Big, extravagant wedding or simple and intimate wedding…that is the question. Well, why not both?!
Before heading down to Mexico for their destination wedding, Melissa and Raul wanted to exchange their first vows in a more personal way. With a great dress, her man and two witnesses, Melissa was ready for her City Hall wedding! Photographed by Betsi Ewing Studio , this couple captured another side of New York…Simple, intimate and stunning!
How they met: Melissa was meeting up with Alan, an old college friend, to grab a few drinks and dinner. To her surprise, Alan had also invited some friends from who he had traveled with in Costa Rica. Melissa argued that she wanted to just hangout with Alan and catch up… thankfully she lost that argument! When Raul entered the Belcourt Bistro, something inside Melissa told her to stay… so she did.
Melissa and Raul talked and laughed with each other all night, and everyone could feel the chemistry they had. At the end of the night, Raul asked her to marry him and Melissa replied, “We’ll see. It depends on how you behave.” {Don’t worry he actually proposed in Central Park with rose petals and a red leather book, which detailed the journeys in life that brought them together – so sweet!}
We love Melissa’s old Hollywood style with her birdcage veil, beautiful off the shoulder dress from Betsy and Adam , classic red lips, and blue Nina heels… so chic!
Raul also looked dapper in his Valentino suit and tie… Who said a City Hall wedding couldn’t be designer? We love it!
Two years after their chance-encounter, they decided it was time to settle down and make it official in both of their homes - City Hall in NYC and a destination wedding in Mexico…best of both worlds!
For their NYC wedding photos, the couple chose locations that oozes New York – from the Brooklyn Bridge, to a local firehouse and the steps on City Hall . Melissa dressed up the shots with pink accents with her umbrella and adorable pink flats!
For a lovely {and casual} “reception,” the couple had lunch with their two friends at the City Hall Restaurant … It wasperfect way to end a simple and beautiful day, and it had them so excited for their destination wedding to come!
