Sydney and Christina's Elegant New York Nuptials

The Couple

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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The Location

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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."

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Furry Friends

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

With adorable livestock like sheep and pigs roaming the grounds of the farm, the animal lovers found the venue extra-special.

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The Fashions

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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The Shoes

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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Sydney's Bouquet

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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Christina's Corsage

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Christina sported a corsage of double-petal hellebores from a local grower.

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The Ketubah

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Made by a close friend, the ketubah (the Jewish marriage certificate) incorporated a Frank O'Hara poem into the traditional inscription.

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Special Mementos

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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The Huppa

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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Family Time

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

"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."

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Cocktail Hour

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

The brides mingled among their attendees during the cocktail hour that followed in the venue's courtyard.

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Pass the Apps

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Farro vichyssoise was one of the tasty bites circulated during cocktail hour.

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Artful Edibles

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Quail eggs with caviar on nests of phyllo were also passed around.

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Tasty Bites

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Guests enjoyed asparagus tips with sesame seeds and pancetta, as well.

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The Escort Cards

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Anne Robin calligraphed watercolored escort cards to help guests find their seats.

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The Reception

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Guests moved upstairs to the hayloft in the barn for the seated dinner.

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The Table Décor

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Long farm tables were dotted with glass milk bottles holding small clusters of sweet pea, ranunculus, peonies, garden roses, and spirea in watercolor hues.

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On the Menu

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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.

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The Guest Book

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

An instant camera and Japanese washi tape were set out for guests to place photos of themselves into a keepsake album for the brides.

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The Dessert

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Malted rye panna cotta with rhubarb and malted rye ice cream ended the night on a sweet note.

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Sweet Treats

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Trays of petit fours were also set out after dinner. Chocolate truffles, pear pâte de fruit, and buckwheat Oreo-style cookies were on offer.

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The First Dance

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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."

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The Favors

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Treats were packaged in cellophane bags with tags wishing everyone "Sweet Dreams from C&S."

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Sources

Biodegradable Serveware
Charlotte Jenks Lewis

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

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