A few years out of college, Margot Beda and Nathan Bram were set up by mutual friends in New York City. After their second date, they were inseparable. While on a trip to Greece with friends, Margot and Nathan decided to explore Paros and Athens on their own. “I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Margot and had missed a terrific opportunity to pop the question,” Nathan remembers of the romantic vacation. “As soon as we returned to New York, I set off to find a ring.” Since his bride loves art, he planned the proposal at Storm King Art Center. “When we got to Alexander Calder’s Five Swords, I turned around and Nathan was on his knee! It was pure magic,” smiles Margot. 

When it came time to plan their nuptials, Margot and Nathan could not have anticipated what was to come. “We had four wedding dates because of Covid, so it was a two-year process,” shares the bride. Deciding to move forward and keep their original wedding date, the couple was married in Miami, Florida, in front of a small group of family and friends; however, they knew they still wanted their dream wedding. “We always dreamt of a big celebration in New York, so we continued to plan for it,” she adds. 

Since they had been married nearly a year before their New York nuptials, the newlyweds chose not to recreate a formal wedding. Instead, their city celebration included cocktails with loved ones prior to the pair’s grand entrance for a Havdalah service in lieu of a traditional Jewish ceremony. “The head rabbi from our synagogue said a few prayers and helped remind our guests why we were gathered that evening,” notes the groom. “I felt strongly that it was important to commemorate our marriage and that there was a reason we had gathered 350 of our friends and family to celebrate.” 

“We wanted the theme of the party to be a cross between the Roaring ‘20s, Gatsby, and Art Deco.”

In fact, that decision turned out to be one of the couple’s favorite memories of the day. After cocktails, Margot changed out of a hot pink sequin gown and into a gorgeous A-line embroidered lace wedding dress with an elegant high neckline and long sleeves. As “Intro” by The xx played, “the dining room went pitch black and a spotlight followed us into the center of the dance floor… It was a surreal moment,” affirms the bride. Her groom attests: “Entering to my favorite song playing with every guest out of their seats, amazed by how beautiful my wife looked, was truly a memory I will never forget.” 

Following the service, friends and family – who were asked to dress in black and white – enjoyed a sit-down dinner in a grand hall. “We wanted the theme of the party to be a cross between the Roaring ‘20s, Gatsby, and Art Deco,” says the bride of the opulent décor, showcasing luxurious black and gold details. Tables were strewn with ebony sequin linens, centerpieces were comprised of white calla lilies in glass vases, and taper candles and towering candelabra provided a warm, dramatic ambience to fit the theme. 

While a band performed throughout dinner and dancing, a DJ took over for the after-party that lasted until 2AM. For the late-night portion of the celebration, Margot changed once again – this time into a black-and-white minidress with custom shoes designed to match. As it was Halloween once the clock struck midnight, festive costume accessories including hats, masks, headpieces, and more were passed out – as were tequila shots by way of drink carts at each corner of the dance floor. “The easy access to tequila shots really got the party going and set the tone for the rest of the evening,” Nathan confirms. 

Though their wedding-planning process did not exactly go to plan due to unexpected circumstances, Margot and Nathan confirm they would not do anything differently – besides “perhaps taking one or two fewer tequila shots,” laughs the groom. Though she admits she didn’t always follow this advice, the bride advises couples planning their weddings to not worry about the little things that come up along the way. “In the end, it all comes together,” she muses. “That is the magic of weddings!”

This real wedding was originally published in the Summer 2022 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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