June 29, 2015
By Samantha Garbarini
Theater professionals Erica and Brian first met at a Broadway softball league game. Though an ankle injury forced Erica to leave the league, she found Brian again a few months later, when an online dating site matched their profiles. It took only two dates for Erica to know she had found the one.
“The next day, I called my parents and was like, ‘I’m going to marry him; I’m letting you know right now,’” she recalls. Erica was proved right when Brian proposed two and a half years later.
The first requirement for planning their wedding: getting married on a Monday. “That’s the day off for most Broadway shows, so it was the only way our friends could come,” says Erica.
Because of their unique needs, the bride and groom had their choice of venues—though they knew they wanted something with a rustic feel. Since barns tend to lack basic amenities, the couple decided on Buttermilk Falls Inn, which not only has that rustic feel but also beautiful grounds and and cozy rooms for their families to stay in.
Erica was open to different gown styles, but she wanted to keep to a strict budget. ”I don’t believe in spending $8,000 on a wedding dress,“ she says. ”I don’t think it’s worth it for five hours of your life.“ Her lace Tara Keely by Lazaro dress was simple and right on budget.
Erica and Brian also kept the decor simple, featuring touches like table-card displays with gold tags and branches from their own backyard.
Erica and Brian chose to keep things simple, with only about 50 guests and no bridal party. “We just didn’t need the giant, crazy shebang,” Erica says. “We wanted it to be more about having an open bar, really good food, a really good DJ, and making it a really good party.”
In choosing a venue, Erica and Brian wanted something that felt like home. “We live on a lake out in the woods. Our house is a stone cottage that was built in 1923, so we wanted somewhere that reflected our style, which is a little more rustic,” Erica says. “Buttermilk was just everything we asked for. The grounds were really beautiful; there‘s plenty of space for people to stay; and they have a barn, but it was built to be an event space with modern amenities.”
The couple kept the ceremony simple, too, choosing to be married by a close friend and exchange vows they’d written themselves. But despite the emphasis the couple placed on simplicity and unpretentiousness, they allowed themselves a flourish of decadence in the form of a rich marble layer cake frosted with swirls of fudge and chocolate buttercream.
The party ended with everyone on the dance floor surrounding the bride and groom. “It was one of those random, cheesy wedding moments,” remembers Erica. “But it was amazing for the both of us.”
Photographer: Julianne and Steven Markow of The Markows (732) 995-0956; www.markowphotography.com.
Venue and Catering: Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, NY (845) 795-1310; www.buttermilkfallsinn.com.
Cake: The Pastry Garden, Poughkeepsie (845) 473-5260; www.thepastrygarden.com.
Florist: The Green Cottage, High Falls (845) 687-4810; www.thegreencottage.com.
Music: Jimmy Lutz of Lutz Entertainment, Highland (914) 456-4143; www.lutzentertainment.com.
Wedding Gown: Tara Keely by Lazaro, purchased at Bridals by Lori, Atlanta, GA (877) 408-8870; www.bridalsbylori.com.
Rings: Ken & Dana Design, New York, NY (212) 972-7031; shop.kenanddanadesign.com.
Bridal Hair: Alex Mnayarji of Alex Anthony Salon, New York, NY (646) 499-1111; www.alexanthonysalon.com.
Groom’s Attire: J.Crew, multiple locations; www.jcrew.com.
