New York Weddings

Twinkling market lights, exposed brick, boho-chic gowns from Gabriella Bridal Salon, an array of locally grown treats from Naturally Delicious… it can only be the likes of an artisan-driven Brooklyn fete at The Green Building. It’s a styled soiree that will have your head turning at every beautifully crafted, foodie-loving, glowing moment from Rock Paper Scissor Events and Kat Harris Photography. See it all here!

From Kat Harris Photography… Summer is upon is, and to me that means late nights on patios with friends surrounded by twinkle lights, good wine, yummy food, and lots of laughter. As I recently moved to Brooklyn from LA I am learning there is quite a “Brooklyn Culture”. Brooklynites enjoy all things artisan. I’ve yet to meet a person in Brooklyn that was not a foodie. The Brooklynite is also passionate about local agriculture and American Made products.

For the Brooklyn Bride and groom there is no better place to experience the perfect mixture of a Brooklyn Artisan Wedding other than The Green Building. Local cuisine extraordinaire Loren of Naturally Delicious is a highly sought afterr caterer for the Artisan couple. A lot of her ingredients are locally grown, and all fresh!

Together we created the ultimate summer wedding for The Brooklyn Bride from: restored wooden tables to Brooklyn made vodka for moscow mules, to twinkle lights and exposed brick to a simple yet unique floral bouquet. The Brooklyn Bride is a foodie, she is a a bohemian at heart yet encapsulated by elegance and grace, she cares about craftsmanship, and the quality of her products, and where they are made. And there’s no better time to celebrate than under the warm blanket of a summer night on the East Coast filled with family, friends, good music, impeccable food, and of course twinkle lights!

Photography: Kat Harris Photography | Catering: Naturally Delicious | Florals Design, Tablescape, Production: Rock Paper Scissors Events | Hair + Make-up: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Model: Brynn Watkins | Papaerie: Swiss Cottage Designs | The Green Building: The Green Building | Wedding Gowns: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

My dears, get ready to mark your calendars, because Bridal Reflections is hosting an incredible trunk show from August 6-10th, 2014 featuring designer Galia Lahav! Showing a brand-new bridal collection, La Dolce Vita as well as her first ever evening wear collection, Moonstruck, this is a seriously special event you won’t want to miss.

Known in Israel and abroad for her unique and luxe designs, Galia Lahav’s collections are truly spectacular. Focusing on elegant style, incredible European fabrics and beautiful detail work, these fashion-forward dresses are perfect for the modern bride wanting something a little bit different.

To make an appointment from August 6-10th at Bridal Reflections’s Fifth Avenue salon for the Galia Lahav show, call 212.764.3040. OH, there’s more my dears!

The Prize: A lucky reader will win a $250 gift certificate towards any purchase at any of the three Bridal Reflections salons!

To Enter: Comment on this post with your favorite Galia Lahav gown!

To Win: One winner will be selected at random and announced on WIUP on Friday, August 8, 2014.

Terms & Conditions: Can all be found right here.  Good luck my dears! xoxo

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Bridal Salon: Bridal Reflections  | Gowns: Galia Lahav

Monday mornings call for weddings just like this one. A wedding that will inspire you as much as it will make you smile – kicking the week off in the prettiest of fashions. Captured beautifully by Raquel Reis Photography, this entire gallery is worth some serious attention, so grab you cup of jo and join me here. 

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I used re-purposed frames, windows, and scrap wood to make all of the signs for the wedding, a task that turned out to be surprisingly relaxing during the chaotic days before the wedding. I have to give credit to my mother-in-law, who turned out to be the DIY queen of our wedding. She spray-painted wine bottles gold to serve as table numbers/vases, and also made the menus and place cards for the tables.

We turned to places like Etsy, BHLDN, Pottery Barn, and even IKEA for the rest of the décor. My parents’ basement was stuffed to the brim with bottles, jars, lanterns, luminaries, votives, napkins, straws etc.
One of my biggest projects turned out to be the cigar and scotch lounge on the beach, which was my wedding gift to Joe. Now Joe is the guy that has everything, so traditional gifts were out of the question. A celebratory cigar on the beach with his favorite people is more valuable to him than any physical gift. Also, he is an amazing gift giver and I almost never can pull off an equally perfect surprise gift for him, so I had to take advantage of this opportunity.

As I know nothing about cigars or scotch, I had to do a fair amount of research as to what I should get as well as all necessary accessories. I borrowed wine barrels from the vineyard to serve as a “bar” and added lounge furniture to the rentals. I also got adorable matches that read “Joe’s Cigar Lounge” for him and his friends to keep as favors. I still can’t believe that it all came together and stayed a secret until the wedding!

We chose August 24th for our wedding mostly because I have three weeks off at the end of every August (perfect amount of time to relax, get hitched, and honeymoon). Luckily, I also happen to think this is the best time of the year on the North Fork, when the weather is almost always perfect.

Well, if we were going to get married over the summer, it had to be on the North Fork. Not only does it come alive in the summer, but it’s also where Joe and I met and fell in love. Though we live in Brooklyn, we spend most summer weekends with our families out there – it’s worth sitting through 3 hours of traffic. We chose to have our wedding and reception and The Old Field Vineyards for two reasons. It was on the water and they make incredible wine – two features very representative of the North Fork. I also love the idea of having the whole event at this one location, where guests could enjoy the entire stunning property and flow from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception without a pause in the festivities!

Our ceremony came together last minute, but turned out wonderfully. Our guests were greeted with beverages and simple yet lovely musical accompaniment of a single acoustic guitar. We chose contemporary music for the ceremony, I was able to peek through a trellis to watch our friends and family walk to The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” and I walked down the very long aisle with my Dad to the Beatles “Here Comes the Sun.” We chose short but touching vows and managed to get through them without tears or stage fright. By far the most special thing about our ceremony was having friends and family participate. Each of our godmothers did readings (Joe’s sister and my aunt), and we were married by Joe’s high school English teacher. Joe’s younger sister gave the most thoughtful and touching of speeches – she truly had everyone reaching for tissues. At the end, everyone danced down the aisle and onto the bar to Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore!”

Aside from getting married (woohoo!), the most special thing about our wedding was being able to spend some truly amazing times with our favorite people! The week before the wedding was a nonstop celebration with all of our family and closest friends, a wonderful time that we will never forget!

I never would have shopped for a dress if it wasn’t for my mom, who lit the fire under my behind to start the process. We first went to a few boutique salons in New York, where I got a taste of what I liked and didn’t like. I realized that I was not the kind of bride who would have an “Ah-ha” moment when I found my dress. So when my mom begged me to go to Kleinfeld’s, I went in with the mindset “now you have seen everything, so you pick your favorite.” I chose my dress because, as my consultant pointed out, it was the one that I smiled the most in and always went back to. I am so grateful for her advice, because I felt unique, pretty, and most importantly like myself on my wedding day!

I borrowed my Kate Spade earrings and feather clutch from Rent the Runway – a truly no-fail service.I chose 3 styles of long chiffon dresses for my 7 gorgeous maids. I loved how elegant and flattering they were while still being beachy. The girls each accessorized with their own belts, shoes and jewelry to make the dress their own.

