Wedding Date: May 27th 2023

This is one of those wedding stories that I’ve sat down to write a few times but just couldn’t capture all the emotion, joy, and love in words alone. So instead, I started with photos and let them tell the story. Going through their wedding celebration again made all of the emotions flood in and I found myself holding back tears at the thought of being welcomed into this incredible family. So, let me start from the beginning…

Taylor’s family has been like a second family to myself and my wife Janelle. In fact Taylor’s father, Doug, even officiated our wedding! We’ve been close to the entire family for many years and would often hear about Taylor and his life in New York. Then Kris’ name started to come up and everything felt different. I think they all knew she was something special from day one and they couldn’t have been more right. Kris is from California but met Taylor and started a life together in New York. When they decided to get married, they searched the globe for the perfect location for the party of a lifetime, and ultimately ended up right where it all began.

We flew out to New York early to meet up with the excited couple and have a day out exploring the place where they fell in love. We visited favorite restaurants, bars, and gardens, even stopping for a famous street hotdog along the way. We traveled from one of the city to the other and I listened while they laughed and reminisced about their life here and all of the unforgettable memories they created together. We stopped at one of their favorite spots for a quick tequila shot and they explained a beloved tradition within their friend group. She held a lemon on her head while he held a lime and together they became Sprite. We laughed together for the rest of the afternoon before heading to the beautiful tucked away restaurant, Il Buco, that would serve as their rehearsal dinner venue. Before we knew it, the entire space was filled to the brim with loved ones who had flown in from all over the country. We sat at long family-style tables and shared amazing wine and food together while we all got to know each other. I think every dish we had was the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I mean it, I had a new favorite food every course. Then if that wasn’t enough, their friends stood up to give a few toasts which were like a standup comedy tour and I couldn’t help but think that this was the best show in town. Everyone was practically rolling on the floor and I had tears running down my cheeks from laughing so hard. If today was any indicator for the wedding, it was going to be absolutely unforgettable.

Everyone had stayed up and partied until late the night before, but somehow when I joined Kris in the morning, she looked as fresh and vibrant as ever. But that’s just her spirit. She’s lively, full of energy, and knows how to live life with her whole heart. Taylor is one lucky guy. I met the guys down the street at the oldest consistently operating bar in New York, and one of the oldest in the nation. The cozy and charming atmosphere was the perfect setting for Taylor and his guys who were all ready to keep the party going. We snuck off to Central Park a bit early before the guests began to arrive so they could see one another before the ceremony. The lighting in the park was breathtaking, but I don’t think either of them even noticed because their eyes were locked on one another. They both wore a smile that said they’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and were so happy it was finally here.

We found this beautiful set of stairs with the perfect lighting and no one around. We all looked at each other and said, this is the place. So Janelle started lining up guests along the path and Doug waited on the stairs as he watched his wife walk Taylor down the aisle. Then everyone’s gaze was fixed on Kris as she made her way past all of the happy guests and loved ones. The crowd filled in as they exchanged their handwritten vows and Doug cracked sweet jokes that had everyone laughing. The perfect sunlight peeked through the trees as they exchanged rings that were delivered by their cute dog. They triumphantly marched back down the make-shift aisle and got into their vintage car, both radiating so much joy and love that even the security guard in the background was cheering them on.

We drove through the busy streets of New York and entered the Hotel on Rivington. The elevator kept going up and up until we ended up in the Penthouse with a skyline view of the city that came straight out of a movie. The sun was dipping low in the sky as they made their way out onto the rooftop patio where all of their loved ones were waiting. Their cheers carried across the city and I like to think everyone on the ground was cheering them on too. We sipped cocktails and laughed and mingled as the sun set over the city. Once we were back inside, the standup tour continued with toasts that had me wiping my eyes once again. Taylor picked up Kris and twirled her around to start their first dance as the dance floor filled with happy faces. Then it was as if a switch flipped and the entire room erupted into dancing and laughter. The music was perfect and the laughter and chatter filled the room. As sweat ran down my face from all the dancing and I grabbed Janelle to join me on the dance floor, I knew this was definitely the party of the summer and we all felt lucky to be there.

Vendors: Conservatory Garden Central Park (ceremony location), Hotel Rivington Penthouse (reception venue), Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria (rehearsal dinner), Janelle Vick (wedding planner), Flower Girl NYC (florist), Herbert Holler (lighting and DJ), Herb n Peach (catering), Jenny Yoo (dress designer), BHLDN (dress boutique), Hugo Boss (suit), Makeup by Flynn (hair and makeup), Grant Swift (music)