Photo: Christian Oth Studio
Jeffrey Schneider gave Allison Hertzberg a proposal she’d never forget: A flash mob that danced to an original song he wrote at the bar where they first met. And, as if that wasn’t good enough, the guy caught the whole thing on camera.
The couple’s Brooklyn wedding at Liberty Warehouse was equally epic. Not only did they create a bold big day — a vibrant color palette of fuchsia, navy, and mustard yellow set to the background of an industrial space — but Allison was able to pay back Jeff’s big engagement surprise. “I took that same song, rewrote the lyrics, and had our family join in on a flash mob after Jeff and I thanked parents and guests,” the bride says.
But the surprises didn’t stop there: From a choreographed first dance to a photo booth filled with homemade props and fortune teller escort cards, Allison and Jeff’s wedding was nothing if not unique, and we’re glad Michael Falco of Christian Oth Studio was there to capture it for all to enjoy.
Photo: Christian Oth Studio
The couple’s invitation suite featured iconic New York City symbols, giving the couple’s 175 guests an idea of what would come. Though the couple lives in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood, they chose nearby Red Hook as the home base for their big day events, with an outdoor ceremony space that offered a view of the city’s skyline.
Playing off of their color palette, Allison wore fuchsia pumps beneath her high-low Angel Sanchez wedding dress. “I wanted my shoes to really pop,” the bride says. Her trendy bridal attire stood out, too. Layers of lace and tulle displayed flowerette, sequin, and pearl details. Jeff donned a navy-blue suit that was finished with a fuchsia flower on his lapel. The rest of the groomsmen wore yellow ranunculus boutonnieres.
Allison asked her bridesmaids to rent their dresses in a variety of styles but in the same blue hue. “I know how hard it is to be a bridesmaid and have to be told what to wear and spend a lot of money on a dress you’ll probably never wear again,” the bride says. “So I tried to make it as painless as possible.” Allison also gifted each ‘maid with a brass cuff bracelet with Lucite details, which she made herself, and asked each to carry a bouquet of roses, peonies, ranunculus, and ferns.
While the guys kept things cool in traditional gray suits, they wore blue and yellow ties — plus blue and yellow polka dot socks — for a fun pop of color. “The blue and yellow in the accessories matched Jeff’s attire and our wedding color scheme,” Allison says, “while the gray provided a neutral backdrop for the groom to shine.”
Liberty Warehouse‘s waterside patio was the setting for the couple’s ceremony. At the edge, with views of the Statue of Liberty just beyond, the couple placed a geometric chuppah with an asymmetrical garland of greens and bright blooms.
Allison and Jeff celebrated their Jewish heritage in their programs by displaying their Hebrew names.
After Jeff walked both his parents down the aisle, Allison made an entrance with her mother and father. Another adorable detail? The couple handed out fuchsia yamakas to their guests.
The couple wrote their own vows for the ceremony. “We joked prior to the wedding about whose would be better, funnier, make more people cry, etc.,” says Jeff. “I think Allison won.”
Fortune tellers with guests names’ on the outside and key wedding details on the inside — like their table numbers, the couple’s hashtag, and instructions to save room for dessert and to dance the night away — served as escort cards. Guests found their seats in the warehouse space, which was chosen because it could be a blank but industrial canvas for the couple’s bright decor.
On round and rectangular tables covered in mustard-colored linens, the newlywed placed a mix of brightly colored geometric sculptures accented with flowers and greens. Their cake was a one layer confection, but their real dessert, they say, was a display of doughnuts.
“We extended our love of surprises by taking the traditional first dance to the next level,” Allison says. “We entered the reception after a quick dress change — me into a plunging white jumpsuit, Jeff into a Dirty Dancing-inspired black ensemble — and danced to a mix of our favorite songs. It was fully choreographed, featuring some hip hop, ’80s pop, and good ol’ country.”
Photo: Christian Oth Studio
Allison and Jeff curated the props for their photo booth, only choosing those that had to do with Brooklyn or New York. “We also printed our faces out really big and put them on sticks for people to use as props,” says Allison.
It should come as no surprise that Allison’s advice for future brides is to follow your heart. But beyond being true to yourselves, she offers this nugget of wisdom: “Make sure to take a step back and really take in everything from the big day. It’s so easy to get lost in all the people and the hubbub. So take time to stare at your new spouse and realize what a big event is taking place. It’s about the couple, not the party.”
Venue: Liberty Warehouse || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Angel Sanchez || Veil: Sew Elegant || Jewelry: Cat Bird; Charm and Chain || Shoes: Barney’s || Hair: Styles on B || Bridesmaids Dresses: Union Station || Groom’s Attire: Paul Smith || Groomsmen Attire: J. Crew || Florist: Michelle Bablo || Invitations: Bella Figura || Music: The Eturnity Band || Videographer: Kiss the Bride Films || Photographer: Christian Oth Studio
Can’t get enough of this couple’s gorgeous venue? Then check out another wedding at Liberty Warehouse in the video below!