Molly and John – WTC 4 – NYC

A few details about the day:  It was the first wedding at the new World Trade Center site.  We were on the 57th floor of 4 World Trade Center which was the first tower to open on the 16-acre new WTC site.  John and I work and met at Silverstein Properties, the developer of Towers 2,3 and 4.

My dress was from Gabriella New York (http://www.gabriellanewyork.com/) Kelly Faetanini is the designer and it is the first dress I tried on.

Tom from the Cake Gallery (http://thecakegallerynycom.cv.siteprotect.net/) made the cake, which is New York themed on one side (for John) and Massachusetts themed on the other (for me).  Our dog (Smuckers – the dog of honor) was part of the cake topper.

David Josephs Catering (http://www.davidjosephs.com/) was the caterer/managed the day of the wedding.  They also helped out at the rehearsal but we brought in food from Shorty’s (our favorite Philly cheese steak place) and Andrienne’s (love their pizza).

Our band was the Trevor Exter Band (http://www.trevorexter.com/private-events/) – who played La Vie En Rose for my entrance and Somewhere over the Rainbow for the recessional.  He also played the Old School version of Total Eclipse of the Heart because we both love the movie Old School – it was the movie we watched after our first official date.

The flowers were done by Pat Ellson from Floral Gems (http://www.floral-gems.com/Wedding_flowers.html).  There were white calla lillies with a light pink one in each center vase and bouquet – the pink symbolized John’s mother who died of breast cancer when he was 7.  I wanted to do something that could tastefully honor her.

I had 7 bridesmaids who each wore floor length Donna Morgan dresses in different colors of the hopscotch that John drew for me as part of his proposal (there is a photo of it on the back of the invitation that you took a photo of).  John had 6 groomsmen/woman.  We wanted to have one less person on his side because it for the brothers that we lost (at least one of which would have been standing there that day – my brother died last September, his younger brother died when John 5).  The guys wore (or were supposed to wear) different colored socks which took up the remainder of the colors of the hopscotch.  There were 13 people in our wedding party.  Our number is 13 – this count  wasn’t something we set out to do but it was cool that it did.

  My boss – the General Counsel of our company – was the officiant at the wedding and his son said grace.  3 of my bridesmaids were pregnant on the wedding (including my sister who was only 3 months along at the wedding).  1 of my bridesmaids just gave birch a month before the wedding – Rory (the baby) was in attendance.  My maid of honor and sister – Breanne – was my something blue.

“As for my feelings during the wedding… I was completely shocked when I woke up and saw that it was such a beautiful day.  I took a photo and sent it to John and asked him if he wanted to get married that day.  He said “yes.”   I was so nervous getting ready but not because I was worried about my choice but because I had 7 bridesmaids, twominibridesmaids, a flower girl and ring bearer that I had to make sure were also ready and at 4 WTC on time.  Once I got them all there I was completely calm.  Once I was up on 57, the first “person” I saw was our dog, Smuckers, and got REALLY excited.   Seeing everyone start the procession made me gitty.  Stepping out onto the terrace and seeingJohn made we calm but excited.  Standing in front of him just made me want to snuggle into his arms.  Jon’s (the officiant) speach was so beautiful, personal and drove me to tears but I kept wanting to hurry him up because I just wanted to kiss John.  When John “proposed” to me and put my engagement ring on (which he does every morning) I remembered all of the little things we make sure we do that make our relationship “Us”.  I was shaking when I said my vows and trying not to cry.  And when John said his, I knew that this was the begining of something amazing.  I laughed when Smuckers whimpered during them.  We joke that he was trying to object because he wanted to marry me…  John almost made me cry again when – after I put his ring on – he showed me that my fingerprint was imprinted on his ring.  The greatest part of the day came after the recessional when John took me off ot he side and away from everyone and we just talked and had our special moment.  I got gitty when I heard them announce my new name for the first time.  The rest of the day was just a blur. There are snippets here and there that I remember.  I am so greatful to you that you were able to capture the whole day.  I remember what I was feeling – so happy – but I don’t remember a lot of the actual moments.  People always say that but I never got it until then.   One of my favorite moments was at the end of the reception when the band had John and me come to the front of the dance floor and everyone sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing!”  We found out later that one of our colleagues handed out bubbles to everyone which is why people were blowing bubbles at us.  After the reception, a group of us went outside on the terrace and watched the sunset.  It was so beautiful.  Then we went to Dark Horse – the first bar we ever went to together – and had our first meal – a cheese quesadilla, a Stella for me and a Guinness for John.

Thank you again!  I cannot express how happy these photos made me and how incredible you are as a photographer.”

Thank you Molly and John — I was so happy to photograph this historic wedding at WTC 4

 

Rehearsal Dinner – the night before!