A little bit classic, a little bit modern, and a whole lot of NYC magic—this wedding had it all! When this bride came to us, she wanted a gown that felt effortlessly elegant yet totally her. The final look? A custom creation that was equal parts timeless and personal, with a few sweet surprises for her groom. Paired with sentimental accessories and a wedding that felt like an extension of their home, every detail was full of meaning. Keep reading to see how it all came together!

The NK Experience

Choosing NK Bride

Elena always knew she wanted a custom wedding dress, but when her husband opted for a custom suit, the process became even more special. Instead of simply picking outfits, they designed their looks with each other in mind—choosing fabrics, textures, and details that reflected what they loved about one another.

When it came to finding the right designer, Elena stumbled upon a leather jacket Nathalie had made. The craftsmanship was next-level. “If she could pull that off, she could pull off anything,” Elena thought.

While searching for custom bridal work in New York City, many places felt intimidating—but NK Bride? It was the perfect balance. “The website felt so inviting,” Elena shared. “I could tell this was a place where I’d be part of the process.”

The Dress

Elena’s wedding dress inspiration came from an unexpected place—a pink and orange blouse her husband always complimented. “It wasn’t something I wore often, and I actually hated the pattern,” she laughed. “But I loved the fit.” She brought a photo to Nathalie, half-joking about designing a wedding dress around it. Instead of dismissing the idea, Nathalie embraced the challenge.

Their discussions led to elements Elena adored—structured coats, lapel-like details, and textured fabrics. She shared her love for vintage two-piece tweed suits from the 1950s, and Nathalie ran with it, sourcing a stunning cream tweed that perfectly captured the look. “You can really see the structure—it has that classic jacket-and-skirt silhouette,” Elena shared. “Nathalie made it come to life, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.”

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The Veil

Elena always knew she would wear a veil—her parents had promised it as their wedding gift since she was a child. Drawn to dramatic, long cathedral veils with a blusher, she initially planned to purchase one separately. But once Nathalie began designing her dress, they quickly realized how much more cohesive the look would be if the NK Bride team created the veil as well.

“I didn’t realize how intricate veils are,” Elena admitted. “I thought one veil was just like another, but they’re actually so unique.” By having NK Bride craft both her gown and veil, every detail—from color to length—aligned perfectly.

The Tiara

Elena had a vision for her veil placement but left the tiara details entirely to Ash, our expert accessories designer—and it turned out to be one of her favorite pieces. “I knew I wanted a headpiece, but I wasn’t sure what exactly,” she shared. “Ash came up with this beautiful two-tiered look, and I love that she used trim from my dress.”

What stood out most was Ash’s meticulous attention to detail. From designing discreet hoops for bobby pins to ensuring the tiara looked flawless from every angle, she thought of everything. “Even the back had trims so that it looked perfect in photos,” Elena said. Acting as a headband at the reception, Elena felt no need for an outfit change. “It already felt like a dramatic shift just taking off the veil,” she said.

Working With Nathalie

For Elena, the experience of working with Nathalie wasn’t just about creating a dress—it was about feeling truly seen and valued. “She was never trying to rush just to move on to the next bride. If you told me I was the only dress she was working on, I’d believe it,” Elena said. “If it wasn’t perfect in every way, she wasn’t happy with it.”

Beyond the craftsmanship, the process itself became a gift. “Every couple of weeks, I got to hit pause, sit down, and think about love—how excited I was for Lev to see this dress, for our wedding, for our marriage,” Elena shared. “It made the whole experience feel slow and intentional, like I truly got to savor every moment.” Just two stops away from her house, even the location of NK Bride was serendipitous. “It almost felt like her [Nathalie’s] studio was an extension of my neighborhood in a way.”

Future Heirloom Pieces

For Elena, her wedding attire was more than just fabric and stitching. “My parents had a more casual wedding. My mom wore a simple short dress and didn’t wear a veil,” she shared. “They’re immigrants, so they didn’t bring over any traditions like that.”

That made the experience of creating her own custom pieces even more special. “It feels really emotional to have something I’m so personally attached to,” Elena said. “I love that I get to pass it down—maybe to my own children one day, or even to my niece who attended the wedding.” And now, Elena’s family has a veil as part of its history! “It feels almost like a piece of art I get to pass down.”

Finding the One

Elena's love story began just before the world changed. “We met the week before lockdown started, at the end of February 2020,” she recalled. “We were sitting at a bar, and I ordered a horrible drink. Lev offered to swap, pretending to like what I had.”

