Set to the backdrop of a waterfall & historic factory circa early 19th C in the charming town of Beacon, New York, Julie & Matt's wedding day was both soft and modern with countless fun personal touches throughout. Even more than a celebration of their marriage, they set out to design a comfortable environment where family & friends could come together from across the globe.
And the attention to detail? Spot. On. The gold glitter on Julie's Kate Spade heels perfectly matched the sparkly mason jar reception decor hand painted by her & her entourage. The engraving in the groom's ring featured a Czech blessing, "Na Zdravi", as an homage to the very place they first met while studying abroad. Their cake was donned with the bride's favourite frosting (Rainbow Chip by Betty Crocker) and custom cake toppers that matched the couple's wedding day attire down to the very last detail (from Matt's navy suit, black lapel, and bow tie through to Julie's hairpiece, bouquet, and dress design - jeweled cap sleeves, and all!). Colours of the day, navy, blush & gold, were carried throughout, from florals and ring pillows to their mother's dresses and keepsake vow notebooks.
Fun surprises carried through the lovingly playful trophies awarded to the bride & groom during their rehearsal dinner, a Jenga "guestbook", and an exciting blend of culinary choices selected by the foodie newlyweds (my personal favourite: the incredibly thoughtful milk & cookies set out for kiddos during champagne toasts). A nod to the bride's passion for book publishing, Julie went a creative route with her bouquet: paper flowers made from hand-dyed pages of her three all-time favourite books - Harry Potter, Jane Austen, and The Princess Diaries.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful things about weddings is the love and joy surrounding the couple in their family and friends - of which there was an abundance on this day. Paying homage to generations that came before, Julie was adorned with family heirloom diamond studs + her grandmother's engagement ring in addition to her own, which itself hosted an heirloom diamond from the groom's family. Legacy lace was stitched to the inner layer of the wedding gown, family wedding photos from both their parents & sibling were displayed at the front entrance of their celebration, and a Hermione headpiece Julie gifted her mother to match her own was combined with the very pearls Julie's mother wore on her own wedding day. Taking DIY to a whole new level, water colour place cards displayed hand-painting & calligraphy by Matt's sister-in-law while floral leis and ring pillows donning Hawaiian quilt pattern designs cross-stitched by the bride's mother celebrated Julie's Pacific homeland.
Friendship took on a fun twist with a bridesmaid bed-jumping photo tradition, delicate matching bracelet bridesmaid gifts, a surprise groomsmen reception dance set to the tune of the James Bond theme song (with a cameo appearance by Julie herself!), and a ceremony officiated by the very friend that introduced them, reading from the pages of none other than Julie's all-time favourite, Harry Potter.
If you can't quite get enough of this duo's affinity for family, travel and literature, be sure to take a peek at Julie & Matt's Greenwich Village & Washington Square Park engagement photos.
Photography: Melissa Kruse Photography | Getting Ready, Catering, Ceremony & Reception Venue: Roundhouse at Beacon Falls | Florals: La Bella Rosa | Bride's Paper Bouquet: Anthology on Main | Makeup & Hair: Cati James | Cake: Vanilla Buttercream with layered Old Fashion Yellow + Dark Chocolate Ganache and Classic Vanilla Sponge Layers with Rainbow Chip Frosting | Linens: Party Rental Ltd. | Glass Card Holder & Boxes, Picture Frames, & Vow Notebooks: BHLDN | Cake Topper: Love Bird Goods | Table Numbers: OAKY Designs | Ring Bearer Pillows: Handmade by Bride's Mother | Favours: Strawberry Jam from Sidehill Farm | Invitations: Minted | Calligraphy & Place Cards: Handmade with Watercolour but Sister-in-Law, Jessica Roseboom | Videographer: LPA Video| DJ: DJ Bri Swatek | Groomsman Dance Choreographer: Anna Corvera | Bride's Dress: Christos Julianna at Wedding Atelier | Bride's & Mother of Bride's Hair Accessories: Hermione Harbutt | Bride's Earrings: The Wedding Ring Shop & Catbird | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Groom's Attire: Ike Behar at Bonaventure Tuxedo | Groom's Cufflinks: Blue Nile | Groom's Shoes: Hugo Boss | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Aidan Mattox at Bloomingdale's | Bridesmaids' Bracelets: Vrai & Oro | Bridesmaids' Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Calligraphy Gift Wrap for Bridesmaids' Gifts: Pen and Letter | Hangers: Deighan Design | Flower Girl Dress: Pink Princess | Flower Girl Basket: Red Heart Creations | Bride's Rings: Custom Design by Contempo Jewelers & Tiffany & Co. | Groom's Ring: Blue Nile | Second Photographer: Bethany Jones | First Dance Song: Boom Clap by Lennon & Maisy