1. Real Weddings

A Modern, Rustic Wedding at Highlands Country Club in Garrison, New York

Nearly six years after Yukari Koya (28 and a freelance chef) and Tim Li (28 and a hedge fund analyst) met at a work-training program, Tim popped the q

Nearly six years after Yukari Koya (28 and a freelance chef) and Tim Li (28 and a hedge fund analyst) met at a work-training program, Tim popped the question while the two hiked Bear Mountain in New York’s Hudson Valley. “He proposed where we spend our weekends escaping New York City,” Yukari says. The pair’s preferred refuge from city life translated to their venue choice, as the two said “I do” at Highlands Country Club in Garrison, New York. “We knew we wanted a venue that could house our outdoor ceremony and indoor reception, with different spaces for our guests to mingle, relax and party,” Yukari says. “Highlands was perfect from the moment we saw it.” 

Borrowing colors from their own apartment's aesthetic, Yukari and Tim incorporated soft shades of gray, yellow and cream throughout their spring celebration. “We wanted a timeless look with a touch of modernity,” Yukari says. “We stressed over the palette until one of my bridesmaids pointed out how much yellow we had used to decorate our apartment. We looked around and suddenly our palette was right there in front of us.” While guests arrived to the sunny outdoor ceremony, they were served spiked Arnold Palmers in mason jars before finding their seats. After Yukari and Tim tied the knot in a traditional Protestant wedding and a separate Japanese sake ceremony, the newlyweds retreated indoors to celebrate alongside 75 family members and friends. “Wedding planning never goes as planned because of different opinions, budgets and availability,” Yukari advises future couples. “What’s most important is that you’re celebrating matrimony with your best friend." —Rachel Sylvester

Yukari and Timothy stressed over their color scheme for weeks, until one of their bridesmaids suggested using their apartment as inspiration. "We never knew how much we loved yellow, cream and gray until that day," Yukari says.
Yakuza carried a compact bouquet of white peonies, yellow ranunculus, air plants and succulents for her walk down the aisle.
Tim accessorized his light gray suit with a silver watch, white tie, cuff links and white pocket square.
"We knew we wanted to get married in the Hudson Valley," Yukari says. "It's where Tim proposed on a Bear Mountain hike and where we spent many a weekend escaping from the madness of Manhattan."
Before the ceremony, guests sipped on spiked and nonalcoholic Arnold Palmer cocktails from glass mason jars.
"We knew we wanted to get married in the Hudson Valley," Yukari says. "It's where Tim proposed on a Bear Mountain hike and where we spent many weekends escaping from the madness of Manhattan."
As a nod to both of their backgrounds, the couple wed in a Protestant ceremony, then exchanged vows in a sake ceremony to honor Yukari's Japanese heritage.
"Our ceremony was held outdoors on the most beautiful spring day," Yukari says. "The light was perfectly streaming in as the wind blew my veil from time to time. Walking down the aisle toward Tim is one of my favorite memories of the day."
"Since we did all the planning ourselves and wanted a cohesive look, we let our palette guide all our aesthetic decisions, including flowers, stationery, attire and favors," Yukari says.
The rustic escort card display included a single succulent surrounded by four moss-colored cards.
Yukari and Tim shared their first dance to "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. "It described us so perfectly that it became our song quickly," Yukari says.