Tell us about what made your wedding unique!

It definitely is cliché to have an ‘Old New York’ themed wedding in NYC, but after choosing our venue, the historic New York Palace mansion, we knew it would be the perfect theme, particularly because of a promising major makeover later that year. We got a preview of the future renovations that would bring out modern art deco touches while preserving some of the historic embellishes of the mansion. I had my fingers crossed during the whole time of planning my wedding and thankfully, the renovations were completed six days before our wedding day! We felt so special to be the first couple to host a wedding celebration post-renovations. I have always had a fetish for vintage and the ’20s and I love the Great Gatsby novel. I enjoyed the movie because it emphasized everything I wanted in my wedding: Old New York, art deco, class, and glamour. I used the movie as the inspiration and decided that gold will be main color with hints of green, black, and ruby red. I wore a birdcage veil to emphasize a celebratory, party feel like the roaring ’20s.

Tell us about your gown!

(This is not a joke) I visited every.single.bridal salon in Manhattan for eight months and I could not find ‘the one.’ Some were way over my budget, some were too runway over-the-top, some I liked but have seen in many other brides. I wanted my wedding dress to be absolutely unique and flattering to my body shape (note, I do not have any curves whatsoever!) Finally, I went back to Kleinfeld for the second time and decided to give it another shot because, well, it does have the largest selection of gowns so the chances of finding the dress there would be high. And I hit jackpot. The moment I tried on Mark Zunino’s gown, I knew it. And so did everybody else in the store. I got compliment, after compliment, and we all agreed this is it! The best part was working with Mark Zunino himself. I was once disappointed with the size of the dress when it had arrived, and he personally called me frequently to make sure I was pleased with the dress as it was being revised and re-fitted to fit my body. Thank you, Mark Zunino!

Tell us about some of your favorite details:

For flowers, I wanted to incorporate herbs and food because my career is in nutrition and dietetics. I picked out rosemary, thyme, figs, huckleberries, raspberries, and fern…loosely amalgamated with garden wild flowers. We toasted to Don Perignon champagne with raspberries in each glass and our signature cocktails were dark ‘n stormy (his) and mint juleps (hers). For the wedding cake, my dear friend had just started a cake business and created a lavish Gatsby-esque wedding cake inspired by Jordan’s jewelry in the movie. She also made a gold fleur-de-lis grooms cake which honored my husband’s favorite football team, the Saints. Both delicious cakes were carefully made in her small Hell’s Kitchen studio apartment, which made it officially homemade and so special to us. My cousin handmade the cake topper that looked just like us on our wedding day and our dog, Peanut. Finally, I wanted my bridesmaids to choose their own bridesmaids dresses and jewelry. We all had fun dressing up in our own colors and styles.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The most memorable part of that day for me was the ‘first look’. Kevin and I were surrounded with all of our friends and family around the courtyard. We were both so excited and so nervous to see each other after 16 months of planning. Finally, the time had come and when our eyes met, it couldn’t have been more perfect. I have never felt so in love than that moment, being hugged by my man while our loved ones huddled in a circle surrounding us with even more hugs, compliments, and best wishes.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Kevin and I met at church in NYC and we became friends. A few months later, he asked for my email so he could send me the museum vouchers I was requesting so I could take my parents. Since then, we started gchat-ing casually online. Finally, he had the courage to ask me out and from that point on, we ventured on an exciting two-year relationship.

The day Kevin proposed, we headed to Central Park for a walk. We run there almost every morning, so I didn’t feel any different. We had yet to discuss anything about getting engaged that year. As we walked past the Bow Bridge, he started mumbling.

Kevin: “Do you remember we came here on our second date? We had a picnic and I fell in love with you?”

Jenn: “Yes, I remember that we had a picnic, but not that last part.”

Kevin: “Yes…I fell in love with you then and knew you were the one.”

Jenn: “On our second date?”

Before he answered that question, he got down on one knee and mumbled, “Honey, will you marry me?”

I stood there completely frozen. It was an absolute out of line surprise, from the proposal to designing the ring all by himself. But I always knew he was the one all along, too. Ecstatic, I shouted, “YES!” and tried on the most beautiful ring I have ever seen… truly. From watching every chick flick known to man, I had always imagined a grand, hard hitting, over the top proposal, but his private intimate confession that his love for me started on our second date melted my heart. It was the perfect proposal in the quiet, lush greens of Central Park.

Vendors: Photography: Jen Huang Photography // Dress: Mark Zunino Haute Couture // Ceremony & Reception: NY Palace Hotel // DJ: 2Dog Entertainment // Flowers: Michael George Flowers // Invitations: minted // Veil: etsy (januaryrosebridal) // Jewelry: etsy (annasinclair) // Calligraphy: etsy (BPinvites) // Cake: caked up // Spa: Le Salon Day Spa Upper East Side // Hair & Makeup: Erica Does Makeup // Car Rental: Comfort International Transportation