NYC Classic Synagogue Wedding
Right away Stuart and Patricia knew that they wanted to have their wedding in New York City, the city where they've built their lives together. Just seeing a photograph of the stunning Angel Orensanz Foundation was all it took to know that it was their venue. The Gothic details and lighting feel nothing short of magical; you'll see what we mean!
Despite the gorgeous venue the happy couple made sure their guests had a fun and memorable night. See more of the ideas from this NYC classic synagogue wedding in the full gallery here, photographed by Brian Hatton.
Be Open To Dress Options
My dress was a dream. I always imagined I'd choose something sparkly and sleek, but I completely fell in love with a gorgeous lace Vera Wang ball gown with a black sash and a skirt made of layers and layers of tulle and pleated organza. I felt like a queen in it. I loved the dramatic pop of color from my red rose bouquet, to which I'd pinned a small photo of my mother (who passed away when I was young) on her wedding day. It can be hard for me to go through big moments in life without really feeling her absence, but carrying her photo helped me to feel like she was there with me in a small way.
Inclusive Wedding Ceremony
Planning the wedding was an absolute joy. We took care to throw a spotlight on Stuart's 7-year-old daughter, Waverly, throughout the evening. She and I had gotten very close over the previous year, and I wanted to leave no doubt that this day was special for her too. Our officiant, Rabbi Peter Schweitzer understood how important this day was to us, and worked with us for a long time to craft the perfect inclusive ceremony. We invited family members to light candles in a beautiful ceremony representing our shared values, and our friends read poetry and passages from Pablo Neruda and Philip Pullman’s The Amber Spyglass.
Plan A Fun First Dance
The reception flew by. Stuart and I felt like we were walking on air the whole time. We surprised our guests with a choreographed slow rumba for our first dance, and I think we nailed it. Then Stuart and Waverly did a wild dance, and they completely stole the show! During cocktail hour, our guests were treated to amazing hors d'oeuvres and a raw shellfish bar, along with fun watermelon-shaped jello shots, we know our venue can be so striking and formal, so we wanted our guests to know right away that it was okay to cut loose and have fun.
Rain Can Be Pretty Too
It rained the whole day, but I was too happy and energized to be upset. My coordinators, Christine and Tara from Exquisite Affairs, had everything under control, and kept me calm and dry. At first I regretted that my wedding album wouldn't include any gorgeous summer photos, but when I saw the stunning photos that Brian Hatton, our photographer, snapped inside the hotel and at Angel Orensanz, and even outside in the rain at the end of the evening, I was thrilled. I wouldn't have changed a single thing about the day.
- Beauty: Ivanka Lova
- Cakes & Catering: Benchmarc Events
- Cakes & Catering: The Baking Bean
- Event Planning & Design: Exquisite Affairs Productions
- Flowers: Flowers by Emil
- Lighting & Entertainment: The Juilliard School
- Lighting & Entertainment: The Metropolitan Players
- Photographers: Brian Hatton
- Venue: Angel Orensanz Foundation