Here’s How To Have A Sustainable, Rain-Proof New York City Elopement

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Even with Covid-19 restrictions slowly lifting, scaled-back, intimate wedding celebrations are here to stay! We’ve had the privilege of seeing so many elopements and micro weddings this past year that didn’t feel like a couple’s ‘Plan B at all. Smaller doesn’t mean settling for something minimal (if that’s not what you had in mind). This New York City elopement inspo illustrates this two-fold with maximalist floral and fun, vintage decor.

Every neighborhood in New York City has photogenic spots perfect for an elopement if you know where to look, but Central Park is one of the most popular backdrops (and photographer Sylvie Rosokoff‘s favorite) for a reason. It has iconic architecture + gives way to romantic paths and secluded corners.

Coupled with quintessential NYC vibes, this inspiration emphasizes the idea of abundance over limitation. With rad designs by Bloom Bloom, it also underscores that you don’t have to compromise your sustainability values to go all-out for your wedding day! Time to stroll these time-honored NYC streets.

Spring Poppy Bouquet

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration
Avid vintagers, rejoice! This bride shines in vintage look from Happy Isles Salon in Los Angeles, including a mock neck dress from St. John, a sequined jacket worn as a cape and lavender and green maxi earrings.

Confetti Wedding Portrait

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration
With spring in mind, sustainable florist Bloom Bloom highlights some of the best blooms of the year! Spring flowers are vibrant, plentiful, and more often than not, you can source them locally. For this New York City elopement, Bloom Bloom envisions an over-the-top, technicolor burst of spring. Uniquely, this bridal bouquet is just the tip of the colorful iceberg.

Vintage Vow Exchange in Central Park

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Vintage Wedding Dress
Powder blue socks and comfortable heels (a must for New York City elopements) complete this vintage bridal look. Zeta Korqa styles as ‘vintage waves meets a modern, easy-wear hairstyle.’ This classic + chic style can withstand any weather! Additionally, makeup artist Lucas Dean is inspired by a classic winged eye, giving it a modern feel with a double wing underneath.

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration
Gents can vintage, too, right?! This head-to-toe 1960s look includes an iridescent, sharkskin suit from Relic Vintage in San Francisco, and a club collar shirt from David Owens Vintage.

Sustainable NYC Elopement InspirationIf it rains during your New York City elopement, ceremony spots like Ladies Pavilion, Wagner Cove and Bethesda Terrace Arcade literally have you covered! Just grab a couple of clear umbrellas and enjoy the saturated park colors (and smaller crowds)!

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Sustainable NYC Elopement InspirationFor an unconventional ride to your reception venue, hop on the East River Ferry. This is one of the quickest ways from Manhattan to Brooklyn, where you can keep warm inside or enjoy the views on the upper deck! Face masks are required so we recommend being *extra* with yours, like dramatic white silk masks from made-to-order indie brand Covert Behavior.

Sustainable Wedding Flowers for the Maximalist Bride

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration
From our bride’s soft + punchy bridal bouquet to the lush floral cloud, every colorful flower embodies the welcome of spring after a long winter. After all, there’s no dyed or chemically preserved product used here! Every stem is compostable + expertly used beyond the inspiration shoot. Definitely no floral foam here!

What is Foam Free Floral Design? The Experts Weigh in: It’s Beautiful, Sustainable, and on the Rise.

Spring Purple Centerpiece

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration
The swap for sustainable methods + materials is really simple! Being intentional about sourcing your flowers, and then having a plan for their disposal + preservation is good practice. For any flower-loving bride caught in a dilemma about feeling wasteful, have these conversation with your florist. This New York City elopement inspo demonstrates that you don’t have to compromise your sustainability values if you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day flowers!

Sweet Details for this New York City Elopement

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration

Embroidered Tablecloth
Megan of Apprvl personalized the chain-stitched Elvis lyrics for this cake tablecloth. Adding intimate details like these turn what’s typically a one-time event accessory into the most special, lifelong keepsake!

Colorful Icing Wedding Cake
The cake itself comes from Cakes For No Occasion, and takes inspiration from retro wedding cakes, with a colorful, borderline psychedelic twist. Billie incorporated filigree + piped buttercream embellishments into her cake. As well as the homemade look, she loves retro cake designs. It’s playful, not perfect – love it!

Sustainable NYC Elopement Inspiration
Above all, it’s your wedding day so go all out on the details that matter most to you!

photography: Sylvie Rosokoff // venue name: St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club, Brooklyn, New York, USA // event design: Bloom Bloom // florals: Bloom Bloom // wedding dress: St. John (vintage) // wedding dress boutique: Happy Isles Salon // bride's ring: Pippin Vintage // hair stylist: Zeta Korqa // makeup artist: Lucas Dean // groom attire: Relic Vintage // groom's ring: Vintage Prairie Gems // catering: St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club // cake: Cakes for No Occasion // linen rentals: Apprvl // cocktails: St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club // socks: Darner Socks // silk face masks: Covert Behavior // beeswax candles: Rani Ban

Explore: