Sep 28 2012

Mike & Melissa’s Wedding on the Lower East Side: Merchants House Museum, Gnocco, & St. Mark’s Karaoke!

Mike & Melissa had their unique and intimate afternoon wedding last Saturday in 3 parts: A sweet garden ceremony behind the Merchants House Museum was followed by a leisurely afternoon reception in the back of a delicious Italian restaurant they love called Gnoccho. To top it all off the couple and their friends enjoyed a private room over at St. Mark’s Karaoke that evening, and I was so lucky to be there to capture it all. I started off the day photographing Melissa’s bridal details and preparation with her bridesmaids in the beautiful Bowery Hotel. Melissa looked just stunning in her gown, I couldn’t wait for Mike to see her. We walked together the few blocks over to Merchants House and after a sweet and moving ceremony we quickly knocked out their group portraits there in the garden behind the historic building. Melissa and Mike made a bunch of choices that really personalized the wedding– for one thing Melissa skipped flowers on the tables in favor of decorating with some handmade birdhouses that she and her bridesmaids had crafted and painted together and lucky guests could take home. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Mike & Melissa “cut the calzone”– Gnoccho’s specialty desert that is, and one of these giant fresh nutella-filled pastries was then brought to each table for guests to enjoy. Ryan & I had our own table there at the luncheon and you can bet we enjoyed taking little breaks to sample the delicious italian courses that were brought out one after another… I will most definitely be taking my husband Keith out for dinner at Gnoccho– these are real Italian waiters who take their work seriously and delight in providing excellent service. I was thoroughly impressed with the food and atmosphere. But enough about Gnoccho. KARAOKE WAS AWESOME! Mike & Melissa’s friends were hilarious and there was some real talent in the mix there, I must say. I had to get involved after I was off the clock, it was such an excellent end to a fabulous wedding. Congratulations, Mike & Melissa!