A Classic-Meets-Modern City Wedding Inspired by the Boston Public Garden

In September 2018, Adjatay Nyadjroh was watching football at Publico in South Boston when his friend Cara walked in with her sister, Victoria Marzilli, for brunch. When Cara spotted Adjatay, she and the friend he was with "started plotting" to get him to meet Victoria. "That said, I needed no convincing or encouragement, as Victoria was the most stunning woman I had ever seen and that was enough to compel me to speak to her," says Adjatay. "After a few frosés, an old fashioned, and some rich conversation about our backgrounds, I asked Victoria for her number and set up our first date the following Thursday. We have been inseparable ever since."

A little more than two years later, Adjatay surprised Victoria with an outdoor proposal at the Boston Public Garden. "He even sent a detailed map of where the proposal would take place to our closest friends and family so they could be waiting to celebrate with us," says Victoria.

Victoria and Adjatay began planning their wedding for June 19, 2021—just seven months from their engagement—realizing that they might need to cut or expand their guest list at any time depending on COVID-19 health guidelines. "We had no idea how many people would be able to celebrate with us, but we decided that we would move forward whether we were able to have 20 or 200 people attend," they say. Pandemic restrictions were lifted in the weeks before their wedding, allowing them to host 145 friends and family—who were all vaccinated. "We have very close family members who are immunocompromised, so it was simply not a risk we could take. We wanted to be able to celebrate without worry," they say.

Logistics aside, their big-day date held a deeper meaning. "Our wedding took place on Juneteenth, which has a special significance to us as an interracial couple, especially after the events of 2020," they say. "While the selection of June 19th was a coincidence at first, we felt like it was perfect for us. We shared information and resources about anti-racism on our wedding website to encourage our guests to learn more and get involved in the fight for equality. Furthermore, we raised money for the Equal Justice Initiative through our registry."

Though they originally hoped for an outdoor wedding, they were wowed by the planned renovations at The Newbury Boston, and became the first couple to get married there when it re-opened. "Our wedding planner knew our personal style was a mix of classic Boston with a modern touch and encouraged us to see it," says the couple. "What sealed the deal was when we realized that we could see the exact location of the proposal from the suites facing the Public Garden." They created an indoor garden party atmosphere with bold, multicolored florals to anchor their aesthetic. "We wanted to bring the outdoors in," says the pair. "After over a year of going through the pandemic, we wanted our wedding to be vibrant! We wanted to celebrate our life and our love and not take anything for granted anymore."

Letterpress invitations from Minted combined block and script text in a timeless black-and-ivory palette. "They were classic, which aligned with the feel of The Newbury Boston," says the couple.

With a little convincing from her mother and sister, Victoria chose a tulle appliqué wedding dress from Monique Lhuillier with a sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, off-the-shoulder straps, and dramatic train. "As someone who is usually quite introverted, it took a lot for me to go for the bolder dress choice," she says. "The dress felt dream-like, ethereal. I actually chose the gown before we even selected the venue, so I went with the one that I couldn't stop thinking about, even though it was quite different from what I thought I would want."

Victoria's four bridesmaids chose their own floor-length satin gowns from BHLDN and Revelry in champagne tones, which set off their bright florals.

Beach Plum Floral provided an array of vibrant pink peonies, white roses, and yellow ranunculus for the bride's and bridesmaids' bouquets and other arrangements at the ceremony and reception. "We drew inspiration from the public garden across the street which is full of beautiful, bright flowers," says the couple.

After wearing a traditional Cameroonian outfit and hat for the rehearsal dinner, Adjatay donned a white dinner jacket and tuxedo from The Black Tux for the ceremony. A polka-dot bow tie from Tie Bar added an understated print element to his outfit, and, to honor his role a first-generation American, he sported American flag socks. As a gift to his groomsmen, who wore black tuxedos, Adjatay gave each a pair of Nike Blazer Mid '77 vintage high tops they changed into at the reception.

The bride's father helped her out of a white vintage car just ahead of the ceremony.

Victoria and Adjatay knew immediately that they wanted to exchange vows at Saint Cecilia's church in Boston, which they began attending before their engagement. "It was already a personal choice for us. In fact, after our first time visiting, we knew we wanted to be married there," says the couple. "It's such a welcoming, diverse, beautiful church that we immediately felt at home."

