New York City Garden Wedding | Ellie & Tara

With a ceremony held at a community garden on the Upper West Side, an afterparty at a midtown karaoke bar, and newlywed portraits taken on the subway, Ellie and Tara’s wedding felt uniquely New York.

I know I’m going to have a good time at a wedding when the invitation’s dress code says “try to upstage the brides.” While Ellie and Tara were nothing short of a beacon of joy on their wedding day, the sense of happiness and community their friends and family also brought to the celebration was touching. From tearjerking reception toasts to show-stopping attire, it was obvious that Ellie and Tara were truly loved by all their guests at their New York City garden wedding.

The Morning

Bride's wedding heels laying on the floor

Bride's family smiling at seeing the bride in her dress for the first time

Brides seeing each other for the first time during the first look

After getting ready separately at the Arthouse Hotel and Hotel Belleclaire, the brides met for their first look and private vows (handwritten in Paddington Bear-themed greeting cards) in the Arthouse lobby.

Bride reading her vows to the other bride

Brides smiling during their private vows

Couple Portraits

Brides smiling at each other on brownstone steps

Brides kissing as a train rushes by in the subway station

Brides standing in front of a moving train in the subway station

Brides walking in Central Park, taken from behind with one bride looking back at the camera

Brides smiling at each other in front of a train in the subway station with one bride holding the other's face

Bride resting her legs on the other bride's lap as they sit on a bench in a subway station

Close up of the bride's hands on the subway

Brides smiling at each other on the subway

Bride whispering in the other bride's ear on the subway

The Ceremony

Held at an Upper West Side community garden, guests nestled in close together to form a semi-circle around the altar for Ellie and Tara’s ceremony. Instead of a traditional flower girl, the brides’ friend served as the “flower boy” who handed out roses to various guests as he walked down the aisle!

Flower boy handing out roses to wedding guests at a New York City garden wedding

Close up of bride walking down the aisle with her mom and brother at a New York City garden wedding

Brides holding hands at the altar at a New York City garden wedding

Bride walking down the aisle with her parents at a New York City Garden Wedding

Bride walking down the aisle with her mom and brother at a New York City garden wedding, taken from behind

Bride wiping the other bride's tears at the altar at a New York City garden wedding

Bride's mother crying during the ceremony at a New York City garden wedding

Bride placing the ring on the other bride's finger at a New York City garden wedding

Wedding guests watching the ceremony at a New York City garden wedding

Brides sharing their first kiss as a married couple at a New York City garden wedding

Brides walking back down the aisle together after getting married at a New York City garden wedding

Brides smiling and holding each other at the altar during a New York City garden wedding

Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, guests stuck around the garden for cocktail hour. Instead of cocktails, the brides and their guests were served ice cream from Tara’s favorite ice cream shop in Harlem. Ellie and Tara mingled with the guests and found out that their dress code was certainly honored!

Bride excitedly saying hello to wedding guests

Wedding guests at cocktail hour vibe shot

Bride hugging a wedding guest during cocktail hour at a New York City garden wedding

Close up of three wedding guests' outfits

Ice cream stand during cocktail hour at a New York City garden wedding

Brides cheersing with spoons of ice cream

Brides walking down a New York City street lined with brownstones

Close up of the ice cream stand at a New York City garden wedding

Brides smiling at each other during cocktail hour

Brides eating ice cream during cocktail hour at a New York City garden wedding

The Reception

As the sun began to set, the brides and their guests made their way to the reception at Felice off 71st St. Amidst the hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and toasts from Ellie and Tara’s loved ones, the brides celebrated officially being wives! After signing the marriage license on the restaurant bar, Ellie and Tara snuck away to change into their second looks, which kept with their respective colors (Ellie in black and Tara in white).

Brides crossing the street to their wedding reception, with the restaurant's sign in the background

Brides laughing at clapping during a toast

Wedding guests admiring the bride's ring

Close up of cocktails with napkins at the wedding reception

Brides and witnesses laughing and clapping after signing the wedding license

Brides after changing into their second looks

Brides smiling and crossing the street at night in the second looks

Brides kissing under the wedding reception sign in their second looks

Brides smiling and waving while crossing the street

The Afterparty

Once the food dwindled and glasses were emptied, Ellie and Tara’s celebration migrated to midtown to a karaoke bar for the afterparty! While people were still filing in, Ellie’s brother broke the ice with a Shaggy song. In lieu of a first dance, the brides performed a first song to Bad Bunny. Throughout the night, Ellie and Tara’s guests had a blast taking turns in the spotlight singing classics from “Mr. Brightside” to “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”