Real NK Bride Aija, and her husband, Johnny, had the most effortlessly cool New York City Hall wedding. Centered around intention, simplicity, and style, it was important to the couple that their day reflect everyday life in the city they call home and celebrated their union in a way that felt true to who they are. These two key pillars guided the entire planning process from dress to drinks including the standout, custom wedding outfit by NK Bride which provided a minimalist, timeless look designed not just for the ceremony, but with re-wearing in mind. Below we dive into more about Aija’s understated bridal style and the rest of the day that made this wedding truly unique!

The NK Experience

Choosing NK Bride

Aija came to NK Bride with a clear vision for her wedding day look—one that was uniquely hers. “I wanted a dress that truly reflected my style and personality,” she said, “and wasn’t going to end up in a box in the closet”. Determined to bring her dream to life, she began researching custom options, knowing that in a city like New York, there had to be a designer who could bring the idea to life. After doing her research, making countless calls, she landed on NK Bride.

The Inspiration

Aija had her heart set on a cocktail-length dress that felt true to her style, and she was comfortable walking around in. “I wanted something simple yet elegant, something I could wear again.” While her initial goal was to keep things as understated as possible, the design process naturally led to some thoughtful customizations that gave the dress more character; a satin pocket detail that echoed the same fabric on the sleeve’s buttons giving the dress a few tuxedo-style details as well as a bit more volume to the skirt. The look was an important part of the day, so much so that it was nearly complete before the couple officially got engaged. “I’m not the kind of bride who dreamed about her wedding, it was never a huge priority for me, so if we were going to have a wedding, I needed it to feel right, deciding on my, now, husband was the easier part of the equation”.

Working With Nathalie

Aija found the design process to be easy and enjoyable. While she loves fashion and works in the industry, she isn’t deeply involved in the product or clothing design aspects of the business. Having looked through the portfolio of work by NK Bride, sketches, and conversations with the team, she was able to put her trust in Nathalie’s expertise. The sketch of the design sealed the deal as Nathalie was able to weave together Aija’s ideas into a shared vision. “I really trusted Nathalie to help me create something special,” she stated. The two flipped through a few fabric books, and after taking some time to reflect, Aija made her choice, feeling confident in the direction they were heading.

The Birdcage

From the start, Aija was adamant about not wanting a traditional veil. She never connected with the idea of wearing one, feeling that if she did, it would be out of tradition rather than what made sense for her; every element of her wedding look needed to be thoughtfully considered.

However, very late in the process, while at the studio for a fitting, a particular piece caught her eye. The delicately beaded birdcage veil was sitting on a mannequin next to the full-length mirror featuring intricate floral details and sequins from France. Drawn to its craftsmanship and unique aesthetic, Aija decided to try it on. To her surprise, she loved how it subtly elevated her look to be a bit more bridal; the perfect balance of non-traditional yet classic chic that complemented the courthouse setting beautifully.

The Final Product

As everything started coming together, Aija felt that the final look had truly captured what she had envisioned and couldn’t have been happier with how it all turned out. “It was perfect, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Aija gushed. Especially for a bride who isn’t the type to fantasize about a fairy-tale wedding, we were thrilled to hear that! For Aija, it was simply about creating a look that felt right for her and no one else, making it all the more special.

Aija’s custom look consists of a off-white crepe mini dress featuring a fitted silhouette, tailored satin pocket flaps and long sleeves adorned with matching small bridal buttons.

The outfit is completed by a custom bridal birdcage created by our accessory designer Ash. This custom birdcage veil is hand-sewn with Italian white and silver floral sequins, delicate French clear bike-wheel sequins, and finished with vintage glass seed beads.

The Future

One specific reason our bride wanted something simple was for the possibility of re-wearing it. “I hate the idea of a gown just sitting in a closet after the wedding,” she shared. Having the option to get the dress painted in the future, allows for something to look forward to! Aija believes in maximizing the “cost per wear” for every garment, and she made no exception for her wedding dress. While she hadn’t put too much thought into what that will look like, she’s excited for the prospect of a future creative project and to reimagine her dress for future occasions. After all, if it’s custom-made, it should be worn more than once.

