Ava & DJ at Hotel Chelsea | A Classic New York Wedding
Hotel Chelsea is one of those New York landmarks that exists in the imagination long before you ever walk through the door. It has been home to poets, painters, and musicians for over a century, and the building has absorbed it all.
The Venue.
When Aubrey of Events by ASM reached out to ask me if Fiora would design the wedding florals for Ava and DJ's Hotel Chelsea wedding, I got goosebumps. This was a bucket list wedding venue, not just as a florist, but as a creative and a dreamer (not to be too cliché).
Not to mention that one of my favorite books, Just Kids by Patti Smith, takes place there, and my favorite Taylor Swift album gives it a shoutout. It felt meant to be.
The Florist.
On a not-too-hot July Saturday, the day after the 4th of July, to be exact, Ava and DJ had an intimate ceremony and were married at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Ava carried a bridal bouquet of white peonies, which we sourced especially for her. July peonies aren't easy to come by, but she had a vision, and we made it happen by connecting with a peony farm in Michigan.
The Ceremony.
Guests threw rose petals on the cathedral steps as the couple walked outside as husband and wife for the first time, with New Yorkers on the street cheering them on.
The Couple.
From there, guests made their way back to Hotel Chelsea for cocktail hour in the Piano Room, where we designed a custom escort card table with mixed stoneware filled with lush green and white hydrangea. The kind of details that make people slow down and look.
The Details.
The reception moved into the historic Bard Room at Hotel Chelsea, where the long tables were arranged thoughtfully in a U-shape with white linens and mixed chairs with chartreuse green velvet covers, almost matching the exact color of the hydrangeas. We styled the tables with arrangements of calla lilies, hydrangeas, and roses in silver compotes mixed with clear glass bud vases for a classic and romantic look. We opted for table lamps that gave off a warm golden glow, accompanied by small white votives.
The Reception.
The Bard Room itself has so much character, including floral murals on the walls, beautifully aged gilded mirrors, and strong design elements, that we wanted to honor the space and elevate it in a way that felt true to the hotel and the couple's desired aesthetic.
The Newly Weds.
Their wedding was everything: romantic, cinematic, and felt so classically New York. To Aubrey, for thinking of Fiora. To Kelly and team for capturing these beautiful photographs. To Ava and DJ, for letting me design your flowers for forever at such a dream venue, thank you.
Vendor Credits
Florals: Fiora
Photography: Kelly Vahos Photography
Planning: Events by ASM
Ceremony: St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City
Reception: Hotel Chelsea — Piano Room & Bard Room, New York City
The End.