An Ethereal, Minimalist Wedding at Rule of Thirds

As seen in The New York Times

Working as a wedding planner in New York City is already the dream in and of itself, but I didn’t fully grasp how lucky I was to have this career until I met Bri and Shel. There’s something so electric and raw and powerful about their love for each other. Getting to plan a Rule of Thirds wedding that reflected this was something I will never take for granted.

Bri works as a fashion model and disability advocate. Any conversation you have with her, you can immediately feel how passionate she is about changing the world. Shel works as a pharmacist by day, and model by night (at least those are his words). After he met Bri, she was able to convince him that the world needed to see Shel’s iconic fashion sense. The pair now frequently model together. I told them recently that they are 2 halves of the same soul, and I dare anyone who meets them to prove me wrong.

When it came to planning the day, I started my process as I usually do- with a ton of questions and brain dumps.

A few things that stood out to me when revisiting my notes were that they wanted the vibe to “be cool” and they wanted the space to “be alive”. I feel like we were really able to accomplish that. As a wheelchair user, Bri opted to embellish her wheels as opposed to having a bouquet. We employed the design talents of a fellow disabled artist, Mobile Vulgaris, to design the flowers on Bri’s chair. Isabel from A Lily Among Thorns executed the vision.

For the ceremony space, we knew from the very beginning that they wanted to have an immersive, intimate experience. We placed them in the center of the room, under Rule of Thirds’ gorgeous skylight, and set the chairs so that they were literally surrounded by friends and family. We ended up designing a beautiful half moon floor installation, which was a subtle nod to Bri’s love for astrology and also a way to lean into the space feeling alive, with the florals literally “growing” out of the floor.

For the reception space, we embraced a less is more mentality, and were purposeful with the decor. Light greenery hung from the ceiling all over the space. Since dinner was going to be served family style, we had light, ethereal blooms in bud vases paired with taper candles scattered throughout the table. Shel designed all of their day of paper goods, along with a silhouette of them that became their wedding logo.

Another element that was thrown around from the very beginning was pearls.

Bri and Shel both love pearls- both aesthetically and symbolically. We brought in the pearl theme in the satin napkins, their toasting flutes, and for every guest. As guests came in, they were told to select either a bracelet or pin to wear throughout the night. Everyone looked amazing and it was a huge hit. My fashion heart especially loved this touch.

Sobriety is a big part of Bri and Shel’s relationship, so they opted for a dry wedding. We took liberties with signature mocktails, later coined the Virgo and the Libra. You would have never been able to guess that everyone at the wedding was sober. The energy was THROUGH THE ROOF, and you could feel the love and support for these two everywhere you looked.

Bri and Shel’s wedding was one I will never forget. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed, and that we were able to plan such a personal day for them.

Venue: Rule of Thirds | Photo + Video: Khaki Bedford Photography | Florist: A Lily Among Thorns | Wheelchair Floral Design: Mobile Vulgaris | DJ: Allison Kinney | Lighting: Universal Light and Sound | Cake: D’Avant Bakery | Napkins: Nuage | Hair Stylist: Kat Zemtsova | Makeup Artist: Liz Schroeder | Officiant: Once Upon a Vow | Photo Booth: Boothy | Security: First Priority Security LLC | Wedding Dress: Newhite at Lovely Bride