We chose black suits for the guys to contrast the pale dresses the girls wore and also because I think that Joe looks oh so dapper in black! Joe’s nieces and nephews served as our adorable flower girls and ring bearers, and wore similar outfits to the bride and groom with blush accessories.

I think that I somehow arrived at my “style” throughout the planning process. I knew that while I wanted guests to feel relaxed and comfortable at the wedding, I still wanted elegance. It was important to me that the wedding to have stylish and beautiful elements without being stuffy or cliche. I went by the principal that, as long as I was choosing everything, it would somehow become cohesive by representing my tastes. It was so fun getting to see it all put together on the day of the wedding! Everything from the bridal party to the tables looked even more gorgeous than I could have ever imagined. In the end, I think we were able to pull off a style that was worthy of a stunning summer night and vibrant party!

It was important for Joe and I to use as many local resources as we could, as the North Fork has so much to offer. We served wine from The Old Field, our amazing florist used seasonal and local flowers, we served locally grown produce and locally caught fish, and we brought in cookies and ice cream from nearby shops.

Photography: Raquel Reis | Wedding Coordinator: Valerie Hallock | Floral Design: Moments in Time Floral Design | Dress: Reem Acra | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Ceremony Venue: The Old Field Vineyards | Reception Venue: The Old Field Vineyards | Bride's Shoes: J.Crew | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Peter Ambrose Catering | Hair And Make Up: Special Effects Salon & Spa | Suits: Ralph Lauren | Hotel: Greenport Hotel | Tent: The New York Tent Company | Band And Musicians: Current Affair | Brides Accessories: Kate Spade | Ice Cream: Magic Fountain, Mattituck | Macaroons: D’Latte, Greenport | Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd, Bridgehampton | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Stationer: Smock | Stationer: Lion in the Sun | Wedding Rings: Pesselnik & Cohen Inc., New York

Brooklyn Winery seems like a dream wedding location; a little pocket of easy elegance in the middle of a bustling city. And for a Bride and Groom that wanted a wedding centered around relaxed fun – boom. I think this wedding is just what the doctor ordered. The team behind this day is to thank; talents like Denise Fasanello Flowers, Exquisite Affair Productions and Betsi Ewing Photography. Take a peek at all of their handiwork right here.

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From The Bride…We met at a dive bar in NYC. Stephen was with some friends, and Genevieve was with a friend sitting at the end of the bar. Stephen, who was originally standing, eventually sat down and started inching his way over as seats opened up. Genevieve had definitely noticed him but was trying very hard to ignore him. When Genevieve’s friend (a guy friend from college she ran into, used to date one of her friends) went to the bathroom, Stephen swooned in. Guy friend ended up saying goodbye, leaving us alone, Stephen’s friends also left…the rest is history!

Our wedding theme was relaxed and fun. Once we decided on a the location, the ideas and pieces came together slowly as went through the motions…I did not have a defined idea of how it should all finally look, but I did not feel the need to stick to tradition.

My friend did my invitations, we had loads of fun finding the right look and feel. I loved our entire wedding  and having all our friends and family in the same space was amazing. The dress was one thing I spent more money on…could not find anything I liked at all so I had to up my budget. We did save a lot of money on the invitations, my friend did a nice discount.

Herbs, garden roses and others were in my wedding bouquet, I really wanted a natural romantic feel to them. I love peonies but they weren’t too in season and sometimes don’t hold up well.

The only thing I would have done differently is maybe eaten more cake, it was soo good! Chocolate on chocolate!!

My only advice is to have fun! And don’t sweat the small stuff!

Photography: BETSI EWING WEDDINGS | Coordination: Exquisite Affairs Productions | Floral Design: Denise Fasanello Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Invitations: Lauren Cartagena | Make Up: Laramie Glen | Hair: Styles On B | DJ: DJ Small Change | Officiant: Hope Mirlis A More Perfect Union | Wedding Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Getting Ready: Wythe Hotel | Hair Piece: Hushed Commotion | Honeymoon: Italy (Florence, Capri, Ravello) | Save The Dates, Thank You Cards And Place Cards: Wedding Paper Divas | Seating Chart: Type & Love Paperie

This gorgeous day hits all of my wedding sweet spots.  The perfect combo of laid-back and totally elegant, it’s a breathtaking Hudson Valley setting mix and mingling with lush florals from Pola Rebisz, crazy gorgeous colors and an 80’s cover band dance party.  Did someone say Journey?  Yes, please.  See it all captured beautifully by Raquel Reis in the full gallery.

From The Bride… As long-time city residents (I’m from NYC and Mat’s from London), we wanted to venture outside our usual stomping grounds for our wedding celebration. The majestic setting of Onteora Mountain House was exactly what we were looking for — not too far to travel for our NY area friends and family, but distinctly non-urban and, frankly, breathtaking. It was more of a trek for our UK based guests, but we knew that they would appreciate having an excuse to get off the beaten tourist track to experience the natural beauty of the Catskills.

We wanted the ceremony to express our personalities, so we didn’t pay too much attention to the conventions of traditional wedding ceremonies. I walked down the aisle to an 80’s classic — Yaz’s “Only You”. One of Mat’s oldest friends officiated (so there was lots of humor), and Mat’s sister sang Elton John’s “Your Song”, accompanied by my brother on keyboard.

The weather held out long enough for our ceremony and cocktail hour to take place outdoors, but drizzle set in shortly after we moved into the rustic pavilion for our party, which — if anything — made the warmth of the barn-like interior even cozier and more welcoming. We partied like it was 1999 to an 80’s cover band, closing out the night with a group-rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin'”. It was an amazing night.

DIY Elements… A friend of ours helped us design our wedding invitations, which we letterpressed ourselves at The Arm in Brooklyn. I also (painstakingly!) handmade the escort cards by embossing our guests’ names on different colored paint chips, and packaged our party favors in mini-brown paper bags.

Photography: Raquel Reis | Videography: Yasuaki Nakajima | Florist: Pola Rebisz | Wedding Gown: Birnbaum and Bullock | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Blue Mountain Bistro | Graphic Design: Sarah Clingman Perla | Manor: Onteora Mountain House

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A Bride that isn’t afraid to jump on the bed in a gorgeous J. Mendel gown is my kind of girl. She’s also the kind of girl who’s wedding captured by Shawn Connell For Christian Oth Studio is so beyond beautiful. Imagine a weekend filled with a rehearsal dinner as pretty as they come, a ceremony draped in blooms, bocce ball while sipping on cocktails, and dinner and dancing under a glamorous tent. It’s classic as classic can be crafted by Bowen & Company with florals by Lewis Miller Design and you can see it all here.

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All of the guests, even those staying off property, were invited to enjoy the beautiful grounds on Saturday morning and afternoon prior to the Ceremony. The bride and groom lined up plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, as guests were treated to their own private, luxury resort for the day. Bocce, croquet, tennis, biking, and the couple’s favorite food trucks that drove up from NYC to serve lunch were among the fun activities on offer. Custom blankets, embroidered with the couples’ custom-designed monogram, were also provided to guests as they picnicked on the grounds and took in the breathtaking views from every side.

One can plan every last detail of their wedding, but weather is always a gamble in any season. As a last minute shower moved in to our area for the ceremony, we moved the ceremony from a bluff overlooking the lake to a tented terrace. Here, we maintained the gorgeous views of Glenmere Lake and the fall colored foliage, but guests and wedding party were safely tucked under cover. However, quick thinking was required as our team rallied to shift the floorplan. Luckily, Lewis Miller, one of NYC’s top designers, was on hand and had the brilliant inspiration to move the chuppah to the center of the tent with all guests seated around the couple. We began to lovingly refer to this set-up as “chuppah in the round.” Positioning the chuppah this way made for a more intimate and personal ceremony, and as the ceremony came to an end, the clouds parted, revealing a dramatic sunset for the happy couple.

Since these concert goers love music and Ryan is a musician, great music was a must when planning the wedding. The entertainment throughout the evening consisted of a string quartet (the bride actually walked down the aisle to Beethoven), jazz trio, 14 piece band, DJ and percussionist. They chose a playlist that would appeal to guests of all ages. A lively, swing dance set beckoned guests into the dinner tent, with a variety of standards from the American Songbook during dinner, and an after-party ensued with today’s pop hits.

Elizabeth and Ryan wanted to make sure their guests were well fed and fueled up all weekend long ,so they provided custom tote bags filled to the brim with their favorite indulgences. Items included black and white cookies from William Greenberg Desserts, pretzels from Martin’s Pretzels Union Square, and BBQ Pop Chips. Each item was branded with designs that were cohesive with the look of their save the date and given a new name in their romantic theme. An emergency kit filled with aspirin, 5-hour energy, and other boosts bore the message “To keep you healthy and strong and dancing all night long.” Lastly, they included a weekend schedule so guests wouldn’t miss a beat of this amazing weekend.

Elizabeth and Ryan wanted something that screamed romance, and I think their wedding did just that. Lewis Miller used soft and pale flowers such as English roses and Dahlias with pops of greenery to create a lush bouquet for the bride. The centerpieces were comprised of mismatched vessels and candles so that no two tables were exactly alike. There was tons of candlelight, lanterns suspended from the fabric-draped tent canopy, and sparkling silver which made the tent twinkle.

Having incredible food was essential to the couple, who cook often and enjoy the vibrant NYC restaurant scene. The wedding menu was inspired by their love of comfort foods such as mac and cheese, braised short ribs, and pumpkin whoopie pies.

The dual-flavor cake was designed by Nine Cakes. It was comprised of chocolate and vanilla cake with white chocolate buttercream, plus the groom’s favorite coconut cake with coconut buttercream. The cake was on display during the reception but was given to guests as they left the post brunch as a sweet take away.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Videography: Films by Francesco | Event Planning: Bowen & Company | Floral Design: Lewis Miller Design | Wedding Gown: J. Mendel | Cake: Nine Cakes | Cupcakes: Baked By Melissa | Stationery: House & Paper | Reception Venue: Glenmere Mansion | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: Morgane Le Fay | Catering: Laurence Craig Catering | Lighting: Luminous Designs | DJ: Generation Events | Band: Hank Lane Music | Favors: La Maison Du Chocolat | Rabbi: Tom Weiner Of Congregation Kol Ami | Tent: Stamford Tent & Event Services | Beauty: John Olavarria | Blankets: In 2 Green | Bride's Veil: Tia Mazza | Custom Tote Bags And Luminaries: Henya Direct | Directional Signs: The Freckled Owl Studio Etsy | Floral And Decor: Lewis Miller Design | Groom's Tux: Z by Zegna | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.

Every day is a pretty-fest on this corner of the blogosphere, but when our friends at Christian Oth Studio stop by for an all day recap of their loveliest weddings of the season? Well, that’s something worth celebrating. With not two, not three, but four weddings on the agenda, we’re in for a serious treat and it all starts with this Montauk stunner brought to life by Sofia Crokos Events and Sag Harbor Florist. First up, the rehearsal dinner and keep scrolling for the gorgeous big day.

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Without further adieu, Katie and John’s gorgeous wedding…

Makeup by Dani Levi Beauty

From Christian Oth Studios… Katie and John were married September 28th at Crow’s Nest in Montauk, NY. The rehearsal dinner and after party were at Surf Lodge which is also where the groom and groomsmen got ready. Katie’s dress was from Stone Fox Bride and the silk slip dress that she changed into at the end of the night is actually her senior prom dress.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Videography: Hart Pictures | Cake: One Girl Cookies | Makeup: Dani Levi Beauty | Hair: Regina Carter | Lighting: Matt Murphy Event Lighting | Wedding Venue: The Crow's Nest | Event Planner & Designer: Sofia Crokos Events,LLC | Paper Design: Bliss & Bone | Rehearsal Catering: La Brisa | Rehearsal Floral Design: Sag Harbor Florist | Rehearsal Venue: Surf Lodge | Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd | Wedding Catering: Nick And Tonis | Wedding Floral Design: Raquel Corvino | Wedding Tent: The New York Tent Company

The modern design lover in me is geeking out and it has everything to do with this Manhattan “I do” captured by Robert And Kathleen Photographers. Of course, the pretty comes as no surprise when the Bride happens to be the floral genius behind The Mini Rose Company. She brought on Mary Bradley Events to help design the day, and results are a gallery of clean lines and minimalist perfection.

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From Robert & Kathleen Photographers… Thinking about how weddings should look is something that comes naturally to Samantha. An incredibly talented floral designer, she knows weddings inside and out. They are, quite often, her job. But knowing how they should look and experiencing how they feel for the bride and groom are two very different things. A complete Type A personality, Samantha thought of every detail and made sure everything was in the best hands with event coordinator Mary Bradley, so that, once she was in her gown, she could stop planning the details and start living in the moments.

When the final buttons we fastened on her gown, Samantha stood still, looking radiant bathed in the light of the large loft windows. A stillness came over the room for a few seconds, an acknowledgement of the significance of the day that was about to unfold. Then, there were some tears and a few excited hugs from her very best friends. All that was left to do now, was wait. Wait for the man who had changed Samantha’s life simply by becoming a part of it, the man who made her happier than she ever could have imagined. The man who, in a short time, would become her husband. She was placed in a seat of honor and with the women she held dearest in her heart by her side, and she waited for him. The room filled up with friends and family greeting her and holding her hand as she offered them blessings.

When the music shifted, she knew it was time. She heard the singing first, the sound of men’s voices together in song getting louder as they got closer. They were in a circle, surrounding Myles. When they were nearest to her, the circle opened. There he was. In keeping in tradition, Samantha and Myles had not seen each other for a week before this day, and the looks on each of their faces said that the wait was well worth it. Myles was speechless, gazing with wonder at the gorgeous woman before him. Samantha was beaming, the joy and excitement radiating from her face. The room grew quiet as Myles walked over to her. He whispered in her ear and, ever so gently, placed her veil over her face. She held back the tears as she looked up at him smiling, knowing that in just a few short minutes she would see him again at the front of the aisle.

