New York Weddings

If you were to get married in your favorite city where would you choose?  For these two cuties there was no question that, though they reside in London, they would marry in New York City.  So one plane ride, a stunning tea length dress and a bundle of pastel-hued balloons later they were reciting their vows in the majestic city hall of the Big Apple.  Surrounded by seven of their closest friends and the talented Allison Pense they had one of the cutest ceremonies I’ve ever seen!  Check out their big city adventure in the full gallery!

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From Allison Pense Photography…Sara and Bradley flew into New York from London with 7 close friends and family members.  Sara has been around the map to different cities and no matter where she ends up, NYC is always her favorite which is why the couple chose to elope in Manhattan City Hall.

Instead of holding a bouquet of flowers, Sara sported a bundle of balloons.  It was perfectly fitting for her free spirited nature.  It was one of the hottest days of the summer, but nothing got them down!

After the City Hall ceremony, we went across the Brooklyn Bridge into Dumbo, got ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory and finished off the day by letting the balloons go. So symbolic!

Wedding Photography: Allison Pense Photography / Ceremony Location: NYC City Hall / Celebration Location: Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory + The River Cafe / Hair + Make-up: Platinum Salon at The Rivington Hotel / Wedding Dress: 1950’s from a dealer in Bristol, UK / Groom’s Attire: REISS

From this moment on, when I think of romance, I will think of these lovely Garrison nuptials courtesy of the oh-so-amazing Exquisite Affairs Productions.  Overflowing with gorgeous detail after gorgeous detail, they are as fairy tale-esque as they come.  A soft yellow color palette, beautiful florals by Linda Baldwin Flowers, a charming cake topper and some breathtaking views… It all adds up to one seriously dreamy day.  And did I mention this gorgeousness takes place at a castle?  It so does and wow.  We have all of the stunning images by Maggie Heinzel-Neel Photography to swoon over in the gallery, so join me there for even more!

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From Exquisite Affairs Productions… It was an absolutely gorgeous day…no one could have asked for better weather.  Robyn and Kevin were married on Sunday May 29, 2011, and their wedding was personalized from beginning to end.  You knew you were part of their world, even as an outsider with all the special details included.  Yellow & white striped straws for the fresh lemonade, wine bottles were signed by each table for the bride & groom to open on their anniversaries to come, yellow & white cookies per setting served as favors, and the bride’s personal collection of milk glass vessels housed all the gorgeous flowers.

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Cat Rock at Osborn Castle / Catering: Oliver Kita Fine Catering / Catering Coordinator: Events that Matter / Wedding Coordinator: Christine Viola + Tara Geremia of Exquisite Affairs Productions / Hair: Zoku Salon / Make-up: Garrison Salon / Wedding Photography: Maggie Heinzel-Neel Photography / Wedding Videography: Signature Films / Flowers: Linda Baldwin Flowers / Officiant: Rev. Megan Sanders / Strings: Romanza Music / DJ: JTD Productions / Transportation: Continental Limousines

I can’t think of a better way to start this Friday morning than settling in with your cup of jo, and getting lost in this cultural beauty of a wedding film by Ray Roman Films. With David Tutera as the planner behind all of the beyond gorgeous eye candy, you just know it’s going to be awe-inspiring. So get comfy over there and get ready for your daily dose of VERY pretty…

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From Ray Roman Films…I wanted to share an amazing NYC wedding, which features 2 incredible people. This very unique wedding included 2 ceremonies (Indian and Christian) and a rooftop reception in the heart of Manhattan (with stunning decor by celebrity party planner David Tutera). Having spent quite a bit of time filming in New York over the past year, I can tell you this one definitely ranks high on the list of eye-candy. We had a great time getting to know our new friends Ajay and his former Miss Florida (now wife) Carrie. I hope you enjoy this short film from their wedding day.

Wedding Cinematography: Ray Roman Films / Wedding Photography: Susan Stripling Photography / Event Planner: David Tutera / Dress Design: Oscar De La Renta + Rene Caovilla / Catering: Sonnier + Castle / Mehndi: Akiyo Henna Inc. / Venue: Hudson Mercantile

I am a certified sap, so when my peepers saw that this cute as can be couple hosted their gorgeous reception at the same venue the bride’s parents did years ago, I must admit a big goofy grin somehow landed on my face. I mean, think about how special that would be! Before I go into full sap mode, we must talk about the gorgeousness captured by Sarah Postma Photography – it’s just traditional elegance done so right. From the invites to the flowers, it all makes for a very pretty full gallery of images, mostly for saps like me.

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From the Bride…The decision to have our wedding ceremony in the church I went to growing up came easily.  However, finding the perfect reception venue proved to be a bit more challenging.  We knew immediately that we wanted some place that had a lot character and felt warm and intimate.  After looking at several places and not feeling like anything was really a perfect fit, my mom suggested that we visit The Tuxedo Club.   It was the place they had had their wedding reception over 20 years ago and although I had grown up only 20 minutes away, I had never been there.  Chris and I both knew within seconds of walking in that it was the perfect place!  Having been built in the 1920s, it was full of vintage charm and it had the intimate feeling of someone’s home, not to mention a beautiful lake as the backdrop.

