New York Weddings

Starting off the week with an ah.mazing Long Island affair sounds like a pretty good plan to me – and this sweet Pellegrini Vineyards soiree?  Well, it’s putting quite the pep in our Monday.  A bride with beyond fabulous style (hello birdcage veil!), a vintage meets rustic vibe and a sprinkling of soft pink hues… a recipe for wedding success if you ask me.  Tessie Reveliotis Photography captured every last ounce of lovely and trust me when I tell you, you’ll want to spend your ENTIRE day soaking it all in. See it all here.

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From Tessie of Tessie Reveliotis Photography… Jeanine and Michael got married on July 16, 2011. Their wedding reminded me of a vintage wedding with style, elegance and grace. Down to the last detail, Jeanine pulled all the elements together that highlighted her and Michael’s wedding day. In fact, their wedding date was sewn into her purse. They also had their initials grace the doors of the church where they had their ceremony. Simply, a beautiful wedding!

Wedding Photography: Tessie Reveliotis Photography / Ceremony: St. James Roman Catholic Church in Setauket, New York / Reception: Pellegrini Vineyards in Cutchogue, New York / Floral Design: Roots Flowers & Treasures / Wedding Cake: Junda’s Bakery / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Bride’s Shoe Clips: Antique Brooches / Bride’s Clutch Purse: Amsie

I had dreamt about stringing garlands upon garlands of pink pom poms across my wedding tent but, alas, it was one of those forgotten DIY projects.  So I give this bride major props for creating hundreds of poms herself nevermind the countless other details she crafted for her gorgeous wedding.  The result is just breathtaking!  This is truly a picture perfect barn wedding especially because those pictures were taken by You Look Nice Today Photography!  See them all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride (who herself is a fine art photographer and photojournalist)… Being so excited to be engaged and eager to move forward, we first planned our entire wedding in about 10 days. Crazy and a little intense, I know. We found a farm that was on the water in Rhode Island. We had every quote — food, rentals, venue, restroom trailer and more. After hearing non-stop discouragement about this farm idea from everyone and anyone, we scrapped the whole thing. Still, we were refusing to have a typical catering hall wedding. Either we would have our dream tent wedding or nothing at all!! We searched endless hours online and drove many miles and visited countless venues. All of the ones we loved were unavailable or outrageously expensive just to boot. Thanks to groom’s skills with the internet, he found the most perfect location — Shadow Lawn. It was available and gorgeous! A true dream come true. Finally we could start all over again but at a much slower, relaxed rate with a timeline. Everything came together pretty smoothly after that. Small details, hours and hours and hours on Style Me Pretty for inspiration and a long list of props to buy and DIY projects to execute. Everything had to be perfect. We even flew our photographer in from Oregon (my dream state)! Still, with this somewhat unconventional venue, we still had comments and concerns from our families: “What if it rains? What is your back-up plan?” We answered with “No back up plan! There is a TENT!” Luckily it didn’t rain, but it was actually the HOTTEST day of the summer, over 100 degrees! In the end, it was a vintage garden wedding that I dreamed of. Corners were cut and projects and details were sacrificed, but who would know? Every corner was filled with details, and it was perfect. Yes, things went wrong and not everything was exactly as planned, but in the end our dream came true — we were married to each other and succeeded in planning a wedding that was different and unforgettable. We still get compliments on how unique it was. And of course, the heat is an ongoing topic for discussion too!

Wedding Photography: You Look Nice Today Photography / Wedding Venue: Shadow Lawn in High Falls, New York / Floral Design: Sara Gast Floral Designs / Catering: Main Course Catering / Wedding Dress: Wtoo “Marguerite” / Bride’s Shoes: Free People / Bride’s Earrings: Lord & Taylor / Bride’s Necklace: Her Grandmother’s / Makeup: Sara Aqel / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Anthropologie / Bridesmaids’ Lockets: Etsy / Menswear: J.Crew / Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Bride’s Photography: Elizabeth Sarah

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read that this beachy day after shoot by Carmen Santorelli Photography and Lindsay Madden Photography took place just moments away from all the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. I swear it’s true! This team of talents were able to create a dreamy day after photo shoot that looks like it’s belongs on SMP Destination just hop, skip and a jump away from the city – proving that even city Brides can have a few pictures with sand between their toes. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Carmen of Carmen Santorelli Photography…Who doesn’t love the idea of a romantic getaway for pictures following your wedding day? And guess what? You don’t always have to go far for something special. The concept behind this shoot was to create a romantic “day after” session that had a destination feel to it. Lindsay and I loved the idea of an open, breezy and beachy setting for the backdrop of this chic shoot. We thought it was important to place emphasis on the newly-married couple in a magical way and therefore, steered away from using props and decided to include one main, enchanting element: a horse named Blackjack.

Finding a beach AND a horse near Manhattan, NY was not an easy task, but we were up for the challenge! After stumbling up the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in Brooklyn, we knew we found the spot. We wanted the bride to be in something that looked chic (and fun!) and therefore, we fell in love with the layered Pronovias wedding dress, the coral, sherbet and pink color palette of the bouquet and the high fashion hair fascinator. Lastly, we wanted to include the coral tones in the bride’s makeup as well, and Trice of Vividly Glamorous helped us achieve that soft, romantic look.

This session came together beautifully and we truly hope it inspires other brides (and grooms!) to pick a unique location for their day after shoot. The images have been captured on medium format and 35mm film, as well as some digital.

Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography + Lindsay Madden Photography / Venue: Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in Brooklyn, New York / Concept: Carmen Santorelli / Floral Design: AvaFlora / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Hair + Makeup: Trice of Vividly Glamorous / Female Model: Nikita Kwong / Male Model: Larry Leung

When we hear there is an event being thrown for Brides by two of our favorite NYC lovelies – Merci New York and Gabriella New York Bridal Salon – around three of our favorite things – beauty, baubles and bubbly – we simply MUST shout it from the roof tops. Because if you are anywhere near the NYC area, this is where you need to be on Sunday. A day of style for the city Bride? That’s about as fabulous as a day can get. So mark your calendars and move your brunch date – because you’ve got stylish places to be this Sunday!

And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, it does. These lovelies are offering five lucky SMPers the chance to win a pair of tickets to this stylish shindig! Just leave a little note as to why you want to be there with bells on and we’ll pick the winners on Friday!

