CONVEYING A WEDDING VISION
Elisa + Mike describing their vision of a luxury elopement in the West Village began with intimate vows at New York’s City Hall. Planning to host a celebration for their closest friends and family afterward, I immediately became intrigued! More excitement ensued with Elisa’s first descriptive words of their elopement vision. “I will not be wearing a flowing white dress and we are both drawn to the NY Mob aesthetic.“
Part of preparing for their elopement wedding day included talking through plans over coffee with her mother. Conversations together are so essential since good communication can make or break a smooth flowing timeline! Our coffee date this day brought so much insight into both the couples’s personalities and their love of family. So we set out to create their intimate elopement + celebration. The plans definitely favored the hybrid style of wedding that is becoming more popular. And their goal for the day being “one big party with too much wine, food and laughter!” became our focal point.
GETTING READY IN PENTHOUSE FASHION
A sublime start to the day beginning at their penthouse suite in The Standard Hotel located in the Chelsea area of NY. With mom and sister witnessing, Elisa and Mike shared their first look together casually in the living room area of their suite. It was full of laughter and happy tears. They also quickly applauded themselves for precisely matching the tone of whites in their outfits despite having planned their day from separate continents!
PERSONALITY INFLUENCES
Elisa is French American and Mike had just spent a year in France, both bringing influences to their venue of celebration and elegant wardrobe selections.
Holding true to the “no flowing” dress, Elisa set the tone of the day with her Versace cream colored suit. Also complimenting this with elegant but unexpected black heels by Christian Louboutin. Adding to the day’s style, Mike donned a suit jacket of cream with black pants and bowtie. Their something borrowed was a handsome Navy Pea Coat that belonged to his father. Serving to honor his dad and keep him warm this chilly winter wedding day.
THE BEAUTY OF MANAGEABLE TIMELINES
Their timeline was simple; flowing easily. Moving seamlessly from getting ready, they exchanged their vows at City Hall with their mothers bearing witness. The couple’s dearest friends and family stood at the doors of City Hall to make for a grand exit. When the couple came out they were greeted with joyful shouts and dried florals tossed in the air above them. From this we flowed into their portraits behind city hall on the iconic steps and columned terraces. With the vision for a full day of fun for their guests, they thoughtfully crafted a cocktail hour at a nearby restaurant while I stole them away for additional portraits.
Despite being a cold and dreary day, we found warmth in movement during their portraits. Blending cinematic and editorial styles we highlighted their elegant style and joyful chemistry. After their portraits, we moved into wine, food and laughter!
LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN
Joining the ongoing cocktail hour for pre-dinner libations kicked off the laughter filled celebration that was the vision for the day. Elisa and Mike later ushered guests to Mino Brasserie, where they had rented out the restaurant. Here they enjoyed an intimate and private dinner with their small 30+ party of friends and family. Their venue’s cozy atmosphere made a nod to France with its decor and candlelit ambiance. And a definite salute was made with its Parisian menu for the night lending to the couples desire to bring a bit of French family heritage to the Big Apple for everyone to experience.
I am forever grateful that they insisted I enjoy their dinner menu of items, which I must confess, I had never tried. When I return to Paris I now have a list of new dishes to try!
SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDING ELOPEMENT ADVENTURE?
Elisa and Mike were so happy to see their vision of an elegant, luxury, and intimate elopement in the West Village come to life. This type of hybrid elopement offers freedom for couples to celebrate their personalities and small guest lists allow for a more intentional reception time. So often making it a calmer day. It also provides space in the day to weave in some family held values or traditions. For some these are called micro weddings, adventure elopements or hybrid elopements. While photographers simply describe them as the best of both worlds to photograph! For more intimate wedding inspiration check out this family focused elopement in Washington DC.
