In a heartwarming display of love, Louisa and Danny’s wedding ceremony was a tender moment to behold. The intimate urban garden setting at My Moon restaurant in Brooklyn was the perfect backdrop for their special day, captured with precision by Maria Doka Photography.
What made this New York wedding truly unique was its understated elegance. A secluded ceremony, followed by a tapas feast and decadent wedding cake, set the tone for an unforgettable celebration. The couple’s thoughtful attention to detail shone through in the lush greenery-adorned tables, hanging mason jars at the altar, and paper goods infused with foliage.
But what truly stole the show was Louisa’s vintage-inspired lace BHLDN wedding dress and Danny’s sharp grey three-piece suit. The couple beamed with joy throughout the day, their smiles radiating warmth and happiness.
Our Love Story
We first connected on Match.com, but I was too hesitant to take things further initially. However, Danny’s persistence paid off, and we reconnected six months later. This time around, we started as friends and eventually became inseparable, our bond growing stronger with each passing day. Our whirlwind romance culminated in a decision to cohabitate in Brooklyn, marking the start of our new life together.
Fast forward a year, Danny got down on one knee in the midst of our living room chaos – I was frantically cleaning up before a weekend getaway, and he was planning to propose during our trip. Little did he know that fate had other plans. As I swept away dust bunnies, I accidentally knocked over the box containing the ring. My curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up just as Danny emerged from our bedroom, his expression a mix of disappointment and worry.
But my obliviousness was short-lived. Danny pulled out the ring from his backpack, revealing his true intentions. We found ourselves in an emotional vortex, with tears of joy replacing nervous laughter. As we celebrated this turning point, our laughter mingled with sobs, a testament to our unique love story – one that’s full of laughter, tears, and every emotion in between.
The First Look
Our most cherished memory is the ‘first look’ experience, where Danny stood facing away from the venue as I approached him, my heart racing with anticipation. As he turned around, tears of joy flowed freely. In that instant, our hearts swelled with emotion and we both felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. It was a profoundly genuine moment. Additionally, we thoroughly enjoyed watching our loved ones dance and revel in the celebration that unfolded throughout the night.
The Photography
As I scrolled through my friend’s Instagram feed, I was struck by the beautiful family photos taken by Maria Doka. Her candid and natural shots perfectly captured the love and joy of the moment, evoking a strong emotional response in me. What I loved most about her work is how she effortlessly captures those precious, unscripted moments without compromising their authenticity. The result is a collection of images that truly give you all the feels.
The Inspiration
As we planned our special day, we drew inspiration from the urban-rustic vintage charm of our venue’s décor and surroundings. A palette of crème, gold, and green perfectly captured the essence of our celebration. The breathtaking outside space and intimate atmosphere only added to the allure, transporting us to a serene oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. We opted for an understated approach to our wedding and outdoor ceremony, choosing to surround ourselves with only our closest loved ones, sans bridal party. This decision allowed us to truly focus on the joy and love that brought us together.
The Ceremony
Hope Mirlis, a talented officiant, brought her unique touch to our special day. During our pre-ceremony meeting, she showed genuine interest in getting to know us as individuals and as a couple, weaving together the threads of our love story. Inspired by Danny’s clever card trick at a bar that first caught my eye, Hope infused our ceremony with a sense of love and magic. As we exchanged vows, the air was filled with the sweet sounds of ‘I Choose You’ by Sarah Barielles during the processional, while Marvin Gaye’s ‘You’re All I Need to Get By’ set the tone for our recessional. And as we took our first dance as husband and wife, Otis Redding’s soulful rendition of ‘That’s How Strong My Love Is’ perfectly captured the depth of our devotion.
Advice for Other Couples
We opted for an understated wedding day, focused on sharing the moment with our closest family and friends. With only four months between the proposal and the big day, we prioritized simplicity and minimal stress. Despite the time crunch, we managed to keep things straightforward. Our advice? Prioritize what makes you both happy – it’s your special day, after all. Don’t let anyone else dictate your decisions; at the end of the day, you can’t please everyone (and besides, you’re footing the bill!). Instead, soak up every moment with your partner and loved ones, because time flies when you’re having fun. Focus on celebrating the occasion, rather than getting bogged down in details that no one else will remember.
The Decor & Details
The floral arrangements, including bouquets, boutonnières, centerpieces, and mason jar decorations, featured crème colored garden roses, baby’s breath, and lush greens as the main attractions. The venue’s natural beauty was highlighted by simply adding small bud vases on tables and sprigs of baby’s breath to the mason jars suspended above the outdoor deck ceremony space, which already exuded a warm atmosphere. To further enhance the occasion, we distributed custom-made decks of cards with a card trick love story, accompanied by refreshing mints nestled in organza bags tied with rustic twine, serving as thoughtful favors for our guests.
The Refreshments
During the cocktail hour, our guests were treated to a family-style dinner service featuring a diverse selection of Spanish tapas that continued through until the sit-down dinner. The beverage of choice was a refreshing white sangria, expertly paired with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres that wowed everyone’s taste buds. As for dessert, we opted for something truly unique – bite-sized cake bites from Gooey & Co, presented on a custom cake tower featuring three delectable flavors: original gooey butter cake, rich dark chocolate, and nutty almond. Suffice it to say, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive!
The Honeymoon
We embarked on a spontaneous getaway to Key West, Florida, where we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the tropical paradise. Despite the sweltering heat and humidity of August, our trip was nothing short of enchanting. The sensation of being abroad was palpable, yet we were actually at the southernmost point of the United States – a vibrant tourist destination with a lively downtown area that offers an array of bars, restaurants, and adventurous activities like snorkeling the Atlantic Reef.
For couples seeking a mix of relaxation and excitement, Key West is an ideal destination. We highly recommend it for those who appreciate exploring the local nightlife as well as pursuing unique experiences.
As we gaze upon this lovely wedding, we can’t help but feel a sense of joy and warmth. The couple’s proposal story is particularly endearing to us. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Maria Doka Photography for capturing their special day, and Louisa & Danny for sharing their beautiful Brooklyn wedding with us.
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