Sometimes mixing things up a bit makes for an incredibly beautiful event. And who says you can’t have drinks before the “I Do’s”? Not this wedding. Guests were greeted with a pre-ceremony cocktail hour followed by a candle-lit sunset ceremony overlooking the Hudson River. Romantic doesn’t even begin to describe that situation. It’s all in the pictures captured by Meredith Davenport of Christian Oth Studio. And those pictures tell the story of a lovely garden party designed and styled by Hatch Creative Studio along with planning by Daughter of Design. See the full affair right here.
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From Annie of Daughter of Design… Danielle and Jake met almost a decade ago at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, and they now live together in Manhattan. Though New York weather can be a challenge, they knew they wanted to chance an outdoor location for their wedding. They originally planned on getting married at Danielle’s parents’ house in Westchester, New York, but luckily found a superior alternative mid-way between Manhattan and Westchester in the Bronx. Wave Hill is an expansive 28-acre estate composed of a cultural center, art galleries, and fantastic public gardens in Riverdale, New York, overlooking the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. It was the perfect site for Danielle and Jake’s vision – a fun and sophisticated dinner party. To that end, guests arrived and enjoyed pre-ceremony cocktails on a beautiful lawn overlooking the Palisades. They were greeted by the sound of Carte Blanche, a jazzy ensemble featuring classic standards and vintage attire, and had the chance to explore the property and snap some Polaroid pictures and sign a guestbook.
Just before sunset, guests were shepherded to the ceremony area on the great lawn to watch the sunset over the Hudson River as a quartet played. Barb of Hatch Creative created a chuppah that was both wild with flowers on the bottom, and simple, with Danielle’s late grandfather’s tallis forming the top. Large olive branches were arranged at the foot of the aisle, and hundreds and hundreds of mason jars were arranged all around the lawn with votives inside, creating what became affectionately known as the “sea of light.” Despite torrential rain in the preceding days, the guests faced a glorious pink and orange sunset as the couple spoke their vows.
After the ceremony, guests were guided to a spectacular clear tent with chandeliers hanging throughout. A framed silk-screened menu was placed on a table with flowers in vintage medicine bottles, which mimicked the gorgeous arrangements, designed by Hatch, along the long tables inside. The flowers were a brilliant array of jewel-toned purples, oranges, and greens arranged in stone urns, wooden boxes, and vintage medicine bottles. Carte Blanche serenaded the guests during the dinner of family-style antipasto, mushroom ravioli, roast chicken, and sautéed fish. After toasts and dinner, a truly epic hora began the DJ dance party. Guests were served passed desserts, such as ice cream sandwiches and mini-milkshakes, while cookies and coffee were placed on the tables. To everyone’s great delight, late night snacks – bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches, zeppole, French fries and sliders – were provided to the party-goers, and chocolate favors were distributed to enjoy on the ride home. On the way out, the couple passed by guests holding sparklers. The wedding was a stylish yet relaxed affair in a gorgeous setting on a perfect fall day.
Wedding Photography: Meredith Davenport of Christian Oth Studio / Wedding Venue: Wave Hill in Bronx, New York / Floral + Event Design: Hatch Creative Studio / Event Planning: Daughter of Design / Officiant: Cantor Gerald Cohen / Catering: Great Performances / Lighting: Frost Productions / Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. / Tent: Stamford Tent & Event Services / Wedding Invitations: Mr. Boddington’s Studio / Calligraphy: Neither Snow / Ceremony Music: Arco Ensemble / Cocktails + Dinner Music: Carte Blanche / DJ: Dave Fischoff of Popshop DJ Squad / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore / Hair: Joseph A. Ronkese of Premier Salons / Makeup: Nam Vo