How do two Florida natives make an industrial loft in Dumbo, Brooklyn feel like home? Why, neon pink flamingos and floor-to-ceiling palm fronds of course! At least, that’s how Sabrina and Chris made their ‘Brooklyn Tropical’ wedding all their own at 26 Bridge.
The pair, who grew up in South Florida, started their wedding day with boys figuring out how to tie bowties in the couple’s apartment and the girls enjoying mimosas on the William Vale’s balconies. Then, since Brooklyn Bridge Park is so close to 26 Bridge, we all hopped down to the best spot in DUMBO. Sabrina and Chris opted for a first look off the beaten path, actually under the Manhattan Bridge. We followed that up with portraits of their giant wedding party of lifelong friends.
Sabrina, owner of an artisanal jam company, and Chris, who works in the music industry, truly epitomized everything idyllic about hip Brooklynites. Sabrina reworked her mother’s wedding dress to honor the garment while making it her own, and let her bridesmaids choose between rockin’ floral-print and chic black gowns. Chris got all of this groomsmen individual, designer sunglasses that they could rock all day. They were the bee’s knees, and everybody stopped us thinking they were celebrities eloping in Dumbo. No wonder they look so badass in front of brick, cobble-stones and graffiti!
Now I need to just really quickly rave about how amazing 26 Bridge is. While the space is stunning on its own as an industrial loft, the magic of a venue like 26 Bridge is the ability to transform it to whatever you’d like. It can easily be sectioned off for a ceremony, then have space to flip the room for a reception in the same spot while guests enjoy the lobby and balcony during cocktail hour.
That’s exactly what Chris and Sabrina did, and it was pulled off beautifully by the incredible team of Modern Rebel & Co — a rockstar planning team that specialize in nontraditional love parties. The space was beautified with goods from Party Line and Patina Rentals, with comfy couches in cozy nooks perfect for folks who don’t feel at home on the dance floor. There was literal life in the space with copious potted plants forming a tropical wall to separate the space initially — in addition to dramatic floral designs courtesy Tendril NY. 26 Bridge was aglow. Are you drooling over this? I am drooling over this. Also I may or may not have bought a neon sign for my apartment after falling in love with their modern lawn flamingo.
Back to the actual wedding! And we’ve come to the important part: the whole getting married bit. As much as I love to cry at weddings when couples get incredibly emotional, my favorite thing looking back is just the joy painted on their faces. They were just SO excited to marry each other! Just looking at Sabrina’s smile is the same as one of those daylight UV lamps on a dreary winter day. Are you feeling the joy?
Not gonna lie, usually by the cocktail hour of a wedding I am tired and want to sit down for a bit. I’ve had 15 pounds of gear slung around my body; I’ve organized family portraits; I’ve used far too many puns to illicit a smile; I need to restore my creativity juices — specifically with a Shirley Temple. But Chris and Sabrina’s love party was so lively that I was automatically energized. These folks had too much fun! I was so lucky to document it.
Also, it must be noted that after crushing the gown game all night in her mother’s wedding dress, Sabrina switched into a wedding romper. It has been and forever will be my favorite trend, and this romper was especially great to keep the sleeveless look again to show off her gorgeous tattoos! She even braved some late night rain in it for some sparkly magic photos. They also brought two other great new traditions to 26 Bridge: serving fancy pizza for dinner courtesy of Pizza Luca and then ending their kickass dance party with a group hug. I stole the latter and did it at my own wedding. Y’all should try both.
Vendors
Wedding Coordinator — Modern Rebel & Co.
Preparation Location — The William Vale
Ceremony and Reception Venue — 26 Bridge
Rentals — Party Line Rentals & Patina Rentals
Catering — Pizza Luca
Cake — Ovenly
Bar and Cocktails — Morris Kitchen
Florals — Tendril NY
Music — Zach Kerns
Make Up — Katie Robinson
Hair Styling — Lauren Brashears
Car Service — Big Ben Transportation
Second Photographer — Sofia Adams
