Photo: Whyman Studios
Everyone needs a great wingman, and Leland found his in his twin brother when he introduced Leland to Anna at a bar in New York City in June of 2005. While it took five years for the friendship that formed that night to turn into a romance (and another five before it led to a proposal!), on May 14, 2015, Leland asked Anna to be his wife. “We were on our way to a benefit, and he was complaining that I wasn’t wearing enough jewelry for the occasion,” Anna remembers. “Though if you ask my dad, the proposal happened the day he asked my father for permission to marry me!”
After such a long courtship, the couple wasted no time planning their wedding. The date? October 3, 2015 — only four and a half months after Leland popped the question! With planner and designer Claire Bean Events on board, they celebrated with a rustic, whimsical wedding at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York in the Hamptons. Deep merlot and warm gold put a moody twist on the creamy pink color scheme. Whyman Studios perfectly captured Anna and Leland’s celebration, which will have you dreaming of a wedding at the height of fall!
It only took three tries for Anna to find her Monique Lhuillier wedding dress. “I couldn’t sleep the night after I tried it on, and I went back the next day with my maid of honor to seal the deal!” she says of the organza ball gown with a Chantilly lace bodice. The plunging neckline, paired with delicate beading and three-quarter length sleeves, was subtly sexy and totally elegant. And boy, does this bride know how to accessorize! Between her cushion-cut engagement ring and two pairs of shoes (by Sergio Rossi and Monique Lhuillier), her ensemble was a dream.
The sleeves and simple skirt of Anna’s wedding dress gave her an opportunity to show off some very special accessories, including a diamond heart pin on her beaded belt (a gift from her father to her mother when they first started dating) and a Cartier love bracelet (a gift from Leland to his bride on the morning of their wedding).
Anna’s two flower girls looked angelic in their full tulle skirts, while the couple’s pup stood out in a white bow. The invitation suite featured soft pink paper, accented with flowing calligraphy.
The pair combined their Christian and Jewish faiths during the ceremony, which took place beneath a chuppah of vines, green hydrangeas, and amaranth. The aisle was edged with rustic lanterns, and guests were seated on simple cross-back chairs.
Anna’s godson walked the couple’s dog, Remy, down the aisle as ring bearer, followed by the flower girls. The ceremony combined traditional Jewish and Christian vows, with a jazz trio playing in the background.
“One of our favorite memories was of getting to see the dinner space for the first time,” says Anna. “I couldn’t have dreamed that it would look better.”
The mix of colors and textures in Anna’s bouquet is totally breathtaking: It combined calla lilies, dahlias, and roses, wrapped in white satin ribbon.
Guests were seated at long tables beneath strands of café lights. Small trees set along the tables and hung with candles created an enchanted forest feel. Low centerpieces, interspersed with smaller vessels, combined garden roses, dahlias, and scabiosa pods, which perfectly matched the floral chargers at each guest’s seat.
“Leland and I didn’t want a typical wedding menu, but instead something that spoke to our tastes and his love of wine,” says Anna. The pairing menu was entirely gluten-free and included a shrimp and lobster stack with apples and celery root, asparagus risotto with a Parmesan crisp, and a choice of seared sea bass or braised short rib.
After cutting into their chocolate and raspberry wedding cake, the newlyweds headed to the dance floor. Rubix Kube, an ’80s cover band, performed and gave guests what Anna calls a “proper party”!
“During the Hora, all the boys rushed over to lift my chair and completely forgot about Leland. I was having the time of my life, while he was petrified because his chair tilted so much he almost fell out!” the bride remembers.
Photo: Whyman Studios
Though the pair planned to honeymoon in South Africa in the spring of 2016, they had to reschedule, and for good reason: Their baby girl arrived in July! “Our mini-moon in Barbados will have to suffice for now,” says Anna.
With such a short time to plan, the couple got good at making decisions quickly, which helped make the planning process more enjoyable in the long run. “Don’t stress!” she advises. “We had so much fun planning our wedding that Leland and I often say we want to do it again.”
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Parrish Art Museum || Wedding Planner & Flowers: Claire Bean Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier || Shoes: Monique Lhuillier; Sergio Rossi || Jewelry: Cartier || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Tom Ford || Invitations & Paper Goods: Fat Cat Paperie || Music: 45 Riots; Rubix Kube || Catering & Cake: Sterling Affair || Videographer: Unique Visions Studio || Photographer: Whyman Studios
Want more fall wedding ideas? Then watch another couple say “I do” with an autumnal backdrop in the video below.