A Formal, Fall Wedding at Le Parker Meridien in New York, New York

rn "We had talked about getting married for as long as I can remember," Hilary Zelson (26 and an artist) says of meeting Andrew Gellar (26 and a molecular technologist) as an undergraduate at Union College in Schenectady, New York. "Even though we picked out a ring together, I didn't know when he was going to propose." After decorating their apartment with dozens of candles and flowers, Andrew popped the question in their living room as Hilary arrived home from work one day. "It was romantic and perfect," Hilary says of the surprise. For their fall wedding in the heart of New York City, the couple booked Le Parker Meridien—a Midtown hotel that boasts a penthouse and stunning vistas of nearby Central Park. "The venue felt like nothing we'd ever seen," Hilary says of saying "I do" in the hotel under a birch-wood chuppah adorned with white orchids. Bridesmaids donned floor-length gowns for their walk down the aisle, while Hilary rocked a mermaid-style sheath dress with an embellished back. Fall-inspired centerpieces, hundreds of roses and plenty of candlelight lent a cozy feel to the indoor reception, giving the window-lined space the "modern romantic" vibe the couple were after. "We wanted to throw a black-tie wedding that didn't feel stuffy," Hilary says. "We just wanted it to feel like we were young and in love." —Rachel Sylvester