1. Real Weddings

A Lush, Ultra-Stylish Wedding at The Foundry in Long Island City, New York

A year before Australians Sasha Leibowitz (28, a fashion editor) and Oliver Benz (27, a model) officially met, they happened to strike up a conversati

A year before Australians Sasha Leibowitz (28, a fashion editor) and Oliver Benz (27, a model) officially met, they happened to strike up a conversation at a Halloween party in Sydney. Like all classic love stories begin, she was dressed as a bride from hell and he was wearing a Zoro mask. A stranger (who had a bit too much to drink) passed by and commented on what a happy couple they seemed to be. "Without blinking an eye or consulting each other we turned to him and told him we had been happily married for years and had three kids at home and rambled on about their names and our faux married life ," recalls Sasha. "And then, as you do at a party, we went our separate ways and forgot the drunken conversation ever happened." A year went by and when they were introduced by a mutual friend, they had no recollection of ever meeting, let alone their faux marriage. About a year into their relationship Oli joked to Sasha, "Whatever, you're not my true love, I met my bride years ago at a Halloween party." And it finally hit her: he was Zoro! After an elaborate New Years Eve proposal on the beach, Sasha and Oliver (who had since moved to Brooklyn) began the daunting task of deciding where to have their wedding. After considering a number of far-flung locations and ruling out Australia, they decided to invite their guests across the world to celebrate with them in New York City. With The Foundry as their their industrial-chic backdrop, the stylish couple went about planning their nuptials. Drawing on her impeccable taste and international design connections, Sasha immersed herself in every aspect of the day—from the votives to the custom crop-top bridesmaid dresses. Soft, dreamy florals transformed the space into a lush urban oasis that felt more like an enchanted garden than an event venue in Queens.

DIY White Wedding Invitations with Lace Envelope
"As a stylist I knew finding a wedding dress would be the hardest thing for me—I'm always seeing new things and changing my mind," says Sasha. Just weeks before the wedding she decided on two dresses, one for the ceremony and another for the reception. Her ceremony dress was a long beaded, sheath gown with sheer panels on the chest and waist and a completely open back designed by Elie Saab.
"I picked my accessories months before I even knew what dress I was wearing," says Sasha. She wore a custom floral headpiece made of porcelain flowers that crowned around the back of the head and opened at the front.
"I fell in love with a Emillo Pucci runway look almost a year ago, and decided I wanted the bridesmaids to look sexy, trendy and in that style," Sasha says of the inspiration for her two-piece, crop top bridesmaid dresses. The beige dresses with a delicate floral pattern were custom made by a Parsons student.
Bride's Fishtail Braid Hairstyle
White Garden Rose Bridal Bouquet
Sasha and Oli First Look
Personalized Flask Groomsmen Gifts
"I wanted all the boys to look sharp and dapper, and because there were so many of them, I knew that the safest option was a black tux," Sasha says of the classic groomsmen attire.
The Foundry Ivy-Covered Wedding Ceremony
Because the walls of ceremony room were already covered in lush ivy, Sasha and Oli only added a hanging huppah made out of branches, moss and hanging amaranths.
Black Givency Groom's Tuxedo with White Rose Boutonniere
Reem Acra Cathedral Length Blusher Veil
"Because we were not having a religious ceremony we decided to have my brother marry us. Oliver and I are both very close to him so it made sense to have him perform the ceremony," says Sasha. "We had him registered in New York, which was relatively easy and he did a great job!"
"We took one look at it and knew it was the place," Sasha says of The Foundry. "It was perfect, the combination of a raw space with lots of greenery —it was an architectural gem."
The Foundry Wedding Venue
Green Hydrangea Bar Floral Arrangement
Mini Tacos in Lime Wedges Passed Appetizers
"Our dream was to always get married in nature, but because we live in the city and had so many overseas guests, we had to find a space close by and literally turn it into an overgrown rose garden," says Sasha.
"I wanted the whole venue to look like an overgrown rose garden, with hanging wisteria and vines everywhere—really loose and effortless, but soft and romantic," says Sasha.
Romantic Bride and Groom Chair Signs
Lush Green Hydrangea Centerpiece with
Greenery and Lady's Mantle Reception Centerpiece
Simple White Place Cards
Lush Green and White Reception Tablescape
Wooden Farm Table Reception Tablescape
Green and White Curly Willow Reception Centerpiece
Sasha designed the day's stationery herself as well as the burlap linen pouches for the menu cards.
For the reception Sasha changed into a custom gown designed by Michael Costello with a deep v-neck and a low back made up of almost 15 yards of fabric.
Tented Wedding Reception at The Foundry
Sasha and Oli Wedding Reception Toasts
Tented Wedding Reception with String Lights at The Foundry
Sasha and Oli on the Dance Floor