Couples Tribute: Kristin & Tom
Couples Tribute – Grace + Lee
As soon as Grace and Lee finished their tour of the Celebrate Snug Harbor grounds, they knew they had found the best location for their wedding. The ethereal Tuscan Garden was the ideal place to hold the marriage ceremony, followed by a reception of their loved ones under the elegant architecture of the Upper Great Hall.
Snug Harbor held an extra significance for Lee, whose mother was a teacher at the Snug Harbor pre-school where Lee attended. He would later recall also spending countless hours at The Snug Harbor Children’s Museum, where his mother was a volunteer.
The gorgeous garden service was officiated by one of Lee’s best friends and groomsman. 
The couple’s dog, Enzo, was also able to be present to witness his best friends say, “I Do”.
The nuptials were followed by an equally whimsical, well-appointed outdoor cocktail hour for guests, allowing Grace and Lee to sneak off with their photographer, Adena from Studio A Images.
Their first moments as husband and wife were spent staring lovingly at once another amidst the romantic, secret-garden scenery of the Snug Harbor grounds.
Once the photo session had ended, it was time to celebrate this momentous day with family and friends. Everyone gathered in the Upper Great Hall, surrounded by arrangements bursting with lush blooms in a soft palette of dusty rose, creamy whites and emerald green.
Numerous display tables dotted the room, embracing partygoers with colorful photographic memories of their times with Grace and Lee. Guests were encouraged to take the photos home, along with a deliciously scented candle, lovingly home made by Grace’s sister for the occasion.
The festivities continued well into the night, fueled by scrumptious treats including an abundant ice cream sundae bar and Denino’s Pizza, which was served at the stroke of midnight.
Family and friends grooved to the beat of Grace and Lee’s DJ, who happened to be the very first friend Lee had made in Amsterdam over 15 years prior. At the center of the revelry was Grace and Lee, having the time of their lives at this epic dance party held in their honor.
A special thank you to Studio A Images for so expertly capturing this day. We are so lucky to have such delightful couples as Grace and Lee to work with at Celebrate Snug Harbor!
Vendors:
Bride’s dress: Jenny Woon for BHLDN
Groom’s suit: J. Crew
Band: Silver Arrow
DJ: FerdiFonk
Cake: Palermo’s Bakery
Ceremony (and pre-ceremony) music: Iconiq Strings
Flowers – https://www.aureateflorals.com/ The florist is a friend of Lee’s from high school.
Photographer (studio A images)
Sound and lighting: https://www.crossfiresound.com/
Couples Tribute – Kailin + Dan
When Kailin and Dan began planning their garden wedding at Celebrate Snug Harbor, they knew two things with absolute certainty: Celebrate Snug Harbor was a romantic destination outside of Manhattan where all of Kailin’s childhood wedding dreams would come to life, and because Snug Harbor was a picture-perfect venue for their blend of West and East cultures.
Both Kailin and Dan left China at a young age to come to the United States, where eventually they settled down and called NYC home. Kailin and Dan describe themselves as the perfect blend of the West and the East cultures. From very young age Kailin always dreamed about having a garden wedding. In the end, only Celebrate Snug Harbor would fulfill this childhood dream of hers.
The Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Ji Xing Yuan, couldn’t represent their east identity enough, and was essentially the main reason why they decided to host their wedding there. Growing up Kailin was a great fan of Chinese Scholar’s Gardens, but she never actually thought that she could have her own wedding in one. In fact, it’s also not easy to achieve even in China.
Kaitlin was a Chinese pre-modern art history student, who spent countless hours of her life researching Ming Qing dynasty culture and art. She said having a wedding in such a garden is like heaven! The Chinese Scholar Garden at Snug Harbor mimics the 17th century Ming dynasty garden style, especially after the famous Liu Garden, with everything made in Suzhou and assembled in NYC.
The couple had their intimate wedding ceremony take place in Snug Harbor’s White Garden.
To them this was the picture-perfect spot for their nuptials and really felt like the “west” part of their west-east identity glistened through. The White Garden is filled with white flowers, just like a white wedding dress symbolizing for purity of love. Although the blossom season had passed in June, its charm did not fade away. It was a perfect backdrop to commence their marriage.
Kailin, Dan and their mothers took part in a Unity Tree ceremony which symbolizes the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they became one family on their wedding day.
