Relationships Talk

“We enjoy Brooklyn weddings because they’re usually full of details that allow each couple’s personal style to shine through,” say Jon and Brittani Hon, founders of The Hons. “The spaces in Brooklyn lend themselves well to transformation,” they add. For this contemporary ceremony, a copper altar added contrast to the white brick backdrop and black ceremony chairs.

When hosting a wedding in the Hamptons, Sarah Duke, co-founder of Duke + Van Deusen, suggests finding the balance between a sophisticated design aesthetic and a relaxed country aesthetic. “For this wedding, we sought to accent the beautiful sculpture gardens of Longhouse Reserve without competing with the surrounding beauty,” says Duke. Loose greenery, wood accents, and hanging lights complemented the elegant style of this outdoor affair.

With a city famous for iconic buildings, there are a plethora of museums and sites in which weddings can be held. “If you are looking for a stunning and timeless venue, the beautiful architecture at these buildings will ensure that your wedding is both classic and elegant while still giving you the freedom to customize your event to be as unique as you are,” says Tracy Taylor Ward, founder of Tracy Taylor Ward Design.

“Just because your day is hosted at an iconic New York venue, doesn’t mean you should compromise your wedding style,” says Caitlin Campbell, senior event coordinator and designer at True Event. “It can be easy to forget your original day of design when faced with your ceremony or reception space, but remember that any space can be altered to fit your original vision.” For this ceremony, saturated florals and an aisle rug were added to create a modern feel.

New York weddings are unlike any other because of the energy that radiates from any hosted event. Sara Wight, founder and lead photographer at Sara Wight Photography, has captured couples from Brooklyn to the Bronx and knows a thing or two about this intangible spirit. “Photographing couples on their wedding day is always exceptional, but there’s something extra special about capturing New York City couples who have embraced the magic of the city, and its iconic venues, for their day,” Wight says. “The energy is always magnetic,” she adds.

With a modern venue, finding the right design elements to incorporate into your day is something that should feel fresh and effortless. To embellish this Lucite chuppah, Kristin Doggett, co-founder and creative director at Bellafare, worked with poppies and posies to add bold florals and loose greenery to create a contemporary feel throughout the ceremony that complimented the sleek entryway of the Brooklyn Museum.

For this reception held at the Bronx’s Wave Hill, inspiration was drawn from the site’s ever-changing gardens. “A customized culinary experience for each wedding, we love to incorporate the personality of the couple with the flavors of the season to make sure all guests feel that love,” mentions Amanda DiUglio, event director at Great Performances.

“New York City is an incredible backdrop for your wedding,” says Roey Yohai, owner of Roey Yohai Studios. “Don’t be shy to ask if you can go into MOMA, get a hot dog from a colorful stand, stop traffic on 5th Avenue; it’s thrilling!” No matter if it’s yellow taxis, traffic cops, a parade, or whatever else is around, a good photographer will take any ingredients given and turn it into a beautiful photo.

Transportation is key! “Moving people throughout the day can become a major issue in the city,” says Lyndsey Hamilton, owner and creative director of Lyndsey Hamilton Events,. “To ensure that everyone arrives where they need to be and at the correct time, create an appropriate and realistic timeline to smoothly move the bride/groom, family, and guests.” Also, consider getting ready as close as possible to your ceremony location, which will make for some great photos as well.

The streets of New York provide a backdrop for glamorous and memorable photos. “Central Park’s Conservatory Garden at 105th and 5th Ave. is great for photos,” says Melani Lust, owner of Melani Lust Photography,“especially when working with large wedding parties.” Opting for a collection of outdoor shots will provide a nice variety.

“To really highlight the qualities that make New York special, we suggest bringing in authentic foods from local purveyors such as warm pretzels from a cart upon departure, candied applies from Coney Island, bagels and coffee to go, black & white cookies, and plenty more!” suggests Christine Viola, director of events at Exquisite Affairs Productions. Blend the sights, smells, and sounds of the city to create one cohesive and original event.

Plan and visualize your New York wedding by imagining a packed dance floor. “Live music not only captures that height of energy surrounding your couple, but it also brings a whole new level of elegance to a room,” says Marianne Bennett, CEO and founder of Element Music. Live music can communicate the vibe that the couple wants to convey on their special day, allowing them to infuse their unique personality into the celebration. “It’s so important to create an environment that sets live music up for success: great sound, ample space for a stage and speakers, and plenty of room for your guests to dance the night away,” Bennett adds.

One of the best ways to get the most out of an iconic New York venue, is to use the color palette, architectural details, and overall style of the space to create inspiration for the design of your event. “The classic architecture of the Celeste Bartos Forum at the New York Public Library provided the perfect backdrop for a dramatic yet intimate interpretation of traditional décor with a contemporary spin,” says Meredith Waga Perez, founder of Belle Fleur. “Estate china and silver pieces were selected to evoke a sense of New York in the Gilded Age,” she says.