Allison & Josh: Romantic Elegance at New York Botanical Garden

In the age of dating apps, so many things need to be in sync for two people to hit it off on the first meeting. Past experiences and expectations are significant factors in this type of situation and both individuals may not be on the same page. Time, in some cases, however, works out the kinks of matchmaking. Allison recalls her first date with Josh. “We initially connected in 2017 on Hinge. We got drinks and the date went well enough that we both seemed open to seeing each other again.” They made plans for a second date at the Comedy Cellar only to have Josh cancel at the last minute. “Josh pretty much ghosted me for the next six months. I had just been on a great first date when he re-emerged. Something told me to give him another chance. It’s part of our story, though a part we kept from our families until it was revealed at our wedding,” she says with a laugh.

We are excited to introduce Allison, our BB Featured Bride for November. She and Josh married on a picture-perfect day in August at the New York Botanical Garden. Here is the first chapter in their Real BB Wedding story.

Part 1: Proposal & Planning

Allison and Josh were born just five days apart and planned to host a joint birthday party to celebrate turning 31. Unfortunately, the festivities coincided with Covid-19’s arrival stateside. “We had a lot of friends and family making travel plans to attend,” Allison says. “The Covid-19 situation was only getting worse, so we made the difficult decision to cancel our party.”

On the morning of the Saturday when their party was supposed to take place, Allison and Josh took a somber stroll through Washington Square Park and talked about all the fun everyone would be having that night. Josh was hit twice as hard by the cancellation. Unbeknownst to Allison, he was using the event to double as their engagement party. Despite the obstacles, he managed to pull off an epic surprise New York proposal. “Just as we walked underneath the arch, Josh got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.” Josh’s former roommate, Sam, had been waiting onsite, tracking the couple’s location to capture the special moment. Some of the couple’s close family members still made it to town for the weekend. “That evening, we all gathered for an intimate dinner to celebrate,” Allison says looking back. “That dinner would be our last indoor dining experience for a whole year. Little did we know what was in store for us – lockdown started just two days after our engagement.”

 

 

Allison and Josh were then faced with the arduous task of planning a wedding during a pandemic. Looking at venues, the couple wanted a space that would accommodate their large guest list. Open, beautiful, and enchanted, the New York Botanical Garden hit all the right marks. The bride says, “NYBG is such an iconic place. The grounds are sprawling, but the event space felt intimate and perfect for a party of our size. What really sold us was the blossoming pathway leading through the Home Gardening Center, which our guests would get to enjoy on their way to cocktail hour.” With availability limited due to Covid-19, they booked the venue over a year in advance. “It worked out great,” Allison recalls. “Because we were able to see what would be in bloom on the day of our wedding.”

Founded in 1891, the New York Botanical Garden is admired for its magnificent landscape and gardens and distinguished architecture. Honored as a National Historic Landmark, it is a tranquil sanctuary cut off from the noise of NYC. Couples getting married here not only have access to a picturesque setting, but also to elegant event spaces such as the Terrace Room (where the couple had their reception). We asked the bride how she would best describe her wedding decor style. “I wanted the décor to be clean and elegant with a modern twist. The garden is so beautiful and romantic – inspiration for our flowers came from the natural surroundings. We used a combination of whites and blushes with a lot of greenery.”

Stay tuned for next week when Allison shares all the details about her stunning Maison Signore gown.

Couple’s Vendor List:

Venue: New York Botanical Garden
Photographer + Videographer: Emma Cleary Photo + Video
Coordinator: Blossom Events
Bride’s Dress: Maison Signore from Kleinfeld Bridal
Bride’s Shoes: Gionvito Rossi
Groom’s Tux: Zegna
Groom’s Shoes: Ferragamo
Bridemaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo
Hair + Makeup: CEO Beauty
Invitations: Minted
Caterer: Constellation
Music: Hank Lane Music
Lighting: Universal Light & Sound