Sarena & Gerard: A Love Story Sealed With The Kiss at the Second Floor NYC

Love Story

The story of Sarena and Gerard's love is a tale as timeless as the vows they exchanged. Though their paths crossed in college, destiny had other plans in store. As Sarena reminisces, "Gerard and I met in college when I was going through sorority recruitment. We hung out with the same group of friends, but we were dating other people at the time so Gerard’s pursuit didn’t start until about 10 years later."

Gerard adds his own perspective: "Admittedly, I always had a crush on Sarena. We were never close friends; I would say we were more acquaintances than anything else. We'd say hi to each other, ask each other how the other's day was going, or we would greet each other happy birthday."

It was at the wedding of their mutual friends, Jon and Kayla, that the spark between them reignited after nearly a decade apart. Gerard vividly recalls, "That was the first time I had seen Sarena in nearly a decade. She looked gorgeous!" Sarena fondly recalls, " I like to think of Jon and Kayla as our unintentional matchmakers, and we were honored to have them be a part of our own bridal party on our big day."

Gerard's persistence was undeniable, as Sarena shares with a smile, " He was very persistent but in the cutest way. I’ve always thought so highly of Gerard and knew he was a sweetheart, so it was hard to not want to spend more time with him. Plus, he took me on some pretty creative dates back-to-back-to-back so the idea of something new was very exciting!"

The proposal itself was a romantic whirlwind, carefully orchestrated by Gerard during their Italian getaway. Sarena vividly recounts, "He proposed to me on Salita Serbelloni after a full day boat-excursion of exploring the lake and all of its beauty. I thought I was dreaming when he proposed. No, seriously, I thought I had fallen asleep and this was a very vivid dream…I had never been more excited to be wrong. It was real life, and it was my life, and my heart filled with such joy knowing that this was soon going to be our life together."

Gerard shares the behind-the-scenes chaos leading up to the big moment: "I was drenched in sweat, so I had to tell our photographer to try to edit the sweat stains out as much as he could - it didn't work very well. The entire day was stressful, hectic, and perfect at the same time. I wouldn't have had it any other way."

Their love story came full circle when they revisited Lake Como on their honeymoon, exactly two years after Gerard's proposal, to find Sarena's wedding band – a cherished memento of their eternal commitment.

In the heart of New York City,where dreams intertwine with the rhythm of the bustling metropolis, Sarena and Gerard's wedding day unfolded like a grand romance novel. On the 28th of April, 2023, their love story found its crescendo within the hallowed walls of the Church of Saint Francis Xavier, a sacred space where their vows echoed with unwavering devotion.

As the sun dipped below the skyline, the celebration continued at Second Floor NYC, a venue that exuded an enchanting blend of industrial chic and urban sophistication.

Morning details

As the first rays of dawn tiptoed through the windows, a hushed reverence settled over the city. This was no ordinary morning – it was the beginning of Sarena and Gerard's forever. The atmosphere was charged with electric anticipation, a feeling akin to the calm before a storm, but sweeter, more delicate.

Bride getting ready

Sarena's bridal look was a vision of classic elegance. "My dress was as classic as they come: a strapless, iconic, ivory silk dress with an elongated train and a side split for a little added element," she describes. Her bouquet, a symphony of white blooms, was a beautiful nod to the support of her bridesmaids, each holding a single flower type that collectively formed her bridal bouquet.

Groom getting ready

As Gerard prepared for the biggest day of his life, he was surrounded by his closest crew - his groomsmen, brothers from different mothers. The room buzzed with energy, inside jokes flying left and right, along with some good-natured roasting that only true friends could understand.

First Look

The first look, a cherished tradition, was a moment frozen in time, filled with raw emotion and adoration. As Gerard laid eyes on his stunning bride, his heart swelled with love, and Sarena's mind was a whirlwind of joy and disbelief at the reality of their union.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

As Sarena made her way to the ceremony venue, she wasn't going to let any moment go uncaptured. While Gerard waited anxiously at the altar, Sarena decided to memorialize her journey there with some candid photos in the iconic New York cab whisking her to her destiny.

