Az Cohen and Valentina Van de Weghe’s Cool, Low-Key Wedding Celebration at Charlie Bird in New York City
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography1/36Before the ceremony at the Marriage Bureau, Az’s mother, Amy, helped me put on borrowed earrings, therefore fulfilling the tradition “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography2/36Az and his father, Lyor Cohen, at the New York City Marriage Bureau. I took a while to arrive at the office, because I had to wait for her mother, who was coming straight from the airport.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography3/36Az Cohen and I on our way to get married at the Marriage Bureau, with my parents in the background. After making Az wait for a while, we had finally arrived!
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography4/36Az registering us. We were both so frazzled, but so happy.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography5/36We had to wait a while before going into the room to get married, so our families were taking a bunch of pictures.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography6/36Getting married!
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography7/36Wedding rings from Reinstein/Ross. We got those five days before the ceremony—thank god Az’s cousin Shani reminded us. Az gave me his mother’s wedding ring as my engagement ring, which she bought herself when she got married to Lyor.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography8/36The moment of truth. “I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get to the ring on her finger!” says Az.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography9/36The moment it became real for both of us.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography10/36Kissing the bride in the cloud of her veil. I love this photo especially because it looks like the veil is shaped like a heart.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography11/36Az giving a hug to his father. This was a very meaningful moment for everyone.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography12/36Here I am giving a hug to Az’s father, my new father-in-law.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography13/36Family photo after the Marriage Bureau. Left to right: Xavier, Xin, Lyor, Ziva, Valentina, Az, Natalia, Amy, Viktor, and Eric.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography14/36The flower store Fleurs Bella did an amazing job at immersing the restaurant Charlie Bird into a beautiful and enchanting forest.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography15/36Here I am giving a hug to Kevin Liles, Lyor’s longtime friend and business partner.
Photo: Tiffany Sage16/36Az’s mother, Amy. She had so much fun that night. She was the dancing queen of the night, number one on the dance floor.
Photo: Tiffany Sage17/36Charlie Bird has never been so romantic! It is amazing how the team there transformed it for our special night.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography18/36Table setting before guests began to arrive. We gave them a rough theme with our invitations and let them run with it in the table design. They knocked it out of the park.
Photo: Tiffany Sage19/36Dinner menu from Charlie Bird. All of our favorites from them, plus a couple specials.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography20/36Table setting before the party.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography21/36Party shot. Justin Friedman, Az’s close friend of more than 20 years, in the center.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography22/36Our amazing friends toasting our union right as Az and I sat down to eat one quick bite. We didn’t get to eat that much as we were entertaining the whole night!
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography23/36Az toasting the night with friends and coworkers. There were quite a few people wanting to have a drink that night, it started to get intense around this point.
Photo: Tiffany Sage24/36Az’s mother, Amy, with me and our friend Renée Willett.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography25/36Lyor giving a speech. “He is not typically a spectacular public speaker, but in this moment he killed it and represented our family beautifully,” says Az.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography26/36Crying from laughter during our family and friends’ speeches. They found the sweet spot between too casual and too formal, and made us both so happy.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography27/36With my dad, Eric Van de Weghe. He’s the man! He came to New York specifically for this and somehow managed to still have great energy the whole night!
Photo: Tiffany Sage28/36My mother, Natalia, giving her speech right before cutting the cake. Behind her stands Anne-Gaëlle Van de Weghe, my aunt.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography29/36Beautiful, amazing, and sweet Leelee Kimmel being honored for originally introducing Valentina and Az to each other.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography30/36Az, Amy, and Lyor look on as Bea gives a hilarious speech about our meeting. Bea is wearing a Nili Lotan emerald Cami Gown.
Photo: Tiffany Sage31/36Kevin Liles, me, Az, 300 Entertainment artist Tee Grizzley, and JB.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography32/36Xin Li and Lyor Cohen. It seems like they love each other more every day! Meanwhile, I’m hugging Leelee Kimmel, the woman who introduced Az and I.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography33/36Shani Cohen, Az’s cousin. She is wearing a Nili Lotan Spanish red Cami Gown.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography34/36Margaret Braun’s awesome cake. I mean, no comments needed, right?!
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography35/36I think Az was a little nervous, but he handled it super well.
Photo: Noa Griffel Photography36/36We would love to thank everyone for their participation in our beautiful adventure that’s just getting started!
