Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
College sweethearts Mallorie and Daniel were inseparable from the start."We were also in the same major, so once we began dating we were able to schedule our classes together," the bride explains. But as entwined as they were in each others' lives, Dan took Mallorie by surprise the evening he proposed. "Coming home from work, I smelled candles burning in the hallway," she recalls. "I swung the door open and my apartment was completely dark—aglow in votive candles, and long stem roses and rose petals were everywhere. He was wearing a suit, and he got on one knee and told me he loved me from the moment he first saw me."
The couple later wed in a rich July affair dripping with elegant details—a "New York City beaux arts" wedding, if you will, the bride says.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
The groom's David Yurman wedding band was engraved with their wedding date: July 7, 2012.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Calligraphy invitations by Sincerely Staci set the tone for the black tie affair, held at the Essex House New York. "The Essex House New York embodied the essence and sensibilities I wanted in my wedding—the grand old New York," Mallorie says.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Before slipping on her gown, Mallorie styled her hair in a high, ballerina-inspired bun.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Her Monique Lhuillier gown—the designer's Legacy style—featured feathery layers that cascaded from the bride's waist to her feet, and an embroidered bodice with delicate flower details. "I envisioned a dramatic, princess style dress because I knew I wanted my wedding to be a formal affair," Mallorie says. "You only get married once. I had a 'go big or go home' approach to the dress."
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie paired her big-statement ball gown with Fontana Couture teardrop earrings and an heirloom bracelet.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Gold-studded, flesh-toned Valentino pumps peeked out from beneath the bride's gown, lending an edge to the bride's otherwise elegant look.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie's 10 bridesmaids wore floor-length, rosewater-hued TwoBirds dresses, which they wrapped in various ways, creating the illusion that each was wearing a different dress.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Belle Fleur wrapped Mallorie's white and blush bouquet in an antique-white satin ribbon that was corseted with an organza ribbon overlay.
Groomsmen wore classic tuxedos by Black by Vera Wang. Each man also wore black-and-white polka-dot socks, a gift from the groom.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie and Daniel's ceremony took place inside an Essex House New York ballroom lit by ornate crystal chandeliers and soft candlelight. "We wanted the ceremony to feel light and ethereal, with blush flowers, no greens and a billowy chuppah," Mallorie says of the ceremony décor.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie's mother and father escorted her down a white aisle dotted with rose petals. "I wanted a big entrance," the bride explains, so two white-washed Roman pedestals topped with floral arrangements flanked the end of the aisle.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
The couple exchanged vows beneath a chuppah draped in sheer white fabric and dripping with white and blush-colored blooms, including roses, peonies and hydrangeas.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie describes their gold and white ceremony decor as "elegant, feminine and classic. When you have a mural ballroom with a 12 foot by 12 foot crystal chandelier, the room does the talking."
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Guests found their seat assignment cards tied with gold ribbon to branches adorned with orchids.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie and Dan's reception was also held at Essex House New York, in a ballroom awash with pink and gold up-lighting. "I would have to say elegant was our go-to word," Mallorie says.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
"The reception called for gold candelabras," the bride says of the centerpieces, which were topped with a white and blush mixture of roses and hydrangeas.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
The couple sat at a sweetheart table covered in ribbon-laced linens. "I wanted the bride and the room to complement each other," Mallorie says.
Mallorie and Dan shared their first dance as husband and wife to Lady Antebellum's When You Got A Good Thing.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Their cake—a five-tier white dessert decorated with confectionery flowers and greens—featured the couple's married-name initials in gold script.
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Mallorie changed out of her Monique Lhuillier and into a short Badgley Mischka sheath for the reception.
Hank Lane Music & Productions kept guests on the dance floor all night long. The couple also served guests a signature cocktail, a 7 & 7. "This was Dan's favorite drink in college, and he introduced it to me and my friends the first night we hung out," Mallorie explains. "It became our go-to drink the rest of our college years—and how fitting it was also our wedding date."
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
The couple traveled to Anguilla and St. Martin for their honeymoon.
—Jillian Kramer
Wedding Planner: Jason Kwitner of J.W. Marriott Essex House New York || Ceremony Venue: J.W. Marriott Essex House New York || Reception Venue: J.W. Marriott Essex House New York || Bride's Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier || Bride's Veil: Fontana Couture || Bride's Shoes: Valentino and Badgley Mischka|| Bride's Accessories: Fontana Couture || Bride's Wedding Ring: Wilson & Son || Groom's Tux: Dolce & Gabbana || Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo || Groom's Wedding Ring: David Yurman || Bridesmaids' Dresses: TwoBirds || Bridesmaids' Accessories: Chloe + Isabel || Groomsmen Attire: Black by Vera Wang || Florist: Belle Fleur || Caterer: J.W. Marriott Essex House New York || Stationery: Sincerely Staci and The Wedding Company || Cake Baker: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes || Entertainment: Hank Lane Music & Productions || Photography: Alison Conklin Photography