A Modern Black-and-White Wedding in New York City

March 29, 2012

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Cari and Jason

Long-time couple Jason Rubin and Cari Wolfert found each other as teenagers in New Jersey, but when fate landed them both in New York City, sparks really started to fly.

To honor the city that brought them together, Cari and Jason said their I do's in a traditional Jewish ceremony with Manhattan all around them -- both literally and figuratively. Lady Liberty stood tall outside the venue's floor-to-ceiling windows, black-and-white photos of street signs and sports figures served as escort cards and table numbers, and even the music played into their theme.

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The Stationery

Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography

What’s a city-chic wedding without a view? Skyscrapers on the invitations and save-the-dates, along with a Statue of Liberty motif on the reply cards, forecast the venue’s panoramic perspective of the New York Harbor. Also inspired by the locale: a crisp palette of black and white, which echoed the room’s clean, contemporary lines.

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Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot

Bia Sampaio

Cari and Jason strolled the cobblestone pathways of Lower Manhattan's Stone Street Historic District before the ceremony.

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Jeweled Accent

Cari’s strapless Amsale gown was accented at the waist with a jeweled pin.

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The Bridal Party

Cari, covering up in a white fur shrug by Oscar de la Renta, carries a posy of alabaster dahlias, lisianthus, roses, and ranunculus. Her bridesmaids, dressed in silver ML Monique Lhuillier sheaths, hold smaller versions of the bridal bouquet.

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Gifts from the Groom

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Jason gave his groomsmen custom skinny black ties by Tiecrafters. Each had a label on the inside bearing the attendant’s initials.

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Gifts from the Bride

And for the gals? Beaded ebony clutches, also monogrammed, by Moyna.

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The Ceremony

The delicate huppa complemented Cari’s veil and let the gorgeous sunset pour through. At its base, candles and clusters of roses, mums, and tulips kept the focus on the couple. Jason only had eyes for his bride. "She looked so beautiful, but I was struck by her smile and how happy she seemed," he says.

A piano instrumental of "Empire State of Mind" accompanied the bridal party's walk down the aisle, and the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys version ended the night on a high note, with the promise of many more New York minutes to come.

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The Reception

Various creamy blooms -- here, roses, tulips, and mums -- are grouped in glass vessels that had been spray painted silver.

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City Charm

Cari shot many of the photos that became escort cards; the locations had special meaning for the couple, like Third and Long, a neighborhood bar the two used to frequent, and West 4th Street, where Jason proposed.

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Cutting the Cake

The couple cut into their chocolate cake. Their love of black-and-white photography informed the day’s color palette.

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Dessert Favors

Favor boxes holding miniature black-and-white cookies are wrapped in labels that matched the invitation suite by Hello Lucky. The desserts, considered an NYC delicacy, also honored Cari's Brooklyn-bred grandpa, who always brought them along on visits when she was a child.

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Guestbook

Guest wrote well wishes on oversize cardstock that was later framed and put on display in the couple's home.

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Sweet Sunset

The view at sunset from Battery Gardens, where Cari and Jason tied the knot, included a sweeping vista of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

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Sweet Treats

Assorted treats were passed among the dinner tables.

From top left: Monogram petits fours by Dragonfly Cakes. Elderflower-chocolate diamonds and white chocolate truffles by Kee's Chocolates. Statue of Liberty squares by Edward Marc Chocolatier with artwork by Hello Lucky. Kalamata olive-and-white- chocolate truffle by Vosges Haute-Chocolat. Cupcakes by Crumbs Bake Shop. Chocolate-and-coconut truffles by Vosges Haute-Chocolat. Chocolate nonpareils by Edward Marc Chocolatier. Chocolate-Champagne pyramids and macarons by Kee's Chocolates.

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The Last Dance

The couple take a spin under the stars on the restaurant’s lantern-lit patio.

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Sources

Location and Catering: Battery Gardens

Flowers: Limelight Floral Design

Stationery: Alread Designs (save-the-dates) Hello Lucky (invitations and clip art); Minted (menus)

Cookie Favors: William Greenberg Desserts

Bride's Dress: Amsale

Bride's Earrings: H. Stern

Menswear: Hugo Boss

Cake: One Girl Cakes by Francina

Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Bride's Shoes: Caparros

Men's Shoes: Cole Haan

Hair: Blow

Custom Ties: Tiecrafters made with B&J Fabrics “Diamond Pin-Dot Brocade” polyacetate

Label for Tie Box: Namemaker

Tie Boxes: Luv2Pak "Everyday Rigid" 

Tissue Paper and Boxes: Paper Mart 

Clutches: Moyna Bags 

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