New York Weddings

Captured by Henry and Mac, this vintage-jazz-picnic-DIY-backyard wedding is just the thing to get your creative juices flowing. Which is the type of wedding we just happen to love. Filled with tons of personal details like home brewed beer (Hoppily Ever After, anyone?) and borrowed antique furniture, this wedding is quickly becoming a fav for me, and I’m pretty sure it will for you too. Click here for more. 

From the Bride… Adrian and I live in Brooklyn and are both from the New York metropolitan area, so we knew we wanted to stay local for our wedding and have our families involved with the planning process. We chose the grounds of my parent’s residence in Nyack, NY, which is situated on the Palisades overlooking the Hudson River’s Tappan Zee Bridge crossing.

My parents live in the renovated carriage house next to Carol Channing’s former residence, now a separately owned home. Together, my parents and their neighbor playfully dubbed the grounds of their homes “Chateau Marmot,” a tongue-in-cheek homage to the glamorous Hollywood hotel, as well as the resident marmot that is spotted now and again in the gardens. Adrian and I chose our date, June 23, and set our sights on the familiar, lush green property as our venue. Even though it is only about 30 miles from our Brooklyn apartment, it feels like a far-away country retreat whenever we visit for a weekend or a holiday.

With designer and artist parents, and our own backgrounds in the performing and visual arts, we knew this event would be an original creation, with each detail carefully fashioned to reflect our personalities and our relationship. Once we had established our vision, a summer picnic affair inspired by the jazz age, we enlisted the help of a set designer friend, Deb O, who lent her amazing sense of creativity and professional prowess to help us realize our dream. Working on a budget, we gathered borrowed antique furniture and props from our own collection, friends and family, and only had to rent the basics.

There were countless DIY and personal touches, right down to the paper and twine wrapped sandwiches. To create an interfaith church/synagogue environment outside, we handmade our own “stained glass” windows using colored lighting gels from a friend who works in TV production, cardboard that we spraypainted black and cut shapes out of, and antique frames that my mother had stored in her garage. We hung these in the arbor under the homemade huppah, and they set the scene for our ceremony and filtered the natural light beautifully, while also adding a pop of our wedding theme color range to the setting.

We spray painted lace-stencil paper bag lumineers for evening lighting accents. Our mothers collaborated on a woven paper huppah with homemade stamps of our initials inside of a hand-decorated antique frame. The groom and his friends brewed two custom wedding beers, named “Hopilly Ever After” and “Man and Weiss,” and we printed labels using our theme color of teal. Beer and wine chilled in a clawfoot tub which we touched up with accents of teal and gold paint. Our antique frame-inspired cake was flavored with earl-grey extract (my favorite tea!), and each of our sandwiches were specially curated by Adrian and I and named after places we have lived or visited together. Individually wrapped homemade mint whoopie pies with handmade labels printed with our initials and “Let’s Make Whoopie” were delicious take-away treats.

Picnic blankets lined the grass facing the arbor where we exchanged our personally written vows. A jazz quartet played swinging standards on the terrace during the afternoon cocktail reception, which later led into a free-seating picnic style dinner. After dinner, guests gathered in the tent around a family heirloom loveseat , while our wedding party members made champagne toasts. Dessert was served and our best man, Joo Young, DJ’d a raucous dance party late into the evening. After a few hours of dancing, a round of late-night snacks were served: popcorn and french fries in newspaper cones. The late June weather was perfect and the pacing of the day was relaxed yet lively. Adrian and I, along with our 150 guests had an absolutely magical and unforgettable day that exceeded our hopes and expectations.

 

Wedding Photography: Henry and Mac / Venue: Private Residence in Nyack, New York / Wedding Planning + Floral Design: Deb O Design + bride, groom + mothers / Catering: Mimi’s Plate / Wedding Cake: Patisserie Didier Dumas / Wedding Dress: Bride’s grandmother’s 1950s Saks Fifth Ave dress, reworked by Ann Hamilton Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their Choice / Hair: Halo Hair / Makeup: Contessa Schexnayder

The snow is billowing outside my window, and the kettle’s whistle has finally settled me at my desk with a calming cup of green tea. And then, I saw this fashion shoot from Trent Bailey and Jackie Weppner of Merci New York. If ever we needed a reminder that spring’s blooms will surely be here soon, it is a day like today. This fashion story can only be described as a romantic cherry blossom breeze, and it features a Jenny Packham gown with a Preston & Olivia headpiece that is stop-in-your-tracks angelic. Find more of these breathtaking images over in the gallery or head to SMP New York for the accompanying engagement session crafted by this all star team.

From the Trent Bailey Photography… On a recent visit to Gabriella New York I spotted the GORGEOUS Astrid gown from Jenny Packham and thought it was so incredible. Later that day as I went for a run in Central Park, I was inspired by all of the blooms that were making their way out of a long winters nap. Spring was here and instantly I knew I had to photograph this ethereal romantic gown under the blossoms in the park. Combining Jenny Packham’s Astrid with a men’s look that was just right proved to be difficult. I called my friends at Billy Reid and of course they had the perfect suit for the shoot. I share the same Louisiana hometown with Billy, and his clothes remind me of my roots, with such a relaxed feel. Pairing Billy Reid’s southern gentleman charm with Jenny Packham’s organic ethereal look was a wonderful match for a spring day in Central Park.

We were blessed with gorgeous light, and a location that provided a serene escape from the busy Manhattan pace. At one point the wind picked up and the cherry blossoms began to rain from the branches of the tree, as the couple embraced and laughed. It was a moment I will never forget and I am so grateful to have captured it on film.

