Tell us a little about yourselves!
I (Jess) work in the fashion industry here in New York, for the contemporary brand Vince. I also do styling work on the side - for friends, clients, and on social media. Matt is a software engineer at JP Morgan. We live in two different worlds when it comes to our careers. I am from Virginia Beach and Matt is from Long Island. Work brought me to New York and it was perfect that Matt wanted to head back home to New York for his postgrad as well.
Matt and I met when we were 19 years old at our Alma Mater, Virginia Tech. Neither of us were prepared to meet someone so special at this age. However, ever since the night we were introduced by two of our best friends, we’ve been inseparable.
We lived separately up until a year ago when we moved into our dream apartment in Soho, New York. Matt proposed a few months later on our makeshift private roof.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We are having our wedding at the end of September in the beach town on Long Island where Matt’s family lives, so on this day we wanted something for just ourselves in the city we love the most.
We made a day out of registering ourselves to marry at City Hall. It was booming that day with tons of couples getting married or registering to get married, the energy around us gave us chills. We had lunch afterwards at the French restaurant below our apartment, Felix. Felix is always a place where you can bring your favorite people, let loose with great wine and great food - and for some reason, I swear, it’s always sunny there. When imagining the feeling of leaving City Hall together, we wanted nothing more than to sit in the sun and order steak frites and watermelon salad at the sunny and lively restaurant below us.
How many guests did you have?
We went to City Hall just the two of us, and our photographer Studio Thao. We have shared every moment since getting engaged with our friends and family, which has been really important to us. We are family people. We very much live the “more the merrier” mindset. This year especially, time just moves so fast and for this we desperately needed a moment for just us two, to soak it all in.
What was your budget?
Just our looks and a photographer. No real costs here.
Tell us about your outfits.
I found this Jacquemus suit in Two Minds on a snowy day in January. Lauren the stylist in the store helped bring the suit to life with in house alterations and a killer shoe idea. I wore Jimmy Choo platform shoes and paired the look with my wedding bag, a chalk white Bottega Sardine bag.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
When planning all of our wedding events the most important aspect I have led with is raw emotion. It sounds cheesy but those moments where you look around and see your people/person and you catch yourself choking up, is what I live for. Matt and I had that together just us two at City Hall that day. It was one of those moments we looked at each other and were like: “Whoa, we really found eachother. How crazy that we did that." We are so lucky!
Any tips for couples getting married?
Take time to sit with your emotions, the good and the bad. Process them. Write them down. I feel like everyone says that however, I feel like it’s the only cheat code on getting time to actually slow down.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Studio Thao is a dream to work with. We met at a bridal event back in April and I knew I wanted to work together, she is creative and the absolute kindest soul.
Photographer: Studio Thao @studiothao | Ceremony Location: New York City Hall | Reception Location: Felix @felix-restaurant-bar | Jess' Outfit: Jacquemus @jacquemus | Matt's Suit: Lord and Taylor | Veil: Thrifted | Fashion Styling: by the Bride @jespressobean | Engagement Ring: Alexandra Beth @alexandrabeth | Shoes: Jimmy Choo (Jess) @jimmychoo & Cole Han @colehan (Matt) | Handbag: Bottega Veneta
Comments