Christina & Mike: Classic New York Romance

Christina remembers the instant connection she and Mike felt on their first date at an Italian restaurant in New York City in early 2023. “Between the delicious Italian dishes, red wine, and easy conversation, we quickly realized how much we had in common. We even discovered our friendly sports rivalry – Mike is a loyal Jets and Mets fan, while I proudly root for the Giants and Yankees.” By the time dinner ended – only because the restaurant was closing – they were already making plans for their second date.

Travel was an important part of Christina and Mike’s relationship from the very beginning, and in May 2024, they took a trip to Positano, Italy. By then, they had already talked about getting engaged – even looking at rings together – but had agreed it wouldn’t happen on this vacation. After a morning of sightseeing at a town on the Amalfi Coast, Mike was eager to return to their hotel, hinting at a pre-dinner surprise he had planned. “Once we were ready, he led me down to a dock, where I realized the surprise was a private boat ride along the coast,” Christina says. The couple was joined by two Italian tourists who would be riding with them.

Shortly after setting off, with Positano’s dramatic cliffs in the distance, Mike got down on one knee and asked Christina to marry him. The “tourists” turned out to be professional photographers Mike had hired to capture the moment. “We spent the rest of our time in Italy celebrating together and soaking in the excitement of the engagement,” Christina recalls. “When we finally returned home, the celebrations continued – our family and friends were waiting at my apartment in New York City to surprise us with an engagement party, making the entire experience even more unforgettable.”

Christina and Mike initially considered a coastal Italian wedding but ultimately chose to marry in New York City. “It was the city where we met and fell in love – it just felt right for us,” the bride says, noting that their families, who both live nearby, could easily attend. As their vision came into focus, the couple embraced the essence of the NYC, selecting venues that were meaningful while highlighting its iconic charm. Their ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral – a place both had visited throughout their childhoods and would later share as parishioners. The reception followed at the Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which provided an escape amidst a picturesque natural setting. “We were drawn to how unique and nontraditional the space felt, with its stunning glass ceiling that filled the room with natural light,” Christina remembers.

After serving as a bridesmaid and joining close friends for their fittings, Christina had a sense of what to expect when she began wedding dress shopping over her birthday weekend. While she had a clear picture of her style – “simple, classic, and elegant” – she wasn’t certain she would find a gown that perfectly matched it. That changed during her second appointment of the day at Amsale’s flagship boutique in SoHo, where she quickly had her yes to the dress moment. “I had that feeling brides always talk about – I just knew,” she recalls. “My mom, sister, and future mother-in-law were with me, and they said they could see it instantly in my smile. What made the experience even more special was that the team at Amsale was able to customize the gown to perfectly reflect my vision, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.” Christina chose a breathtaking white duchess satin gown, designed with a softly curved neckline, a full ballgown skirt, and a sweeping chapel-length train. For the ceremony, she wore a delicate lace overlay and a dramatic cathedral-length veil.

The bride carried her classic aesthetic through to her beauty and accessories. Her look was effortlessly glamorous, featuring a loose chignon, a subtle smoky champagne eye, and a soft pink lip. Christina completed the ensemble with Jimmy Choo heels, cascading diamond earrings and a bracelet from Verstolo, and carried a hand-tied bouquet of white roses, ranunculus, campanulas, lisianthus, and sweet pea, accented with touches of greenery. Mike embraced classic tailoring from Suitsupply, wearing a black tuxedo trimmed with a white ranunculus boutonniere. The wedding party echoed the refined palette, with bridesmaids in black dresses, also from Amsale, and groomsmen in coordinating tuxedos.

Christina and Mike were married on October 25, 2025, in a day that felt distinctly New York from the very start. Christina and her parents arrived at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in a vintage taxi just as a pedicab cycled past playing Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York, drawing the attention of nearby tourists. “All of our guests were inside and Mike was waiting at the alter,” the bride remembers. “No one expected us to come through the main doors. When they opened and we walked in as light flooded the cathedral, it felt like a dream come true! ” After exchanging vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony, the newlyweds departed in a trolly to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. By this time, in true New York fashion, the crowd gathered outside the cathedral was so large that a taxi driver couldn’t help but ask a guest, “Which celebrity is getting married?”

The reception kicked off with cocktail hour at the lily pond in front of the Palm House. Then everyone headed inside where they were welcomed by a breathtaking scene. “We wanted our wedding to feel timeless and classic, so chose a palette of white flowers and greenery paired with warm candlelight on the tables,” Christina says. Low centerpieces featured hydrangeas, ranunculus, roses, sweet pea, lisianthus, and stock complemented by lemon leaf and Italian ruscus. “Bride & Blossom truly took our inspiration to heart and went above and beyond our expectations. When we saw the venue fully set, we were speechless – and I’m still not over how stunning the candlelit atmosphere looked that evening!”

The couple made sure to weave meaningful details throughout their wedding starting with their invitations, which featured a custom watercolor map by The Jess Press. The map and monogram wax seal were also used in their stationery and seating chart display. In place of an itinerary in hotel welcome bags, Christina created a custom newspaper for guests that announced the weekend events. “We also had a live painter, she made a beautiful portrait of us that now hangs in our apartment,” she shares. “I had seen live painting at other weddings and thought it would be a fun, interactive element for our guests.”

Reflecting on the day, Christina shares, “What we loved about our wedding was that it truly captured the best of both worlds in New York City. From our ceremony in the heart of the city to a reception surrounded by gardens, we were able to blend iconic city moments with romantic garden party charm.” Among their favorite memories were a first look in the courtyard of Lotte New York Palace, followed by a private vow reading in Central Park, and finally perfecting their first dance after weeks of lessons at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. “From there, we danced the night away with our incredible band, the Up All Nighters, surrounded by family and friends,” Christina finishes. “One relative later told us they had never seen a bride have so much fun at her own wedding, which perfectly summed up the energy on the dance floor.”

Congratulations, Christina and Mike! Thank you for sharing your Real BB Wedding story with us!

Couple’s Vendor List
Reception Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Photographer: Sophie Kaye Photography
Planner: Kate Kinsella Events
Videographer: Amanda Sanchez Films
Bride’s Dress: Amsale
Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale
Makeup + Hair: NB Beauty
Jewelry: Verstolo
Invitations, Seating Chart, Table Signage, and Matchbox Favors: The Jess Press
Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals
Getting Ready Venue: Lotte New York Palace
Vintage Cab: Film Cars
Trolley: Top Class Limo
Officiant: Father Salvo
First Dance Choreography: Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Live Wedding Painter: Live Paintings by Marina
Content: Vivid Moments with San