Captured by the talented Jessica Schmitt, whose wonderful artistic sense is revealed in every image, this winter elopement in the Big Apple is everything an elopement should be: fun, intimate, and romantic in a relaxed way.

Australians Mel and Aaron, who met ten years ago at a mutual friend’s party, had been thinking about marriage for quite some time, but they were a little apprehensive about the planning process. “We had discussed getting married,” Mel said, “but after seeing many friends and family members cope with all the stress and drama of planning their special days, we both thought it would be really cool to just elope somewhere one day and save ourselves the trouble!” And that’s just what they ended up doing after Mel won a work competition whose prize was a travel voucher to anywhere in the world. They took it as a sign that the time had come to steal away and tie the knot. “I told a few family members and close friends about our plans a few months beforehand,” Mel said. “For everyone else, I wanted it to be a surprise when we got back!”

The two were married on a very chilly day at City Hall in a short and sweet ceremony. Fittingly, Mel wore a short, playful dress designed by native New Yorker Donna Karan, and her wedding ring came from iconic Fifth Avenue jewelry house Tiffany & Co. Following the ceremony, the two toured the city with their photographer, stopping at all the great landmarks, including Grand Central Station, the red glass steps of Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Trump Tower, and, of course, Central Park. The day ended with a champagne toast and a candlelit dinner at a little Italian restaurant near Central Park West. “The day was amazing,” Mel said. “Memorable in so many ways!”

Vendors

Photography: Jessica Schmitt / Bride’s dress: DKNY / Rings: Tiffany & Co. / Bracelet: Kate Spade

This wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights.