Today’s wedding really proves that the perfect location for every couple really is out there, and you shouldn’t settle if you don’t find it right away. A celebration at the The American Air Power Museum (in Farmingdale, New York) just felt right for Leonora + Steve for a number of reasons (which you can read about in Leonora’s blurb below). And once their location was locked in, this lady was a very hands-on bride and took lots of care in making the killer space perfectly reflect the two of them!
I’m a graphic artist and Steve is in the air force and we both did not want a cookie cutter wedding. We visit the air power museum every year on memorial day weekend to check out all the planes taking off and landing. I wanted us to get married there because it had that industrial vibe that I was going for and Steve was just stoked to be around planes haha! I went out of my way to give anything I can get my hands on a personal touch. I went into it with the mentality of “Hey, we’re gonna have fun with this, but it’s still a wedding!”
Thanks so much to Lindsay Madden for the beautiful images and big congrats to Leonora + Steve!
Leonora’s all-over lace David Tutera dress is a dream!
Don’t you just love Steve’s felt boutonnière?! We do, and we’re excited that Leonora has agreed to join us back here in just a bit with a DIY for making one for your groom!
Since the museum was so industrial and had a lot of vintage planes everywhere (which really spoke to Steve) I wanted to add something to the hangar that was more “me” so I recruited Suite Pieces and Paige Marion to make some girly lounge areas with tufted couches and fun coffee tables.
Processional: Secrets (Instrumental) – One Republic
Recessional: Army Air Corp Song
First Dance: Little Moments – Brad Paisley
The place cards were folded-up paper airplanes made out of old flight charts from Steve’s air base!
I have 2 memorable moments. One being our first look. I really didn't know what kind of reaction Steve would give me. As I tapped his shoulder and he turned around he had this huge smile on his face and his eyes got watery (steve never cries, ever). He couldn't believe how beautiful I looked and in that moment I just felt so much love from him that I didn't even care that certain things weren't going as planned. The other moment was when Steve and I busted out into a surprise lip sync battle following our first dance. Seeing all our guests clapping along, laughing and cheering us on as we sang to some Britney Spears and Bare Naked Ladies was so cool, we felt like rock stars! (despite what steve says I totally won the battle...)
Check out more from this super fun day in the film below by J Castillo Films!
While starting this process I wanted everything to have a unique touch. Once we got engaged I swore up and down that we wouldn't use a florist. I absolutely love flowers but couldn't imagine spending so much money on something that will only be used for a few hours. I had this brilliant idea of making my own flowers out of some yarn poms poms. Since we didn't have an event planner and I was in charge of making all our decor, paper goods and organizing our vendors I quickly realized that trying to make EVERYTHING was an impossible task. I hired a florist with only 2 months to spare before the wedding and it was the best decision ever. Basically, you're not super woman. If you can source out SOME things to make your life easier please do. Hiring a florist was the best decision I made for the wedding and she helped keep it economical. Also, Steve gave me some really awesome advice early on in the wedding planning process. I made passport books as invites for our wedding. They needed to be stapled so I went online and started researching a ton of places to find white staples. They were going to cost more than just the normal metal ones. I asked Steve what he thought and he said to me "...if in 5 years you're going to care that you used the metal staples instead of the more expensive white ones, or while we are up there saying 'i do' to each other in the back of your mind all you are thinking about is how you stapled the invites then go ahead and get the white ones. But if not then let it go." He was 100% right. I used the "5 year rule" to make a lot of wedding decisions. Also? When we were saying "I do" I only cared about him, not the centerpieces or the tissue paper garland hanging down the aisle. I also found out that you do get "tunnel vision" as you walk down the aisle. I was a nervous wreck before hand and honestly all I saw was him and not the 100 set of eyeballs on us.
photography: Lindsay Madden // venue name: The American Air Power Museum, Farmingdale, New York // event design: The Bride // planning: The Bride // florals: bouquets by The Felt Flower Shop // wedding dress: David Tutera // hairpiece: Sunshine and Carousels // bride's shoes: Anne Klein // bridesmaid dresses: Bill Levkoff // hair stylist: Laura Faith Beauty and Linda Hererra // makeup artist: Laura Faith Beauty and Linda Hererra // groom attire: Stephen Geoffrey (grey aspen) // videography: J Castillo Films // paper goods: The Bride // catering: Custom Catering // cake: Cupcate Cupcakes // music: Long Island Sound // officiant: Groom's Father // day of coordination: Events by Paisley // rentals: Suite Pieces and Paige Marion
Now that’s extraordinary wedding, the venue must have looked amazing at night:)
So sweet! The video made me cry!