From Merci New York… For this shoot, we had access to some really beautiful fashion pieces. Trent and I went to the Billy Reid showroom together, and our jaws dropped when we saw this cream dinner jacket from Billy’s recent runway show. Funny as it may seem, my male clients always seem to have this “should I or shouldn’t I” complex about wearing a dinner jacket. They love the 007 vibe, but wonder if it’s “too much” for their weddings. (It’s not!)

In this shoot, I think we really showed how a cream dinner jacket can be totally appropriate, especially when the bride is dressed in soft romantic and elegant pieces, such as this Jenny Packham dress and ethereal Preston and Olivia headpiece… What’s old is new and somehow really refreshingly chic (especially with those falling cherry blossom leaves – l.o.v.e.) It was such a pleasure to style all the fabulous eye candy in this shoot!

Wedding Photography: Trent Bailey Photography / Wedding Stylist: Jackie Weppner of Merci New York / Wedding Hair + Makeup: Facetime Beauty Concierge / Wedding Florals: kat flower / Bride’s Flower Halo + Groom’s Bow Tie: Preston & Olivia / Wedding Dress: Astrid by Jenny Packham via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Groom’s Attire: Billy Reid

Shoot are made to inspire. To make your head twirl with ideas of how to incorporate the pretty in your life. Well lovelies, we have two shoots coming up today that are nothing short of spectacular from the style genius that is Jackie of Merci New York and one of my favorite photographers, Trent Bailey. The first shoot is sitting pretty below right here on SMP New York, and it’s image after image of stop in your tracks style. I basically want that entire outfit, and if I could, I would dress my Mister up in such a dapper get up and stroll around the streets of New York just being fabulous today. Since I can’t technically do that today – I’ll live vicariously through this gallery. And there’s more from this talented team coming your way – don’t forget to check out the wedding shoot coming up on the main page ever so shortly!

From Jackie of Merci New York… As always, it was a blast to work with Trent on styling engagement shoots. Between pulling some great fashion pieces, working with terrific models and really playing up the chic city backdrop, I was a stylist in heaven! Whenever Trent and I work on an engagement session together, we tend to have a really cohesive vision of what our clients want, but we see the shoot through two very different viewpoints. While Trent works his magic on lighting, form, locations and chemistry of the subjects, my focus as a stylist is on every crease, seam and detail of the wardrobe and the overall aesthetic of the shoot. It’s a pretty fabulous experience for the client because they feel like their bases are completely covered, creatively.  It’s like they stepped into a professional editorial campaign!

I always love to style with juxtaposition, so this shoot was about taking the southern gentleman feel on him, contrasting it with a very edgy city-chic vibe on her, and somehow making it all work with coordinating color and contrasting accessories. If you are acting as your own stylist for your engagement session, do a little juxtaposing on your own: pair a feminine dress with edgy heels, or have your guy (subtly) push the envelope with small accent accessories such as a pocket square or colorful shirt. Small details make a big difference in photos — they really can help complete the look and make it look professionally styled.

Photography: Trent Bailey Photography / Location: New York, New York / Styling: Jackie Weppner of Merci New York / Hair + Makeup: Facetime Beauty Concierge / Hat: Preston and Olivia / Blue Top: Billy Reid / Shoes: Billy Reid / Jacket: Billy Reid

Bayly & Moore is giving us goodness in two forms today – their amazing images of this Chelsea celebration and a film of all the fabulous that went down as well. So we have a lot to thank them for this Monday morning. Because giving us the pleasure to get knee deep in all the pretty of this city soiree is awfully nice of them, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

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From the Bride… Marcin and I had been dating for four years before he proposed, and we waited about two years before eventually tying the knot. Despite the long engagement, planning our wedding was no easy task! There was so much to think about. I was lucky, however, because a handful of close friends were also getting married in the summer of 2012, providing me with a reserve of great sounding boards. Plus, my parents are amazing — I think they must have been event planners in former lives. All in all, our wedding was the most incredible day for us, our families and our friends. Not even the 92 degree temperature could bring us down. It was absolutely perfect!

My style is somewhat quirky and whimsical, while Marcin’s taste is more modern, but we both love the urban aesthetic of NYC. We wanted the decor of our wedding to capture all of these elements while still looking beautifully sophisticated. Our florist, Robert at Diana Gould, was a true artist and executed our vision flawlessly. He was so creative and easy to work with. We chose our venue, The Lighthouse, pretty much on the spot. It was the perfect blend of industrial New York and picturesque beauty, right on the water with views of the Statue of Liberty. Working with Paul (our event manager) and his team was the absolute best. We actually were not stressing before our big day (a shocking but welcome change!) because we felt that we were in such good hands. Actually, everyone we worked with was truly amazing, from makeup (Kally is a genius) and hair (I found Laureen on SMP — thank you!) to our band (Bobby Attiko) who had everyone dancing for five hours straight.

This day was truly special for us because there were so many people who came together to make it possible. We had friends and family in from around the globe to celebrate with us. My parents and I designed and hand-cut every piece of stationery used on our wedding day. My dad and sister even drew the NY skyline motif that we used on all of our escort cards. Our day flew by, as many former brides had warned me it would. But luckily we have our amazing wedding photos and stop-motion video (courtesy of the insanely talented duo Bayly & Moore) which capture every event and emotion in the most artistic and beautiful way. Thanks to everyone who made this day a success — it was truly one of the most amazing days in our lives!

