Real NK Bride, Izzie, married her wife, Ellen, on a magical rainy day in October surrounded by loved ones and an air of spirituality. From the intimate first dances to matching rustic wedding bands, these brides kept it simple and focused on their love for each other. Read on to see how the two-piece set Nathalie created for Izzie was just what she needed to ease Izzie's peace of mind.
Finding “The One”
The story of Izzie and Ellen's journey to love started with a casual introduction by Izzie's sister in 2014. Initially, they were just friends, and their connection developed gradually over a couple of years. “Ellen said she knew she wanted to be with me right away. For me, it took a bit longer to get there, but I did!” The turning point came when they embarked on a beautiful trip to Joshua Tree. Under the vast expanse of stars, surrounded by the serene landscape, Izzie had a profound realization. Though the exact words elude her memory, the scene remains etched in her mind as the moment she knew. The trip became a pivotal and cherished memory, marking the beginning of a journey that would last a lifetime.
The Engagement
“We’re lesbians, so we knew we wanted to get married after like three months,” Izzie joked. A couple of years into their relationship, they realized the desire to take the next step and get engaged. They collaborated with Natalie Klapper, one of Izzie's best friends and a talented custom jewelry maker, to design their gold engagement rings, which also double as wedding bands. Love the practicality! “Neither of us are really diamond people, but we didn’t want just a boring, smooth band either.” The rings are covered in little dents and grooves, giving them a perfectly imperfect look.
In May 2021, originally planning to propose during a getaway to Ellen’s family home, circumstances led the women to change course. Then, during a balcony dinner at home with their beloved Shih Tzu, Arthur, and a table of pizza, Ellen asked, “Should we just do it?” And so it happened, marking a significant moment after 4.5 years of dating! Embracing a longer engagement allowed them to plan their wedding at a leisurely pace, savoring the process amidst the pandemic challenges.
The NK Experience
Choosing NK Bride
Izzie did the whole “off-the-rack” dress hunting with Ellen at BHLDN, and while it was nice to experience that joy with her, Izzie wanted something different. She heard about NK Bride from one of her best friends and our client, Adina, who got a custom veil with us. “Adina was like, ‘Why don’t you just have Nathalie make your whole outfit?” A brilliant suggestion, if we may say so! After the first consultation, Izzie was sold. “I hate shopping and don’t always love interacting [...] in the store, so I just knew I needed this.”
The Outfit
“I’m a queer, nonbinary human and never felt super aligned with how a dress makes me feel.” Though Izzie was leaning toward a jumpsuit, she was reminded of the lack of convenience it could bring and went with a two-piece set instead. Izzie got some help from her sister, her “fashion guide and expert,” to gather inspiration and design the vision in her mind. She suggested an off-the-shoulder chiffon blouse paired with high-waisted pants, so when Nathalie made the sketch, “it was exactly what [they] hoped it would be.” The silk neckline and cuffs were adorned with covered buttons, showing Nathalie’s astute attention to detail and eye for fabrics. “I was like, ‘Whoa, the two of you could really go into business,” Izzie laughed.
The Accessories
If you’re looking for something to give your hair a pop that isn’t too over-the-top, try our Leilani Bridal Comb like Izzie did! It added the perfect finishing touch to her look, bringing the white and ivory cohesion from her outfit into her hair and reflecting the flowers in her decor.
Working With Nathalie
“Nathalie’s amazing. She’s perfection. She was so kind and was so focused on making sure I had what I wanted.” Our designer used her expertise to match different fabrics to Izzie’s skin tone. “There were so many options, so it was really exciting!” The bride-to-be was also ecstatic that her mom could be a part of the fun. Fittings at the NK Bride studio became a “cherished bonding experience, making every appointment a special moment leading up to the wedding.” In addition to her mom’s company, Nathalie's unwavering desire to give Izzie her dream look made the entire journey seamless and enjoyable. “It was such a wonderful experience, and I’m just so grateful to have had Nathalie be part of the process!”
