Dec 09 2011

Melissa & Rodrigo’s Wedding at The Metropolitan Building

The Metropolitan Building is literally 3 blocks from my studio, so I’ve been eager to get in there and shoot one of these cute DIY/hip/vintage-inspired weddings they seem to be a perfect venue for around here. I was thrilled to hear from Melissa and Rodrigo, who were putting together the final details of their plan and needed a photographer the weekend after Thanksgiving. Was I available? YES! Eager to meet the bride and groom and check out the venue, I got there early and started exploring the details artfully arranged by the florist and designer, Jenah Barry of Xylem-Phloem. Rodrigo and some of his family arrived and the guests began arriving shortly after… the schedule was to start with a cocktail hour followed by ceremony and reception, and the bride did not arrive until midway through cocktail hour…this couple has a beautiful little daughter together named Esperanza, who served as the flower girl in the ceremony, and to my delight made use of the spotlight quite adorably. For the ceremony Melissa changed into her beautiful Tadashi Shoji Chiffon and Lace Gown, while her bridesmaids and daughter Esperanza wore dresses from J.Crew. Hair and makeup was provided by Melissa’s aunt, Barb Watkins of Stylez hairdressing– she came all the way from Australia! They had a moving ceremony officiated by Jeddah Vailakis with selected readings performed by friends and the lighting of a special Unity Candle from Forest Candle Studio. After a sweet ring-warming (when the couple passes the ring around to guests to hold and imbue with warm wishes or prayers for the marriage), they exchanged a pair of rings from The Clay Pot in Park Slope. Rodrigo’s was particularly interesting– I’ve never seen a ring like this before so I inquired and found out that it’s called “mokume-gane,” and was made by George Sawyer. After the ceremony there was a stirring and emotional series of hugs and then family gathered around to wave at the laptop that had been streaming connecting relatives who weren’t able to attend via “facetime” or Skype or some such program. The reception was a multi-course meal full of significant dishes the couple wished to share with their guests, expertly prepared by the excellent chefs, Melanie de Coppet and Brooke Costello from Red Table Catering. Other credits include a wonderful quartet that played during the cocktail hour featuring vocalist Sofia Tosello and guitarist Yuri Juarez. During and after dinner, music was provided by DJ David Medina. The unique translucent brown reception chairs and neat woven chargers were selected and rented from Party Rental Ltd. The purple pretty lanterns were from LunaBazaar. All in all it came together quite beautifully! Congratulations, Melissa & Rodrigo! Your families were so sweet and loving and the energy at your wedding spoke volumes about what a good match you must be!

Congratulations, Melissa & Rodrigo!

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