We’re so thrilled to be back with Part II of Allie and Steve’s touching Manhattan wedding. Yesterday, Merci New York shared their gorgeous getting-ready photos at The Plaza , and today we’re giving you a peek of their pre-wedding photos around Midtown, as well as their beautiful ceremony and reception at the Central Park Boathouse .
And of course, we’re picking up where we left off on Allie’s story. Just wait until you hear how she incorporated Steve’s letters from Iraq into their wedding day details…. it’s too sweet for words. Enjoy! 
Venue: Central Park Boathouse
Florist: Lenox Hill Florist
Ceremony music: Manhattan School of Music
DJ: Ryan- Party for a Lifetime
Photographer: Solar Photographers
Dress: Mila by Melissa Sweet
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Cupcakes: Magnolia Bakery
Cupcake toppers: Etsy, Goosegreese
Hair: Naeemah- Blow
Hair pin: Powder Blue Bijoux
Makeup: Warren Tricomi Salon at The Plaza
More from the bride:
After we left The Plaza, we wanted to get some fun city pictures without compromising our time with our guests. It was a very special moment and Jenny and Josh did such an incredible job capturing it. Walking with our wedding party in Times Square was amazing as well. There were so many people cheering for us, the excitement shook away our nerves.
We love Central Park. From the Rambles to Sheep’s Meadow, I feel like we know every corner.. so the Loeb Boathouse was an easy pick. It is a beautiful setting and our weather could not have been better.
After the ceremony everyone grabbed a flute of champagne and we walked over to the Bethesda Fountainto grab a group shot that included every single person at our wedding that day. The walk was short and it was pretty fun leading the pack through Central Park with champagne!
My dress was simple a Melissa Sweet with some gathering at the hip and fabric flowers, I got it at a sample sale at Saks and took it to Ally Bespoke Tailors , who made it fit like a glove. I also added some flare with an ostrich feather hairpin off Etsy {via PowderBlueBijoux} and splurged on the Blahniks, which doubled as great honeymoon shoes over in Paris.
The Boathouse has exposed beams and a nautical vibe, so we bought rustic lanterns from Pottery Barn to play up the theme. Cupcakes were easy, inexpensive and fantastic from Magnolias. I found some really cute wooden cupcake toppers that were personalized to look like us as well as our bridal party off of Etsy {via goosegrease}.
Our placecards were the most personal accent to our wedding. Each card included a letter that Steve had written to me while he was over in Iraq. He had written to me every day! Some letters made me cry, while others made me laugh out loud. Of course, I had to edit to make sure they were not too personal, but they were a hit.
Our get away vehicle was our little green Vespa that my bridesmaids dolled up. I am pretty sure that is where I lost my veil but it didn’t matter it was truly an amazing night.
Planning a wedding in NYC can be overwhelming because there are so many options, but perspective is key. Having Steve away at war made it so painfully obvious what was really important. The details were a good distraction but the common goal was never out of sight. Getting him back safe and getting to be together again, was really all that mattered. He is back home now for good and we are finally starting our life together. Our wedding day was amazing and I know it was just the beginning of a fantastic life together.
About the photographers: Josh & Jenny Solar are high school sweethearts turned husband and wife photography team. They have fun taking pictures…and fully expect you to do the same. As per Jenny, “If you’re not having a great time, we’re not having a great time, and we LOVE to have a great time.”
“On your wedding day, expect us to be right next to you the whole day. And when we say right next to you, we mean it,” Jenny says. “The emotion that flows throughout your day is what makes us LOVE hanging out with you so much. So you can bet if you’re crying with your parents {and if it happens to be Josh, he’ll be crying along with you}, or laughing with your friends, we’re going to be right there with you capturing those moments .”
All photos courtesy Solar Photographers
