Swedish Love in New York: The Story of Our New York Wedding Day
To launch Travelista’s new Destination Weddings category, Swedish Bride Kristina Berggren shares the behind-the-scenes story of her New York wedding, and how they made their day extra special in the Big Apple.
A New York Wedding has always been a dream of mine. The night before the wedding, we gathered our guests on the balcony of our hotel room at The William Vale, where both we and our guests were staying, for a welcome toast and some light bites. William Vale is an absolutely stunning hotel located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A bit on the pricier side, but trust me, worth every penny. Every room comes with its own balcony with incredible views, and we had a view over the Manhattan skyline.
Pre-Wedding Balcony Drinks
There were only 14 of us in total, just close friends and family. Somehow, we all fit on that balcony, with the twinkling lights of the city as our backdrop. There was this buzz of excitement in the air. Everyone was giddy with anticipation for the next day and thrilled to be in New York together.
Since some of our guests had just arrived in the city earlier that day, we decided to wrap up the evening early, each heading our separate ways to prepare for the big day. It was one of those moments that felt intimate and grand at the same time—a perfect start to what would be an unforgettable adventure.
Waking up on My New York Wedding Day
On our wedding day, we woke up to what could only be described as the perfect New York morning. From our room, the Manhattan skyline stretched out before us like a promise. We started the day slowly, just the me and my husband, sharing coffee and room service breakfast. Brides, no matter how you are feeling, make sure you try to eat some breakfast! You don’t want hunger to unexpectedly kick in on your big day.
After our quiet morning, things quickly shifted into wedding mode. Talia from Simple and Sultry arrived to transform me and some of the other ladies in our wedding party. Music played softly in the background, mimosas in hand—we couldn’t have asked for a better “getting ready” bridal experience.
In perfect timing, just when I was ready, I received my bridal bouquet from Greenpoint Florist who were kind enough to deliver it personally to my room. Then it was time to go. I strongly advise anyone getting married in NYC to keep in mind that traffic can be a bit challenging. We had help from the hotel to plan accordingly and they also helped us with taxis for all of our guests. Be sure to allow plenty of time to get to your venue.
The Central Park Ceremony
When it came to the ceremony, we chose Central Park—specifically Cop Cot, a beautiful, rustic spot in the southern part of the park. Cop Cot is like something out of a fairytale, with its leafy canopy offering a bit of privacy amidst the hustle of the city. It also has these charming, fixed benches, making it perfect for an intimate gathering with our closest friends. Why Central Park, you ask? Because it felt so quintessentially New York. The contrast of nature’s calm with the towering skyscrapers in the background—it was everything I dreamed it would be.
Our wedding officiant, Eva Engman, crafted the most heartfelt ceremony, while the incredibly talented Karen Obrist captured every moment on camera. If you’re looking for a photographer in New York, Karen is the one. You can find her at @karenobrist—seriously, she’s amazing.
A Champagne Picnic in the Park
After the ceremony, we treated ourselves to a wedding toast and a cosy picnic right there in the park. Champagne in hand, we indulged in the most mouthwatering lobster rolls from Luke’s Lobster at Plaza Food Hall. Honestly, this might just be one of my favourite moments from the entire day. The nerves of the ceremony had melted away, and we were left with the sheer joy of a beautiful New York afternoon, surrounded by our favourite people.
Our Brooklyn Wedding Dinner
After the picnic, it was time for more photos before heading to The William Vale Hotel‘s rooftop restaurant, Westlight, for our wedding dinner. Westlight boasts one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, and the best part? You can dine inside or out. With the weather gods on our side, we enjoyed dinner al fresco. The evening was pure perfection, filled with endless small plates and even more champagne. We spent the night laughing, toasting, and soaking in the glow of the sunset as it bathed Manhattan in golden light.
I’ve probably overused the word “magical” at this point, but there’s no other way to describe the day. It felt like living in our very own movie – except this time, we were the directors, crafting a memory that will stay with us forever.
For anyone who, like me and my husband, is a hopeless New York romantic—this is where you want to be. Central Park, the skyline, the energy – it’s everything, and more.
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