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An Urban Fairytale: Crafting a New York Wedding with Soul and Style

The Unfolding of a Decade-Long Love Story: From College Friends to Soulmates

Olivia-Jené Fagon and Joshua Moses, both Brown University alumni, shared a friendship that subtly blossomed into something more profound over nearly a decade. Their initial encounter was a casual meeting on the university quad. Years later, after both relocating to New York City, a chance encounter at Josh's 2020 birthday marked a turning point. What began as an informal after-work drink session extended into a memorable evening across various city neighborhoods, culminating in Josh's heartfelt request to exclusively date. Olivia, touched by his conviction, agreed, and their relationship flourished in a cozy bubble, even as a global lockdown commenced just weeks later.

A Ring Steeped in History: A Proposal that Honored the Past

When the time came for Josh to propose, he knew a symbol of enduring love was essential. He chose his great-grandparents' engagement ring, a cherished family heirloom from 1930s New York. Recognizing the ring's historical significance, Josh collaborated with The Clear Cut to refresh the setting while preserving the original stone, creating a piece that honored his family's legacy while marking a new chapter for him and Olivia. The proposal itself was a romantic surprise during a trip to Piaule in the Catskills, a favorite retreat for the couple. Amidst the serene landscape, Josh, through a heartfelt note, asked Olivia to be his wife, presenting her with a ring that was as unique as their love.

The Creative Genesis of a Dream Wedding: A Shared Passion Project

The couple approached their wedding planning as a collaborative creative endeavor, leveraging Josh's culinary background (co-founder of Misen cookware) and Olivia's expertise in experiential events as a creative director. This synergy transformed their wedding into a shared passion project, moving beyond mere task division. After considering international destinations like Jamaica and Sardinia, they chose New York City for their November 8, 2025, wedding, drawn to its romantic, cozy, and pre-holiday charm. This city-centric vision became the cornerstone of their planning.

A Multi-Venue Urban Journey: Celebrating Love Across New York's Iconic Spaces

Their New York City vision materialized into a multi-venue celebration, guided by wedding planner Emily Warfield of Gatherings by Emily. Their goal was to immerse friends and family in their beloved city spaces—restaurants, art galleries, and their home—rather than confine the celebration to a single, traditional venue. This led to an enjoyable venue scouting process, filled with romantic date nights and culinary explorations. The agenda included a rehearsal dinner at their neighborhood favorite, Café Spaghetti, a ceremony at the 15 Orient Gallery in Tribeca, and a grand reception at Le Rock, an Art Deco restaurant within Rockefeller Center, aiming for a touch of classic New York glamour.

Curating an Elevated Experience: Design, Culinary Excellence, and Personal Flair

The couple opted for their chosen venues to speak for themselves, with their planning and floral teams subtly enhancing rather than radically transforming each space. Their hands-on approach extended to creating mood boards, presentations, and even selecting chuppah fabric. A key non-negotiable was a focus on exceptional cuisine and hospitality. They aimed to transcend typical "wedding food" expectations, providing a delicious, playful, and unstuffy dining experience that the Le Rock team fully embraced.

Wardrobe Chronicles: Vintage Glamour Meets Personal Expression

For their black-tie affair, both Olivia and Josh embraced a vintage New York glamour aesthetic. Josh envisioned an '80s-meets-'90s power suit silhouette for his tuxedo, a quest that led Olivia to connect with London-based Armani collector and stylist Karlmond Tang. Tang sourced a pristine 1990s-era Armani tuxedo from Italy, which was then custom-tailored by Sam Wazin, a former Armani craftsman, ensuring a perfect fit without compromising its vintage character. Josh's wedding day jewelry included sentimental pieces gifted by Olivia, marking significant milestones in their relationship.

The Bride's Vision: A Dress of Destiny and Thoughtful Accessories

Olivia's wedding dress journey began unexpectedly when she saw the Ophelia dress from Wiederhoeft's spring 2025 runway show. It was an instant connection, a blend of nostalgic and contemporary elements, featuring a blush corseted bodice, a pencil skirt, hand-sewn carnations, and a dramatic taffeta train. She complemented this unique gown with her engagement ring, a family heirloom from Josh's side, and rings from her own grandmother, symbolizing the intertwining of their family lineages. Her beauty choices, including a richer cherry-toned hair color, were carefully calibrated with makeup artist Sydney Utendahl to harmonize with the dress's blush tones. For the after-party, Olivia underwent a complete transformation, changing into a custom, hand-woven two-piece by Stockholm designer Mega Mikaela, a heavy yet dance-friendly creation of white yarn and silver steel washers.

