Destination Weddings: August in New York City

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding in New York City in August. My boyfriend, Jason and I, hopped a Friday evening flight to the big city. Even though we have both visited the Big Apple multiple times, it is always thrilling to fly in over the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River & the big city lights. I was beyond excited!


First stop, rehearsal dinner at the Boat Basin Café. This is a fun, casual, outdoor restaurant with an open air patio that overlooks the marina on the Hudson River & New Jersey just across the water.

Saturday was the wedding day! The details of the wedding were adorable. The groom wore a perfectly placed ranunculus boutonniere and the ladies held fresh colorful bouquets of pink and green.

Pre ceremony pictures were shot in Madison Square Park. It was very different to be in a public setting for photographs as opposed to our private, gated venue at Riverwood Mansion. It was hard to ignore the onlookers, partially nude sun bathers, water fountain dancers and non-domesticated cats on a leash. Yes, these were things I saw with my own eyes that day! But the photographer was clearly an expert and dodged the obstacles with patience & ease.

Next stop, Chelsea Piers! We boarded a small boat decked out with a bar and snacks. It was a bit choppy on the water, but well worth the trip. When we reached the Brooklyn Bridge the bride and groom took their vows. A small intimate group of close friends and family, on a boat on the Hudson River, next to the statue of liberty, tears of joy from parents and siblings & music set a scene that could not have been more ideal.

Still feeling a bit sea sick, we took a limo to Centro Vinoteca, a restaurant in the meat packing district with a modern yet classic Italian feel. They had special menu cards at each place setting chosen by the bride. I had the Peppercress & Roasted Chioggia Beet salad, grilled Black Angus Ribeye & an assortment of sorbet flavors for dessert. Not to mention the wedding cake! The father of the bride gave a nice speech, along with close friends in the bridal party. We were fat and happy.

The bride and groom will be moving to Shanghai, China for work in October so their favors were little Chinese soup spoons. A perfect last touch to personalize their event!

Oh, and I couldn’t leave the city without visiting Kleinfeld’s Bridal Shop!

It was so fun to be a guest for this wedding weekend and to have a real New York City experience. To learn more about personalizing your wedding day Nashville style, please contact a coordinator at Riverwood Mansion or visit our bride’s only section at www.riverwoodmansion.com.

Happy Planning!

Katie Gifford