Hudson Valley Wedding - Annie & Matt - WellWed New York - Spring / Summer 2011

{logo design above} betsywhite.com {photography} Elisabeth Millay & Robin Roemer {reception site} The garrison

{ w ellw ed.com }

Garrison, new york

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For many couples, sharing an apartment that was no more than a single room would be unthinkable, but for Annie and Matt, who lived in a 350-square-foot studio in Manhattan for over two years, the close quarters only reaffirmed the fact that they were meant to be together.

After meeting through mutual friends in Manhattan, Annie and Matt kept their eyes on one another for several months before Matt made a move and finally asked Annie out. Soon the two were inseparable, traveling all over the country together and eventually attending more than 150 live music shows over the course of six years. It was in New Orleans on one of these trips that Matt decided he was going to ask Annie to be his wife. Strolling along the riverbank and gazing dreamily at the water, Matt was poised to pop the question when Annie’s cell phone rang. “My brother called my phone from our apartment. He was staying there for the weekend and had locked himself out,” says Annie. Her conversation with her brother lasted nearly 25 minutes, and as she talked, Annie noticed Matt becoming more and more visibly agitated, but could not figure out why. Finally she hung up and, his plan having been interrupted, Matt forgot about the speech he had rehearsed and simply dove in. “He just got on his knee and asked me to be his wife,” Annie says simply. Annie, who suddenly understood why Matt had been acting so strange during her phone call, was thrilled.

Annie and Matt’s strongest goal for their wedding was “leaving people with the feeling it encompassed everything we are,” explains Annie.

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Though Annie grew up in California, she had moved to New York for college and took an instant liking to the East Coast. Matt had grown up in Rockland County, and though the couple had made a home in the city, they felt that the Hudson Valley would be the perfect place for their wedding. “The region has so many beautiful locations, is known for its food and wine, and has amazing views, and it isn’t too far from NYC for those who traveled from far away,” explains Annie.

Both Annie and Matt have an enthusiasm for travel and had often talked about planning a yearlong excursion around the world. Not only was their wedding a great opportunity to incorporate their love of adventure — the couple had settled on a travel-themed ceremony to celebrate their shared passion — but neither of them could think of a better opportunity to embark on a worldwide voyage than their honeymoon.

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Cake: The Pastry Garden thepastrygarden.com Coordination: NY Engagements nyengagements.com Floral Design: Steven Bruce Design stevenbrucedesign.com Hair & Makeup: Heather Canavan babybreathbridalservices.com Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas weddingpaperdivas.com

Expanding on the travel theme, Annie purchased dozens of old postcards for guests to write their well-wishes on, and vintage suitcases for them to drop the cards into. The plan was for her and Matt to read them when they returned home after their honeymoon adventure. The couple had settled on a rustic yet chic color palette for the celebration, relying on rich tones of olive green and light peach. The overall effect gave the event a muted and sophisticated feel and veered away from overly feminine colors.

Aside from the color palette and travel theme, Annie and Matt’s strongest goal for their wedding was “leaving people with the feeling it encompassed everything we are,” explains Annie. To incorporate Matt’s college years spent at Tulane in New Orleans, they enlisted a regional Dixieland group to play during the cocktail hour. Annie, a trained sommelier, named each table after different grape varietals.

Finally, the bride and groom incorporated their first shared love — music. “We both love a lot of the same music, so we chose one of our favorite song’s lyrics to embroider on our ring bearer’s pillow.”

As the wedding came to an end and an exciting honeymoon of exotic sights and cultures awaited them on all corners of the globe, Annie and Matt couldn’t help but remember their tiny shared studio, a small place that neither of them would have ever traded, even for the world.

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Photography: Elisabeth Millay & Robin Roemer elisabethmillay.com, robinroemer.com Reception Site: The Garrison thegarrison.com

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