1. Real Weddings

A Spring Wedding at Fort Tryon Park in New York City

It's tricky to find a quiet enclave in bustling New York City, but for Lisa Weiss (a senior director of sales at The Knot) and Michael Ahern (a chief

It's tricky to find a quiet enclave in bustling New York City, but for Lisa Weiss (a senior director of sales at The Knot) and Michael Ahern (a chief technology officer for Movo), Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan provided an effortless, intimate wedding spot. "We live very close to the venue, which made it feel as if we were hosting our wedding in our own backyard," Lisa says. "We had spent countless hours running in this park, and we wanted a location for our wedding that had personal meaning to us. Many of our guests had never been to Fort Tryon Park, so it was a treat to share our special place with them." Overlooking the Hudson River, the park's natural florals accentuated the couple's ombre theme, which took form in shades of green, blue and purple. Florist Anthony Brownie matched the spring blooms with beautiful ombre flower arrangements. The bride wore an Oleg Cassini dress with micropearl beading, a sweetheart neckline and a flowing chapel-style train. After the ceremony, guests moved to a 5,000-square-foot clear reception tent at New Leaf Restaurant. It was decorated with strings of white lights to illuminate the night, beautifully captured by Sara Wight Photography. Our favorite part? The four-tier cake with blue and purple ombre sugar flowers, created by Ana Parzych. "Each tier had a different flavor combination, and each guest had the chance to taste all three combinations," Lisa says. Her advice for other couples on their wedding day? "Enjoy every minute! Be present, and share in the joy of the day," she says. "And always smile—your guests will be so happy to know that you are enjoying your wedding as much as they are."

The couple's wedding invitations were designed in ombre shades of blue, and included a traditional sailor's knot at the top. "It was a nod to Michael's love of sailing as well as us officially tying the knot," Lisa says.
For the bride's bouquet, florist Anthony Brownie enhanced the ombre theme by incorporating shades of blue and purple hydrangeas fading to white hydrangeas.
For the groom's boutonniere, florist Anthony Brownie relied on a palette of white and green to offset his navy suit.
For the bridal party bouquets, they used white roses, green scabiosa and white and green hydrangeas to contrast the deep blue bridesmaid dresses.
This Oleg Cassini dress with micropearl beading, a sweetheart neckline and a chapel-style train was the dress Lisa never knew she wanted. "I fell in love with a gown that I never would have picked myself," she says. "I was fortunate to have an amazing stylist at David's Bridal in Manhattan, Kris, who handpicked the stunning gown."
The back of Lisa's Oleg Cassini dress had a tulle inlay and featured buttons all the way down the back. "I knew it was the perfect gown for me when I put on a veil and my mother, sister, niece and I all broke into tears," she says.
"The intent was to keep the ombre theme, but incorporate both blues and purples in various shades, fading to white," Lisa says. "Anthony used mostly hydrangeas along with a range of flowers in shades including blues, purples, fucshia and greens."
Lisa and Michael's First Look at Fort Tryon Park
"I wanted a location that was not a typical New York City hotel or ballroom, and that offered an outdoor area for our ceremony with beautiful river views," Lisa says. "Everything came together perfectly. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming, and the park setting was stunning."
Navy Brooks Brothers Groom Suit
"Our favorite part was the clear tent where our reception was held," Lisa says. "It was spacious enough to accommodate our guests with plenty of room for a huge dance floor, which was very important to us."
Gnocchi With Sauteed Mushrooms
"Renowned cake baker Ana Parzych worked with us to design the most magnificent—and best tasting—cake our guests had ever seen, featuring handmade sugar flowers cascading down four tiers in an ombre theme of blues and purples," Lisa says. "Each tier had a different flavor combination, and each guest had the chance to taste all three."
Wildflower Seed-Packet Guest Favors
The reception was held in a 5,000-square-foot clear tent with strings of white lights to illuminate the night. "Throughout the reception, the sky changed from light blue to a deep dark navy, with the moon and the stars visible from the dance floor," Lisa says. "It was truly magical."