Chelsea Hyon and Joseph Formica have been inseparable ever since they met through a mutual friend during sophomore year at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York.
“Joe proposed by taking me to Wave Hill, right near Manhattan College,” Chelsea describes. “It was a beautiful and warm October day and we went to walk around the gardens. As soon as we got there, Joe took me over near this private area of the garden and I instantly knew something was up.
“WE HAVE NEVER FELT SO LOVED BY BOTH EACH OTHER AND OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES THAN ON THAT DAY.”
He told me how much he loved me and how he knew he wanted to be with me for the rest of our lives. He got down on one knee and proposed. It was so simple and beautiful, and it was just the two of us. We took time after he proposed to walk around the garden and enjoy each other's company before telling anyone. It was really the perfect day.”
Chelsea took on the wedding planning process solo, organizing everything on her own by utilizing apps and checklists she had found online. The Events Director of the venue also provided guidance so she could piece together her perfect day seamlessly.
“The wedding day was a day of overwhelming love and joy,” says the bride. “I could not stop crying tears of happiness the entire day. Joe and I have both said that we have never felt so loved by both each other and our friends and families than on that day. It meant so much to us to have the people we love most in the world travel to our favorite place in the world to celebrate with us.”
More than anything, the couple wanted their wedding to truly feel like themselves – simple, clean, and classic. The décor consisted of a neutral color palette and minimal details, as they wanted guests to focus on the beauty of the location.
“We were so fortunate to have our family friend and favorite baker, Carissa Waechter of Carissa's Breads, make our wedding cake,” the bride adds. “It was a beautifully simple white cake with white roses on the tiers. Instead of a guest book, we had our guests sign bottles of Wolffer wine that we will drink on our 1st, 5th, 10th, and 25th anniversaries.”
For their honeymoon, the couple traveled to Thailand. Their itinerary began in Chiang Mai, followed by time spent on a remote island off of Phuket, and ending in Bangkok. “It was an amazing experience,” says Chelsea. “The most memorable part was the day we took a boat trip off the remote island. We were able to snorkel and swim and feed the monkeys!”
WEDDING TALENT
Reception Location: Linwood Estate; Reception Location: Linwood Estate; Wedding Dress: Eve of Milady; Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld Bridal, New York, NY; Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss
