An Intimate, Garden-Inspired Wedding at David Burke Kitchen in New York, New York

When planning their early-fall wedding, Marina Sarkuni (29 and a risk manager) and Adrian Guenther (30 and a portfolio manager) knew that there was no place better than New York City, the place they call home, to say their “I dos.” David Burke Kitchen provided the ideal backdrop for the day, with its garden ceremony space boasting striking views of the Manhattan skyline and delicious farm-to-table food. The pair chose a floral, garden theme for the day with a palette of cheerful peach, pink, green and white hues to create a beautiful, fresh and romantic vibe—the perfect fit for their chic, laid-back affair. They headed to the High Line, the place where Adrian popped the question, for their first look, then gathered with their families and friends in David Burke Kitchen’s intimate garden to exchange vows. “While we didn’t include any traditions, family is very important to us,” Marina says. “My brother was our officiant and my sister-in-law was up there with us, as were Adrian’s brother and my nephew.” The newlyweds opted for a more interactive approach to the reception, passing on a formal sit-down dinner, so guests could mix, mingle and eat when they pleased. Lobster dumplings, crab cakes and maple bacon were the highlights of cocktail hour, while dishes like porchetta and salmon stole the show during dinner. After sampling an assortment of decadent desserts, the couple and their guests hit the dance floor, where the Silver Arrow Band cranked out energetic tunes all night. A couple of tips from Marina: “Don’t assume you have to do everything the way everyone else has done it. There are a lot of things we didn’t want to include, but felt we were expected to do them, like a sit-down dinner and the bouquet toss. Those are lovely parts of weddings, but we just didn’t envision that for our own. So we chose to forgo certain traditional elements, and we are so glad we did. The other advice I would give is always have a backup plan for rain.”