After meeting in Montauk and getting engaged in Greenwich Village, it made sense to Allison Furnari and Cory Maiorana to continue their New York love story with a wedding at a famed Briarcliff Manor country club overlooking the Hudson River. “It was also a plus for Cory because he loves golf and was able to overlook one of the best golf courses in the country!” Allison shares of their historic venue. 

On a late-summer day, friends and family found their seats atop white chairs surrounded by ivory blooms for the alfresco vow exchange beneath a majestic tree. “We wanted the wedding ceremony to be very elegant and tie into the beautiful surroundings,” said Allison, who stunned in a strapless gown, complemented by a bouquet of white roses and ranunculus blossoms. 

Together with Victoria and Amanda Dubin, the mother-daughter planning team behind Victoria Dubin Events, the bride sought a natural, organic aesthetic for the ceremony. Lush greenery and winding branches adorned the chuppah that was further embellished with blush roses to enhance the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Bridesmaids wore rose-colored gowns, a nod to the blush accents incorporated throughout the evening. 

The planners timed the event to perfection: “I will never forget the sun setting while we were saying our vows. It was so beautiful,” Allison says. The soundtrack for the heartfelt Jewish ceremony included “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers and “There She Goes” by The La’s. After the ceremonial breaking of the glass, the newlyweds shared their first marital kiss before walking up the aisle as husband and wife to “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. 

“We just felt like we were surrounded by so much love in the room.”

Following the “I dos,” guests enjoyed light bites and the couple’s signature drinks – an Aperol spritz for her and tequila on the rocks for him – before the party moved to the reception tent where three “trees” of intertwined branches and leaves awaited guests as a continuation of the evening’s natural theme. “With our nature look in mind, we wanted the inside of the tent to flow from the outdoors [and] resemble a garden,” describes the bride of their vision. 

Crystal chandeliers and ample greenery were suspended inside the tent, and each table was adorned with unstructured foliage and sophisticated florals in shades of cream, ivory, and rose. The mix of rectangular and round tablescapes featured neutral linens, mirrored tabletops, and shimmering multi-level candlelight that accentuated the night’s warm, romantic ambience. 

Further design elements included lush verdure and blossoms in vanilla and blush, and a stunning floral backdrop behind the band. Cory took special care in choosing the band and curating the playlist. “It was great! They were able to accommodate some difficult requests like our first dance song being a remake of the Blink-182 song ‘First Date,’ and they did a special performance of ‘Bloody Valentine’ by Machine Gun Kelly,” Cory says, adding that he and Allison even got on stage with the band to sing along to the latter. 

The couple had been anxious about being the center of attention, but on the big day, their nerves disappeared as they danced the night away with 265 loved ones. “It was the most special [thing] to be surrounded by all of our friends and family on the dance floor,” Allison reminisces. “We just felt like we were surrounded by so much love in the room.” 

Reflecting on their magical day, the groom offers sage advice to other couples preparing for a wedding: “Make sure to take a few seconds to take it all in and be present in the moment,” Cory suggests. “There are not many other times where you have a room filled with every important person to you, and they’re all there to celebrate you.”

This real wedding was originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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