We’re heading Stateside today, for a pared-back, light-filled wedding held in a fabulous industrial space.
On 25 July 2021, Eunice and Paul wed at The Foundry, Long Island City, Queens, New York, choosing a soft, romantic colour palette of lavender, blue, sage and white to add softness to the contemporary venue.
Photography Amy Sims Photography
The Dress
Most shops feel impersonal and salesy. Amy and the team at Designer Loft NYC felt more like friends. They were patient and really listened to what I had in mind but were also so helpful in encouraging me to try on styles that I would never have chosen for myself. The Dress ended up being something totally different from what I had thought was ‘me’ and I never would have found it without Amy.
I can’t say enough words how accountable, kind and helpful the team was from the first visit through fittings, delivery and even dress preservation. It’s definitely a place all brides should bookmark.
My Chelsea Liu Designs dress felt right from the moment I put it on.
We wanted the day to really feel like who we were. Other than being super-dressed-up, we wanted the day to feel like a cleaned-up version of who we are every day.
The Engagement
The friendship took a romantic turn with encouragement from mutual friends and the rest is history. We went on a month-long trip to Colorado a year into the pandemic. The day before coming back to New York, we had a day to ourselves where we played a round of golf on a course home to the red rocks.
With eighteen holes played and dinner out of the way, Paul suggested we take a walk onto the green on the closed course. The sun was setting and when we got to the top of the green, there he was on one knee.
Photography
A unicorn, that’s what Amy Sims is. She was so wonderful – not only was she super-organised, but she also was so responsive and helpful in giving us suggestions with regards to all things wedding. On our wedding day, she was prompt and kept us on schedule but was also flexible and kind in managing any unanticipated delays.
Then, of course, there are her photos! You can really feel the moments she captures – I don’t know how else to put it. She’s 100% present at your special day and makes sure you get to see and take home forever moments seen and unseen in such a unique but natural way.
We also want to take a minute to say what a gem of a human Amy is. Amy, thanks for being more than our photographer and for really sharing all the smiles, tears, and shoulder shimmies with us.
The Venue
The glass ceiling at The Foundry created an open, airy space for the wedding reception. Décor elements came from Broadway Party Rentals and lighting was from Universal Light & Sound. The wedding stationery suite was from Minted with additional elements crafted by the couple.
The Foundry felt like us. It is unassuming from the outside but so special once you walk in and get to know it.
The Reception
Paul and I spent the month leading up to the wedding drawing out table markers representing places special to us (where we met, first date spot, first trip, first home, engagement location.
My mom also created a painting of us after Amy’s wonderful engagement photos of us.
Favourite Moments
The officiant reading by Paul’s friend was so personal and moving but to the point and fun!
The speeches and my dad and mom’s surprise song.
Our unplanned cake-cutting. We were supposed to have a silent cake cutting but the cake was rolled out and our DJ read the room and didn’t cut the jams. We couldn’t decide whether to dance or cut cake so naturally did both!
The fifteen minutes Paul and I had to ourselves right after the ceremony and before joining the party.
Planning in a Pandemic
All our vendors were very proactive in monitoring state and city guidelines and kept us well apprised and ahead of any potential issues. We, in turn, provided monthly postings to our guests on any requirements or changes in plans.
Paul and I were open and honest about the small and large of all details regarding the planning. Knowing what we wanted as a couple made it easy to convey our vision to our vendors (and family) and be steadfast in communicating it throughout the process, without being pulled in multiple directions.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
I definitely recommend hiring an on the day co-ordinator, that is the single point of contact on the wedding day, and understands what’s important to the couple and has a handle of all the logistics.
We were able to start enjoying the wedding and focus on us two weeks before as we handed off the planning responsibility, so we were really able to be present and enjoy our special day!
Ele lives in the Lincolnshire countryside, close to the beautiful coast. A qualified Pilates teacher, she loves fitness, yoga, Pilates and has a healthy addiction to baking, writing and travel.
