Caroline & José’s Bentley  Hotel, St. Vincent Ferrer and Mount Vernon Hotel Museum Wedding

Y’all…who doesn’t love a good Catholic-Mexican celebration?! Caroline & José’s wedding day started off at the Bentley Hotel in a room with a beautiful view of the Queensboro Bridge. When I arrived, Caroline was getting her hair done and the cheese platter was MIA. This cheese platter was HIGH STAKES for a minute there. Was it with José? Was her sister going to pick it up? Did someone accidentally leave it in Mexico? Somehow, it was miraculously forgotten about roughly 10-15 minutes later and everyone continued on their merry way. Caroline’s family and bridesmaids helped her into her gorgeous Pronovias dress and we were headed to the church!

Once at the church, I was witness to a cultural coming together of Caroline & José’s families. José’s family flew in from Mexico for the occasion, and many were meeting for the first time. The wedding party was serenaded down the aisle by a mandolin quartet, giving the traditional Roman Catholic church a hint of Mexican flair and prayers were recited in both English and Spanish. The church seemed to magically reverberate with the sound of the melting pot of NYC.

After a beautiful ceremony, we headed over to Mount Vernon Hotel Museum to celebrate. Who knew this cozy little structure with a pretty garden existed in the concrete jungle?! After noshing on some delicious worldly grub from  the Eat Off Beat chefs under the papel picado, everyone was herded inside for speeches, pictures with funny faceless standees, and dancing. José and Caroline were showered with reminders of their online dating journey, cats, and nerdy obsessions and then had a lovely first dance. Caroline and her father’s dance was touching and tear-filled–it was followed by José’s and his mother, who– after all was said and done–I must mention, was the star of the dance floor!

These two looked at each other with such love, and I’m excited for what’s in store for them. Caroline & José, it was a joy to capture your love and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

PS I’m still unclear as to where the cheese went.

HMUA: Sammi Mok

Dress: Pronovias Barcelona

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Venues: Bentley Hotel, St Vincent Ferrer, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum

Caterers: Eat Off Beat

Music: Rose Bloom Mandolin Quartet