
Dorie and Chad first met as engineering students at Princeton, but didn't begin dating until their final year on campus. They moved to New York City, but academia beckoned again, and they headed to Philadelphia to get their MBAs at The Wharton School. It was there in Philadelphia that, after a nice dinner and a long walk home, Chad proposed to Dorie in their apartment. "He knew that if he planned anything elaborate, I would see right through it!" she laughs. "I also loved having the private time together before we told our family and friends."
The couple came back to Dorie's home city of New York for their wedding, choosing the church down the street from her childhood apartment for the ceremony and the iconic Milstein Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History for the reception. "We've built our life together in the city, and we wanted our wedding to represent that," says the bride. But that doesn't mean it was traditional. Karen Bussen helped the pair create a warm, colorful event full of vibrant yellow hues (Dorie's favorite!) and wove in unexpected, playful touches. Keep reading to see all the bright details, photographed by Christian Oth Studio.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Upper East Side City View
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Classic Black and White Invitations with Yellow Detail
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
One of the bride's favorite parts of getting married in her Upper East Side neighborhood was getting to sleep in her own bed the night before, then getting ready with her bridesmaids in her childhood home.
The invitation was traditional — almost. Yellow edges hinted at the surprise the bride and groom had in store.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Bride in Oscar de la Renta Dress with Jimmy Choo Shoes
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Oscar de la Renta Wedding Dress
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Back of Oscar de la Renta Wedding Dress
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
Dorie chose an Oscar de la Renta gown with a flowing, layered skirt. "I added removable cap sleeves for the ceremony, and loved that the skirt was perfect for swooshing on the dance floor," says the bride. She paired her gown with Jimmy Choo pumps, but skipped the veil in favor of a crown of baby's breath.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Colorful Yellow Wedding Bouquets
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Slate Gray Bridesmaids Dresses
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
The bridesmaids carried bouquets of bright yellow flowers, mixing roses, tulips, and ranunculus. The hues popped against the women's mismatched gray gowns. Dorie's bouquet was an all-white combination of stephanotis and baby's breath.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Groom in Hugo Boss Tuxedo
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Bride and Groom First Look
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
Chad looked sharp in a Hugo Boss tuxedo, complemented with a stephanotis boutonniere. Once the bride was ready to go, she and her husband-to-be walked down the street to the church.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Couple with Bridal Party
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Bride with Flower Girl in Flower Crowns
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Walking Down the Aisle
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Bride and Father Walking Down the Aisle
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Couple Exchanging Vows
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
Chad's niece, Kylie, was the flower girl. She was a perfect match for Dorie in a ruffled white gown and a crown of baby's breath.
The couple exchanged traditional vows, but added a modern element to the ceremony with a reading from one of Chad's favorite books, Marcel Proust's "In Search of Lost Time."
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Couple Viewing Bench
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Engraved Bench
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
"My parents surprised us with a gift after the ceremony," says Dorie. She and Chad were led to the park across from the American Museum of Natural History, where a bench was marked with a plaque in honor of their wedding day.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Museum Venue outside
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Inside Museum
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Colorful Escort Card Display
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Escort Cards with Animals
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
Inside the museum, guests were greeted by vibrant colors — and some of the museum's towering dinosaurs. Instead of numbers, escort cards sent guests to tables named after an animal that could be found in the museum.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Museum Wedding Venue
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Whale in Museum
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Colorful Tulip Centerpieces
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Colorful Table Settings
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
Inside the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, yellow light created the effect of daylight, while café lights lit the band. Tables were topped with a collection of roses and tulips in yellow, peach, orange, and hot pink. "I wanted guests to wander from table to table and find something new," says Dorie.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Reception Decor
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, White and Red Menu
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Tulip Centerpieces
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Couple in Museum
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
The yellow lighting created a feeling of warmth, making the huge space feel cozy and welcoming. Dorie and Chad entered as a troupe of African drummers played.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Guests in Reception
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Emmy Rossum
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Bride and Groom Cutting Cake
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
The 240 guests kept the dance floor packed all night. "The museum staff said they'd never seen anything like it before," the bride says. On the dance floor alongside Dorie was friend and actress Emmy Rossum, who loaned Dorie a vintage diamond and emerald bracelet as the bride's "something borrowed."
After a meal of Tuscan kale salad, pan-seared salmon, and peppercorn-crusted beef, Dorie and Chad cut into their passion fruit and vanilla buttercream cake, decorated with intricate sugar flowers that matched the table décor.
New York City Wedding at American Museum of Natural History, Dorie and Chat at Reception
Photo: [Christian Oth Studio](http://www.christianothstudio.com/)
Just when it seemed like the evening was coming to a close, Dorie and Chad led guests back upstairs to the Hall of Biodiversity for a Cabinet of Curiosities-themed after party. "We made sure that every detail we picked would make our guests' experience even more enjoyable," says Dorie. "Anything that wouldn't make them have an even better time was skipped." The newlyweds left for an African safari just three days later. Says the bride, "It was enough time to catch up on sleep, but soon enough that we were still riding our post-wedding high!"
Ceremony Venue: The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest || Reception Venue: American Museum of Natural History || Wedding Planner & Floral Designer: Karen Bussen || Bride's Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta || Shoes: Jimmy Choo || Jewelry: Nina Runsdorf || Hair & Makeup: Once Upon a Bride || Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss || Wedding Bands: Cartier || Invitations & Paper Goods: Mr. Boddington's Studio || Music: Marianne Bennett Orchestra || Catering: Restaurant Associates || Cake: Nine Cakes || Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. || Lighting: Storz Lighting || Favors: Donation to Hot Bread Kitchen || Videography: Hart Pictures || Photography: Christian Oth Studio
Want to see more New York City weddings? Then check out another couple's I do's in the video below!