A Timeless Black-and-White Wedding at The Box House Hotel's Open-Air Rooftop in NYC
For Katelyn, meeting her future husband was a pure chance encounter. The two strangers crossed paths in a bar one chilly evening, as she describes it, where they struck up a conversation that proved the immediate connection. The next day, Otari asked her out on their first date, an “old-fashioned yet respectable and mature” move that she says was atypical for their generation. What followed were dinners, travel experiences and more memories that led them to build a life together. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the same man who boldly asked Katelyn on a first date the day after meeting, then pulled out all the stops for a proposal. She says, “He had rented out a romantic patio at a flower shop, which he transformed into an enchanting space filled with twinkle lights. The entire area was adorned with my favorite flower—sunflowers—and the atmosphere was just perfect. He had also printed out Polaroids of all our favorite memories together and pinned them to an old tree in the patio, and even arranged for a sax player—my favorite—to serenade us as he got down on one knee.”
Incorporating the same intimate and romantic vibes from their proposal into their wedding day was a good jumping off point for the couple, who hoped to throw the event in their native NYC. With a garden or vineyard-style theme, finding the perfect spot with the right vibes was a must, and the two landed on the Box House Hotel in Greenpoint. To turn this space into something with “timeless elegance with a vintage twist,” Otari and Katelyn hired a wedding planner, Lauren Luberger at City & Terrace Events, to bring their ideas to life. “I wanted something that would withstand trends and stand the test of time,” Katelyn says. “I envisioned film-style photos, soft tapered candles, romantic bows and a classic black-and-white color scheme.”
This element of timelessness was strewn throughout the details, decor and attire. Having followed the designer Sarah Seven for years, Katelyn had her eye on the classic looks, finding her dream gown in the Alcott dress. The sweetheart neckline, strapless bodice and delicate floral detailing added the “soft, feminine touch” the bride was looking for, and the sleek silhouette cinched at the waist for a flattering draped effect. Katelyn says, “It’s timeless and simple, yet so stunning…To make it my own, I added sleeves to the dress and chose a veil with lace around the edges, which added a romantic, vintage flair.”
The bride-to-be wasn’t the only one who had a bit of customizing for his wedding wear. Otari’s tux was full of personal details for a more meaningful, custom look that reflected his personality. “He had our wedding date, ‘K+O,’ and his last name embroidered on the inside of the jacket, under the collar, and on the sleeve of the button-down shirt,” Katelyn says. This completed the “sleek, sharp and sophisticated” aesthetic of his tuxedo, with a simple anemone boutonniere to match the day’s florals.
And speaking of the flowers, the happy couple went with mostly white blooms: calla lilies, roses and anemones. For the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets, their florist went with a simple but elegant option of long-stemmed calla lilies, which Katelyn wrapped with some of her mom’s wedding veil for her “something old.” A mix of white with pops of pink was the vibe, with a deconstructed floral arch being reused throughout the day, from the ceremony to the sweetheart table at the reception. “The arrangement had a soft, natural elegance, perfectly complementing the overall vintage feel,” Katelyn says of the arch. With the New York City skyline as their backdrop, they filled the space of the Box House Hotel with soft arrangements of flowers and tapered candles, letting the ceremony arch and skyscrapers take center stage.
Having an interfaith ceremony was important to both since Otari was Jewish and Katelyn was Catholic. Honoring their backgrounds while celebrating their union meant crafting something unique to them both. The bride says, “We asked two people close to us to each read a prayer that reflected our respective religions… Otari also wanted to include the traditional breaking of the glass, which was really important to him. It felt so special to weave those cultural traditions into the day while still making everything feel ours.” Katelyn especially looks back on the ceremony as one of her favorite memories from the day, with their handwritten, personalized vows creating an “intimate and powerful experience” as they were surrounded by loved ones.
Putting their own stamp on the day with little details was one way the newlyweds made it authentic to their tastes and personalities. Wanting that attention to detail be present throughout, Katelyn and Otari injected thoughtful touches into the decor, from personalized napkins to custom menus. Their welcome table honored the generations before them while keeping with the vintage vibes, and the wedding guest book was a spinning display of classic NYC postcards guests could leave in an old suitcase.
The reception was filled with bud vases of the same white flowers and greenery of the ceremony, keeping with the overall design while giving guests a chance to connect over the low centerpieces and moody candlelight. Black and white elements stayed on theme, with romantic bows a common motif and a view of the skyline under string lights. “Everything was carefully curated to create an atmosphere that was personal, elegant and effortlessly timeless. It was a space that felt like us, where the little details came together perfectly, but the love in the room was what truly made it magical,” Katelyn adds.
With her grandmother as inspiration, the three-tiered wedding cake was a classic column style with vintage piping and pearls. “My grandmother passed away before our wedding, so it felt like a meaningful way to honor her and her timeless style,” Katelyn says of the Strawberry Mediterranean-flavored cake. “It was a beautiful tribute and truly one of the highlights of the day.” Food played an important role in the day, bringing their guests together for a family-style meal of Box House’s catering, including eggplant parmesan, which the couple says guests still rave about.
Their friends and family lit up the dance floor with white light sticks and heart-shaped sunglasses, and an interactive Polaroid station was a nontraditional take on a photo booth. In all the hustle and bustle of the day, the couple continued to check in with each other, soaking in the celebration and finding quiet moments together to ground themselves. “It was a chance for us to soak up the beauty of the day, the love surrounding us and the realization that our dream day was coming to life in exactly the way we’d hoped,” the bride says.
Taking the time throughout planning to ensure the day reflected who they were as a couple made all the difference to Otari and Katelyn. “It’s easy to get caught up in trends or other people’s expectations, but when you focus on what’s meaningful to you both, everything else falls into place,” Katelyn says. “In the end, our wedding was a blend of our love for NYC, our roots and a desire for something timeless, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”