Throughout the ceremony and reception that followed, one thing was made unmistakably, undoubtedly clear: if there is one thing Samantha is even better at than floral design, it’s picking a husband. And that’s saying something. As you’ll see from the stunning arrangements of vivid blooms, flowering branches, and soft candlelight, Samantha knows how to make a wedding beautiful. But what’s even more evident when you see the way she and Myles look at one another, is that Samantha knew just how she wanted to feel on her wedding day – the way she does every day when she’s with Myles.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers | Event Planning: Mary Bradley Events | Floral Design: The Mini Rose Company | Shoes: Vince Camuto | Caterer: Oasis | Hair: Marina Vance | Band: Nafshenu Orchestra | Venue: Studio 450 | Make-Up Artist: Olga Shikhris

There are a lot of reasons this wedding is completely awesome (the forever smiling bride and groom, the vibrant color scheme, the amazing florals from Sweet & Flower), but if I had to pick a favorite moment, it’s the crazy cute trio of musicians totally rockin’ post-ceremony.  I mean… is this the most adorable way to celebrate you’ve ever seen?  (Answer: YES.)  See it all captured by Ciro Photography right here.

From the Bride… Tad and I wanted a wedding that was quintessentially New York, because it’s the city where we met and live. Once we saw the Bryant Park Grill in midtown Manhattan, we knew it was the right place! The wedding day was a beautiful sunny warm spring day, perfect for a rooftop ceremony and cocktail hour with sunset pictures in Bryant Park.

The style of our wedding was shabby chic. We wanted to add in a lot of personal details and styling to make it our own. We wrote our own vows, made photo booth props, built our own wedding website, served signature “Mr.” and “Mrs.” cocktails, and even blinged out the bridesmaids shoes with Swarovski stones that matched their belts. Kim from KTorres Designs did an amazing job incorporating our whimsical NYC theme through the entire wedding. We took the sketched skyline from the invitation envelope liner and had it printed on the thank you canvas bags.

For our color theme, we picked romantic peaches grounded in a sophisticated gray with accents of citron green and hot pink. Our talented florist, Kea from Sweet and Flower took this color palette and used it to create a floral ivy wall as a backdrop to our ceremony as well as organic centerpieces. She even decorated our simple white fondant chocolate cake with a few flowers which complimented the dessert bar that was filled with delectable cake pops, mini pies and macaroons made by Anne Marie Noonan of the Bryant Park Grill.

Inspired by the wedding scene in “End of Watch”, Tad and I took dance lessons from NY Wedding Dance to create a choreographed number that weaved together a classic slow dance with a hip hop ending. We surprised everyone when we busted out into a little MC Hammer “Can’t Touch This” number halfway through our wedding song “Crazy Love”. This really set the mood for what we wanted — a lighthearted wedding filled with lots of fun and laughs with our favorite people. DJ Accurit from Scratch Weddings had the versatility to provide classic pieces for the ceremony and cocktail hour, as well as modern hits to keep everyone on the dance floor during the reception. We were having so much fun that we extended the party for another hour!

One of the best decisions we made was choosing Rich of Ciro Photography. He has an incredible gift for capturing real and beautiful moments as they are happening. We are so glad that we have his work to remind us of our amazing day for the rest of our lives!

Photography: Ciro Photography | Floral Design: Sweet & Flower | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier | Shoes: Aruna Seth | Makeup: Julianna Grogan | Hair: Helen Reavey | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Hotel: Bryant Park Hotel | Venue: Bryant Park Grill

So we all know planning a wedding takes a lot of time and care. And you want to remember it! Which makes choosing who will be there to capture the most intimate and magical moments of your day kind of a big deal. So we’re here to introduce you to Marissa Decinque, wedding photographer extraordinaire. Keep scrolling for a peek at her catalogue.

From Marissa Decinque Photography…  Specializing in retro romantic style of images, my favorite weddings are inspired by old-fashioned romance set in vintage style locations. I love the fairy tale side of the wedding day and look to capture all of its detail and beauty. I’m great at working with couples and  helping them feel comfortable in front of the camera. I also  use natural light when ever possible so images feel real and elegant. As a photographer, knowing when to let things happen and when to make things happen is the secret to great wedding photography.
My team and I work seamlessly  and unobtrusively throughout the day so you can enjoy the moments as they unfold. We take ordinary things and use light and style to make them extraordinary.

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Welcome to the family Marissa Decinque! xoxo

Take a show-stopping Vera Wang and add in a whopping dash of elegance + romance and what you have is a Finger Lakes affair that takes pretty to the extreme.  It’s the perfect combo of a breathtaking backdrop like the Aurora Inn, lush blooms from Foley Florist and a whole lot of magical moments captured by Clark Walker Studio.  Check out the full gallery of beautiful moments and the amazing film below. 

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From the Bride… Mike and I met in the summer of 2005 at his work event. He worked with my older sister and she dragged me to a work going away party for their good friend. The guys had already begun the celebration at their golf outing so, with a bit of liquid courage; Mike shook my hand and asked me for my number. I politely declined. We ran into each other one more time at a holiday party but it wasn’t until February of 2006 that he decided to make a serious effort and asked my sister for my number. Admiring his persistence, I agreed. It was the best decision I have ever made. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I had blown him off. We went to dinner at an amazing Thai restaurant that was superseded only by the conversation. I could have stayed up talking all night and we have gone on to have many of those nights.

Fast forward six years, Mike was living in San Francisco after business school and I was living in DC finishing up my graduate research. Mike flew into DC to celebrate our dating anniversary. We planned a quiet and romantic trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, a two and half hour drive from the city. I was the driver, which wasn’t typical for us but Mike said he was tired from jetlag. He was our navigator and I questioned our route maybe only once or twice along the way since I had a friend tell me directions before I left. Mike was able to reassure me we weren’t lost and things were going well for his surprise up until he lost cell phone service and therefore his GPS. He was frantically in technology problem solving mode when I asked him “Have you heard of the Inn at Little Washington?” Secretly panicked, Mike calmly answered “No, why?” “I just saw a sign that says it is the next right. I heard it is a really beautiful and romantic spot, we should plan a trip there sometime,” I naively shared as the right hand turn came up. He shouted, “Turn right!” It wasn’t until that moment that I realized we were going to the Inn at Little Washington. I was truly surprised and so excited. Mike proposed privately in our suite. It was so heartfelt and romantic. We celebrated with champagne and dinner at the restaurant. The best part was that we didn’t have cell phone service so, we spent 24 hours blissfully engaged, enjoying each other and those once in a lifetime emotions. The next morning we held hands while walking around a peaceful farm, enjoyed breakfast and headed to Charlottesville, as a newly engaged couple.

After over a year of planning and anxious excitement, we celebrated our marriage with our family and friends on a perfectly sunny and 78 degrees day in August of 2013. We could not have asked for better weather, which was so important since our reception was outdoors. We decided to get married in the Finger Lakes Region near both of our hometowns. We looked at many venues in the area but once we saw the Aurora Inn, we fell in love. It is the type of place Mike and I look for when we want to escape for a romantic weekend together. We couldn’t imagine a better venue to reflect who we are as a couple. The Aurora Inn was the perfect setting to celebrate one of the best moments of our lives with those we love. It is an intimate and charming inn, full of history and character, with an incredible chef and restaurant on site. Can it get any better? Yes! The Aurora Inn is located in tiny, quaint town called Aurora and looks out over the gorgeous Cayuga Lake.

