So, I married my sweetheart and it was pretty amazing. Read on for more photos and the story behind our wedding.
Jeff and I got married on October 13, 2012 at the Montauk Club in brownstone Brooklyn; this historic mansion began as a private social club in the 1880s — a country club in the city, basically — and its dark, woody, slightly ramshackle vibe was the perfect setting for our intimate wedding party. On a tiny stage in front of our immediate family and friends, we pledged our lives to one another, and my hand-written vows still echo in my ears three months later; in fact, I spoke them out loud for the first time during the ceremony, and I very nearly lost it in the process — the tears on this day, the tears! It’s a wonder I had any makeup left after the ceremony.
We were joined in marriage by our charismatic friend Pete (he really should be a professional officiant) and the “power invested in him by the state of New York…and the Internet.” It seemed apropos.
Walking the neighborhood before the ceremony, taking photos on the sidewalks and in the street, I was struck by the love emanating from passerby; people leaned from car windows, stopped mid-cell phone conversation or mid-stride to say “congratulations!”, “you look great,” and “best of luck.” New York doesn’t always feel like a city where people acknowledge one another, much less congratulating them, and it really set the tone for the day: love. Just love in every direction.
We were lucky to work with amazing vendors. Amy Merrick made my flower fantasies come true — lots of ferns, lots of red and orange, and very wild. Walking into the reception and seeing the arrangements for the first time, lit by hundreds of candles: incredible. We were also serious about a documentary feel for our wedding photos, and our awesome photographer Michael Simon created rich, sumptuous images that paid homage to the narrative of the day.
Tons of friends came through for us along the way; my friend Danielle created an Odd Fellows-inspired banner based upon our Quill and Fox wedding invitations, and ceramicist Robin Edgerton created an amazing wedding topper based upon a one-of-a-kind folk art piece I’d only seen online. Talk about dream weavers! And in addition to being my best friend and maid-of-honor, my friend Jaime also made our three-tiered wedding cake (chocolate with butter cream frosting). She also did my makeup. Needless to say, I owe her big time!
And the little details: after much searching for a golden laurel leaf crown, I wore a vintage German wedding tiara (Etsy!) and Victorian coral earrings to complete my ensemble. I purchased my dress at Lovely Bridal in the West Village — I love that place. It’s by Ivy and Aster, based out of Portland; I added a lace bolero and black velvet sash to create my ideal vintage look, which was loosely based on my Grandma Louise’s wedding look from 1936. Our rings are both vintage, Jeff’s from the 1950s and mine from the 1920s; my ring was originally set with coral, but I had it customized with three rose cut diamonds. Our guestbook was actually an old ship’s log, to guide us as we undertake this new voyage together. (It also had whales and ships inside, so. That too.)
Three months later, the day still seems magical and not quite real. The closest thing I can compare it to is an episode of This Is Your Life, with every person who’s played an important part in our lives coming together to celebrate us. While standing in front of all of them to declare our love initially seemed like a terrifying prospect — neither Jeff or myself are people who relish the spotlight — in the end, it just felt comfortable, personal, and so right.
P.S. There was also lots of Ginuwine, Ludacris, and Jock Jams at the reception, but you can’t see those photos!
My very favorite part is your description of the passersby, to say nothing of all that gold and navy. Delightful and exciting!
So beautiful. Congratulations.
You are stunningly beautiful! Congrats to you guys!
i agree with erin…that’s perfect. i’m glad you got that love and i’m real happy for you allison! beautiful couple. x
Beautiful!!!!!! So glad you decided to share. I know how you feel; I was like “No way does my DAD need to be on the internet!” and I felt self-conscious about it too. But I hope this was thrilling and liberating! You look gorgeous. Love the ship’s log! xoxoxo
Awwww!!! Gorgeous. I am so happy for you guys. That photo of you with your sisters…such a lovely family! Thank you for sharing these photos and your story. You and Jeff make a beautiful couple. I hope you guys enjoy a very long lifetime of love and tenderness.
xoxox
Oh my god, you’re too cute! I would totally have stopped to congratulate you mid-cellphone conversation too:O)
So beautiful! I love every detail. Much happiness to you both.
My English at this hour is not sufficient enough to express the loveliness of this post
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I have been looking forward to seeing photos of the actual day after getting glimpses of the details. It looks like it was a beautiful day and completely you. Thanks for sharing.
congratulations! i’ve been following your blog for awhile. i’m a designer from minnesota and i’m designing my brother’s wedding invites, save the dates, etc. he and his fiancee are getting married on a lake next fall and i absolutely love the vintage ship log as a guestbook. may i ask where you came across yours?
Hi Caitlin! I bought the guestbook on Etsy, searching for vintage ship’s logs. (Also vintage guestbooks.) You might look there!
Thank you so much! I actually found the same one as yours on ebay! It will be perfect for their wedding on a yacht
Alison– so wonderful to view your beautiful celebration. Very heart warming–You and your sweetheart look perfectly wonderful and natural together. My very best wishes for a lifetime of love, creativity, support, friendship and happiness in marriage together!
Kathi
Such a rad venue. You both looked amazing and really natural. Also, not sure I’ve even cared about a cake before this one.
Curious about the slightly Masonic motif. What’s the story there? Plays perfectly with the space and vibe.
Congrats!
Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos from your lovely day!
Beautiful! I love the black bow detail and the ruffled cake is divine.
Maybe I’m a romantic, but the love between you and your boo is evident, even in photos.
Many moons of love for you two. x
such a classy soiree! by the way, you make one stunning bride darling
Why, thank you!
So lovely! And kind of funny because I purchased a german tiara from the same Etsy vendor for my wedding two weeks ago. I’m pretty sure the one your purchased was the one I had my eye on for a while and then, one day it was gone! I was trying to decide between this one and the one I ended up getting. I still loved the one I ended up with, though. Glad to see we both might be responsible for starting a trend
That is so funny! Yes, I originally bought a tiara from her, and it was too small. I ended up exchanging it for two tiaras, which I layered to create a larger effect. She’s awesome! And I love the history.
An awesome day to never to be forgotten (and I’m not saying this just because I’m the mother of the bride) So proud and awe inspired of you both. Classiest wedding I’ve ever attended!
Congratulations – so many pretty elements!
I’ve never been to a wedding where the love and unique personality of the bride and groom were so evident. So much thought and the personal touches that went into this wedding was like attending a real live fairytale. What a special day!
!!!!!! Congrats !!!!!!!
You look beautiful, and I just know that you and your honey will have such a happy continued life together.
The colours are beautiful
congratulations