Interior designer Hattie Sparks Collins and lawyer Rebecca Lindley Maisel had crossed paths socially over the years, but it wasn’t until the pandemic when a real connection formed. As single mothers, their familiarity deepened into a shared understanding and eventually, a love story built around family.
“We discovered a deeper friendship as single mothers, which ultimately led to a romantic relationship,” Hattie shares. “We were committed to putting our young daughters first and have continued to center parenthood and what is best for our girls, as we’ve navigated the beautiful and delicate road from friendship to cohabitation and finally, marriage.”
Their engagement was as thoughtful as their relationship. “We are two practical moms, with the interests of our daughters at the center of everything we do, so when we decided the time was right to merge our young families, the proposal was mutual and planned,” Hattie says. The couple designed custom diamond engagement rings for each other with jeweler, Lisa Jacobs of Hiller Jewelry. “Then we chose a night after the kids were in bed, and we cooked our favorite dinner and exchanged engagement rings in the kitchen!”
Their love for art, culture, and nature led them to Bishop’s Lodge Santa Fe for their wedding. “We fell in love with the majestic vibe of Santa Fe and the bold vistas of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, which made for a beautiful backdrop,” Hattie note. “We wanted the aesthetic of the wedding to channel the gorgeous colors and natural landscape of Santa Fe.” The brides encouraged their 120 guests to embrace the “Southwestern Chic” dress code.
Sarah Worsley of Mint Julep Productions meticulously planned the event, and Kristen Marie Parker lensed every detail. Shortly thereafter, guests received an artful Scriptura invitation suite, hinting at the celebrations head—all of which were adorned with sprawling arrays of Bows and Arrows floral arrangements.
“Neither Rebecca nor I wanted to wear ‘traditional bridal’ white dresses, so we made the decision to incorporate fall Santa Fe color palette into our dresses,” Hattie says. “My wedding dress from Costarellos was the perfect sage color with some sparkle, custom tailored in New Orleans. Rebecca and I spent a weekend together in NYC shopping for her dress. The same Oscar de la Renta wine-colored dress kept turning up in searches, and she finally tried it on in the Oscar store on the Upper East Side. It was perfect!” On the day, after Madeline McCue applied their beauty looks, both brides, along with the maids of honor—Hattie’s twins and Rebecca’s daughter—walked the aisle in Miron Crosby boots.
The wedding took place on the afternoon of November 10, 2023—officiated by a dear friend of the couple. Family stood at the center of the ceremony, with Rebecca and Hattie’s daughters alongside them. Honoring Rebecca’s Jewish heritage, each one of the bride’s seven siblings read one of the traditional Seven Blessings. “It was a magical ceremony, and I felt loved, supported, and blanketed with peace and happiness,” Hattie remembers. “One picture Kristen captured shows the rainbow that surrounded us as we stood before our nearest and dearest and exchanged vows. I felt the presence of loved ones who are gone too soon, watching over us. The whole setting was like a dream.”
After the ceremony, a lively New Orleans-style second line led guests to an outdoor cocktail hour, while the newlyweds slipped away for portraits. As the sun set, everyone made their way to a beautifully appointed Sperry tent for a seated dinner penned by Sam Crosby and curated by Chef Pablo Peñalosa Najera. Nuage Designs and Casa De Perrin added color to the tablescapes. Heartfelt toasts from the brides’ fathers set the tone for the evening, blessing the meal before Rebecca raised a glass to Hattie and their daughters.
The newlyweds took to the dance floor for their first dance to Jerry Garcia’s “That’s What Love Will Make You Do,” before their daughters joined them for a lively moment to Taylor Swift’s “Paper Rings.” Flamenco dancers then led the crowd into the ballroom, where the Cooper Trent Band took over, taking song requests scribbled on bar napkins—a playful nod to the piano bar at New Orleans’s iconic Pat O’Brien’s. “It was an incredible party,” Hattie admit.
When all was said and done the newlyweds made a grand exit, but the celebration was far from over. Guests reconvened at the hotel bar, where late-night cocktails and lively conversations carried on into the early hours. A couple months later, Hattie and Rebecca set off for St. Barths, spending a week in a beachfront suite at Cheval Blanc.