When it came to wedding planning Mike was happy to let me pick what I loved. There were a few things he really wanted to be a part of like picking out the groomsmen attire, food selection and music, otherwise, he helped me make decisions when I couldn’t choose. I began by picking our color palette of ivory, light pink, light peach and gold, which went perfectly with the pleated ivory lakeside tent for the reception. I kept the theme of soft romance in mind throughout the planning process. I lined our aisle with an ivory runner with a lace edging to keep things soft (the carpet was pinkish-red!) and topped it with tall baby’s breath arrangements. Our reception tables were layered with airy tulle, votive candles, baby’s breath and small floral arrangement. The fabric of my dress and the bridesmaids dresses all had softness to them.

From the start of wedding planning there were a few special touches I knew I wanted to incorporate. The first, having a homemade cookie table. My mom made thousands of cookies for each of my sisters’ weddings and this was a tradition we intended to continue at mine. We made a variety of sweets and put them on display with our wedding cake. As I walked down the aisle, I wanted to make sure I had all the important women in my life near me so, I had a pin from my mom, Mike’s mom and both of my grandmothers adhered to my bouquet. It was important to Mike and I that we honor our family members that could not be present. We did this in two ways, a photo display of our loved ones and in lieu of favors we made a donation to American Cancer Society.

Our wedding day, like so many couples will tell you, went by way too fast! However, we enjoyed every single moment. We spent the morning apart from each other while we each got ready with members from our bridal party so, the very first time we saw each other was when I was walking down the aisle. I was anxious since there were a few hiccups before the ceremony but as soon as I saw Mike, I felt calm. My stroll down the aisle with my dad was every bit as wonderful and emotional as I imagined it to be. Neither Mike nor I were nervous at the altar. Everything felt right. I remember being acutely present and trying to take in every aspect of such a special day. We both agree that our favorite moment of the day was when we exchanged our personalized vows. It was such a raw and heartfelt moment. After the ceremony, we celebrated by dining al fresco with our guests as the sun set over Cayuga Lake. We spent the rest of the evening with our loved ones eating sweets, dancing and enjoying the fire pit. We finished the evening with sparkler and released a wish lantern into the starlit sky. It truly was the best day.

Our day would not have happened without the love and support of our families, closest friends and the expertise of the best vendors in the area. We were lucky to have Heather Davidson from the Inns of Aurora as our wedding coordinator. She happily guided us through the planning process and was instrumental in making our reception spectacular. Not only is she on top of everything but also is genuinely excited about your day! Holly from A-List Artistry pampered all of us ladies in the bridal suite. She is very professional, has a great personality and every single lady loved their makeup that day. That is not an easy accomplishment! Finally, the Clark + Walker team captured our day perfectly. The photos bring us back to all of those moments that flew by so fast. The trailer that Josh created had us laughing, crying, smiling and reminiscing in just three minutes. We are so grateful that such talented individuals captured the most magical day of our lives!

Floral Design: Foley Florist | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Make Up: A List Artistry | DJ: Black Tie Entertainment | Venue: Inns of Aurora | Photography & Cinematography: Clark+Walker Studio

When Amy Azzarito Of Design Sponge and Jorge De La Barra offered a free, styled engagement session for SMPers, we of course jumped at the chance to get you pretties in front of the camera. Well, the winners have been chosen and their sessions have been captured, and it’s safe to say they are gorgeous. We’ve been waiting in the wings to share the pretty with you all, and couldn’t be more excited that today we can finally let you in on all the goodness right here. 

From Design Sponge…Couple One This super active couple -Heidi and Scott actually met at a Crossfit gym and hit it off as friends. Eventually, they realized that they liked hanging out just as much outside the gym as inside. Scott crafted an elaborate and personal proposal. He dragged Heidi to the gym for a work out with their closest gym friends. At Crossfit, all the workouts are named and this one was called the “Amazing gRace” (a little pun on one of the exercises named Grace) and one of Heidi’s favorite shows.

Scott had involved all of their friends into the proposal and had planned the workout to be a scavenger hunt with different elements. After the first workout, the couple headed to their car and drove to the clue location “Go back to where it all began”. In the years, the couple had been dating, the gym moved locations. So they drove to the original location, Scott parked the ran, got out and ran around to the side of the building. He came back with a bright teal green Vespa. Heidi had wanted a Vespa for nearly a decade (since she lived across from a Vespa dealership) and was over the moon about her gift.

The couple road the scooter to the next location where they found their best friend pretending to be Phil from the Amazing Race complete with a bottle of champagne for their “Toast or Roast” road block. After they completed the activity, Heidi was sure that Scott was now about to propose, but instead they got instructions to drive to the closest trail for their next clue.

Once at the new location, Scott took out a small speaker and played their favorite song and the pair walked to where their friends were waiting. A friend acting as Phil continued with the game and told them that they were “the last team arrive, but it was a non-elimination leg”. Scott then turned and proposed to while their friends quietly walked back to a picnic area they had been busily setting up while the couple scooted around town.

When I heard this story, I knew that we had to include the Vespa in the couple’s engagement shoot. Heidi wore a dress from Lovely Bride and paper artist Michelle Bablo made a couple of fun signs for the couple. She also made some celebratory streamers for that all-important Vespa. The couple have two rescues dogs and they wanted to include one of them in the shoot so Homer joined us all at one of the spots that Heidi and Scott visit most summer weekends -the historic Nathan Hale house in Connecticut.

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From Design Sponge...This pair was over-the-moon about the prospect of starting their life together so we shot their engagement in Prospect Park, which just happens to be right around the corner from their apartment. This park is an absolutely magical place to shoot and after a long winter indoors, it was just what the doctor ordered. We discovered new locations around every corner. The fantastic team from 2h flowers, toted buckets of flowers into the park, scouted out the perfect branch and created a little hanging flower backdrop. Emily, at Lael Cakes, made us a stunning cake for a picnic setup. And we had one final surprise for the couple – their favorite saying is “Jackpot”! (As in, I really hit the Jackpot when I found you.) So we enlisted Michelle Bablo to help us make a sign to celebrate the couple’s good fortune. What a fun magical day in a favorite Brooklyn spot.

Photography: de la Barra Photography | Styling: Amy Azzarito Of Design Sponge | Flowers: 2h Flowers | Cake: Lael Cakes | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lovely Bridal Shop | Historic House: Nathan Hale House | Paper Art: Michelle Bablo

At first glance this wedding is a bundle of peaches and sunshine; a prime summer combo. But when you start pealing back those summertime layers, you’ll see a Hampton’s classic captured by  Judy Pak. It has all the details we adore – the gorgeous white dress, the effortless elegance, reception tables that dreams are made of floraled by The Green Vase and Julie Song Ink’s beautiful watercolor stationery. All in all, it’s a dream and you can get cozy with even more of the day right here.

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From The Bride… My husband & I hail from two distinctly different parts of America. Though we live together in New York City, I grew up in New England, just outside of Boston. I also spend a formidable amount of my life as a teenager in Seoul, Korea where I lived with my parents who had moved there for work. Eric is from Tennessee and wears his southern genteel with pride. We both moved to New York the better part of a decade ago, but our roots and upbringing are important parts of our lives. For me, it’s a coastal vibe, sharp wit, and a glass of chilled rosé. For Eric, it’s crisp white button down shirts, nature, and properly cooked meat. As a nod to both our styles, I wanted to bring our sensibilities and personalities to life in every touch point of our celebration.

