1. Real Weddings

A Whimsical Garden-Inspired Wedding at the NoMad Hotel in New York, New York

Whitney Pizale (29 and a bridal accessory designer) and Ryan Dzierniejko (36 and a lawyer) pulled off an intimate affair at the NoMad Hotel for their

Whitney Pizale (29 and a bridal accessory designer) and Ryan Dzierniejko (36 and a lawyer) pulled off an intimate affair at the NoMad Hotel for their mid-September wedding in the heart of New York City. The pair met through Whitney’s brother, who became friends with Ryan during law school. “I had heard my brother talk about him for a couple of years before we actually met. When we finally met, we hit it off right away,” Whitney says. So much so that a few months into their relationship, Ryan playfully proposed during a trip to Mexico with a fake ring he had bought at the mall. Eight years later, when he popped the question for real, he presented Whitney with a white gold and diamond replica of the ring he had given her in Mexico. The couple debated for months about how they wanted to celebrate their nuptials, finally deciding on a small, intimate fete in New York City with their closest family members and friends, followed by a larger bash in Toronto the following weekend. Whitney and Ryan scoped out some of the city’s most iconic landmarks—including the Central Park Zoo and the New York Public Library—to host the event, but nothing clicked. “Then we came across the rooftop at the NoMad Hotel, which was magical,” Whitney says. “I wanted a wedding with a secret garden theme on a rooftop, and the NoMad Hotel checked every box. It was exactly what we wanted and the night was exactly as we had envisioned it.” After a heartfelt ceremony, in which Whitney and Ryan exchanged vows against a backdrop of lush ivy, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed dinner and dancing on the NoMad Hotel rooftop. The couple gathered their guests around a long table draped in pale pink linen and a fresh garland of ivy and pink roses punctuated by flickering candles. A canopy of ornate candelabras and lanterns hung overhead, bringing an element of visual drama to the decor, while the rooftop setting provided unparalleled views of the city skyline and twinkling lights. “I wanted the table to be romantic and whimsical but still feel modern,” Whitney says. —Libby MacCarthy

While Whitney’s Monique Lhuillier gown was stunning on its own, the bride took the glam factor to the next level with a pair of strappy bead-embellished heels that played up the embroidered details on her dress. To complete the look, she wore a pair of crystal ear jackets for an extra hint of glitz.
Though their wedding was an intimate event, Whitney and Ryan wanted the big-city affair to maintain a formal quality. They opted for a black-tie dress code and let their wedding party choose their own attire. Whitney’s bridesmaids wore elegant floor-length gowns in shades of blush, black and coral.
The festivities kicked off with an indoor ceremony on the rooftop of the NoMad Hotel in New York, New York. A grassy backdrop, bouquets of fresh blush roses and modern white chairs decorated with pink rose decals channeled an English garden at the peak of summer, bringing Whitney and Ryan’s whimsical vision to life.
Bundles of romantic blush roses were scattered throughout the NoMad Hotel roof, instilling the open-air space with an undeniable romance. “I knew I wanted to have only roses for everything,” Whitney says. “Ryan always gives me roses when he sends flowers, including when he proposed with a dozen for every year we had been dating. I carried long-stem roses for my bouquet, and each bridesmaid carried a single rose.”
In Mexico, on their first vacation together, Ryan playfully proposed with a fake ring he’d bought at the mall. Eight years later, when he popped the question for real, Ryan presented Whitney with a white gold and diamond replica of the ring he had given her in Mexico.
A small guest list enabled Whitney and Ryan to seat all their friends and family members around a single long table, creating the feel of an intimate family dinner. Hanging overhead were dozens of carriage lanterns and intricate candelabras that lent a note of whimsy and extravagance to the setting as the sun began to set over the city skyline.
The newlyweds played up the secret garden theme with personalized botanical place cards adorned with gold script. The cards popped against intricate white dinnerware while drawing attention to the soft pink roses woven into the leafy garland that ran the length of the table.
The modern round-backed chairs from the ceremony were repurposed for the reception, where their vibrant pink rose decals worked to transform the rooftop event space into a whimsical garden-like scene. Paired with details such as a lush green garland and bountiful blush blooms, the chairs brought the couple’s romantic vision to life.
Whitney and Ryan pulled out all the stops when it came to their wedding day attire, setting a chic, formal tone for the evening’s festivities. Whitney walked down the aisle in a Monique Lhuillier gown, a striking sheath design with allover embroidery and a peplum detail. Ryan took the traditional route and rocked a classic black tuxedo with a black bow tie and silver pocket square.
After a traditional sit-down dinner, Whitney and Ryan cut into their petite wedding cake. The one-tier confection featured stucco-style buttercream in a classic shade of white and pale pink fondant flowers. With Whitney’s preference for blush roses in mind, the pros at Lael Cakes topped the cake with a fresh bundle of the blooms.
Whitney and Ryan ensured that there were nibbles on hand throughout the evening to keep guests’ energy levels up and the party going late into the night. The pair treated guests to a mouthwatering spread of wings and other comfort foods throughout the evening. Glowing candelabras were woven throughout the display, adding an element of formality and sophistication to the low-key comfort foods.