From Merci New York…Define your bridal style with the help of the city’s top designers, stylists and bridal trend-makers at this intimate event co-hosted by Gabriella New York Bridal Salon and the fashion stylists at Merci New York.  The bridal-style mavens have curated a chic Sunday afternoon with the artists every New York girl needs to know for her wedding. Get hair and make-up trials compliments of the tony Paul Labrecque team, and be pampered with mini spa services by the experts at Exhale. Rub shoulders with Manhattan’s hottest photographers and floral designers, as Christian Oth Studio and Matthew Robbins Design share their tips for a New York wedding that’s sure to swoon. Complete your wedding-day look, and receive 10 percent off all purchases top accessory designers, such as; Aruna Seth, Jenny Packham, Sara Gabriel, Rivini necklaces, Mija jewelry , Zinke intimates. And be there for the launch of Merci New York for Madame Mathilde clutches!

This Lake George wedding is full of sweet moments and beautiful, rustic details.  Everything from the date they chose down to the watercolor painted by the bride’s father that became their wedding logo, held special meaning and was a true reflection of this adorable couple.  Each itty bitty element was handcrafted with lots of love and it shows in each one of these images by Jagger Photography.  See them all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… My husband, Kevin, and I met at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. On our fourth dating anniversary, Kevin and I planned a romantic weekend away at The Sagamore Resort on Lake George. He completely surprised me by proposing on our first night there, September 17th. It was only appropriate that we set our wedding date for September 17th because we started dating on September 17th and got engaged on September 17th — the Sagamore made an obvious choice for our wedding venue. I had been planning my wedding in my head for as long as I could remember. During the year before we got engaged, I discovered wedding blogs and spent hours every day pouring over them (especially Style Me Pretty), collecting ideas and refining my vision. I had gathered so much information and come up with so many ideas before we were engaged that when he finally proposed, I hit the ground running. 

I spent the whole year of our engagement pouring my heart and soul into our wedding. Of course, Kevin helped, but he knew how excited I was and let me run the show with his input. The end result was the wedding of our dreams. Every single detail was a reflection of who we are as a couple. From the music to the ceremony to the decor — everything was us. One of the most special details of our wedding is the watercolor my Dad painted of Kevin and me looking over Lake George. I included this on the save-the-dates, the wedding invitations and RSVPs, on the table names and the names cards — it became our wedding logo and is something we will always cherish. We dubbed the theme of our wedding “Adirondack Chic” or “Dack Chic” for short. We let the beauty of Lake George be the decoration for our outdoor ceremony. The day was slightly overcast, but as soon as we said our vows, the sun came out! It was the most magical moment. The reception decor was a mix of gathered antique bottles, cedar wood slices and wildflowers. My incredible parents found all the bottles at a barn sale, and my Dad spent hours cutting cedar wood slices for the centerpieces and stands for the table names, escort cards and menus. My favorite craft was the cake stand my Dad built. It went perfectly with our simple but elegant cake. My Mom is a polymer clay artist and surprised me the night before our wedding with about 200 zipper pulls with our initials and wedding date. Each guest received a zipper-pull at their seat as a cute keepsake to remember the wedding. Because I am obsessed with candy, I knew right away that a candy table would serve as our favors. My parents found all the candy containers, and I made heart-shaped stickers of our wedding logo to put on each of the candy bags.

I don’t think we could have asked for a more perfect wedding. The love in the air was truly palpable, and we felt so blessed to look around the room and see so many people we love so overjoyed to be celebrating with us. Of course we cannot thank our INCREDIBLE photographers, Jagger Photography, enough! It was a dream come true to have them photograph our wedding, and the photos leave me speechless. They captured all the love and joy that we felt at our wedding. We will cherish our wedding photos forever.

Wedding Photography: Jagger Photography / Wedding Venue: The Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York / Floral Design: Sweethaven Farm / Day-Of Coordination: Katelyn Palomaki of Inspired Occasions / Decor: Collected + DIY by the Bride & Her Family / Music: DJ Zac Barr / Wedding Dress: Alita Graham / Bride’s Shoes: BHLDN / Hair + Makeup: Lipstick N Lashes / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Officiant: Reverend Joy Burke

This wedding has it all. A romantic Parisian proposal that lead to the French-inspired, black tie soiree. Stunning images from 4Eyes Photography that warm the heart. A stunning couple at the center. A breathtaking floral design from Belle Fleur. And a Gatsby-esque feel that this Fitzgerald fan is eating up. I promise your smile will start out big and just get wider with every glance. Make sure to do a few facial exercises before visiting the full image gallery!

Click here to see ALL of the absolutely stunning affair!

It was late September, early Fall and my parents had planned a trip for our family to spend some time in Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Philip had approached me and delicately explained that he needed to travel to Paris for a couple of days prior to joining my family in Italy so that he could attend a work meeting that had been arranged on his behalf. Well, my love of Paris was no secret at this point so naturally I was beyond delighted to tag along on Philip’s work trip if it meant spending some time with him in the “City of Lights”. I had fully prepared myself to spend the day wandering around Paris alone, and even made plans to lunch with a friend of mine who lives there, but when we woke up that first morning in Paris everything changed.

Philip leapt out of bed with no sign of jet-lag and disappeared. I was still bleary eyed and half asleep, so I told him to wake me when our breakfast arrived and I rolled over to catch a few more Z’s (ha!). Next thing I knew Philip pounced on the bed like a playful puppy dog, snuggled up beside me and said, “Well, I had better tell you why I really brought you to Paris…” He got down on one knee beside the bed and asked me to marry him.Our breakfast arrived shortly after my tearfully happy and resounding “Yes”, so I trotted over to the closet to throw on a sweatshirt and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror – Holy moly! My wild newly cut bangs were sticking straight up in the air! I ran back into the bedroom, threw myself into Philip’s arms and said, “Babe, you proposed to me while I looked like this?! You really do love me!”.

The rest of the day couldn’t have been more perfect. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day in Paris. We meandered around the city, enjoyed a relaxing boat ride on the Seine, and finished the day off with a bottle of champagne and a cozy dinner in a romantic bistro. The very next day we traveled to meet my family in Italy and we were greeted with huge smiles and big hugs. We spent the next week in Positano, glowing, as it all sunk in. A dream come true.

