A Luxurious, Fall-Inspired Wedding at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York

Sarah Neibart and Joshua Barer first met through their family members – their mothers, being best friends, as well as Sarah and Josh’s sister. After meeting once during their first date, Josh surprised everyone by asking Sarah to accompany him to India. While exploring the country together for two weeks that winter, the pair ended up falling in love.

On June 13, 2016, Josh proposed at his parents’ home in New Jersey, where he surprised Sarah with hundreds of sunflowers on the balcony, along with a string quartet playing their song – “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. As an extra special touch, both families were hiding downstairs, and surprised the new bride-to-be right after she said “Yes.”

For their special day, the couple called upon Gourmet Advisory Services and The Chosen Few’s Michael Scott Events to create a wedding inspired by Sarah’s favorite childhood book, The Secret Garden. Her vision was to design an autumnal secret garden, brimming with flowers. 

When wedding guests entered the reception tent at Oheka Castle, the bride’s vision had become a reality with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling flowers throughout the space. There were even flowers underneath the dance floor, creating an immersive experience, and rose gold accents complemented the floral centerpieces on the tabletops.

As wedding gifts to each other, the bride purchased the groom his first motorcycle, and the groom gifted her with sunflower earrings from Harry Winston. There were a few other surprises planned throughout the wedding as well, including Josh meeting Sarah for their first look while holding a baby piglet.

The piglet turned out to be the newest addition to their family, and the perfect companion for the other potbelly pig they had at home.

The newlyweds and their guests celebrated with an entertaining evening filled with aerial and fire artists, a personal cigar roller, live painter, wire sculptor, magician, photo booth, and a confetti explosion over the floral dance floor towards the end of the party – another surprise Josh had for his new wife.

An incredible fireworks display marked the end of the night, after which guests were led into the library for a silent disco after party. As a parting gift, the bride and groom presented each guest with a rose gold pineapple tumbler, symbolizing hospitality.