wedding Designs, Kaitlin’s vision came to life even better than she had imagined it.

The nerves Kaitlin was feeling leading up to the ceremony melted away in an instant once she saw Nick waiting for her at the front of the church. There was a noticeable change – her shoulders relaxed, her smile broadened. As she stood across from Nick before saying her vows, she looked into his eyes. Everything leading up to that moment was no where near as important as every moment after this would be. Because after this moment, they would be husband and wife.

When Nick put the ring onto Kaitlin’s finger he looked at her and smiled. She was even more beautiful than he thought she would be, if that was even possible. And he couldn’t help but feel like he was the luckiest man in the world. From the day he met Kaitlin, life guarding together at a club in Long Island, she had made his life more fun. She made him smile more. She made every day easier, just by being by his side.

Their love had brought them half way around the world, from New York where they had met to China where they live now, and it had made them stronger. But from this moment on, they would be forever linked to one another, no matter where life took them.

And as they walked down the aisle together as husband and wife, Nick stole one more glance at her. She was his wife. Their life as a married couple was just beginning. Beijing, Long Island, it doesn’t really matter where they are. They could make anywhere a home. Because home was wherever they were, as long as they are together.

Wedding Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Venue: The Mansion at Woodside Acres in Muttontown, New York /  Event Planning + Design: Erica Powell of Ambiance Luxe Wedding Designs / Floral Design: Flowers by Danielle / Caterer + Wedding Cake: Lessing’s / Vintage Rentals: Maggpie Vintage Rentals / DJ: DJ Gil of More than Music / Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta via Bridal Reflections / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Stacy Pitt of Styles on B / Makeup: Sally Duvall / Bridesmaid’s Attire: After Six /