The bride and groom on ReBar rooftop overlooking the Manhattan Bridge
Robyn and Bryan got married at reBar in Brooklyn on January 15, 2011. ReBar is a "reclaimed factory loft space with terra cotta barrel-vaulted ceilings, stately columns, detailed iron and steel gates, unmilled hardwood bar, antique tulip chandeliers and stained glass windows." It was just the place for a unique winter wedding, and Robyn & Bryan threw one of the best parties I have been to as a wedding photographer. The fun began with the bride and bridesmaids early in the afternoon as they got dressed. They wore silk-free vintage styled dresses made to look like the 1940's, with hair styles to match. The blue dresses with red trim (great for photographs) were custom-made by Callidora's. Robyn's classy white dress was from Bridal Garden, which sells sample dresses and donates the proceeds to children's charities. The bridesmaids bouquets were hand-made red flowers while Robyn's was meshed together with beautiful jewelry and artifacts from her family treasure chest.
For me one of the best parts of the evening was when we went up to the roof of reBar and took some photographs. There was a fresh layer of snow covering the roof and a stunning view of the Manhattan Bridge in the background. The images I captured up there look very surreal, as if I Photoshopped the background in. But I didn't!
Vegan bride Robyn with her retro bridesmaids
Upon arriving at reBar I found Bryan and the groomsmen in one of the colorful side rooms. All of their stylish wool-free tuxes came from etuxedo.com. It turns out Bryan has an obsession with Superman and professional wrestling, and so his contributions to the fun of the day were theatrical and manly. His boutonniere had a Superman pin on it, and we took some photos with wrestling championship belts. When it came time to walk down the aisle Brian made a dramatic entrance to the Superman theme music.
As Robyn came down the aisle all heads turned to see how stunning she looked, and Bryan rushed halfway back up the aisle to greet her. The ceremony was filled with similar lighthearted moments, and the vows had everyone in the room tearing up, including me.
The vegan menu was simply amazing (I will post it soon) and I overheard many impressed omnivores at the reception commenting on how good it was. The plethora of vegans there were duly impressed, though we all know vegan food is incredible when done right.
Robyn & Bryan intertwined many Jewish traditions in their ceremony and reception, and I am always excited when it is time to dance the Hora. This is the ritual when the bride and groom are lifted up on chairs and danced around the room to the "Hava Nagila" song. Robyn also honored her Italian heritage by dancing the Tarantella and serving vegan Italian pastries
Bryan apparently has a background in theatre, and at one point during the reception busted out into song and dance to further woo his beautiful new wife. Later the best man gave the couple a fancy pair of engraved wrestling championship belts.
The bride and groom with their wrestling championship belts
The vegan wedding cake with bride and groom and guests behind it
There was so much fun and love happening at this wedding it is hard to write it all down, but suffice it to say it was a night many of us won't soon forget. When a couple puts some extra creative effort into their wedding day and breaks out of the traditional mold it can make all the difference. I will leave you with Robyn's description of some of the details that made the wedding extra-special.
"Just about everything about this wedding was very personal. The DJ was our friend DJ LilRay, the cake was made by my friend Angela Inglis, the Italian pastries were done by Champs Family Bakery in Williamsburg. The food was crafted by the executive chef at reBar (he's not vegan), Jeremy Leech. Our vegan friend Eric became certified just to preside over the ceremony. Jessica Mahady made the chuppah (wedding canopy). Additionally, I designed the wedding invitation, made all the bouquets, corsages and boutinnieres, plus the cake topper. The fresh flowers were purchased wholesale and placed in vintage vases I bought on eBay. The wedding jewelry was done by Bryan's family friend. We did the Playbill wedding program ourselves."
