A Brides Editor’s Spring Wedding on Long Island Planned by the bride and her mom.
BY Lilly Blomquist
Sam & Andrew
"A love story that transcends both time and distance."
Samantha "Sam" Netkin and Andrew Brash have a love story that transcends both time and distance. It all started back in 2006 when they met in middle school in their hometown of Great Neck, New York. On the morning of her wedding day, Sam kicked off the celebration by popping some bubbly. The bride got glam in white long sleeve pajamas with feather trim by Nadine Merabi and fuzzy slippers. Her bridal party donned gray pajama sets from Eberjey. For her hairstyle, Sam wore her locks down in loose waves, with the front strands tucked behind her ears. She settled on minimal makeup, which she topped off with Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminzer. “I’m not a huge makeup girl,” the bride shares. “I love the no makeup makeup vibe. I went for a natural look for the wedding day so that I felt like an elevated version of myself.” The bride stunned in a Monique Lhuillier lace ballgown with a corset bodice, scoop neckline, low back, and scalloped hem. “There’s nothing more iconic than a lace Monique Lhuillier gown,” Sam states. “Lhuillier told me herself that her lace gowns are still her favorite to create.” In an interview Sam did with Lhuillier last fall, she tapped the designer for her top accessory tips. “Her advice was to leave the neck clean and opt for delicate earrings,” she reveals. So, Sam sported her grandmother’s pearl and diamond drop earrings, which her mother also wore on her wedding day.
“I fastened a diamond and sapphire brooch from my grandmother, who couldn’t travel to attend the wedding, so I’d have her with me and as my ‘something blue.'“I wanted my bridesmaids in shades of blush pink to complement the color palette and floral
design,” Sam describes. “I let them each choose their own dress because I didn’t want them to feel limited, and more importantly, I wanted them to feel comfortable and confident.” Pink and white bouquets of peonies, roses, and ranunculus with a hint of eucalyptus also matched the aesthetic. Sam and Andrew hosted their spring ceremony outdoors. Two French style cement urns housing arrangements of pink and white blooms stood at either end of the aisle, while a runner of petals led to the focal point: a chuppah covered in O’Hara garden roses, Tibet roses, viburnum, privet, pittosporum, delphinium, spirea, and greenery. A live guitarist, violinist, and keyboard player performed “Yellow” by Coldplay as Andrew walked down the aisle with both of his parents. The bride and groom held a traditional Jewish ceremony, which included wrapping the pair in a allit to symbolize their union. Though, they did incorporate their own special touch by reciting personal promises. When guests arrived at the reception site, they found their seats on a monogrammed escort card display, which was surrounded by pink and white flowers and greenery. At the head table, a runner of floral arrangements, white taper candles, tall floating candles, and assorted gold votives lined a rose gold tablecloth. Round tables featuring a combination of high and low centerpieces with peonies, “Hanoi” ranunculus, and spray roses also filled the space.
An installation of wisteria, plumosa, gypsophila, and rice lights hung above the dance floor. The duo’s live band, All Stars from Element Music, set the mood while the couple took part in the hora, the traditional dance performed at Jewish weddings.
After a night spent dancing with their favorite people and making precious memories, Sam and Andrew couldn’t have imagined a better way to celebrate their nuptials.
CAPTURING LOVE
SIGNATURE OFFERING
“I fastened a diamond and sapphire brooch from my grandmother, who couldn’t travel to attend the wedding, so I’d have her with me
and as my ‘something blue.'"
"From the moment I first met Judith, I was immediately drawn to her warm personality.
It was such a joy having her capture our special day.”
Sam + Andrew
"From the moment I first met Judith, I was immediately drawn to her warm personality. As a bride, that was exactly the type of energy I wanted surrounding me on my wedding day, and it was such a joy having her capture our special day.”