Colorful Brooklyn Elopement with Two Brides

As many other couples, Sully and Ayana had another vision for their special day before covid hit. Since they had to pivot they decided on doing an “elopement in the park” which was really their version of a micro-wedding.

The wedding location is Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn and the park itself holds much significance to their relationship. They decided to stay and get ready at 1 Hotel-Brooklyn Bridge.

Our day started with a magical photoshoot by photographer Jocelyn Voo. Doing the photoshoot first really eased our nerves and helped us find special moments just for ourselves. Once our shoot was over, we headed to the ceremony location. Due to restrictions we opted to have 25 family members and friends in person and under 100 on a live zoom stream for viewing. The ceremony took place on The Prospect Granite Steps in Brooklyn Bridge Park. In-Person attendees including our officiant were asked to dress in our color palette of: beige, nude, burnt orange, light blue and grey. At the ceremony itself, we added our special touches with the dress code and we provided our in-person guests with light blue hand fans as souvenirs with our names and wedding date printed. 

We read our own vows and our officiant married us off through storytelling, words of wisdom and tying in our belief in God in such a fun, authentic and non-traditional way. We followed our ceremony with a beautiful and intimate brunch at Celestine’s restaurant in Dumbo, Brooklyn. At our wedding brunch, we had custom menus inclusive of specialty cocktails – Ayanna’s New Fashion (spin on an old fashion), Sully’s Passion and Pride (spin on a rum and passionfruit drink). 

We finished off the night with drinks and small bites at 1 Hotel’s rooftop lounge. Bringing our love story to a full circle of where it all began. 

Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride
Colorful Brooklyn Microwedding with Two Brides | Brooklyn Bride

How did you two meet?

Short answer: We met through mutual friends at a friend’s birthday dinner. 

Long answer: a mutual friend was having a birthday dinner and a birthday party. Sully was helping to coordinate the party so when she reached out via email I told her that I would not be able to attend, but I will be at the dinner. She mentioned she would be as well. At the dinner, our mutual friend (the birthday boy) and another friend who was my best friend at the time specifically had us sit next to each other. We didn’t say more than a handful of words to each other the entire time. I was more interested in being friends with her roommate at the time. We instantly hit it off as friends.  At the end of the dinner I gave her roomie my card so we could stay in contact and my best friend told me I should give it to Sully too. Fast forward: 1 nervous yet engaging first date, a month of miscommunication and a 2nd make up date sealed the deal – 9 years later here we are. 

The Proposal(s)!Sully’s 3.7.20 / Ayanna’s 3.13.20

Ayanna: We had double proposals a week apart and literally the weekend before NYC went on lockdown from covid. 

Sully: I surprised Ayanna first in LIC, outside of Blend by the Water. Her sister, Tahi, help me surprise her by saying it was a sisters night out, and to dress up so they can feel special and cute. I  got ready at 1 Hotel in brooklyn, and I am fully done up, make up, dress, new coat, new boots; Everything new head to toe! I was super nervous and I see Tahi brings her to the spot by the pier to take pics…

Ayanna: As my sister and I were about to take pictures a woman starts walking towards us with a big fan covering her face. I was confused until she moved the fan and revealed herself. I was shocked! It was Sully!

Sully: I asked her to marry me, and of course she said Yes! After dinner at Blend, I surprised her a 2nd time with a small lounge party with drinks at the 1 Hotel lounge with some of our friends and family and then the 3rd surprise of the night was I booked a hotel room for us…such a beautiful night.

Ayanna: I swore I’d be the one to propose first and my proposal was already planned for the following week. Crazy enough the same people she gathered on both our sides at the 1 Hotel lounge was the same group I gathered for the following weekend. 

Sully: We both had no idea, and our family friends did so well at keeping it all hush!

Ayanna: Fast forward, for my proposal I had already scheduled a date night for us a few months back. The plan was to go to Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill since we hadn’t been in a while. My small tribe was tasked with setting up light blue Hershey kisses (her favorite kind) that spelled “Marry Me?” inside the St. Ann’s Garden in Brooklyn, Bridge Park. In the cab I told her I wanted to take photos at the pier before we headed inside. 

