Hudson Valley natives Jessica and Brian (she grew up in Katonah; he’s from Woodstock) met at the University of Vermont while studying for an exam. After graduation, the couple returned to New York but took every opportunity to visit to the Green Mountain State, including a mini-reunion with some college friends to Burlington in 2015. During the first night of the trip — and one day before Jessica’s birthday — Brian got down on one knee in the middle of their rental home’s living room and proposed to Jessica in front of all their friends.
“I got to planning immediately after we got engaged,” recalls Jessica, who dreamt of a fall wedding, but found that many of her ideal venues were already booked for the upcoming year. After two weeks of research and setting up appointments, the couple spent a day visiting venues throughout the Hudson Valley, but none of the places felt quite right. “To be honest, it was a little discouraging,” says Jessica. “Then we pulled into Monteverde at Oldstone, drove down the beautiful tree-lined drive and up to the most incredible view of the Hudson River. The foliage was at peak, and we knew instantly this was the place we wanted to get married.”
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Once the date was set, Jessica and Brian reached out immediately to Hank Lane to find a killer band for the reception. “Music was number one,” says Jessica. “We both knew our perfect wedding would include everyone on the dancefloor all night.” For the ceremony, Brian and Jessica chose to break with traditional structure and tell the story of how they met and fell in love. Based off of interviews with the couple and their families, their officiant “crafted this beautiful story,” says Jessica. On the day itself, misty weather forced the festivities indoors, so the team at Monteverde converted one of the historic manor’s dining rooms into a romantic ceremony space. Open doors kept the feel light and airy, while flowers, candlelit lanterns, and crackling fire in the hearth created a cozy, romantic vibe. “Our ceremony [ended up feeling] so intimate,” recalls Jessica. “All I wanted was to marry my husband-to-be.”
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Photography: Leo Timoshuk; www.leotim.com | Venue: Monteverde at Oldstone, Cortlandt Manor; 914.874.9247; www.monteverdeatoldstone.com | Florist: Greene Willow, Rye; 914.921.4431; www.greenewillow.com | Caterer: Tastefully Yours, Briarcliff Manor; 914.762.0299; www.tastefullyyourscatering.com | Cake: Lulu Cake Boutique, Scarsdale; 914.722.8300; www.everythinglulu.com | Invitations: Fine Lines of Katonah, Katonah; 914.232.4856; www.finelineskatonah.com | Lighting: Stortz Lighting, Brooklyn; 718.237.5371; www.stortzlighting.com | Dress: Berta (www.berta.com) purchased at L’Fay Bridal, New York; 212.671.1051; www.lfay.com | Music: Joel Young Bank from Hank Lane Music, New York; 212.767.0600; www.hanklane.com
