Real NK Bride Mae's wedding to husband Anthony was a beautiful celebration filled with whimsical garden vibes that perfectly matched the serene atmosphere of the venue. From the delicate veil and charming hair bow we created to complement Mae's bridal looks, to the pastel dress code and vintage decor, every detail was thoughtfully designed to reflect their love story and style. Stay tuned to see Mae’s cottagecore accessories and the dramatic (and cute) entrance of the couple’s furry friends!
The NK Experience
Choosing NK Bride
Less than two months before Mae's wedding, she found herself on the hunt for the perfect veil. Living on Long Island, she wanted to find someone local who could bring her vintage-inspired vision to life. That's when she stumbled upon NK Bride, conveniently located near her hairdresser. It felt like fate—she could get her hair done and explore this place that specialized in bespoke pieces, which was exactly what she was looking for. From the moment she walked in, Mae knew NK Bride could craft something truly special for her.
The Veil
Mae couldn't imagine not wearing a veil on her wedding day; it's such a quintessential part of a bride's look. She found inspiration from Taylor Hill, who wore a veil similar to the one Mae envisioned. Mae adored how Taylor's veil looked not only from the back but also from the side, which is crucial since that's the angle most guests see during the ceremony. The layers of tulle added a beautiful dimension. This detail was particularly important to Mae, as it created a stunning visual for everyone watching her walk down the aisle.
Initially, she tried on some veils in our inventory, and while they were beautiful, they weren't exactly what she was looking for, so we created a custom one for her. As much as Mae loved Taylor Hill’s veil, she still wanted to make it her own by shortening the layers’ length. She was torn between a simple style and something a bit more unique. Nathalie convinced her to go for something special. There’s no better occasion after all!
The Reveal
At first, our bride didn’t have her ceremony dress with her, so she tried the veil on with her reception dress. Since it was a simpler style, Mae was concerned that the veil wouldn’t go with her more intricate dress, but Nathalie put that concern to rest. “She just made me feel really good about it and confident that it wouldn't clash.” When Mae finally saw the veil paired with the right dress, “it looked exactly as [she] had imagined.” The blusher added a dynamic element to the photos. “I just love that we incorporated that because it's something I wouldn't have thought of.”
Working With Nathalie
Working with Nathalie and the team at NK Bride was an absolute delight for Mae. From the moment she arrived, everything was handled with care and attention to detail. “It was so nice. The team was great!” Mae recalled. From admiring Nathalie’s sketches and seeing her creative visions come to fruition to our special iced teas served on a hot New York day, the personal touches and warm hospitality made it an overall lovely experience and smooth process. “When I picked up the veil, which was only a few days out from the wedding, I didn't even try on the veil and dress again. I just felt like we were good. I had full faith that you guys did it right.” Mae also mentioned how pleasantly surprised she was to receive a complimentary NK Bride tote bag and water bottle. “I just love the whole way everything was presented.” We’ve gotta make sure our brides are hydrated!
Mae was so pleased with us that if she had a time machine, she may have done things differently. “If I would have found NK Bride sooner I would have gotten a custom dress done too.” The positive experience she had with Nathalie and the team left a lasting impression. “I’m already thinking about an excuse to come back in the foreseeable future!” We see a vow renewal in our crystal ball!
Future Plans
Mae cherishes everything from her wedding day. Her next priority is figuring out how to protect and preserve her cherished pieces from bugs and dust. She's determined to keep them safe for whoever might stumble upon them in the future, much like how she discovered some of her own. The experience was incredibly special to her, and she's keen on holding on to these precious memories.
The Ceremony Dress
Mae always knew she wanted a vintage or vintage-inspired look for her wedding. She only visited one store and tried on all their vintage pieces. When she tried on a dress from their resort collection sample, she knew it was the one. To make matters better, it never made it into the final collection, deeming it one-of-a-kind. Mae loved the ribbon detail at the top and adored the way it draped, adding beautiful movement as she walked. She wanted something simple yet elegant, with subtle intricate details. With a custom addition of decorative buttons down the center back and embroidery of Mae’s and Anothony’s initials and wedding date, the dress was complete.
Finding the One
Mae met her now-husband, Anthony, at Johnson & Wales University in 2013, just days before the school year began. She was a freshman, and he was a junior. They quickly formed a connection and officially became a couple that December. Mae always knew she wanted to return to New York post-graduation, but The Big Apple hadn’t crossed Anthony’s mind. Nevertheless, despite his family being in Florida, Mae convinced him to move to the city with her.
