Congratulations to Kelly and Justin! This winter, they hosted a dreamy holiday wedding in New York City at the New York Athletic Club. Inspired by their love of the Christmas season, their wedding was an elegant celebration. Kelly and Justin filled the club with holly green, evergreens, whites, and pops of Christmas berry red. Their day was a vision – full of holiday wonder and so much love for the people in their lives. Kelly looked like a classic movie star moving around the city streets with Justin and the whole day just felt like a special sort of holiday magic. I’m so happy to have been a part of their winter NYC wedding day!
Their Love Story
Kelly and Justin met the summer of 2014, when Kelly was an incoming freshman at Middlebury College and he was a rising sophomore. They were both swimmers in the Westchester, NY area and were coaching at the same summer league swim meet when they met. During Kelly’s first few years at Middlebury, she and Justin were friends and teammates. It wasn’t until her junior year that we started to chat more frequently, especially on their team training trip in Florida. They now say that going to Dairy Queen with the team was actually their first date! But, they officially began dating in the winter of her junior year (and his senior year) and never stopped. As Kelly and Justin told me, “Being friends with each other first made everything so comfortable and fun in the beginning of our relationship, and then it simply stayed that way.”
A Holiday Inspired Wedding
From the beginning, Kelly knew that she wanted a holiday wedding. She’s a “sucker” for Christmas (her words!) and December is also her birthday month. So, the idea of a winter wedding in New York City seemed like the most magical – and right thing to plan. Originally, Kelly and Justin figured they’d utilize a green and white color palette, with hints of the holidays – but as planning progressed, they leaned more heavily into the Christmas touches. As the day came together, fun surprises were planned like their Christmas Village escort card table, red berries in their florals, candy canes at their coffee bar, and even a surprise visit from Santa (Kelly’s brother’s BFF was the real MVP here!). Their vision came to life perfectly in an elegant and upscale winter wedding day in the city that showcased their love of the season – and their love of each other!
Winter Wedding in NYC
New York City is always magical, but there’s something about the holiday season that makes it feel even more beautiful. The city was certainly showing off for Kelly and Justin’s wedding day. They planned their celebration around the city landmarks that meant the most to them, including a stop in Central Park for their portraits as newlyweds and with their close family. We even managed to capture some quintessential city wedding portraits with the yellow taxis! Everywhere we looked were holiday lights – and nothing is more beautiful in a portrait than twinkling lights. Honestly, some of my favorite photos of the day are from their reception at the New York Athletic Club because the tablescape looks even more magical with the glowing lights of the tree behind it all!
Kelly and Justin, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your magical and whimsical holiday wedding day. It was the perfect about of holiday cheer in the most elegant and timeless way – certainly a celebration I will not forget!
NYC Wedding Vendors
Bridal Dress Designer: Amsale
Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson
Florist: Ariston Flowers
Videographer: Brighter Lights Media
Jewelry: Marisa Perry
Planner: Jeanenne La Bella
Bridemaids’ Dresses: Dessy
Band: Steve Delisi Band
Hair Stylist: Salon O
Makeup: The Makeup + Hair Co.
Cake: Padoca Bakery
Venue: New York Athletic Club
