When it came time to tie the knot, Alex and John headed north, choosing Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York, for their July 3, 2023 wedding. The couple fell in love with the venue’s stunning woodland setting and relaxed atmosphere. ‘It was the only venue we toured, and I knew instantly it was perfect,’ Alex recalls. A major bonus was the venue’s history as a sleepaway summer camp, offering plenty of on-site accommodations for guests to enjoy. The lake and pickleball courts were especially popular!
With the lush Hudson Valley as their backdrop, Alex and John embraced a William Morris–inspired aesthetic, drawing from Alex’s love of Victorian literature. ‘We aimed for beautiful, useful things, incorporating prints inspired by Morris,’ she explains. The wedding weekend was filled with rich, vibrant colors, including bold reds at the rehearsal dinner to complement Alex’s red cheongsam, honoring her Chinese heritage.
Despite the months and months of detailed planning with their wedding planner Leslie of Leslie Mastin Events, the one thing they could not guarantee was the weather. With rain showers coming and going through out the day, Alex and John rolled with the punches and did not let rain put a damper on their wedding day!
The 40’x100′ Clearspan Losberger Structure served as the perfect venue for both the Friday night rehearsal dinner and Saturday’s stunning ceremony. Its versatile ‘blank canvas’ design made it easy to seamlessly transform the space each day, allowing for a flawless transition between events.
The ceremony featured soft shades of blue and muted earthy greens, with colors becoming richer and more vibrant as the evening progressed. ‘By the reception, our tablescapes were adorned with lush, bright florals and accented with pomegranates and grapes on teal linens,’ Alex recalls, describing the look as reminiscent of Dutch still-life painter Rachel Ruysch. Tables were filled with blue tweedia, hellebores, peonies, roses, and sunflowers, while a custom watercolor crest—a favorite detail—tied the color palette together across stationery, from invites to cocktail napkins.
