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Valentine's Day Weddings at the Empire State Building
Sky High Nuptials

Valentine's Day Weddings at the Empire State Building

Sky High Nuptials

Thirteen couples wed atop the Empire State Building in a pretty pink space on Valentine's Day 2009

For the third year in a row, Brides.com teamed up with the Empire State Building to throw weddings for 13 lucky couples on Valentine’s Day. Event designer Michelle Rago came on board to decorate the stark space on the 61st floor of the New York City skyscraper, turning it into a magnificent chapel in the sky. Precious pink details and warm, whimsical touches transformed the setting into a dream wedding locale. —Cari Wolfert

Soft pink ribbon was handwoven through the backs of the chairs rented from Party Rental, Ltd. by Michelle Rago and her team.

Pink carpet with heart details by Flemington Carpet led up to the altar, which featured a large backdrop of rosy-hued flowers and towering branches. Soft-color flower petals were sprinkled around the altar for a finishing touch.

Heidi and Kevin were the first couple of the day to marry. Kevin eagerly waited for his bride to walk down the aisle just as the sun started to rise over the Big Apple. Intricate lighting detail by Levy Lighting added depth to the floor.

Large urns filled with foliage framed the entranceway into the ceremony area. Soft white draps by Drape Kings created a dream-like backdrop.

Whimsical butterfly details were scattered strategically around the event space.

Asherel wore a stunning Demetrios ball gown for her wedding to Linnell, who was outfitted in a sleek white suit (as were the groomsmen).

Brooklyn couple Jessica and Natalie proudly became the first same-sex couple to have a commitment ceremony at the Empire State Building.

Juanita and Christopher looked into each other’s eyes as officiant April Gismondi performed the couple’s ceremony.

Guests and the groom settled into this pink paradise after arriving at the event. A white feather centerpiece was the focal point of the room, while small arrangements of pink roses sat on each of the tables.

Overlooking Manhattan’s West Side was a table where guests could enjoy cocktails courtesy of Secrets Resorts & Spas.

One Girl Cookies provided these treats for the couples’ guests to snack on while they were waiting for the wedding to start. Guests were also given tins of almonds as favors courtesy of the California Almond Board.

Anni, who chose a retro look for her wedding day, tried to hold back tears of joy while on the altar with her groom, Delon.

Baked by Melissa provided miniature pink cupcakes for the event. The cake stand and all table-top items for the event were provided by Crate & Barrel.

Yanan and Michael treated themselves to the sweets, along with champagne to toast to their new titles as husband and wife right after they wed.

After getting ready for the event with the help of our expert style team (including celebrity hairstylist Jim Crawford and makeup artist Lanier Long), each bride was given some time to relax in this bridal suite before her nuptials. Here Kimberly posed for a quick photo before walking down the aisle to meet her husband-to-be, Mathias.

As each bride arrived at the event, she was given the opportunity to pick her own original accents for her bouquet at this bouquet bar just for ribbons, feathers and sparkles. Michelle Rago and her team then created each brides' bouquet to fit their own customized preference.

Cymbidium orchids, roses, feathers and pearl accents were bunched together in this beautiful bouquet made for bride-to-be Cristina.

Cristina happily grasped the bouquet in one hand and her new husband Joe’s hand in the other as they walked to the toasting area after their wedding ceremony.

Jessica, who purchased her gorgeous bridal gown with champagne-colored trim from a thrift store, threw on a coat and happily made her way up to the Observation Deck on the Empire State Building’s 86th floor with her husband, Tim, right after their nuptials.

Elated with joy, Rose and Michael turned around to take their first walk as husband and wife right after saying "I do."

Dodi and Timothy, who pushed their wedding date back when they weren’t chosen as a winning couple in our 2008 contest, finally tied the knot at their dream wedding locale this Valentine’s Day.

Hailey and Barth shared a smooch and some champagne after officially tying the knot.

Gena and Bryan posed at the top of the Empire State Building just as the sun started to set behind New York City on Valentine’s Day 2009.

Gabriel Velez & Alex Morel

[ more Valentine's Day Weddings at the Empire State Building features ]

Inside the Event

Event Partners
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Meet the Couples
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About Michelle Rago
Read our interview with Michelle Rago
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Last Year's Event
   An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Valentine's...
   See the couples as they got married atop the legendary...
   Watch as last year's space gets transformed into an...

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