This Couple's Secret Garden-Themed Wedding in Brooklyn Took Place on the Groom's Birthday

Even though Lauren and Anthony had mutual friends, it was Hinge that brought them together in February 2018. During their first date, they bonded over making the move from the Midwest to New York City and, almost two years later in January 2020, Anthony popped the question while the pair walked through Madison Square Park on the way to dinner. "Little did I know he had a friend hiding to capture the moment," Lauren says. The couple then walked over to the location of that first date—where they found their loved ones waiting with balloons and Champagne to celebrate.

The pair's original big day was meant to take place in September 2021 at a hotel a block away from the park where they got engaged. Unfortunately, 10 months into the planning process, the hotel venue informed Lauren and Anthony that they were closing due to the pandemic. They reached out to all of their vendors asking for recommendations of venues with a similar feel, and every single one of them recommended the Wythe Hotel in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y.

"The change seemed so fitting because during the pandemic, Anthony and I had moved from Gramercy to Williamsburg, so our wedding had essentially moved with us!" says Lauren. The couple's new date, October 8, 2021, worked for all their vendors, and it happened to also be Anthony's 30th birthday. "It was a night of many celebrations!" the bride says.

Lauren and Anthony invited 120 guests to their wedding, which the bride, a publicist at an interior design PR agency, planned herself—with some help from her wedding planner sister-in-law. The result was a New York City-meets-secret garden-themed event with a color scheme of soft muted blushes and layered shades of white.

A Site to See

Lauren and Anthony loved the fact that the Wythe Hotel is a historic factory turned into a boutique hotel with a scenic view of New York City.

Modern Touches

Lauren and Anthony selected a modern invitation suite from Papel & Co. featuring a mix of dusty blue, ivory, and taupe papers with gold foil press lettering. "Our invitation suite was our something blue!" says Lauren. The suite was finished with a rose wax seal as a nod to the bride's favorite flower. Lauren sourced vintage New York stamps for each guest, so every invitation had a different combination of postage.

Rise and Shine

While Lauren's bridesmaids wore mint satin pajamas to get ready for her wedding, the bride wore a white set with feather details. They toasted with glasses of Champagne in the couple's hotel suite before the big day began.

All in the Details

Lauren spotted a fully beaded V-neck Eisen Stein wedding dress with cap sleeves on Instagram and knew she had to try it on. She booked an appointment at Mark Ingram to assess the dress—instantly knew it was the one. "The beadwork was so special and the bow at the waist felt so me," says Lauren. "I loved that even with all the embellishment, it still looked light."

The bride also purchased a long veil with beading along the edges from Mark Ingram to wear for the ceremony.

The Bride and Groom

The soon-to-be newlyweds had their first look on the balcony of their wedding suite overlooking Manhattan. "I felt a little nervous, but as soon as I saw Anthony, I felt totally calm," says Lauren. "My first words to him were, 'Happy birthday!'"

Floral Affair

Buds of Brooklyn created Lauren's hand-tied bouquet, which consisted of cream-and-blush roses, ranunculus, orchids, dahlias, and calla lilies.

'Maids in Champagne

Lauren asked her bridesmaids to wear a long dress in a champagne hue and left the rest up to them. "I wanted them to feel comfortable and for their looks to reflect their personalities," she says. "They picked their own dresses, makeup look, hairstyle, and jewelry. I love the variation!"

Serene Ceremony Setup

The couple's ceremony took place in the venue's Main Hall, where garden lights complemented the natural light coming from the exposed pine ceilings. A brick backdrop and black chairs gave the reception a modern feel, while greenery, flowers, and candles added a hint of romance.

Flower Power

The floral arch was made of flowers in neutral tones accented with pops of deep dark hues. Pillar candles in glass hurricanes decorated the base of the archway.

On the Way

Lauren walked down the aisle with her dad to Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams."

Wedding Vows

The couple asked Lauren's brother to officiate the wedding. "My brother married us, and he did a great job of being heartfelt and adding a little humor, too," the bride says. The couple wrote their own sentimental vows and exchanged them in front of their family and friends. "We were both totally calm and happy throughout the ceremony—all nerves washed away," says Lauren.

Signature Sips

Along with an open bar, Lauren and Anthony offered three signature cocktails: A classic martini, a couple-barreled whiskey cocktail, and a tequila Vera Cruz. After Lauren bustled her dress and switched up her hairstyle, the couple joined their guests for the rest of the cocktail hour.

Right This Way

Escort cards were displayed on a table decorated in florals.

The Gold Standard

The cards were written in warm gray calligraphy and featured gold flake embellishments around the edges.

Romantic Reception

Greenery adorned the ceilings of the Main Hall's interior, transforming the space into a romantic garden for the couple's reception. Long wood tables were paired with light ivory runners and black chairs.

A Garden Escape

The couple's florist created "growing gardens" climbing up the structural pillars of the room. The centerpieces featured a mix of low arrangements and bud vases with flowers in the couple's color scheme of muted blushes and ivory. Tall ivory taper candles were placed in candle holders, adding height to the tablescape.

Dinner Time

The dinner menu kicked off with a frisee salad, and guests chose between a beef tenderloin, halibut, or roast chicken dish for the main course.

To Tonight

The couple's band, 45 Riots, got the party going. "We asked for a mix of everything with lots of Beyoncé," says the bride. "They nailed it!"

The couple shared their first dance to Anthony's pick: "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra. "It felt fitting, as Frank was a favorite of my late-grandmother and it felt very old-school New York," says Lauren. Lauren danced with her dad to "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King; Anthony took a spin with his mom to "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.

Confection Perfection

The couple topped off their three-tiered buttermilk vanilla and passion fruit wedding cake with trailing white orchids.

Quick Outfit Changes

Towards the end of the night, the couple changed into their second looks: Lauren wore a Rebecca Vallance mini dress with a big bow on the back and paired it with embellished black Jimmy Choo pumps and a double strand of pearls that once belonged to her grandmother. Anthony opted for a navy velvet tuxedo jacket from Reiss.

The band played a slow version of "Empire State of Mind'' by Jay-Z to end the evening—but the couple kept the party going with an after-party that doubled as a birthday party for Anthony.

Sources

Photography, Heather Waraksa
Venue, Wythe Hotel
Flowers, Buds of Brooklyn
Invitations, Papel & Co.
Paper Products, Minted; Allison Vaz Designs
Bride's Dress, Eisen Stein
Bride's Veil, Mark Ingram
Bride's Jewelry, Verstolo
Bride's Shoes, Loeffler Randall; Jimmy Choo
Bride's Hair, Styles on B
Bride's Makeup, Stacie Ford Beauty Co.
Bride's Second Look, Rebecca Vallance
Groom's Attire, Reiss
Engagement Ring and Wedding Bands, David S. Diamonds
Music, 45 Riots
Catering and Cake, Wythe Hotel