As an NYC-based photographer who loves color, Sylvie Rosokoff has always had a soft spot for Las Vegas elopements. She wanted to bring a classic Vegas elopement to NYC with all its style and kitsch, so she teamed up with a wonderful vendor team to showcase that vision in an editorial shoot with an adorable real-life couple, complete with a hot pink retro cake, a heart-shaped pizza, two vintage dresses and a one-of-a-kind suite at the Plaza Hotel. No Elvis? No problem!
With gorgeous pink florals from BLOOM BLOOM and glamorous styling from Cha Cha Linda Vintage, let’s just say you are in for a treat today. Let’s see what this creative team envisioned for this day!
A New York Minute
For Carly’s bouquet, Tasha Muresan of BLOOM BLOOM wanted to create something textured and sculptural in a bubblegum palette, inspired by petite vintage bridal bouquets, with a funky modern twist. She loves using curly alliums and garlic scapes in her bouquets, taking something a little commonplace and making it weird in a really satisfying way. She paired the bouquet with a white beaded oversized bow from Susan Alexandra’s bridal collection (we found a similar bow here and here if you want to use this idea) and a delicate tulle “bouquet veil.”.
“We envisioned a couple coming to NYC to elope from out of town and splurging on a suite at the iconic Plaza Hotel, in this case the Tower Room which features a round bedroom (and round bed!) and a dramatic 23-foot exposed brick turret ceiling.
After a relaxed morning getting ready together, they take the subway to say their vows on the steps of the New York Public Library, and then enjoy a heart-shaped pizza from beloved slice shop Famous Original Ray’s Pizza, a petite vintage-inspired wedding cake and pink champagne back in their hotel before going out to celebrate, maybe at the ballet at Lincoln Center.”
Katrina Mendoza of Goods Gang created custom keepsake booklets for Carly and Carl as a way for couples to enjoy wedding stationery when they don’t need the flurry of paper that typically comes with larger weddings—invitations, programs, menus, etc.
Just because you’ve made a decision to say your I do’s in a more private setting, doesn’t mean you can’t have meaningful ephemera to commemorate this special day. These booklets are not only meant to hold a couple’s vows, but to also be a blank canvas to write, scribble, and sketch any and all thoughts—a snapshot to look back on for many years to come.
Eva Lopez, founder of Brooklyn-based Cha Cha Linda Vintage, styled the couple (Carly and Karl) with the concept of “high brow/low brow” in mind. Mixing luxe elements with cost-effective and on-the-fly pieces was the main focus for creating ensembles that were timeless, playful and attainable.
The Looks!
Carly’s 1980s dress felt like a bold bridal choice while still maintaining classic elements, managing to be both dramatic and sleek at the same time. Eva loves decade-mixing when creating a bridal look, and paired the vintage dress with 90s rhinestone heart earrings and a pair of modern pumps by Marc Fisher.
Makeup artist Lucas Dean did a natural look on Carly with a purple/lilac ombre eye and iridescent sparkles to make it a little playful, and hair stylist Shaun Lewis of Oser House enhanced Carly’s natural waves and layered in two last-minute-purchase veils to give some 60’s inspired fluff. So beautiful!
Eva chose a really polished and traditional look for Karl to balance out the playfulness of Carly’s look, renting a classic tux and shoes from The Black Tux.
What better place to exchange vows than in the heart of NYC… on the steps of the New York Public Library!!
Sealed with a kiss!
Time to Celebrate
Pizza my heart! What a fun way to celebrate an intimate elopement back at the hotel!
Samantha Raye of The Gemini Bake designed a 1970s-style wedding cake with a modern twist for the couple to enjoy back in their hotel after eloping. “We knew we wanted a pink cake to pop against their classic looks and the gold embellishments at the Plaza, and boy, did we get a pink cake!”
Okay, so this may be one of our favorite wedding cakes of all time.
For an evening out, Carly changed into a head-to-toe glam ensemble, wearing a 1960s fully sequined gown by Eva’s all time favorite designer, Gene Shelly, which was paired with an equally extraordinary 1980s white ostrich and turkey feather coat. After an afternoon of cute and kitsch, this outfit change was all about drama and luxury. Her earrings were 1980s Les Bernard rhinestone and pearl clips which sparkled perfectly with the 1960s lucite clutch. So chic! So old Hollywood!
We are getting Gatsby vibes from this… and we’re mildly obsessed!
There are so many different ways to elope in NYC, and this team did an excellent job showing couples what’s possible when you bring in outside inspiration and collaborate on a unique vision!
Looking for more elopement inspo? We got you!!
photography: Sylvie Rosokoff // venue name: The Plaza Hotel, New York, NY, United States // florals: Bloom Bloom // wedding dress: 1980s vintage dress // wedding dress boutique: Cha Cha Linda Vintage // bride's shoes: Marc Fisher // hair stylist: Oser House // makeup artist: Lucas Dean // groom attire: The Black Tux // groom's shoes: The Black Tux // paper goods: Goods Gang // catering: Famous Original Ray's Pizza // cake: The Gemini Bake // Beaded bow on bouquet: Susan Alexandra // Beaded shih tzu clutch: Gentle Thrills
