Lush Greenery and Live Jazz Set the Scene for This Elegant Outdoor Celebration

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

For our color palette, we wanted the overall look to be elegant and timeless, so we chose white with green, gold, & black accents.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The inspiration behind our day was for it to feel intimate, elegant, and timeless. While we were dating, we always joked that if we got married, we would secretly elope in Europe & surprise everyone when we got back. After we got engaged, we realized we wanted to celebrate our love surrounded by the people who mattered most. So, when it came to planning our wedding day, we knew we wanted to have something small, but elegant, with our family and closest friends to give an intimate elopement vibe. We chose an outdoor garden venue at a boutique hotel, The Island House, that was already surrounded by lush greenery, and we knew we wanted the décor to complement the natural beauty of the surroundings. We had a live jazz band throughout the day to match the vibe of the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner. We chose to hold both the ceremony and reception in the same outdoor space, which allowed us to create a seamless flow between the two.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Harry and I met on a dating app and had the crazy idea to take a trip to New York after knowing each other for two weeks. When we met in person for our first date, we actually discovered that we had been living just down the street from each other for two years, but our paths never crossed. Exactly one year after we took that spontaneous trip to New York, we decided to return to celebrate our one-year meet-a-versary. I had no idea that Harry was planning to propose. The plan was to go to an art museum before dinner, which turned out to be a sunset helicopter tour over Manhattan. As we were landing, there was a “marry me” sign on the runway. I looked over and saw that he was holding the ring. Of course, I started crying uncontrollably before I said yes. It was, without a doubt, the most perfect proposal I could have ever imagined.

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]My wedding dress, designed by Maggie Sottero, seamlessly tied together the vision I had for our day. Choosing my dress was a bit overwhelming at first because all of my inspo pictures were trumpet & mermaid silhouettes, and I had no interest in trying ball gown-style dresses. However, after trying on multiple dresses and designers, I chose the Zinaida Ivory Mikado Dress with a Pleated Bodice Keyhole and Cap-Sleeves by Maggie Sottero. For shoes, I went with the Valentino ivory rock stud heels, and Tiffany Paloma Picasso Olive Leaf Drop Earrings to complete the look.
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

I had one bridesmaid who wore a yellow V-neckline Maxi Satin Dress from Meshki.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Harry wore a sand wool-silk-linen herringbone tailored fit Havana Suit by Suit Supply.
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

For our cocktail hour, canapés included Pesto Bruschetta, Crab Cakes, and Caprese Tarts. For dinner, guests have a choice of lemon oregano roast chicken or blackened mahi mahi served with roasted potatoes and vegetables. For dessert, we had white chocolate cheesecake with passion fruit drizzle. In addition to red and white wine, we featured one signature drink in both an alcoholic and non alcoholic version called ‘Clean Slate,’ which included vodka, cucumber, lemon, and agave. It was also the drink we both ordered on our first date.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Our wedding florals captured a soft and whimsical look with greens and ivory, which complemented the existing greenery of the outdoor space. For the ceremony, we had an arched arbor covered with a combination of white roses, eucalyptus leaves, and white hydrangeas, which created an elegant focal point. Along the aisle, we had planter boxes filled with the same florals, and mahogany chairs to give a warm contrast to the floral arrangements. After the ceremony, the space was transformed for the reception with a long captain’s table set in the center with bistro lights above. The table was decorated with gold taper candles and floral arrangements of white roses, eucalyptus leaves, and more white hydrangeas, to keep the elegant and timeless feel.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Our wedding cake was a classic and elegant three-tier design, covered with chocolate ganache and fondant with delicate Lambeth piping along the bottom and sides. The vintage-inspired details gave it a timeless, romantic feel that perfectly matched the vision for our day. The vanilla cake with caramel filling was simple yet intricate, making it both a beautiful centerpiece and treat.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

We had a live jazz band that set the perfect tone for entertainment throughout the day, playing as guests arrived before the ceremony and continuing through the cocktail hour and dinner, which enhanced the overall vibe of the celebration. We curated the entire playlist for the day during the band’s practices, which was such an unforgettable experience for us. The overall vibe for the music for the day was romantic & soul classics. For the bride’s entrance, I chose an acoustic version of “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last, for the cake cutting, we chose “Find Someone Like You” by Snoh Aalegra, and for our first dance, we chose “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

Our first look was, without a doubt, the most special moment of the day. While we were so happy that we ultimately decided to have an intimate celebration with our closest friends and family, the first look gave us a brief, private moment that felt almost like a mini elopement. It was just the two of us in that moment, sharing something meaningful before the ceremony.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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