Late Spring Romance at Blue Hill at Stone Barns

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The couple’s wedding palette featured white, green, and light pink.

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The couple learned where they were getting married while on vacation in Europe. Bride Courtney explains, “Sander and I were there for New Year’s, and my mom called us and said, ‘I booked Blue Hill for your wedding.’ So, it was a surprise, but how do you argue with that? You can’t!” They weren’t unfamiliar with the 2-star Michelin restaurant’s name – during the Pandemic, Blue Hill transitioned to a market to sell food grown at its farm in Westchester County. The couple made regular visits there for groceries. Courtney has always loved flowers – growing up, she watched her mother make floral arrangements for holidays, and she and Sander like to have fresh bouquets in the home. They had a starting vision for their wedding day, which became crystal clear as they drew inspiration from the natural beauty of Stone Hill at Stone Barns. Their wedding was scheduled for early June when Blue Hills’ grounds are at peak flourish. “I wanted tons of greenery and all white flowers to continue the dewy coming-of-spring green and white theme,” Courtney adds.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Courtney and Sander decided to host for her family Thanksgiving during their first year of living together. They put together a menu with ingredients from the local farmers market, then settled into the kitchen to spend Thanksgiving Day preparing and cooking together (a favorite pastime of theirs, hosting or not). As they ran through recipes, Courtney was overcome with a deep sense of gratitude for Sander, who had fully committed to honoring her family’s tradition (growing up in Europe, he never celebrated the holiday). At that moment, and much to her surprise, Courtney proposed. Getting engaged had been discussed – Sander was working with a jeweler in a nearby city, but the ring wasn’t ready yet. Courtney remembers, “He jokingly demanded one, so I made a ring out of some pastry dough lying around on the counter.”

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
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‘I was never someone who envisioned a wedding dress, and wasn’t even sure of what I liked,” Courtney admits, noting that her initial searches were coming up short. Accompanied by her mom and friends on a weekend trip to New York City, Courtney scheduled appointments at Oscar De La Renta and Monique Lhuillier, believing that she would find something by one of the celebrated bridal designers. In the end, it was a ballgown by Oscar De La Renta that captured Courtney’s heart. Her breathtaking choice featured a strapless bodice giving way to a diaphanous skirt as petal-rich flowers with sequin and bead embroidery cascading from top to bottom. Reflecting on that moment, the bride says, “I found my dress and was more certain than I thought I’d ever be. It was perfect, I felt so beautiful and so much like me at the same time.”

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The bridesmaids wore white asymmetrical dresses with shoulder bow accents by Dress the Population.

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The groom wore an ivory suit by Tom Ford, and the groomsmen wore classic black suits by Robbie & Co.

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
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Courtney praises Blue Hill at Stone Barns for the hospitality and professionalism that was shown to the couple and their guests. She looks back and says, “We’ve had some amazing meals together and had the most incredible meal at Blue Hill the night of our wedding. Fresh asparagus with pickled mushrooms and smoked ricotta, poached halibut in pea broth with pistachios, and finally grass-fed beef with asparagus and Otto file. It was unforgettable and so special for us to get such a treat for our wedding.”

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Courtney and Sander exchanged vows in an intimate, outdoor ceremony in Blue Hill’s courtyard before family and friends. The bride carried an organic, all-white bouquet composed of white peonies, ranunculuses, roses, lisianthus, and baby’s breath with touches of greenery. Décor complemented the verdant setting – a ‘living’ aisle led to a simple backdrop of floral arrangements raised on pedestals. “I love the huge tree so much and didn’t want a flower arch obstructing it,” the bride mentions. The reception took shape with three unique centerpiece styles starting with the head table, which was topped with a series of small arrangements displaying white and pale pink peonies, tulips, baby’s breath, spray roses, and ranunculuses illuminated by floating candles. Other tables featured low and high centerpieces composed of seasonal florals and greenery, which brought a sense of enchanted romance to the rustic stone interior.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Blue Hill’s pastry chef prepared a classic 3-tier white wedding cake trimmed with fresh flowers.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

The house band from legendary Greenwich music club, Café Wha, kept energy high as celebrations continued well into the night. “They were incredible,” the bride exclaims. “And kept everyone on the dance floor for hours.”

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For a personal touch, the bride’s mother hand-embroidered each place setting napkin with the couple’s initials.

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The couple performed the Viennese Waltz for their first dance. “Having both taken dance classes here and there, we thought it would be fun to learn together,” Courtney says. Rich in history and considered the oldest of all the ballroom dances, it is twice the speed of the regular waltz. “It was hard, though! And took us about eight months to fully learn,” she adds. Everyone agreed; they pulled it off like seasoned pros.

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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