The Couple
Sydney Linder and Christina Panas met during a summer program at Columbia Journalism School. After dating for several years, Sydney knew Christina had a ring. But it wasn't until they were shopping for a friend's wedding gift in New York City that Christina screamed out, "I have your ring in my pocket!"
And so, seven years after meeting, on May 10, 2014, the middle school special education teacher and copywriter took their romance to the next level by getting married at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, New York.
The Location
Once Blue Hill at Stone Barns popped into Sydney and Christina's heads, nothing else compared. "The farm is a beautiful place we love spending weekends at, and their restaurant has some of the most amazing food we've ever eaten," Sydney says. "We felt really lucky to be able to get married there."
Furry Friends
With adorable livestock like sheep and pigs roaming the grounds of the farm, the animal lovers found the venue extra-special.
The Fashions
Sydney wore a Jenny Packham dress that she found at Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, and accessorized with Jennifer Fisher rose gold and diamond earrings (a gift from her bride-to-be) and two sapphire rings. Christina went with a Maria Cornejo jumpsuit.
The Shoes
Christina sported Maison Martin Margiela peep-toe booties, while Sydney chose suede Prada slingbacks that served as her "something blue" and matched Christina's jumpsuit.
Sydney's Bouquet
Poppies & Posies created a bouquet of sweet pea, stachys, hellebores, ranunculus, garden roses, and fritillaria. The seasonal blooms dictated the event's overall palette of muted tones and natural textures.
Christina's Corsage
Christina sported a corsage of double-petal hellebores from a local grower.
The Ketubah
Made by a close friend, the ketubah (the Jewish marriage certificate) incorporated a Frank O'Hara poem into the traditional inscription.
Special Mementos
Sydney carried her grandmother's Bible and pin down the aisle as links to the family members who couldn't be at the wedding. The pair also used a kiddush cup that they bought together for the ceremonial wine drinking.
The Huppa
A floral huppa was the centerpiece of the ceremony, which was moved indoors due to inclement weather—though sunlight beamed through the windows. It was topped with a tie-dyed scarf and framed with lilac, spirea, sweet pea, and ferns.
The service itself was also quite special, with a friend singing an emotionally moving version of Beyoncé's "XO" for the processional. Sydney's childhood rabbi performed the ceremony. He had spent several hours with the brides before the wedding to help them prepare for marriage and guide them into their new life together.
Family Time
"The whole wedding was incredibly special to us," Sydney says. "Especially having family and friends who came a very long way to be with us."
Cocktail Hour
The brides mingled among their attendees during the cocktail hour that followed in the venue's courtyard.
Pass the Apps
Farro vichyssoise was one of the tasty bites circulated during cocktail hour.
Artful Edibles
Quail eggs with caviar on nests of phyllo were also passed around.
Tasty Bites
Guests enjoyed asparagus tips with sesame seeds and pancetta, as well.
The Escort Cards
Anne Robin calligraphed watercolored escort cards to help guests find their seats.
The Reception
Guests moved upstairs to the hayloft in the barn for the seated dinner.
The Table Décor
Long farm tables were dotted with glass milk bottles holding small clusters of sweet pea, ranunculus, peonies, garden roses, and spirea in watercolor hues.
On the Menu
Dinner began with a farm egg paired with greenhouse greens and asparagus. It was followed by Maine lobster with crab and spinach, then lamb with fiddlehead ferns, chickpeas, and tarragon pesto.
The Guest Book
An instant camera and Japanese washi tape were set out for guests to place photos of themselves into a keepsake album for the brides.
The Dessert
Malted rye panna cotta with rhubarb and malted rye ice cream ended the night on a sweet note.
Sweet Treats
Trays of petit fours were also set out after dinner. Chocolate truffles, pear pâte de fruit, and buckwheat Oreo-style cookies were on offer.
The First Dance
David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream" played as the couple danced together for the first time as newlyweds.
Then everyone joined in. "People who never dance, danced at our wedding," Sydney recalls. "I feel like that sort of says it all."
The Favors
Treats were packaged in cellophane bags with tags wishing everyone "Sweet Dreams from C&S."
Sources
Location and Catering: Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Flowers: Poppies & Posies
Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis
Officiant: Rabbi Jonathan Blake
Calligraphy: Anne Robin Calligraphy
Music: DJ Guy
Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals
Hair: Mudhoney Hair Salon