Non-Traditional Couples, Take Note: A Moody Celebration at 74 Wythe in Brooklyn, New York
Friends for six years before their romantic relationship began, Erin Tonkon and Brent Bettes both hail from Dallas, Texas, and spent significant parts of their lives in California and New York. As Erin recalls, "We both ultimately didn't meet until we lived in New York," where their friendship deepened into love. "When everything aligned, we knew it was meant to be." Despite their shared roots, "Neither of us ever imagined we'd end up with someone from Dallas," yet this commonality "really brought our families together." Their relationship reached a new milestone during a trip. "Brent proposed on vacation with my family in San Diego at La Jolla Cove, where I grew up going to the beach with my family during my childhood," Erin shares. "It was so meaningful to be surrounded by childhood memories while embarking on the next chapter of life."
"When it came time to plan, we really began with a blank slate. Neither of us is very traditional, and we found a lot of the standard aesthetics for weddings really didn't feel authentic to us," the bride explains. Their inspiration? A mood board brimming with film and music video stills, shots of Japanese streets at night and vibrant tropical flowers. Communicating this vision was no small feat. "Brent came up with the description 'Tokyo surreal x Atomic Blonde x Blade Runner vibes,'" Erin laughs. Despite her initial doubts, their planners, photographer and florist understood and embraced their unconventional vision.
Personalized elements defined their wedding, from fonts to lighting. "A lot of what we did had to be custom because a lot of what is popular in weddings these days is a lot of neutrals. We wanted moody and bright with a little bit of edge," Erin emphasizes. This desire for originality extended to the flowers. "The florals were definitely the showstopper. We wanted bright tropical florals in New York City at the beginning of April," she continues. Rhonda at August Sage & Violet captured their vision perfectly, transforming the venue into a lush forest of bright florals that left guests in awe.
Fashion, another passion for the couple, played a significant role in their wedding. "I was always certain I'd wear Vivienne Westwood, but ended up finding my perfect dress at Danielle Frankel. Brent is an avid Commes Des Garcons devotee and found his suit there," the bride says. Their rings, embodying their deep connection to Texas, were designed in Dallas. The couple's sartorial choices, of course, reflected their commitment to authenticity.
As guests gathered for the ceremony, they were greeted by a string quartet led by Sean Brennan, playing a medley that ranged from Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" to Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby." Brent walked down the aisle to Lou Reed's "Perfect Day," while Erin's dear friend Grace Ives serenaded her with Nick Cave's "Into My Arms." The ceremony concluded with Fatboy Slim's "Praise You," setting a lively and joyous tone for the evening.
As the reception began, the transformation of the space left everyone speechless. "There were audible gasps when guests entered the space. The flower and light-filled glass-enclosed venue blended seamlessly with the views of the Manhattan Skyline," Erin recalls. The event's ambiance was further enhanced by the weather, which first cleared up just in time for photos and the ceremony. "Then, it turned dark and stormy for the reception, which only further enhanced the moody vibes we wanted to go for with our decor," she adds. Lightning lit up the sky at just the right moments during the speeches, creating a dramatic backdrop that felt like a scene from a movie.
Dinner featured a culinary journey crafted by the chef at Raging Skillet, blending Texas Barbecue and New York Delicatessen in dishes like Pastrami Salmon, Barbecue Brisket and Pizza Bagels. "We didn't want a traditional menu and found our chef soul mate in Chef Rossi," the bride notes. This unique menu delighted their guests and showcased the couple's culinary backgrounds.
Reflecting on their wedding day, Erin and Brent are still in awe. "The fact that our wild ideas all came together so cohesively and our wedding day truly felt like an expression of ourselves and our love is nothing short of miraculous," Erin says. Their advice to other couples? "Wedding planning is stressful and sometimes feels like it's about everyone else. We always kept in mind that what was ultimately most important was the strength of our relationship," Erin advises. They credit their successful planning to their wedding planners, who brought their non-traditional prompts to life with creativity and precision.