Yani & Divinity’s Exchange Vows In An Intimately Beautiful Ceremony

 

Yani and Divinity saw their wedding as a continuation of their love story, a chapter that they could fully share with family and friends. “We decided to have an unplugged ceremony. Everyone’s commitment to stay present and the LOVE we felt during the ceremony as we read our vows was incredibly overwhelming.”  Here, BB Featured Bride Yani talks about the couple’s intimately beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

Part 3: Ceremony & Archway

As guests made their way to Liberty House’s picturesque gardens for the ceremony, they were welcomed with music being played by a 4-piece string quartet. With a painterly blue sky, the day couldn’t have been more perfect for saying “I Do.”

Yani and Divinity chose decor that expressed their passion for nature and being outdoors. Blooming, natural arrangements of roses, delphinium, stock, hydrangeas, and greenery lined the aisle to a breathtaking archway. Radiating organic romanticism, the structure featured olive branches, ivy, eucalyptus, ruscus, and lemon leaf embellished with soft colored roses, hydrangea, stock, dahlias, peonies, and hanging amaranthus.

 

 

 

 

A hush could be heard as the brides made their way to the aisle, each walking arm in arm with their mother. The sunlight illuminated the glistening details of their custom ensembles by Lee Petra Grebenau to captivating effect. Carrying a lush, cascading bouquet, Yani looked like a bridal vision in her feminine and dreamy gown.

 

 

 

Music is very important to the couple. With a little help from their exceptionally talented friends, they had special songs performed throughout the ceremony. Yani remembers, “The bridal procession was the theme song from one of our favorite films, ‘Cinema Paradisio.’ Divinity walked down the aisle to Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good.’ It sure made for a grand entrance! Katty Rodriguez from the Beyonce band sang the intro and with the Sterling Strings playing the accompaniment. I walked the aisle to Carla Morrison’s ‘Eres Tu’ sung by my beautiful friend, Jennifer Sanchez, who was performing in Broadway’s ‘Pretty Woman’ at the time. Julian Litwack accompanied her on guitar. And our friend, Joanna Jones, who is currently starring in Broadway’s ‘Hamilton,’ sang ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ during the ceremony.”

 

 

When Yani met Divinity under the enchanted archway, everyone could sense that they were witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The couple had incorporated meaningful touches to make the day feel personal and openhearted, and to show gratitude for those dearest to them. Yani looks back and says, “Our best ladies saging the aisle, our moms walking us down the aisle, our friends singing us down the aisle as live music played … these are the memories that we’ll cherish forever.”

 

 

Stay tuned for next week for Part 4 when Yani shares all the details about the couples blossoming, fun-filled reception.

Couple’s Vendor List
Venue: Liberty House
Photographer: Studio A Images
Videographer: Jay Lim Studio
Planner: Two Kindred Event Planners
Brides’ Dress: Lee Petra Grebenau for Spina Bride
Bride’s Suit: Lee Petra Grebenau for Spina Bride
Brides’ Shoes: Sophia Webster (Yani) + Nicholas Kirkwood (Divinity)
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo Collection
Groomsmen’s Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse
Hair: Lindsay Block (Yani) + Janice Brown of Tar Baby Hair Design (Divinity)
Makeup: Kat Nejat (Yani) + Toni Acey of Aced Faces (Divinity)
Cake: Palermo’s Bakery
Rings: Ring Concierge 
Wedding Stationery: Penn & Paperie (Invitations) + Whisker Kisses Designs (Place Cards)
Music: DJ Amore of Intlx Productions + Ivan Llanes Cuban Band
Lighting: Pegasus Productions