Natalie: I’m a senior project manager at an advertising agency and Chaz is a wedding photographer. We are from rival ends of California- I reign from the Northern end and Chaz from Southern. We met in November of 2012 at a friend’s birthday party in Brooklyn, but had we no feelings towards each other whatsoever. Fast forward six months, we met again at a bar called Whiskey Brooklyn. Alcohol was involved, and the mere mention of Game of Thrones sealed the deal. Chaz: When the time came, I tried my best to propose to Natalie at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, while sitting on a bench. But I was so nervous! People kept sitting down next to us, and I could never muster up the nerve to propose. Later that night, as we were about to go to bed, it felt like the perfect time. I knelt down on one knee while she was lying in bed, presented the ring and she said, WTF?! As a wedding photographer, I knew what I did and didn’t want for my own wedding. I wanted an intimate experience revolving around cocktails and good music. One night, we were having a drink at Ramona, a two-storey bar, and realized its industrial, refined style was perfect for a wedding. All we needed to add was great dance music, gorgeous florals and our friends and family. Everyone always says to enjoy every minute of the day because it goes by in a flash. They’re not joking. While the day was a blur, the intimate ceremony and La Hora Loca stand out. Our guests were spread out on the staircase, mezzanine and around us on the first floor. The ambience was dark and romantic with votives and a copper pipe chandelier above us as we said our I-do’s. Around 10:30pm, we surprised our guests with a brass and bucket-drumming band we found in the subway, called Drumadics. In Latin culture, La Hora Loca (The Crazy Hour) consists of a live band or performance to entertain guests during the wind-down of a party, to give them their second wind. The Drumadics busted into the bar, horns blazing, bucket pounding, while the wedding party threw face masks, beads and noisemakers into the crowd. Everyone went crazy and danced throughout their set. People say the first year of marriage is difficult, but for us it was the opposite. We moved in together for the first time and realized that our combined OCD-ness and need to plan every detail worked in our favour. Other than that, it’s been real. Peace!
Photography: Dan O’ Day Bride’s dress (ceremony): Rime Arodaky Bride’s dress (reception): Jonathan Simkhai Groom’s attire: Situation Control Bride’s shoes: Stuart Weitzman Groom’s shoes: Johnston & Murphy Rings: Anna Sheffield Planner: Ashley M Chamblin Getting ready and portrait location: Brooklyn Grain photo studio Venue: Ramona, Brooklyn DJ: Suit & Tie Group Catering & Cheesewheel cake: Purslane Celebrant: Andrea Rodriguez, bride’s best friend Bride’s makeup & hair: July Chanthamart Earrings: Marc Jacobs Flora: Doan Ly, A.P. Bio
