1. Real Weddings

An Elegant, Organic Wedding at Battello in Jersey City, New Jersey

rn When it came to planning their early-summer wedding, a nontraditional venue and great food were top priorities for Lauren Walker

rn When it came to planning their early-summer wedding, a nontraditional venue and great food were top priorities for Lauren Walker (33 and a director of content distribution and marketing) and Dan Baynes (30 and an electrical engineer). They found the perfect fit at Battello in Jersey City, New Jersey, which had unparalleled views of the New York City skyline instantly that won over the pair. “I really wanted to have it at a restaurant,” Lauren says. “I wanted to find one that had a style I liked, was known for good food and fit everyone but still felt intimate. I knew if I found this, a lot of the planning would already be done—I wouldn’t have to bring in anything or pick a caterer.” Lauren and Dan opted for a classic aesthetic with subtle bohemian flair to complement Battello’s rustic-industrial feel. Crisp white linens, wild organic centerpieces overflowing with olive leaves and eucalyptus and gilded geometric terrariums struck the perfect balance of eclectic elegance. “I wanted to go with a simple and classic look for the wedding with some bohemian elements mixed in,” Lauren says. “When making each decision, I thought about how it would look in 10, 20, 30 years. I wanted it to feel timeless.” The couple personalized the day by skipping the cake cutting, bouquet toss and introductions. “We didn't want the night to be so planned where we would continually be pulled away to do these things. We wanted to spend more time being with our friends and family and dancing,” Lauren says. After dinner, guests enjoyed cookies from New York's Levain Bakery and a rumtopf (rum, fruit and sugar in a large pot, made by Dan’s dad) and then hit the dance floor. A tip from Lauren: “Be picky when selecting your vendors. You are putting so much trust in them, so you need to make sure they are good. Ask them a lot of questions, and make sure you read reviews and ask them for references.” —Libby MacCarthy

While Lauren never expected to walk down the aisle in a lace gown, she kept things simple when it came to her accessories to reflect her everyday style. “For my shoes, I just picked up some simple white pointed-toe kitten heels at Zara—$35, baby! Nobody sees your shoes anyway,” Lauren says.
Karma Flowers translated Lauren’s organic, wild vision for the blooms into reality with bouquets laden with olive branches, fragrant eucalyptus and lush white peonies. “We kept the stems for the bouquets long to get that wild look I was going for,” Lauren says. “It looked even better than what I had hoped for.”
When it came to choosing dresses for her down-the-aisle crew, Lauren knew neutral hues were a must so the greenery and white florals would pop. “I also wanted them to be flowy and comfortable for the ladies, with more of the bohemian vibe,” Lauren says. She found the perfect pick on ShowMeYourMumu.com and purchased the gowns for the bridesmaids as a gift. “They were a great material and didn’t wrinkle, and since most of my bridesmaids were flying in for the wedding, it was easy for them to travel with.”
Because the ceremony space offered waterfront views of the New York City skyline, Lauren and Dan kept the decor simple. The pair lined the aisle with a Turkish rug and hung a green garland over the windows where they stood. A close friend officiated the ceremony, which personalized the proceedings. “He did a perfect job of making the ceremony spiritual, loving and fun—and all in 20 minutes,” Lauren says. Lauren’s grandfather also said a few words during the ceremony. “He and my grandmother have been married for over 60 years, and we thought it would be special for him to speak about the importance of marriage and offer some words of wisdom as we began our new life as a married couple,” she added.
To establish a sense of visual drama and honor the laid-back feel of Battello in Jersey City, New Jersey, Lauren and Dan opted for a mix of round, square and rectangular tables. Alternating tables were covered in crisp white linens, while others were left exposed, the antiqued wood tying in seamlessly with the rustic industrial feel of the space.
“I went with a simple and classic look for the wedding with some bohemian elements mixed in,” Lauren says. “When making each decision, I thought about how it would look in 10, 20, 30 years. I wanted it to feel timeless.” Karma Flowers didn’t disappoint, delivering organic bundles of thistles, full white peonies, olive leaves and eucalyptus that struck the perfect balance of rustic and elegant.
Wooden cross-back chairs and lush fiddle-leaf figs scattered throughout the restaurant played up the elegant, organic feel of the early-summer soiree at Battello in Jersey City, New Jersey.
While a sense of organic elegance dominated the day, Lauren and Dan infused the decor with a subtle modern edge by incorporating a few geometric details. Gold geometric prisms housing votive candles and succulents were woven throughout the tablescapes, bringing an element of intrigue to the lush green centerpieces.
“Dan is really into music, so he picked out a bunch of potential songs for me to listen to,” Lauren says. “I fell in love with the song ‘I Found You’ by Alabama Shakes. It really spoke to me, and the lyrics aligned with our love story.” The pair test-drove the song one night at home and knew immediately that they’d made the right choice.