In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with Katherine about why finding the perfect venue was so important.
(Photo courtesy of Foxlight Studios)
Throughout wedding planning, Katherine and Lin checked in with each other to ensure that what they envisioned for their Nov. 10, 2023 wedding would happen. They even included their unique twists on classic wedding traditions.
A Speed Dating Event to Remember
Katherine and Lin met at a “unique” vegan speed dating event in Brooklyn, according to Katherine. That uniqueness has been a part of their lives ever since, even up to their wedding day. Four years after that event, Lin proposed on their dating anniversary in July 2022 – at the same restaurant where they met. “After he proposed, he shared a video that he got my friends and family to make with congratulations messages,” Katherine says.
Their wedding plans were slightly derailed, as they both got COVID-19 immediately after getting engaged. But that didn’t stop Katherine from joining the Brides of Long Island Facebook group to start searching for potential vendors.
The Importance of Their Venue
The venue was their most important vendor in their search. “We had specific needs,” Katherine says. “Lin’s mother is in a power wheelchair and we wanted to make sure she was comfortable navigating around.” They also wanted to make sure their venue could accommodate a vegan menu. And they found their perfect venue in Stewart Manor Country Club. “Not only did it check both boxes as far as handicap access and a vegan menu,” Katherine says, “but I really loved the look of it – it has a rustic, romantic, boho feeling – and when we took a tour, I could picture us getting married there.” She says the exposed wood ceilings with string lights and warm fireplace was exactly what she and Lin were looking for. “And the wooden bar! I could just picture my uncles crowded around drinking beers,” she says.
After they picked their venue, they started looking for photographers. “I know we’ll have those photos and videos forever, so we wanted to make sure we found someone that fit our personalities and style,” Katherine says. They clicked immediately with Chris and Jackie from Foxlight Studios, a BOLI preferred vendor. “We wanted to have a really classic and timeless look when it came to photography,” says Katherine. And they also wanted to include a nature backdrop. They also loved that they actually met with their photographer during their consultation. “It was great to see right away if we would vibe with them – which we did.”
(Photo courtesy of Foxlight Studios)
Some Unique Twists
Katherine made her own wood flowers. “I dyed and arranged them myself, and I was so happy with the way they came out,” she says. “Plus, it was a great outlet to dive into during the stress of planning.”
Katherine and Lin did other fun things like include a cookie table so guests could enjoy some sweet treats. “I have family in Pittsburgh, and it’s a tradition there to have a cookie table at weddings,” says Katherine. “It was so important to me to have a cookie table – and I made sure that all of the cookies were vegan. And it was such a hit with our guests.”
Since Katherine got her cookie table, she wanted Lin to incorporate something from his Chinese roots. “We thought a lion dance would be really cool,” says Katherine. So they found a company in Shirley that worked with their wedding timeline to perform the dance. “It was such a fun surprise for our guests.”
Their first look, though, was a special moment for Katherine and Lin that really stood out from their wedding day. At the suggestion of their limo company, Sir Oliver Limousine, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, they took one party bus with their bridal party to the venue for their first look – but Lin was blindfolded the whole ride. “It was such a fun idea, we knew we had to do it,” she says. And even though Katherine didn’t think Lin would get emotional when he took off the blindfold, he did. “He started crying, and I was not expecting that. It was such a special moment for us.”
Katherine also got emotional during her walk down the aisle. “My father was diagnosed with cancer the summer of 2023, so he was going through treatment leading up to the wedding,” she explains. “It was a very emotional moment for us, and we both started crying as he walked me down the aisle.” Her father is cancer free this year.
(Photo courtesy of Foxlight Studios)
MORE: 10 Unique First Look Ideas
A Change of Shoes and Fun First Dance
For their first dance, Katherine and Lin wanted to wow their guests with some choreography. “We’re not dancers, and I’m not very coordinated,” Katherine says. “So we took lessons, and the instructors were fantastic.” They worked with Fred Astaire Dance Studios, a BOLI Preferred Vendor. “We were practicing until two days before the wedding, and it was such a fun experience.”
Katherine says James, the maitre d at Stewart Manor Country Club, went above and beyond the entire night. “Lin and I don’t really like to bother people and do a lot of things ourselves,” Katherine says. “But James wouldn’t let us. He would just show up to take care of things before we even had a chance to think about it.” Like with her change of shoes! “I wanted to change into Keds to get more comfortable, and there is James changing my shoes at the head table in the middle of the reception,” Katherine says. “It was so nice because we could just focus on enjoying the day.”
During the cocktail hour, Katherine says Paige and the PR Creations team, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, came to give her and her bridesmaids touch ups on their makeup and hair. “I was so grateful for them,” Katherine says. “And I got to change my hair – which was perfect to transition from the cocktail hour to the reception.”
(Photo courtesy of Foxlight Studios)
MORE: 5 Reasons Why You Should Choreograph Your First Dance
Staying True
Katherine says it was important for her and Lin to stay true to themselves and what they wanted. She encourages other brides to talk to their fiancés early on in the planning process to make sure they stay on the same page. “Things will change, and that’s okay,” says Katherine. “And as those things change, it’s still important to not lose sight of what’s most important to you and your future spouse.”
(Photo courtesy of Foxlight Studios)
Vendors:
Venue: Stewart Manor Country Club
Photographer/Videographer: Foxlight Studios, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
DJ: Marc/All Occasion DJ
Hair/Makeup: PR Creations, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Officiant: Rev. Joe Iadanza, Church of Ancient Ways, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry
Cake: Rose Valley Cakes
Tuxedos: Groom – Giorgenti; Groomsmen – Men’s Warehouse
Limo: Sir Oliver Limousine, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Dance Lessons: Fred Astaire Garden City, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
(Photo courtesy of Foxlight Studios)
