From This Day Forward

From this day forward… A LOVING With family in Ireland, a Connecticut couple considered getting

COUPLE WILL LOVE RECALLING married “across the pond”—the big one, that is—but their thoughts kept returning to Central Park, a tranquil setting they had already immortalized with their engagement.

THEIR NEW YORK “It’s always had a good place in our heart,” says Natasha (Treacy)

NUPTIALS, WHEN Walton. “It’s quintessential New York.”

RAIN DIDN’T DARE INTERFERE. When planning their wedding, she and husband John chose to build on those good vibes and the city that sparked their love with a reception at The Loeb Boathouse Central Park. By Donna Rolando Natasha recalls that there were flash-flood warnings on their May 5 Wedding Planning by wedding date, but when they arrived at the iconic Church of St. Ignatius Katie Berger, Sara Kate Events Loyola and Natasha stepped out of the trolley, the skies cleared. Photography by “It didn’t start raining again until later that night,” she says. “We got Amy Rizzuto Photography very lucky—or blessed.” The landmark church with its 5,000-pipe organ proved a “spectacular” setting in which to tie the knot after five-plus years of dating. (The couple both worked in finance, lived in the same New York City apartment building and met through friends.) The rainfall earlier in the day made their photo shoot in Central Park almost magical. “We had the park entirely to ourselves,” Natasha recalls. Where rain might have brought gloom, the pink-and-gray palette she chose for the bridal party hinted happily of spring, and the couple made their grand entrance by gondola as guests gazed from the balcony. As the night progressed, guests were introduced to the couple’s signature cocktails: his, the bourbon-based Woozy Walton; hers, the Muddled McGee, a sparkling strawberry concoction. The couple’s first dance took courage for the groom, as their song “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice suggests. But John was rewarded, in a way, with butter-cream cookie-dough filling—he loves cookie dough—for the three-tier cake by LuLu’s Bakery. A prompt “mini-moon” in Miami was followed one year later with a trip to South Africa and Mozambique. Now the couple has settled in Connecticut with fond memories of the city that kindled their flame.

For a couple who nurtured their love in the tranquil setting of Central Park— and even got engaged on the park’s Bow Bridge— there could be no more perfect wedding venue. Here Natasha and John Walton enjoy a peaceful moment on a gondola ride to their reception at the park’s Loeb Boathouse.

This page, clockwise from top right: A break in the rain welcomes bridal party photos at Bethesda Terrace with Natasha in a Vera Wang strapless gown and lace coverlet; reflecting a pink-and-gray palette are bridesmaids’ gowns by Jenny Yoo with bouquets by Lenox Hill; the groom gets ready; Natasha’s bouquet includes pink and white roses. Opposite page: The newlyweds kiss leaving the church.

This page, clockwise from top left: Bagpipers continue a hundreds-of-years-old tradition; the bridal party joins in a toast; centerpieces herald spring with cherry blossoms, roses and hydrangeas; the three-tier cake by LuLu’s offers a treat— cookie dough. Opposite page: Guests applaud the newlyweds’ first dance—Around Town Entertainment learned the song “I Don’t Dance” for the occasion.