We are totally obsessed with today’s couple’s TREE CHUPPAH. With four carefully constructed “trees” — white roses lovingly hand-placed on each for the most beautiful blossoms – whose canopies meet at the top, it’s unlike any we’ve seen before. You don’t want to miss Brian Marcus’s glorious photos of it.
We’re also crazy about bride Alison’s mega-glam Monique Lhuillier dress, inspired by the wedding theme of old New York — we just love the simple, architectural lines and the hint of ‘40s glam. Such a perfect match for the vintage vibes.
Plus, Alison, a doctor and Michael, who works in finance, had a beautiful ketubah, brilliantly designed by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Stephanie Caplan of The Ketubah.
Oh, and Alison said the absolute sweetest things about what it was like listening to Michael’s wedding speech — we’re totally melting just reading it – sure you will be too…
How we met
Alison, the bride: We met on Jswipe in 2014.
Old New York
We got married at Cipriani 25 Broadway. We wanted an NYC wedding because that is where we met and fell in love, so an old NYC wedding theme was what we were going for. The new Cipriani 25 Broadway space was perfect because it is a part of NYC history as the historic ticketing office for the Cunard lines. Not to mention it is just a stunning venue.
A Fab Planner
We wanted an old NYC theme since we met and fell in love in the best city in the world. We used a fantastic wedding planner – Victoria Dubin.
Map Invitations
The inside of the envelope was an old map of NYC, which also was the background for our save the date to tie into the old NYC theme.
Hair + Makeup
Kimara Ahnert is amazing and helped make me look way better than I ever have in my life. I wanted slightly dramatic/smokey eyes because my husband loves me like that. And of course I had to have the red lips!
A Monique Lhuillier Dress
The dress was by Monique Lhuillier. I was looking for something architectural, geometric, but simple in terms of fabric, with an old 1940s glamour.
Subtle Sparkle
Again I wanted an old NYC theme, so I wanted to have a little subtle sparkle to my look so I wore a beautiful hair piece also by Monique Lhullier.
Red Jimmy Choos
So I am a HUGE fan of red and if I could have, I would have worn a red wedding dress, ha. Since I ended up going with a classic white wedding dress I HAD to add in a pop of red, so I designed and wore specialized Jimmy Choo shoes with my wedding date in a gold plate on the bottom of the shoe.
The handsome groom
My love wore a Hugo Boss tuxedo with red suspenders – it’s a tradition in my family for all the men at special occasions to wear red suspenders!
Bridesmaids in Black
I told my bridesmaids they just had to get any black long dress – which I hoped they would be able to wear for many future events.
A Chuppah Made of Rose Trees
I wanted a chuppah made out of trees, and our designer DeJuan Stroud made a gorgeous one with hand placed white roses.
A Moving Ceremony
My rabbi is amazing and made a very special ceremony for us. My favorite part was having our immediate family under the chuppah with us to share the special moment. The ketubah was brilliantly designed by Stephanie Caplan of The Ketubah.
When You Say Nothing at All
We were so lucky to have 3 of our grandparents walk down the aisle, and so we chose Forever Young for their processional since they are all 85+ and have so much life in them! I walked down to When You Say Nothing At All by Alison Krauss.
White and Pink Roses
White and pink roses were the mainstay of the floral arrangements, but the venue was just gorgeous on its own so we didn’t need many flowers.
Our Fabulous Photographer
My best friend and matron of honor used Brian Marcus for her wedding and he was just insanely amazing. So I HAD to use him again. He was just fantastic!
Baked Alaska
I am not the biggest fan of desserts but I love a good baked Alaska, so Cipriani made a special baked Alaska cake for us, which made for some great pictures. Cipriani did a fabulous job catering the whole event!
A Live Band
Element Music was spectacular – the lead singer was adorable and many of our guests are still talking about how good the band was.
Emotional Speeches
I think I always thought the most romantic part of our wedding would be me walking down the aisle and seeing my groom’s face… after all, that is what I most looked forward to at other weddings, to see just how happy the groom is to see his bride.
But what I didn’t realize was romance is more in the words that my husband declared in front of all those closest to us about how much he loved every part of me – the silly, the predictable, the emotional, and the sweet. No one has ever made me feel so loved as I did at that moment, and only my husband could have crafted the most amazing, heartfelt, and witty speech a groom has ever made.
My mom has always been my best friend, my supporter, and my comfort, so having her plan this event with grace and elegance makes me stand in awe of all she can accomplish. My mom is known for her speeches (not in the cringeworthy way, ha), which are known to be eloquent, edgy, thoughtful, and powerful… her speech at our wedding was no exception. Using science, a subject she has not studied since her college days, she was able to convey just how perfect my husband and I are for each other.
A song from the bride’s grandfather
My 97-year-old grandfather sings a song at EVERY big family event and we were beyond lucky to have him sing at our wedding. He is just amazing and sings a fun/maybe slightly inappropriate song called Big Fat Mama and every second of it was wonderful!
Safari and Seychelles
As I write this I am currently sitting on the porch of our villa in the Seychelles looking out onto the Indian Ocean – this is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. It is the second leg of our trip – we just did 5 days of Safari in Tanzania which was the most spectacular/wonderful/exhilarating trip of our lives!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Take a moment during the night to just look around and appreciate the moment where all of those closest to you are there to celebrate the love between you and your husband – it is the most magical night of your life.
Alison & Michael’s Little White Book
Photography and videography – Fred Marcus Studio
Ketubah – The Ketubah
Wedding planner – Victoria Dubin
Venue – Cipriani 25 Broadway
Bride’s dress and hair piece – Monique Lhuillier styled by The Stylish Bride
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Groom’s attire – Hugo Boss
Makeup – Kimara Ahnert
Band – Element Music
Decor and design – DeJuan Stroud
Lighting and AV – Stargroup
Invitation – Blacker and Kooby by Vanessa