They decided against meeting before the ceremony, saving their first look for Victoria's walk down the aisle. "Neither of us could sleep the night before the wedding because we were so excited," they say, "so finally seeing each other in the church was the best feeling of the day."

The bride and groom exchanged vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony. "It was important to us and our families that our ceremony be connected to the church," they say.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds took a vintage Rolls Royce through Boston's Back Bay neighborhood for photos at the Boston Public Garden. "We had a little time to ourselves to sip Champagne and smile as people waved and cheered as we drove by," says the couple.

Victoria and Adjatay mingled with their guests at the cocktail hour, which they personalized with inventive appetizers. "The Newbury's exceptional kitchen worked with us to create a custom menu that combined the cuisines of our cultures, Cameroonian and Italian," says the couple. "For the passed canapés, they created jollof rice arancini, fried plantains and spiced shrimp, and crispy artichokes. It was so heartwarming and special to be able to honor the joining of our heritage." Live music from a jazz trio lead by Eli Heath, a student at the nearby Berklee College of Music, was another highlight for the couple. "We were lucky to be able to tap into local talent of a world-class college of music that is located right down the street from the wedding location," they say.

Pale seafoam green table linens were a subtle contrast to the rich colors of the soaring raised centerpieces and low floral runners. "Even though the hotel was still under construction when we toured it, we could tell that the space was unlike any other venue in the city," says the couple. "It exudes classic Boston sensibility with a fresh, modern feeling in the artwork and details."

Petite compotes filled guest tables, which were covered with cream-hued linens.

Polished gold-rimmed chargers, gold flatware, and dramatic navy pillar candles added a modern sophistication to the place settings. "We wanted the wedding to be a mix of classic Boston feel and a more modern, fun, and fresh vibe," says the couple.

Fresh peonies and other colorful blooms adorned a four-tier cappuccino torte, French vanilla, and Italian buttercream cake from Dessert Works Bakery.

In memorable speeches, Victoria's sister and Adjatay's best friend each shared their recollections of the couple's first encounter. "The maid of honor and best man speeches were absolutely hilarious and got the party off to an amazing start," says the couple. "Both of them were there the day we met and played a part in introducing us, so they shared stories that had everyone in stitches."

After sharing their first dance to Anderson East's "This Too Shall Last," the couple requested "throwback hip hop and R&B" for the rest of the evening. "I don't think there was a slow song all night and hardly anyone left the dance floor," says Victoria. "Some of the floral arrangements may have fallen over because the dance floor was shaking so much!"

A display of colorful—and tasty—treats from Union Square Donuts provided a late-night sugar rush to keep the couple's guests on the dance floor. "The hardest part of planning was not knowing how many people would be able to celebrate with us," says the couple. "We were so fortunate that the public health situation improved dramatically right before our wedding and essentially all restrictions were able to be dropped. It was wonderful to see everyone's smiling faces—without masks—knowing we were safe to hug and kiss and dance!"

Photography, Tiffany Von Photography
Venue and Catering, St. Cecilia's Church (ceremony); The Newbury Boston (reception)
Event Planning, K. Kerkorian Weddings and Events
Flowers, Beach Plum Floral and Event Design
Officiant, Father Terrence Devino, S.J., Emmanuel College
Stationery, Minted
Cake, Dessert Works Bakery  
Music, Xuan He, organist (ceremony); Eli Heath Trio (cocktail hour); DJ Obie (reception)
Rentals, BBJ Linen; PEAK Event Services; Tommy Wholesale (dance floor)
Bride's Gown, Monique Lhuillier
Bride's Accessories, L'elite Bridal veil; Lulus shoes; Olive and Piper jewelry  
Hair, Le Jour by SJP
Makeup, Glamour Cosmetics
Bridesmaids' Dresses, BHLDN; Revelry
Groom's Attire and Menswear, The Black Tux
Groom's Tie, Tie Bar
Lighting, Port Lighting
Transportation, Expo Limousine (Rolls Royce); Met Limo of Boston
Rings, Brilliant Earth
Donuts, Union Square Donuts
Groom's Wedding Band, Blue Nile
Guest Book, Etsy