Marissa & Patrick’s Wedding

Love stories can be filled with unexpected twists and turns, and Marissa and Patrick’s journey was no exception. From their first date at a cocktail bar in the West Village of NYC to a proposal mishap turned adventure in Portugal, their path was paved with unique experiences. Their wedding day, held in the captivating Botanical Gardens of the Franklin Park Conservatory, was a celebration of their love, adorned with ethereal florals, glowing tablescapes, and whimsical touches of butterflies!

How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?

In true modern dating fashion, Marissa and Patrick met on a little known online dating app known as Bumble. The banter was quick and natural, and a date was soon set up at The Spaniard in the West Village of New York City. There was an immediate spark as Marissa and Patrick conversed in topics from party buses to college football to workout classes over cocktails.

Four years later, Patrick planned a proposal on a trip to Portugal over the scenic caves and coast of the Algarve (which almost wasn’t possible as Patrick forgot to renew his passport and an emergency trip to the Buffalo, NY US Passport Agency was required as the only appointment available).

Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!

Patrick performed a surprise serenade after the speeches for Marissa in front of the entire wedding. Patrick has played guitar as a hobby since he was a kid, and often plays for Marissa at home in their apartment. Patrick practiced a serenade medley at home for months while Marissa was out of the apartment. He hand selected some of their favorite songs, including Can’t Help Falling in Love, XO, and lastly, Collide – a classic song Patrick has been playing for friends since a high school talent show. After the speeches, a special guest was announced and Patrick took the stage to serenade his new wife. Marissa was blown away, and will remember the special moment forever.

Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?

We wanted to pay special tributes throughout the day to Patrick’s mother, who sadly passed away from cancer last year. The groom, groomsmen, and father/stepfather of the bride and groom all wore orchid boutonnieres, which were her favorite flowers. Patrick’s sister did a Bible reading from Psalms 91, which was hand selected by Patrick’s mother prior to her passing, in both English and Mandarin.

Marissa and Patrick shared their first date at a cocktail bar in the West Village of NYC. Four years later, Patrick planned a proposal for a trip to Portugal. However, it was not without a passport mishap and an immediate trip to the US Passport Agency in Buffalo. The couple was engaged on Portugal’s southern coast in the incredible scenic caves of the Algarve.

With a modern twist of enchantment, Marissa and Patrick’s wedding day was an ethereal dream of florals, glowing tablescapes, and touches of butterflies. Hosted in the Botanical Gardens of the Franklin Park Conservatory, the couple enjoyed a romantic outdoor celebration. The perfect September day offered a sunny ceremony that descended outside of the Victorian-era house. A modern floral altar included floral arrangements set on the ground and atop clear acrylic pillars. Marissa’s sparkling gown, designed by Lee Grebenau, included hand-sewn floral applique created from tulle, beading, and dainty three-dimensional touches. Patrick wore a custom black tuxedo with red and green striped Gucci loafers. He later donned a blue jacket as the couple made their grand entrance into the reception. Elevated moments of satin tablecloths and napkins were accompanied by colorful taper candlelight in the charming outdoor space. A floral color story was created from light and whimsical pastel shades with moments of dusty pink roses, peachy dahlias, and creamy yellow zinnias. From the floral arrangements, light blue larkspur sprung forth, which added length and wonder to every bouquet. Most notably, a cloche seating chart was created from the glass decor in a display of fresh clusters of greenery and buds, which tied together the garden’s Venetian-style fountains and enchanting iron gazebos. – Aisle & Co.

What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?

We wanted all of our wedding day details to be meaningful and intentional. Our cloche seating chart reinforced the enchanted garden theme. It was stunning, with clusters of fresh florals and greenery surrounding glass cloches listing guest tables. Instead of traditional table numbers, our stationer created illustrations of our favorite New York neighborhoods and landmarks to indicate where each guest would sit. Although our wedding was in Marissa’s hometown of Columbus, we wanted to incorporate a nod to the city where we live and where our relationship has flourished. Other special details included napkins with a custom sketch of our beloved pug, Sven. He also had a cocktail named after him, the Sven 75, as well as a Mercer Street margarita in homage of the street where we live. Butterfly details carried the whimsical theme throughout the gorgeous invitation suite, the seating chart, and bar signs. We both love to eat, and were thrilled that our caterer was able to incorporate Asian appetizers like tuna crispy rice, bao buns, and spring rolls.

What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?

We wanted the day to be a reflection of us and one that we would remember forever. We hoped the day would feel romantic, light, and airy – like floating through an ethereal dream. We also wanted to incorporate color into our event, and stuck to lighter, more whimsical pastel shades with pops of bolder tones. The twinkling bistro lighting, colorful candlelight, and stunning backdrop of the Franklin Park Conservatory made the night feel like we were in an enchanted garden fit for fairies. Overall, we wanted the day to feel like magic, and it did! We also wanted everyone there to feel our love for each other. Many meaningful details like writing our own vows, Patrick’s surprise serenade, and heartfelt speeches from friends and family ensured everyone felt love in the air. Truly everyone was vibrating at a higher frequency that day.

If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?

Our wedding planning advice would be to focus on your relationship and love for each other, and find ways to translate that unique love into your event. It’s easy to get caught up on things you think you need to include based on what you see online or at other events, but it’s more meaningful if the details are thoughtful and special to you!