Although the Pierre Hotel in NYC is now a Taj hotel its roots are French, and I am a complete Francophile. After the Paris proposal I thought it would be cool to keep a French/Parisian theme, and I couldn’t resist the old world charm and appeal of the Pierre. Philip and I both love to get dressed up, and we so rarely have the opportunity to, so when it came time to decide what kind of wedding we wanted to have we thought it would be great fun to make it wedding black tie. I must say, everyone looked absolutely stunning! The men were beyond handsome in their tuxes and the ladies were breathtaking in their floor length gowns!

We both felt like it was a real “Gatsby” moment for us. I didn’t want to get too colorful with the flowers, though I do love colorful florals, but when I think of Paris I for some reason think of black and white antique photographs, so we chose ivories, barely blushes and a hint of black with the berries. The entire evening was utterly unforgettable. A friend of mine had told me that her wedding day was the best day of her life. I must admit that when I first heard that I was dubious, but after having experienced my own I can say that Philip and I fully, and whole heartedly agree with that statement. It was truly the very best day of our lives, to this date.

Photographer: 4Eyes Photography / Floral Designer: Belle Fleur / Cake: Cheryl Kleinman / Wedding Gown Designer: Vera Wang Luxe / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Amsale / Bride’s Jewelry: Kwiat / Venue: The Pierre Hotel

Settle in lovelies because your morning is about to go to the next level of pretty thanks to this make-your-heart-happy shoot dreamt up by Firefly Events. The Foundry sets the stage for this whimsical New York City elopement – and believe me when I say, we would be just as giddy as can be if this shoot inspires one of you to do something similar. The cakes alone by Elegantly Iced make us want to do a high kick or two, and that is just the beginning of all the pretty captured by Jana Williams Photography. The gallery is full of even more high kick inducing pretty, but make sure you scroll down for a fab behind the scenes film by Tree of Life Films and cocktail recipes from By Brooklyn too! Cheers!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

New York Fairytale Elopement from Tree of Life Films on Vimeo.

From Teissia + Alia of Firefly Events… As a New York-based wedding planning and design company, Firefly Events is constantly on the lookout for ways to infuse the glamor of the city with a sense of playfulness. We love to reflect the urban lifestyle of our clients while still keeping the aesthetic creative and fun. A recent trip to Paris, coupled with a new-found obsession with Biba, a vintage British clothing line, had us spending most of the winter months dreaming up combinations of soft feminine lines and bold dramatic accents. This inspired us to create this bohemian affair that was fit for the big city, just in time for Spring!

The Greenhouse space at The Foundry provided our backdrop with splashes of natural light and romantic ivy, while sprawling floral arrangements from Nicolette Owen in shades of green and white were the the perfect accent. To help bring our vision to life, we constructed two large panels upholstered in a lavender graphic pattern. We paired these with extra long fabric bunting in bright, playful colors that hung in varying lengths from the ceiling. The final addition of giant gold balloons and a vintage French settee made the space a feast for the eyes and set the stage for our fairytale elopement. The bride wore an Elizabeth Fillmore dress with a peplum ruffle from Gabriella New York, alternating accessories between a set of chunky crystal necklaces and a metallic gold turban. For her hair and makeup, we picked two of our favorite dramatic looks inspired by Biba. For the first look we added major volume to a simple ballet bun and matched it with a bright pink lip and dewy cheeks. For the second, we choose a more sultry look with teased-out hair and big smoky eyes. The groom wore a navy blue herringbone suit and light green shirt from Brooklyn Tailors, maker of some of our favorite custom suits!

In this fantasy, the bride and groom each get their own gorgeous cake — one with the classic Biba pattern and the other with whimsical black and pink ruffles, both from Elegantly Iced. Our friends at By Brooklyn worked with us to create a custom cocktail bar featuring some of the yummiest locally made syrups we’ve ever tasted! Flavors like ginger, lavender, and preserved lemon brought a fresh twist to some of our favorite spirits. For gift bags, we hand-painted canvas totes with gold acrylic paint in a bold fish scale design, filling them all with our favorite goodies from Paris (and a few from home, too!). Finally, Raya Brass Band joined us as we headed to Gantry Plaza, serenading the bride and groom as they looked out onto the beautiful New York City skyline. We were so lucky to work with Jana Williams Photography and Tree Of Life Films, who captured every beautiful moment and all the hard work from our lovely vendors. Their ability to tell a story in a fresh and unique way never fails to take our breath away!

As a special treat, we would love to share the amazing custom cocktail recipes that we developed with By Brooklyn for this magical shoot. Enjoy!

Mon Coeur Cocktail
2 ounces bourbon
1/2 ounce Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup
1 ounce fresh lemon juice

Shake over ice, and serve up in a coup glass. Garnish with hibiscus petals.

Le Premier Baiser
1/2 ounce St. Germaine
1/2 ounce Morris Kitchen Lemon Syrup
1.5 ounces gin

Shake over ice, and serve up in a coup glass. Top with a splash of champagne. Garnish with lemon twist.

Fruits and Flowers
1 1/4 oz. gin
1/4 oz. St. Germain
1/2 oz. Creme de Violette
1/2 oz. Royal Rose Lavender-Lemon Syrup
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

Shake over ice, and serve up in a rocks glass. Top with a splash of soda, and garnish with a sprig of lavender.

Golden Hour Cocktail
1/2 ounce Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup

Top with champagne to fill the glass. Serve in a champagne flute, and garnish with candied ginger.

Photography: Jana Williams Photography / Venue: The Foundry in Long Island City, New York / Event Planning + Design: Teissia + Alia of Firefly Events / Floral Design: Nicolette Camille Floral Design / Cinematography: Tree of Life Films / Cocktails: By Brooklyn / Cakes: Elegantly Iced / Calligraphy: I Heart Calligraphy / Rentals: West Side Party Rental / Balloons: Balloons Fast / Love Locks: The Lonely Heart / Gift Bag: Made by Firefly Events / Band: Raya Brass Band / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Jewelry: Amanda Pearl via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Turban: JustLiv / Hair + Makeup: Leslie Alejandro + Symone Prince / Suit: Brooklyn Tailors

