One Couple's Elegant Wedding at Brooklyn's Akwaaba Mansion

Katie and Malory take joy in working together. “We’re a very project-oriented couple,” Katie says. “Planning together was a blast.” The pair not only designed their matching black engagement rings together, but also collected more than 30 vintage rugs to cover the concrete backyard of the Akwaaba Mansion for their ceremony and reception. “We wanted everything to feel like an extension of our apartment,” Katie says. In that spirit, several friends helped make the pair’s day happen—including the florist, a dear friend and neighbor.
Katie and Malory chose tree-like branches to tower over tables in the backyard tent, adding to a greenhouse atmosphere. The couple enjoys thrifting and gifted loved ones with colorful vintage glassware. Partygoers gathered at Akwaaba Mansion, a venue particularly close to Katie and Malory—literally. “We walk our dogs past it often,” Katie says. “The word Akwaaba also happens to be Twi, a Ghanian language, and Katie lived in Ghana for two years.”