1. Real Weddings

A Modern Loft Wedding at The Foundry in Long Island City, New York

Inspired by mid-century architecture, furniture design and modern artists, Lauren Frank (31 and a director of merchandising at LOFT) and Ben Kessler (

Inspired by mid-century architecture, furniture design and modern artists, Lauren Frank (31 and a director of merchandising at LOFT) and Ben Kessler (29 and director of marketing at WeWork) created a contemporary wedding in an industrial space that felt both warm and romantic. Using a black and white graphic motif with touches of mixed metals--including her Naeem Khan dress--the couple incorporated unique details like matte black flatware, copper Marais-style chairs and a fashion-forward stationery suite. 

The thoughtful, contemporary attitude extended to the music too: Lauren walked down the aisle to a strong quartet cover of Kanye West's "Touch the Sky," and the couple danced to Radiohead to kick off the reception. "The little things we did to personalize the wedding all added up to a big impact," Lauren says. "We put a lot of work into every detail, but it represented our style and our passion, which made it all worth it."

"I am very fortunate that they all have excellent style and taste," Lauren says of her five bridesmaids. She chose a dress for each friend that she felt best represented the woman's style.
"It featured custom beading that reminded me of the art deco design of the Chrysler Building," Lauren says of her Naeem Khan dress with a classic tulle skirt. She paired the glam gown with studded Miu Miu heels and bold red lips. One tradition she did keep was wearing family heirloom jewelry, including her grandfather's wedding band.
Fashion was no second to the contemporary air of Lauren and Ben's Long Island City nuptials. Lauren rocked an art deco-inspired Naeem Khan gown while Ben donned a navy Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a contrasting black Lanvin bow tie and black burnished leather shoes.
Local New York City blooms source from the city's famed flower market by BRRCH added warmth to Lauren's glitzy dress and mod shoes.
Angelic flower girls added whimsy to the ceremony, thanks to the fresh blooms from the New York City flower market. Instead of going with traditional wedding types, Lauren chose more avant-garde flowers and succulents for the bouquets, boutonnieres and flower crowns.
Guests arrived to their ceremony seats to find handkerchiefs for "happy tears" placed on each one. Lauren actually found the global-inspired print at a fabric market in India. "The handkerchiefs were well utilized by all the guests," she says of the waterworks in the crowd during the couple's vows.
Although both Lauren and Ben are Jewish, they didn't want to rely on tradition. With two rabbi friends present, the couple shared their own vows under a massive chuppah covered in greenery. The lush aesthetic was inspired by Palm Springs, California. The couple lined the ceremony space with copper Marais-style chairs, very befitting of the industrial space.
Ben's nieces, Lily and Violet, were destined to be flower girls, Lauren says of their floral-inspired names. They donned matching TK dresses and flower crowns for their walk down the aisle.
A dramatic first kiss only made sense for this passionate couple. "Be present," Lauren advises for the day. "Everyone says the day will fly by and you won’t believe how quick it all goes. But we kept reminding ourselves to be in the moment and savor it all...and it worked. "
Heavily involved in the design of their paper goods, Lauren and Ben strove for a look that said more "art gallery opening" than "traditional wedding," which especially came across in the hexagonal escort cards.
The same typeface and modern aesthetic of the invitation suite, escort cards and menus presented the signature drinks during cocktail hour: Philadelphia Gentleman, Born in L.A. and Bridge to Brooklyn. Each creative drink name harked back to the couple's hometowns.
Bold flatware and custom place mats topped the tables along with geometric gold shapes and "avant-garde" floral arrangements of wild greenery and pink and red blooms.
Monogrammed logos adorned the matchbook favors, bins of which accented the ends of the Foundry's bars.
String lights illuminated the metal canopy over the reception space and kept the industrial feel of the otherwise garden-inspired courtyard. The same Marais-style chairs from the ceremony transformed the long feasting tables into a cozy yet minimalist space.
The New York-based couple knew immediately what baker would provide dessert: Dominique Ansel, creator of the cookie shot and the cronut. "This was a highlight, since it's not easy to get your hands on a cronut!" Lauren says.
The couple danced to Radiohead's "True Love Waits" to kick off the reception, maintaining their contemporary music motif. One tradition the Jewish couple kept? The hora, of course!