The ceremony program fan was personalized with a Chinese online vendor and was meant to be used for covering excessive sunlight, or as a fan for hot weather. The green and gold style was carefully chosen to be consistent with wedding’s summer garden theme. 
The most magical moment of the wedding was as soon as the couple kissed, the sun suddenly appeared out of the clouds and shone down upon them. A truly special moment for the happy couple.
A note from our Bride regarding their ceremony. –
“Our ceremony was a very personal one. We could not thank our host Nancy and our reader Barbara enough. It was our biggest honor to have them with us in such an important moment. Without Nancy, Dan and I would not eventually meet again in NYC, and today’s love story would not have existed. Therefore, Nancy was the perfect host to help us tie the knot. She spent great effort for us, buying books to study and helping us to design the ceremony process. She also handmade an impressive and artistic notebook for the ceremony. Because we were so close, the ceremony was so moving and filled with many happy tears from beginning to the end for all of us. Barbara is also one of the most important people in my life. This amazing Reverend was my high school humanities teacher. It was this wise teacher who brought me courage to move on, and I have always considered her as my enlightenment teacher. Just like all her teachings, her memorable reading to many guests and us was the best we had ever heard for a wedding.”
After the ceremony, friends and family moved into the Chinese Scholar Garden for cocktail hour. Kailin and Dan fell in love with the delicacy and elegance of the garden. They felt it was an impeccable environment to provide a memorable time for their guests to stroll in the garden with delicious food, wine, and beautiful Classical Chinese music performed by Ms. Yeh.
When time came for the reception festivities to begin, guests seamlessly moved the cocktail hour celebration into the Tented Pavilion, which had been impeccably transformed. 
The loveliest floral arrangements of roses and peonies in a soft palette of blush, whites and greens, which looked gorgeous against all the greenery within the grounds.
The presence of peonies was used for the bride because it is an auspicious flower-king of flower for China and is always present in Chinese weddings.
Kailin and Dan decided to surprise their guests with a two-song combination for their first dance. They went with a slow-fast two-song combination. It started with the romantic string music Adagio by Secret Garden then followed with Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You. 
Guests and family members were in awe as Dan spun Kailin around the dance floor and dipped her with glee. 
Their reception continued all night with a packed dance floor and a special surprise for their guests! Kailin and Dan had an LED dancing robot. 
No one brings the excitement and energy to a party like these robots do!
A very touching moment during the night was when videos were played for the bride and groom. These videos were recorded by friends and family members who live in China and could not attend the wedding. The bride and groom were very moved by all their love and wedding wishes expressed in these videos.
At the end of the reception guests were also treated to handmade customized chopsticks as favors. Kailin and Dan choose the chopsticks since they come in pairs, symbolizing for the happy relationship of a couple, and conveying their best wishes to their guests. Millettia Laurentii was chosen as the wood material, not only because of its beautiful wooden patterns, but also its symbolism of longing between lovers. The words engraved on the chopsticks are from a famous Chinese poem. Both are Chinese legendary creatures and plants that symbolize for everlasting and indestructible love.
It was very evident that these two sure had a blast and lots of love was present on their wedding night. Every detail of Kailin and Dan’s wedding was exceptionally and thoughtfully crafted by the couple.
We are so lucky to have wonderful couples like Kailin and Dan to work with at Celebrate Snug Harbor. A huge thanks to 1314 Studio their photographer for sharing these gorgeous photos with us.
Vendors
Florist: Hexacres
Photos and Video: 1314 Studio
Makeup artist: Belinda Ni
Musicians: thepro110
Guqin: Judy Yeh
Reception DJ: Sound Explosion
Couples Tribute – Laura + Giovanni
From the first moment they arrived on the handsomely manicured grounds of Celebrate Snug Harbor, Laura and Giovanni knew they had found the ideal setting for their June 2nd, 2019 wedding. The lush, secret-garden atmosphere boasted the type of divine magic that would send them off to a lifetime of happiness.
The day of the nuptials was forecast to blend Laura and Giovanni’s classic and modern personalities into a perfectly balanced, complimentary union.