How They Met

Aija and Johnny met while pursuing their MBA in Italy at SDA Bocconi. Although they were far from dating for the first half of the program, they were part of the same friend group and grew very close with time. Eventually, they lead their friendship into something more romantic.

As for how she knew he was the “one”? “There wasn’t any big moment; he was just my best friend—it just kind of happened.” She shared that she never had a traditional view of how couples or families come together and didn’t view marriage as a priority to achieve that. However, she recognized the value in celebrating their relationship and making a commitment to one another and the idea of honoring their love.

The Proposal

One memorable moment in their marital journey occurred in September when they visited the New York Botanical Garden and Johnny proposed. After enjoying one of the seasonal installations, they wandered through the Azalea Garden and found a quiet spot to talk. It was there that Johnny got down on one knee and asked the big question. Aija described the moment as “very nice and peaceful.”

When asked if the proposal was a surprise, Aija explained that she had an idea it was coming. “I knew it was going to happen when he kept telling me, ‘Don’t put anything on this day,’” she laughed. "It was more like an open secret,” considering they had been shopping together, and Aija already had her dress. While she didn’t know the exact details of how it would all unfold, it was a beautiful moment filled with love and anticipation.

A Lowkey Ceremony

What the wedding would look like was a constant conversation between the couple. Aija was very particular in not wanting anything too over-the-top, and she doesn’t believe that every wedding, certainly not her own, needed to be a grand event. “I wanted to keep it as low-key as possible,” she explained. For Aija, it was essential to stay true to herself and her relationship with Johnny. “I didn’t want to be the center of attention, so I aimed to keep it as simple and intimate as we could.”

They got married at City Hall and exchanged personal vows just outside the courthouse surrounded only by immediate family and their witnesses; keeping the moment personal was important to her. The couple also wanted their ceremony to reflect their lives in New York, “Getting married at the courthouse felt like the right fit for us. It was important to incorporate our life here,” she said.

An Every-Day Affair

The couple loved the idea of incorporating iconic New York elements into their wedding photos, like hot dog carts and subway shot; a candid, editorial shoot that reflected real life. Choosing a photographer who understood their vision was essential for Aija and Johnny. “It wasn’t supposed to be this huge thing. We took a Friday off to get married, and it was still like your average Friday.” She appreciates beauty in everyday moments, emphasizing that when you get married, you’re committing to a life together that’s filled with ordinary days with the person you love. Aija also noted that while their wedding was low-key, it was still a celebratory occasion. “Our families had flown in from across North America,” she shared. “So, it was a celebration, but at the end of the day, it’s about our everyday life together.” This perspective on their wedding captured the true essence of their relationship.

A Casual Reception

The couple has a Friday tradition: every week they must have one drink at a new bar that neither of them has ever been to. Despite the ongoing tradition, the couple decided to flip this on its head, and after the ceremony, brought their guests to celebrate at their local bar, Pubkey, a place they frequent for trivia every Tuesday. “We wanted to share a piece of our everyday life with our family,” It was a fun, genuine way to bring 19 of their loved ones into their world.

There were no plans, a bit of a free-for-all, to celebrate. “Everybody was mingling, and it was the first time that our families were truly coming together,” Aija explained. The casual and flexible atmosphere created a warm environment for people to get to know each other. Later that evening, they all had a reception dinner at Palma in the West Village, where the couple chose a shared family-style menu. “Since we met in Italy, it felt fitting to celebrate at an Italian restaurant with a beautiful private dining space.” Aija shared that they started the dinner with a toast, parents shared kind words and wishes for the couple, further bringing everyone together to mark the occasion.

Final Thoughts?

Aija reflected on their wedding day, noting, “I don’t know that there was any particular moment that stood out.” Overall, she described it as an absolutely perfect day. She admitted to having slight qualms about the pressure to make the day more dramatic; however, she emphasized that the way they had planned it was exactly what they wanted. “Maybe my favorite part was when we were all at the bar, just chit-chatting. Once the ceremony and all those formalities were finished, we could finally celebrate and enjoy the day,” Aija reminisced. She also appreciated that the relaxed ambiance allowed them to truly connect and have fun with their loved ones. “I think that’s when it really felt special.”