We both loved Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Michael expressed his desire to have his wedding at the BBG and I was elated to know that our vision was completely aligned.
The space is absolutely beautiful and offers a beautiful garden setting without having to leave New York City. We loved being in the hustle and bustle of the Brooklyn area, yet having our own oasis for the evening.
Our cocktail hour was held around the Lilly Pool Terrace and had three stations: Italian, Asian, and Spanish tapas; an assortment of passed hors d’oeuvres; and two fully stocked bars. Some highlights were the passed sushi, glazed Korean-style barbecued beef short rib bites, and the fig and fontina grilled cheeses. When we noted we preferred the sushi as a passed option instead of at a station, BBG was very accommodating.
Our reception took place in the Palm House, which mimics a greenhouse and was beyond spectacular. The party started while the sun was just beginning to set. Given the translucent element of the space, watching the ambiance change as the evening progressed was magical. The chandelier in the center of the ceiling adds a special touch. Our florists once again knocked it out of the park, creating a romantic feeling with their floral arrangements and candles adorning the tables and windowsills.
The party kicked off with a rousing Horah and Marcus Reid from the Hank Lane Band took it from there, bringing down the house. No one sat down the entire night, with a grand finale of Michael crowd-surfing on the dance floor and turning 33 at Midnight!
Dinner began with heirloom tomatoes, grilled peaches, and burrata mozzarella, followed by an arugula, strawberries, and pickled fennel salad. A choice of Scottish salmon, porcini-rubbed filet mignon, or chicken in a lemon-thyme jus followed as the entrée. Dessert included a sampling of chocolate mousse cake, key lime cheese cake, and a berry crumble. As a bonus, the night ended with a carrot cake for Michael’s birthday and passed NY-style pizza for a late-night snack.
We felt so loved and were thankful to be surrounded by our closest friends and family on our wedding night after being apart for so long.
We give special thanks to Stephanie’s parents, Stewart and Ruth, for their extensive involvement in planning and for hosting our event. William and the rest of the staff at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are true professionals in every sense, and we could not thank them enough for a truly magical evening. Our florist made our vision into a reality and our band gave us the party we dreamed of. We wanted everyone to celebrate, dance the night away, and have an amazing time. With our team, this was a mission accomplished!
Patina Events at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
718.307.7133, www.bbg.org
