NYC Loft Wedding by Daughter of Design, V
We have been all about the chic, modern loft wedding that Laura and Eric threw this past winter in New York. It’s one of those weddings that just makes you giddy. From the perfect decor to the stunning couple, it’s as if this night was destined to be beautiful.
And like many celebrations, there is a life, a story behind the beauty. Here are some last details and a touching note from Laura, the gorgeous bride…
Due to my aforementioned obsessive planning trait, I would have normally chosen to give ourselves plenty of time to perfect every detail and incorporate tons of DIY projects. During our planning, however, life took a different turn: my stepfather, whom I think of my only father as he’s been with us since I was a child, was diagnosed with liver cancer. As many who have dealt with cancer can attest, there were many ups and downs… some times we thought he would beat it, and other times we were scared he wouldn’t make it through the week. Eric and I decided right away that we would do our best to make sure he would be there with us on our day, so we chose a winter date in the same year and ramped up our planning.
photography by Heather Waraksa and event design by Daughter of Design
The decision to move up the wedding turned out to be, far and away, the best one we made, and not just because my father made it to our wedding. In the months leading up the big day, his health began to fail rapidly and life became very difficult for him. But his anticipation of the wedding and his desire to be there to walk me down the aisle kept him going, and when I called him I could hear the joy and excitement in his voice even through the pain and depression he was dealing with.My mom described the day she took him to get fitted for a new suit (and a very dapper new hat and coat to go with it) as one of the happiest he had during that time.
My father passed away just a few weeks after the wedding. Thankfully, we had the warm memories from the wedding and the pictures showing the happiness and positive spirit that he had that day to ease us through this period. Eric and I are so extremely grateful that we were able to spend this time with him, show him the love that we have for each other and the promise of our future so that he could rest assured that I was taken care of. These memories are happy ones and we cherish them… and I know my father would be proud of that.
Near the end of the evening, after the photographers had left and things were beginning to wind down, it started to snow in Manhattan. We – and our guests – all went out onto the roof deck and reveled in the magic of the city lights and the snow falling around us. It was so breathtaking… as if the stars were aligned for us that night.
To Abby, thank you for featuring this wedding! And to Laura, thank you for sharing your story. I am planning my November wedding with my sister as maid-of-honor. My sister was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last year. At the time that my fiance got engaged, she was doing remarkably well and had stopped chemotherapy. Now, as the big day approaches, we recently learned that her cancer has returned. It's tearing me up to know that she is going through this while we are wrapped up in our wedding plans. I feel selfish for wanting to keep going with the plans, but at the same time, I hope that keeping on track helps her have something enjoyable to focus on...
So I greatly appreciate hearing other people's stories on how you have dealt with tragedy in the midst of what should be a joyful time!
What a great story. Thank you for sharing!
incredible wedding.
Bravo to Laura and Eric for making such a selfless decision. As someone that was potentially in a similar situation a few weeks ago with my mother's cancer possibly in relapse, this too was a scenario we were more than willing to embrace. This is a truly inspirational story, thank you Abby for including such a visually stunning and heart warming wedding.
Beautiful story. Bittersweet, I"m sure. But it sounds as though the family really came together for this wedding, and made the occasion even more meaningful.
And can I just say again how insanely off-the-hook beautiful the couple, the decor and the setting is!?!?! WOW!! LOVE it!
Beautiful photos! Such a touching story.
If my FH and I weren't heading to Italy to elope, I would mirror this wedding. It's absolutely stunning. Quirky, sophisticated, glamorous, and down-to-earth. What a beautiful way to start their lives together!
what a gorgeous event, and a touching story. I was wondering where you found the gorgeous flower hair pins?
This is my favourite wedding on SMP to date! and the story that goes along with it! What a stylish / elegant couple with beautiful hearts aswell.
Just goes to show Less is More! I love how you chose your wedding style and stuck with it without complicating it and making it busy, just enough details and a hint of tradition! So Simple & Stunning!
Amazing venue
Heather did a wonderful job on the photos! i love the soft sepia tone in the streets - gave it a nice classic feel. That photo could be 40 years old! Also, like the cropped one right after that.
This story and the accompanying story gave me chills. Thanks for sharing something so touching and personal.
Heather - Great Pics...you are very talented!!
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