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So that old saying about rain on your wedding day being good luck may or may not be true but, I can say this, it will make for some really incredible photos!  Especially when there is a couple as darling as this one with a sweet red umbrella as the subject and, of course, when Judy Pak Photography is behind the camera.  The rest of their rainy day farm wedding in the Hudson Valley is just as full of charm and sweetness as the couple everyone came to celebrate with loads of DIY details and lots of love!  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Judy of Judy Pak Photography… Susan and Aaron’s wedding took place on a charming farm in the heart of Hudson Valley. The farm is situated on acres of rolling hills and forest, and the couple initially wanted to have an outdoor wedding. However, rain clouds arrived on the wedding day, and they had to quickly adjust to Plan B. The ceremony was moved inside the barn, and a tent was set up for the reception area. Although the barn already had so much natural beauty that could double as decor, Susan added some great DIY elements. For example, she decorated the barn with old photos from their childhood and recent photos of the couple from their engagement session. She also used clothes pins to hang seating cards across the room. In the end, Susan and Aaron really helped set the tone of the day with their infectious smiles and carefree spirit. It was a downpour at times, but the couple grabbed a red umbrella and braved the inclement weather for some awesome rainy day shots. Despite some things not going according to their plan, their big day was filled with love, joy, hope and excitement, and it was truly inspirational to be there to document it!

Wedding Photography: Judy Pak Photography / Second Photographer: Jase Kim Photography / Wedding Venue: Blooming Hill Farm in Blooming Grove, New York / Floral Design: Ariston Flowers / Catering: Fresh Company / Wedding Cake: Babycakes NYC / DJ: Pierce Jackson / Wedding Dress: Vintage / Men’s Attire: J.Crew

There is DIY and then there is something more along the lines of DIT – Do It Together. This Orlando affair captured by Eleven Eleven Photography falls right into that happy category with the Bride and Groom crafting their own invitations to working with the design talent of Creative Designs Weddings & Events to come up with a backyard shindig that was so very much them, right down to the vegan brunch. It’s all streamers and balloons and smiles and you can see more of the day right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Annie of Eleven Eleven Photography… Looking for a wedding brimming with DIY details? Shannon’s and Owen’s wedding would be it. Every corner of their venue featured some special project with the couple had worked on in preparation for the wedding. Team their creativity with the talented folks at Creative Designs Weddings & Events, and the end result was an intimate backyard affair that totally honored the couple and their love for each other. The bride and groom poured tons of time and effort into their wedding. The bride, Shannon, started by assembling by hand the couple’s formalwear-adorned cake topper. The venue was brimming with whimsy, from the colorful streamers that were hand-cut by the bride to the mismatched chairs and china. The couple scoured antique and vintage stores for items which they then paired with flowers to make one-of-a-kind centerpieces. When Shannon couldn’t find an affordable headpiece online, she decided to make one herself. By attaching a craft store simple flower to a piece of French netting fabric, she created a beautiful vintage look.

Wanting something more unique than a unity candle, the couple decided to write each other letters the night before the wedding. During the ceremony, they sealed these letters, along with a bottle of wine in a box, to be opened and enjoyed on their fifth anniversary. Catering was also reflective of the couple. A good friend and local restaurateur served a 100% vegan brunch, featuring items such as biscuits and gravy complete with vegan sausage, cinnamon rolls, grits and oatmeal. Rounding out the celebration was a banjo player, who provided simple musical accompaniment for the ceremony and throughout brunch, as well as a caricature artist who gave guests personalized sketches as party favors.

Wedding Photography: Eleven Eleven Photography / Wedding Venue: The Summerlin House At Thornton Park in Orlando, Florida / Floral + Event Design: Creative Designs Weddings & Events / Wedding Cinematography: Dante Vittorelli / Wedding Invitations: Designed by Robots are Friends (The Bride & Groom) / Banjo Entertainment: Forrest Rodgers / Caricature Artist: Caricatures by Guy / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Lower East Side via Payless Shoes / Bride’s Headpiece: DIY

New York City GLAM. This wedding, captured to perfection by Robert & Kathleen Photographers, is exactly what dances around in my head when I think of a chic, city soiree. The Marchesa gown is enough to make me swoon for days, and when that gown is dancing around on a gorgeous, completely in love Bride in her fit for a princess ballroom wedding, I enter complete wedding bliss. It’s completely fabulous and the perfect recipe for one G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Robert + Kathleen of Robert & Kathleen Photographers… New York City is where Heather and Steven met and now live, so it seemed like a natural choice for them when they were selecting a location for their wedding. They chose the elegant Cirpriani Wall Street because it had the old-school New York grand ballroom style that suited their vision for their wedding day and would be able to accommodate their many guests.  It didn’t hurt that the setting was the perfect way to showcase Heather’s stunning Marchesa gown.

Wedding Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Ceremony: The Church of Sts. Cyril & Methodius & St. Raphael in New York, New York / Reception: Cipriani Wall Street in New York, New York / Floral Design: Pedestals Floral Decorators / Wedding Cake: The Cake Studio / DJ: Syndicate Productions / Wedding Dress: Marchesa / Bride’s Shoes: Rene Caovilla / Hair: Dawn of NuBest Salon & Spa / Makeup: Tina of Kimara Ahnert / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lazaro

When a couple is so in love that they are ready to wait 13 years (and longer if they had to) to finally tie the knot, we expect a big, warm, love-filled celebration, which is exactly what we got from this beautiful couple. The two had a whirlwind romance and knew they were perfect together from the very beginning, and then waited almost a decade and a half for New York to allow same sex marriages. And the party that followed? I’m of the opinion, thanks to Clean Plate Pictures, that it definitely lived up to the hype. A beautiful couple, a romantic setting, friends, family and loved ones all there to celebrate this stunning love. Let’s celebrate with them in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

We met by chance at a New York bar while Gaelle was on vacation. We had an automatic connection and after spending to days together, prior to her return to France, we agreed we would stay in contact. Remaining “in contact” evolved from “I’m back home safe” to daily chats some lasting hours! After getting to know each other over the phone, we soon came to realize that we were developing feelings for each other. After an impromptu visit eight weeks later, we began planning our lives together. We spent three weeks together in the City of Lights and we returned to New York to start our journey together.

We would get excited when some states started to allow gays to marry, but we never thought we would get the opportunity in New York. In the summer of 2011, 13 years after we met, laws were passed and we were thrilled.

Gaelle’s family was expected to come to New York for the holidays and so felt it was the perfect time to tie the knot. My family came from Florida and close friends were also invited to share this very special day in our lives.

