From Hogwarts To Nyc: A Brooklyn Harry Potter Wedding
With a dash of whimsy and romance, the Offbeat Bride, Sera, and her partner John tied the knot in an unforgettable ceremony at Tuffet in Brooklyn, New York on July 8, 2016. Captured beautifully by Preston Smith Photography, this unique celebration showcased the couple’s quirky charm and love for one another.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
As fate would have it, John popped the question to me during a magical Harry Potter weekend at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Given this enchanting backdrop, we knew that our wedding celebration had to be just as whimsical – a Brooklyn-inspired Harry Potter wedding, complete with a dash of Hogwarts charm. Little did I know that my future husband’s childhood roots in New York would play a starring role in the planning process.
With Atlanta serving as our home base, yet our hearts still beating for the Empire City where John grew up and many dear friends reside, we set out to find the perfect setting for our special day. That’s when Tuffet, an idyllic Brooklyn bar with a picturesque backyard, stole our hearts. To make the experience even more unforgettable, we crafted Hogwarts acceptance letters as wedding invites, while my bridesmaids donned attire representing their respective Hogwarts houses.
We then enlisted the New York Trolley Company to serve as our personal ‘Hogwarts Express,’ transporting us from our luxurious penthouse rental to the bar in style. The entire space was ours for the night, allowing us to party into the wee hours with loved ones. And to top it all off, we celebrated our first day as husband and wife by embarking on a romantic adventure through our favorite city – relishing every moment of this new chapter together.
Tell us about the ceremony:
As we exchanged our vows, Reverend D officiated the ceremony with finesse, also expertly handling day-of coordinating duties. Her witty reading had our guests simultaneously chuckling and tearing up – a true testament to her impressive skills. The atmosphere was set in motion as I walked down the aisle to the iconic ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ melody. However, what truly made our special day stand out was an unexpected yet delightful surprise: a sorting hat ceremony!
With Reverend D at the helm, she conjured up the mystical hat and allowed it to dispense its wisdom. To everyone’s surprise, the sorting hat decreed that I would be forever affiliated with ‘House Jacobus,’ a nod to John’s family heritage. The Rev D!’s thoughtful touch only added to the magic of our unforgettable celebration.
Tell us about your reception:
The party atmosphere was set with a whimsical touch, as we incorporated elements of the Harry Potter universe into the decor. Personalized chocolate frogs, Honeydukes lollipops, Bertie Botts every flavor beans, and handmade potion bottle vases added to the magic. A unique bouquet crafted from Harry Potter books and charms created a visually striking centerpiece. Guests also enjoyed golden snitch cake pops and other themed treats.
In lieu of a traditional DJ, we curated an extensive playlist featuring ’80s, new wave, and industrial tunes that kept everyone dancing. Meat and cheese platters and BBQ offerings satisfied our guests’ cravings. As the night unfolded, we found ourselves swept up in a spontaneous dance to ‘The Safety Dance’, which has become forever etched as our most unforgettable first dance.
Our intimate gathering brought together loved ones from far-flung corners of the globe, making it a truly special celebration.
What was your most important lesson learned?
As I exchanged vows in July, mere weeks after donning my mortarboard in June, I was faced with an unprecedented challenge: orchestrating a wedding in a different state while simultaneously completing final projects for graduation – all without the guidance of a professional planner. There were moments when I felt like throwing in the towel, but I clung to the mantra that even if things didn’t go exactly as planned, no one would likely notice the difference.
Looking back, my biggest piece of advice is to adopt a relaxed attitude and genuinely enjoy the planning process. Of course, if your budget permits, don’t be afraid to splurge on a day-of coordinator – it’s an investment that could make all the difference in ensuring your special day runs smoothly.
Vendors
The picturesque setting for the special day was Tuffet, which provided a serene backdrop for the celebration. Behind the lens was Preston Smith Photography, capturing every precious moment with their expertise. Leilani Sunglao brought her artistic touch to the makeup department, ensuring the bride’s appearance was nothing short of stunning. Jeffrey Church handled the hair duties, completing the overall aesthetic.
The bridesmaid dresses were provided by David’s Bridal, a classic choice that complemented the theme perfectly. Sweet treats included cake pops from Brooklyn Cake Pops, adding a playful touch to the proceedings. The star of the show, however, was undoubtedly the bride’s bouquet, crafted by Diddlebug with love and care. A special nod goes out to ChrissCrosses for creating the adorable cake topper, while sogladgirl took charge of the ring holder, ensuring everything stayed in its place.
Finally, the officiant and day-of coordinator, The Reverend D, brought it all together with their guidance and expertise.