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Bayly & Moore / Ceremony: The Church of the Guardian Angel in New York, New York / Reception: The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York, New York / Floral Design: Robert of Diana Gould Ltd / Catering: Abigail Kirsch / Wedding Invitations: Lion in the Sun / Escort Cards, Table Numbers, Menus + Programs: DIY by the Bride’s Family / Entertainment: The Bobby Attiko Band via Hank Lane Music & Productions / Photo Booth: Sweet Booths / Getting Ready Location: Soho Grand Hotel / Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Dior via Saks Fifth Avenue / Hair: Laureen of Styles on B / Makeup: Kally (curlsandlashes@gmail.com) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl’s Dress: Sweetie Pie Collection

Isn’t it just so darling when a couple infuses inside jokes from the first time they met into their big day? Touches such as a funfetti cake may seem whimsical and festive to the average spectator, but only these love birds know the true meaning behind this speckled treat. You also have to check out the gorgeous color palette captured by Sue Kessler of Christian Oth Studio. We love a bride who isn’t afraid of color. Jewel tones are featured everywhere from the bride’s bouquet to the juicy signature drink and we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of the pretty that Charmed Places  crafted. For more, take a stroll through the gallery and read the bride’s tale of love and funfetti below!

And to continue on this parade of pretty, we’ve got the wedding video straight from Films by Francesco that will keep you beside yourself in bliss.

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From the Bride… Brian and I met at the University of Michigan during graduate school. Technically, we met at the Detroit Airport on our way to Alaska for a pre-school backpacking trip that I was leading. Brian said he chose to go on the trip because of my leader profile, which talked about me loving Al Green and Funfetti. So, naturally, our first dance was to Al Green and our wedding cake was Funfetti. Choosing the location, however, was not quite as simple, Brian is from Long Island, NY, I am from Minnesota, we met in Michigan, live in Texas, and got engaged in Colorado. Our criteria for location was somewhere that both of our large families and all of our friends could get to easily and could spend the weekend all together. We chose New York for those reasons, but most importantly, we wanted to share the day with Brian’s 92 year old Grandma who lives on Long Island. We knew we wanted to get married outside and Lydia helped us find Wave Hill, which had the bonus of being close enough to NYC that people could spend the weekend in the city, but it felt like you were a world away.

Lydia FitzGerald and Frank Alexander did an amazing job of turning our wedding vision into a dream come true. We wanted a party that was comfortable, rustic, and beautiful and that is exactly what we got. We both love food and wine and we wanted to honor Brian’s Italian heritage, so we chose a Tuscan theme. Small details, like the wine barrel cocktail tables and the corks that held the escort cards were perfect but not overwhelming. The long farm tables and family style Italian feast were relaxed under the glamorous clear tent and romantic lighting. And then there was desert. What can I say? I love cake. Lydia found beautiful vintage cake stands that held flavored cakes from Baked NYC and Great Performances Catering worked their magic on an actual Funfetti cake with Rainbow Chip icing.

There were so many special moments from the weekend – the best of course was getting to marry my best friend. Aside from saying, “I do”, one of my favorites was on Saturday morning, when over a hundred of our guests showed up wearing “Rockin’ NYC with Annie & Brian” t-shirts for a fun run through Central Park. Another was surprising Brian with the cake topper I had made of us with our dog Otis – I can’t keep a secret to save my life, but I had to keep this one since the topper included me in my dress. And finally, the priceless, goofy grin on my dad’s face. He was ear to ear all night and the pictures captured it perfectly. For us, the weekend was as much about celebrating our family and friends as it was about celebrating our marriage. We just wanted everyone to have a great time and enjoy great food and wine, and they did! Seeing everyone walk in to the gorgeous tent and later rock out to the awesome band, made all of the planning worth it, times ten!

From Lydia FitzGerald of Charmed Places… With a great vendor team onboard we all worked together diligently and thoughtfully to be able to raise the bar for Annie & Brian by providing the type of event & floral design, menu, tenting, lighting, music and personal service that further enhanced both the experience for guests and the beautiful location itself. Annie and Brian did their parts by looking absolutely amazing and taking time to truly enjoy themselves and all of their hard work leading up to the special day. At one point in the evening while guests were rocking out to the band I was surrounded by Annie, Brian and Annie’s parents who all shouted at me over the music “best wedding ever!” and because everyone including the hosts were so happy, I had to agree. A very joyous and lovely event from start to finish!

Wedding Photography: Sue Kessler of Christian Oth Studio / Wedding Venue: Wave Hill in Bronx, New York / Wedding Planning + Coordination: Lydia FitzGerald of Charmed Places / Wedding Design + Florals: Frank Alexander NYC / Wedding Cinematography: Films by Francesco / Catering: Jill Cole of Great Performances / Cakes: Baked NYC / Vegan Cupcakes: Babycakes NYC / Dinner Wines: Kathryn Hall Winery (Red) + Acker Merrall & Condit (White) / Invitations + Envelopes: Letter Perfect / Entertainment: Soulsystem Orchestra / Tent: Stamford Tent & Event Services / Lighting: Frost Productions / Vintage Cake Plates: Bountiful / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Earrings: Tiffany & Co. / Bridesmaids Dresses: Monique Lhuillier / Hair + Makeup: Keith Axberg of Kenneth Salon / Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Shoes: Johnston & Murphy

We pretty much jump for joy when we see Judy Pak Photography in our inboxes because we know that we’re in for an eye candy feast of epic proportions! And this gorgeous gold and jewel toned wedding is everything you’d expect from a traditional chic city wedding plus things you wouldn’t like bright pops of purple. We’re loving each and every inch. Click here for even more. 

From the Bride… Jason and I met through mutual friends. We didn’t hit it off right away, and our first official date seemed doomed when we started asking each other questions such as, “What’s your favorite color?” But two years later, we are married and still laugh about that awkward first date.

