Jaslyn & Andrew: Artistic Elegance at Guastavino’s

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Bride and Groom Portrait Bouquet – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew met during college when they both were studying abroad. Jaslyn remembers, “On the second night of our program, a group of us headed out for a tapas crawl. I immediately noticed Andrew – he has a voice that carries across the room and makes everyone feel like a good friend.” Andrew was struck by Jaslyn’s warm smile and contagious laugh. Over cocktails, they each felt a spark. For the next six weeks, they were inseparable, traveling to different countries, going on date after date, and getting to know each other.

Because the couple’s relationship grew just as effortlessly as it began, there wasn’t a defining moment when they said, “Let’s get married.” Rather, the turning point came when they decided to live together. Jaslyn had reservations at first – she was about to start her residency in internal medicine and feared the stresses would be too much for them. The opposite turned out to be true. “We were each other’s best friend,” Jaslyn says. “Regardless of how taxing our workdays were, we always made time to spend together. Andrew had a calming effect on me during that challenging time – it really felt like ‘us against everything.’”

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Proposal – Photo Courtesy of Bride

Andrew proposed on May 21, 2022. Having just taken her medical board exams two days before, Jaslyn was consumed by her studies and completely missed all the hints leading up to the event. She recounts, “My mother asked me to get my nails done the night before – a request that she never makes. My friend and I had made plans to hang out the next day, but she called one hour before to say that she couldn’t make it.” Andrew then told Jaslyn to get dressed for a fancy dinner on Roosevelt Island (the dress she wore just happened to the one her mother picked out on a ‘spontaneous’ shopping trip a few months before). After packing their bags, Andrew announced that he had a surprise, and they would be staying overnight. “I’m still clueless at this point,” Jaslyn notes. Once they checked into their hotel, Andrew suggested they go for a walk along the river. While gazing at the Manhattan skyline together, he turned to her and said, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Jaslyn looks back and says with a laugh, “I finally realized what was happening. Before Andrew even had time to get down on his knee, I said ‘YES!’ He eventually did ask the question properly, and I obviously said ‘yes’ again.”

Soon after getting engaged, Jaslyn and Andrew started looking at venues. They knew that they wanted to get married in summer and have their wedding take place in doors. After checking out several places, the couple had a walk-through appointment at Guastavino’s. “I was completely mesmerized by the architectural character of the space,” Jaslyn says. Tucked away under the 59th Street Bridge, the designated New York City landmark is named after its celebrated Barcelonan architect, Rafael Guastavino. “From the high-vaulted ceilings and archways to the turning staircase, Guastavino’s had everything we wanted for an indoor wedding – we loved the fact that it offered two separate areas to accommodate both our ceremony and reception on the same site.”

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Venue Atmosphere – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

With the venue settled, Jaslyn could start thinking about her dress. The bride initially thought that she would wear something lacy with sleeves, or an A-line ballgown. This all changed during her appointment at Wedding Atelier. “As soon as I walked out of the dressing room, my mother and I both knew it was the perfect dress for me. While it was nothing like I had imagined, I was absolutely in love. I didn’t get to say ‘yes to the dress,’” she remembers. “My mother’s tears said it for me.” Jaslyn chose a breathtaking gown by designer Allison Webb, which featured a fit-and-flare silhouette and crescent neckline. “I really liked the gown’s clean, modern feel. I added a chapel-length train for that extra wow factor,” she says. Jaslyn finished her ensemble with glittering Jimmy Choo sandals and a long sheer veil with satin trim. She adds, “When we were taking our photos in Central Park, three people asked me if they could buy my veil on the spot!”