Having found the perfect setting we got to work on all of the details.  Our budget was fairly small, so we wanted to tackle as many projects ourselves as possible!  I had tons of fun designing and making all of the paper goods from save the dates and invitations, to programs and escort cards.  In order to incorporate some of the vintage feel, we made pins out of vintage style buttons and used them to attach the escort cards to a large frame.  We also collected vintage style frames and displayed lots of family photos throughout the venue.  The guests loved looking at them and it definitely contributed to the intimate, homey feel of the day.  Instead of a traditional guestbook, we let our guests have fun taking instant pictures of themselves with a Fuji Instax camera!  We also made our own chocolates to give to our guests as favors!

On the day of the wedding, everything came together beautifully!  We had amazing weather (after a cold and rainy spring) which allowed our guests to enjoy the beauty of the lake while having cocktails on the patio.  Denise Fasanello, who understood our vision perfectly, made the most gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces, full of peonies, ranunculus, and other spring flowers.  Our photographer, Sarah Postma, and videographer, GT Modern Creations, did a fabulous job capturing all the beautiful and fun memories of the day!  It was truly a fairy tale wedding and we will never forget it!

Wedding Photography: Sarah Postma Photography / Wedding Cinematography: GT Modern Creations / Floral Design: Denise Fasanello Floral Design / Ceremony Location: Church of the Presentation / Reception Location: The Tuxedo Club / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca via Helen Bohn Bridal / Hair: Total Concept Salon / Make-up: Joanne Silvano / Groom’s Attire: Biltmore Tuxedos / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor / Wedding Cake: Lotito’s Deli / DJ: Dynamic Productions

Chelsea Victoria Photography is filling our morning with a classic beauty – so I think it’s only right to start this feature with a big thank you to Chelsea. Is there a better way to spend a Wednesday than getting lost in this elegance with a castle like club as the backdrop? I think not. We are pretty lucky SMPers, aren’t we? All of our days are filled with so much lovely and there is even more (of course) in the full gallery of images!

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From the Bride…One of the reasons our wedding day so special was that DJ and I had a genuine connection with so many of the people involved.  Providing music for the ceremony was the Richmond String Quartet, and the cellist, James Pace, was my Orchestra Instructor from Middle and High School.  Although they normally play only classical music, they were happy to play Here Comes the Sun for my Processional and they even learned to play a beautiful rendition of Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve for the Recessional.  Linda Pieri, whose beautiful Strawberry Pistachio cake was a shame to cut into, but pure ecstasy to devour, was recommended to me by a close friend.  Linda has made cakes out of her North Buffalo home for over 30 years and her care and talent was undeniable.  The Band that played for our cocktail hour, Mirage, is a Mediterranean Jazz Band that DJ and I often listen to on Friday nights at The 31 Club downtown.  A close friend, Sally Lococco, who owns Kallista for Hair Beauty Salon on Elmwood Avenue, did my hair, as well as my bridesmaids’ hair.  And after an engagement shoot in April, and countless emails back and forth, I felt as though I had known my photographer, Chelsea Victoria, for years.  She too came to me by recommendation from a close friend and I couldn’t be happier with how she was able to capture the happiness and love that permeated every inch of Park Country Club on our wedding day.

Everything about the day was so personal and so specific to DJ and I that it could not have been any more perfect.  And my memory, supported by all the beautiful photographs, is that there wasn’t a single moment that DJ and I were not smiling or laughing.  Perhaps the most special aspect of our ceremony was that it was officiated by my aunt, Bonne Mogulescu.  Since DJ and I do not belong to a church we wanted someone close to us to do the honors.  My aunt was happy to become ordained, just for this purpose.  Her ceremony was beautiful, as she weaved in the story of how DJ and I became a couple.  She used my exact words, from an earlier email, to tell this story.  Every detail of the day exceeded our expectations, from the beautiful flowers to the delicious food, and especially the warm people at Park Country Club and all of our vendors who ensured that we did not have to worry about a single thing.  I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful backdrop than the sweeping green landscape below the castle-like clubhouse.  I am truly blessed to be sharing my life with DJ.  I will always remember the love, happiness, and excitement shared between our family and closest friends on that day.  This single day, and those feelings, is in a nutshell what DJ and I are together…I will cherish these memories always.

Wedding Photography: Chelsea Victoria Photography / Flowers: The Plant Place / Location: Park Country Club / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Wedding Dress: Allure / Bridesmaid Dresses: White House Black Market / Banner: Blue Pearls

I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of the fabulous navy blue and fuchsia color combination.  In fact, I know I won’t.  It’s one part classic elegance and one part preppy chic and, oh my goodness, do I love it.  And together with these Long Island nuptials by Alexandra Meseke Photography, it makes for one seriously gorgeous soiree.  I am more than enamored with every single amazing detail of this beachside wedding, from those hot pink peony-filled bouquets by Creative Florist Designs by Doris to those adorable white lanterns.  And the bride’s stunning, stunning gown?  Wow.  Yes, I think I’ll definitely be spending some time in this gallery today.  Join me there!