Sully: Ha! Sounds familiar??

Ayanna: On our way to the pier we made a pit stop into the Garden where I had people filming her reaction behind the trees. It took her a second to realize what was on the ground, but once she did she was blown. Completely surprised yet typical since we tend to think alike. After the proposal we went into the restaurant and our small tribe yelled “surprise!” I had a private section booked for a light cocktail hour moment to celebrate. Another beautiful night and double proposal success.

The Wedding Looks!

Ayanna: Believe it or not, I struggled to find the perfect dress. I really wanted something that leaned more on the non-traditional side. A special piece that provided clean drama with a romantic finish. Needless to say I was stressed until I walked into Pantora Bridal – a black owned bridal salon. I made an appointment on the whim to check out their sample selection and ended up purchasing the first dress I tried on out of 5. My dress was a soft satin white color,  slim fitting gown with draping on the left hip and a sleeveless sash going over my right shoulder. The dress had a light blue/gray corset bodice with intricate subtle lace details as an overlay going around it. Since I purchased a sample size I had to make some alterations for it to fit perfectly. I had the zipper taken out and loops put in to create a corset laced up back effect. I also had the train cut to create a shorter train. I completed the look with Badgley Mischka Rider Embellished Ankle Strap Sandals in soft white by way of Nordstrom, a crystal embellished hair piece from Amazon and oval crystal drop earrings from the Eliot Danori collection at Macy’s. 

My wife Sully, knew she wanted a jumpsuit with a dramatic effect. It took her some time to find the right one as she had to order and reorder a few different options until she landed on the perfect look from ASOS Bridal. Her wide leg jumpsuit was all white with off the shoulder draping short sleeves. She completed her look with Sam Edelman Yaro Block Heel Sandals and a crystal vintage earring and necklace set. Her hair pieces were also from Amazon. 

We also had Pride inspired rainbow sneakers which we adorned for some photos during the photoshoot and during the reception/after party. My sneakers are from the Trevor Project collection in collaboration with Dolce Vita and Sully’s are Converse – PRIDE edition

To add to our urban pride sneakers look, we paired those with our everyday jean jackets for the street wear photoshoot pics.

Wedding Day

As many other couples, we had another vision for our special day before covid hit. Since we had to pivot we decided on doing an “elopement in the park” which was really our version of a micro-wedding. Now to set the scene…

The wedding location is Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn and the park itself holds much significance to our relationship. We decided to stay and get ready at 1 Hotel-Brooklyn Bridge.

Our day started with a magical photoshoot by photographer Jocelyn Voo. Doing the photoshoot first really eased our nerves and helped us find special moments just for ourselves. Once our shoot was over, we headed to the ceremony location. Due to restrictions we opted to have 25 family members and friends in person and under 100 on a live zoom stream for viewing. The ceremony took place on The Prospect Granite Steps in Brooklyn Bridge Park. In-Person attendees including our officiant were asked to dress in our color palette of: beige, nude, burnt orange, light blue and grey. At the ceremony itself, we added our special touches with the dress code and we provided our in-person guests with light blue hand fans as souvenirs with our names and wedding date printed. 

We read our own vows and our officiant married us off through storytelling, words of wisdom and tying in our belief in God in such a fun, authentic and non-traditional way. We followed our ceremony with a beautiful and intimate brunch at Celestine’s restaurant in Dumbo, Brooklyn. At our wedding brunch, we had custom menus inclusive of specialty cocktails – Ayanna’s New Fashion (spin on an old fashion), Sully’s Passion and Pride (spin on a rum and passionfruit drink). 

We finished off the night with drinks and small bites at 1 Hotel’s rooftop lounge. Bringing our love story to a full circle of where it all began. 

Event Credits

PhotographyEverly Studios
Ceremony VenueBrooklyn Bridge Park
FloralBlossr
Wedding DressPantora Bridal
Wedding DressASOS
Bride’s ShoesBadgley Mischka