Their first date felt cinematic. “I remember walking down the sidewalk afterward, and a car splashed dirty puddle water on me, but I thought, ‘Nothing can get me down. I’ve just met the person I think I’m going to marry!’”

At the end of the night, Lev leaned in for a kiss, but Elena wanted to be mysterious. “I told him to give me a kiss on the cheek,” she laughed. Days turned into weeks with no contact from Lev, so Elena's friend encouraged her to text him. “The rest is history,” she said, reflecting on their journey.

The Proposal

Lev proposed in their home, making the moment feel incredibly special. “We renovated it together, filling it with art and antiques that mean a lot to us,” Elena shared.

After returning home one day, she spotted an antique embroidered map on the couch that Lev had won at an auction. “I was so grateful; it was the best surprise,” she recalled. As she bit into a cupcake Lev bought, she found it disgusting. “When I turned to spit it out, Lev was on one knee with a ring box!” she said, presenting his grandmother’s ring. Passed down through generations, Elena felt a deep connection to her fiancé’s family’s history. “I hope his grandmother is proud to see me wearing it every day.”

The First Look

Elena's first look with Lev was a heartfelt moment that highlighted their custom-made attire. “It wasn't just about seeing what the other person was wearing; it was the culmination of months of work, thought, and care we both put into our outfits.”

When they hugged, Lev complimented her dress, expressing how happy he was with her effort. “I think it meant a lot for him to see how I incorporated elements he loves, like different textures and cuts. It was my way of showing that I love and value him.”

This moment underscored the deep connection they share, with their attire reflecting their personalities and their relationship.

A Neighborhood Wedding

Elena’s wedding photos were taken throughout her neighborhood, making the day feel personal. “We walked out of our favorite deli and strolled through the park. It was special to wear a dress I was so proud of in places I visit every day–in the heart of our lives.” Elena recalls the photographer asking if she was okay with her train dragging on the ground. “Absolutely!” She replied. “I wanted to live in the dress,” noting that she felt Nathalie would want her to feel comfortable and enjoy every moment. Dresses are made for wearing after all! “Every time I walk past those places now, I think about our wedding.”

Since Halloween was approaching, the spooky festivities brought extra fun when they took photos with trick-or-treaters in the park. Lev suggested the idea, and it turned out to be a great one! “People cheered for us, making it feel like our whole neighborhood was part of the celebration.” And people say New Yorkers are cranky.

They also ran into their downstairs neighbor, Peter, who couldn’t resist snapping a quick pic with the couple. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate with these two!

The Ceremony

Elena and Lev shared every moment of their day together. They crafted a meaningful ceremony by combining elements from their favorite readings, books, and prayers, creating a unique and personal experience. Two close friends participated as readers, enhancing the intimacy of the occasion.

A highlight of the ceremony was the live music from two Spanish guitarists, reflecting Elena's heritage. The music choice added depth to the occasion, making it even more special.

The couple’s wedding photos exceeded their expectations. Elena initially worried about her white dress against a white wall, but the photographer assured her that he would capture stunning images, and he delivered, skillfully blending into the background during the ceremony and reception.

The Venue & Decor

Elena and Lev chose their wedding venue on their block, a place they'd admired since moving in. Adding personal significance to the day, this venue once served as a public bathhouse for Lev's great-great-grandmother's neighborhood! Though not typically used for weddings, the venue's team was eager to accommodate them, enabling the pair to enrich their family legacy.

The couple entrusted the florist with creative freedom, resulting in a stunning bouquet. The venue's unique brick walls and modern cyclorama wall inspired them to let vendors showcase their talents. They included personal touches like shaker boxes from home.

For food, they featured local favorites, including Cuban and Jewish deli dishes to honor both families, alongside party favors from a neighborhood chocolate shop, and ice cream from a nearby shop. The overall theme was to make the venue feel like an extension of their home, celebrating their beloved community.

Memorable Moments

Though every part was spectacular, Elena’s favorite part of the wedding came at the very end, after everyone had gone home. She and Lev were left with a box of leftover cake, her veil, and the all-important shaker boxes that needed to make it home safely.

They walked up the five flights of stairs to their apartment, balancing all the items, and even in all the chaos, it felt so right to return home after such a special day–brushing their teeth at the same sink, feeding their cats, and hanging up her wedding dress alongside Lev’s suit.

Ending the day in their own routine highlighted the beauty of marriage. It was about cherishing the everyday moments—the mundane things that become extraordinary when shared with someone you love. While many couples head off to their honeymoons or hotels, Elena and Lev had the privilege of integrating their wedding into their daily life, allowing them to savor the joy of their special day in the comfort of their home.