This TikTok Influencer's Garden Wedding at Wave Hill in the Bronx Could Inspire Fairytales
99% of the time, “swiping right” on a dating app won’t get you to forever—but all you need is that one time. And for Kelly Procida and Andy Stranick, it was the first time! “He was my first and only Hinge date; talk about efficiency!” laughs the bride. Their relationship blossomed, and on a chilly day in March 2022, Andy planned a surprise that would forever change their lives. Kelly reminisces, “We got engaged at Gurney’s in Newport, Rhode Island.” In a setting straight out of a romantic novel, Andy led Kelly to the lighthouse, where a life-altering question awaited. “Our families were hiding inside while Andy proposed at the lighthouse out back,” she shares. “I was super surprised, hence why I was wearing Converse, leggings and no makeup. I knew it was coming at some point in the next few months, but I was not expecting it that weekend for sure.”
Kelly, a TikTok influencer known for her vibrant daily outfit checks and enchanting ‘get ready with me’ moments, and her beloved decided they wanted to craft an event true to their bold personalities: one filled with bright colors and fun elements. “We wanted our day to make people feel silly and carefree,” Kelly shares. From the beginning, they focused on the essentials. Their core theme for their wedding organically emerged when their wedding planner introduced them to Wave Hill. “Once we decided on Wave Hill, the vision came from there!” Kelly exclaimed.
They dreamed of a ceremony that felt like a colorful garden party and a reception akin to a grand dinner party, surrounded by their closest friends and family. “I worked closely with our wedding planner to create a mood board that visually brought my ideas to life… we then shared it with Little Sister Creative, who did our florals, and boy did they understand the assignment,” she details. And when the night descended, it was to be transformed into a true dance party, a separate room aglow with dim lights and mushroom disco balls, all set to the tunes of DJ Paz.
Kelly’s look for the big day was meticulously curated to blend elegance and vibrance. “Looking for dresses was really overwhelming; I went by myself for most of the appointments,” the bride tells. Her search ended at Elizabeth Fillmore, where she found the Etienne dress from the Fall 2023 collection. “It was simple, sexy, flattering and elegant,” she describes, a perfect mirror of her personal aesthetic. Kelly also worked with Elizabeth to customize an over-piece that matched the lace of her dress, creating a timeless element she could cherish for years.
On the day of the wedding, guests began to gather at the stunning ceremony site, enveloped by the lush greenery and vibrant sunny florals that framed the terrace and brightened the aisle. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement, a testament to the couple’s infectious energy. The ceremony was an especially heartfelt affair, as it was officiated by the couple’s two best friends. It was, without a doubt, “the most special part of our day, for sure,” as Kelly puts it.
The cocktail hour offered a delightful interlude. Guests mingled and marveled at the whimsical florals and watercolor paper items, each detail a reflection of Kelly and Andy’s journey. As the evening progressed, the Armor Hall, adorned with three long tables draped in white linens, welcomed guests to the reception. The decor, a harmonious blend of sophistication and fun, set the stage for an unforgettable night.
The reception was a spectacle of joy and celebration. The dance floor became the epicenter of happiness as friends and family joined in the jubilation illuminated by disco ball mushrooms, and pink, purple, coral and lavender flowers bedecked in ribbons. To end their night on a particularly high note, Kelly and Andy shared a private last dance away from their guests. It was a moment of pure emotion, a dance of love and commitment, leaving the couple “(and every vendor) in tears.”
As their magical day came to a close, Kelly reflected on their journey and offered sage advice to other couples planning their wedding. “You have to actually do what YOU want. This day really is about the two of you, so make it feel and look the way you want,” she says. Kelly adds, “The week before the wedding, I truly believe you have to surrender. Things that are out of your control will happen, and there’s nothing you can do other than roll with it.” Her words, grounded in the experience of her own dream wedding, underscored the importance of authenticity and joy in the journey of love.