After both arriving too early to a shared friend’s birthday party, Ryann Haltman and Andrew Zuckerman ordered cocktails from the bar and began talking since it was just the two of them. “The ease of our conversation and how comfortable I immediately felt with him was very memorable,” confides Ryann. “I still remember thinking to myself that there was just something different about him and I wanted to see him again.” He left the party without asking for her number, but they were equally smitten. 

About a year and a half into their relationship, Andrew says that he was certain that Ryann loved him simply for him. “I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her,” he says, and so, he made the trek to Long Island to ask for her parents’ permission. “I wanted to be able to speak to them in person and get each of their blessings.” Under the guise of a celebration for his mom’s birthday, he proposed to his beloved and surprised her with an intimate dinner with their immediate families in attendance.

With only nine months of planning before their fall nuptials where they would host almost 300 loved ones, Ryann and Andrew looked to a professional wedding planner for guidance and began arranging their dream day. “I was very surprised as to just how much time was needed to execute something like this and how many details there were... there are so many moving parts!” the bride exclaims. 

For the Orthodox Jewish wedding that would incorporate many sacred customs throughout, the décor of the ceremony would be nothing short of out of the ordinary. “It was executed in a completely nontraditional way that was beyond my expectations,” expresses Ryann. The wow-worthy chuppah was made up of whimsical “trees” that were painted white at the base and made complete with leaves that were crafted from frothy baby’s breath. The tallit of Andrew’s late grandfather was arranged over the chuppah to honor him, and it served as a sentimental familial element, in addition to the couple using the kiddush cup from the groom’s parents’ own wedding. 

A vocalist sang traditional Jewish music and instrumentals of popular American songs played during the procession, beginning with the groom and his parents, then bridesmaids – who donned sophisticated gowns in shades of grey – followed by three adorable flower girls. “We wanted to combine our religious customs with modern music,” explains Ryann of their playlist. 

The bride was resplendent in a classic lace A-line gown paired with a billowing veil, while Andrew opted for a smart tuxedo and white bow tie. “Walking down the aisle with my parents by my side to then stand under the chuppah with my groom was one of my happiest moments,” reveals Ryann. “I can vividly remember every second.”

“The goal was to be elegant, but also lively and fun.”

An equally impressive reception followed the fairy-tale ceremony filled with time-honored rituals. The reception décor concept boasted its own set of jaw-dropping details. All-white floral arrangements, candles, and candelabras were highlighted with a fabulous lighting design that showcased the pink tones of the centerpieces, tablecloths, and more. “The goal was to be elegant, but also lively and fun,” illustrates Ryann of the dramatic space.

A phenomenal sit-down supper was followed by slices from the six-tier wedding cake that was a delicious vanilla-on-vanilla confection. “It was unbelievable,” says the bride. During the dinner service, the couple danced their first dance to a choreographed number, and later, took part in a memorable experience of being lifted into the air for the horah. “We worked hard for months to learn our dance routine, and it was great to perform in front of our family and friends,” asserts the groom, who also mentions that the entire day was more emotional than he had expected, but in a good way. “Other than break in my tuxedo shoes a little more, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Dancing into the night with a room full of loved ones in an incredibly beautiful ballroom was exactly what the bride had envisioned. “I thought the whole day from start to finish was as perfect as I could have imagined,” tells Ryann. Her only advice to other engaged couples is to be decisive. “It is very easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options,” she emphasizes. After what felt like a second job at times, the newlyweds are overjoyed to finally be married and ready to jet off to their honeymoon getaway in Japan, where they plan to stay at five different luxury hotels and create some of their first memories as a married couple.

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

To order a copy of the Summer 2024 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings magazine back issues available for purchase.