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When Pedro Reyes, 52, and Natasha Danielle Smith, 44, decided to tie the knot, they knew New York City would be one of the key players in their nuptials.
“It’s where Natasha and I fell in love,” said Reyes. “It only felt right to bring our closest family and friends into the city that shaped our story.”
The duo decided to turn their July nuptials into a three-day celebration that captured the spirit of the city they adore.
It began with a nighttime TopView bus tour, from Times Square and the Empire State Building to the Flatiron Building, Soho, Chinatown and a quick loop through Brooklyn, said Reyes.
“The next evening, we gathered at Biga Bite for dinner and shared a giant pizza for 18,” added Reyes, who works in audience development at The New York Post. “Most of Natasha’s family had never met me or my family, so it was the perfect way for everyone to connect before the big day — laughter, pizza and a touch of New York magic.”
Smith, a communications director for a financial services firm, has family who hail from the deep South.
“Since almost everyone was a tourist, we leaned into that energy,” she said. In fact, her 81-year-old aunt had never been to the city before. “She said she’d never seen buildings so tall in her life,” recalled Smith.
The couple’s wedding weekend culminated with a ceremony and reception for 18 at the Crosby Street Hotel, complete with a Soho walking tour following the ceremony and a performance from magician Matt Szat during dinner.
“We love learning, and we wanted our guests not only to be in awe of New York City, but also to leave knowing a little more about the neighborhood than when they arrived,” said Smith of the private walking tour. “Plus, it was so much fun for Pedro and me to trek through the cobblestone streets in our wedding attire — it’s the one time I’ve seen so many stoic New Yorkers break stride to shout congratulations and well-wishes to us,” she quipped. (“Be ready to dodge a few taxis and scurry out of the way of traffic,” the groom warned. “It’s all part of the authentic New York experience.”)
“We love learning, and we wanted our guests not only to be in awe of New York City, but also to leave knowing a little more about the neighborhood than when they arrived.”
Natasha Danielle SmithEven the details on their wedding day served as thoughtful nods to the Big Apple. For instance, working with their wedding planner Ikiya Devonish, owner of Intimate Occasions by Ikiya in Brooklyn, they created custom dinner menus through Zazzle with a watercolor painting of Central Park.
Additionally, each guest received a watercolor illustration from Four Things Paper with jokes and fun facts about the couple. “It captured everything from the moment we met and our first date to Pedro’s love of the New York Knicks, our concert dates at Madison Square Garden and our shared disdain for shellfish,” said Smith.
Devonish appreciated the yellow taxi cabs styled into the wedding, from showcasing a taxi cab motif on their mocktail hour napkins to a tiny cab figure hidden among their ceremony florals.
The pair also went above and beyond with their party favors, ensuring no two goodie bags were alike. “Each burlap bag had a personalized frayed cotton ribbon, its own teas curated by the New York Botanical Garden, aromatherapy candles in different scents and even New York lottery tickets,” said Smith, noting that they also included Läderach pralines to honor her Louisiana family members and Georgia peach jam “as a nod to my people in Atlanta.”
To lean into a New York City-themed wedding without overdoing it, Devonish recommends “finding unique personal touches that speak to the couple’s love story.”
Smith said to “create a wedding that reflects the things you love about New York and speaks to your personal experiences.”
For example, some of the gifts the couple gave Smith’s mother and sister came from an exhibition at the Met and held special meaning since “they reflected black culture and celebrated New York City during the Harlem Renaissance,” Smith said. This introduced elements that were uniquely NYC and encapsulated who the couple are.
“Reflect on why you love New York, and let that guide your decisions,” she added.
How to go to town: Here are a few playful ways to incorporate your love of the concrete jungle into your wedding day.
Candles
This scented interpretation of NYC is handmade in New York’s Hudson Valley. From $16; Scripted Fragrance
Bows
Customized bow for your bridal bouquet, hand-painted by Tribeca artist Ashley Myers. $250; Minted
Black-and-white cookies
Carnegie Deli’s signature giant iconic black-and-white cookies. From $50; Carnegie Deli
Coasters
Darling city-themed coasters to grace the wedding table. $45 for a set of four; Uncommon Goods
Baked goods
Levain Bakery cookies are a perfect wedding favor. From $32 for a 4-pack; Levain Bakery
English (US)