Cozy and chic, romantic and warm; when it comes to winter weddings, this one hit the nail on the head. From the beautiful bride and her stylish maids, all the way to the magical nighttime moments, all captured by Betsi Ewing, this is one elegant affair that takes the chill out of this season’s celebrations. More in our Vault right this way!
From the Bride… Now that the wedding has passed, everyone’s question to us has been “Was it the best day ever?!”and we both look back at the night and smile because it was everything we envisioned and then some. We always said throughout the entire planning process, that the wedding is just six hours of the rest of our lives, and those six hours should be a celebration of our marriage and commitment to one another. We were surrounded by our loved ones, shared a beautiful and perfectly timed first dance to Johnnie Taylor’s “Just the One” after being dance class drop outs, survived a tumble off our chairs during the Hora, managed to tear the under arm of my dress, and are still waking up to that newlywed feeling… so yes, it was the best beginning to the rest of our lives.
As many couples know, wedding planning can be overwhelming when all you want to do is start the rest of your lives together the second he pops the question! Sam and I got engaged bright and early on a November morning and waited until after the holidays to begin next steps. We planned our wedding the same way we go about living our everyday life – as a team. The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park was the first (and only) venue we looked at. The second we walked in it felt welcoming, cozy, and most importantly, intimate – we picked our date right then and there. That January night we walked home, freezing our butts off while envisioning what our wedding would be like.
If only finding my wedding dress was as easy as confirming our venue! Shortly after those big items were crossed off the “to do” list, I rallied the troops (aka my mom and sister) and off we went to find “the” dress.
At the end of the first day I found myself with hives, in dresses that weren’t “me”, and stress I didn’t think I’d have. I decided to start over but without intentions of saying “yes to the dress”. Shortly after, I booked an appointment at David’s Bridal in my hometown after going to nearly every Manhattan bridal boutique and retail store known to (wo)man. At David’s, I tried on dresses that were not my style (think crazy bedazzled, poufy dresses), that would ease the stress and put a smile back on my face. I found my dress thinking it would be another “no”, I actually called it the “Icescapedes” dress. When I walked out of the dressing room, my mom’s eyes welled up – it was the last dress I tried on. I went home to over-think about it and ordered the dress over the phone a few weeks later while on a business trip in Paris. Because it wasn’t 100% my style, I sought out to find the best seamstress team (Sew Elegant) to re-design and reconstruct my dress.
Every last detail of our wedding from the amazing floral arrangements and altar (Cress Floral Decorators) to our dog Riley’s bow tie and yellow lab seating cards (Etsy), to refurbishing a forty year old cake topper from Sam’s parents’ wedding day, we conceptualized together. We didn’t have a “theme” for the wedding; it was more about the feeling. Our hope was that our guests would walk in and have a glimpse into what every day feels like… happy!
That morning it rained; Sam went for a long run and got ready at our apartment, while my sister and I sweated it out at the gym and grabbed coffee nearby. My mom, sister and I all got ready together at Le Parker Meridien, having the same hairstylist who did my mother’s hair for her wedding do mine.
Throughout the day, my bridesmaids trickled in to all get ready together, all wearing a black gown of their choice that made each of their individual beauty stand out. Sam met his groomsmen at the hotel for a scotch (or two), and they too arrived in a dark suit or tuxedo of their choice. It was important to me and Sam to have our favorite people feel like themselves and be comfortable for the long night ahead; we’re so lucky to have each of them in our lives.
The weather cleared up and next thing we knew it was time for our first look, captured by the remarkably talented and lovely Betsi Ewing. From then on, time flew by, it was as if we blinked and we were walking down the aisle hand in hand after reciting our own vows in front of 125 guests. The ceremony was our favorite part, although we were in front of all these people – for that moment it felt like only us. The evening was beyond spectacular and wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of our parents.
Truthfully the details now all seem like a blur, I think we’re still hoping we spent time with each of our guests to tell them just how thankful we are that they were there to share in our love and excitement…
Photography: BETSI EWING STUDIO | Floral Design: Cress Wedding Flowers | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Their own | Makeup: Faye Dodic | Hair Stylist: Cynthia Varon | Calligraphy: Allyson Bainbridge Riccardi | Band: Silver Arrow Band | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Groomsmen's Attire: Their own | Hotel: Le Parker Meridien | Wedding Venue: The Central Park Boathouse | Bridesmaids' Gifts (Bracelets): Alexis Bittar | Bridesmaids' Gifts (Totes): Tumi | Dog Trainer: Drew Watson | Hotel Room Blocks: kleinfeld hotel blocks | Invitations + Menus: Minted | Photo Booth: Sweet Booths | Seamstress: Sew Elegant