I came across the Bartow Pell Mansion via a web search, and upon visiting, we immediately decided to exchange our vows and have a cocktail hour on site. The grounds are beautiful and the Mansion itself had a charm that we loved immediately. As we have a small guest list, Bartow Pell was the perfect location for this intimate affair. Decorations were minimal, since the Orangerie had beautiful light and didn’t need much, we did however, add flowers in the lavender color family. As we both lost our moms, we had a memorial candle engraved with their name in their honor.

My wedding dress was purchased at Pronovias, NYC. I knew I didn’t want a white dress, but had no idea what style or color I would end up in. I felt so elegant and beautiful in this one and the color as perfect for my skin tone. For weeks up until the wedding I would get so giddy just thinking of my dress!

Our wedding was so emotional for us. We were happy to finally and legally celebrate our love with loved ones. There was not a dry eye in the house. Love was in there and we felt it.

My favorite photo is Gaelle kissing my cheek and hers is the picture of our feet…she was so excited to show off her stripped socks!

Photography: Clean Plate Pictures / Cinematography: Copacetic Films / Flowers: Metropolitan Flower Exchange / Ceremony Location: Bartow Pell Mansion / Reception Location: Capsuoto Freres / Invitations: Etsy / Shoes: Badgely Mischka / Dress: Pronovias

There is so much about this wedding (captured by Billy Farrel and Caroline Owens Photography) I am obsessed with. SO much. Let’s start with the gowns though, shall we? Because as a person who just can’t get enough of a good party dress, this wedding is SO up my alley. Tibi (how much do you love them!) custom made the bride’s gorgeous dress, and the bridesmaids got to pick their own fabulous frock from from the Tibi Spring 2011 collection. And that’s just the tip of the why-I-am-obsessed-with-this-wedding iceberg, this gorgeous couple also got married at the church where their little one goes to preschool. Fab dresses and cute kiddos? I’m done. Check out the full gallery for even more reasons to obsess over this fête!

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From the Bride… I wanted to marry Paul the minute I met him. It was definitely love at first sight. Then we got a big surprise before we had time to plan anything: a baby. So I decided to wait until my baby weight was gone and our lives were a little calmer before we tied the knot. I also knew I wanted to do the big white dress shindig for us. I thought we deserved a real celebration with our friends and family even though it was not the traditional route — plenty of people told us “just to go to City Hall.” We ended up waiting until our son, Franklin, was two-and-a-half and able to be in the ceremony. My personal theme was “big yet simple fun.” We picked Trinity Wall Street because it is where our son goes to preschool, and it is probably one of the most striking churches I have ever seen. Although we are paper lovers we decided to send our invitations through Paperless Post. I luckily had the designer Amy Smilovic of Tibi offer to design for me a custom gown. My nine bridesmaids too all got to choose their favorite dress from the Tibi Spring 2011 Collection. I had each of them in something different — they are all beautiful and unique people. I wanted them in my wedding as themselves not as identical shapes. Paul opted for a gray Jil Sander suit. After all these picks, a color palette of gray, yellow and white came naturally. Then we kept the rest simple. My favorite flowers (lily of the valley and peonies) from the church florist Kevin Curry. Our favorite cake (Lemon Yummy) and cupcakes from our favorite bakery, Sugar Sweet Sunshine, near our old apartment. Lavender would be thrown as we left and our favorite music on our iPod was playing. Our reception space at The Andaz Hotel was so modern and striking we barely needed additional décor.

Because of the size of our wedding we ended up having to use both the Wall & Water Restaurant and the Bar Seven Five which is joined by a magnificent white staircase and perfect for pictures. We created two signature cocktails with Stoli Elit and I bought vintage postcards online (from both London and New York, our hometowns) for guests to write wishes on instead of a guestbook. All the other bits and bobs I scoured for on Etsy, very successfully. I have to say we have amazingly talented friends, and we used their expertise in almost everything, including photography, cinematography, registry, makeup and gowns. We wouldn’t have been able to stay on budget on our wedding without them. On the big day, our son was a complete comedian during the ceremony; he had me carry him down the aisle and played with his toy cars at our feet in the church. Between him and our fabulous priest, the ceremony had everyone crying with laughter. My dress and my beautiful bridesmaids looked better than I could have ever imagined. The reception was just a perfect afternoon — the Andaz did everything so beautifully. Everyone seemed so relaxed and happy. Yummy cocktails, light bites and plenty of yellow cupcakes. For us it really was the most perfect day. We left in a New York City taxi the next morning to head off for our honeymoon to St. Lucia. Bliss.

Ceremony + Reception Photography: Billy Farrell for Izola Weddings / Bridal Suite Photography: Caroline Owens Photography / Ceremony: Trinity Wall Street in New York, New York / Reception: Bar Seven Five + Wall & Water at the Andaz Wall Street in New York, New York / Floral Design: Kevin Currie Floral Design / Day-Of Coordination: Kimberly Scott Events / Officiant: The Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones / Wedding Invitations: Paperless Post / Wedding Cake & Cupcakes: Sugar Sweet Sunshine / Beverages: Elit by Stolichnaya, Provided by William Grant & Sons / Wedding Dress, Veil + Shoes: Tibi / Bride’s Earrings: Cartier / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Tibi / Bridal Party Hair: Vince Smith / Makeup: Jessa Blades of Blades Natural Beauty / Bridal Suite: Andaz Wall Street / Flower Girl + Page Boy Attire: Kristin Klonoski of Astrophel & Stella / Flower Girl Wreath: TutusChic Boutique / Groom’s Suit: Jil Sander / Groom’s Hair: Joey Silvestera of Blackstones / Rings: Tiffany & Co.

I have a serious soft spot in my heart for some pretty, pretty beach nuptials – and this gorgeous East Hampton affair just climbed to the top of my favorites list.  The combination of those breathtaking ocean views with the sophisticated, laid back vibe and two seriously adorable college sweethearts is all kinds of beachy wonderful… and that glorious Amsale gown?  Yep, I am in love.  Lauren Gabrielle Photography captured every last ounce of pretty and trust me when I tell you it doesn’t get any more fabulous.  See it all here.