A Weekend of Celebrations: White Attire, Emotional Toasts, and Musical Tributes

The wedding weekend commenced with a rehearsal dinner at Café Spaghetti, where guests adhered to a playful all-white dress code, contrasting with the restaurant's red sauce menu. Olivia wore a Joyce Bao lace and velvet top with a Genevieve Devine damask skirt, showcasing her preference for emerging designers. The evening was filled with food, connection, heartfelt speeches from siblings, and musical performances by their close friend, musician Scout Larue Willis, who sang songs holding deep meaning for the couple. The wedding day began with joyful preparations, Olivia surrounded by her closest friends and a bustling team, while Josh enjoyed a "tisch" with his friends and father, complete with bagels and toasts, creating parallel scenes of shared joy.

The Grand Ceremony: First Looks, Vows, and Cultural Traditions

Olivia and Josh's emotional "first look" took place at their ceremony venue, 15 Orient, an art gallery thoughtfully adorned with cascading tulips and spider geraniums arranged by Carolina Malabet. The chuppah was reimagined as a suspended, sculptural form, adding a modern touch. Olivia walked down the aisle to Irma Thomas's "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is," feeling a powerful blend of vulnerability and assurance. Friends played integral roles, with classmates giving readings and their "smartest friend," Raillan Brooks, officiating. The couple exchanged personalized vows, leading to tears of joy and relief. They also signed their ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract, personally handwritten by Josh with guidance from his childhood Hebrew school teacher, before mingling with guests during cocktail hour.

A Festive Reception and Unforgettable After-Party: Culinary Delights and Dance-Filled Revelry

The newlyweds made a grand entrance to their reception at Le Rock, amidst the festive holiday crowds of Rockefeller Center, eliciting cheers and congratulations from strangers. The reception continued the emphasis on hospitality, featuring circulating martini carts with creative ice block presentations. Speeches added an emotional and celebratory dimension, highlighted by Olivia's best friend Madison leading a room-wide "hip hip hooray." Olivia and Josh shared their first dance to Otis Redding's "That's How Strong My Love Is," followed by dances with their parents. The dance floor then opened up, transforming into a vibrant scene of untied bow ties and discarded shoes, fueled by Richie from Dart Collective's music. After changing into her after-party dress, Olivia and Josh joined their guests downtown at Salvajes, concluding a weekend filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Reflections on a Dream Realized: Joy, Gratitude, and a Desire to Recreate the Magic

Reflecting on their wedding weekend, Olivia and Josh expressed profound feelings of luck, pride, and love. The meticulous planning, the dedicated vendors, and the overwhelming support from friends and family contributed to an experience that exceeded their expectations. The bride, in particular, conveyed a playful "desperation to throw another party," a testament to the sheer joy and success of their celebration, marking the beginning of their new life together with an abundance of cherished memories.

Antique cushion cut diamonds, once a lesser-known option, have experienced a significant resurgence in appeal, largely influenced by high-profile engagements such as Taylor Swift's. Jewelers like Stephanie Gottlieb emphasize the distinctive historical essence and individual charm these vintage, old mine diamonds possess, setting them apart from contemporary cuts. This newfound interest signals a broader shift in engagement ring preferences towards unique, character-filled stones that embody personal style rather than fleeting trends.

These unique diamonds, often referred to as old mine diamonds, are characterized by their hand-cut origins, resulting in features distinct from their modern counterparts. They boast larger, more substantial facets, softer edges, and a notable open culet, which, contrary to being a flaw, adds to their unique character. Unlike the intense sparkle of modern diamonds, antique cushion cuts offer a softer, warmer glow, particularly captivating in natural light or candlelight, making them highly sought after for their mood-setting qualities and their inherent imperfections.

Selecting an antique cushion cut diamond requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond the conventional 4Cs grading system. Given their vintage, hand-cut nature, these diamonds are not typically assessed by standard gemological institutes. Therefore, working with an experienced jeweler who specializes in sourcing these rare gems is crucial. The focus shifts from strict specifications to the stone's individual personality and how it resonates with the wearer, emphasizing visual appeal, facet patterns, and overall silhouette, rather than solely relying on paperwork. Patience is key in the search, as demand for these unique, finite resources continues to grow.

The journey to finding the perfect engagement ring with an antique cushion cut diamond is a celebration of individuality and history. Embrace the hunt for a stone that tells its own story, and choose a setting that enhances its unique character, whether a modern gold band or a classic solitaire. This choice reflects a deeper appreciation for heritage and personal expression, ensuring your symbol of commitment is as unique and enduring as your love.