Jessica and Frank's wedding was an intimate, unforgettable two-day celebration in the heart of the New York countryside, brimming with timeless sophistication and an element of surprise. The festivities began with an intimate welcome dinner, where tablescapes of lush grapes and candlelight glowed warmly against the rustic charm of the venue, foreshadowing the natural beauty to come. The wedding itself unfolded like a dream, blending a soft, ethereal aesthetic with earthy textures – lush florals, rocks and moss were woven into the natural elements, bringing a refreshing twist to the timeless theme. Jessica epitomized effortless sophistication in her Danielle Frankel gown and veil, with the elegance only heightened when she changed into a shimmering 1999 Chanel sequined gown for the reception. One of our favorite weddings for the season, captured by photographer Kristen Marie Parker, made into a movie by videographer Romavera.
Our Welcome Dinner
Location
We wanted to give our family a special welcome, so we hosted it at a location on the property that was separate from the wedding day. The covered porch was perfect for dining, while the lawn offered space for games and sunset s’mores.
Décor & Ambience
With some family members meeting for the first time, we knew a large communal table would be the perfect way to bring everyone together. I loved the idea of a square so everyone could connect. Since we were serving elevated BBQ, we wanted the decor to match the vibe. The Mudari team covered the table in thousands of red grapes, and we added custom leather and wood menus to complement the earthy feel. The grapes were the highlight of the night, and the best part? We donated every single one to the property’s farm animals after the event.
Our Style
To kick off the festivities, I wore a timeless 1930s silk bias-cut gown from Tab Vintage – elegant, with an open back and stunning button details. It's a dress I'll always cherish. I’m usually a natural glam kind of girl, but for this look, we played up rosy makeup and a vintage-inspired updo. Frank kept it effortlessly cool in all black.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
We met through mutual friends in 2010, and over the years we started dating and lived together after college. In 2016, we broke up, which was a tough decision, but it gave us both some space to figure things out and grow on our own. When we reconnected in 2021, it just felt right. We realized our love had never really faded, and this time we were ready for it.
The Proposal
Frank proposed on July 3, 2023, during a staycation in Malibu. It was just the two of us, plus a sneaky friend hiding in the bushes to capture the moment. I honestly didn’t see it coming, and I’m usually hard to surprise – I was still in my beach clothes, enjoying hot dogs right up until it happened, so I had no idea!
The Engagement Ring
Frank teamed up with Rose, the owner of Costolo, and his close friend (shout out Becky Bunz) to create a custom design that perfectly reflects my style. It’s a stunning yellow oval diamond with a hidden halo of smaller white diamonds set on a simple gold band. I love that it’s both refined and refreshingly unique!
Our Wedding
The Vision
We decided to keep things intimate with a two-day celebration for just 24 of our closest family members. This gave me the chance to focus on fun and unique details to make it memorable. We wanted to enhance the property’s natural beauty without taking away from it. Aiming for timeless elegance with a bit of an unexpected twist, we chose a theme that mixed fluffy, soft florals with earthy elements, all while keeping sustainability in mind.
Our Team of Vendors
The wedding industry is filled with talented creatives, and working with our vendors was definitely a highlight for me. I made it a priority to choose people I truly respected and trusted to bring my vision to life while also allowing their individuality and creativity to shine.
The Location
We celebrated our wedding at Wildflower Farms Auberge Resort, perfectly situated in the Hudson Valley, making it an ideal meeting point for both our families – convenient yet vacation-like. Fun fact: since we live in Los Angeles, our first time seeing the property was the wedding weekend! Fortunately, it felt like a true oasis from the moment we arrived, making it the perfect setting for our special day.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was a magical blend of wildflowers, rocks, and moss, thoughtfully arranged around our guests’ chairs. Violins welcomed everyone with nostalgic 90s and 2000s jams, adding a playful touch to the atmosphere. Having my dad walk me down the aisle made the moment even more meaningful, especially given his recent diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia. After an emotional year and a long journey to this day, our personal vows were filled with both laughter and tears. Behind us stood 100-year-old maple trees, which I felt beautifully symbolized our enduring love.
