Manhattan Penthouse Wedding

The best things happen unexpectedly. It was someone else’s date, after all. Sheena was simply doing her best friend, Jade, a favor by accompanying her on a casual date at the Liberty Bar in Midtown, New York. Normally, she wouldn’t want to feel like a third wheel, but she knew Jade would appreciate her being there. Little did she know, fate had already set her on a path that would change her entire world.

That night, Sheena met someone named Joe. They spoke and exchanged numbers. Two weeks later, on 01/16/14, they had their first date… the first one of many. Then, as fate would have it, the unexpected happened again.

On 1/16/15, their one year anniversary, Joe made reservations for dinner. Sheena secretly hoped that the night would bring a proposal. But as they sat next to a loud, fun-loving group, her hopes of him popping the question quickly diminished. It wasn’t until they got home that Joe asked her to close her eyes. As she did, he said, “Out of all the things that I have asked you, there’s just one more thing I’d like to ask. Will you marry me?” With tears running down her face, Sheena answered yes. Joe really had one more thing to ask, however… That she get dressed up again. This is because a very unexpected surprise was waiting: His parents and all of their New York friends were at the Refinery Hotel waiting to congratulate the couple with an engagement party! After this, the numbers 1 and 16 just felt special to them. So they made a decision: The date 10/01/16 would be the their wedding day. And it would be a Manhattan Penthouse wedding!

As the October sun descended, New York City’s lights began glittering through the the gigantic Palladian windows at the Manhattan Penthouse on Fifth Avenue. No matter which way you looked, you could see the city. Sheena and Joe chose to get married in front of windows framed with heavy ivy, willow, roses and dahlias. Covered with candles, the windowsills glowed against breathtaking views of the Empire State Building. As guests looked on and an instrumental version of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” played, Sheena’s mother and father escorted her down the aisle. Dressed in a custom-made Imparali tuxedo, Joe watched as Sheena walked towards him wearing an off-white lace Victorian style gown with Swarovski embellishments and a hair piece handmade by her father. The moment had finally arrived.

After the exchanging of vows, Tara O’ Grady’s Black Velvet Band entertained during a cocktail hour. Guests then enjoyed a delicious meal, followed by dessert which included a five-tiered wedding cake. The cake was accented with two white seahorses which were facing each other. The seahorse has always been Sheena’s favorite animal. Seahorses are known for being monogamous creatures that will never mate again if their partner dies. When she met Joe, Sheena knew she had found her other seahorse.

During the reception, the couple, who both love music from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, danced to “A Sunday Kind of Love” by Etta James — one of their favorite artists. To them, the song represented the feelings they had at the start of their relationship. They had both been hopeful that they had found their “Sunday kind of love.” Well, they did. And they learned that while fate may decide who comes into your life, your heart decides who stays forever.

By the way, for these who are interested, a typical Manhattan Penthouse wedding cost is around $140-$180 per person with the space rental fee of $3500.

Thank you to the wonderful creative team:

Venue: Manhattan Penthouse

Videography: Michael Joseph Films

Wedding planner: Whimsey Wedding

Florist: Rebecca Shepard Floral Design

Officiant: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady

Gown: Alegria Brides, Designed by Allure Brides

Hair: Amy Klewitz Beauty

Makeup: Olga Khizver Makeup

Veil: Kleinfeld Bridal, designed by Elen Henderson

Bridal shoes: Christian Louboutin http://us.christianlouboutin.com/us_en/

Engagement ring: Custom made by Jessie Greenberg, and designed by my husband Joe