Mae knew he was the one because although he had always been serious and committed, she felt that he went above and beyond by making this big move with her. Anthony’s ambition, kindness, and commitment have strengthened their bond over the years. “Since the very beginning, he was extremely ambitious. I didn't have to encourage him to be. I was looking for someone like that and someone who was very kind and friendly.” Anthony has always met these criteria. At the end of the day, “We have our own goals individually, but also together as a couple, and I think that's just so important.” The couple has also been through everything in the 11 years they've been together, including health issues and loss, the ultimate tests of any relationship.
Now, having just moved into their new home, Mae often reflects on how quickly certain decisions have fallen into place for her, like buying the first dress and the first house she saw. She feels fortunate that, in both instances, she found what she wanted almost immediately. These decisions have marked significant milestones in their life together, and she couldn’t be happier with how everything has unfolded.
The Proposal
Mae's proposal was filled with thoughtful surprises. In December 2022, just before their ninth anniversary, Mae and Anthony traveled to Florida for Christmas, as they did every year. Mae expected Anthony to arrive a few days later than her, but to her surprise, he was already at the hotel when she got there. The next day, the couple had a scheduled photo shoot which wasn’t unusual for them, but Anthony made sure to make it extra special. On the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Mae discovered a beautifully arranged picnic with flowers and a charcuterie board. But, the biggest surprise was seeing Boo, the couple’s beloved Samoyed, who had made the long drive with Anthony just for this moment. “It was so beautiful, and we met in Florida, so it was perfect!” It doesn’t get more romantic than that!
When it came to the ring, Mae, who never thought she would get married and isn’t big on jewelry, didn’t have a clear vision. All she knew was that she wanted something classic in gold to complement her skin tone. Anthony decided to design a ring for her online and then asked her to create one as well, so they could compare. Incredibly, “when we came together to show our designs, we had designed the same exact ring without even knowing it!” Couple goals much? A simple, round, lab-grown diamond with smaller diamonds on the band, creating the illusion of two bands in one. The ring’s simplicity and thoughtful design reflect their deep understanding of each other and show just how well Anthony knows Mae and what she would cherish.
The Wedding Inspiration
When Mae and Anthony began planning their wedding, they quickly learned that selecting the right venue was crucial. After considering several Long Island locations, Mae realized that none of the typical options—wineries, beach venues, or ballrooms—aligned with her vision. To make things easier before searching online, she took some advice to pick three words that embodied her vision for the wedding: whimsical, romantic, and garden. Then, “I found this image, and it was of a pergola with lots of greenery, and the bride was at the center. And I was like, ‘That's it. I know it.’” It was M&D Farm in upstate New York. With only two dates in June 2024 available, Mae had to act fast. Booked in February of 2023, the couple couldn’t even visit the property until June, but it didn’t matter. Mae knew in her heart that it’d be everything she’d dreamed of.
The venue exceeded their expectations, offering the enchanting “English cottage garden” feel they had envisioned. The experience was made even more special by the historic farmhouse on the property, where the entire wedding party and guests were welcome to stay.
Some advice from our bride: “If you're able to stay at the property, I highly recommend it. It definitely makes it less stressful because you're not worried about getting in the car or forgetting something. It's all right there.” No arguments here!
The First Look
The pair had a dreamy first look before the ceremony. “There were so many gardens where we could do it, but we chose under the pergola, which was the image that I found online. So again, it all came full circle.” Surrounded by statues, the sound of water from the nearby pond, and lush greenery, it was as perfect as a movie scene. Anthony was filled with pure joy seeing his soon-to-be wife. “Overall, he was just smitten.” She added, “After a year and a half of planning and ten years of dating, we finally came to this point.” This moment was a culmination of everything they had worked toward, and it was nothing short of remarkable.
The Wedding Party
For the bridal party, Mae asked her friends to wear dresses of their choice. She provided a mood board with pastel colors, florals, and light prints to guide their selections but allowed for personal style and preferred silhouettes. “The most important thing for me was that I wanted it to be a style that they like and can wear for other events, and some of them already had dresses in their closets, which was perfect.” To make the entire event cohesive, Mae sent the same mood board to her guests as a dress code, and everyone understood the assignment.
We’d be remiss not to mention the groomsmen too! They stood out in an array of colors, a refreshing alternative to the usual black. The result was a beautifully coordinated but not overly matched look, with each friend in a unique pastel ensemble that fit the garden-themed aesthetic to a tee.
The Ceremony
The floral arrangements were designed to be unfussy and not over-the-top, with the venue itself serving as the primary decor. Mae’s florist captured this vision by using locally grown, fresh seasonal flowers from upstate New York. The concept was to achieve a romantic, whimsical, and intimate garden party feel with a clean, light color palette that complemented the Mediterranean-inspired setting.