The Wedding Inspiration
Opting for a dreamy Hudson Valley wedding, Izzie and Ellen found the perfect venue in Blooming Hill Farm. It offered the “warm and inviting” ambiance they wanted, standing out for its fair pricing and exceptional food—something the foodie couple greatly appreciated. The venue's transparency in the wedding planning process impressed them, making the decision easy. Despite encountering a torrential downpour on the wedding day, the couple embraced it, considering it a stroke of good luck. “It rained at my parents’ and sisters' weddings! And it’ll probably rain at my other sister’s wedding too,” she laughed. The tents and heaters ensured a comfortable atmosphere, and the wedding turned out to be so enchanting that neither the couple nor their guests minded the unexpected weather.
The First Look
The first look had a unique and meaningful touch, as the brides combined it with the Jewish bedeken ceremony led by their rabbi. It involved a heartwarming moment where the couple stood back to back, going through guided meditations to ground themselves. When they turned around, it was truly a moment of pure bliss and serenity. “Ellen was blown away by the look. She was so happy.” Despite the dolled-up wedding attire, Ellen reassured Izzie that the ensemble was undeniably authentic and "very her," making the entire experience even more special.
The Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was a truly amazing and community-oriented affair for Izzie and Ellen. They opted for their own interpretation of the Jewish traditional Seven Blessings, inviting different groups of friends to deliver blessings with unique themes, adding a beautiful and personal touch. The couple focused more on the spiritual aspects than strict religious adherence, including a special ritual. As they walked down the aisle, Izzie and Ellen performed seven circles around each other, symbolic of building a wall of love around one another.
Reflecting their love for fall, the florist, Nadine, from Blooming Hill Farm, seamlessly translated their vision into stunning floral arrangements. Their ketubah matched the concept, featuring fall leaves and trees, symbolizing life's journey—a perfect complement to their heartfelt celebration.
The Reception
Blooming Hill Farm provided standard yet stunning fall decor for the reception, complemented by their signature hanging lights. The couple added their own candles, enhancing the cozy atmosphere.
For the first dance, Izzie and Ellen decided to do something out of character—learn a choreographed dance. They took six weeks of lessons, and to their surprise, loved it so much that they’re making it a regular thing! Who knew a wedding could bring out a new hobby? Both brides shared heartwarming first dances with their fathers, a last-minute addition that turned out to be a sweet and memorable part of the celebration. And of course, who can forget the hora? What a fun way to get everyone in party mode!
The Cake
Izzie and Ellen's journey to find the perfect wedding cake led them to Newburgh Flour Shop in Hudson. After one tasting, they were hooked. Going with a classic yet exquisite combination, they chose a white cake adorned with vanilla buttercream frosting and a delectable lemon curd filling. They also selected a yellow sheet cake with rich chocolate ganache for easy cutting. Blooming Hill's expert, Nadine, skillfully adorned the cakes with beautiful flowers, making the sweet finale of their celebration both visually stunning and incredibly delicious.
The Special Moment
The wedding day was filled with deeply spiritual and intimate moments that Izzie and Ellen will cherish forever. From the emotional first look and dance to the ketubah signing with their closest friends, every moment held significance. Even the culmination of the evening became a cherished memory. “At your wedding, you don't really get to see your partner that much with all the running around, so getting to dance the last two songs together was really special.” Plus, the unwavering support of both sets of parents added an extra layer of love to the celebration, making it a day filled with matrimonial bliss and a strong sense of familial connection.
Congratulations to the lovely brides! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.
<3 NK Bride
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The Dream Team
Photographer: B Hull Photography | Izzie’s Blouse, Pants, and Bridal Comb: NK Bride | Venue, Planning, Catering, Florals: Blooming Hill Farm | Rings: Natalie Klapper | Cake: Newburgh Flour Shop | Couple: Izzie & Ellen