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From Lauren of Lauren Gabrielle Photography… He first set eyes on her at a college sorority blind date party. The funny thing is, Mike didn’t attend the party intending to meet a girl — he decided to go with some friends just to have fun. Little did he know he would meet his future wife, Mika. At first they were just friends, but over time they knew something special was happening to their relationship. Mike proposed to Mika near his childhood home on Rockaway Beach … it was the perfect setting for such a romantic occasion with the smooth sand, crashing waves, soft breeze, and the sentiment that Mike for this beach. Mika and Mike decided they also wanted to have a beach wedding and figured that the Hamptons was the easiest “destination wedding” that they could have within driving distance from Manhattan. Their original plan of renting a house and setting up a tent for the reception didn’t pan out, but luckily they somehow stumbled upon Race Lane. As soon as they walked into the space, they knew it was just what they were looking for! It had a great indoor/outdoor space, lovely decor, delicious food and great owners. The owner’s wife even created all of the table arrangements herself! As for the music, Mika’s childhood friend plays in a band so it worked out great that they were able to have him as part of a trio to play music at the ceremony and reception. Overall, all the elements of the day came together perfectly, and it was such a pleasure to witness and photograph the love between this beautiful couple!

Wedding Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography / Ceremony: The Beach at The Hermitage at Napeague in Amagansett, New York / Reception Venue + Table Floral Arrangements: Race Lane in East Hampton, New York / Saxophonist: Tacuma Bradley, A Friend of the Bride / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Rehearsal Dinner: Main Beach in East Hampton, New York / Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Food for Forks

Classic weddings and Hudson Valley were meant to be together; like peanut butter and jelly those two. And Glenmere Mansion? Could easily be mistaken for a crazy, gorgeous villa in the Italian countryside. So toss that all together along with images by Cappy Hotchkiss and you have a dream fête full of elegance and a whole gaggle of wee little attendants ready for their camera debut. See it all here.

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From the Bride… We met in 1989 when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore at Connecticut College. We were friends throughout college and had one platonic date on New Year’s Eve 1992. After graduation, we went our separate ways. Michael stayed mostly in NYC, while I lived abroad in Mexico, Tahiti, California and Hawaii before returning to NYC in 2002. Fast forward to October 2009 when we crossed paths on Park Avenue. Divine intervention must have been at work because he recognized me after 16 years (Michael wears contacts). He called my name and I actually heard him (I can be hard of hearing). So … eight thousand and eighty days  (8,080!) after our first meeting, we were married.

Wedding Photography: Cappy Hotchkiss / Wedding Venue: Glenmere Mansion in Chester, New York / Floral Design: Dennis of The Green Cottage / Officiant: Rabbi Maurice Salth of Central Synagogue / Wedding Cake: Sylvia Weinstock / Wedding Invitations: Maki Ushiba / Ceremony Music: Students from The Juilliard School / DJ: Ray Jarrell of Jarrell Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza via Bridal Reflections / Bride’s Shoes: My Glass Slipper / Hair + Makeup: Krystal of Baby Breath Bridal Services / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Kimera Design / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Kids’ Suits + Dresses: Janie and Jack / Girls’ Sashes: Kimera Design

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a wedding you must sit down for. It’s a fête that requires your full focus, because the amount of pretty packed into this party is just beyond. And the images by Michael Falco of Christian Oth Studio? Out of this world. It’s a wedding worthy of the royals, a ballroom beauty dreams are made of  – the perfect day for this completely in love couple brought to life by the talented Amy Shey Jacobs of Chandelier Events. The full  gallery of images could not be more gorgeous, so stay in your seats lovelies – there is more pretty to be had!

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And you can see the fairytale come to life through the beautiful film by Monachetti…

From the Bride… Jonathan and I met at a music festival in 2008. We became fast friends and began dating a couple months later. When I’m not spending long hours in the law school library and he’s not working on a big case at his firm, we spend most of our life in Technicolor and neon. So, the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the Lower East Side of New York City was the one and only place – both aesthetically and spiritually – where we could get married. We knew we wanted to pay homage to our roots and our faith, but more than that, we loved the old Bohemian charm of this venue, New York City’s oldest synagogue. Jonathan and I are music lovers so entertainment – both ceremony and reception – was key. I had been to a wedding with the Kevin Osborne Band before getting engaged so the choice to enlist him to entertain at our nuptials was obvious. After Angel Orensanz, Kevin was the next decision we locked in. We knew he could keep the dance floor packed (which he did all night) but was also open to playing some of the unconventional wedding songs like “Not Fade Away” by the Grateful Dead. He also helped us assemble an ensemble orchestra to play classical arrangements of our favorite songs, including Jonathan’s processional – “Across the Universe” by the Beatles. As a surprise for Jonathan, I walked down the aisle to string version of “Divided Sky” by Phish, our favorite band.

Working with Michael Falco from Christian Oth Studio was an incredible experience — he is a beacon of calm and truly captured the special moments of our day, including our carefully-orchestrated first sighting on the steps of the New York Supreme Court. Our bridal party shoot was incredibly fun, walking the streets of the Lower East Side with our ringbearer — our French bulldog Julius — along Stanton, Essex, Rivington Streets — and even in Katz’s Delicatessen, where we received a standing ovation. We had an engagement shoot in Central Park with Mike a few months before the wedding and it really helped with my comfort level, both with the photographer and in front of the camera, on our big day. We felt it was important to focus our wedding on family and tradition. We chose November 6 as our wedding date to honor my late grandparents. I was married in my grandmother’s wedding band. One Kiddush cup was used in Jonathan’s bar-mitzvah and the other was from my step-father’s bar-mitzvah. My mother also hand-stitched the vibrantly colored atara for the tallis that we were wrapped in. While we kept with tradition for the ceremony, the wedding turned into a dance party as soon as Jonathan broke the glass and we danced back down the aisle to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Our wedding also would not have been complete without glow sticks! My best friends smuggled them into the reception for a late night surprise!

