Photos by Nicole Gatto Photography
Elizabeth and Matthew got married in Buffalo, New York, in July 2025, with a church ceremony and a reception at The Admiral Room, where a staircase wrapped in white flowers, candles and twigs led guests into the party. Elizabeth loves Disney, so the storybook theme came with a few subtle nods, including a bride-and-groom Mickey and Minnie under the cake.
Matthew proposed at the end of a vacation in Costa Rica, on a walk along the beach. Planner Weddings by Gianna sat down with Elizabeth and her mom, Sandy, and knew right away the day would be full of personal details while staying traditional, classic and elegant.
A beaded Neta Dover gown from Kleinfeld
Elizabeth and Sandy traveled to New York City to shop at Kleinfeld, where she chose the Scarlet gown by Neta Dover: intricate hand-sewn beading, a corset bodice and a dramatic train. She paired it with open-toe Badgley Mischka heels topped with bows. Her mom wore black too, with a belt from one of Elizabeth’s favorite designers, Manolo Blahnik.
The bridesmaids wore black floor-length satin from Azazie, each picking her own style within the color and fabric. It’s the easiest way to do mismatched without it looking accidental. Matthew and his groomsmen wore tuxedos from Napoli’s, and Matthew added custom cufflinks with the couple’s initials and a lush boutonniere to match Elizabeth’s bouquet.
Black, gold, blush and ivory
The palette was white, ivory, faint blush and gold with black accents, which kept the storybook theme grown-up. At the church, the flowers stayed traditional: arrangements at the start of the aisle, on the pews and at the altar framing the couple.
An Admiral Room reception built around one staircase
The reception is where the flowers took over. Beck & Forth Co. wrapped the staircase in florals, candles and delicate twigs for an enchanted forest look, then carried white flowers and greenery to a floral entryway, the seating chart and the tables. The tall centerpieces spread almost four feet wide, and the low ones were lush and ringed with candles. Specialty linens, a black-rimmed dance floor, champagne drapery and custom signage pulled it together in the historic room.
The seating chart, designed by the planner with Little Finch Party, looked like a storybook and set the tone at the door. Guests also got a live painter and a phone booth as the photo booth backdrop. Buffalo Strings and Big City Horns handled the music, and the couple poured a champagne tower before the dessert table opened.
Get the look
Editor picks inspired by this wedding, not what the couple wore.
- Badgley Mischka Effie Strappy Bow Stiletto Heels in White Clear, $147 at Badgley Mischka. An open-toe ankle-strap stiletto with a bow, from the brand behind Elizabeth’s bow-topped heels. The $147 is a markdown from $245, so check the price before you budget around it.
- Birdy Grey Stephanie Matte Satin Dress in Black, $119 at Birdy Grey. A cross-front halter in black matte satin, one style to drop into a pick-your-own-cut bridal party like this one. It’s bias cut with a relaxed fit, so bridesmaids who want it closer to the body should size down.
The idea worth stealing
Pick one architectural feature and go all in on it. Here it was the staircase: flowers, candles and twigs on one spot guests had to walk past made a bigger impression than spreading the same budget thin across every corner of the room.
Wedding vendors
- Venue: The Admiral Room, Buffalo, NY
- Event planner: Weddings by Gianna
- Photographer: Nicole Gatto Photography
- Dress designer: Neta Dover
- Dress store: Kleinfeld Bridal
- Shoes: Badgley Mischka
- Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie
- Tuxedos: Napoli's
- Floral design: Beck & Forth Co.
- Design and decor: KMG Design Studio
- Design and decor: Little Finch Party
- Linens: Tesoro Event Rentals
- Invitations: Paige by Design
- Musicians: Buffalo Strings
- Band: Big City Horns
- Artist: Peter Fowler Studio
- Ice: Ice Is Nice
- Cake designer: Fairy Cakes Bakeshop
- Bakery: Muscoreil's Fine Desserts
- Makeup: Makeup by Jessica Sutter
- Hair stylist: Hair Reformation
- Transportation: Advantage Limousine
