1. Real Weddings

Laura Jean & Matt: A Vintage Wedding in Queens, NY

Laura Jean and Matt met in a college science class. Soon after, they ran into each other at a bar, started dating, and even decided to take a second s

Laura Jean and Matt met in a college science class. Soon after, they ran into each other at a bar, started dating, and even decided to take a second science class together the following semester. “We barely managed passing grades in either course,” says Laura Jean. After dating for three years, Matt proposed to Laura one evening at their apartment. The Bride Laura Jean Kaucher, 30 The Groom Matt Connell, 29 The Date June 7 After visiting the Metropolitan Building in Queens, Laura Jean was determined to have her ceremony and reception in the century-old space. “I may have penned the deposit check on the spot!” she says. To complement the building’s mix of modern and vintage elements, Laura Jean and Matt chose a color palette of ivory, cream, and blush.

Laura Jean chose ivory silk-chiffon dresses with a blue and gray floral pattern for her bridesmaids. The groomsmen dressed in Ralph Lauren suits, while Matt’s groomswoman wore a black chiffon dress.
Matt and Laura Jean are self-proclaimed shoe fans, so it was no surprise that Matt customized Nike sneakers for his groomsmen. After choosing cream, gray, and burgundy shoes with a maroon Swoosh, he had a neighborhood tailor personalize each pair with an “I love NY” tag, plus the groomsman’s nickname on the inside.
Tall vases filled with curly willow, hydrangeas, cream Vendela roses, green Limbo roses, and green amaranthus decorated the reception tables. “The curly willow was a must for me,” says Laura Jean, who knew it would give the centerpieces an abstract and classic grace.
Laura Jean purchased a hoodie to wear the day of the wedding. She personalized it by sewing on a calendar patch with a heart around her wedding date.
Laura Jean has always loved all things Barbie, so when her aunt found a pair of Hallmark limited edition Barbie wedding day ornaments (with a brunette bride like Laura Jean!) she saved them and surprised Laura Jean on her wedding day.
After Laura Jean and her decorator stumbled upon it while touring the Metropolitan Building, he decided to use the tub in the decor scheme. He filled it with floating ivory candles and orchids.
Laura Jean wanted flowers that fit in with her vintage-modern theme. To achieve this, her florist selected a mix of contemporary and classic blooms, including peonies, phalaenopsis orchids, roses, tulips, and stock. “He truly outdid himself,” says Laura Jean.
Boxwood altar urns and hanging candles found at CB2 were delicate additions to the ceremony space. At the end of the ceremony, Laura Jean and Matt walked back down the aisle together to Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”
The bridesmaids carried bouquets of roses accented with lemon leaf.