The bride is laughing in the sun before putting on her wedding gown.
A first look on the rooftop in Brooklyn.
The bride and groom laughing.
The groom adjusts the cuff of his tuxedo.
Light streams through the feathered hem of the bride's vintage gown.
The brides late summer bouquet shows off pinks of different hues.
The brides black velvet shoes contract beautifully with the feathered hem of her vintage gown.
The couple poses under the sign of the Golden Krust, an iconic Brooklyn eatery, while a passerby wishes them well.
The bride and groom hold hands as they walk through the sunlight in Prospect Park.
A quiet corner of Prospect Park holds a tree lined path lit by the late afternoon sun.
A black and white photo of the couple holding hands with one of Prospect Park's iconic arches in the background.
The couples wedding ceremony at the Prospect Park Boat House, officiated by their friend.
A celebratory bouquet lift from the bride after saying "I do".
The bride and two friends laugh at her wedding reception.
The bride, in a short beaded dress, leads a line dance.
The bride dances while her curly hair flys around.
The bride dances while getting low and laughing with friends.
A guest on the dance floor shows off his grill to the camera.
The dummer of a jazz band "plays" a classic rubber chicken.
A jazz pianist smiles as she sings.
The trumpet player blows his horn, while the trombone player slides next to him.
A guest in a white suit jacket throws his arms out enthusiastically.
A beautiful guest with a tropical dress and large afro throws her head back smiling while dancing to the music.
A guest does a shimmy.
A giggling guest sneaks out, holding her bag and wearing her jacket around her shoulders.
Three guests of three different ages, heights, and race all dance together on the dance floor.
A guest in a sparkling outfit eats a slice of cake on the dance floor.
In an overhead shot, the bride is seen clapping to the music, with guests behind her.

An intimate October afternoon transformed Brooklyn's historic Prospect Park Boathouse into a celebration as Raven and Nicole exchanged vows lake side. Their day began in their apartment, where they got ready separately before sharing an emotional first look on the building's rooftop against the Brooklyn skyline.

We all headed together with Lauren, the videographer, to walk the ten minutes to Prospect Park, stopping along the way to take on the street (shout out to Golden Krust!) and against the iconic bridges and tree-lined paths the park has to offer.

Inside the Boathouse, vintage furnishings from Rent Patina complemented the venue's timeless architecture. Nicole wore a vintage gown from Gossamer Vintage, while Raven cut a classic figure in a Drake's New York tuxedo, complete with a dark velvet suit jacket on him, and dark velvet shoes that matched perfectly on her. They exchanged rings from one of my favorite jewelers in New York City: Automic Gold, which is a queer-owned independent jeweler using recycled gold. She also wore a vintage ring that belonged to her mom.

Teranga Flower Farm's seasonal blooms adorned the space, creating an organic connection to the park's natural beauty. The ceremony flowed seamlessly into cocktails and dancing, where Ray Anderson and Friends filled the space with jazz melodies. Guests moved freely between the Boathouse's elegant interior and the outdoor space. Purslane Catering brought out their best treats for the night.

The evening culminated in a vibrant dance celebration! Nicole changed into a beaded gown that was short enough for some serious dancing. The band's personal connection to the family (Raven’s dad was the band leader) added an extra layer of meaning to every note.

Vendor Team

  • Planning & Coordination: Tiffany Ruiz, Starr Weddings

  • Photography: Amber Marlow

  • Videography: Love Bug Videographer, Dieynaba Diop

  • Florals: Teranga Flower Farm

  • Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse

  • Catering: Purslane

  • Band: Ray Anderson and Friends

  • Furniture Rentals: Rent Patina

  • Bridal Gown: Gossamer Vintage

  • Rings: Automic Gold

  • Groom's Attire: Drake's New York