When the skies gave way to rain, no sentiment was hindered. With the quick care of the Celebrate Snug Harbor team, the ceremony was seamlessly moved indoors to the Upper Great Hall, this timeless couple not a bit worried over the change. The embracing gray overtones and gentle sound of rain seemed to cast an even more romantic spell as the couple said, “I do,” under the arch Giovanni and his brother lovingly crafted for the celebration.
As soon as the ceremony ended, the skies parted and the sun’s golden light sparkled down on the rich greenery of the Tuscan Garden, gracefully consenting to a series of stunning outdoor wedding portraits captured by Laura and Giovanni’s photographer, Le Image.
The reception followed in the Tented Pavilion. The Bride had opted for modern décor, with a minimalist feel, allowing the natural beauty of their surroundings to play a supporting role in the jubilee.
Snug Harbor Wedding Staten Island photos by Le Image – Staten Island wedding photographer and videographer. Staten Island wedding venues.
Snug Harbor Wedding Staten Island photos by Le Image – Staten Island wedding photographer and videographer. Staten Island wedding venues.
Against the soft backdrop of glowing candlelight and overflowing emerald foliage, Laura and Giovanni laughed and kissed, their love for one another radiating all night.
Every detail of the wedding was eloquently selected by the couple and their families. We are grateful to have such wonderful pairings like Laura and Giovanni to work with at Celebrate Snug Harbor.
Snug Harbor Wedding Staten Island photos by Le Image – Staten Island wedding photographer and videographer. Staten Island wedding venues.
Snug Harbor Wedding Staten Island photos by Le Image – Staten Island wedding photographer and videographer. Staten Island wedding venues.
A special thank you to Le Image for sharing these gorgeous photos with us!
DJ: beatsbyricky
Couples Tribute: Christina + Josh
Christina and Josh’s wedding day in the Tuscan Garden at Celebrate Snug Harbor transported their guests straight to Italy. The elegant, romantic atmosphere, cast in complimentary hues of cream, gold, and pink, was further punctuated with emerald foliage and sophisticated details around every corner.
The couple wanted a relaxed environment on their big day, but with a hint of glamour, something that would showcase their fun-loving personalities in a majestic tone. The planning team at Celebrate Snug Harbor was there to support them at every decision, helping transform this celebration into a regal affair.
When Christina and Josh saw the Tuscan Garden, they knew for certain the Snug Harbor would give their guests the truly unique experience they were searching for, while still staying true to the vision they had of how their forever would begin.
It held all the elements their families would cherish. The lush vegetation reminded Josh of his grandfather, a passionate and successful florist who also happened to be blind. For Christina, the thoughtful design was reminiscent of Italy, her family’s origin. Getting married in this spot was truly meant to be.
Christina’s walk down the aisle was the true showstopper of this enchanted wedding ceremony. Her Hayley Paige gown, a gentle shade of blush with stunning floral details cascading down, was highlighted perfectly by the rich tones of the Tuscan Garden.
She paired the dress with simple accessories and a cathedral length veil with matching floral details, the quintessential version of Old Hollywood glamour.
Wicked Florist infused classic sophistication into their designs for both the Tuscan Garden and the Upper Great Hall where the reception was held. Utilizing a soft palette of blooms and flora, they added a burst of colorful magic that flawlessly complimented the chic atmosphere.
The evening continued with a dinner reception in The Upper Great Hall. 
They shared their first dance to “Sunshine of my life” by Stevie Wonder. Their band, Jesse and Forever had also performed this song the night Josh proposed to Christina on their Manhattan rooftop. When she stepped off the elevator, “Sunshine of my life” filled the air. Hearing it again, this time for the first time as husband and wife, surrounded by their loved ones, created a heartfelt, tender moment that all who witnessed will never forget.
Keeping with their extraordinary theme, in lieu of a traditional wedding cake Christina and Josh chose a delicious donut tower. The guests loved it!
Philip Siciliano unobtrusively photographed every intimate detail, from Christina’s stunning entrance, to the fully bloomed Cherry Blossom trees that covered the Tuscan Garden.
We are so lucky to have wonderful couples like Christina and Josh to work with at Celebrate Snug Harbor, and photographers like Philip Siciliano to immortalize their memories!
Vendors:
Band – Jesse and Forever (ceremony and cocktail hour)
Photography – Philip Siciliano
Bridesmaids – Amaze
Celebrate at Snug Harbor 