A Traditional Fall Wedding at the Riverside Church in New York City, New York

With fall being their favorite season, Taylor McGrann (23 and works in public relations) and Jacob Lavalli (26 and works in sales) planned an elegant autumnal soiree for their mid-October nuptials in New York City. “We worked with a very broad fall theme and worked hard to ensure every detail reflected this,” says Taylor. “From the bridesmaids’ color scheme to the table lines and menu, we tried to incorporate fall into every detail.”

After attending an open house at the Riverside Church, a striking example of Neo-Gothic architecture and a National Register of Historic Places building, the pair were entirely smitten and knew there could be no other setting for their “I dos.” Vast cathedral ceilings, intricate stonework and colorful stained glass provided all Taylor and Jacob needed in the way of decorations, with church itself and all its unique detailing offering a dramatic and timeless backdrop for the ceremony.

Following a traditional service, the newlyweds and their guests gathered in the church’s Assembly Hall for the reception. Like the church itself, the reception space was rich in unique gothic-style details, with stone pillars and exposed wooden beams lending old world character to the vast event space. The evening’s festivities kicked off with pumpkin martinis and apple whiskey cocktails and live, upbeat music, then transitioned to a traditional sit-down dinner, where guests enjoyed seasonal specialties and a slice of decadent cake from Ron Ben Israel. “I knew I wanted something totally crazy and Ron got my vision instantly. It was a five-tier topsy-turvy cake with a mix of round and square tiers,” says Taylor. “Each tier had gold detailing that felt inline with the gothic architecture of the church.” At the end of the evening, as the party wound down, Taylor and Jacob sent their family members and friends off with mining wedding cake favors.

“The entire wedding reflected us perfectly. It was traditional with a twist, and everything was exactly as I imagined,” says Taylor. “Every wedding is different for every couple, but as Jacob and I say to all of our friends who are getting married: All that matters is that you end up married, the rest is just icing on the cake.”