Rachel + Eugen

Rachel Hersey (or Rae Hersey, as she is known as a Content Creator) had already been wed to her Albanian partner, Eugen Hotaj ("eh-OH-guhn Ho-Tie") twice by the time we met her - once, at a San Francisco City Hall elopement, and another time, in what was lovingly described as her Big Fat Albanian Wedding. The couple's wedding in Albania had an enormous guest count, much drinking, dancing, loud singalongs, and all the traditions and merriment that ensue at classic marital celebrations in the Groom's culture. 

Now that Eugen had planned "his" wedding, Rachel was hoping for "hers". 

Although the couple lives in the Bay Area, the "Bride's Side" wedding took place in NYC, where Rachel grew up. A Rehearsal Dinner at House of Joy in Chinatown paid homage to her half-Chinese heritage, and featured a Lion Dance troupe led by her brother's "Sifu" (a term of endearment for teacher).

The next day, Rachel and Eugen got ready at the Bowery Hotel before heading to Prospect Park Boathouse for their wedding. Although there were May showers all day, Rachel was reluctant to call our rain plan, so we made our secret "semi rain plan" work, with the help of Fern Botanica and Purslane - and pulled off the outdoor ceremony by the lake. Mother nature also smiled down on us, and gifted the couple with clear skies just before the guests arrived.

It's not every day that a Bride tells you that she doesn't want a dance party at her wedding, but when Rachel floated the idea of having a Jazz Lounge instead (she does not care much for dancing), we could not have been more excited to bring this to life. The Reception also featured a dedicated Kids Lounge where the children could sit and eat with coloring book kits and games, away from the boring adults. A vintage photo booth was the Bride's "something borrowed" - an idea borrowed from her cousin's wedding she attended in elementary school, and that she still has the photo strips from. 

At the end of the night, guests were given hand-crafted lanterns to light their path on the way out of the park.






 

HOUSE OF JOY + PROSPECT PARK BOATHOUSE
New York CITY