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From the Bride… When we began planning our wedding all we knew for sure was that we wanted a small intimate wedding on the beach. We both love the wild beauty of it and have spent much of our time together on the beach.  We felt so lucky to find such a gorgeous location, like we were able to have a destination wedding close to home! One of my favorite colors has always been fuchsia, and my husband loves a deep royal blue. The colors worked so well together and really created the look and feel we were aiming for; modern meets beach – fun and whimsical with a touch of elegance. We really wanted the whole day to reflect who we are both as individuals and as a couple. We wanted to incorporate elements of the beach into the day but with our own special twist on them.

The ceremony was so important to us and we put a lot of time and thought into it. We wanted it to be personal and romantic. We even asked a friend if she would get ordained online and perform the ceremony for us, and we wrote the whole thing ourselves and chose all the readings. I had dreamed of walking down the aisle barefoot in the sand with rose petals all around, so that’s what we did! I even made petal cones for the guests to toss at us after the ceremony. I was so caught up in the moment that I had totally forgotten about it and was surprised when the petals came down on us! I designed the programs myself so that we were able to write something about each member of the bridal party, we wanted to share with our guests why we loved these people so much and what made them special. I chose flowy chiffon blue dresses for the girls and they carried bouquets of hot pink peonies, one of my favorite flowers. Since the groomsmen had such different personalities, we decided to let them choose their own outfits. We thought it was funny to have matching bridesmaids dresses and mismatched groomsmen! The idea of an arch in the middle of the beach felt a little out of place to me, but we wanted to define the space where we would stand, so my mom and I wrapped tiki torches in white tulle and attached flowers to them. It was one of my favorite decisions because it looked tropical and gorgeous and the tulle billowed around us in the sea breeze. It was the most romantic amazing day of our lives.

We loved the light, airy, simplicity of the reception space and we only wanted to add small personal touches so that the beauty of the view of the beach and park would shine. I found beautiful white starfish to use as escort cards and knew that our guests would love to take them home. I found amazing delicate painted blue and white sea urchins to hold our table numbers, and then mixed them with modern bright pink floral centerpieces. We wanted to give a favor that reflected us, but that was also practical. We decided on white moroccan lanterns and had personalized matchbooks made to go with them. So many of our friends have terraces or backyards and we loved the idea that they could enjoy the light coming from them all summer long. One of my favorite touches, and the one that touched so many of our guests, was a large frame holding pictures of our loved ones who are no longer with us or who were not able to be there. These people were so important to our lives and we wanted them there with us in some way. And our guests loved looking at all the old family photos on a day when we were creating new ones.

Wedding Photography: Alexandra Meseke Photography / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Venue: Pavilion at Sunken Meadow Park / Floral Design: Creative Florist Designs by Doris / Wedding Cake: La Bonne Boulangerie / Hair + Make-up: Tonya Noland

What better way to welcome in a new week than with one of the most stylish couples I have ever seen.  Leave it to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to produce two totally chic cuties from his pink tie to her amazing custom-made dress.  The rest of their intimate, hands-on wedding is equally as cool and unique.  It’s the perfect example of a DIY wedding that is pretty and personal without being crafty and eclectic.  It has an urban, modern vibe and lots of special touches.  How awesome is it that the father-in-laws both barbecued for all the guests and the mother-of-the-bride made all the floral arrangements?  This was a true family and friend collaboration and the result is nothing less than sweet and spectacular.  Angie Cope Photography captured every emotional moment and thoughtful detail.  See them all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride…Our wedding was such a fun & happy day! Steve & I decided the only way we could get the wedding we wanted was to make it a real group effort – and lucky for us our wonderful family & friends were into it! We were working with a small budget & were adamant about avoiding anything that felt forced or too formal.  It was DIY – but not crafty. We really wanted to have our wedding close to our apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is where a lot of friends live, plus we wanted this to be an opportunity to share our life & home with all of our families & friends.

The ceremony was at Grand Ferry Park – a place Steve and I go all the time with beautiful views of the Williamsburg Bridge (plus it’s only $25 for a permit to get married in a city park).  My Maid of Honor found our talented cellist at the 81st Street Subway Station. We found our officiant in New York Magazine – but after our first meeting, we felt he really understood our requests for the ceremony and it was a lucky match.  We gave our wedding party basic guidelines for their outfits (short, patterned navy dresses for the ladies; navy pants with a long-sleeved tops + any accessories for the guys). I had fallen in love with a dress I found online on a model at her wedding. I tracked down the designer in South Africa, sent them my measurements & they agreed to custom make the dress again for me. It arrived slightly too big, but Ann Hamilton does amazing alterations at a great price. My mother is a florist, so once she was in town, she hit the flower markets & really made some amazing bouquets, boutonnieres & table arrangements.

