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
Click here for the FULL wedding!
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