Left photo: Close up shot of the bride's bracelet and engagement ring on top of a Virgo book and a Libra book.
Right photo: Close up shot of the bride's engagement ring on top of a Virgo book and a Libra book.
Close up shot of the groom buttoning his green and blue suit jacket.
Left photo: Close up shot of the bride getting her make up done. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride's wedding dress.
Shot of the bride sitting in her wheelchair as the wheels are decorated with vines.
Left photo: Close up shot of the bride writing her vows down in a book.
Right photo: Upper body, black and white shot of the bride adjusting her earring.
Left photo: Shot of the bride smiling in her wedding dress as she sits in her decorated wheelchair. 
Right photo: Full body shot of the bride in her wedding dress posing for the camera as she sits in her decorated wheelchair.
Black and white upper body shot of the bride adjusting her dress straps.
Upper body shot of the bride posing on a balcony.
Upper body shot of the bride getting emotional as she sees her groom during their first look.
Left photo: Upper body shot of the groom getting emotional as he sees his bride during their first look.
Right photo: Full body shot of the bride and groom smiling at each other as they hold hands on a balcony.
Shot of the bride and groom smiling at each other through the reflection of a glass door.
Shot of the bride and groom posing on a balcony.
Left photo: Upper body shot of the groom posing while holding his lapel. 
Right photo: Upper body, black and white shot of the groom posing while holding his lapel.
Left photo: Shot of the bride on a balcony with the groom perched on the side of her wheelchair. 
Right photo: Upper body shot of the bride and groom smiling at each other on a balcony.
Shot of the bride smiling on a balcony.
Shot of the groom posing with his groomsmen.
Full shot of the bride and groom with their bridal party.
Shot of the bride smiling with her bridesmaids.
Full shot of the bride and groom holding hands on a crosswalk.
Left photo: Full body shot of the bride and groom holding hands as they pose for the camera. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride and groom sharing a kiss in front of a graffiti wall.
Shot of the bride and groom holding hands in front of a graffiti wall.
Black and white shot of the bride and groom holding hands as they make their way across a cross walk.
Shot of the bride and groom holding hands as they move down a sidewalk with their bridal party behind them.
Full shot of the bride and groom holding hands as they make their way across a cross walk.
Left photo: Shot of the bride and groom holding hands in front of a black painted brick wall. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride and groom posing in front of a black painted brick wall.
Full shot of the bride and groom posing in front of a black painted brick wall.
Left photo: Full shot of the bride and groom holding hands and smiling in front of a black brick wall.
Right photo: Upper body shot of the groom leaning against the bride's wheelchair as they smile at each other.
Upper body shot of the groom leaning on the bride's wheelchair as they share a kiss.
Full shot of the bride posing with her bridesmaids in front of a black brick wall.
Left photo: Black and white upper body shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall. 
Right photo: Upper body shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall.
Left photo: Upper body shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall. 
Right photo: Black and white shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall.
Left photo: Upper body black and white shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall.
Upper body black and white shot of the bride posing in front of a black brick wall.
Full shot of the bride, groom, and bridal party as they pose in front of a black brick wall.
Full shot of the bride, groom, and bridal party as they pose in the ceremony space.
Left photo: Close up shot of ceremony seating.
Right photo: Shot of ceremony seating and altar flower arrangements.
Shot of the ceremony space- including seating around the altar.
Shot of the bride making her way down the aisle.
Black and white shot of the bride embracing a guest.
Shot of the bride and groom holding hands as they head to the altar.
Left photo: Shot of the bride and groom at the altar as their officiant speaks.
Right photo: Shot of the groom smiling at the bride.
Full shot of the ceremony, with the officiant behind the mic, the bride and groom at the altar, and the guests surrounding them.
Full shot of the ceremony, with the officiant behind the mic, the bride and groom at the altar, and the guests surrounding them.
Left photo: Shot of the bride smiling as she reads her vows. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride and groom sharing a kiss at the altar.
Shot of the bride and groom at the altar holding hands and smiling at each other.
Black and white shot of the bride and groom smiling as they make their way back down the aisle.
Left photo: Close up shot of hors d'oeuvres being served on a tray.
Right photo: Close up shot of mocktails being served on a tray.
Left photo: Close up shot of a flower arrangement and candle on a reception table. 
Right photo: Shot of a fully set reception table.
Left photo: Close up shot of a floral arrangement and candles on a reception table.
Right photo: Close up shot of place settings on a reception table.
Left photo: Close up shot of a fully set reception table complete with floral centerpieces, candles, linens and place settings. 
Right photo: Shot of fully set reception tables complete with floral centerpieces, candles, linens, and place settings.
Left photo: Close up shot of a place setting on a reception table, including candles, flowers, and a place card. 
Right photo: Close up shot of a place setting on a reception table, including candles, flowers, and a place card.
Close up shot of a reception table place setting taken from above.
Left photo: Close up shot of a fully set reception table. 
Right photo: Close up shot of a fully set reception table.
Black and white shot of the Bride and Groom sitting at their reception table and smiling at each other.
Left photo: Shot of the seating chart for the reception.
Right photo: Full shot of a fully set reception table.
Shot of the bride and groom enjoying noodles at their reception.
Left photo: Black and white shot of the bride and groom at their reception smiling at their guests. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride and groom laughing as they sit amongst their guests.
Full shot of a fully seated reception space.
Shot of the skylight in the event space at Rule of Thirds.
Shot of the bride and groom smiling at one of their guests giving a speech.
Left photo: Full body shot of the bride and groom posing in front of plants.
Right photo: Full body shot of the bride and groom posing in front of plants.
Close up shot of the bride and groom smiling as they cut their wedding cake.
Shot of the bride and groom smiling as they each put a piece of cake on the others nose.
Shot of the bride and groom smiling on the dance floor.
Left photo: Shot of the bride and groom  holding hands and staring at each other. 
Right photo: Shot of the bride and groom sharing a kiss on the dance floor.
Shot of the groom holding the bride while she embraces him on the dance floor.
Black and white shot of the groom holding the bride while she embraces him on the dance floor.
Left photo: Shot of the bride and groom enjoying themselves on the dance floor.
Right photo: Shot of the bride and groom holding hands and posing for the camera.
Shot of the bride and groom dancing during their reception.
Black and white shot of the bride singing her heart out on the dance floor.

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