Some love stories begin with grand gestures. Emma and Nico’s began across the hallway.
The two met as freshman dorm neighbors at Stanford University in September 2017, where a chance introduction quickly turned into an enduring friendship. Between bike rides to introductory classes, shared meals in the dining hall, late-night study sessions, and weekends spent discovering new hobbies together, their relationship naturally evolved into something deeper. They bonded over a shared appreciation for velvety wines, handmade cheeses, marathon training, and afternoons spent listening to vintage vinyl—small traditions that would become the foundation of their life together.
Years later, Nico brought their story full circle by proposing in Stanford’s cactus garden, a place that held special meaning from the beginning of their relationship. The intimate proposal in May 2024 marked the start of their next chapter together.
When it came time to celebrate their wedding, the couple chose one of New York City’s most iconic venues. Planned with help from Dayna Field Events and photographed by Virginie Carolina, their wedding at Cipriani NYC embraced classic elegance, architectural grandeur, and timeless romance while honoring the journey that brought them from California to the heart of Manhattan.
Elegant New York wedding design
Cipriani NYC’s historic architecture established the tone for the celebration from the moment guests arrived.
The venue’s soaring ceilings, dramatic columns, and richly detailed interiors created an atmosphere of understated luxury that required little embellishment. Rather than competing with the grandeur of the space, the wedding design embraced its character, allowing the architecture to remain one of the defining features of the day. The result was a celebration that felt sophisticated, romantic, and unmistakably New York.
Bridal style: simply elegant
Emma’s bridal style reflected the same timeless sensibility that carried throughout the wedding. Radiating confidence and elegance, she prepared for the ceremony surrounded by her closest friends and family before making a dramatic entrance into one of the city’s most iconic event spaces. Her refined bridal look complemented the grandeur of Cipriani while maintaining an effortless sense of sophistication.
Groom’s style: spirit of the city
Nico embraced the spirit of the city with a detail that felt uniquely personal. Before the ceremony, he posed with a custom Cipriani newspaper—a playful nod to the venue that added personality and editorial flair to the day’s portraits. The moment balanced the formality of the occasion with a touch of lighthearted charm.
Ceremony design for Cipriani
Guests gathered beneath Cipriani’s magnificent architecture as anticipation filled the room.
Emma made a memorable entrance in a moment that beautifully showcased both the scale of the space and the significance of the occasion. As the New York skyline framed the evening beyond, a live violinist filled the room with music, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and cinematic.
The ceremony combined timeless romance with the unmistakable energy of New York City, resulting in moments that felt elegant, emotional, and deeply memorable.
Reception design for an already ornate space
Following the ceremony, the celebration continued beneath the venue’s ornate interiors, where guests enjoyed an evening defined by warmth, conversation, and celebration.
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The grandeur of Cipriani naturally carried into the reception, allowing the architecture, lighting, and florals by Konstantinos Floral Design and Decor Group to create an effortlessly luxurious setting. Every moment felt elevated without feeling overdesigned, reinforcing the timeless character of the celebration.
A party for the city that never sleeps
Family and friends filled the dance floor, celebrating alongside Emma and Nico in an atmosphere that balanced sophistication with genuine fun. Laughter echoed through the ballroom as guests embraced every moment of the evening, creating memories that reflected the couple’s joyful spirit.
A quintessential New York ending
No celebration in New York City would be complete without one final iconic touch.
To end the evening, guests were treated to what the couple lovingly described as “the best pizza in the world”—a fitting finale that captured both the personality of the city and the relaxed spirit of the newlyweds.
It was the perfect conclusion to a wedding that celebrated not only a beautiful venue and timeless design, but also a relationship built through years of friendship, adventure, and shared experiences.