To start, guests were treated with a cooling Arnold Palmer upon arrival. They were ushered through an ivy-covered arbor into a small fountain garden where they could meander and roam around perusing the “advice” my students (I’m a first grade teacher) had written for us. A favorite: “Never fight, never get too busy. Always play with your kids or they’ll get cranky. For your wedding flowers pick roses. Make Mr. Yang pick off the thorns!” Astute.

We could not have asked for a more stunning evening —- after a blisteringly hot week with torrential downpours, we were blessed with the most perfect weather. It was like God knew we had forgone the rain tent against the best advice of our caterer and venue coordinator. With sun gleaming through the trees, a mesmerizing sunset over the vineyards, and a twilight lit with candles and swaths of bistro lighting, the evening was picture perfect.

Beneath Bedell’s iconic mark —- a monumentally beautiful old oak tree with branches that spread its shade over the entire gathering –Eric & I were married. Our wonderful florist, The Green Vase, created a gorgeous garland that draped around the tree’s trunk. Eric’s childhood friend, as Pastor married us with an uplifting and whimsical passage that also included a moment to break as Eric played a song he had written for us on a beautiful oaky grand piano. Guests, who had been provided a hand-made program with a paper bag full of confetti instantly turned our walk down the aisle as husband and wife into a marriage jubilee. Our amazing photographer, Judy Pak, captured the it all perfectly. Every once in a while, I look back at the photos and beam.

Immediately following our nuptials, we followed with a cocktail hour in the adjacent garden with endless hors d’oeuvres & cocktails. We filled a vintage pick up truck with tubs full of ice and beer.
Originally intended as a small side gathering, but what grew into a second heartwarming & jocular ceremony, we celebrated our families’ heritage with a traditional Korean “paebaek” ceremony. During the tea ceremony the bride & groom pay respects to elder family members and
parents toss dates & chestnuts into the bride’s skirt to predict the number of children the couple will bear (we caught 11!). At the end, and perhaps to everyone’s Instagram delight, the groom carries the bride on his back and skips around the observers to signify he will support her in their future life together. Everyone’s cameras were snapping in full regale.

For the victuals we reached deep. Food was always going to be a top priority — meals shared are so important to both of us — and for this we couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Catering by a A
Small Affair, a truly charming husband & wife operation, helped us deliver our vision of the perfect meal. Bountiful, scrumptious, and accompanied with enticing spirits. Along the edges of the intimately lit pavilion, we served food in various stations — all in festival sized portions. No formal seating arrangement kept the festivities up & moving, with guests from all sides getting to know one another and quickly encouraging fellowship. The first stop harkened my New England
heritage with lobster rolls, sweet corn chowder, seared scallops, and fried clam strips in mini fry baskets; further “South,” buttermilk fried chicken with cackalacky hot sauce, sweet potato spoon bread, and collard greens were served alongside shrimp & grits. A take-home treat, guests picked up whoopee pies & mini lobster lollipops. Beyond the dancing (and dancing and dancing) we had a unique take on the typical photo booth: our booth recorded several seconds of tomfoolery and printed a mini flipbook for guests. Certainly a hit.

To be surrounded by so many friends and family celebrating a marriage is cause for an overabundance of emotion in and of itself. But, what might have been a difficult moment, brought our guests, friends, and family even closer. During dinner at the reception, my grandfather suffered a heart attack, eventually passing peacefully the next morning. It was a shock when it happened, but thinking back, I feel so blessed that my harabuji (“grandfather” in Korean) was even able to be with us that day. He chose the best time to go, in the company of all his family and loved ones. Walking back into the reception after it happened, witnessing all our friends joining hands, surrounding our pastor in a moment of prayer, is a moment I will never forget.

If you knew my grandfather then you know he would have wanted the celebration to continue with even more vigor. Honoring his life and what we are certain he would have wanted, we asked our spirited 9-piece band to strike up the music even louder, the spirits to flow faster, and the dancing just one step quicker.

As I write this and think back on that evening —- a collection of stirring, joyous, and loving moments — a single word comes to mind: magical. Magical in the way the clouds decided to stop their week long showers and give us a stunning day of mystic sun. Magical in the way every person that day on those grounds arrived ready to gift us with their support & love. Magical in the way all the details came together. Mostly though, magical in the way we were able to celebrate not only a life ready to be lived together as husband & wife, but a life that had been well lived. It was truly an evening gilded in love.

During our paebaek ceremony, my grandfather gave us sage advice and one last wish: get on the making of babies! Well, if you say so, harabuji.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Floral Design: The Green Vase | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Catering By A Small Affair | Makeup And Hair: VickyC5 | Band: The Iconix | Groom's Suit: J.Crew | Venue: Bedell Cellars Winery | Paper Goods: Julie Song Ink

Whats pink and gilded, classy, veiled in lace and pretty all around? You guessed it. This stunning affair from Lindsay Madden Photography! It’s dripping with elegance and a perfect touch of glamour, from the Bride’s Danielle Caprese dress to the glowing candlelit reception. For even more, head to the gallery!

From Lindsay Madden Photography… On a warm spring day, Nadege and Steve were married in Long Island City. Shortly after their heartfelt ceremony, we headed to Gantry Plaza Park for portraits of the newlyweds. This park is wonderful because it provides you with the most gorgeous views of Manhattan. Nadege looked effortlessly beautiful in her lace wedding dress by, Danielle Caprese for Kleinfeld and I loved how her gold Jimmy Choo shoes complimented her gold bangles and belt. She also had henna inked on her feet from her Hindu ceremony two days before! “The more henna you have, the more blessings you will receive,” Nadege told me. Pedestals Florist provided the romantic flowers for Nadege and Steve’s special day and I especially loved Nadege’s all white peony bouquet! So classic & sophisticated. Nadege wanted her reception to feel warm and welcoming so she opted for lots of candles. As Nadege, Steve and their guests danced further into the night courtesy of Scratch DJs, they were gifted with the most incredible view of Manhattan. I had such an amazing time capturing Nadege and Steve’s classic spring wedding!

Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Flowers: Pedestals Floral Decorators | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Stationery: Andrea Espach Design | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Hair: Styles On B | Entertainment: Scratch Weddings | B&G Pictures: Gantry Plaza Park | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Water's Edge Restaurant | Groom's Tux: Jack Victor

Darlings, this wedding is simplicity done right. It’s black-tie-gatsby-goodness without all the fuss, but a dose of pure pretty instead. Set amongst a candlelit 501 Union and scattered with creamy ivory roses from Designs By Ahn, gilded glassware and chiavari chairs, the gallery from CLY By Chung is filled with jaw dropping moments. See them all here.

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From the beautiful Bride… Justin and I first met when he had just moved to New York. I remember thinking he was one of the funniest and warmest people I had ever encountered. Years later, when we actually started dating, I was amazed he still had the photo booth picture that we took the night we met. What I love most about Justin is that he’s full of surprises- even managed a few at our wedding! We’re so lucky to have had that second meeting that lead to sharing our wedding day with our closest friends and family.

Justin works in film lighting and I work as an accessories designer in fashion. So, between the two of us we were pretty hands on in the wedding creation. 501 Union was still being built when we signed, but we really loved the simplicity of the venue. The skylights, brass fixtures and the layout of the grand room all tied into our modern, black tie “light”, Gatsby influenced experience we were hoping for. With the help of our friends we were able to put our own personal touch on the event. From invites and programs to escort cards and favors, we were able to customize the experience. Betty Brooklyn helped create a beautiful menu for our guests and 501 Union made our speakeasy cocktails. Justin added a bit of himself with a photo/slow motion booth- which was fantastic!

