Featured Bride Claire On Her Striking Pnina Tornai Dress

Claire & James Wedding – Bride Groom – Capitale – by Susan Shek

“Non-traditional best describes my bridal style. I originally wanted to wear a black or red, but not everyone shared my same enthusiasm,” recalls featured bride Claire. She continues, “That was fine though, because I fell in love with my dress the moment I put it on.” Here, Claire talks about her striking Pnina Tornai gown and personal touches that she incorporate into the big day.

Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals

Wedding dress shopping is often met with mixed emotions. Searching through rack after rack of gorgeous frocks is fun and exciting… up to a point. Then the pressure and anxiety starts to set in. Claire escaped this scenario. Her “say yes to the dress” story is the kind we all wish for. “After trying on about six dresses at Kleinfeld, I tried on my dress and knew immediately it was the one. Even the sample size fit like a glove. It was the perfect combination of classy and sexy.” The showstopper by Israeli designer Pnina Tornai featured a fitted silhouette with an exquisite lace top, which descended down into a silk, floor-length skirt. A sweeping lace panel train brought elegance and drama to the look.
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Weddings

Claire & James: A Timeless New York Love Affair At Capitale

by Kate Murphy

Claire & James Wedding – Bride & Groom – Capitale – by Susan Shek

Claire and James’ love story begins at the start of their freshman year in college. “We were actually introduced by one of my bridesmaids and her boyfriend, who is now her husband. She asked me to come and hang out with their friends one evening and that is when I first met James.” They hit it off immediately, but there was one small problem. Both were seeing other people at the time. Claire looks back and says with a little laugh, “Our relationships didn’t last too much longer. We went back home for Thanksgiving break and told our significant others that we had met someone. That was nine years ago, we’ve been inseparable ever since.”
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Becca and Dave Wedding - Brideghampton Tennis & Surf Club - Bride - Bridesmaides - Bouquets - photography by Andre Maier

Planning & Inspiration

The Ultimate Guide To Summer Bridesmaid Style

by Kate Murphy

Becca and Dave Wedding – Brideghampton Tennis & Surf Club – Bride – Bridesmaides – Bouquets – photography by Andre Maier

One of the best things about having a summer wedding is that the season offers a fresh outlook on bridal style. Today, we are focusing on bridesmaids. You’ve known these ladies forever. They know exactly what to say when the stress of wedding planning gets overwhelming. With their guidance and support, you feel reassured that nothing can go wrong when the big day arrives. They are your girl squad. So of course, you want them looking and feeling good at your summer wedding too! From dresses to bouquets to accessories, here’s how to bring beauty, elegance, and fun to bridesmaid summer style.
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Kate & Alex Wedding - Battery Gardens - couple - orange, peach bouquet - by Susan Shek Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Bride & Blossom Venue Spotlight: Battery Gardens

by Kate Murphy

Kate & Alex Wedding – Battery Gardens – couple – orange, peach bouquet – by Susan Shek Photography

When it comes to choosing where to get married in New York City, each couple is different from the next. Some couples want a venue with a view while others want one that is rich in history and tradition. Access to a picturesque backdrop for taking photos is always a plus. And let’s not forget about cuisine. A guest’s wedding experience is always shaped by the food that is served.

Located at the Southern most corner of Manhattan’s Battery Park, Battery Gardens offers all of these things and more to the couple looking for their perfect wedding venue. New York City’s history began in Battery Park when Dutch Settlers landed there in 1683. Today, it is a 25-acre public park exuding a tranquil beauty that makes visitors completely forget they are actually in bustling metropolis. Nestled within this urban oasis, Battery Gardens has stunning indoor and outdoor spaces that accommodate the wedding from the start of the ceremony to the end of the reception. Esteemed veteran chef Ari Nieminen heads the kitchen, which offers delectable menus designed to meet the highest culinary tastes. And breathtaking vistas of New York Harbor are ever-present through out the wedding festivities.
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Aerin and Steven Wedding - High Centerpieces and Garlands - 26 Bridge Brooklyn - Susan Shek Photography

Weddings

Aerin & Steven Celebrate With An Elegant Reception at 26 Bridge

by Kate Murphy

After Aerin & Steven exchanged vows, they led guests down to 26 Bridge for an evening of festivities. The atmosphere expressed the couple’s understated style featuring natural floral décor with a mix of modern and vintage touches. In today’s post, we share the final chapter in their wedding story.

Aerin and Steven Wedding – High Centerpieces and Garlands – 26 Bridge Brooklyn – Photography by Susan Shek

Part 4: Reception Décor, Tablescape, & Vintage Accents

When it comes to décor, few reception venues offer the creative freedom that 26 Bridge does. What makes this renovated metal factory so unique is that it blends New York’s industrial heritage with a modern chic feel. Aerin remembers, “Steven and I fell in love with 26 Bridge immediately. With its spacious, open room, we knew that we could create anything we wanted.”
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Aerin and Steven Wedding - Bride Groom Ceremony - Holy Trinity Cathedral Manhattan - Susan Shek Photography

Weddings

Bride & Blossom Featured Bride Aerin Says “I Do” at Holy Trinity Cathedral

by Kate Murphy

The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is expressed through customs symbolizing the sacrament of marriage. Aerin and Steven chose one of New York’s most beautiful churches to exchange vows. This week, we take a look at how the couple blended modern details with tradition on their wedding day.

Aerin and Steven Wedding – Bride Groom Ceremony – Holy Trinity Cathedral Manhattan – Susan Shek Photography

Part 3: Ceremony

“I loved having our ceremony in a church. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the church that we attend regularly and our priest married us. Everything felt very close and personal,” recalls Aerin.

Located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Holy Trinity Cathedral was the first Greek Orthodox Church to be established in New York City in 1891. The Romanesque Revival exterior opens up to a breathtaking space that evokes the look and feel of an exquisite box of jewels. The interior is adorned with Byzantine mosaics, stained glass imported from Italy, and a striking gilded dome over the altar.
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Weddings