Kelly and Jason met at her job years ago, remained casual friends, and reconnected about three years ago, ultimately falling in love. For their wedding celebration, held at the Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, they wanted to include Jason’s three daughters—Mia, Alexa, and Lauren, who were then 4, 6, and 9, respectively—as well as two of the groom’s nieces and the bride’s cousin. All of the girls wore mint-green tutu dresses.
“I thought the whole concept of a bunch of girls in fairy dresses would make it very magical,” says Kelly. “I really wanted the girls to be a big focus for the wedding.”
The rustic winery venue stood out to the couple because they wanted an outdoor wedding. They held their party under a white tent adorned with string lights. “It had the exact feel I was looking for,” says Kelly, a yoga teacher. She and Jason, a broker and manager for Wells Fargo, got engaged at a private dinner during a vacation in Costa Rica.
One of Kelly’s friends performed the ceremony in front of 160 guests. Kelly and Jason wrote their own vows for the ceremony, which, the bride says, had a “spiritual, not religious, feel.”
For the first dance, Kelly and Jason danced to “Right Down the Line,” by Gerry Rafferty. Jason’s daughters were standing nearby and, when the DJ cut in with “Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night” by the Black Eyed Peas, the newlyweds and the girls finished the first dance together, as a family.
“It was really important for Jason’s daughters to feel a big part of it," Kelly says. "It was as much their day, too. They talk about it all the time.”
The couple went to yard sales and antique shops searching for vintage and DIY touches, which became projects like colorful signage or a seating chart featuring guest names written on clothespins. For their table numbers, Jason cut logs into tree rounds and Kelly did the painting. For that DIY project and many others, “He did the construction part and I did the decorative part,” she says. To get the guests involved, the couple used Jenga game pieces as a guestbook.
The bride’s favorite wedding details were the ethnic food stations, which served dishes such as Mediterranean-style fish, create-your-own pork shoulder tacos, Asian food, and a carving station. “It’s what made it feel more like a party instead of a formal sit-down,” she says.
Kelly and Jason honeymooned in Thailand. They live in Newburgh, where those Jenga pieces are in a jar in their living room. “They’re something I can see and touch all the time,” says Kelly.
The Details: Photographer: Natalia Squilla of Photography by Natalia, Beacon (845) 545-0710; www.photographybynatalia.com. Ceremony and Reception Venue: Benmarl Winery, Marlboro (845) 236-4265; www.benmarl.com. Caterer: Lola’s Cafe and Catering, Poughkeepsie (845) 471-8555; www.lolascafeandcatering.com. Cake/Dessert: Calico Restaurant & Patisserie, Rhinebeck (845) 876-2749; www.calicorhinebeck.com. Florist: Angela Bumstead (845) 262-3680. Music and Entertainment: Jamel Watkins, Shine Events, West Nyack (845) 535-3100; www.shineevents.com. Invitations: Minted; www.minted.com. Favors: Succulents, designed by florist Angela Bumstead. Wedding Gown: Theia (www.theiacouture.com), purchased at Lovely Bride, New York, NY (212) 924-2050; www.lovelybride.com. Shoes/Accessories: Shoes: Jimmy Choo; www.jimmychoo.com. Accessories: Norma Jeans Closet via Etsy; www.etsy.com/shop/normajeanscloset. Jewelry: Pippin Vintage; www.pippinvintage.com. Hair vine: Twigs and Honey; www.twigsandhoney.com. Bridal Hair: Alyse Camara from Hair By Alyse at Salon 52, Poughkeepsie (845) 483-1177; www.hairbyalyse.weebly.com. Bridal Makeup: Danee Lynn at Makeup By Danee; www.makeupbydanee.com. Bridesmaid Dresses: Maid of Honor dress by J Crew, multiple locations; www.jcrew.com. Flower Girls’ Dresses: OliviaKate Couture via Etsy; www.etsy.com/shop/OliviaKateCouture. Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse, multiple locations; www.menswearhouse.com.