I was thrilled when Dana and Billy reached out to me to coordinate their wedding at East Norwich’s iconic Chelsea Mansion! Dana’s sister and her boyfriend, Billy’s best friend Jack, first introduced the two at Parker House, a bar on the Jersey Shore. They met for a second time at Hudson Hound here in NYC, and the rest is history! I’m excited to show you their garden ceremony and tented reception.

Ceremony in the Lakeside Gardens

The couple chose Chelsea Mansion’s side area for their outdoor ceremony. Picturesque and lush, with an ample lawn for accommodating guests, this is the venue’s premier ceremony space for good reason. We seated the couple’s loved ones facing the lake, where they could feast their eyes on the sunlight glinting off the water and the garden’s elegant landscaping. Rose petals carpeted the aisle to create an atmosphere of romance.

It was a beautiful September day, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky as Dana and Billy said their vows! As a planner, seeing my couples’ wedding days come to life as they’ve dreamed is what I live for (though we always work together to formulate an exciting plan B!). Most of all, I loved the meaningful details these two incorporated into their ceremony. Dana wore a gorgeous textured ballgown with stitching on the inside that read “I love you” in her grandmother’s handwriting. And in a sweet parallel to how they met, the couple’s officiant was none other than Billy’s best friend and Dana’s brother-in-law, Jack!

A Showstopping Cake and Custom Cocktails

One of the couple’s favorite details was their wedding cake by Dortoni Bakery. A replica of Dana’s grandmother’s wedding cake, it harkened to a time gone by with white frosting, ornately detailed piping, and a lace topper with a miniature bride and groom at the center! In addition, the couple worked with the catering team at Chelsea Mansion to create a bar menu with two personalized cocktails. The first was “the Spring Laker”—a vodka-based drink that traditionally appears on the menu at Parker House, the bar where they met. The second was an espresso martini with a custom twist: a poodle cookie garnish in honor of their dog, Ruby!

Coordinating this wedding at Chelsea Mansion was such a rewarding experience. I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for our team! If you’re planning a wedding in the greater NYC area, I would love to hear from you. Get in touch today!