Kicking Off Wedding Festivities with an Iconic Subway Station First Look

Alyssa + Matthew’s wedding day kicked off in true New York City fashion with charm, style, and a little bit of chaos. They got ready at Gild Hall, a chic, mid-century modern hotel tucked in the heart of the Financial District. While Alyssa wasn’t too focused on the typical getting-ready photos, a few fun, behind-the-scenes shots captured the buzz of excitement as she finished hair and makeup with her bridesmaids in the Thompson Suite. On the other side of the hotel, Matthew was in the King Suite with his crew, getting ready and holding onto something extra special – Alyssa’s wedding bouquet, which he made for her himself.

Their first look took place just a short walk away in a nearby subway station, a setting that felt both iconic and undeniably them as a couple who fell in love in – and with – NYC. As Matthew made his way there, bouquet in hand, you could see the anticipation building with every step. The station, surprisingly calm for a New York City afternoon, set the perfect stage. When Alyssa came down the stairs, Matthew turned, teary-eyed and smiling, and presented her with the elegant bouquet of deep red roses.

After a few emotional first look photos, the couple took full advantage of their unique setting. They posed on the platform, took some stylish action shots with a train whooshing past in the background, and even snuck onto a car for a few quick frames. Then, hand in hand, they made their way back through the city streets, laughing, posing, and soaking in every moment.

Planning Your Glamorous NYC Wedding at Tribeca Rooftop & 360°

After their first look, Alyssa and Matthew returned to the hotel. There the rest of their wedding party was already waiting for them to take the short trip over to Tribeca Rooftop & 360° where the rest of the night’s festivities would take place. 

Tribeca Rooftop + 360° is a dream for modern city weddings. Housed in a former 1920s printing press building, the venue blends industrial charm with sleek, contemporary style. It has two stunning event spaces to host your wedding in:  the Rooftop and the 360° room. The newly renovated Tribeca Rooftop offers jaw-dropping bird’s eye views of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River. For an indoor option, the Tribeca 360° event space is a single-level venue on the 11th floor, featuring soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the cityscape inside. Both event spaces can transform to fit any vision making it easy to see why this is one of NYC’s premier venues.

What truly sets Tribeca Rooftop + 360° apart is the team working behind the scenes. When you book your wedding package, you also receive in-house catering that’s sure to delight guests’ taste buds, a professional wait staff, and a day-of coordinator. From start to finish, you can trust that the Tribeca team will keep your wedding running smoothly so all you have left to do is enjoy it.

A Night of Love, Candlelight, and Unforgettable Vows

As the bright sky faded into the deep blue of the evening, Alyssa + Matthew made their way up to the Tribeca Rooftop for couple portraits. The view from the roof was unbeatable with the city glimmering all around them in the twilight. Soon they were joined by their wedding party for group photos. With the bridesmaids shimmering in sparkling silver gowns and the groomsmen looking dashing and debonair, the whole group looked effortlessly stylish and perfect for the New Year’s Eve celebration. 

Meanwhile, guests were beginning to gather in the 360° room below. The space glowed with warmth as flickering candles lined the aisle and windows, casting soft light across the room. When all the guests were settled into their seats, a lovely peal of a violin filled the room and the ceremony began. Matthew, flanked by his parents on each side, was the first to make his way down the aisle. After their wedding party, Alyssa finally made her appearance. With her veil trailing behind her and her shimmering ivory gown, she looked absolutely resplendent as she made her way down the aisle to take Matthew’s hand and start the next chapter of their love story.

Alyssa + Matthew’s ceremony was a lovely tribute to their friendship and connection. As a way to share the love and make their ceremony even more special, they had a special surprise planned for their guests. Their officiant invited all the married couples in the room to stand and face each other. With everyone holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes, he led the couples in a mini vow renewal ceremony. It was a beautiful way to honor love in all its stages. Finally, it was Alyssa and Matthew’s turn. They shared their own vows, exchanged rings, and sealed it all with a kiss, cheered on by the people who loved them most.

A Wedding Reception to Ring in the New Year at Tribeca Rooftop & 360°

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the other side of the 360° room while the staff quickly got to work flipping the ceremony space into an unforgettable reception setup. Tables were arranged with tall white taper candles, elegant floral touches, and glittering disco ball accents that nodded to the festive New Year’s Eve theme. 

As guests mingled over hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, the vibe started to shift. The moving and emotional mood lingering from the ceremony and impromptu vow renewal began to pick up and transform into a lively celebration. Just as Alyssa + Matthew had hoped, the evening was all about cultivating joy, connection, and a full-on party atmosphere. Their DJ even played songs from their guests’ own weddings to further share the love and extend the connection, which made the celebration feel even more inclusive and heartfelt.

Once dinner was served – an incredible spread catered by the venue – and toasts were shared, the energy kicked up another notch. The dance floor opened, and just like Alyssa + Matthew dreamed, it stayed packed and sweaty, filled with laughter, cheers, and clinking glasses. Elegant with just the right amount of chaos, it was the exact “NYC club meets speakeasy” experience they had envisioned. 

Alyssa + Matthew couldn’t stop smiling the entire night. Then, as the clock struck midnight, confetti burst into the air, closing out the night with a bang and marking not just a new year, but the start of their new life together.

Are you planning a wedding as glamorous and unique at Alyssa + Matthew’s New Year’s Eve wedding bash? I’d love to be there to capture every moment!

Hey there! I’m Rachael Crowe of OkCrowe Photography. I’m a wedding photographer based right here in New York City, but I’ve shot weddings all over the country. Whether you’re in the city or planning a destination getaway, if you’re on the hunt for a wedding photographer, be sure to reach out! Just head to my contact form and let’s chat!