Event :: The NotWedding takes New York, part one

What better way to figure out which vendors to use in your wedding than by witnessing their work in action? Modern Weddings goes behind-the-scenes at The NotWedding, an untraditional bridal event that goes beyond booths and flyers.

Credit: Jean Spencer Photography

From the ceremony to the I Do’s, bridal event founder Callie Murray has created a way for both brides and bridal professionals to get an idea of what a wedding day will be like thanks to The NotWedding. She created this untraditional bridal event as a way to gather top industry vendors—including florists, décor companies, planners, photographers, and more—together to create and celebrate a mock wedding, fake bride and groom included. And the guests attending the pretend nuptials? They are brides looking for the perfect vendor team to plan their own big day. “The NotWedding allows brides-to-be to get a feel for how wedding vendors would actually perform on their wedding day, and wedding vendors love being able to truly show off what they do and how they work,” Murray says.

Murray’s offbeat bridal event has taken place in a number of cities, including Atlanta, Charleston, San Diego, Nashville, and Cape Cod, but this was her first in New York City. The bash took place at Bath House Studios where inside the venue, “happy couple” Natasha and Jonathan said their vows as real brides looked on amidst the embellishments.

After the mock ceremony, guests moved into the reception area, where intricate design details filled every corner. They dined on bites provided by Soulfully Good while the band Mixtape: A Cover Band For Hipsters rocked out in the background.

Take a look at the gorgeously detailed event photos during part one of our two-part series.