10 years ago, Beatriz Durant and Vernon Jay were on the subway from Manhattan to Brooklyn, when they romantically locked eyes. “While on the ride, my very vocal and assertive girlfriend suggested we introduce ourselves before hopping off for my stop; Vernon gave me his business card,” Beatriz recalls. The two swiftly planned their first date and have been inseparable ever since.
After nine years together, Vernon surprised Beatriz with a proposal at his family’s annual reunion in his parents’ backyard in Clinton Hill. “It should have been a dead giveaway, since my parents made an appearance, but it never crossed my mind until the moment Vernon got down on one knee,” Beatriz says.
Once engaged, the two started planning to elope in Curacao, but Vernon then expressed that he felt strongly about having a wedding with all of their family closer to home. Beatriz agreed and suggested they say, “I do,” at her parents’ estate in Hype Park, New York.
“As a professional in fashion construction, I did months of research on bridal designers and determined that none of the gowns I was considering truly felt like me,” the bride shares of her wedding dress search. “One of my former co-workers from Zac Posen, Bakit Beshbai, who works for top fashion houses today, also has his own brand, and we collaborated on my custom couture duchess satin gown.” Beatriz actually found her Maria Elena headpiece first and created the bridal look around it. She was mainly inspired by Dior’s Rose France evening dress from the Fall/Winter 1947 Corolle collection and sourced the fabric from one of her favorite suppliers in London.
On the day-of, the bride got ready with makeup artist Lindsay Kastuk, who gave her a subtle glam look. Beatriz paired her gown with Roger Vivier Soiree embellished magenta satin Mary Jane pumps, a matching handbag, and a bouquet by Adams Fairacre Farms. Her “something old” was an heirloom diamond pinky ring that was gifted by her father, “something borrowed” was a pair of her mother’s earrings, and her “something blue” was a David Yurman cable bracelet with topaz stones.
Vernon looked handsome for the ceremony in a Suitsupply linen tuxedo jacket and pants, Lanvin satin bow tie, and Magnanni for Saks Fifth Avenue velvet loafers. And on the day-of, the couple’s parents stood in for the wedding party, who unfortunately tested positive for Covid the week of the wedding.
On September 17, 2022, under a Japanese maple tree, strings from V for Violin serenaded guests before the lovely ceremony. “I recall trying to focus on Vernon and being nervous about my vows, but once I locked hands with him, it reminded me why this was all worth it,” the bride says. “I was very moved by his vows and never saw Vernon so emotional. It was a moment I will never forget.”
At the reception, the newlyweds shared a first dance to “Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton, and then the crowd was on their feet with Mr. Matrimony for the rest of the night. Soon after the wedding, the pair headed to San Diego and Palm Desert on their honeymoon and will be going to Morocco and Spain this year to celebrate their anniversary.
