This is one of those sweet weddings that leaves you wanting more. Set above the Hudson River at the boutique country hotel, The Rhinecliff, this was an intimate and sophisticated with a very vintage feel. Planned to perfection by the couple, the day was without a doubt unforgettable.From the bride: When we started planning our wedding, we knew we wanted the day to be about family, friends, and fun. We also wanted it to be about us. Robb and I met swing dancing, fell in love over cooking together, and got engaged while camping, so we knew wanted to have amazing Jazz music, tons of food, and a natural feel. But we couldn’t decide if we wanted a rustic barn wedding or a 1930s night at the Savoy. When we found the Rhinecliff Hotel, everything clicked into place. It was just magical with its views of the Hudson and the Catskills beyond, amazing menu, natural wood tones, eco-friendly architecture, incredible history, and amazing staff, we knew we had found just the right mix of rustic and elegant, of simple and stylish, of natural and industrial.

Everything else keyed off of the venue and off our desire to make the evening as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for our guests, so we chose fold out fans as favors and decided to serve the meal family style to give the dinner a homey feel. We spent ages pouring over readings to craft a ceremony that was personal to us, without putting us too much on display – we’re both introverts. An Irish Hand-Fasting ritual fit us perfectly, and I carried a locket with a picture of my late-grandfather pinned to my bouquet – a sweet surprise gift from my aunt a few days earlier. We had a beautiful woodwind ensemble, Bella Winds, play songs that had meaning for us for the ceremony and a mixture of Irish tunes and ragtime during the cocktail hour to ease the transition to the reception.

We chose decor that would complement our vintage preferences and the simplicity of the venue with light nautical touches, a few DIY elements, lanterns that echoed the lighthouse across the river, lace doilies picked up from an antique store, and tea stained stationary with a 1930s feel to set the tone for the amazing Gypsy Jazz band, Metropolitan Hot Club. I picked a dress that made me feel like Ginger Rogers, and my mom – who got me into classic film in the first place – did my hair in a style that was evocative of the period, but still so very me. We even had one of our friends teach a dance lesson during the cocktail so everyone was ready to try out some Lindy Hop.

The day was so incredibly magical and felt so much like us. It hit everything on our wish list – great food, great music, a beautiful historic venue, an incredibly romantic ceremony, and an amazing night of family, friends, and dancing. We were so blessed to have experience such an outpouring of love from so many people and to have so many special moments with the people closest to us.”

Photographer: Cassi Claire Photography | Venue: The Rhinecliff Hotel | Flowers: A Night In Bloom Event Floristry | Dress Designer: Watters Wtoo | Musicians: Bella Winds | Jewelry: Brilliant Earth | Invitations: Designed with Amore | Bridemaid’s Dresses: J. Crew | Tux: Men’s Wearhouse | Band: Metropolitan Hot Club | Cake: The Pastry Garden | Shoes: Toms | Dress Shop: Town Shop Bridal

---

---