1. Real Weddings

A Casual, Elegant Wedding at Brooklyn Winery in Brooklyn, New York

Jennifer Fourmont (28 and a textile designer) and Michael Brannen’s (30 and a restaurant manager) wedding was all about casual elegance. After surpris

Jennifer Fourmont (28 and a textile designer) and Michael Brannen’s (30 and a restaurant manager) wedding was all about casual elegance. After surprising Jennifer with a proposal during a picnic along the Seine in Paris, the couple started investigating venues to host their intimate affair. Though Jennifer grew up in Florida and Michael grew up in Pennsylvania, the couple decided to gather their family and friends in Brooklyn, New York, the place they called home together. “Once we found Brooklyn Winery, we were sold,” Jennifer says. “The space is absolutely beautiful on all it’s own, and the staff was incredible to work with right from the start. We knew we would be in very good hands.” Wanting the wedding to reflect their laid-back personalities, the couple kept the decor simple and natural, opting for a color palette of cream, ivory and white with green accents. Jennifer designed all the stationery, paper goods, signage and welcome bags herself, and enlisted the help of her talented friends to design her dress and the floral arrangements. Another close friend officiated the ceremony and worked with Jennifer and Michael to write and personalize every detail. “Food was a really important part for us, and everything at Brooklyn Winery was fantastic,” Jennifer says. Dinner was served family style, adding to the evening’s intimate ambiance, with plates of braised short ribs, baked fluke, crisp brussels sprouts and root-vegetable gratin passed left to right. At the end of the night, the newlyweds and their guests marched down the streets of Brooklyn, sparklers aglow, to Sweet Chick, the restaurant where Michael works, for an after-party—complete with Sweet Chick’s famous chicken and waffles.

Brooklyn-Inspired Welcome Bags
For many of the wedding’s details, Jennifer and Michael enlisted the help of their talented friends to bring their vision to life. One of Jennifer’s close friends arranged all the flowers—from Jennifer’s untamed eucalyptus and garden-rose bouquet to the centerpieces that dotted the long wooden farm tables at the reception. “I showed her some photos of what I liked and created something truly magical,” Jennifer says.
The rustic, intimate vibe of the Brooklyn Winery with its wood-paneled walls and high ceilings set the tone for the couple’s decor. Jennifer’s friend arranged lush eucalyptus and rose centerpieces to infuse the tables with a fresh, organic feel, while the inclusion of brass candlesticks cast a warm ambient glow over the room.
Silver Criss-Cross Badgley Mischka Heels
Jennifer’s gown was truly one-of-a-kind. “I had a specific look that I wanted to wear and after not finding it anywhere in my budget, I was lucky to have a very talented friend create this look for me,” Jennifer says. Wanting to wear separates, Jennifer found a romantic lace dress at BHLDN with textured embroidery and had her friend fashion it into a skirt. She then handmade a silk sleeveless, racer back top with for Jennifer to pair it with.
Wine Barrel and Eucalyptus Garland Decor
Rustic Wooden Folding Chairs
Traditional Guest Book
Brooklyn Winery Ceremony Processional
Jennifer’s close friend officiated the ceremony. In the months leading to the wedding, they worked together to write a ceremony and vows that were reflective their relationship and individual personalities. “It ended up being so special and personal,” Jennifer says. “It was really my favorite part of the day.”
Ceremony Tequila Shots
“We received so many compliments from our guests on the food,” Jennifer says. During cocktail hour guests enjoyed an array of passed hors d’oeuvres, as well as an antipasti station with a selection of meats, cheeses and dried fruits.
When it came to designing their wedding cake, Jennifer and Michael went with an unfrosted, naked cake to go with Brooklyn Winery’s rustic vibe. The pastry chef at Sweet Chick, where Michael works, collaborated with the couple to dream up a fun, flavorful peanut butter and jelly cake — vanilla cake with peanut-butter frosting and raspberry comfit filling.
Long Wooden Farm-Style Reception Tables
To tie in with the reception's intimate feel, Jennifer and Michael served dinner family style. Working with the team at Brooklyn Winery, they devised a mouthwatering menu of escarole salad, braised short ribs, baked fluke, crisp brussels sprouts and root-vegetable gratin. After the meal, guests were treated to a sampling of dessert bites as well as a slice of peanut butter and jelly cake.
Peanut-Butter-Cup Wedding Favors
After an evening filled with inspired eats, lots of dancing and undeniable ambiance, Jennifer and Michael gathered their guests and headed to Sweet Chick, the restaurant where Michael works, for the after-party. They had a sparkler exit from the Brooklyn Winery, then walked with their friends through the streets of Brooklyn, sparklers and noise makers in hand, to Sweet Chick.
At the end of the night, the newlyweds and their guests marched down one block, sparklers aglow, to Sweet Chick (the restaurant where Michael works) for an after party. “We loved this because in addition to not wanting the party to end, we were able to invite more of our local friends to celebrate with us at the after-party since our wedding was relatively small,” Jennifer says. Well known for its comfort food, the couple served Sweet Chick’s famous chicken and waffles, mac and cheese and decadent spread of cookies and brownies.