Stephanie & Ricky: A Modern Love Story at The Glasshouse

Stephanie and Ricky met in Fall 2010 when both were still teenagers. “It was at Ricky’s best friend’s birthday party at a Hibachi Restaurant. We started BBM (Blackberry messaging) that night and haven’t missed a day since,” Stephanie remembers about their instant connection. Twelve years later and now living together in downtown Manhattan, the couple was taking their daily walk through the neighborhood. Usually a calm scene, the gates of St. Vincent’s Triangle Park had been taking over by FDNY due to a fire in the nearby subway station. Despite Stephanie’s serious hesitation, Ricky insisted they continue walking through the area. Her tone quickly changed to one of surprise after realizing that a photographer was taking photos of them. On April 1, 2022, Ricky got down on one knee and proposed to Stephanie.

Both Stephanie and Ricky were born in New York City and knew from the beginning, it was where they wanted to get married. The couple was attracted to spaces that captured the elegance of NYC, but also felt unique and new. The Glasshouse, a high-rise gem opened in 2021 and located in Chelsea, ticked all the boxes. Featuring open and naturally lit rooms, sleek finishes, and artistic lighting, the space offers a blank canvas for couples to be creative with décor and styling. “We loved the modern NYC vibe,” the bride notes. “And the city views and high ceilings really excited us.”

With the venue secured, Stephanie could start thinking about what to wear. Not one to follow bridal trends, she says, “there was something about Mira Zwillinger that always appealed to me, and I happened to follow her on Instagram a few years ago.” By chance, the Israeli bridal designer was having a trunk show on the first day she went shopping. Slightly overwhelmed by the sea of alluring looks, Stephanie settled her eyes, tried on a first dress, and immediately fell in love – but held off on making a final decision just yet (a visit to a later trunk show confirmed that it would be what she wore down the aisle). Stephanie’s stunning choice featured a strapless ball grown silhouette made of silk organza. Bold, abstract floral embroidery flowed from the top of the bodice down through the skirt, adding a modern touch to the classic design. “The style was not what I originally envisioned, but when I put it on, it felt different and special, and was so comfortable and flattering,” she finishes.

The bride leaned into a timeless aesthetic for her beauty and personals. She wore her hair in a half-up do by stylist Rosemary Tejeda of Salon Vilomar complimented by a natural makeup look. Jewelry was imbued with meaning – a diamond necklace lent from her grandmother and two diamond bracelets – one from her mother, the other from her mother-in-law made specially for the occasion using stones originally in her grandmother’s ring. “And I got married wearing my grandfather’s wedding band and wore a garter (her ‘something blue’) that was Ricky’s great-grandmothers,” she says while exclaiming, “I loved that everything was from my family.” The final touches on her ensemble were blossom-trimmed shoes by Belle Belle, a sheer chapel length veil for the ceremony, and a hand-tied bouquet of white and cream roses, lisianthus, ranunculuses, campanulas, dahlias, stock, and a single phalaenopsis orchid with a hint of greenery. For groom’s attire, Ricky looked to Alan David, wearing a classic black tux paired a custom shirt by Balani and Hugo Boss shoes.

Stephanie and Ricky married on a mid-autumn day in a traditional Jewish ceremony officiated by the same rabbi whose son’s birthday party brought them together years before. Surrounded by family and friends, the couple exchanged vows under a spellbinding chuppah featuring a floral chandelier made of delphiniums, dendrobium orchids, gladiolas, amaranthus, and stock in light pink and white accentuated by four ‘posts’ of cascading greenery.

Cocktail hour followed and then everyone headed to the reception area where they were welcomed by a captivating atmosphere. Décor unfolded in two distinct centerpieces – round tables were topped with a ‘living’ manzanita tree centerpiece adorned with white delphiniums, stock, and greenery surrounded by a bed of roses, hydrangeas, anemones, carnations, dahlias, and lisianthus in white, cream, champagne-blush, and terra cotta. An avant-garde take on Old-World opulence, mirrored serpentine shaped tables featured a mesmerizing display of crystal candelabras, each trimmed with a sinuous arrangement of soft blossoms.

“I really wanted to make everything feel warm, by incorporating the glass floating candles, candelabras, and having white flowers with notes of pink and rich greenery, “Stephanie says about her floral vision adding that “Rachel, Bride & Blossom’s Founder and Jeff of Stillwell Events did an amazing job of collaborating and pulling everything together.” Marking the event as a high point of her career, Rachel elaborates on her experience, “Working alongside Jeff, one of my favorite industry professionals was a dream. The couple and their families were kind, appreciative, charming, and all around exceptional. The venue is an open slate with the sky being the limit in terms of decor. It can be a difficult place to create warmth and a romantic ambiance in. The end result was magical, the wedding flowed seamlessly, and our designs were the perfect complement. My favorite pieces were the hanging chuppah installation as well as the elegant candelabras – the draping truly elevated the design.”

As the night went on, the couple made sure to include fun and thoughtful details inspired by their relationship starting with their choice of dessert. “Ricky and I love ice cream, and he introduced me to mint chocolate chip,” Stephanie says. Instead of the traditional cake cutting, they shared scoops from an ice cream sundae tower. Under the floral chandelier used in their chuppah, the newlyweds’ dance played out like a scene from a classic Hollywood film. For after-hours fuel, guests were served handmade ‘Sticky’s’ sandwiches. The bride explains, “Ricky’s nickname is ‘Sticky’ and his family works in deli provisions. Our caterer, Thomas Preti, provided a food cart for them to customize.”

Reflecting on the day, Stephanie says, “Every single person there was an important part of our lives. We’ve grown up together, so everyone is so close. So being able to celebrate with them made our wedding feel extra special and meaningful.”

Congratulations, Stephanie and Ricky! Thank you for sharing your Real BB Wedding Story with us!

Couple’s Vendor List
Venue: The Glasshouse
Photographer: Berit Bizjak 
Planner: Stillwell Events 
Bride’s Dress: Mira Zwillinger from Mark Ingram Atelier
Bride’s Shoes: Belle Belle and Dolce Vita 
Groom’s Attire: Alan David and Balani 
Groom’s Shoes: Hugo Boss 
Hair: Rosemary Tejeda of Salon Vilomar 
Rings: London Jewelers (groom’s band) I. Friedman & Sons Jewelers (bride)
Catering & Dessert: Thomas Preti Events to Savor
Lighting & Sound: Studio Productions 
Rentals: Luxe Event Rentals 
Linens: Nuage Designs
Invitations: Sondra Simon Calligraphy
Day Of Stationery: Maddy Haut Invitations
Dance Floor Wrap: Shout! 
Videographer: La Vimage
First Dance Choreography: The Moment
Band: Ultra Violet from Element 
Photo Booth: 321 Photo Booth