For the first time ever, a historic venue on Long Island with Old World glamour that rivals Gatsby’s estate is opening its doors for large and tented weddings—Old Westbury Gardens. Our Style Director Grace Givens had the pleasure of styling its premiere wedding shoot in collaboration with Over The Moon Editor’s Pick Planner Leslie Price of In Any Event and Photographer Heather Waraksa. “Ever since my first visit to Old Westbury Gardens, more than 20 years ago, I’ve dreamed of hosting a wedding there,” Price shares. “Last year, I connected with their team and was thrilled to convince them to open the grounds for a limited number of private celebrations and weddings. Partnering with Over The Moon for this shoot felt like the perfect way to introduce this exciting collaboration.”
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Westbury Gardens’s floral design and landscape architecture rivals anything Price has seen in Europe. “I imagine it’s what Jane Austen’s world must have felt like,” she muses. “There’s always something new to discover, and no matter the season, walking through the gardens feels like stepping into a dream.”
And playing off of Austen’s novels, the weather on the day of the shoot provided a moody overcast aura that enhanced the images, featuring florals by Birch Event Design. “It actually reminded me of that iconic moment when Mr. Darcy walks toward Elizabeth in the mist,” Price shares.
Givens curated the tabletop and fashion for the day, ensuring that every piece felt lent itself to the airy, dreamy, and romantic vision. “From the ceremony to the rehearsal and the cocktail hour, we wanted to show the unique ambiance of each wedding occasion—and each look was carefully selected with the specific location in mind,” she shares. From an autumnal ikat Markarian dress to a LEIN mini dress paired with a chiffon skirt underneath and the grand Bettina ceremony dress, every look was ethereal and bridal, playing into layering and light-as-a-feather fabrics.
Model Aria Maikova perfectly played the part of the bride-to-be with beauty done by Susana Canario and Nikki Avanzino. And the day ended at the al fresco tablescape featuring Ginori Martina Dinner Plates, Mademoiselle Chambray Napkins, Green Bamboo Flatware, Rose Glasses with Ovals Design, an Esencial Hogar tablecloth, and more.
If you’re interested in hosting your wedding at Old Westbury Gardens, we hope we’ve sparked inspiration to work with In Any Event, as the designated planning company for large-scale celebrations, to bring your unique vision to life. And for all of your bridal (and beyond) styling needs, Grace Givens is the one to know.