Getting Ready at the Arlo Hotel in Brooklyn

Melissa + Josh’s wedding day kicked off at the Arlo Hotel in Williamsburg. With its sleek, modern design and sweeping views of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the hotel offered a stylish yet comfortable space for the couple and their wedding party to get ready in. 

Melissa and her bridesmaids began their day early in one of the Arlo’s chic Studio Suites. Floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the entire length of the room let in soft natural light that was perfect for the stylists from Truly Happy Beauty to work their magic. 

Melissa’s mom was by her side throughout the morning and helped with the final touches of her wedding look before Melissa’s first look with her dad. Her father knocked on the door to the suite and opened it to find Melissa already standing there waiting for him. The look on her father’s face was sweet and heartfelt as he pulled her into a warm embrace. 

Meanwhile, Josh and his groomsmen got ready in a separate suite, sharing laughs and adjusting ties before heading downstairs to leave for the venue. But, before they did, it was finally time for Josh + Melissa’s first look. When the moment arrived, Josh waited in the Lobby Bar as Melissa made her way down the hotel’s striking spiral staircase. With a gentle tap on his shoulder, he turned to see his bride for the first time that day. The joy on their faces was undeniable and the smiles said it all – this was the moment they had been waiting for. And now, they were finally ready to take on their wedding day as it was meant to be – side by side.

Planning Your Wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

After their first look, Melissa, Josh, and the rest of their wedding party headed down to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden where the ceremony and reception would be held. 

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a dream setting for couples who want to escape the feel of the bustling city without actually leaving it. This urban oasis offers a mix of manicured gardens, seasonal floral displays, and picturesque pathways, making it an ideal spot for both weddings and engagement sessions. 

For weddings, couples can choose from a variety of outdoor areas among the gardens and blooms or choose from one of two indoor venues – the Atrium or the Palm House. The Atrium offers an intimate space complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and a beautiful living roof of native grasses and wildflowers. However, Melissa + Josh chose the Palm House. With its domed greenhouse-like structure and outdoor terrace, the Palm House provides a stunning space for ceremonies and receptions of up to 250 guests. Whichever you choose though, both spaces bring the beauty of the gardens inside for a one-of-a-kind wedding experience no matter what the season.

When they arrived, Melissa + Josh took advantage of the gorgeous autumn colors throughout the garden for bride and groom portraits before the ceremony. The golden light of the sun and the red and orange of the fall leaves added bursts of seasonal color as the two strolled along the Lily Pool. With each step, they soaked in the beauty of the season and the excitement of everything their big day had yet to bring. 

Ceremony in the Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Before their ceremony, Melissa + Josh gathered with their closest family and friends for a traditional Jewish Ketubah signing. This meaningful tradition once acted as a formal marriage contract between a husband and wife similar to a prenuptial agreement. Now, however, modern couples use more relationship-focused wording on their ketubah, making it more akin to heartfelt marriage vows than a legal contract. 

Melissa + Josh sat at a small table as their officiant presented their ketubah to them. Surrounded by an intimate group of immediate family and close friends, Melissa + Josh, along with their witnesses, signed the document, officially marking the beginning of their marriage.

As dusk began to settle over the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, guests started to arrive at the Palm House, eager to witness Melissa + Josh say “I do.” Their ceremony was short and sweet. Melissa walked down the aisle with her parents, meeting Josh beneath a chuppah decorated with breathtaking florals in deep jewel tones. With bright smiles on their faces, they recited their vows and exchanged rings. Then, their parents got up to stand with their officiant to bless their marriage. Finally, amid the cheers of their loved ones, the two sealed their vows with a kiss followed by the celebratory breaking of the glass.

Wedding Reception Under the Stars

As the ceremony ended, guests made their way to the conservatory for a lively cocktail hour while the Palm House was transformed for the reception. During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a delicious array of buffet-style appetizers and hors d’oeuvres offered on trays by the wait staff, all of which was prepared by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s in-house caterers, Union Square Events. Although Melissa and Josh’s beloved dog Pepper couldn’t join them on their big day, she was there in spirit, with a signature drink in her honor and cocktail napkins customized with “Cheers! Love, Pepper” written on them.

Once the reception space was ready, guests returned to the Palm House, now glowing with candlelit tables mimicking the tiny dots of stars seen through the glass ceiling above. The wedding party’s grand entrance set the tone for the evening. Melissa + Josh’s parents lead the way followed by the newlyweds themselves making their debut as husband and wife amidst thunderous applause. 

After the couple’s first dance, they had their father-daughter and mother-son dances before their parents gave heartfelt toasts in their honor. Then, dinner was served with course after course of culinary masterpieces being served. Finally, the cake was cut and the party truly began – first with the spirited tradition of the Hora as Melissa + Josh were lifted into the air with everyone dancing around them, then with an open dance floor that kept guests celebrating late into the night.

Are you planning your wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden like Melissa + Josh? This beautiful venue has so much to offer all year round and I’d love the honor of photographing every moment with you!

Hey there! I’m Rachael Crowe of OkCrowe Photography. I’m a wedding photographer based right here in New York City – though I’m always ready to travel wherever you need me to be too! I absolutely love shooting weddings in venues as versatile and lovely as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Every season has something new to explore. If you’re planning either your wedding or engagement session here, be sure to reach out! Just fill out my contact form to get started!