Our vendors and family members helped us create the romantic, classic feel we envisioned for the day. The floral arrangements were lush and complemented the jewel tones and gold accents throughout the hotel. The band played our favorite songs and kept our guests dancing all night long. Our catering manager, Caitlin, was so patient throughout the entire process and made sure every last detail was accounted for. My older sister lovingly created the table numbers, signs, favor stickers and ordered custom sunglasses with our wedding date, which were a huge hit with the guests! And of course, Judy captured every moment and detail in a timeless way. It was the perfect city summer night with lots of dancing and laughing with our families and friends. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Wedding Photography: Judy Pak Photography / Second Photographer: Brklyn View Photography / Wedding Venue: The Roosevelt Hotel in New York, New York / Floral Design: Designs by Ahn / Wedding Cake: Sylvia Weinstock / Band: The A Band / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Makeup: Michiko Boorberg / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BCBG

Every wedding that pops out from the crowd has that ability to make us “oooh” and “ahhhh”.  The ‘it’ factor of this Montauk affair lies within the clean lines and thoughtful placement of every last detail. It just goes to show that the classiest events do not have to have trillions of flowers to be stunners, rather those flowers are seamlessly woven into the affair. Best Day Ever has this unique ability to style an event just so and that wall of pink streamers certainly doesn’t hurt. Be sure to stop by the full gallery for even more.

From Amelia of Best Day Ever... When my wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty three years ago I never thought it would lead to me planning other people’s weddings but that’s exactly what happened. When Danielle contacted me we instantly hit it off and I knew I was the right person to plan her special day with Luke. Danielle and Luke wanted a wedding that was Montauk all the way – laidback but also elegant and lovely. Above all they wanted their wedding to feel happy and bright, just like them. Danielle is Indian and Italian and Luke is from New Zealand so guests came all over the world to celebrate the nuptials. The eclectic crowd was greeted at Sole East with tote bags brimming with East End goodies; North Fork potato chips, Tate’s cookies and of course their itinerary for the weekend. Chips NY designed the Montauk map featured on the tote bags. The same map was also copied for our Save The Dates and Chips designed the invites and couple’s thank you cards as well.

The bride and groom wanted the wedding to reflect their energy as a couple and not be tied to a particular culture but we gave a subtle nod to the Danielle and Luke’s respective heritages with our selection of appetizers; vegetarian samosas, tandori chicken and pampadam for her and New Zealand lamp chops and mini meat pies for him. Mark Champion from Best Day Ever photographed the wedding and the rehearsal dinner and he even loaned us his personal Polaroid camera for our photo guestbook. The mother of the bride found Benjamin Reynaert, a Brooklyn based artist specializing in handmade books and Benjamin made us an amazing hand bound guest book for our photos! We hired Hamptons local Karen Lenahan to do flowers and lantern lighting for the tent. She also did the fantastic ribbon tree that provided our vibrant backdrop for the ceremony. Guests got down to music by the band Bleeker Street and Danielle and her mom even dougied a little.

The stunning bride wore a cascading strapless gown by Anne Barge and carried an all white bouquet. The bevy of bridesmaids wore Vanilla hued Amsale dresses in varying styles and carried bouquets of pink and white peonies. The word fun doesn’t even begin to describe Danielle. She surprised all of us (planner included!) by secretly hiring Lady Gaga’s DJ to spin at the after party. Partygoers celebrated into the wee hours of the night.

Wedding Photography: Mark Champion of Best Day Ever / Wedding Venue: Sole East Resort in Montauk, New York / Wedding Planning + Design: Amelia Alvarez of Best Day Ever / Floral Design: Karen Lenahan Designs / Wedding Cake: Leanne’s Speciality Cakes / Invitations: Chips NY / Band: Bleecker Street at Hank Lane Music / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge / Bride’s Sash: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Groom’s Suit + Bowtie: Prada / Groomsmen’s Suits, Shirts + Ties: J.Crew

Destination weddings aren’t always seaside, sipping fruity cocktails. Sometimes they’re right around the corner in the perfect rustic barn. This New York City couple chose to host a wedding weekend for friends and family in upstate New York, thus allowing everyone to extend the happy celebration for three whole days. True genius if you ask us. Because the only thing better than a wedding day is a big, whopping wedding weekend, especially when Jillian Mitchell is there to capture every last pretty second of it. See it here.

From Jillian Mitchell Photography… Tara and Eric opted for a close destination wedding in Hudson, NY so all of their friends and family could attend from the city, but still have a weekend of festivities together rather than one day. They stayed and got ready at the Route 66 farm house which is part of the Apple Barn Farm family and the ceremony and reception were held at Apple Barn Farm. A little rain in the morning wasn’t enough to slow anyone down and the sun cleared just in time for the ceremony. Mariachis serenaded the reception while guests may or may not have attempted to bribe the horses with gin and tonics. The bride’s father did a killer dance to ‘Shout’ so good in fact he just might have been posessed and the night ended with sparklers for all.

Wedding Photography: Jillian Mitchell Photography / Wedding Venue: Apple Barn Farm in Germantown, New York / Wedding Planning + Design: MaryBeth Barouta / Floral Design: The Rosery Flower Shop / Catering: Barbara Goldstein / DJ: Stephen Bell / Wedding Dress: Theia via Lovely Bridal Shop / Bride’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Bride’s Sash: Untamed Petals / Bride’s Headpiece: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Earrings: Macy’s / Bride’s Hair and Makeup: B Cohen Hair + Makeup / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Hair: Sarah Capilli / Bridesmaids’ Makeup: B Cohen Hair + Makeup / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Groomsmen’s Tuxes: DKNY / Groomsmen’s Shoe’s: Custom Converse

What do you get when you mix two crazy gorgeous sweethearts with the talents of Judy Pak Photography?  Well, lovelies, you get this drop-dead gorgeous e-session and an entire gallery of Lower East Side pretty.  That’s the perfect combo, if you ask me.  And when those two sweethearts happen to be as seriously chic as these two cuties (seriously), it’s not just any gallery.  It’s image after image of pure urban elegance, stunning settings and just a dash of “rock and roll.”  Join me there for more.