We wanted the reception to be our big THANK YOU to our 65 guests! Thank you for coming, for supporting us, for believing in us, for helping us, everything. Early in our planning, my dad told me that he would love to BBQ some buffalo from his friend’s ranch (we’re from Montana), which is so sweet & so my family. Steve’s father was excited too, and agreed to grill up tandoori chicken. Steve’s dad had hilarious matching “Trophy Husband” aprons made (the one they gave Steve has a NZ “Learner’s Permit” on it – that was a great surprise).  My mom made the other sides. As an homage to Steve’s homeland of New Zealand, we had DUB Pies cater mini-meat & veggie pies and Waltzing Matilda catered lots of mini pavlovas, plus one big one for “cake cutting”.

Wedding Photography: Angie Cope Photography + Glenn Koslowsky / Portrait Venue: Green Dome Garden / Ceremony Venue: Grand Ferry Park / Bride + Groom Portraits: Hotel Delmano / Reception Venue: Jungle Design NYC / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Wedding Dress: KLUK CGDT / Bridal Alterations: Ann Hamilton Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Costume National / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Target / Bride’s Hair: Nikki Flaming / Floral Design: Mother of the Bride / Officiant: James Covington / Ceremony Music: Gabriel Royal / Reception DJ: Best Man / Marching Band: Josh Rutner & Friends / Appetizer Catering: DUB Pies / Main Catering: Parents of the Bride & Groom / Wedding Cake: Waltzing Matilda / Invitations: Groom / Guest Accommodations: Air BnB

Man, oh, man I love this New York City wedding!  It is a little classic romance, a little urban sophistication, a little modern whimsy and a whole lot of fun.  They kicked things off right with a double decker ride through town, a playful game during the ceremony and loads of awesome modern details at the reception.  Plus the bride and groom are just gorgeous!  And her dress?  Stunning.  They knocked it out of the park with images from Katie Osgood Photography.  See it all in the full gallery!

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From Katie Osgood Photography…Megan Peri and Nick Manguso had their ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Park on the shore of the East River overlooking Manhattan. Megan started the day getting ready the at the very swanky Chambers Hotel in midtown. From there Megan, Nick, and the wedding party of 16 was picked up by a big red double -decker NYC site seeing bus! Soo cool!  Megan didn’t want to have their first look until they got to Brooklyn so when the bus stopped at the park entrance we had Nick waiting on top as Megan came up the stairs, such a great moment! It must be mentioned Megan did all her own graphic design too!

My favorite thing (and most creative I think) that Megan and Nick did for their ceremony was add a little game into the mix. Because where they exchanged vows is situated right next to the Manhattan Bridge every couple minutes a train passes, making some serious noise! Megan’s solution was to make a drinking game out of it. Every guest was given a plastic cup of sangria, as was the whole wedding party, and every-time the train came-they drank! Such a cool solution to a potentially totally annoying hiccup during the ceremony. Additionally, to end the long night of dancing and cocktails Megan had the guys from Calexico bring their taco truck over and feed everyone! An epic ending to a fabulous party!

Wedding Photography: Katie Osgood Photography / Second Photographer: Heather East / Ceremony Venue: Brooklyn Bridge Park / Reception Venue: Galapagos Art Space / Hotel: Chambers Hotel / Hair + Make-up: Kerry Lou Brehm / Girls’ Robes: Nordstrom / Wedding Design + Coordinator: The Bride + Tracie Simon / Graphic Design + Invitations: The Bride, Megan Peri / Flowers: Verde Flowers / Wedding Dress: Rivini / Bride’s Shoes: Prada / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Shoes: Nike / Wedding Cake: Momofuku / Cookies: Levain Bakery / Desserts: Doughnuts by Dough / Catering: Naturally Delicious / DJ: Theo Philip / Musician: Jason Liebman / Taco Truck: Calexico

I think it’s pretty obvious that we over here at SMP L.O.V.E. engagement stories. There is a lot of squealing and giggling that goes on when a darling proposal lands in our lap, and that was just the case when Your Cinematic Wedding Cinematography Studio sent over this fabulous video. It is such a timeless keepsake of this gorgeous couple’s story as told by them, and I am just mad I didn’t think about it when I was getting married. So for all you brides to be out there – take note, this is a-dor-able and something I am SURE these cuties will treasure forever. Go ahead and take a gander for yourself, I am sure you’ll agree!

Janene and Alfred { A NYC Love Story } from Your Cinematic Wedding Studio on Vimeo.

From Your Cinematic Wedding Cinematography Studio…She’s a med student. He’s a lawyer. They have big dreams and big personalities. We loved filming Janene and Alfred’s Love Story. There were too many great shots to mention but we’ll take a stab at a few: the always beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park, the honor of filming the oldest and most famous boxing gym where greats like Ali and Frasier trained, and stopping traffic on the cobblestone streets of DUMBO made this an excellent shoot. We wish Janene and Alfred the very best in love and life always.

I’m about to unload a whole lot of gushing over this Brooklyn wedding but I seriously can’t contain myself. Every photograph by judy pak that I lay my eyes on is about as perfect as you can get. And the couple being drop dead gorgeous definitely doesn’t hurt. It’s simple, totally elegant, overflowing with delectable treats from Nine Cakes and full of a certain je ne sais quoi that only New York can deliver so beautifully. So sit back, throw up your heels and spend a little time enjoying the gorgeous view in the full wedding gallery.

