Cozy Shades of Orange and Red Brought Warmth to This Fall Wedding at Blooming Hill Farm in Upstate New York

Julie Casale and Stephen Diverio’s love story kicked off with a rarity in this day and age: a blind date. Julie puts it simply: “We were set up in 2018. We went to NYC’s Ludlow House; the rest is history.” Fast forward through their years of dating and they decided to seal the deal. Julie reminisces, “After five glorious years of dating, the proposal took place in Madison Square Park.” This wasn’t just any park but their go-to escape, a slice of nature in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle. Julie fondly notes, “Where we have spent many seasons taking walks and enjoying this special pocket of nature among the grit of Manhattan.” Julie and Stephen began wedding planning with a clear vision, determined to create a day that felt “true to us as a couple while integrating some more traditional elements.” As they navigated the sea of wedding planning, they gravitated towards a theme that starkly contrasted their daily city life. This natural, ethereal setting promised a warm, inviting atmosphere for their friends and family.
The venue selection was love at first sight. Blooming Hill Farm, nestled in the Autumn-kissed Catskills, offered the perfect backdrop for their celebration. “We instantly fell in love with our venue,” Julie reminisces, highlighting the farm’s natural beauty as the primary reason for their minimalist outdoor decor approach. They let the foliage take center stage, embracing the farm’s vibrant palette and allowing it to weave its magic around their special day.
Florals were next on their agenda, playing “an incredibly large part in our wedding aesthetic.” The couple worked with a fantastic florist from the venue, who masterfully integrated pops of color with the natural foliage of Upstate New York. The result was a breathtaking fusion of native plants, grasses and seasonal florals that brought their vision to life.
But what’s a wedding without a bit of personality? Julie and Stephen knew that to make their day unforgettable, they needed to prioritize entertainment. Enter Rhapsody, the band that kept energy levels soaring throughout the evening, and NY Photobus, which offered guests whimsical breaks from the dance floor under the glow of a full moon.
When it came to fashion, the couple’s choices were a vivid expression of their individual personalities and their bond. Julie’s search for the perfect dress ended at Rue de Seine, where she fell in love with “this rather unconventional dress.” The magenta and green florals dancing against the white-laced long sleeves were a bold, beautiful extension of her personality. Stephen, not to be outdone, donned a bespoke tux with a green textured jacket, a nod to the bride’s vibrant choice. His jacket, lined with a skull pattern, was a playful homage to their Halloween weekend event.
The wedding day itself was a masterpiece of moments and memories. Guests gathered in anticipation, enveloped by the farm’s natural splendor. The ceremony was a heartfelt expression of love, with Julie and Stephen sharing their vows amidst the beauty of the setting, creating “a deeply personal commitment to each other that allowed our closest loved ones a glimpse into a more private side of our relationship.”
Following the ceremony, attendees found their seats for dinner with the help of a potted plant seating chart. Dining tables featured crisp white linens and minimalistic centerpieces highlighting long-stemmed blooms in the day’s signature colors.
As the evening wound down, Julie and Stephen reflected on their journey, grateful for the day that had unfolded so beautifully around them. Their advice to other couples embarking on this journey? “Stay true to your vision as a couple.” They emphasized the importance of choosing the right vendors, especially highlighting their photographer, who captured every moment, big and small. “It can feel daunting at times, but the pieces will end up falling into place on your special day as long as you’re surrounded by those you cherish most in life.”