Chloe and Josh's Perfectly Imperfect Wedding at PUBLIC Hotel NYC

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 06/14/2025
City: New York City

Love Story

Sometimes fate needs a second chance to work its magic. In the summer of 2021, Chloe and Josh both found themselves at Seville, a bar in NYC that neither of them usually frequented. They didn't really connect that night, but destiny wasn't done with them yet. "A few weeks later, we matched on Hinge and decided to plan our first date at Dante, known for its top-notch cocktails," Chloe shares. "Josh, who was still figuring out the New York scene, didn't realize reservations at Dante were a must. So, when we met up at Dante for the first time and discovered we couldn't get in, we had to think fast! We ended up at a cozy little dive called Shade Bar nearby in the Village. The rest, as they say, was history."

Their connection was instant and deep, built on a shared passion for NYC and its incredible restaurant scene—with Bond St, Estela, and John's becoming their favorites. Together, they explored the beaches of Costa Rica, the romantic streets of Paris, the stunning French Riviera, the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the vibrant energy of Ibiza and Mallorca.

"In January 2024, Josh proposed at the Dumbo waterfront in Brooklyn—a spot that holds a special place in our hearts, since one of our very first dates was there," Chloe recalls. "It was absolutely freezing—just 5 degrees Fahrenheit—and the windchill at the waterfront made it feel even colder. When we arrived, Josh led me straight to the water's edge, and I noticed a photographer waiting in the distance. Suddenly, Josh got down on one knee. Even though I wanted to linger in that moment forever, the cold made everything move quickly. Still, I was so excited that I barely noticed the chill!"

About Your Wedding

After a year and a half of thoughtful planning, Chloe and Josh brought their vision to life on June 14, 2025. As a management consultant with a love for Pilates, strength training, and exploring NYC's culinary scene, Chloe knew exactly what she wanted for their celebration. "My vision was to have a sophisticated wedding set against the stunning backdrop of the NYC skyline," she explains. "I imagined a warm, inviting ceremony, followed by a dinner that felt like an intimate gathering at one of New York’s cozy restaurants. Afterward, I wanted the celebration to continue with hours of dancing to live music, creating an unforgettable, joyful atmosphere."

The style was sophisticated, understated, modern, sculptural, and warm—a perfect reflection of the couple themselves. "What inspired me most during my wedding preparations was the unique sophistication and energy of New York City itself," Chloe says. "I wanted our celebration to reflect the city's blend of elegance and vibrancy. The interiors of the PUBLIC Hotel played a major role in shaping my vision—their modern design with clean lines set the tone for a chic, contemporary atmosphere."

She also drew inspiration from sculptural floral arrangements discovered on Pinterest. "I fell in love with designs that felt more like art installations than traditional bouquets, and I wanted our flowers to make a statement while still feeling timeless. This idea of sculptural beauty extended to my fashion choices as well; I gravitated toward dresses with clean lines and interesting silhouettes that felt both modern and classic."

Morning Details

Every detail of the day was carefully considered, starting with the invitations. "I designed custom invitations featuring a debossed NYC skyline, adding a personal and elegant touch that reflected the spirit of our wedding," she shares. "To carry this theme throughout the event, I also created custom dinner menus, bar menus, table numbers, and escort cards."

The couple's ring choices were equally thoughtful. "I wanted an oval eternity band to compliment my oval solitaire engagement ring," Chloe explains. "Josh fell in love with the Vendome Louis Cartier wedding band for its unique design."

For the rehearsal dinner, Chloe wore meaningful family pieces: "I wore my mother's diamond stud earrings and my late grandmother's vintage watch," she remembers, adding a touching connection to loved ones who helped shape her story.

Bride Getting Ready

The bride's preparation took place in the stunning Penthouse suite of the PUBLIC Hotel, surrounded by the women who mean the most to her. "My mother, future mother-in-law, future stepdaughter, my sister and maid of honor, and two of my closest friends," Chloe lists. "Having all of them by my side made me feel deeply loved and at peace throughout the day."

"My search for the perfect dress lasted about three months, and it was quite a journey—I started out with inspiration that was completely different from what I ended up selecting," Chloe reveals. She ultimately chose a gown designed by Elly Sofocli from Mark Ingram boutique in NYC. "In the end, I picked a gown that truly felt like 'me.' It complemented the overall style and atmosphere of our wedding beautifully, striking just the right balance between classic and modern. The dress was sophisticated, elegant, and sculptural, perfectly echoing the vision I had for the day."

