Governors Island Wedding with Reception at Frankies 457 Spuntino

This Governors Island wedding was the perfect reflection of the bride and groom themselves: vivacious, full of charm, and incredibly romantic. We first met Annalize and Oliver at one of our favorite tiny cafés in Midtown, Madman Espresso. I remember how quickly we struck up a lively conversation. Their passion for life is so effervescent that it was easy to feel like friends, even though we had just met. They told us how excited they were to be getting married and to share their day with a small group of their very closest friends and family. They said they love to dress up and treat others to delicious food, and that they wanted their wedding to be a very special, intimate evening with utterly delectable food, laughter, and wine.

At first, they were planning to get married in the Peristyle at Prospect Park, a Renaissance Revival structure built in the style of a Grecian court. But when it turned out that it was already booked on their wedding day, they had to find a “Plan B,” and they were determined that it would be just as unique as their original choice. After vetting many options all over Brooklyn and lower Manhattan, they finally decided upon Admiral’s House Governors Island, a beautiful public park accessible by short ferry ride from downtown NYC.

The day started in Brooklyn, with “first look” portraits outside their home. Then, together with their friends and family, they grabbed an Uber car from Brooklyn to the Governors Island ferry terminal in downtown Manhattan. After the ceremony — an incredibly moving service with elements borrowed from Quaker tradition — they took their guests on a water taxi from Governors Island back to Brooklyn, and then a trolley to their final destination, the cozy Italian trattoria Frankies 457 Spuntino. (It’s no wonder that when we asked them what type of transportation they’d be taking on their wedding day, they answered, “Almost every form!”)

Annalize and Oliver are effortlessly stylish, and it was so much fun to see how they put together a celebration that matches their sensibilities. Annalize wore a glamorous lace gown by Maggie Sottero, and Oliver wore a navy blue tux by Ted Baker. The tables at Frankies 457 Spuntino were set family style, with white tablecloths and long, raw silk runners. The pale pinks and lavenders of the wildflower bouquets by Opalia popped against the teal color of the runners. Make sure you check out the photo of their rings — their bands are the most unusual and striking wedding rings we’ve ever seen.

“No matter what the situation,” Annalize told us a while ago, “we always come out of it stronger, kinder, and uplifted. We are each other’s number one fan.”

Could you ask for anything more? Congratulations, Annalize and Oliver!

Here are more Brooklyn and foodie weddings we photographed!