A special thank you to Chung from CLY. We feel so fortunate to have had him and his team capture our special day!

Photography: Haseok Chung Studio | Ceremony Venue: Church Of St Josephs In Greenwich Village | Reception Venue: 501 Union | Caterer: Betty Brooklyn Catering Co. | Hair And Makeup: VickyC5 | Ceremony Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Floral: DESIGNS BY AHN | Groom’s Attire: Armani | Reception Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim

From the outfits to the backdrops, this couple’s New York City elopement is the bees knees. A.k.a wildly GORG. It’s a tale of a beautiful bridge, a stunning cityscape and intimate “I Do’s” captured by Alicia Swedenborg. And if the gallery is any indication, this couple has portraits that will shine bright for a lifetime. See them all right here.

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From The Bride…Shaant and I met on August 13th of 2008, his 24th birthday! Despite the fact that Shaant had met my entire family and I was very close with his, we had never met each other (2 years prior I was visiting his family in the US for a 5 week trip, while he was in Armenia, so we had missed each other). I used to see his father almost every day for a cup of coffee or dinner at his restaurant during my summers in Armenia. So, naturally, I was very quickly introduced to Shaant when he came to visit that summer. Even though at first Shaant thought I was yet another one of his dad’s acquaintances that he would meet and then forget, it didn’t take very long for us to start enjoying each other’s company (especially since I was a math major and he was a math teacher). We went to a party one night within 10 days of meeting each other, and a guest asked Shaant if he loved me. With a straight face, Shaant replied “Of course I love her, she’s my wife”. It became an on running joke that we were married for the rest of the trip and the year (again, we hadn’t even started dating yet!). Shaant left Armenia in a couple weeks, and we wrote to each other occasionally over Facebook.

That same summer I had received my green card and had to travel to the USA that December. After a little pleading from Shaant (who probably already liked me by then), he convinced me to come up from Washington DC to visit him in NY for the weekend. That weekend in NYC was amazing, and I fell in love with the city. We went (and ate) everywhere! But, at the top of the Great Lawn in Central Park, even though everything was covered with snow, that is when I knew I had to move to New York. This is why, a little over 4 years later, he proposed in that very same spot!

That magical weekend finished, and I went back to England where I was studying. Now, Shaant and I were talking much more frequently. He convinced me to meet in Berlin that February where his sister (who is my friend) was studying. I only told her I was coming, so Shaant showing up surprised her nearly to death! We explored the city and treated it like a European winter wonderland. We drank beer by the liter, had snowball fights, saw museums, and played hide and seek in memorials. In the cathedral in Berlin, Shaant even took me to the altar and had his sister officiate our fake wedding! All the while, we still weren’t dating. In Berlin, he confessed that he liked me, but I wasn’t ready yet, so I only responded with “let’s go make a snowman.” He must have been quite depressed and a little confused, but at least he got to make his first ever snowman. He drank too much that night, and I helped nurse him back to health and even slept next to him to make sure he didn’t get too sick. That must have made him even more confused! It was an unusual adventure for a couple that wasn’t a couple yet!

After we left Berlin and returned to our respective countries, I realized that I also liked Shaant. The chatting online continued and moved in that direction. It was not hard to convince him to buy tickets to come with me on my Easter vacation from London to Yerevan. So, on April 9th, he flew to London. I met him at the airport, we ran together and spun and kissed. It was better than the movies! We started dating on that day, went to Yerevan, surprised our dads with the news (and Shaant wasn’t even supposed to be there!), had a fantastic week, and then returned to our lives apart. Now, I HAD to move to New York. Thankfully, I had already applied to Columbia University for my master’s degree, and within a few weeks I got in! Fate was on our side!

I visited New York in June of that year, and reminded myself how much I loved the city and how much we loved spending time there together. I finally moved there in early September, ended our long distance relationship, began school at Columbia, found an apartment near Shaant’s, and we had a great year! New York is almost the third member of our relationship.

The primary theme of our relationship has been travel (well, besides for food). Most of the time, it was voluntary and a lot of fun. However, the job I got after graduating Columbia sent me away a lot. I went to Spain for a few months alone, and even when I came back, I had to go to Boston basically for all weekdays. Shaant visited me when he could, and my time in New York became even more precious, but it was a strain. While that was definitely difficult, we each had a lot of time off that we used to travel. We have gone, with family and alone, all over the world. From Costa Rica to Italy, we have traveled and seen some great sights (15 countries in 5 years)!

Eventually, the distance from New York to Boston drained on us, so Shaant moved up to Boston with me for a year. We continued our theme of eating and traveling, and now we got to annoy everyone with comments like “Boston is great, but it’s nothing compared to New York.” We had a great year in Boston, and traveled the most of any year, but we decided that now was the time to try and start working towards our dream of opening a restaurant. So, we both left our jobs and started packing for Armenia to help Shaant’s dad expand his successful Armenian restaurant back to the United States. In the meantime, on June 1st of 2013, Shaant took me again to that spot at the top of the Great Lawn, got down on one knee, and then got up again to hug me when I started crying. He asked, “so is that a yes?” and I said, “but you haven’t proposed yet!” Obviously, once he did propose, I said yes!

Now we live in Armenia, engaged for this August 9th (although some people know we are secretly married…). The wedding is going to be one Armenia will remember for years to come. Plane loads of foreigners are coming to go to one of Armenia’s first ever outdoor weddings! The wedding planning, like the relationship itself, is sometimes hard, sometimes unpredictable, but we know it’s always going to be awesome!

We went to city hall on April 9th, 2014, on our 5 year anniversary (and exactly 4 months before the big day). Only very close friends and family know, which made it even more special. And we celebrated at Eleven Madison Park that same evening, with an unforgettable 14 course meal!

Photography: Alicia Swedenborg | Bride's Shoes: Cakes To Di For | Groom's Attire: Nordstrom | Venue: New York, New York | Bride's Attire: H&M | Bride's Jewelry: H&M | Bride's Skirt: Topshop | Groom's Bowtie: Tommy Hilfiger | Groom's Shirt: Brooks Brothers | Groom's Shoes: Aldo

This is the kind of crazy gorgeousness that happens when one adorable duo ties the knot in a romantic fall wedding at the New York Botanical Gardens.  It’s breathtaking landscape meets lush florals from Xquisite Events meets one of the most amazing candlelight ceremonies you will ever see.  In other words, it’s amazing.  See it all captured beautifully by A Guy + A Girl Photography right here.

From A Guy & A Girl Photography… After spending the afternoon exploring the expansive gardens and taking photos, Alex and Martin’s traditional Jewish ceremony was held after sunset in the garden by candlelight, creating a cozy feeling in the warm October evening air. The florals were incredibly beautiful. Alex’s gorgeous lace Anne Barge dress fit her like a glove and looked perfect through hours of non-stop dancing. Toward the end of the celebration, Martin and all of his college buddies stood up and serenaded Alex with a classic acapella version of “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”, a la Top Gun.