From Judy Pak Photography… Ginevra and Mike are a dash of down-to-earth goodness mixed with a tad of rock and roll. For their engagement session, we went to the Lower East, which perfectly complimented the couple’s elegant urban style. These two were a joy to photograph as they cozied up among stone building facades, city gardens and coffee shops. I cannot wait for their wedding next year!

Photography: Judy Pak Photography / Location: New York, New York

Having a really hard time deciding which beautiful images to post is not a bad problem to have. So I can’t fault Bryce Covey for capturing this gem that has left me reworking image combinations for the better part of the morning. And you can’t fault me for stuffing this post to the gills with boards. Fourteen to be exact. It’s just the way I roll when I come across a wedding too good to edit down. So four hours and three cups of coffee later, I present to you the loveliest rendition of New York nuptials. It’s a wedding with easy elegance and details by DM Events that could fit into a beautiful dinner party or Brooklyn wedding alike. See so much more right here in the full gallery.

From Melina of DM Events… As a designer, one of the greatest feelings (and challenges) is when another creative soul wants to collaborate with you – especially on their wedding day! That is how we felt about Stephanie + John from the moment we met them. They continued to inspire us throughout the design process with both their creativity, and love for one another.

With its unique industrial design, the Wythe Hotel was the prefect venue for them (the unbelievably delicious food was also a major plus!) Our design was created to pair the style of the hotel with Stephanie + John’s personal love for Alice in Wonderland. We knew that the colors and whimsy normally associated with Alice and Wonderland were not a fit for the design aesthetic of the venue so we focused on other elements and terminology from the story including vintage pocket watches and old monocles. One of the most fun details was the signage created – Eat Me and Drink Me signs were placed at the dessert bar and cocktail bar, respectively – an adorable and hilarious nod to the couple’s fav story.

Stephanie, a talented photographer, truly understood the importance of artistic photographs of the big day. The uber talented Bryce Covey took stunning photographs, both digitally and on film, of the couple. His ability to capture the true beauty and love of the day is genius. Our favorite moment of the night remains the couple’s first look – you can feel the emotion of moment in each picture, and that is what it is all about!

Wedding Photography: Bryce Covey Photography / Wedding Venue: Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, New York / Wedding Planning, Design, Florals: DM Events Planning and Design / Wedding Cake: Nine Cakes / DJ: DJ Kev of Scratch Weddings / Wedding Dress: Kenneth Pool / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bride’s Earrings: Erickson Beamon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J. Mendel / Bride’s Mother’s Dress: Vera Wang / Hair: Thomas Dunkin & Amber / Makeup: Lindsey Jones / Groom’s Tux: John Varvatos / Groom’s Shoes: Alden / Groom’s Cuff Links + Pocketsquare: Vintage / Bride + Groom’s Custom Rings: Kristen Farrell / Wedding Brunch: Roberta’s

When you work at SMP, falling in love with Alea Lovely and her brilliant work just comes with the territory.  Like peanut butter and jelly, Bogie and Bacall and cookies and milk, it’s just meant to be.  So, when Alea sent this breathtaking engagement session our way, we knew we were in for something special.  Something that not only takes your breath away, but leaves you feeling downright happy and simply immersed in the beauty of NYC.  We were right.  And it’s everything (and more) we thought it would be.  See so much more of this gorgeous couple in the full gallery.

From Alea Lovely Fine Art Photography… This was a lovely New York City engagement. Suzanna and James just got engaged a few months ago and are planning their wedding for 2013. It was beautiful in the fall for New York and we shot in Central Park, on the Brooklyn bridge and Times Square.

Photography: Alea Lovely Fine Art Photography / Location: New York, New York

This beyond beautiful bride spoke of her engagement comparing it to a fairytale, and I’m pretty sure that the same fairy tale is still playing out, especially after seeing the gorgeousness that was her wedding day. Captured by Judy Pak Photography, it’s casual elegance defined. A laid back yet amazingly pretty venue plus some of the prettiest vintage touches we ever did see. Click here for even more!

Whatever you do, don’t miss their film from Kiss the Bride Films:

From the Bride… Jeb and I met on Valentine’s Day in a bar in Hoboken, New Jersey. We had an amazing day together, but I didn’t know if I would see him again because he was living in Boston and I was living in Long Island. However, distance did not stop us. We saw each other every weekend for a year and four months, and then Jeb proposed. It was a fairytale.

We started planning the wedding, and when we saw Raphael Vineyard on Long Island, we knew it was the perfect venue for us. It was laid back elegance. It was different than anywhere we had seen and it had us written all over it! From the lanterns and beautiful chandeliers to the open balconies looking out on to miles of beautiful vineyards. We knew that is where we wanted to spend the first day of the rest of our lives.

When the wedding day came September 15th, 2012 it was more than I could have dreamed of. The weather was perfection and every detail was what I had hoped for. My dress and my bridesmaids dresses had a vintage timeless beauty. Following church we made our way to Raphael Vineyard. Flowers and details were kept simple as the venue said it all.  Guests were greeted by red and white sangria and led into a extravagant cocktail hour. Followed by an intimate sit down dinner with our closest friends and family. The night ended with dancing and dessert on the balcony under the stars. I could not have asked for anything more.

