Lucy Hinchliffe-Schwartz, director of sales, planning, and merchandising at Loeffler Randall, and Josh Schwartz, a fashion designer at Ralph Lauren, got engaged on their four-year anniversary at home. After celebrating this big milestone, they began planning their New York City wedding, set for May 1, 2021. “Our biggest priority was finding a venue that felt like the right balance between our love of city life [and] appreciation for natural, organic elements of design,” Lucy explains.
The Prospect Park Boathouse was the “perfect mix of beautiful, old New York architecture set against the lush backdrop of the park in the spring.” And Kelly Schmidt Design set the tone for the day with beautiful wedding invitations.
As someone who works in fashion and is a self-proclaimed “vintage fiend,” Lucy knew she didn’t want a new, off-the-rack wedding dress. “I was lucky enough to know of an incredible women-owned small business based in Cape Cod, where my parents are located, called Vintage in Vogue Bridal,” she explains. “I fell in love with two vintage dresses from the 1940s and 1960s.”
The bride’s maid of honor complemented her well in a cream Shona Joy slip dress, and of course, Lucy’s shoes were from Loeffler Randall. She gushes that although she does work for the brand, the shoes “also happen to be the most stunning and comfortable wedding shoes on the market!”
Since Josh also works in the industry, he had a specific vision for his ensemble. The designer picked a deep chocolate brown Maison Margiela tuxedo with a Gucci shirt, bow tie, and vintage loafers.
Lucy and Josh were married right next to the water—under a greenery arch by Peartree Flowers—in a beautiful ceremony, officiated and customized by Liz Rae & Co. “The ceremony felt like a dream,” the bride recalls. “As one of the sunniest days of the year thus far in NYC, the park was bustling, and we felt like the city joined us in celebrating. Park-goers gathered on the bridge across from the dock where our reception was taking place, some camping out for a picnic, and shared in the applause at the close of the ceremony.”
Once officially husband and wife, guests were led inside for a cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres. Then Purslane—New York’s only zero-waste, carbon-neutral caterer served an asparagus salad and hanger steak or chicken with ratatouille for dinner.
For entertainment, the newlyweds and their guests danced the night away to high-energy mixes by Kasey Berry with Weddings by 4AM. Lucy and Josh had their first dance to “God Only Knows” by John Legend and Cynthia Erivo. “The feeling of our first dance was unmatched,” the bride remembers.
After such a celebration, the couple headed back to The Hoxton for a quiet night. Lucy adds, “We nursed our adrenaline high by indulging in late-night cheeseburgers and recounting the most perfect day with happy tears.”
