Two Brides Enjoy a Casual and Relaxing Springtime Elopement at New York City Hall
Lourdes knew Veronica was “the one” within a couple of weeks of dating. This fact, Lourdes says, actually caught her off guard. "[I] found the ease with which I fell in love with her to be completely shocking. I didn’t know relationships could be so easy and that I could be so compatible with someone else in so many ways," Lourdes adds. But what truly made getting engaged a “no-brainer” for Lourdes was how the two worked through her infertility and came out on the other side together. Both brides-to-be chose rings within six months of dating––a vintage art deco piece for Lourdes and a modern heirloom piece for Veronica. From there, the couple says it was a “game of chicken” to see who would pop the question first.
After having the ring for months, Veronica decided one day to carry the engagement ring around, and it wasn't until then that she felt the ring was burning a hole in her pocket. That same day, Veronica and Lourdes arrived early to their brunch reservation, which led them to get some hot nuts from a street vendor and walk around Central Park. This is when Veronica finally felt brave enough to ask the big question. “In the midst of Lourdes chewing on a handful of nuts, I nervously asked her to marry me, my voice barely above a whisper. She was so surprised, with her mouth full, that she couldn’t respond right away. Realizing she hadn’t quite heard me, I gathered my courage and asked her again, this time more clearly,” Veronica says. A week later, Lourdes proposed to Veronica while they snuggled on their couch at home. “As revenge for the mouthful of nuts, I made sure to wait until Veronica had a mouthful of food,” Lourdes says.
When it was time to plan the engagement, they knew they wanted a simple elopement at the New York City Hall. They describe the venue as “extremely romantic, timeless and intimate,” which was perfect since they had family scattered across the country and a traditional wedding while pregnant felt overwhelming. “Having a quiet, calm day where we could focus on each other and not have to manage anyone else’s needs felt deeply right for us. We truly wanted to keep it as simple as possible,” Lourdes says. For example, the day began with Veronica going to a Pilates class and picking up pastries before they got ready at their East Village apartment with their makeup artist and florist/best friend.
The to-be-weds chose wedding attire that spoke to their personalities and were comfortable enough for the serene day. Lourdes initially planned on a vintage couture piece before pivoting to a maternity dress from Bumpsuit, accessorized with a pair of Miu Miu ballet flats and a crystal Juliet cap from Simone Rocha, which she says added enough “flair and sparkle” to make her feel like a bride. Veronica also chose a Simone Rocha accessory: beaded sneakers to pair with her black Sandy Liang midi dress, which she wore to honor her father, who passed earlier in the year.
Veronica and Lourdes chose to work with vendors who spoke to their style. While Lourdes wanted “dark and moody, soft and goth blooms" to contrast with her pale blue dress, Veronica requested a bouquet of “springy, wild, soft and light floral[s].” Their florist took their vision and delivered on the aesthetic while serving as their witness during the ceremony. Working with their photographer was another key component of their day since they loved her color palette, unique photography style and how she captured lighting.
They personalized the wedding day to reflect their shared love and complementary personalities, with a short “whirlwind” ceremony at City Hall. Lourdes says the ceremony felt “extremely right, grounded and special” as they stood in the historic venue where many couples have been before. Afterward, the newlyweds had a photo session around the City Hall's property, with cherry blossoms in full bloom. Veronica says their photo shoot was her most anticipated moment of the day. “[We were] sitting together, sharing a drink and reflecting on the beautiful moments we'd just experienced [when] it hit me— I had a wife,” Veronica reminisces. Lourdes shared her sentiment, saying that being married made the ceremony worthwhile. “I’ve always said that I want a marriage, not a wedding, and I really meant it. It felt like the weight of the world lifted once we were officially married,” Lourdes says.
Having spoken with loved ones, Lourdes and Veronica knew wedding planning wasn’t for them, so they planned a casual and laidback day that was still full of “love, laughter and unforgettable memories.” Their parting advice for couples planning their day, whether it’s a wedding or elopement, is to avoid feeling pressured by what others want. Lourdes says, “My only advice is that people do what is best for themselves, listen to and honor their gut, even if it takes them off the beaten wedding path.”