An Interior Design Influencer’s Bright, 1970s-Inspired Wedding at Gather Greene in Coxsackie, New York
When both the bride and groom are musicians, you can expect a distinctive, rockin’ style in every wedding detail. “I wanted the decor to truly feel like us,” Jessie Ruane—a musician, actor and interior design influencer—says. “Our apartment in Brooklyn has retro vibes, so we wanted to use that as inspiration for the color, stationery, florals and rentals.” After her fiancé, Ryan Harrington, proposed on the roof of their NYC apartment building, the couple began designing a wedding day with personalization infused into each element.
With a funky 1970s aesthetic as their guiding design, Jessie set out to find a wedding dress to match the vibes. “I went with a dress that felt like me—it was somewhat comfortable and quite romantic,” she says. “My main priority was that I could eat and drink all night and still feel awesome in my dress.” She paired her flowy, off-the-shoulder gown with leather boots featuring a lower heel so she wouldn’t be tempted to change shoes at some point during the evening. Ryan picked out a classic gray suit with a soft orange tie to coordinate with the striking color palette of the day.
On a cloudy day in May, guests flocked to the nature retreat hosting the alfresco nuptials, finding their seats underneath a spacious gazebo. The ceremony had minimal decor, letting the geometric wood patterns surrounding the aisle shine as a focal point. String lights were suspended above, and the altar featured a low assortment of wildflowers in orange, coral, yellow and white hues. “Aillish Florals killed it with my wildflower bouquet, centerpieces and “the ‘floral meadow’ for the ceremony,” the bride reveals. “Everyone was blown away by the flowers!”
Following a heartfelt ceremony with personal vows, attendees didn’t have to venture far to continue the festivities—the reception area sat directly behind the ceremony space. “I painted three giant tapestries with retro shapes to set the tone of the space—it served as a backdrop for the dance floor and reception area. We ended up using three main colors: pink, mustard and chartreuse,” explains Jessie. “My planner and I had never seen that combo before and were excited to do something original. We are still stunned at how beautifully it all came together.”
Long tables sported neon yellow linens, pink satin napkins, sunny-hued water goblets and the same collection of bright wildflowers. Both short and tall candles gave the tablescapes an air of sensuality. A lounge vignette consisting of a vintage curved couch, hanging and low florals and cozy, velvet details—including a dark-hue coffee table—sat underneath the bride’s painted backdrop.
“The main idea we had in our heads for years, even before planning, was that it would not only be a wedding but also be a live music event,” describes the bride. “Ryan, our friends and I are all musicians. We thought it was silly to pay for a live band when we were a band ourselves. So we decided to play an hour-long set after dinner to get the party going! Then, we brought in a DJ for the rest of the night. It was a huge hit.” The newlyweds began their set with “Jackson” by Johnny Cash and June Carter; Ryan and his high school band performed while Jessie and her college friends sang harmonies. Entertainment was an exceptional, unique element of the day.
Regarding advice for future brides and grooms, the new Mr. and Mrs. have helpful words for personalization. “Write your own vows. You never really hear that much from the bride and groom at a wedding! It makes it so personal and romantic and makes all the guests feel even more connected to your special day.”