The Reception
After the ceremony, we welcomed a saxophonist for the cocktail hour. During this time, the ceremony florals were brought inside and intentionally arranged on either side of our long rectangular table. I wanted to repurpose the outdoor arrangements in a fresh and unexpected way, and it was executed to perfection. The table featured a mix of structural, funky, and fluffy floral arrangements and chrome accents, while our fresh white orchid name cards added a beautiful touch. After dinner, we energized the group with a tequila shot cart and danced in an atmosphere that felt like a botanical garden. It was special.
The Special Touches
With such a small group, I wanted to get creative with our invites. Instead of traditional stationery, we sent wooden boxes resembling the venue’s cabins, which slid open to reveal wildflowers spilling out. The boxes were lined with custom Mudari Creative Hummingbird paper as a heartfelt tribute to Frank’s late father, and they were engraved with our details in signature Mudari Creative calligraphy. Our talented florist, Studio Jones, did an incredible job tying everything together—from the wildflowers in our invitations to Frank’s fluffy boutonniere and our quirky flower girl bouquets.
Our Favorite Moment
Seeing our family’s reaction to our large communal table covered in red grapes for our welcome night was unforgettable. After dinner, we donated the grapes to the farm's pigs but saved some for the next morning when we gathered with our families at the chicken coop to feed the rest. It was a special touch and a fun way to kick off our wedding day.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
I wore a Danielle Frankel gown and veil for the ceremony, which I boldly ordered without trying on, and I didn’t even consider any other gowns. Afterward, I changed into a stunning 1999 Chanel sequin gown paired with a custom chiffon cape from Tab Vintage. Both looks were accented by Manolo Blanik heels—square-toe mules for the ceremony and open-toe sandals with jewel details for the reception. For the welcome night, I wore a 1930s silk bias-cut gown by Tab Vintage, complemented by vintage Prada sandals with floral accents.
The Groom Looks
Frank wore a Gucci tux on our wedding day, accented by a gifted Hummingbird brooch I designed with Costolo to keep his father close to his heart. The brooch, featuring white diamonds, rubies, yellow sapphires, and aquamarine jewels, added a meaningful and colorful touch to his look. For the welcome night, Frank wore a casual black suit paired with Ferragamo loafers and sleek black Bottega sunglasses.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Hire a wedding planner you vibe with. I couldn't have done it without the Mudari Creative crew. They listened to every idea I had, no matter the time of day. It felt like a true collaboration, and in the end, they brought my vision to life in ways I never could have imagined.
For On The Day
Imagine being a guest at your own wedding. This perspective lets you fully enjoy the day without getting caught up in the details. It's also crucial to hire vendors you really connect with, since you'll be spending a lot of time with them during intimate moments. A special shout-out to our photographer, Kristen Marie Parker, who helped me feel comfortable and calm throughout the day.
For Post-Wedding
Give yourself some time to unwind and think about all the little moments that made your wedding special. It can feel bittersweet that it’s over which is something I struggled with. One thing to look forward to is receiving your photos and videos so you can relive it all again!
Vendors
Photography: Kristen Marie Parker
Videography: Romavera Films
Wedding Planner & Stationery: Mudari Creative
Venue & Catering: Wildflower Farms Auberge Resort
Florist: Studio Jones
Cake: Yip.Studio
Music: Dart Collective
Hair: Becca Mader
Makeup: Alyssa Johnson
Style
Bridal Dress: Danielle Frankel, Tab Vintage
Bridal Shoes: Danielle Frankel, Manolo Blahnik, Byrenn
Bridal Jewelry, Wedding & Engagement Ring: Costolo
Groom: Gucci
Flower Girls: Noralee
