SARA & MICHAEL

Occupations: Sara is the acting chief operating officer for Uncommon Schools (an education nonprofit); Michael is a senior advisor to the administrator of the General Services Administration.

Wedding date: October 11, 2014

Number of Attendees: 160

Number of Attendants: 9 (5 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen)

How You Met: Sara and Michael originally and briefly met as college classmates at Columbia University in 1998, however, they were not friends in college and did not stay in touch post-college. It wasn’t until 14 years after they initially met that they reconnected through their jobs in NYC. Knowing that they did similar work and had gone to college together, they agreed to meet for a networking coffee early one morning. After that, Sara invited Michael to a holiday party she was hosting and a month later they went on their first date. The rest is history.

The Engagement: Michael proposed to Sara in the fall of 2013 after planning (very casually) a reenactment of their first date in NYC. Sara was unsuspecting as it was only two weeks before her sister’s wedding. After taking her to dinner at Supper (a NYC restaurant) and to revisit the bar where they had grabbed drinks on their first date, Michael proposed to Sara in Union Square, near the spot of their first kiss.

Wedding Design Inspiration: They wanted to use and build on the feel of the event space hosting their wedding and wanted the design to be simple but elegant, rustic but charming in an urban setting. Their good friend, Cassie Adams, of Cassie Adams Designs helped assist with wedding reception decor and it turned out beautifully. They especially loved the escort card display that she designed and the place cards at each table. Cassie also did all of the paper goods for their wedding ceremony and reception.

What Was Unique and Special About Your Wedding: They spent a long time working with their officiant, Rabbi Jessica Lott, to design a wedding ceremony that felt unique and personal to them. They also loved how their friends and family were able to participate in the ceremony and provide them with many special blessings. Despite major nerves on Sara’s part, they also loved performing their choreographed first dance. They had taken lessons in NYC leading up to the big day and had fun dancing to “It Had to Be You,” by Harry Connick Jr., with all of the special dance features, twists and dips that they had learned.

Favorite Details: Their ceremony took place outdoors and their florist helped them design a beautiful suspended chuppah (wedding canopy) that was supported by a tree. The chuppah was decorated with beautiful flowers and pieces from Sara’s mothers own wedding veil.

Most Unexpected Event on the Day of the Wedding: It rained the entire morning of their wedding day, but miraculously the sun came out just in time for pre-ceremony photos.

Piece of Advice: Spend as much time or more planning your ceremony than your reception. You’ll remember this part of the day the most and will treasure it always.

Bridesmaids Each bridesmaid was asked to select a textured grey/metallic colored dress of her choice. The idea was that each dress and bridesmaid would pop with texture and complement each other without being the same. Cake Graul’s Market Caterer Copper Kitchen FlowersCrimson & Clover Groom and Groomsmen Ted Baker navy blue suit with coral tie from Charles Tyrwhitt (groom); navy blue suits with coral ties from Charles Tyrwhitt (groomsmen) Honeymoon Crete, Santorini, and Athens, Greece Invitations Minted Location Mt. Washington Mill Dye House Music Golem (Klezmer rock band from NYC) Officiant Rabbi Jessica Lott Photographer Malcolm Brown Planner Diana Venditto, Eventi Planning Wedding Dress Martina Liana vintage-inspired corded lace and tulle over Dolce Satin trumpet wedding dress from Wedding Atelier