Wedding Photography: Judy Pak Photography / Second Photographer: Studio R Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Raphael in Peconic, New York / Floral Design: Rebecca of Moments in Time Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Kiss the Bride Films / Wedding Cake: Marc Lamaina of Butta’ Cakes / DJ + Band: Long Island Sound / Wedding Dress: Pricilla of Boston Platinum Collection (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: White by Vera Wang

Confession time.  I’m obsessed with flowers.  Tulips, garden roses, peonies, calla lilies… no matter the bloom, if there is a pretty, pretty bouquet in front of me, I could stare all day.  (Seriously.)  So, it pretty much goes without saying that I am also 100% obsessed with all things B Floral, the oh-so-wonderful floral design company that takes flower arranging and kicks it up a notch with some of the most unique and inspired combinations you will ever see.  Think stunning centerpieces, drop-dead gorgeous bouquets and everything in between.  Just take a look at all of this pretty.

Located in Manhattan and specializing in personalized arrangements for private events of any size, B Floral’s top-notch customer service and breathtaking artistry will take your wedding (or next event) and turn it into just what you always dreamt it would be…. absolutely stunning.  Not to mention that their attention to detail and total commitment to you and yours will have you resting easy… AND their use of only the freshest flowers in the world will leave your entire day looking out of this world amazing.  From the very moment you step foot inside the B Floral studio to the second your event concludes, you’ll develop a relationship with the uber-talented designers at B Floral that will last well beyond floral artistry.  How awesome is that?!?

So, SMPers… you know what to do.  Call B Floral today to set up your first consultation.  Trust us, you’ll be so very, very happy you did. xoxo

Wow, this bride should totally get the DIY award of the year. She legit crafted each and every detail of her wedding day. From the custom monograms to the cake topper, this talented bride did it all. Not only did she save herself a ton of loot, she ensured that her wedding day was like no other. Rachel Lusky Photography captured everything beautifully, so do yourself a favor and head to the full gallery. 

From the Bride… I should mention that I am a wedding photographer, so I have been planning my wedding in the back of my mind since I first realized I wanted to marry Joel. I knew I wanted our wedding to highlight who we were and to be very uniquely US. With all the weddings I have seen, I did not want mine to, in any way, remind me of any others. Our venue, The Red House, was one I discovered through a wedding I photographed in 2010. It was a century-old barn in Cassadaga, New York, a secluded place in a country setting. Our ceremony was outdoors under towering trees, and our reception was upstairs in the barn. Ironically, we found out that the owners are related to my cousins. It seemed that more and more, everything was coming together like a perfect fit.

I have to admit, I went a little DIY crazy, one of the big no-no’s of planning a wedding for me, but luckily, it worked out perfectly. I think because of this, we were able to do our wedding for well below $20,000. I designed everything, even printed materials, at home. I had to do a lot because our venue was blank slate and only provided some tables. I printed out photos that inspired me, décor, cakes, dresses, and table set-ups. I photoshopped the décor into photos I snapped of the venue. I acquired a floor plan, took measurements and planned every table and placement of the decorations. I designed a custom monogram, our invitations, programs and table numbers, and even a rubber stamp to use on our favor bags. I bought all of our linens online — surprisingly, it was cheaper. I cut burlap for the tables, made napkin rings, cut organza for draperies on the beams and even made our cake toppers. It was an amazing amount of work, but the more I realized I could do myself to save money, the more I wanted to do. Some of the décor, we barely paid for. Every mason jar and jam jar came from our grandparents; the windows we used for menus, we paid a small fee to someone who had them sitting in his barn. My father repainted them, and I decorated them with our menus and seating assignments. The door was sitting in my parents’ barn. I thought it was beautiful as it was with some peeling paint. The wood used to make the directional signs, my amazing father made from wood found in their barn. Some of it came from the barn that was torn down years ago that housed the animals from my grandpa’s farm. My brother made our archway for us. He and my father did so much to help our dream wedding come to life with their own hands. The night before our wedding, I told my brother “I really appreciate everything you have done for us for our wedding,” and I’ll always remember what he said back: “Well, you deserve it.”

My husband and I both love living in the country. We both grew up in western New York, moved away and then moved back. It was important to us to support the local businesses. Western New York is also known for their wineries near Lake Erie. Joel proposed to me one afternoon after wine tasting and a picnic on Barcelona Beach on Lake Erie. One of our wine choices for the wedding was from a local winery called Merritt Estate Winery. We had some really wonderful vendors. Our musician, Bill Eckstrom, was my guitar teacher for many years. 3C’s Catering catered a delicious pig roasat. The Cakery made our cake and our wedding favor cookies. Francesca’s Floral Design did the flowers. Our photographer was Rachel Lusky. Kathi Conti of A Kneaded Escape did my makeup. My hair and nails were done at Panache Salon and Day Spa.Our wedding went by so fast, as most do. Luckily we got a few minutes to stop and reflect while we had our photographs done. The lighting was perfect, and it seemed as though the golden sunlight was shinning through the trees just for us in that moment. All that work, planning and coordinating over the past year came down to these few hours. Everything clicked right into place, partially due to planning and partially due to vendors, but mostly due to the love and generosity from our family, from Christ, and for each other.

Wedding Photography: Rachel Lusky Photography / Wedding Venue: The Red House in Cassadega, New York / Floral Design: Francesca’s Floral Design / Catering: 3C’s Catering / Wedding Cake: The Cakery / Wine + Beer: Merritt Estate Winery, Bag and String Wine Merchants + Southern Tier Brewing Co. / Wedding Invitations: Designed by Carrie Davison (The Bride) + Printed by Vistaprint / Musician: Bill Eckstrom of Germain and Pappalardo’s Music Shop in Jamestown, New York / Linens: Linen Tablecloth + Table Cloths Factory / Custom Cocktail Napkins: Reflections by Lola / Custom Toasting Flutes: Laser Bird / Custom Handkerchiefs for the Bride and her Parents: Deborah Babarskas / Wedding Dress: Watters “Torreon” via Half Bridal / Bride’s Hair Piece: Luxe Deluxe / Bride’s Garters: Nana Rose Designs / Hair: Panache Salon and Day Spa / Makeup: A Kneaded Escape / Bride’s Rings: KNR Inc. / Dresses for Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids + Flower Girl: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Tyra Handmade Jewelry / Men’s Attire: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse / Groom’s Ring: Spexton

SMPers – meet Mitch and Isabel.  The seriously stylish and completely adorable New Jersey duo that are about to steal your hearts this lovely Monday morning with an engagement session that is all about the city streets of Hoboken and, let’s face it, looking downright amazing.  On hand to capture every love-filled moment?  Nadya Furnari Photography, who snapped up image after image of pure sassy with fab cobblestone streets and the NYC skyline as the perfect accessories.  Click here for the full gallery.

