Katie & Daniel’s Intimate Little Italy Wedding

Most wedding planners and industry professionals will tell you you shouldn’t work with loved ones or people you know. The reason, it naturally makes the job harder, there is more pressure on yourself to make sure the day is perfect. Well I believe the complete opposite, yes planning the wedding of someone you know is definitely high pressure but it is also such a big honor that someone in your life would select you to be a part of this special day and time in their lives…so of course I didn’t hesitate when the always darling Katie and vibrant Daniel reached out wanting a bit of help with their Little Italy wedding, I of course couldn’t be more excited…

I first met the groom a few weeks before my first day as a college student at Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island, both from New Jersey, both fans of a good dance floor Then the always beautiful, Katie joined my sorority, and she was always one of the nicest and down to earth! As long as I have remembered Katie and Daniel, I remember how much fun they were together, and just how much they always seemed, and still are, in love!

Katie, a native Rhode Islander self proclaimed foodie, has called New York home for sometime, while Daniel’s cooking career has taken him through plenty of amazing restaurants in the city. This pair wanted to keep their special day intimate with a classic Catholic mass at their Brooklyn neighborhood church and dinner at Il Cortile, a family favorite and naturally a place with amazing food for this foodie loving duo.

Katie had a simple but romantic vision, focusing on natural greens like eucalyptus and rich red roses. She took your typical autumn color palette, and threw it out the window!! Katie chose to pair sophisticated navy blues with deep varying shades of reds. And it was just darlingest color scheme for a warm brisk late September day.

How gorgeous and in love are these two!! Katie’s dress was an absolute stunner. I wish I would’ve been able to see it in person, but Jeff captured some amazing shots of it below. But I can’t not mention Daniel and his handsome and sharp dark blue suit. But for both, their million watt smiles were what completed their looks to perfection!

Flowers were kept ethereal and naturally easy going in shades of reds with dark whimsical ranunculus, lush burgundy spray and garden roses, and delicate wisps of baby’s breath and seeded eucalyptus.

The spacious but quaint and cozy restaurant has the loveliest open space fit with twinkling lights, glass ceiling windows, pretty plants and rustic details, that would make any wedding magical. Originally I thought this space was an outdoor courtyard, but was delightfully surprised by the charming intimate space, the perfect size for dancing to a live band and even separate bar lounge area. Oh, and this wedding may have been intimate in size, but it was surrounded by thousands passing by the heart of Little Italy, New York City. Oh, did I happen to mentioned this also a favorite restaurant of James Gandolfini, I mean their shrimp appetizer is so good!

When the space was so darling to begin with, other decor was kept minimal with plenty of rustic and simple candle light, and photographs of this special couple’s relationship over the years. The bride’s father created all the place cards, the table number cards which were placed atop gold wine bottles and all the thank you tags for the miniature bottles of champagne each guest was gifted. How talented is he! The navy color was delicately played up on the tables with soft and pretty colored cheese cloth runners that draped over each.

Doesn’t all this love just melt your heart!!!

Look how amazingly gorgeous the back of Katie’s Badgley Mischka gown!! The beading and delicate work on this gown is so beautiful. Seriously Katie couldn’t look more perfect…

What an absolute beautiful couple and set of humans. I’m so lucky to know and have shared many memories with you, including being a part of your wedding day!