One highlight of the ceremony was the inclusion of the couple's dogs. We love a pet-inclusive wedding! Boo Bear (a fitting name for his title) wore a custom floral collar as the ring bearer, while Bungie, the Cocker Spaniel, arrived in a miniature car and a "Flower Girl" license plate. “It was so cute, and it was such a surprise because no one knew it was going to happen.” If you were thinking of adding your furry family to your wedding party, this is your sign!
The couple also honored a very special guest who attended in spirit: Mae’s late mother. In a heartfelt tribute, Mae incorporated blue hydrangeas from her mother’s garden into the ceremony space. These flowers were used to adorn a memory chair, accompanied by a photograph of the bride and her mother on the day she was adopted. “It was really beautiful to have her right in the front.” Mae is having the hydrangeas preserved in a frame surrounding a poem her grandmother wrote about the family cottage. What a thoughtful way to commemorate such important women in her life.
The Bridal Bow & Reception Dress
Mae had found another vintage wedding dress in January, initially not planning to wear it on her wedding day. When she met Nathalie and the NK Bride team, we asked if she planned on having a second look. Mae showed us the vintage dress, and we encouraged her to wear it. A second dress called for a complementary accessory: a custom hair bow we matched to the cottagecore vibe of the gown. Since the bride did her own hair and makeup, she wanted something simple. It was perfect for Mae, as she loves bows and had even worn one for her save-the-date photos.
The accessory added a touch of interest to her bridal look, seamlessly tying together her entire wedding aesthetic into her own little bridal collection, as Nathalie calls it. It all came together effortlessly, making the experience all the more memorable.
The Reception
“I wanted it to feel like Anthony and I woke up the morning of our wedding, cut some flowers in the garden, and put them in vases. I wanted it to feel organic, simple, very undone.” The tables featured a mix of tapered brass candles, vases of varying sizes and heights, and various other vintage items curated from Facebook Marketplace, which contributed to a vintage-inspired look that Mae is now reusing in their new home. Not an element was out of place.
Lovers of R&B, Mae and Anthony did their first dance to “No Air” by Jordan Sparks after practicing the choreography for several months. It didn’t stop there, though. Their pups got a first dance too! Mae swayed with Bungie and Anthony with Boo to a special song, highlighting their significance in the pair’s lives. What a unique touch!
Although their plans for a vintage-photo-booth guestbook fell through, the venue coordinators quickly came to the rescue with a Polaroid camera, which eliminated the constraint that comes with a photo booth. Sometimes a change of plans can be a blessing! Anthony’s friend also came through with disposable cameras, snapping pictures throughout the night as a thoughtful wedding gift.
The Cake
Keeping to the theme, the duo opted for a simple black & white cake with buttercream icing and strawberries for their intimate cake cutting. It was a hit due to its balanced sweetness and light texture. “I wish they had given us leftovers of everything, but I do miss that cake. It was so delicious!”
The Favorite Moments
There were so many aspects of Mae’s wedding to love, but she pinpointed a few standout ones for us. The relaxed atmosphere of getting ready with her childhood best friends was one of them. Instead of worrying, they embraced the rainy day and belted Hilary Duff’s “Come Clean.” Though the clouds eventually opened up for a sunny ceremony, the reception came with a welcomed drizzle in the humid June heat and made for memorable photos.
The reception was a hit with its casual dining setup featuring a ramen bar, pasta station, and tacos, complemented by a late-night snack of chicken, Texas toast, and crinkle fries, an ode to Raising Cane’s and Anthony’s childhood. With no seating chart, guests were free to meet new people and catch up with others, making for a homey environment. When they weren’t mixing and mingling, everyone was enjoying the dance floor, which was never empty. It was so nice for Mae to hear that “this was the best wedding, the best food, just the overall best wedding experience” guests had had. “I wish we could redo it, but not be the bride and groom and just be guests without the stress,” Mae laughed, “but we loved every minute of it.”
Congratulations, Mae and Anthony! We wish you a lifetime of happiness together.
<3 NK Bride
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The Dream Team
Photographer: Claire Hiller Photography | Custom Bridal Veil & Bow: NK Bride | Venue: M&D Farm | Flowers: Goode Farm Flowers | Shoes: TAFT | Videographer: JP Videography | Rings: James Allen | Dresses: Lucia Zolea ; LoveShackFancy | Men’s Attire: Suit Shop ; &Collar | Couple: Mae & Fred