A Sophisticated Garden Wedding at Wave Hill in Bronx, New York

Inspired by their venue’s English countryside vibe, Shirley Liu and Geoffrey Lawson threw a sophisticated waterfront garden party with loose organic florals and a classic color palette of ivory and soft shades of green. “We wanted to embrace the beautiful garden setting and its history,” Shirley says. Leading up to the wedding, the couple hunted down books about Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain—famous former residents of Wave Hill—to use as guest books. Shirley and Geoffrey kicked off the event with an intimate tea ceremony with their families and wedding party. “Getting ready in the morning was nerve-racking, but to have the tea ceremony first gave me a moment to step back and remember the importance of the whole day, to be with our families and celebrate our union,” Shirley says. The pair then joined the rest of their guests for a ceremony overlooking the Hudson River. Shirley and Geoffrey exchanged vows under a stately stone pergola draped in lush vines. As they made their exit from the ceremony as husband and wife, guests waved festive pennant flags monogrammed with the newlyweds’ last initial. Heading into Willow Hall House for the reception, guests were greeted by crisp white linens, rustic cross-back chairs with Provençale flair and tall, airy arrangements of white wildflowers, vines and greenery. “When Geoff and I first met, we shared a love for indie music and going to concerts, which is how we first spent time bonding. So for us, the music at our wedding had to represent us,” Shirley says. The couple created their own playlist for cocktail hour to show off their diverse and eclectic music taste and get guests in the mood to dance the night away.