Photography: a guy + a girl photography | Floral Design: Xquisite Events | Wedding Gown: Anne Barge | Invitations: William Arthur Fine Stationery | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Makeup: Linda Gallo | Venue: The New York Botanical Garden | DJ/Band: Hank Lane Music

Give me Central Park, an adorable couple plus a grumpy little Frenchie named Abe and I’ll give you a smile as wide as my screen. Of course, the amazing photos from Vicki Grafton only ups the ante, and some time in this gallery equals a Friday well spent!

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From Vicki Grafton… Rebecca and Danny’s Spring engagement in Central Park with their frenchie pup Abe. They currently live in NY while Becca gets her law degree and are planning their fall wedding near Becca’s home town in PA.

Photography: Vicki Grafton Photography | Dress: Brides By S B | Hair And Makeup: Brides By S B

When Fiore Films sent over this sweet little rustic snippet, I was immediately drawn into the playfulness of this adorable duo. A first look in an old barn, a dance in a field of wildflowers and one adorable pup in a bow tie later, and you’ve got a glimpse of the best kind of love there is. See more from Ricky Restiano in the gallery.

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From Fiore Films… “Never underestimate a quickie” is what we like to say. Every once in a while we like to share a mini Teaser (about 90 seconds long) and call it a “Quickie”. Our brides and FB friends have become familiar with Fiore Films’ “Quickie” and actually look forward to them! God we LOVE this Bluefield Farm wedding so much! Couldn’t have asked for a more amazing hidden gem of a place, perfect day that almost looks fake, and we especially could not have asked for a more beautiful couple! We kept saying it was right out of a movie or magazine. ‪Simona and ‪Mike could not have planned a more perfect wedding and we are so happy to share just a few gorgeous moments of it!

From The Bride… I knew when planning our wedding I wanted to do something different, something that my Italian family was not familiar with. I searched high and low for months to find the perfect country atmosphere for our wedding. We saw about 3 different venues, but all 3 were too far from home. I had almost given up hope and giving in to the traditional Italian wedding that my mother always dreamed of me having, until my Zia Annetta (who helped with decor) discovered a place that was right in our town! We had no idea it was there, hidden with all it’s rustic beauty, it was the perfect place to have our wedding, we fell in love. From the moment I saw it, I knew, everything in my dreams was about to come true. Nobody realizes when having an outdoor wedding how involved you have to be, we knew it was going to be a challenge starting from scratch. We couldn’t have chosen better vendors for the job. AJ Bassani from In Thyme Catering and Sperry Tents couldn’t have made our lives any easier-throughout the process of planning and especially the day of the wedding. The food and presentation was phenomenal and the tent was gorgeous! Our cake from Palermo Bakery was nothing fancy, it had little rustic charm-just like we wanted and most of all was so delicious! Jay della Valle’s crew Owls and Lions of Spinners Entertainment was important to us because Mike and I first met on a dance floor, at a friends wedding-where Jay was working his magic! The moment we sat down with Chris Perino from Ricky Restiano Photography and told him what we wanted, he couldn’t have been more excited to head towards a different direction. He captured every detail, from flowers done by Jodie Hamel and Joy Macy and DIY projects done by my talented cousin Salvatore LaRosa. This was all filmed by Fiore Films who were so professional and accommodating! We are so happy to work with them and now relive all the memories! Especially my cousin Franco from Italy, singing our father daughter dance! Makeup artist, Erica Gonzalez and stylist Laurell Giumarra both made me and everyone so beautiful on my wedding day. They are extremely talented! They are patient people, which helped me remain comfortable and calm that morning. The icing on the cake that everyone could not get enough of was TJ Rickli’s vintage Ford Pickup, the truck was the perfect touch! Our wedding was truly an unforgettable day, and could not have been done without the help and support from my best friend, my husband-Mike and above all else our FAMILY and FRIENDS!

Photography: Ricky Restiano | Cinematography: Fiore Films | Catering: In Thyme Catering | Makeup: Erica Gonzalez | DJ: Jay della Valle/Owls&Lions | Tent: Sperry Tents | Blufield Farm In Blauvelt, NY: Bluefieldfamilyfarmny@gmail.com | Brides Dress: Rivini | Flower Girl Boots: Country Outfitter | Groom Bow Tie: Alexander McQueen | Maid Of Honor Dress: BHLDN | Music: The Music Bed

This Brooklyn Botanic Garden wedding is gorgeous all on its own – no question about it. But when it just so happens to be that time of year when the city is blanketed in cherry blossoms, it makes for a pinch-me-perfect setting you HAVE to see for yourself. Thanks to Photo Pink (so appropriately named!) springtime nuptials have never looked sooo good.

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From the Bride… As native New Yorkers, we wanted to create a wedding that was incredibly romantic yet iconic to our great city. The Palm House in Spring had all of the elements to create the magical night we envisioned. Guests were greeted with champagne and a string quartet playing melodiously in the stunning magnolia plaza. The Art Deco facade of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was the perfect backdrop to create a classic Hollywood vibe. With the groom’s Oscar night worthy bow tie, the bride’s Monique Lhuillier lace wedding dress, and a jazz band playing the cocktail hour made our wedding feel timeless. The glass Palm House captured the essence of romance with candlelight and an early spring sunset greeting our guests as they entered for the reception.

We wanted our ceremony to be special for us as well as our guests. So, Tom and I got down on one knee and proposed to my sister and asked her to marry us! Kiera created a ceremony that was undeniably memorable, filled with humor, heartfelt sentiments and really engaged our guests. Most notably, she incorporated elements from Native American traditions, such as the invocation of the directions, which allowed our guests to feel a part of the ceremony by reminding us to stay in the present and to focus everyone on what was happening. Tom and I used Steven Curtis Chapman’s “I Will be Here” for our vows. Kiera gave us a beautiful Pendleton blanket as a wedding gift, and it was used in the ceremony to wrap us for the moment we became husband and wife.

Our “let love grow” theme really came to life with the selected readings for the ceremony and was complimented by being outside in a beautiful botanic garden surrounded by all the trees and flowers coming to life for the season. The ceremony concluded with a surprise reading of Dr. Seuss “Oh the Places You’ll Go” which was made extra special by the participation of a dear friend and our 2.5 year old nephew.

Tom and I both were excited to have our reveal at the Prospect Park Carousel! I felt so giddy waiting to see him, the excitement had been building after it took us an inexplicably long time to arrive due to some afternoon traffic. I’ll never forget the moment when he turned around and we saw each other for the first time! Feeling so excited and it was all really about to happen. WIth our bridal party standing by we laughed and hugged and let it all sink in.

I’ll never forget the sweet smell of the magnolias as I entered the magnolia plaza. They rustled ever so softly in the breeze creating an inviting atmosphere for us and our guests. As we exited the plaza after the ceremony it was a surreal moment, everything and everyone disappeared and it was just the two of us, a moment of total happiness and love.

At the end of the evening Liesl and Randy came to get us to come outside for some pictures, it was about to rain and the sky was the most magnificent shade of orange! It was magical and an incredibly special way to end the night.

Photography: Photo Pink | Videography: Kiss The Bride Films | Floral Design: Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Ana Parzych Cakes | Reception Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Brides Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Catering: CharlesSallyCharles Catering @ The Palm House | DJ: DJ Gaza | Groom's Attire: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Groomsmen's Attire: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Officiant: Kiera Nagle