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From the Bride…When we started planning our wedding we decided from the outset that we wanted our wedding to be intimate and have our closest friends and family present on our big day.  I’m in love with interiors and obsessed with white on white spaces with rich detailing and my now husband loves the contemporary and clean aesthetic so once we saw iCi it was exactly everything we wanted. Food was of the utmost importance to us as we love good food and good wine, another check on iCi. Needless to say we wanted to stick to our budget but still have a beautiful wedding so we wanted the location we chose to be a restaurant as this would be most cost effective as the food, service and part of the decor would already be included.

In keeping to our budget we really had to utilize resources within our network of friends. Our  fabulous florist, Edgar, whom I’ve known for years created a look that fit the contemporary look we wanted, the use of a lot of candles gave the space a romantic and intimate feel. For our cakes as I’m a lover of all baked and sweet goods, Nine Cakes created a dessert table for us complete with 3 different flavored cakes and an assortment of macarons, tartlets and chocolate desserts. This helped us save as well as we didn’t have to include dessert in our menu and gave us the extra money to have a full open bar for our guests.

The best part of choosing iCi was their backyard; it had such character and a great tree that covered most of the yard. we didn’t do much as there was character back there, Edgar, our florist added a runner with flower petals and a beautiful flower arrangement. My friend made paper flower pom poms that were hung from the chairs lining the aisle.

Wedding Photography: judy pak photography / Venue: iCi Restaurant / Cakes + Desserts: Nine Cakes / Florist: Edgar Canas / Make-up: Melissa Cruz Makeup / Hair: Mary of Tomahawk Salon / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Groom’s Attire: My.Suit / Groom’s Shoes: Tod’s

There is a Great Gatsby feel to this New York wedding, sent to us by Timothy K. Lee Photographers. I’m not sure if its the Sperry Tent, or the grandiose florals, or the fact that the whole lavish love fest took place at the couples private home, but whatever it is, I’m eating it up with a spoon. The fashion, the decor, the whole ambiance is the definition of pure glamour. I spent hours taking in every, little detail of this affair, and now it’s your turn. Click here for the full image gallery.

Romy is a makeup artist and Justin is a real estate developer. We met through our mutual best friends Ebon and Yelena at Ebon’s birthday. The first time we met we didn’t exactly ‘remember’ each other but our friends persisted – eventually ended up in the right place at the right time again and, well, let’s just day the rest was history.

We decided to have the reception at Romy’s parent’s house and were lucky enough to have the beautiful Wolffer Vineyard right across the street.  We loved having the ceremony in the field, the cocktails at the vineyard and then the excitement and drama of walking to Romy’s parents home to a fabulous tent across the street. We were really lucky the way everything worked out.

The inspiration was a bit Belgian, a bit Edward Gorey lots of greys and natural flax linens, hits of black, pale lilacs. Lewis Miller of LMD brought in incredible pottery, objets, seashells, sea horses, lanterns – he has an incredible sensibility and a dream to work with.

My most vivid and favorite memory is going into the wine cellar right after the ceremony with Justin to catch our breath and have a moment alone together before the madness…we were both up in the clouds.

Venue: Couples Private House in Sagaponack, NY / Photographer: Timothy Lee Photographers / Event Planner: David Reinhard Events / Tent: Sperry Tents /  Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Videographer:  Hart Pictures / Floral Designer: Lewis Miller Design / Lighting: Matt Murphy Event Lighting / Invitation Designer: Bride, Romy Soleimani / Cake & Desserts: Have Your Cake, Ltd. / Wedding Gown Designer: Mayle, designed by Maid of Honor, Jane Mayle / Caterer: Olivier Cheng Catering

I think this lovely Long Island bride just may be my new fashion icon.  Move over, Princess Kate.  I kid you not, that pair of sparkly gold shoes and the uber-gorgeous bolero are my new favorite wedding accessories.  Oh yes, I am in some serious love.  And not just with the shoes.  These fabulous nuptials, with the bright pops of vibrant blue and the wildflowers galore, have me completely smitten.  And with all of the stunning images by Turn Loose The Art, it’s impossible not to completely adore every last moment.  So, join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Turn Loose the Art… When asked what Andrew likes best about Sam, he said she’s always there when he needs her. She said she loves how close he is to his family. With those things in mind, they designed a perfect NY wedding in May and lucked out with the rain holding off, beautiful blustery clouds, and then later even a clear and sunny sky! A ’61 Bel Air provided the perfect getaway car to cruise on down to the beach for photos.

Andrew, a volunteer firefighter for their village, arranged for Truck No. 8 to hang out front of the church after their wedding ceremony. Sam, a tiny bit afraid of heights, went up in the bucket with him for a few iconic photos.

They’re not the kind of couple that wanted a venue laden with marble floors. They instead organized a cocktail style dinner with food stations and a free-flowing seating idea. Wildflowers spilled out of small vases and jars that Sam’s grandfather spent the last year collecting at garage sales.