From Nadya Furnari Photography… This is the engagement session of Isabel and Mitch, a super-sweet New Jersey couple. We took these in the heart of Hoboken, New Jersey, on the awesome Court Street. I absolutely love the color and feel of this location — it had that city cobblestone feel! We then headed toward the water, where we captured the NYC skyline for a whole different mood! They were so great to photograph and truly in love!

Photography: Nadya Furnari Photography / Location: Hoboken, New Jersey

If there ever was a wedding that is both laid back and so beautifully elegant, this is it. Pay close attention and you’re guaranteed to be inspired by all the gorgeous details. From the bride’s amazing Vera Wang gown and shoes to the spectacular al fresco reception, this vineyard wedding is fast becoming one of our favorites. We’ve got Bia Sampaio Photographs to thank for all the beautiful images of which there are so many more right here.

 

Don’t miss this gorgeous film by Jess Levey for Josh Strauss Weddings

From Bia Sampaio Photographs… Jill and Mike are one of the most fun couples I have ever photographed. I immediately fell in love with them and their story: they met in a bathroom and it was just a year later that Mike asked Jill out. Their email to me asking to photograph their wedding had me laughing for days (it included details of a coin toss and dizzy nephew). It was an unusual meeting that has led to an unpredictable, amazing journey so far! The wedding was a great mix of elegance and fun. Highlights included a grand exit with sparkles and the groom’s Mustache Mobile Food truck at the end of the party (The groom owns Tony Boloney’s in Atlantic City.).

From the Bride… Mike and I had a long engagement, over three years. We were first thinking of a destination wedding in Costa Rica, and when that didn’t happen, we put things on hold. After being engaged for two years, we decided it was time to set a date. My parents drove us from vineyard to vineyard on the north fork, and it was love at first sight when we drove into Bedell. There was no question — this was where we would be married. The laid-back but elegant venue would be the perfect setting for us to celebrate with our family and friends. The gorgeous landscape was picture perfect. Our day was flawless, and we wish we could do it all again because we would not change a thing!

Wedding Photography: Bia Sampaio Photographs / Wedding Venue: Bedell Cellars Winery in Cutchogue, New York / Event Planning: Daria Culver Events / Floral Design: Karen Lenahan Designs / Wedding Cinematography: Jess Levey for Josh Strauss Weddings / Wedding Invitations: Oblation Papers & Press / Music: Vali Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang

Any wedding that involves wine and cheesecake is alright by me. Wine, cheese, love and beautiful photographs by Carmen Santorelli is NOT a bad day at work. And this beauty is a shining example of a layered approach. From a veil worn by generations passed paired with a beautiful Lazaro gown to Mimosa Floral Design Studio transforming the gorgeous blank space that is Studio 450 into a vineyard loft with beautiful city views. It’s all about the layers of details and seemingly opposite elements working hand in hand to bring a modern city vibe to a traditional vineyard wedding. And we can’t get enough of it. If you missed it see it here in Part I and of course, even more from the day in the full gallery.

From the Bride… One of the first pieces of advice that my mother gave us when we started planning the wedding was that our choices would be the first decisions we made together as a couple, so we wanted our relationship and our love of family to shine through in every element of the event. I chose the veil worn by my grandmother and mother – made from Belgian lace purchased by my great-great-grandmother in the early 1900s. Though I decided not to wear the dress worn by three generations of women before me, we used material from the gown for Nate’s tie and pocket square, and wrapped it around my bouquet along with a picture of me with my father. The small diamond earrings I wore were from an anniversary ring of Nate’s grandmother, and the bridesmaids’ earrings were all made by my mom, who is a jewelry designer.

For the décor, we kept it simple at the church because we wanted to let its natural beauty shine. At the reception, we aimed for a vineyard-meets-city vibe. We featured vintage wine and cheese boxes on the escort card and dessert tables, and collected wine bottles and cork-filled glasses for the windowsills. My mom hand-painted the bar menu and other signs, and we used New York postcards from antique stores and local shops as the guestbook. The flowers matched the red-wine color of the bridesmaids’ dresses – and also reflected our passion for food, with touches of artichokes and berries in the arrangements.The menu put a modern twist on rustic Italian flavors, culminating with a combination dessert and cheese table. We couldn’t resist incorporating our love for wine and cheese nights, so our “cake” was a two-tiered goat cheese and triple-cream creation! 

We’re incredibly grateful for photographer Carmen Santorelli, floral designer Lillian Wright, day-of coordinator Katie Berger, and caterers Ryan Corvaia and Bonnie Evans, who partnered with us to create a more magical day than we could have imagined.

Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography / Second Photography: Falcon Photography / Ceremony Venue: Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York, New York / Reception Venue: Studio 450 in New York, New York / Floral Design + Decor: Mimosa Floral Design Studio  / Day-of Wedding Coordination: Sara Kate Events / Wedding Catering + Lighting: Dish Food & Events / Music: DJ Alias via Scratch Weddings / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Kleinfeld  / Bride’s Bracelet: Untamed Petals /  Bride’s Shoes: Anne Klein via Macy’s / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: lifefavors / Hair + Makeup: Erica Ogawa

Sometimes a set of images come along too magnificent to fit into one post. So we’re taking up two today to showcase what one can only describe as perfection. And that perfection is at the hands of Carmen Santorelli. I truly believe that art is a reflection of the hand that creates it. If that hand is lovely and effervescent with a rockin good hairdo, then you best believe her art is going to reflect beauty and style too. So meet Carmen’s latest creation, an engagement of a soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. that were a long time in the making. Twelve years to be exact. Their loves include good wine and each other and they have a whole engagement gallery to prove it. Click here for so much more.

We’re going from engagement pics right through to I Do. We’ll have the full wedding behind this couple up in a bit, but for now we leave you with a few getting ready shots. They’re classic, elegant, all those things you want to be when dreaming up your big day. This Bride nailed it and just wait until you see the full affair. Or you can grab a sneak peek right here.

From the Bride… The day of our October engagement shoot felt more like a gorgeous July afternoon. When we arrived at City Winery, Carmen was already there, snapping some shots of the barrels and art. It was only the second time we had met her, but it felt like we were catching up with an old friend. She took the first few photos of Nate, while makeup artist Erica Ogawa added the final touches to my makeup. Nate seemed so relaxed, as my stomach began to churn–what if we didn’t smile enough, or too much?! Carmen told us to act like we were on our first date, which was 12 years ago. We were a little rusty, but I think it worked.

The next three hours flew by, from the streets around the Seaport, to Pier 17, to the Brooklyn Bridge. Staring into Nate’s eyes for so long, I remembered why I fell in love with him, and why he has been my best friend since I was 16. Carmen guided us through every pose, and was dedicated to capturing each shot perfectly. The only hitch was when my heels kept getting stuck between the deck boards on the pier! It was a better day than we could have imagined, and resulted in such fun memories that will last forever.

For the Engagement – Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography / Hair + Makeup: Erica Ogawa and for the Wedding – Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography / Second Photography: Falcon Photography / Day-of Wedding Coordination: Sara Kate Events / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Kleinfeld  / Bride’s Shoes: Anne Klein via Macy’s / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: lifefavors / Hair + Makeup: Erica Ogawa

New York City happens to be home to some of the most sophisticated weddings we’ve ever had the privilege to lay our eyes upon here at SMP and, in the case of this dazzling Hudson Terrace affair captured by Khaki Bedford Weddings, one of the most heartwarming.  Because when it comes to weddings that are guaranteed to make you smile, this dapper duo most definitely takes first prize with an evening that was not only designed to absolute perfection (dapper PLUS talented), but was filled with one moment after another of pure, unadulterated HAPPY.  See it all in the full gallery.

From Khaki Bedford Weddings… I loved shooting Stephen and Jeremy’s awesome wedding! It was at Hudson Terrace near Times Square, which used to be an old horse stable. It is located right next to the Intrepid Space Shuttle on the Hudson River, so we had a really cool location for outdoor photos on the pier. The couple has such great style! Their color scheme was navy with yellow accents, and they had a custom logo made of both of their initials (S & J) which they used throughout the decor, including the ring pillow, invitations, matchbooks, etc.

It is always so touching for me to shoot same-sex weddings in NYC since it became legal last October. There is never a dry eye in the house during the toasts, and this was no exception!

Wedding Photography: Khaki Bedford Weddings / Wedding Venue: Hudson Terrace in New York, New York / Floral Design: Edelweiss Floral Atelier / Event Design + Planning: DIY by the Couple / Music: Topu Lyo (livefootagebrooklyn@gmail.com) / Wedding Invitation Design: Esther Wu / Wedding Invitation Printing: Greener Graphics / Wedding Website: ArtHouse Interactive / Custom Chuppah Design: Michal Ayalon (atsanit@gmail.com) / Custom Ketubah Design: Tamar Steinberger (tamar.steinberger@gmail.com) / Ring Bearer Pillow: Sweet B / Matchbook Printing: Source One Promotions

This wedding captured by Jennifer Rau Photography has a long list of reasons to shine. At first glance, it’s a perfect backyard affair nestled in-between the sea and a gorgeous Hamptons cottage. But if you dig a bit deeper, you’ll start to see that it is a day packed with sentiment and a whole lot of soul. Held at the Bride’s childhood summer home, it’s full of details paired down to only the most meaningful; details that pay homage to the Bride’s late father, an amazing writer, and moments that brought this day back to the tree where the Bride played as a little girl. This is one of those warm and fuzzy one’s that has reminded me EXACTLY why I love weddings so. See even more right here.

From the Bride…  I first came up with the idea for my wedding because I wanted to have a rustic Hamptons wedding. Our backyard is where my dearest memories in the summer. My dad was the biggest influence in my life and after he passed away I wanted to honor his life. I decided to buy an old vintage typewriter and type all the menus by hand onto library cards, and used my father’s book titles as the table numbers. I went around Santa Monica and to all the flea markets in LA trying to find first editions of all his books to place on the tables. It was then that my wedding was to have a book theme, with Happily Ever After as the inspiration.  I wanted to get married under the tree that I had swung on a tree swing as a little girl. I had no wedding planner, it was my idea from start to finish including designing the menu completely. The color palette was vivid poppy with touches of orange.

Wedding Photography: Jennifer Rau Photography / Wedding Venue: Bride’s Family’s Hamptons Home in Sagaponack, New York / Floral Design: Thorn Bird Floral Boutique / Wedding Catering: Art of Eating / Wedding Cake: A Simple Cake / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo