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Sarah and Mark’s wedding was full of sunflowers, traditions, lots of love and a special surprise song at the reception that ended up being one of their favorite parts of the wedding day.

The couple shared a first look outside of the synagogue.

The bride and groom each had their own Tish and then Mark danced his way to see Sarah for the Bedeken.

They signed the Ketubah, their parents blessed them and then Mark put the veil over Sarah just before they began the Chuppah marriage ceremony.

Married!

During cocktail hour the couple went to Riverside Park for some portraits.

The ceremony space was transformed into a beautiful reception with stunning florals and a large dance floor.

Sarah was the last child to be married among her siblings which means her parents were honored with a special, joyous dance called the Mizinke. Brooms are used to portray the children being swept out the door.

The dancing is so energetic that the couple needs a break! Sarah and Mark sat in chairs while their friends and family performed a shtick with skits and silly costumes to make the couple laugh.

They shared their first dance to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.

Sarah shares,  “We had a traditional Jewish wedding but we tried to make it unique to us as a couple in certain ways, to reflect our fun and silly natures. At a friend’s wedding a few years ago, she performed a song on guitar for her new bride, and I was inspired to do something similar, so I prepared a musical number, “5,000 Candles in the Wind” from the TV show Parks & Recreation, to play on the piano and sing to Mark. At the end of the toasts, I made a speech saying that I had a song for him to express the way I felt about him (if you’ve never seen Parks & Rec, the song is an elegy for a miniature horse named Li’l Sebastian, by the way), while my niece and nephews handed out glow sticks to the guests to wave during the performance. I had been practicing for months and, although I was nervous, it was so much fun to see the surprise on Mark’s face, and to have everyone wave their glow sticks and sing along. At the end, Mark and I ran to the middle of the dance floor to hug each other and everyone threw their glow sticks; even though I got beaned on the head a few times, it was a beautiful moment.”

Mark shares,  “I LOVED the Li’l Sebastian surprise. I had noticed Maddie, Sarah’s niece, handing out some glow sticks during the toasts and I wasn’t sure what that was all about. When I looked around the room later, as Sarah sang the song and everyone was swaying back and forth with the glow sticks, I felt so lucky to have someone like Sarah in my life. I thought to myself, “I am so excited for a lifetime of surprises like this one.”

My other favorite moment was our first dance. From the very beginning, Sarah has always said that I’m a great dancer and that she is not. I wanted our first dance to not only be fun, but to show her that she can do an awesome job of ripping it up on the dance floor if she works at it. We practiced our routine quite a bit (even once in the rain in Riverside Park because why not) and when the moment arrived, we not only did a great job, but had a fantastic time!”

Congratulations Sarah and Mark!

Check out their engagement photos here.

Special thanks to the team:
Venue: B’nai Jeshurun
Coordinator: Carly Levine
Officiant: Rabbi Anne Ebersman
Caterer: Simply Divine
Band: Ken Gross Orchestras
Florist: FLO NY Events
Invitations: Blacker and Kooby
Hair and Makeup: Pin It Up and Pout
Bride’s gown: Leanne Marshall
Groom’s Attire: Victor Talbots
Videography: NST Films
Photography: Jessica Schmitt Photography with Eric Swartz

Clarissa and Stephen were married at the New York State Museum in Albany. The day began at the Renaissance Hotel.

The couple shared a really sweet first look outside the Capitol Building.

Clarissa shares, “It was important to us that we throw a really fun party for our guests. Community, friends and family are really important to us. Having so many of the people we care about all together in one place to celebrate our partnership was a gift.

We loved our venue, the New York State Museum. The weather cooperated and we were able to host our celebration on the terrace in view of the State Capitol and the Empire State Plaza – we didn’t need to set up a photo booth! I don’t have just one favorite moment. The whole celebration was incredible. And as we were warned, it went by too quickly. A couple of my favorite memories include dancing with both my Mom and my Dad during the father-daughter dance and posing for pictures with friends on the carousel.”

Stephen shares: “What a great way to have our special day! Clarissa and I worked so hard to set up this day and it was exhilarating to share our commitment to each other with our community of family and friends. I’ll always remember setting up for the photo of all our guests celebrating with us on the steps of the museum. We couldn’t have done it without the assistance of Frank the dog.