Wedding Photography: Turn Loose The Art / Wedding Venue: George Washington Manor / Bride’s Attire: James Clifford + BHLDN / Flowers: Colonial Flower & Gift Shop / Entertainment: Charles Henry

There is something so chic and sophisticated about a classic New York City wedding.  The all-white florals, a wedding party dressed in black tie attire, an elegant ballroom setting and, of course, a darling couple beaming with love.  A stunning Monique Lhuillier gown doesn’t hurt either!  Timeless beauty abounds in these images by Yasmin Khajavi Photography.  Head over to the full gallery to see even more!

Click here to see even more images in the full gallery!

From Yasmin Khajavi Photography… Jenny and Lane both moved to NYC after graduating college and met in the Hamptons in 2007. Their relationship grew and they fell in love while living in the city. They now live and work in DC but knew they wanted to get married in NYC because the city holds such special memories for them both. Lane is a member of the New York Athletic Club, an incredible venue that lines Central Park.  Jenny and Lane had countless walks and spent so much time together in Central Park, so having the reception at the NYAC was perfect. Both catholic, the Blessed Sacrament was an ideal cathedral for them to get married in. After the ceremony, the bridal party headed to the Park for photos with a breathtaking backdrop. Friends and family flew in from afar, and the couple had “I love NY” t-shirts rolled up with cute tags for their guests to take home and remember. Lane and all his fraternity brothers enjoyed nice cigars on the balcony at night, with the bright lights of the City in the background! Jenny picked out special necklaces for each of her bridesmaids that matched their personality and style and worked perfectly with the black tie attire!

Wedding Photography: Yasmin Khajavi Photography / Flowers: Flowers by Richard / Event Planning: Holly Jarvis, Hitched Weddings & Events / Ceremony Venue: The Church of the Blessed Sacrament / Reception Venue: New York Athletic Club / Invitations: The Lettered Olive / Bride’s Shoes: J Crew / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier, Mark Ingram Bridal NYC / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Watters / Earrings: Elizabeth Cole / Bracelet: Miriam Haskell for J.Crew

Inspired by the movie that finally made me understand the Robert Pattinson (or R Patz as the kids call him) love affair phenomenon – Water for Elephants – this fabulous Syracuse engagement session by Mabyn Ludke Photography has an equally adorable cast of characters. I just love engagement sessions, and when a couple goes above and beyond to make them memorable like this darling duo I get a little giddy. It’s vampire-free yet cute as can be, and there is even more in the full gallery of images.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Mabyn Ludke Photography…Every now and then I get a couple who wants to go that extra mile. Amanda and Bill are definitely one of those couples! They decided they wanted to do a “Water For Elephants” & travel inspired session. I immediately jumped for joy and started scouting locations. I found this great abandoned cement factory that just happened to be next to the train tracks. Between the 3 of us, we came up with little accents to enhance their story and spent several hours pretending we had jumped into the past! We then transitioned to location number 2 with a more modern feel but we made sure to keep the travel theme going. Stylized shoots like this may take a little extra time, but they’re so worth it in the end! It really enhances their story. I absolutely cannot wait for their 2012 wedding!

Photography + Design: Mabyn Ludke Photography / Location One: Abandoned Cement Factory in Jamesville, NY / Location Two: The Inner Harbor of Syracuse, NY

I am in some serious love with this Chelsea wedding by Billy Joe Hoyle and Alissa Chandler.  It’s true. Every single detail has simply left me swooning.  From the location (I’ve never been, but I think The Park is one of my new favorite places) to the lanterns on every table (I adore candlelight) to the oh-so-adorable cookie favors (an apple, of course), this wedding is fab.u.lous. And the list of DIY projects that the crafty bride and groom took on?  Let’s just say I am one impressed blogger.  So, get ready to get your swoon on and join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride…We wanted our wedding to feel very personal and also wanted an iconic NYC feel since most of our guests were traveling from out of town. We were on a strict budget and the garden at The Park in Chelsea felt like the perfect reception area. It is naturally beautiful and would not require a ton of decor to make it gorgeous for our big day!

We owe Erin of E. Leigh Photography a big huge THANK YOU for sending us this little number. It is about as perfect as you can get. An intimate beach side reception at Montauk Yacht Club full of breath-taking water views, a cake by Kathy Burton that is almost too cute to eat and loads of other fabulous details that only a gorgeous East Coast wedding can offer up. So kick up your heels and stay awhile because there is even more of this pretty day in the gallery!

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From E. Leigh Photography…After an intimate NYC City Hall Wedding a year ago, Greg and Yolande were finally able to gather their far-flung relatives in one place for a chic, beach side reception at the Montauk Yacht Club. The ocean and the sun were the inspiration for their coral and turquoise color scheme that was reflected in the flowers, table designs and a scrumptious dessert table. The all white reception space at the Yacht Club really shined with these effortlessly chic designs. Because the ceremony was long over, guests were able to enjoy one another’s company during a small tea ceremony, dinner and dancing. Guests traveled from as far as Hong Kong and Minnesota for the occasion.

Honoring Greg and Yolande’s travels, each table was named after a city where they had lived, or spent time and each was graced with a cigar box containing a small Kodak video camera, pens and note to guests to “Capture the Moment”. Place cards and escort cards made from maps further complimented the travel theme. The dessert table echoed the wedding colors with piles of candy in either coral or turquoise.