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Bride and Groom Portrait Bouquet – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Bridal Portrait – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Classic beauty and timeless jewelry and accessories accentuated Jaslyn’s bridal style. She wore her hair in a chignon bun paired with natural makeup by Federico Salon & Spa. Jewelry ticked off her ‘something borrowed.’ The bride wore diamond and pearl stud earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet from La Gravinese Jewelers of Pelham, a jewelry boutique in her hometown owned by family friends. She adds, “At our rehearsal dinner the night before, I wore my mother’s diamond bracelet, which was an engagement present to her from my grandmother.” She chose her bridal florals not only for their beauty, but also for sentimental reasons. ‘Orchids are both my and mother’s favorite flower. We always had them in the house when I was growing up – they are a symbol of my childhood and very special to me. When I first met with Carla (Bride & Blossom’s Wedding Director), I told her that I don’t care how they are incorporated, but I need to have orchids. She replied, ‘Why don’t we put white orchids in your bouquet? This way, the flower will be very close to you.’ I loved the idea! We styled them in an arcing cascade, which gave the bouquet an architectural aesthetic.” Ranunculuses, spray roses, mini calla lilies and lisianthus were also included. Andrew stepped into his role as groom, donning a sharp black tuxedo from Indochino with a calla lily boutonniere pinned on the lapel and Rolex watch – a morning-of-wedding gift from Jaslyn. Their wedding party dressed for the occasion – bridesmaids wore deep blue gowns, and groomsmen also wore black tuxes.

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Bridal Bouquet – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Brides Shoes – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Bride and Groom Portrait Bouquet – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Grooms Boutonniere – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Wedding Party Portrait – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew married on a picturesque day in late July. The couple exchanged vows in a traditional Jewish ceremony under a white floral and greenery chuppah featuring hydrangeas, roses, mini calla lilies, lisianthus, and stock with lemon leaf and Italian ruscus. A candlelit walkway preceded the structure, underscoring the intimate ambiance felt all around.

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Ceremony Atmosphere Chuppah – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Chuppah – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – First Kiss – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

When it came time to design her reception décor, Jaslyn looked to Guastavino’s historic architecture and atmospheric beauty for inspiration. “Originally, I wanted cherry blossoms, but they were out of the question given the season. We then did a 180, and decided on crisp white flowers and greenery in structured, asymmetrical arrangements that would brighten up the space.” Radiating artistic elegance, high centerpieces featured dynamically styled long-stemmed calla lilies (the bride’s other favorite flower), hydrangeas, lisianthus, and stock along with monstera and ti leaves. Rich greenery and candles trimmed the venue’s grand staircase, offering a stunning backdrop for the couple’s portrait photos.

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Tablescape High Centerpiece – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – High Centerpiece – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Stairway Greenery Candles – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

After dinner, speeches, and many champagne toasts to the newlyweds, everyone headed to the dancefloor. Jaslyn had a second dress on hand in the case that she wanted to make a quick change later. “I originally bought it for my bachelorette party. A few hours into the evening, comfort won over formality, and I threw the dress on.” She paired the shimmery blue Alice & Olivia frock (no Barbie pink here!) with Alexander McQueen high-top sneakers. “The band was amazing!” she notes. “Our guests were dancing with us all night long. Andrew and I joked that we barely got to eat because we were having so much fun.”

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – First Dance – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

Jaslyn and Andrew Wedding – Bridal Portrait – Guastavinos – Jaylim Studio

In a day filled with many joyous memories, we asked Jaslyn if any stood out to her. She reminisces, “When it came to planning for our wedding, Andrew and I wanted to make sure that important aspects were connected to our families in some way. My father’s cousin is an artist and he custom painted our Ketubah. We exchanged personal vows before signing it – to share that experience with our family and closest friends meant a lot to us.” The couple’s first look could easily be mistaken as a film still from an Old Hollywood picture. “We stayed at the JW Essex House because it was where Andrew’s paternal grandparents stayed after they got married. I’ll never forget the look on Andrew’s face when I stepped off the hotel’s iconic elevator and he saw me for the first time.” She leaves us with the sweetest father-of-the-bride moment. “I don’t consider myself an emotional person. My father is a man of few words. When he first saw me, he was speechless, but for different reasons. I had never seen him that way before and we both started crying. Then my mother and bridesmaids started crying.”