Kate & Chase: Bohemian Elegance at the Mansion at Natirar

We are excited to introduce Kate, our Bride & Blossom featured bride for May! Kate & Chase exchanged vows on a beautiful day in late summer at the Mansion at Natirar. Here is the first chapter in their wedding story.

 

 

Part 1: Proposal & Planning

Williamsburg, Brooklyn attracts a creative crowd. On any given sun-filled day, the neighborhood’s McCarren Park is sprawling with people relaxing on blankets, picnicking, and discreetly drinking wine out of red solo cups. If you are an artist, the chances of meeting another artist are pretty good. But what are the chances that the other art-minded person is your soul mate? Kate looks back, “That date is so memorable for the both of us and brings back a feeling that is unexplainable. We definitely were in a love spell, and the entire day was surreal, fascinating, and full of laughter.”

Kate is a singer-songwriter and Chase is an actor and model. They connected immediately. “What we have in common is that we are both creative thinkers, extremely hard workers, loyal, inventive, and adventuresome,” she says. Their relationship evolved effortlessly, just like that love song you listen to over and over. “One of my favorite romantic moments happened during my birthday shortly after we started dating. Chase wrote me a post-it note trail of riddles leading me to a beautiful opal necklace at Catbird!” Thoughtful gestures are a constant for this romantic at heart couple. “I always leave Chase little love notes whenever I can find a good hiding spot. I love how they make him smile,” Kate says.

 

 

When it came time to pop the question, Chase orchestrated a moment that expressed the modern fairytale nature of their relationship. He surprised Kate on her birthday with tickets to see Wicked. After the show, they planned to have dinner at Vinegar Hill, a restaurant in Dumbo. “For some reason, he wanted to walk there from the West Village,” Kate remembers. It would be a hike, but she agreed. Good thing, because their scenic stroll would take them across the Brooklyn Bridge where Chase proposed. “It was a total surprise! I was definitely in shock as folks on the bridge began to congratulate us.” And to top it off, Chase had their friend, photographer Sam Nichols, capture the entire event!

 

 

Kate grew up on farm around horses and Chase, who is originally from Texas, is an outdoors enthusiast. While the couple fell in love in the city, their spirits reside in the countryside around nature. This would help them in choosing where to get married. Located 40 miles outside of NYC, the Mansion at Natirar rests on a breathtaking hilltop estate in New Jersey. Originally a private home built more than a century ago, it was recently transformed into a venue with a farm and restaurant. Kate remembers having a really good feeling on the drive to Natirar as they were welcomed by the beautiful landscape. “Chase and I had looked at about six venues by this time, but nothing really clicked. Natirar’s natural setting on the hill appealed to us immediately. We looked at each other and it was an automatic ‘yes’.”

 

 

 

When asked if she had a vision of what her wedding would look like, Kate responded, “I definitely had some ideas, but it really took shape as Chase and I created the day together.” A self-described “Jane Austin dweeb,” Kate was drawn to lush flowers with lots of greenery and little flourishes like candles and pretty linens. “My husband and I are total romantics and really wanted to capture a Bohemian English garden feel,” she adds.

 

 

 

Representing their style and personality as a couple, décor took shape in an enchanted wedding arch embellished with greenery and beautiful blooms in shades of cream, wine, burgundy, and white. These colors continued in the beautiful flowers that decorated the reception, evoking a dreamy ambiance.

 

 

Next week in Part 2: Gown and Personals, Kate talks about her gorgeous Liza Martinez gown and special touches she incorporated into her wedding day.

Couple’s Vendor List

Venue: Mansion at Natirar
Photographer: Sally Pinera
Videographer: Ellie Connell of  Christian Oth Studio
Bride’s Dress: Liz Martinez
Bride’s Shoes: Aquazzura
Bride’s Veil: Daphne Newman 
Bride’s Heapiece: Naturae Design
Groom’s Tux: Alan David
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo Collection
Groomsmens’ Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse
Rings: Ken & Dana Design at  Greenwich Street Jewelers
Makeup: Ana Liza Witham
Catering & Cake: 90 Acres (Farm to Table at Natirar)
Planner: Dawn Goldsmith of DM Events NY
Music: Highline String Quartet & The Loyales
Invitations: Lion In The Son +  Lichen Ink Studio