“Magical, lovely and earthy (in a colorful way),” were the words Sara used to describe her Natirar Mansion summer wedding. The refined details she paired couldn’t have detailed a more perfect manifestation of this style on her wedding day. From the florals, to her dress, the handfasting ceremony and iconic Natirar Mansion views, this wedding day was epic in every way.

I cannot say enough about the color! We have seen much of the neutral and blush trends happening in the wedding industry over recent year, but Sara wanted bold, bright and beautiful – and that is was she got! During hair and makeup, the bridesmaids all wore peach and pick floral robes from Natural Life, while Sara flaunted her fuschia lace trimmed robe. Karma Floral and Event Design created the most exquisite rainbow hued bridal bouquet for her finished with dahlias, ranunculus, anemones and mini daffodils. They also brought a whimsical ceremony space to life lining the aisle with what could only be described as “mini wildflower gardens” at the end of each row. The base of the arrangements trailed off into a delicate mossy forest floor that brought together the décor with the outdoor ceremony space and the deep rooted tradition that all the guests were about to witness. It was STUNNING. In addition to their formal ceremony, Sara and Conor also performed a handfast ceremony – an ancient Celtic ritual of literally “tying the knot.”

From meeting online, to finding they lived in the same neighborhood in Astoria, to the oversized chocolate Easter eggs Conor used to give Sara’s entire family and fake her out with an engagement ring inside, their love story is one of spontaneity, humor, joy and tradition. All of this was so evident on their wedding day and it was such a joy to be a part of. Congrats you two! I cannot wait to see where this journey continues to take you!

Cheers to a fantastic creative team!

VENUE: NATIRAR MANSION

ROBES: NATURAL LIFE • BRIDAL SHOP: BIJOU BRIDAL & SPECIAL OCCASION • BRIDESMAID DRESSES: AMSALE • SHOES: BERNARDO BETHANY by ANTHROPOLOGIE • RECEPTION SHOES:  DOLCE VITA • FLORAL DESIGN: KARMA FLORALS & EVENT DESIGN • INVITATIONS: MINTED • GROOM TUXEDO/SUIT: VERA WANG for MW • GROOMSMEN TUXEDOS/SUITS: VERA WANG for MW • MAKEUP:  LOCKS & LASHES • HAIR: LOCKS & LASHES  • CEREMONY: PHASE ONE • SIGNAGE: AMANDA @ WITH LOVE FROM LISC  • PHOTO BOOTH: EVENTS 2 REMEMBER • PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNE MOLNAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Courtney and Dan’s story starts a long time before their wedding day. They met in their hometown during their middle/high school years being part of the same friends group that would always hang around Dan’s house. As many homegrown love stories go, there was a separation for a time period as the two ventured off to take next steps at college and the start of their careers. Dan went to NYC and Courtney to Miami. They hadn’t seen each other for over six years, but as fate would have it, a coincidental meeting on a trip would bring them back together. Courtney was back in NY to work and be closer to family, but was making one last trip back to Miami to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding. Dan was taking vacation time with his family in Miami and the two reconnected during the visit. Once back in New York they continued seeing each other and not before long they were dating.

This marriage couldn’t have been more perfect. Their families already know and love each other, the siblings are all like one family, and the moment you see the way Dan looks at Courtney you just know this is the real deal. Their wedding day was a true reflection of this perfection and SO many people came to witness and to celebrate it. Like, so many people – almost 300 of them. There were so many that they needed to rearrange the ballroom to seat all the guests and set up a huge outdoor, tented space for dancing, lounging and the amazing Billy Stone Band.

The bridal suite was filled with lots of jokes and laughter during prep. The champagne was flowing and sugar cravings satiated by the homemade cookie platter delivery from the local bakery. Rollers, irons, hairspray and makeup covered the tabletops of the room. It looked like a backstage fashion show room. Courtney’s strapless Vera Wang mermaid gown hung pristine in the corner of the room. She even had a custom chiffon skirt to wear for the ceremony. It was a stunning way to covert her slim fit party dress into a whimsical, flowing A-line.

The black tie affair began with the ceremony. A beautiful huppah adorned with white flowers and greenery covered the soon to be husband and wife as well as the Rabbi and Priest who would officiate. Their ceremony was a harmonious blend of their two faiths, incorporating significant elements from each including the unity candle, readings and homily, Ketubah, exchange of rings and breaking of the glass. The ceremony was followed by a reception on the balcony of the country club overlooking the rolling hills of the Glen Ridge golf course.

