Tell us a little about yourselves!
Shang is a lawyer, and Ryan is an archivist. We first met six years ago in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and currently live in Brooklyn, New York. We both love film, travel, and our sweet dog Edie.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We first started taking weekend trips to Hudson from NYC during the pandemic. The tranquillity of the town with the Hudson River running through it offered us a much needed respite from those scary days. We had never stayed at The Maker Hotel before the wedding, but had always been drawn to its beautiful architecture, and thought a wedding there would be the perfect opportunity to treat ourselves and our family and friends to a luxurious weekend in the Hudson Valley.
How many guests did you have?
25.
Tell us about your outfits.
Ryan: My dress is from the designer Kamperett. I love how simple and timeless it is, while still fitting the moody, Victorian vibe of the hotel. The light filters through it so beautifully on film photography. My bow was custom made for me at By Liv Handmade, a small business local to me in Brooklyn. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We had a very small and intimate wedding, with only our immediate family and a few close friends present. It was important to us that everyone felt relaxed and comfortable, without the stress and formality of a bigger wedding. We got married on Friday, so that the rest of the weekend could be spent sharing some of our favorite things to do in Hudson. We went apple picking, toured Olana (the artist Frederic Church’s historic estate), and rented out a local theater for a movie night.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
Ryan: My family is Jewish, and Shang’s family is Chinese. We wanted to incorporate traditions from both cultures in our wedding. We had a traditional Jewish ceremony and afterwards, following the speeches, Shang’s parents presented me with a red envelope as a wedding gift, which is a Chinese tradition. The design of our ketubah, which we sourced from the Jewish Museum in NYC, was based on a marriage certificate signed by a Jewish couple in Shanghai in 1946.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Think about how you want to feel on your wedding day, and base your decisions around that, rather than getting caught up in the fantasy of what a wedding “should” be.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Every one of our vendors went above and beyond for us on our wedding day.
Coral Dove Studio did such an incredible job with our photography and videography. We loved being able to capture the day on film (both film photography and Super 8), and everyone on their team was a pleasure to work with.
We also got so many compliments on our florals (especially the chuppah!), which were created by Yarrow Floral Co.
Our close friend, the artist and graphic designer Martyna Alexander, created our invitations for us. They make us smile whenever we see them!
Photographer: Coral Dove Studio @coral.dove | Videographer: Coral Dove Studio @coral.dove + Elis Llinares Photography @elisllinares | Ceremony + Reception Location: The Maker Hotel | Celebrant: Rabbi Matt Green @officialdebbiefriedman | Entertainment: Pamela Bruce
@prelude.studio.music (Harpist) + Holly Ramey (Tarot Card Reader) @hollydramey | Flora + Ceremony Space: Yarrow Floral Co @yarrowfloralco | Makeup: Azra Red @azraredmakeup | Hair: Tiffany Fodor
@tiffanyfodor | Catering + Beverages: The Maker Hotel @themakerhotel | Cake: Nine Cakes
@ninecakes | Stationery: Martyna Alexander @martyna_alexander | Wedding Dress: Kamperett
@kamperett | Engagement + Wedding Rings: Erie Basin @eriebasin | Shoes: By Far @byfar_official | Earrings + Bag: Simone Rocha @simonerocha_ | Bow: By Liv Handmade (Custom) @bylivwilliamsburg
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