When Pedro Reyes, 52, and Natasha Danielle Smith, 44, decided to tie the knot, they knew New York City would be one of the key players in their nuptials.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s where Natasha and I fell in love,\u201d said Reyes. \u201cIt only felt right to bring our closest family and friends into the city that shaped our story.\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo decided to turn their July nuptials into a three-day celebration that captured the spirit of the city they adore.<\/p>\n
The newlyweds went on a three-day knot-tying tour of the Big Apple. Caroline Trotter<\/p>\n
It began with a nighttime TopView bus tour, from Times Square and the Empire State Building to the Flatiron Building, Soho, Chinatown and a quick loop through Brooklyn, said Reyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next evening, we gathered at Biga Bite for dinner and shared a giant pizza for 18,\u201d added Reyes, who works in audience development at The New York Post. \u201cMost of Natasha\u2019s family had never met me or my family, so it was the perfect way for everyone to connect before the big day \u2014 laughter, pizza and a touch of New York magic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith, a communications director for a financial services firm, has family who hail from the deep South.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince almost everyone was a tourist, we leaned into that energy,\u201d she said. In fact, her 81-year-old aunt had never been to the city before. \u201cShe said she\u2019d never seen buildings so tall in her life,\u201d recalled Smith.<\/p>\n
The couple\u2019s wedding weekend culminated with a ceremony and reception for 18 at the Crosby Street Hotel, complete with a Soho walking tour following the ceremony and a performance from magician Matt Szat during dinner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love learning, and we wanted our guests not only to be in awe of New York City, but also to leave knowing a little more about the neighborhood than when they arrived,\u201d said Smith of the private walking tour. \u201cPlus, it was so much fun for Pedro and me to trek through the cobblestone streets in our wedding attire \u2014 it\u2019s the one time I\u2019ve seen so many stoic New Yorkers break stride to shout congratulations and well-wishes to us,\u201d she quipped. (\u201cBe ready to dodge a few taxis and scurry out of the way of traffic,\u201d the groom warned. \u201cIt\u2019s all part of the authentic New York experience.\u201d)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love learning, and we wanted our guests not only to be in awe of New York City, but also to leave knowing a little more about the neighborhood than when they arrived.\u201d <\/p>\n
Natasha Danielle Smith<\/p>\n
Even the details on their wedding day served as thoughtful nods to the Big Apple. For instance, working with their wedding planner Ikiya Devonish, owner of Intimate Occasions by Ikiya in Brooklyn, they created custom dinner menus through Zazzle with a watercolor painting of Central Park.<\/p>\n
Additionally, each guest received a watercolor illustration from Four Things Paper with jokes and fun facts about the couple. \u201cIt captured everything from the moment we met and our first date to Pedro\u2019s love of the New York Knicks, our concert dates at Madison Square Garden and our shared disdain for shellfish,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n
Devonish appreciated the yellow taxi cabs styled into the wedding, from showcasing a taxi cab motif on their mocktail hour napkins to a tiny cab figure hidden among their ceremony florals.<\/p>\n
The pair also went above and beyond with their party favors, ensuring no two goodie bags were alike. \u201cEach burlap bag had a personalized frayed cotton ribbon, its own teas curated by the New York Botanical Garden, aromatherapy candles in different scents and even New York lottery tickets,\u201d said Smith, noting that they also included L\u00e4derach pralines to honor her Louisiana family members and Georgia peach jam \u201cas a nod to my people in Atlanta.\u201d<\/p>\n
To lean into a New York City-themed wedding without overdoing it, Devonish recommends \u201cfinding unique personal touches that speak to the couple\u2019s love story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith said to \u201ccreate a wedding that reflects the things you love about New York and speaks to your personal experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
For example, some of the gifts the couple gave Smith\u2019s mother and sister came from an exhibition at the Met and held special meaning since \u201cthey reflected black culture and celebrated New York City during the Harlem Renaissance,\u201d Smith said. This introduced elements that were uniquely NYC and encapsulated who the couple are.<\/p>\n
\u201cReflect on why you love New York, and let that guide your decisions,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
How to go to town: Here are a few playful ways to incorporate your love of the concrete jungle into your wedding day.<\/p>\n
Candles<\/p>\n
Scripted Fragrance<\/p>\n
This scented interpretation of NYC is handmade in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley. From $16; Scripted Fragrance<\/a><\/p>\n Bows<\/p>\n Ashley Myers\/Minted<\/p>\n Customized bow for your bridal bouquet, hand-painted by Tribeca artist Ashley Myers. $250; Minted<\/a><\/p>\n Black-and-white cookies<\/p>\n Carnegie Deli<\/p>\n Carnegie Deli\u2019s signature giant iconic black-and-white cookies. From $50; Carnegie Deli<\/a><\/p>\n Coasters<\/p>\n Uncommon Goods<\/p>\n Darling city-themed coasters to grace the wedding table. $45 for a set of four; Uncommon Goods<\/a><\/p>\n Baked goods<\/p>\n Levain Bakery<\/p>\n