We kept the decorations simple. My sister made table numbers and, along with the flowers from our favorite farm, they really brightened up the space. I can’t believe how fast the night went and I’ll never forget sharing the first slice of cake with Clarissa – delicious (also the cakes looked great – WOW)! With assistance from our awesome DJ who made the trip up from Brooklyn, our nieces and nephews made the dance floor jump when they weren’t taking Polaroids of the party. It was a Wertloch party to remember!”

When I first met Clarissa and Stephen they told me they wanted to have a really fun day, and they definitely did! Complete with a YAY! cake!

Clarissa and Stephen shared their first dance to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

Congratulations Clarissa and Stephen!

Special thank you to the team:
Venue: New York State Museum
Coordinator: Danielle Grasso Events
Officiant: Jeff Dupee
Caterer: More Perreca’s Catering
Cake: Baking You Crazy
DJ: DJ Mikey Palms
Florist: Windflower Farm
Invitations: Minted
Groom’s Ring: Market Square Jewelers
Bride’s Dress: Ida’s Bridal Boutique
Bride’s Shoes: The Frye Company
Jewelry: Vintage
Bridesmaid Dresses Designer: Alfred Sung
Groom’s Suit Designer/Shop: Indochino
Photographer: Jessica Schmitt Photography with Eric Swartz

I met Katie and Mike at Gantry State Park in Long Island City for their engagement session. We had beautiful weather and breath-taking views!

Katie shares, “Mike and I grew up only a few blocks apart on Long Island, but we didn’t truly meet until 2011 at one of the classiest bars in New York City, Turtle Bay. When Mike and I first met we were more opposite than you could imagine. He was a Long Island sports-loving, schedule-driven law student, and me a grungy, free-spirited art school student. No matter how different we seemed, we always knew how to make each other laugh. It’s safe to say we eventually met in the middle and our differences are what make our relationship so strong.

Today we live together in Astoria. We consider New York City our playground whether it’s checking out a new park, museum, or undiscovered town in one of the boroughs. We love Gantry State Park for its gorgeous views and convenient proximity from home. To see the trees splashed among a rigid and vast skyline is something that will never get old! We are so excited to continue life’s adventure when we get married in one of our favorite parks in September.”

Katie and Mike are getting married in Manhattan this September. Happy engagement, you two!

Allison and Josiah were married in Central Park on a beautiful summer day. Allison got ready for the day with her family and friends at the Marriot along Central Park South.

The ceremony took place at the Ladies Pavilion and was officiated by two of the couple’s good friends.

Allison shares, “When Joe and I decided to move in together, we knew we wanted to live on the Upper West Side because of the neighborhood and Central Park! Once we got there, the lake and pavilion area truly became our place where we would grab a bagel and juice and take Lola for a walk, sit out on the rocks and enjoy the scenery. Seemed only fitting to get married there! Tavern on the Green was also special to us because we had our first Christmas together there.”

Joe proposed on a bike ride over the Williamsburg Bridge where they had their first kiss.

Allison and Josiah both found ways to honor very special loved ones.

Congratulations Allison and Josiah!

Special credits include:
Venue: Ladies Pavillion in Central Park
Cocktail Hour: Tavern on the Green
Macarons: LaDurée
Bride’s shoes: Manolo Blahnik

I met Clarissa and Stephen for a walk through Riverside Park and along the Hudson River.

Stephen shares, “It’s all about who you know! Clarissa and I met through a mutual friend while she was working in Albany. Later, when she moved to Brooklyn, we roamed the city so I could show off some of my favorite sights, including the Chili Pepper Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (where she met my parents for the first time) and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Some of our favorite haunts are on the water, which is why we loved the idea of the Boat Basin for our shoot. We always look forward to visiting places like Coney Island, Lake George, St. Thomas, USVI and “Up North” Wisconsin. We keep going back to these spots, whether to escape from the summer heat or winter blues, to celebrate finishing law school or just enjoy getting away. Our puppy Frank couldn’t join us in these pictures but he’s excited to be the ring bearer at our wedding. Clarissa and I (and Frank!) are looking forward to more adventures, enjoying old stomping grounds and finding new favorite places together!”

Clarissa and Stephen will be getting married this July at the Albany State Museum! Happy engagement, you two!