Julia & Nick: A Timeless Affair at the Metropolitan Club

Julia and Nick met in 2016 during what they now refer to as ‘The Summer of Love.’ “I was getting ready for my senior year at the University of Michigan. I had an internship at Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington D.C. and found a sublet to stay at with some girls from George Washington University,” Julia remembers. The night after she moved in, her new roommate invited her to a house party across the street. New to the city and up for meeting people, she gladly accepted. “I walked in and quickly realized I was an outsider. Everyone knew each other and went to GWU,” Julia says. She would also learn that the house they were at was nicknamed ‘The Barn’ and among its residents was Nick, a soon-to-be senior interning at a lobbying firm. Nick was immediately drawn to Julia – they ended up talking the whole night and said ‘goodbye’ by exchanging numbers.

Nick asked Julia out on their first date with what she recalls as the “best line of all time,” posing the question, “Hey, Julia, it’s Nick. I know that you are new to DC this summer. I have a bottle of rosé, how about we bring it and walk around the monuments?” She was instantly smitten.

Julia and Nick got engaged on August 12, 2023. A Caymus (Julia’s favorite type of wine) tasting was being held at the New York Athletic Club, and Nick planned for them to attend the event with her parents. “Because the club has a dress code, Nick knew I would have to get dolled up,” Julia notes. Upon arriving, she got a text from her mother asking her to come to the balcony for a pre-tasting happy hour. “I go to the balcony, and no one is there but Nick. He gets down on one knee and proposes with the view of Central Park behind him. It was perfect, I was completely taken by surprise,” she exclaims. After taking a few photos, they were greeted by Nick’s father and Julia’s parents. The surprises continued inside – Nick had arranged for their grandparents and best friends to be on hand for the celebration.

After the engagement, the couple dove into planning mode and started scouting locations. “Since it was a late fall wedding, we wanted to make sure our venue was beautiful enough for indoor pictures in the case of bad weather,” Julia notes. Their search ended after seeing the Metropolitan Club. Once described by The New York Times as the “Marble Palace,” the Metropolitan Club was founded in 1891 and is regarded as a spectacular example of New York’s Gilded Age. Not only aesthetically stunning, but it also appealed to the couple for practical reasons as well. “The building is really big and had everything we needed,” the bride says. “There are two separate ballrooms, one for the ceremony and one for the reception. Our guests didn’t have to be ushered out and wait for the room to be changed over.”

Julia’s ‘say yes to the dress’ story is what we all hope for. “Years before I got engaged, I had fallen in love with Mira Zwillinger,” she reveals. After seeing that the Israeli designer was having a trunk show at the Wedding Salon in Manhasset, NY, Julia scheduled a visit with her mom and two grandmas. “We walked into the salon and there was a bride-to-be wearing the most beautiful dress I had ever seen,” she remembers. “My grandma grabbed my arm and whispered in my ear, ‘Julia, that is your dress, let’s get it off of her!’ Turns out she was right. It was my first day shopping and I tried on a dozen more dresses, but nothing came close.” Julia’s breathtaking choice featured a strapless A-Line silhouette covered with all-over floral lace and delicate beading that glistened in the light. A sweeping train brought a touch of drama to the feminine design, which the bride paired with diaphanous silk chiffon veil for the ceremony.

Leaning into being a bride, Julia says, “I embraced it and loved everything white and sparkly. I’m one of the first to get married out of all my friends and felt like this was a celebration for all of us.” She wore her hair in a polished half-up do complemented by a soft glam makeup look by Stacey Weinstein of Once Upon a Bride. Jewelry took care of her ‘something borrowed’ and ‘something new.’ “I wore my mom’s diamond necklace, and my earrings were a bridal shower gift from all of her friends.” She completed her ensemble with silver Manolo Blahnik Hangisi heels and a bouquet of white and cream roses, mini calla lilies, and lisianthus. Nick stepped into his role as groom wearing a black tux by Cad & The Dandy with a mini white calla lily boutonniere. Their wedding party dress for the occasion – bridesmaids wore burgundy gowns while the grooms also donned black tuxes.

Asked about her floral vision, the bride shares, “I knew I wanted something timeless and that wouldn’t be too overwhelming with our venue. For the ceremony, I wanted the flowers to be simple but still have WOW factor. For the reception, we were able to have more fun with different arrangements, colors, and heights. After talking with Rachel, Bride & Blossom’s Founder, we decided to go with a light, almost pastel palette to brighten the dark interior.”

Julia and Nick married on a lovely day in early November. The couple exchanged vows in a traditional Jewish ceremony under a Chuppah decorated with lush hydrangeas, garden and spray roses, lisianthus, stock, and delphiniums in shades of white and cream complemented by Italian ruscus, silver dollar eucalyptus, and lemon leaf. “We stood under my late grandfather’s tallit and used my grandparent’s kiddus cups, which was really special,” the bride adds.

After toasting the newlyweds during cocktail, everyone headed to the reception ballroom where they were greeted by a majestic scene. Décor comprised of four unique centerpieces undulating from low to high, bringing a sense of lyricism to the refined atmosphere. Some tables were trimmed with low centerpieces and grouped arrangements in gold vases filled with white, cream, and blush florals. The third style featured flourishing blooms and cascading greenery atop of gold harlow stands. Adding a touch of modern elegance, the final centerpiece presented a sleek crystal candelabra surrounded by a ring of blossoms.

Despite getting married in what Julia describes as our ‘our own private Gilded Age mansion in the heart of NYC,’ she and Nick made sure to incorporate details throughout the day that showed their personality and fun side. The couple’s married last name is Meisel, and they coined the hashtag ‘#MeiselTov,’ a play on the Jewish saying, and printed it on their cocktail napkins, photo booth, and after-party glow sticks. Julia leaves us with her favorite moments of the night, reminiscing about “Nick going up to play “Johnny B. Goode” with our wedding band and me crowd surfing to “Mr. Brightside.”

Congratulations, Julia & Nick! Thank you for sharing your Real BB Wedding story with us!

Couple’s Vendor List
Venue: The Metropolitan Club
Photographer: Todd France Photography
Videographer: Daritztudio
Planner: Stillwell Events
Bride’s Dress: Mira Zwillinger
Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Groom’s Tuxedo: Cad & The Dandy
Hair & Makeup: Once Upon a Bride
Stationery: Artscroll Printing
Cake: Everything Lulu
Lighting: Frost Lighting Productions
Music: Element Music (Reception) DJ Josh Hymowitz (After Party)