Lauren + Chase

Lauren was at a friend’s birthday party on a rooftop in Brooklyn. She had gone down to the kitchen to get another drink, and Chase walked in the door with some friends. Maybe it sounds cheesy, but they had an instant connection. After a few minutes Lauren went to find Chase to start up a conversation. They spent the whole night talking, and the rest is history.

The weekend of their five year anniversary, Lauren and Chase had planned to drive out to the beach for lunch. It was a chilly but sunny October Saturday, and they were the only ones there. Somehow Lauren hadn’t put the pieces together, and when he pulled the ring out of his pocket she was shocked. It was intimate and sweet and couldn’t have been more perfect!

Lauren and Chase asked their close friend Topher to officiate the ceremony, and they told him that they wanted it to be short, sweet, and filled with love. Chase and Lauren each wrote their own vows. Every word that was said was truthful, meaningful, and personal. They received so many compliments on the ceremony; family and friends said they could feel how powerful the love was.

Processional- Star Dust
Recessional- What a Wonderful World (live) by Smoking Time Jazz Club
First Dance- Such Great Heights by Iron and Wine // Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

Cake flavor: Lemon poppy seed- Lauren and Chase wanted something light so everyone could enjoy a donut and a slice of cake. Donut flavors: Key lime pie, s’mores, maple bacon, red velvet, chocolate sprinkle, strawberry glazed, orange glazed, and butter milk drops

Lauren isn’t a huge fan of stuffing a lot of wedding traditions into one night, so after the ceremony the only event they planned was the first dance. They picked a song that they both loved in high school: Such Great Heights by The Postal Service, they decided to dance to the Acoustic version by Iron and Wine then switch into the original halfway through to get the party started. About 30 seconds into their dance, they realized that all their friends were singing the words. The moment was so intimate, and everyone they loved was cheering them on- so magical.

Ceremony + Reception: Race & Religious | Wedding Planner: Mise En Place Events | Bridal gown: Catherine Deane | Bridal boutique: Wedding Belles | Hair + Makeup: Erin Richard | Florist: Pistil & Stamen | Cake: Melissa’s Fine Pastries | Donuts: Blue Dot Donuts | Band: Smoking Time Jazz Club | Second photographer: Ryan Swanson