Real Weddings: Sam + Anthony (The Green Building, Brooklyn, NY)
As I look forward to my 2018 couples and weddings, I'm FINALLY getting around to featuring all of the gorgeousness and awesomeness of my 2017 couples!
The 2017 wedding season began early for me with this stunner of a wedding! With glorious Gowanus, Brooklyn as their backdrop, this Astoria, Queens couple gathered 120 of their nearest and dearest to celebrate their union at what has easily become one of my favorite wedding venues, The Green Building, which had a former industrial life as home to the Brass Foundry. The bride had a hand in every design detail - from consulting with her florist (Petals & Roots) on the tablescapes, to selecting chargers, flatware, lighting, signage, and welcome table decor - at every turn the choices felt uniquely like the bride and groom.
April showers came early for this late March wedding, moving the first look and all formal photos indoors while I oversaw final venue preparations (including place carding each seat at the table with my handwritten calligraphy). The ceremony, officiated by a mutual friend, was deeply heartfelt, from the couple's written vows, to the groom selecting a surprise song for his soon-to-be wife to process down the aisle to (inside scoop: she recognized it immediately and knew its meaning).
After vows, we flipped the room effortlessly, converting it from formal ceremony seating to reception space, all while guests noshed on delicious food and drink from Brooklyn's own Pies 'n' Thighs (who also catered the buffet dinner). Toasts, dances, and cake cutting followed, until the couple opened the dance floor for a late-night party, while friends scooped up Coolhaus Ice Cream and Pies 'n' Thighs signature pies and donuts. As the clock struck midnight, all departed to the afterparty, and we turned off the lights on this gorgeous venue. But for the bride and groom, their journey was just getting started!
TEAM SAM + ANTHONY:
Ceremony + Reception Venue | The Green Building, Brooklyn, NY
Catering | Pies 'n' Thighs, Brooklyn, NY
Dessert Truck | Coolhaus Ice Cream
Photography | Love + Wolves Co
Floral | Petals & Roots, Astoria, NY
DJ | 74 Events (James Mulry)
Cake | Patty Bakes
Hair + Makeup | Glam Squad
Bride's Dress | Lovely Bride
Groomsmens' Tuxes | The Black Tux
Event Rentals | Broadway Party Rentals + The Green Building
Officiant | Jason Mannion, friend of the couple
Signage Calligraphy | Dan Craig + Tim Stumm, friends of the couple
Place Card Calligraphy | Stephanie Gatton Events
Wedding Coordination | Stephanie Gatton Events
All gorgeous photography below courtesy of the amazing LOVE + WOLVES CO!
THANK YOU S+G!
Photo credit: Johnny Cirillo Photography
My sixth wedding of 2017 took me back to the neighborhood of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, my first home in NYC before I decamped to Astoria permanently. Shiralee, you were just an absolute dream client to work with! I had such a fun time getting to know you and help bring your day together! You chose one of my very favorite venues in all the city, and from that began a beautiful partnership with the amazing team at Frankie’s 457! Your attention to design and detail really made for a stunning wedding. House Landwin FTW! My every warm wish goes to you both for a memorable 2018!
xoxo,
Click HERE to view the full gallery of their gorgeous garden wedding!
THANK YOU I+J!
My fifth wedding of 2017 was an absolute stunner! You two are a beautiful couple, and you put your trust in me to execute an incredibly important day for you and your families, whom I absolutely adored! (Seriously, if they want to adopt me, I’m game!) From the expert team at the New York Athletic Club to the warmth and love felt at your Armenian Church, it was a day full of love. It was my pleasure to connect you to my recommended wardrobe stylist and transportation company, and work with the amazing Juan + Co. from Anthony Vazquez Photography to capture all of the magic. My every warm wish goes to you both and your families for a memorable 2018!
xoxo,
THANK YOU V+C!
Photo credit: Samantha Jay Photography
My fourth wedding of 2017 continued my stretch of out-of-town weddings, this time down to Philadelphia. This one was special! I was honored you chose me to be your coordinator, after seeing me in action for C+O’s 2016 Wedding! You planned such a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony (handfasting and a 22-person processional FTW!), and super-fun reception (complete with gorgeous DIY centerpieces and a freakin’ Donut Tower in lieu of cake), it was so much fun for me to take the reins and bring your magic to life on that sweaty, hot June day. I’m in awe of your combined bad-assness, and feel privileged to have been even a small part of your day. My every warm wish goes to you both for a memorable 2018!
xoxo,
PS: Click HERE to view the full gallery of photos from their wedding!
THANK YOU L+P!
Photo credit: Brian MacStay Photography
My third wedding of 2017 took me furthest from home! Introduced to me by a mutual friend, L+P entrusted me with coordinating their big day from a continent away. Through the magic of Google Drive, Hangouts, and Facetime, we effortlessly conducted our planning “check-ins,” all leading up to your wedding weekend. Can you believe we didn’t meet in person until your ceremony rehearsal?!? With a ceremony in San Francisco and a reception across the bay in Berkeley, I was energized and super-charged with overseeing the day for you and your 320 guests in the city I previously called home for a few years (super bonus = asking me to work a wedding in Berkeley will ALWAYS be a YES!). My every warm wish goes to you both for a memorable 2018!
xoxo,
PS: Click HERE to view the full gallery of photos from their stunning wedding!
THANK YOU S+T!
Photo credit: BAM Weddings
My second wedding of 2017 was the first of FOUR fabulous OFFBEAT BRIDE couples. I was honored to assist these two on their intimate, Upper West Side wedding, which began with getting ready at The Carlyle Hotel, followed by a full Greek Orthodox wedding service and dinner for 35 at Carmine's UWS (with a flash mob thrown in along the way, organized by the bride!). Along the way, I worked with the lovely ladies of BAM Wedding Photography for the first - and not last! - time. Thank you for trusting me with executing your big day, my every warm wish goes to you for a memorable 2018!
xoxo,
Click HERE to see the full gallery of photos from this wedding!
THANK YOU S+A!
Photo Credit: LOVE + WOLVES CO
You're first in the lineup of my 2017 couple thank-you notes! I'm honored to have been a part of making your big day a success. You are a beautiful couple, and assembled a crackpot team of vendors I've come to turn to again and again since your wedding day. Thank you for choosing a gorgeous venue in The Green Building, which has allowed me to grow and nurture a relationship with their team and space that I'll forever be indebted to you for. I SO enjoyed bringing together your Irish and Puerto Rican families for a heartfelt ceremony and raucous good party! My every warm wish goes to you for a memorable 2018!
xoxo,
Click HERE to view the full gallery of photos from this gorgeous wedding!