Ceremony

The ceremony, held at the breathtaking Church of Saint Francis Xavier in New York City, was a sacred moment that bound their souls together. Sarena fondly recounts, "It was beautiful. It was perfect. But that feeling I felt…it was such a comforting and pleasantly overwhelming sense of intentional synchronicity. Everything happened, together. Everything complimented everything and I felt all my worries melt away. It made me forget all the small moments of stress that I dealt with that morning. I needed that."

Photoshoot after the ceremony

With their vows lovingly exchanged, Sarena and Gerard were officially husband and wife! But the photo opportunities were just getting started. Their first stop as newlyweds? The breathtaking staircase and stately columns gracing their ceremony venue.

The architectural details added vintage glamour and sophistication to their timeless photos. But of course, the effervescent newlyweds also injected plenty of fun, playfulness, and portraits that captured their infectious joy.

Wedding Venue & Decor

When it came to setting the scene for their "I dos," Sarena and Gerard envisioned a celebration that seamlessly melded timeless elegance with their unique personalities.

At the ceremonial Church of Saint Francis Xavier, the couple opted to let the cathedral's inherent beauty shine. "We had flower arches installed on the outside of the church's unassuming exterior to welcome our guests, but we left the inside completely untouched," Sarena explains. "We did not want to take away from the internal beauty of the cathedral. We wanted our guest’s eyes to not only wander in awe of the architecture but to experience the beauty and its connection with intention and purpose."

Sarena's bridal bouquet was an exquisite amalgam of ivory blooms, while each bridesmaid carried a single variety, collectively representing the unique individuals who shaped the bride. "This small ‘nod’ was a discreet gesture of acknowledgment and appreciation on how they all have helped shape me to be the best version of myself, and how lucky I am to have them by my side on this monumental day," Sarena shares.

For their reception venue, the couple discovered the perfect blank canvas at Second Floor NYC. "We walked in and we knew it was a perfect fit for us. It had an industrial feel with exposed brick walls and metal fixtures that hung above the ceiling," describes Sarena. "It was just the right size for our invited wedding guests. I could add in a few more feminine touches with floral arrangements and candles while keeping the foundation masculine and industrial. It was the best of both worlds."

Gerard adds, "Sarena and I don't live in New York, but we knew that we wanted to get married there. We toured probably 15 venues between two trips. We thought that we had great options and would have a difficult time choosing - that was until we arrived at SECOND. We absolutely loved everything about it and knew that this was our venue. So we pulled the trigger and booked SECOND as our venue."

Personal touches abounded, from the customized cocktail napkins to the very chairs their guests would occupy. Every detail was a reflection of Sarena and Gerard's distinctive style and commitment to making the day their own.

Reception

As Sarena and Gerard made their grand entrance into the reception as newlyweds, they were struck by the sheer beauty and intentionality of every detail. Sarena vividly recounts, "My favorite moment of the night was walking in hand-in-hand with my husband to the reception and seeing it complete for the first time. My mouth hit the ground and stayed there for quite a while."

Gerard agrees that the reception was truly unforgettable, though pinpointing one singular highlight proves difficult. "There isn't just one thing that made the day unique or memorable. If you ask Sarena or I this question, we would say every little thing that happened culminated in making our day memorable."

However, Gerard notes that their guests may cite a different standout moment: "I think if you ask our guests, however, they will probably say the billboard Sarena and I rented out was the most memorable part of our wedding."

No reception is complete without a showstopping wedding cake, and Sarena admits she may have indulged a bit too much in this delectable centerpiece. "We had found the most AMAZING baker, Lucie, through social media (@fromlucienyc) and she graciously accepted our request to make our wedding cake, which I easily ate half of to myself. Her creativity and flavor composition is unparalleled." In a heartwarming tribute, the couple used the same knife set Sarena's parents had cut their wedding cake with over 30 years ago, weaving tradition into their own celebration.