Wedding Photography: E. Leigh Photography / Floral Design: Karen Lenahan Designs / Wedding Cake: Kathy Burton / Menus + Escort Cards: 0namesleft / Reception Location: Montauk Yacht Club / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Wedding Dress: Ann Taylor / Groom’s Blazer: Ralph Lauren / Candy: Candy Warehouse / Table Cards: DIY

Could there be a chicer city than the one named New York?  After seeing this elegant affair from Allan Zepeda I truly think not.  The ladies at DM Events knocked it out of the park with their version of romance done oh-so-right.  I just want to live inside the gorgeous florals of rich, ruby-hues.  This is proof that you can be luxurious and stunning but understated at the same time.  The only thing over the top here was the awesome dance party that followed an uber-romantic ceremony.  Click here to see the rest in the full gallery!

Click here to see all the images in the full wedding gallery!

From DM Events… From the moment we met Kris and Harrison, we instantly fell in love with them and we are so honored to be able to call them friends now!   Kris and Harrison wanted the day to be a true celebration of their love for each other, as well as their love for family and friends.  With a vision like that, we  knew we had to do everything in our power to make their big day as special as possible! While searching for the perfect venue, our must-have list went out the window when the couple fell in love with the views from Battery Gardens.  Battery Gardens is a beautiful venue, with a great white canvas, and breathtaking water views.  The challenge was that Kris wanted the decor to be Spanish-inspired with dim lights and pops of red and purple. As a designers, we welcomed the challenge!

The couple knew early on that they wanted their celebration to be a big party, as opposed to a seated dinner, so they opted for a cocktail style reception. With minimal seating to encourage guests to stay on the dance floor, we created a sleek black lounge area, accompanied by red and purple pillows and damask patterned chairs. We stayed true to the vision by using only deep shades of red, purple and gold linens to maintain a dim environment. We love pairing dark linens with gold vases to give off a romantic glow in candlelight so we decided that gold mercury vases were a great fit.  For the flowers, we used tons of red and purple dahlias, roses, anemones, and the most beautiful shade of purple orchids ever! As soon as the reception started, it was clear this was going to be a party like no other every guest was on the dance floor all night!  The men did a memorable rendition of Jump that we will never forget.  To show her dedication to boogying, Kris changed into a gorgeous little white dress known in the biz as a LWD!  This is a great time to mention that Kris is a true style goddess from her gorgeous dresses to her stunning purple jewelry, she really was a glowing bride.

Allan Zepeda is a truly gifted photographer, and with a beauty like Kris, the final images looked like they were from a photoshoot! With so many friends traveling from all over the world to celebrate, Kris and Harrison really wanted to pay homage to New York City.  The couple loves the Brooklyn Bridge and included the image in their invitations suite, which was a great teaser of the fabulous New York weekend the couple had planned.  Guests cut loose on the dance floor of Battery Gardens under the lights of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty – such an iconic image!  As the night came to a close, guests were treated to NYC pretzels complete with flavored dipping sauces!  They may have come from the corners of the world, but friends and family got a real taste of why Kris and Harrison call NYC home. The night was magical and we were just so grateful to be a part of it!

Wedding Photography: Allan Zepeda and Judith Rae (second shooter) / Event design, Florals, Planning: DM Events / Wedding Venue: Battery Gardens / Cupcakes: Nine Cakes

There is a reason classic and sophisticated weddings never go out of style – their timeless touches seem to withstand the test of time. And that is most certainly the case with this elegant affair by Ulysses Photography. Tuxedos, antique cars and ocean views – really how can you go wrong? It’s all so right and there is even more in the full gallery of images!

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From the Bride…I was definitely not like many girls who grew up dreaming about the details of her wedding day. So once Chris and I became engaged and started planning, it really hit me that “WOW I have some big decisions to make!”  At the beginning, I was literally ALL over the place! We definitely uttered the following phrases several times: “Let’s do a destination!” no wait, “how about City Hall?” and even, “Vegas anyone?!” We were finally able to express that a “fun, weekend getaway for our family and friends” was what we wanted to create for our wedding. Naturally, the idea of a destination came to the table. A few months into the planning, however, something wasn’t feeling like “us.” We decided to check out local places near the beautiful south shore of Long Island, since it is where I grew up, as well as the place where we have created our home. Our vision continued to evolve from there. We wanted it to be classic but modern, and elegant but not too stuffy. Even as we thought of these words, we were spinning and wondering how we could pull this off and still have the weekend feel fun?! And that is where the help from our fabulous vendors made it possible.

First, before even picking the place, there was one thing I knew I wanted, and that was having Jenni and Ulysses of Ulysses Photography shoot our wedding. They already felt like friends, as I have known them from two friends’ weddings they had photographed, so we felt at ease (and it completely came through in the genuine emotion captured in each picture they took). It was also love at first sight when we saw the beautiful grounds at Land’s End and instantly felt like we were on the right track to “us”. Other details began falling into place along the way, such as the amazing live music performed by Brian Ripps, an awesome musician we saw at our friend’s bar, who rocked it at our cocktail hour..to the beautiful flowers from Marion at Bayview Florist, who helped create the summer feel with gorgeous hydrangeas and English tea roses.