Planning a wedding in New York City at a venue where you have to bring in everything down to the napkin rings can be extremely daunting. While I knew exactly how I wanted my wedding look, I had no idea how to articulate it. Amy Shey Jacobs of Chandelier Events put up with my constant emailing of SMP pictures and met me at school while I attempted to explain my likes and dislikes to help turn my vision into a reality. I can honestly say that after careful planning, (and, admittedly, a few emotional breakdowns) my wedding turned out perfectly and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Wedding Photography: Michael Falco of Christian Oth Studio / Wedding Venue: Angel Orensanz Foundation in New York, New York / Event Planning + Styling: Amy Shey Jacobs of Chandelier Events / Floral Design: Anne Miller of The Little Flower Shoppe / Cinematography: Monachetti / Catering: Thomas Preti Caterers / Wedding Invitations: Village Invites / Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carol / Menus + Programs: Baker Graphics / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals + Alan Party & Tent Rentals / Ceremony Music: Hank Lane Music / Band: Kevin Osborne Band / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier / Hair: Haruo Noro Salon / Makeup: Bridget Lembo / Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss via Kleinfeld Men / Groom’s Shoes: Prada / Accommodations: Hotel on Rivington

Spring has indeed sprung but that never stops us from cozying up to a romantic winter wedding. One that will indeed have you dreaming of ditching your summer fetes for a snow-filled affair with the dreamiest of photo-ops. A couple entwined in a billowy veil with the streets of Manhattan under a blanket of snow? Kind of mind-blowing and Elisabeth Millay Photography snapped that and so much more. It’s New York chic whipped up by the styling duo Teissia + Alia of Firefly Events along with pastel florals by Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design that only add to the already gorgeous backdrop of the The Bowery Hotel. See so much more in the full gallery.

Now set your sites on this film by Tree Of Life Films that wraps the whole day up in a warm and fuzzy three and a half minutes of total perfection

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From Alia of Firefly Events… For Iwona and Francois, the idea of a winter wedding in Manhattan seemed classic and unexpected all at once. As two Europeans living in New York City with their adorable 1-year-old son (Iwona is originally from Poland, and Francois is originally from France), it was important to the bride and groom to show their guests, mostly from overseas, a glimpse of New York style and sophistication while still incorporating a European flow and feel to the big day. The ceremony, a traditional Catholic Mass, took place at St Peter’s Church, New York’s oldest Catholic church, and featured soloists from the Metropolitan Opera. Inspired by old family wedding photos, we arranged for the bride and groom to join their 100 guests on the front steps of the church for a classic group portrait before making their grand departure in a cream-colored, vintage Rolls Royce.

Iwona and Francois wanted the evening reception to feel elegant but not overstated. The beautiful Bowery Hotel, with its high ceilings, tiled floors and sweeping velvet curtains, provided the perfect backdrop for friends to mingle and family members to meet, some for the first time! Guests were greeted with romantic tablescapes of mercury glass vases in varying sizes filled with garden roses, ranunculus, anemones and other soft, feminine flowers, created by Rebecca Shepherd. A mix of taper candles and votives were the perfect complement, giving the room a dreamy glow while creating a rich and dynamic space. (Tip: Taper candles are a great way to provide adequate lighting for your photographer in an indoor space!) At each place setting, we incorporated some of the beautiful and unique wedding portraits and family photos from Poland and France that Iwona and Francois had collected from their parents. These heirloom photos doubled as menus, featuring a mouthwatering three course Italian meal courtesy of Gemma, the in-house restaurant at The Bowery Hotel. We echoed the photo theme with a guest book station featuring a Fuji Instax camera and plenty of instant film for guests to create new wedding pictures for the bride and groom to add to the collection.

After dinner guests were treated to delicious slices of golden and chocolate wedding cake, as well as a decadent selection of traditional Italian pastries and tarts. For the first dance, Iwona and Francois wowed their guests with a traditional waltz that brought the house down! All of these special details and unforgettable moments were captured perfectly by Elisabeth Millay Photography and Tree Of Life Films. 

Wedding Photography: Elisabeth Millay Photography / Ceremony: St. Peters Church in New York, New York / Reception: The Bowery Hotel in New York, New York / Event Design + Planning: Teissia + Alia of Firefly Events / Floral Design: Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Tree Of Life Films / Catering: Gemma at The Bowery Hotel / Wedding Cake: A Simple Cake / DJ: Belinda Becker / Wedding Invitations: Designed by the Bride + Printed by The Paper Boutique / Rolls Royce Rental: Santos Limousine / Wedding Dress: Angel Sanchez / Bride’s Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti / Bride’s Wrap: Vintage / Bride’s Gloves: M&J Bridal Salon / Bride’s Jewelry: Rented from Adorn / Bride’s Veil: Kleinfeld / Hair: Lance Lappin / Makeup: Kimara Anhert

I might be the biggest fan of anemones EVER, so the second I laid my eyes on this stunning bride’s gorgeous bouquet crafted by Designs by Ahn, I knew I was done for.  This bundle of anemone goodness had me hook, line and sinker – and the rest of this glorious NYC affair?  Well, it’s downright magical.  From the pretty purple hues to the fabulous contemporary stylings to the beautiful images captured by Elizabeth + Rich Photography, I’ve spent my entire morning NON-STOP gushing. Care to join me?  Click here for more.

And here’s the wedding highlight video of Cherish and James, filmed and edited by former April’s End rock musicians JayR and Sigh of J Castillo Films!

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From Elizabeth + Rich of Elizabeth + Rich Photography… Cherish and James are a lovely, down-to-earth couple. They are a perfect match, and their wedding was a beautiful celebration of their love for each other. Their day started with both of them, along with their bridal party, getting ready at the Andaz Wall Street — a chic, modern hotel in lower Manhattan. We loved how their details came together and complemented each other in style with gorgeous hues of purple incorporated throughout.

After getting ready in their separate suites, Cherish and James decided to have a “first look” and spend some time taking photos before the ceremony, which took place at Battery Gardens located inside Battery Park. The ceremony was sweet and intimate; the room was filled with tears of joy from beginning to end.

The ceremony was followed by a relaxing cocktail hour for their guests and a traditional Korean ceremony for Cherish, James and their families. It was a special time for their families to enjoy and honor their cultural roots. The celebration continued into their reception, with dancing, toasts and even a special performance by Cherish’s brother. It was a fun, stylish and memorable day that all came together beautifully.

Wedding Photography: Elizabeth + Rich Photography / Wedding Venue: Battery Gardens at Battery Park in New York, New York / Floral Design: Designs by Ahn / Wedding Cinematography: J Castillo Films / Wedding Cake: Silk Cakes / DJ: DJ Gaza of 74 Events/ Wedding Dress: Vineyard Collection “Hampton” for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Lavender Fur Jacket: Ella Moss / Hair + Makeup: JAC Beauty / Shoes: Jimmy Choo /Short Bridesmaid Dress: Bill Levkoff / Long, One-Shoulder Bridemaid Dress: Henkaa / Long Bridesmaid Dress with Braided Straps: H&M / Preparation Location: Andaz Wall Street

We’ve seen modern, chic, New York City weddings. We’ve obsessed over the stop-in-your-tracks soirees that set the bar on elegance to unmeasurable levels. But that was all before this wedding. This new definition of modern chic brought to life by the talents of TRUE Event and Hana Floral Design and the obvious love between this gorgeous couple. It’s all captured to stunning perfection by the lovely Ashley of Ashley Therese Photography – allowing us to devour the new standard of chic through each jaw-dropping image. See all the stunning details here! And be sure to take a minute to indulge in the lovely film by one of our favorites Fiore Films. Have a look right here!