Memorable speeches were made by Courtney’s cousin and Dad as well as Dan’s brother with many references to their long history together, solid friendship and family ties, connections to growing up at the Glen Ridge Country Club and both of their ambitious accomplishments over the years. Once dinner was completed we all headed out to the outdoor tent to dance the night away.

Cheers to a fantastic creative team!

VENUE: GLEN RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB

BRIDE’S GOWN: VERA WANG • BRIDAL SHOP: VERA WANG BRIDE • BRIDESMAID DRESSES: DESSY • BRIDE’S SHOES: JIMMY CHOO • GROOM’S SHOES: FERRAGAMO • FLORAL DESIGN: LOUISA AMABILE TESTA • INVITATIONS: MINTED • GROOM TUXEDO/SUIT: ARMANI • JEWELER: TIFFANY & Co. | HORIZON DIAMONDS | DAVID YURMAN • MAKEUP: THE MAKEUP ALLIANCE  • HAIR: ANGELA LYNN WARE • CAKE: GENCARELLI’S BAKERY • BAND: HANK LANE: THE BILLY STONE BAND

When Dasha contacted me about her wedding over a year ago I was thrilled and beyond excited – not only did she have a beautiful vision for her day planned at the gorgeous Park Chateau, but she and Stan are such a kind couple whom I already knew from shooting Valine and Chris’ wedding in 2017.

If Stan’s proposal was any indication of how grand their wedding would be, the bar was set very high. During a trip to Paris for their three year anniversary, Stan took Dasha to the Pont de Bir-Hakeim Bridge where the view of the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking and the perfect backdrop to get down on one knee and ask the woman of his dreams to marry him. After popping the question, the photographer who captured the whole event, congratulated them and took them around Paris to take photos in the iconic city. The Park Chateau was the most fitting venue to carry out their grand, Parisian inspired wedding theme and the sunny day did not disappoint!

Upon walking into the bridal suite bright and early in the morning, I was greeted by the sound of clinking champagne glasses, ladies in petal pink robes and lots and lots of rollers and curling irons. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day because I start thriving on the anticipatory excitement of everyone getting ready for the festivities! Dasha looked head over heels stunning in hair and makeup – I couldn’t wait to see her in her gown. Her mom and sisters helped her with all her pretty details and then we headed out for the first look out by the chapel. Watching Dasha and Stan see each other for the first time were some of the sweetest moments of the day. Stan’s face lit up when he turned around and saw his gorgeous bride and joy was just radiating from Dasha. As if she could get any more beautiful!

Dasha and Stan celebrated an intimate wedding ceremony in the chapel incorporating the unity candle tradition with their mothers and an epic bubble exit after the service. A memorable moment during the service was when Fr. Corso asked each family member to bless the rings that they would share as a sign of their union. I love when family and friends are incorporated in meaningful ways in the day, and Dasha and Stan’s wedding took full advantage of all these opportunities. Not only did their bridal part include 24 of their closest friends and family, but their reception was full of rich tradition and dancing.

Half way through their reception the newlyweds changed into customary Slovak costume, along with friends and family, and harkened to a few of the most traditional Slovak marriage rituals, with a slight modern twist. Dasha led the parade of women onto the middle of the dance floor and sat waiting for her groom to come to her. Instead of the Best Man removing her veil from her head, her new husband did the honors and it was replaced with a čepiec, or handkerchief tying up her hair and signifying her new status as a married woman. The bride and groom proceeded to dance with the guests, linking arms and circling around each other until finally Stan whisked Dasha away before any of the other men could take her. It was a fun and entertaining part of the party and we captured so many awesome moments from it! Dasha then made her third and final dress change into her after party dress and the rest of the evening was filled with desserts and dancing. Cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs. Shyshkin! I wish you both a lifetime of joy and many blessings to come!

Cheers to a fantastic creative team!

VENUE: PARK CHATEAU ESTATE & GARDENS

PLANNING: KIM | DETAILS MADE SIMPLE • BRIDE’S GOWN/SHOP: KLEINFELD BRIDAL • BRIDESMAID DRESSES: BILL LEVKOFF • SHOES: BELLA BELLE SHOES • AFTER PARTY SHOES: BETSEY JOHNSON • FLORAL DESIGN: DIY | SAM’S CLUB • INVITATIONS: ELEGANT INVITES • GROOM TUXEDO/SUIT: HUGO BOSS • GROOMSMEN TUXEDOS/SUITS: MEN’S WAREHOUSE • MAKEUP: APHRODITE, AMAZING FACE NJ • JEWELER:  ADLER’S JEWELERS  • CEREMONY: THE CHAPEL | PARK CHATEAU ESTATE & GARDENS • CAKE: PALERMO BAKERY • BAND: VOX POLONIA