The most special details, however, came from the ‘special something borrowed, old, and blue’ I received from my mother, grandmother, and aunt, as well the beautiful readings at our ceremony from Chris’ cousin and my godmother. Even with all that was envisioned, we still cannot believe how unreal the “Big Day” turned out to be. The most special moments were when we turned to one another and looked out to the beautiful, smiling, and loving faces of our family and friends as they looked back at us. We were able to create that original vision of a “fun weekend getaway” right in our own back yard of Long Island. It truly was a fantastic day filled with laughter and love….something that this girl really can get used to dreaming about!

Wedding Photography: Ulysses Photography / Ceremony Location: St. Joseph’s Church / Reception Location: Land’s End / Wedding Invitations: Fat Cat Paperie / Bride’s Dress: Lazaro / Bridesmaid Dresses: Two Birds / Bridesmaid Rings: Ann Taylor / Floral Design: Bayview Florist / Make-up: LJ Artistry / Cocktail Music: Brian Ripps / Reception Music: MME Entertainment

This gorgeous wedding by Sarah Tew Photography might be one of the best vintage weddings I’ve seen in awhile!  I collect little brass animals so I was beyond excited to see the centerpieces of elephants, birds and other little critters paired with the gorgeous DIY flowers.  Just a hop, skip and jump outside of New York City in New Jersey it’s the perfect backyard retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.  Click here to see the rest in the full gallery!

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From Sarah Tew Photography… Michael and Kimberly wanted to have a wedding close enough to NYC that their friends here could easily come– they found the most charming little venue called The Woman’s Club in Englewood, NJ that was about 20 minutes out of the city, where they could have their ceremony outdoors and their reception in a room just the right size for their party.  I just love what they did with the decor– they did a lot of it themselves (DIY), gathering together a collection of unique vintage brass ornamental bells and animal pieces to decorate the tables with as well as arranging their own flowers, candles, tissue poms, bunting, and other unique crafted decor.  As favors they gave away pieces of organic dark chocolate from Sweetface– and I must tell you it was delicious!

Not only did this couple display an enormous commitment to making their wedding their own, their guests totally tore down the house.  The DJ spun  I mean that in a good way– the dancing at this party was over the top– it was joyful, let-loose, make-funny-faces-when-we-dance kind of crowd (my favorite kind!)– and towards the end of the night there was some serious showmanship out there on the floor.  Take a look at some of my favorite shots from this sweet wedding.

Wedding Photography: Sarah Tew Photography / Venue: Woman’s Club of Englewood / Wedding Dress: Saja / Rings: Bell and Bird / DJ: Mr. Finewine / Officiant: Maureen Jeffries / Carrot Cake: Blue Sky Bakery / Cake Topper: Vintage / Catering: Rustic Foods / Ceremony Musicians: Howard Fields + Friends / Favors: Sweetface Chocolates

New York City might be the reigning champion when it comes urban chic weddings just like this elegantly exquisite stunner from, who else, Elegant Occasions.  Overflowing orchids and gilded arrangements make this one luxurious wedding but the adorable dessert spread, irish dancers and late night Wendy’s snacks turn this extravagant affair into a super fun party!  4Eyes Photography was there to capture everything from this beautiful ballroom bash!  You can see it all in the full gallery!

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From Elegant Occasions… The couple met online and instantly fell in love.  He was from Utah and she was from New York.  The couple chose New York City as the site for their fall nuptials.  They were married at the University Club beneath a grapevine arbor within the Club. They really enjoyed surprising each other the groom made a special video for the bride, she wanted to surprise him with a grooms cake — for each night.  On the night of rehearsal she had a special white KIT KAT made for him and on the wedding day she had a cake made into the shape of ski mountain for him as well. They loved the little details  that set them apart from other weddings.  In homage to the grooms Irish heritage she had hired Irish dancers to perform during the dinner. Since they loved desserts, we had the most elaborate dessert bar to date, complete with cupcakes, cookies and milk, candy bar complete with all their favorite candies. At the end of the night guests were surprised with Wendy’s to go burgers and fries complete with bottles of coke as their departing gift.

The tall centerpieces, which provided immediate visual impact as guests entered the ballroom, consisted of long stemmed white dendrobium orchids combined with creamy French tulips, long stemmed miniature callas, ivory hydrangea and French lilac with green tips emerging from a graceful glass trumpet vase.  The orchid stems are long enough that that they formed an umbrella effect over the table which was light and airy yet opulent and abundant. The lower centerpiece consisted of jumbo white hydrangea, French lilac with green tips, petite miniature callas, freesia with green tips, white godetia, ruffled white sweetpea and Hawaiian orchids.  Flowers were set into a crystal faceted bowl.

An old fashioned photo booth was on display all night so the guests could capture images of themselves as favors for the wedding.

Wedding Event Planning: Elegant Occasions / Wedding Photography: 4Eyes Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Joseph Edwards / Wedding Flowers: Belle Fleur / Wedding Venue: University Club / Cupcakes and Cookies: Eleni’s