Photo: Trent Bailey Photography
Adam had grand plans when it came to proposing to Molly—and he abandoned each and every one of them the second he picked up her engagement ring. "He ran the mile and a half home from work, burst open the door and—sweating and out of breath—got down on one knee and proposed," Molly says.
The couple wed with the same enviable spontaneity, taking just 10 weeks to plan their August elopement at the iconic Gramercy Park Hotel. "The hotel is in our neighborhood, and has always been one of our favorite, local spots. It has a look and feel that we have always loved," Molly says.
Photos: Trent Bailey Photography
"We wanted something very New York, but also something romantic and peaceful," Molly says. The couple's vision may seem at odds with their big city location—but with the help of their wedding planner, Tracy Taylor Ward of Tracy Taylor Ward Design, the couple and Ward created an event that was at once cosmopolitan and serene.
With no guests and their planner and photographer as their only witnesses, the couple exchanged vows at noon beneath the hotel's famous light bulb ceiling. The ceiling did the bulk of the decorating work, but the couple added a framed photo of their beloved dog to a mantle "because we wanted our ceremony to be peaceful and comfortable," Molly says.
Paper With Benefits designed folding wedding announcements complete with custom illustrations of the couple, their East Village neighborhood and their Colorado roots "in order to tell our story," the bride says.
Molly accessorized her embroidered lace Vera Wang gown with a beaded headband by the same designer. "I knew I wanted something classic so my pictures could be timeless," the bride explains. Silver Jimmy Choo heels completed her look.
Adam chose a J. Crew tuxedo, and kept his look classic with a Turnbull & Asser bow tie.
Clusters of dahlia, lisianthus, garden roses, blushing bride, dusty miller and silver brunia comprised the bride's soft white bouquet by Blossom And Branch. Pale blue ribbons fell from the stems, adding a pop of color to the couple's otherwise monochromatic color scheme. Adam's boutonniere was made from the same beautiful blooms, but was tied with a cream-colored ribbon.
"One of my favorite moments was when Adam surprised me with a vintage checker taxicab waiting outside the hotel," Molly says. Scrolled across the back of the Film Cars' cab were the words just married.
Adam and Molly took portraits in Gramercy Park before leaving for their honeymoon along Italy's Almafi Coast. "Although we didn't have a reception after the ceremony because we eloped, we did want to have a lot of romantic and fun photo-ops around the hotel and neighborhood," Molly says. The most-fun photo-op at the park? Perhaps "randomly helping [Devil Wears Prada actor] Adrian Grenier sneak in for some relaxation of his own!"
Ceremony Venue: Gramercy Park Hotel || Wedding Planner: Tracy Taylor Ward Design || Stationery: Paper With Benefits || Florist: Blossom And Branch || Gown: Vera Wang || Shoes: Jimmy Choo || Hair and Makeup: SB Beauty || Tuxedo: J. Crew || Vintage Taxi: Film Cars || Photography: Trent Bailey Photography
—Jillian Kramer
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