Describe your wedding day in 3 words.
FUN. PIZZA. MAGIC.
Describe your wedding day in more detail.
My wedding day was actually spread out over two days, for double the fun ... and the planning. PART ONE On Friday we went to City Hall in Manhattan to get legally married and to feel that at least one part of our wedding was just for ‘ourselves’. We’re not religious and not fussy, so it was a nice and sweet way to start the day. We then had a short ceremony in front of immediate family (<20 people) at Sunday in Brooklyn (a restaurant in Williamsburg). We had my husband’s brother officiate while we exchanged part-weepy and part-funny vows. At the end of the ceremony, we swapped ‘family business jerseys’ as a cute nod to our families & their small businesses.
We then went hard in the motherf***ing paint with dinner and drinks. PART TWO On Saturday night we had a larger pizza party (~75 people) at Fornino in Brooklyn Bridge Park. It was SO FUN AND LOW KEY AND THE BEST. We hired a magician for cocktail hour, served pizza (and other delicious nosh), had an open bar, and danced all night long under the stars. In the last hour it started to rain for a little and instead of moving inside, our guests just danced in the rain (to an inspired choice by our DJ - “It’s raining men”). It was so memorable and just a butt-load of fun.
Tell us about something your wedding just HAD TO have.
One thing we wanted was really the fun and low key vibe — we hate stuffy and formal weddings (no offense!). So we made conscious choices from encouraging a casual dress code to more casual menu choices to MAGIC to no registry or formal ‘bridal shower’ etc. We just wanted an excuse to see all our friends & family in one place and celebrate our love.
Tell us about something you could have done without or wasn’t necessary in the end.
I was STRESSING about whether or not to arrange transportation to the ‘after-party’ bar for my pizza party guests, but all the transportation quotes we received were so ridiculous ($$$). In the end, I listened to a wise friend who reminded me we’re in the middle of a city with public transportation, and that we’re adults now (theoretically) so we can all spend the extra few dollars for a short cab ride to the next bar. Two nights before the event I impulsively decided to email out Uber discounts (e.g., $10 off any ride that I pre-paid for) to my guests and everything was FIIIIIIINE! I feel like I didn’t even need to do that in the end!
Tell us about your bridal style.
Simple, elegant, low-key... but with a healthy dose of fun and flair. I kept the style of everything simple from the invites to flowers to favors — but I also made some fun and unusual choices (or at least I thought they were): e.g., wore a jumpsuit, hired a magician, and served pizza as the main course of my wedding reception!
What's your advice for future brides?
You do you, B. Pick your battles with your parents & in-laws, and power through anybody that says “Really? Are you sure?” about your eclectic choices. It’ll all come together in the end. Oh also, save money. Like right now. Yesterday, really.
Vendor shoutouts:
Photographer: Huy Ha - @haquochwee or https://www.haquochuy.co/
Florist: Mimosa Floral - @mimosafloral or http://www.mimosafloral.com/
DJ: Playsomethinggood - @playsomethinggood or http://playsomethinggood.com/
Strolling magician: Gary Ferrar - @garyferrarmagic or https://www.ahrealmagic.com/
Venue: Sunday in Brooklyn - @sundayinbrooklyn or https://www.sundayinbrooklyn.com/private-events/
Venue: Fornino Pier 6 - @forninopizza or https://www.fornino.com/locations/brooklyn-bridge
Candle wedding favors: Brooklyn Candle Studio @brooklyncandlestudio or https://brooklyncandlestudio.com/
Photobooth: MVS Studio - @mvsstudio or http://www.mvsstudio.com/
Desserts: Ample Hills Creamery @amplehills, Peter Pan Donuts @peterpandonut, and Buttermilk Bakeshop @buttermilkbakeshopny
Bridal Jumpsuit: Jill Stuart Mara Jumpsuit - available at BHLDN @bhldn
Bridal Reception Dress: Self Portrait White Azalea Dress
Groom Suit: Custom designed at Indochino - @Indochino
Wedding Rings: Stone & Strand @stoneandstrand, and Bittersweets @bittersweetsnewyork
Bridal hair & make-up: Glamsquad @glamsquad