To see the wedding video by Fiore Films, click HERE!

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From Ashley of Ashley Therese Photography… It was one of those fairy tale weddings that have moments of slow motion. Those moments that are so incredible that just for a second life slows down and you are witness to something that you won’t forget. The moment warms your heart, and you are engulfed by the head-over-heels in love feeling. Alana and Justin got ready in the afternoon at Ink 148 Hotel on the west side. They both wrote one another moving and emotional letters expressing their love for one another and excitement to be wed. They chose to do a first look on the rooftop, which provided amazing views of New York City and was the perfect backdrop for such a special moment.

These two sweethearts fell in love over eight years ago and said I do in front of family and friends at the stunning Espace in NYC. Alana and Justin’s emotional vows ended with the beautiful quote from Dr. Seuss: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Alana and Justin’s NYC wedding felt like an amazing dream, but indeed it was a beautiful reality. There was not a dry eye as they read the vows and promised each other their forevers in a warm candlelight ceremony. 

The space was transformed for their amazing celebration adorned with flowers, zebra print, and an overall Miami chic vibe. White orchids swept across the room and were simply breathtaking under the pop of blue lights. Family and friends danced the night away … literally … and celebrated the union of one of the sweetest couples…

Wedding Photography: Ashley Therese Photography / Wedding Venue: Espace in New York, New York / Event Planning: TRUE Event / Floral Design: Hana Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Fiore Films / Wedding Cake: Espace / DJ: Eric Visa / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge + Custom Detailing by Kleinfeld Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Earrings: Kleinfeld Bridal / Bride’s Clutch Purse: 1930s Vintage from her Grandmother / Hair: Manabu Unno of Garren New York / Makeup: Lynnette Broom of Garren New York / Groom’s Tuxedo: Hugo Boss

Dreaming of a romantic sunset ceremony overlooking the city skyline and a picturesque urban meets organic reception, this stunning bride and groom called upon the glorious Chelsea Art Museum and an amazing team of vendors to create a day that will, put simply, take.your.breath.away.  The lush, romantic florals by David Tutera and uber-gorgeous images by Allan Zepeda are literally a dream come true… and that dazzling custom gown by Prabal Gurung?  Perfection.  See it all here.

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From the Bride… My vision was to have a rooftop ceremony at sunset — romantic and very intimate. We had a very good friend marry us and write the ceremony. All the music played during the ceremony by the trio were all songs we loved and that were near and dear to our heart. Our siblings read two poems we loved, and the sun set in the middle of the ceremony. It was really breathtaking. My vision for the reception was for it to be like Central Park at night. A clean space that we could make intimate with wood farm tables, flocked table clothes, tall curly willow centerpieces and tons of candles. I wanted it to feel urban, organic and chic all at the same time. We used a lot of moss! And I loved working with Allan Zepeda!

Wedding Photography: Allan Zepeda / Ceremony: Roof Deck at Chelsea Art Museum in New York, New York / Reception: Chelsea Art Museum in New York, New York / Floral Design + Consulting: David Tutera / Custom Wedding Dress: Prabal Gurung / Bride’s Veil: Sassy Chic Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Earrings: Badgley Mischka via Henri Bendel / Hair: Corvette Hunt of Graceland (718-384-7677) / Makeup: Regan, A MAC Artist / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their Choice of a Black Evening Gown / Groom’s Tuxedo: Hugo Boss via Saks Fifth Avenue / Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo / Wedding Rings: Goldtinker

When it comes to throwing a stop-you-in-your-tracks, swoon-worthy affair, the talented team at DM Events Planning & Design never fails to seriously deliver the goods.  And today’s stunning Bayville wedding?  Well, it’s about to wow you in every which way.  From the vintage chic vibe to the gorgeous images by Judith Rae of Mel & Co. to a seaside ceremony that will take your breath away, there’s just no better way to spend a Tuesday morning.  Click here for more.

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From Melina of DM Events Planning & Design… As wedding designers, we have been very lucky to work on the weddings of some really wonderful people, but we are especially lucky when we get to create the special day of one of our friends! Kevin, the groom, and I were college friends so we knew right away this wedding was going to be a blast! Sam, the bride, works in fashion and has a fantastic design eye, so we also knew the wedding would be beautiful and unique. With a duo like that, we had to sign on to be a part of the magic! Sam and Kevin, an English professor, wanted to incorporate their love for books into a simple, elegant design. Right away, we knew that their favorite love stories would be transformed into table numbers that, along with mismatched vintage lanterns, would be the prime element of the centerpieces. Each book was accented with blooms of purple spider mums and stems of baby’s breath. Keeping with the vintage love theme, we used antique glass vessels as bud vases and tons of votives to pair with the lanterns and create a flood of romantic light. To anchor and unify all the elements of the table, we placed the books and most of the bud vases on a wood slab, which also served to add a bit of height. What better way to accent a vintage-themed love story than with antique skeleton keys!? The keys appeared in a variety of design elements but our favorite was as place cards marking each seat.

Kevin and Sam knew they wanted their guests to really party – they helped encourage this by serving “Coletinis,” a nod to the new Mr. and Mrs. Cole,  made with vodka, Chambord, and a splash of lime juice and sour mix – YUM! Guests could grab a signature cocktail and relax with a cigar! But the big treats were the delightful cake and mini cupcakes created by the lovely Betsy of Nine Cakes. One of our most favorite details ever: It is said that smell is a powerful memory trigger, so we included sprigs of lavender only in the bride’s bouquet, groom’s boutonniere and bud vases on the couple’s table. It will remain their own private memory of their wedding for years to come. 

Wedding Photography: Judith Rae of Mel & Co. / Second Shooter: Carlos Varela / Wedding Venue: The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, New York / Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: DM Events Planning & Design / Wedding Invitations: Jessica Leigh Paperie / Wedding Dress: Marisa Bridals