Lyndhurst Mansion Wedding

Fellow cat parents and Talking Heads enthusiasts, Ilona & Andrew planned a Lyndhurst Mansion wedding in the Hudson Valley that reflected the life they’ve built together and their enthusiasm for everything non-traditional and in its rightful place.

The Gothic Revival aesthetic of Lyndhurst Mansion fit these two beauties perfectly. But more than these details of a wedding location and the events that I get to witness, when this job of mine is an invitation to be friends with some of the kindest, most endearing humans: magic happens. I’m beyond thrilled I got to be a part of Ilona & Andrew’s world and start this new friendship with them. A peek at the madness we got up to. And all the love.

“We love the outdoors and wanted an easy going garden like place that had a magical, whimsical, forest-y Midsummer Night’s Dream feel. We don’t care too much for tradition and want everyone to enjoy themselves in this special place. We love the grounds of Lyndhurst Mansion, especially all their beautiful trees. Even if it rains, we don’t feel like that will affect our wedding, and it will still be mystical and otherworldly. Our favourite aspect is that every part of our wedding has been controlled and chosen by us, representing our personalities. Ilona’s mom that raised her will be walking her down the aisle. We kept the tradition of ‘something blue’ with a gift from Andrew to Ilona of beautiful opal earrings she will wear during the ceremony, matching her opal engagement ring. Andrew’s brother Ben also became ordained so we could officiate the ceremony. Ilona is an only child with most of her family back in Poland and Ben has become like a brother to her. We want to remember our closest friends and family having fun with us, from our ceremony in a beautiful yet wilting rose garden, to enjoying overlooking the Hudson on the veranda of Lyndhurst Mansion, to our tented reception dancing the night away.”

—Ilona & Andrew