Katie and Dan were married at the stunning venue, Capitale. I was really excited to shoot at such a stunning event space. The building was designed in 1893 during the City Beautiful movement, and shares the Beaux-Arts tradition with other architectural gems such as the Grand Central and the New York Public Library. Such grandeur is undeniably inspiring.

The interior features tall Corinthian columns, and beautiful ceiling, and a beautiful glass skylight. Combined with its limestone exterior, featured beautiful pilasters, columns and pediment with sculptures by Frederick Macmonnles, Capitale is easily one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. All those beautiful elements combined with the beautiful emotion throughout the day made Katie and Dan’s wedding perfectly beautiful. I had the opportunity to get to know them through the engagement shoot I did with them in the spring.

We drove out of the city together and it was great spending time with them and getting to know each other. Dan told me that his father is an Israeli and his mom lived in Israel for awhile as well. His father’s friends, by coincidence, are a family in Israel who I know. It was so nice to see all of them on the wedding day, they had so many family members and guests from Israel that I felt right at home. :)

Kate and Dan have known each other since they were eight years old, and it continued into friendship and then a relationship in high school. There is such a beautiful naivety, pureness, and special romance about high school sweethearts. As Katie relates about how they met: “Dan and I met when we were eight years old taking tennis lessons together, but Dan was more focused on winning matches than on me back then. In high school we became close friends and in our junior year, while both on vacation with our families at the same hotel in Puerto Rico, he kissed me on the golf course overlooking the ocean. Two proms and three and a half years later, Dan graduated early from University of Michigan, moved into my studio dorm room at Barnard, and we’ve been inseparable since. This past November he proposed at the top of the Empire State building with the lights of the whole city surrounding us, and it was absolutely perfect.”

Vendor List & Katie’s helpful tips for Brides:
Venue: Capitale NYC
Cake: Sarah Buck, Executive Pastry Chef at Capitale
Bridal Dress: Vera Wang Deidre with custom beaded belt (Tip: Shop in trimmings/fabric supply stores to get accents like bridal belts and headbands for far cheaper than the ones available in traditional bridal salons.)
Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade Karolina with Crystal Shoodads shoe clips(Tip: Enhance a chic and simple pair of pumps with beads, crystals or any other decorative touch you desire by adding shoe clips. Katie, the bride, added glamorous sparkle to the shoes with crystal Shoodads which she creates by herself. You can view different clips and check out her creative idea here.)
Bridal Party Dresses: Custom made gowns from Indian sari material (Tip: Choose a beautiful and unique fabric you love and let your bridesmaids do the rest! Everyone gets to design a dress that fits their figure and style, and you get a varied and interesting, but perfectly coordinated wedding party!)
Groom’s Tuxedo: Ermenegildo Zegna
Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo
Purse: vintage beaded clutch (Tip: Try designer resale boutiques for upscale vintage accessories)
Flowers: Matthew Robbins Design
Hair: Maria Vlantis of Metamorphosis New York
Make up: Anabelle Laguardia
Band: Steve Delisi Band/Hank Lane Music and Productions
Stationary: Crane & Co. Embassy 24kt Gold Beveled Ecruwhite Invitation Set
Guestbook: Handpainted Italian journal from Il Papiro