The rain may have forced Emily and Raymond to change some of their wedding day plans at the last minute, but their celebration was no less beautiful or special because of it. And photographer Jessica Lorren was there to capture it all on film…

The bride used a DIY tutorial by Antiquaria to create her watercolor invitation suite. Other DIY elements included Emily’s sash, the photo booth backdrop, and photo booth props.

Bride, Emily, on the weather: “Initially we had every intention to be on the dock, closest to that lake to say our ‘I do’s’ if not for the rain or the unpredictable wind that day. My friend, Will, had spent months building an outside structure hung with glass bubbles for us to stand under and it was inconceivable we would be anywhere else. We waited to the last minute, but eventually the rain won out, so on that unusually cold late evening in May, we stood in front of the elegant white French doors of the charming boathouse and proceeded on, as if it had been our plan all along. It wasn’t the golden al fresco ceremony we had envisioned, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Down that aisle still stood my gorgeous groom and we were getting married! In hindsight, having the ceremony inside was a blessing in disguise. The minister dropped Ray’s ring during our exchange and I could only imagine the picture of our wedding party simultaneously jumping into that lake after that ring. My girlfriends, dressed in gold sequined Aidan Mattox dresses, would have sunk straight to the bottom!”

Says the bride, “I worked with Amy of Seaport Flowers for weeks as she meticulously perfected all my incomplete thoughts and ideas. Mercury glass vases, frosted goblets, and glass tumblers spilling with charm peonies and garden roses set the tone for our unbelievably intimate and romantic reception.”

For dessert there were two types of wedding cake: chocolate cake with layers of chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries, and pistachio cake with layers of rosewater buttercream and fresh raspberries with a vanilla buttercream frosting finish.

SEE THE FULL GALLERY FOR MORE LOVELY SHOTS OF THIS WEDDING AT THE BROOKLYN BOATHOUSE

 

Why did you choose this location for your wedding?  Emily: We loved everything about our venue. I’m pretty sure it was love at first sight for me. I thought the boathouse was incredibly charming with all its French doors, high arches, and sweeping staircase. I couldn’t envision anything more perfect for our day. // Raymond: When I saw the venue in person for the first time, I just knew it was right. Sometimes you have a feeling that this is the right place.

What was your favorite moment or part of the day?  Emily: For me, it was definitely our first look. Ray is usually pretty collected when it comes to his emotions, but he completely came undone when he turned around and saw me for the first time. Of course I thought my groom was gorgeous as well, but Ray’s emotional response really took me for surprise. It really was a special start to our day.  //  Raymond: There are two moments. The first is our first look before the wedding when Emily tapped my shoulder and I turned around and saw the most beautiful woman in my life. I was taken aback and lost it for a moment. The second is when the I heard the drums starting to play as our recessional song came on. My wife, the moment, my emotional tears, the song, it is forever etched in memory.

Did you include any traditions in your wedding? Ray is Chinese and I’m Korean and that could have proven to be a very lengthy and exhausting day if we had chosen to acknowledge all our customs and traditions. We wanted to respect what was important to our families, but asked that they also embrace the new Western traditions we grew up with as well. We agreed to a Chinese Tea Ceremony with our rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding for Ray’s side, but we nervously insisted on our “first dance” with our usually reserved Asian parents on the day of. Ray and I danced with our parents to Laura Fygi’s version of “I Love You For Sentimental Reasons.” It was the first time either of us had been in such close physical proximity to our parents for any lengthy measurable amounts of time, but it was probably one of the fondest memories of the night!

What was the best advice you received as a bride?  Don’t get stuck making the details perfect. You’ll have many more perfect days with your man so don’t focus on the one.

What advice do you have for other brides? Anything can go wrong, but everything will be all right! No, really, it will.

Do you have any budget tips for other brides?  Splurge on what’s important to you; don’t get lost in what isn’t. I think as a bride you can get overwhelmed at what’s available to you. In the beginning you might think that you need it all and that can be really misleading, not to mention very costly. I focused on my must haves and questioned them frequently along my timeline to see if they still remained just as important.

Photographer: Jessica Lorren / Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse in Brooklyn, New York / Bride's dress: Enzoani Dakota / Shoes: Glint / Earrings: Adriana Orsini / Groom's suit: Hugo Boss / Shirt: Burberry / Bow Tie: Brooks Brothers / Shoes: To Boot New York / Socks: Happy Socks / Bridesmaid Dresses: Aidan Mattox, ASOS / Floral Designer: Amy Gardella of Seaport Flowers / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / DJ: DJ Duane Harriott of 74 Events / Catering: Moveable Feast / Cake: Betsy Thorleifson of Nine Cakes / Makeup: Nam Vo / Hair: Kristen with La Sorella Bridal