The finishing touches were equally stunning: a veil with satin trim, Stuart Weitzman pumps adorned with pearls, diamond stud earrings, and a diamond tennis bracelet completed her bridal look.

For her bouquet, Chloe selected flowers that perfectly captured her aesthetic vision. "I selected white peonies for their timeless, classic elegance, and paired them with white orchids to introduce a sculptural, modern element to the arrangements," she shares. "Our florist, Moni from Dirt & Co., brought this vision to life beautifully, creating floral designs that perfectly captured the sophisticated and artistic atmosphere I wanted for the day."

Groom Getting Ready

Josh prepared for the wedding alongside his father, future father-in-law, and four groomsmen—close friends and family who supported him on this momentous day. The groom got ready in the Penthouse at the PUBLIC Hotel, looking dapper in a custom tuxedo by Enzo Custom that perfectly complemented the sophisticated atmosphere of their celebration.

First Look

The anticipation built throughout the morning, leading to an emotional first look moment inside their wedding venue, with the magnificent NYC skyline providing the perfect backdrop.

"We were both overcome with emotion when we first saw each other," Chloe remembers. "Once he gathered his thoughts, his first impression was how beautiful I looked. It was a moment filled with awe and happiness for both of us." From Chloe's perspective, the moment was equally powerful. "I was so excited to see him after all of the anticipation of the day. And that he looked so handsome!" The pure joy and emotion of that private moment set the tone for everything that followed.

Ceremony

The ceremony took place on the outdoor terrace on the 17th floor of the PUBLIC Hotel, offering sweeping views of the New York City skyline. But the day had its own plans for drama and unforgettable moments.

"Our wedding took place on an outdoor terrace, and, unexpectedly, it was unseasonably cold for June—just 55 degrees, with rain and wind sweeping through the day," Chloe shares. "As I reached the altar, a strong gust of wind lifted my veil, sending it swirling dramatically above my head while our guests watched in amazement. My maid of honor and sister, Paige, quickly stepped in and helped remove the veil before we continued with the ceremony."

The surprises didn't end there. "Along with my veil swirling dramatically in the wind, a helicopter flew overhead and created quite a bit of noise—another funny and unexpected moment! I was also very cold, and I was wearing a strapless dress."

Despite—or perhaps because of—these unexpected moments, the ceremony was perfect. Chloe walked down the aisle to "Canon in D," a choice that held deep meaning for her. "I chose 'Canon in D' because, while it's a classic, it always makes me emotional whenever I hear it. It felt like the perfect song to capture the significance and emotion of the moment."

"All these little surprises made the experience even more memorable," Chloe reflects. "They're moments I'll always look back on with a smile, knowing that the day was perfectly imperfect in its own way."

Wedding Venue & Decor

The PUBLIC Hotel NYC provided the perfect canvas for Chloe and Josh's vision. With its modern design and clean lines, the venue naturally complemented their sophisticated aesthetic. The couple chose a classic color palette of white, ivory, and green, keeping the decor timeless and elegant.

Personal touches were woven throughout the celebration. "I added personal touches to our celebration by customizing our ring box with our last name initial," Chloe shares. "For our cocktail napkins, I chose a design featuring a taxicab with wedding cans trailing behind, along with our wedding date. These small details helped make the day feel uniquely ours."

The sculptural floral arrangements by Dirt & Co. served as stunning focal points, while the floor-to-ceiling windows ensured that the glittering NYC skyline remained the star of the show throughout the evening.

Reception

As the sun set over the city, the celebration shifted into full swing. For their first dance, Chloe and Josh chose "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli—a classic that perfectly captured their devotion to each other.

The couple also created a signature cocktail that added a personal touch to the bar menu. "Our signature cocktail was a recipe we developed at home. It was a version of an aperol margarita, and we named it the 'Sunset Skyline,'" Chloe reveals, bringing a taste of their home mixology experiments to share with their guests.

The wedding cake came from Lucie, and dinner was followed by hours of dancing—exactly as Chloe had envisioned. With Stellar Strings NYC providing ceremony music and DJ Ben from NT Wedding DJs keeping the dance floor packed, the celebration continued late into the night.

Looking back on their wedding day, Chloe and Josh wouldn't change a thing. The wind, the cold, the helicopter, the dramatic veil moment—all of it combined to create a celebration that was authentically theirs. Against the backdrop of the city where they fell in love, surrounded by their closest friends and family, they began their married life together with joy, laughter, and the kind of perfectly imperfect moments that make the best stories.