New Year’s Wedding in New York | Keshia + Spencer

When Keshia and Spencer first met (thank you, dating app!) she felt an “overwhelming sense of home. In June 2020, we became part of each other’s bubble and made our relationship official. We’ve been inseparable since.”

Their meant-to-be transitioned into me-and-you-together-forever not with a proposal, but one of those everyday moments that turns magic. Keshia is a journalist, and one night, “We were cooking dinner and there was breaking news. I had to drop everything and go back to my computer for a few hours. Spencer waited to have dinner with me, even though everything was cold. While eating we started talking about our future and our jobs. I was in awe of how supportive he was and how he didn’t mind at all that I often had to jump to the job. While talking we came to an agreement: we are each other’s person. We decided right then and there that we would get married, and we chose 1-1-23 because we really liked the number.”

The romantic will-you-be-my-life-partner moment happened too—but with Keshia asking Spencer with cufflinks. Shares our groom, “She told me that I mean so much to her, that I’m her best friend and her partner, and that we’re in this life together. Then, because we had decided together to get married, she proposed to me with custom engraved cufflinks to be worn on our wedding day. I absolutely melted in that moment and was so blown away.”

These two soon set about planning their 20s/30s Gatsby-style January 1 wedding that captured their energy, love, and story. Since Keshia had been a journalist for thirteen years, they included newspaper flowers to all the bouquets printed with parts of the novel “Practical Magic” because, shares Keshia, “We love the story, the magic, and romance and aspire to keep that spark and passion all our lives.” They also incorporated flapper-era details like ostrich feather centerpieces and Spencer’s tux with tails (that was also a nod to one of their favorite movies, Top Hat).

Read more about their day (including Keshia’s pro-tip about sneakers and ballgown skirts) and how their paths lead to one another from our sweet bride below!

wedding dress: Lea-Ann Belter Dinah via Something Bleu Bridal | photographer: Rob Spring Photography | scroll down for full vendor list

How did you know the other was “the one”?

Keshia: “There was no one moment for me. I just feel completely myself with Spencer. He makes me feel not only comfortable being my true self, but special for all I am and do. And of course, he makes me laugh. I love living with my best friend. We read online about your partner being your base camp—your safe space—and we both really relate. No matter where I am, Spencer is my basecamp, my home.”

Spencer: “I had a strong feeling that Keshia was the one for me when we were having dinner one night and she toasted “to us!” I had an ex who said it was corny when I had made the same toast, and I had taken her comment to heart. Suddenly, I realized I wasn’t weird or wrong—I just hadn’t yet met my person. It took me time to feel safe and open up in our relationship. The moments that really did it for me were the special meals that she made for me. Early on, she cooked an amazing meal for my birthday that ended with a passionfruit crème brûlée that knocked my socks off.

After we were engaged, she made a mushroom ravioli with butternut squash, spinach, yellow squash, garlic, roasted hazelnuts, and brown butter sugar sage sauce (my favorite). She told me that I mean so much to her, that I’m her best friend and her partner, and that we’re in this life together. Then, because we had decided together to get married, she proposed to me with custom engraved cufflinks to be worn on our wedding day. I absolutely melted in that moment and was so blown away. I already knew she was the one at that point, but that helped me see just how important we are to each other. It really motivated me to focus on writing the best vows I could in the months before the wedding.”

What is your favorite thing about each other?

Keshia: “I love Spencer’s insatiable appetite for learning and growth. He’s always working on himself and striving to not only be a better person but make the world a more accepting place. He makes me want to be the best person I can be.“

Spencer: “There’s no one else like Keshia. No one I trust more. As a sensitive guy, I love how sweet and caring she is. I also love Keshia’s imagination and creativity. Every day she comes up with a new song or has a wild story about her dream the night before. She also dreams up amazing color schemes and party themes and then makes them a reality. She has wowed so many people with her skills. Keshia makes life magical.”

Any special ways you incorporated yourselves, family, or family history into your wedding day?

Keshia: “I was a journalist for about 13 years, so we added newspaper flowers to all the bouquets. The pages are actually from a vendor we found on Etsy who makes any book into a flower for you. We chose “Practical Magic” because we love the story, the magic, and romance and aspire to keep that spark and passion all our lives. We had some very special “path moments” while deciding to get married and planning the wedding, which we incorporated into the event. My dad always says that path moments are the universe reminding you that you’re going in the right direction. We were cooking dinner one night and there was breaking news. I had to drop everything and go back to my computer for a few hours. Spencer waited to have dinner with me, even though everything was cold. While eating we started talking about our future and our jobs. I was in awe of how supportive he was and how he didn’t mind at all that I often had to jump to the job. While talking we came to an agreement: we are each other’s person. We decided right then and there that we would get married and we chose 1-1-23 because we really liked the number. The next weekend we went to look at rings. I was struggling because I didn’t like any of the newer ones, they didn’t quite capture us. We asked if they had any antique or estate jewelry, they brought out a gorgeous engagement ring from the 20s-30s, and a matching 1930s wedding band for Spencer. We loved them immediately and knew they were for us. The next weekend we went to look at venues and fell in love with the second venue we saw. We loved the energy of the staff at The Inn at Erlowest in Lake George, NY. Both the venue and rings were very vintage. With us being old souls, we decided to have a 20s/30s themed Gatsby-style winter wedding. We incorporated that art deco feel into all the details from ostrich feather centerpieces to the tux with tails for Spencer (also a nod to one of our favorite movies, Top Hat). There was a moment when we were taking photos down by the lakefront and we looked up and saw the venue all lit up on the hill with jazz music playing. It felt like we stepped back in time. We were very thoughtful about the planning and bringing ties from our friends and family together.“

Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?

Keshia: “I really wanted to play off our classic, 1920s/30s vibe. I wanted something simple and elegant, but also that makes a statement, since I love fashion and have a big personality. I had a bad experience at the first shop we went to. I just couldn’t find what I wanted, and I felt pressured into saying yes to a dress that wasn’t my ideal. I decided to go on a more chill visit to a bridal store—Something Bleu Bridal in Saratoga Springs, NY—with two of my girlfriends. Before going I looked on the Lea-Ann Belter website, since that’s what the shop was highlighting online, and I saw SO many dresses that were just gorgeous. I made a list of ones I wanted to see including “Dinah.” When I got there, I tried on about five dresses and when I stepped into the beautiful silk “Dinah” dress from Lea-Ann Belter, I was in love. I’m a little bit older bride at 35, and not as fit as I’d imagined in my 20s I’d be for my wedding. But in Dinah I felt beautiful. It tucked me in at the waist, accentuated all the right places, and flowed. It was elegant and yet highly fashionable. A true showstopper with the upright bow in the back too! The fabric was just so rich and stunning. But I was still on the fence, picking a wedding dress is a big deal and I wasn’t quite ready to say yes. I really appreciate that the saleswoman told me to go home and sleep on it and that Dinah would be waiting for me when I returned. I got home and could not stop looking at photos of me in the dress. It was pretty clear that it was the one. I scheduled an appointment for the next weekend and invited my mom. When I put it back on, Dinah was it. I didn’t try on any other dresses. The gown really is the dress of dreams. And it was wonderful that they make each dress specifically for each customer, so no worrying about what size to get. I felt so special, a custom gown! And yet the price was very reasonable. Pro tip, a ballgown hides your shoes so you can wear sneakers and focus on more important things at your wedding than your feet hurting. My dress was so beautiful and comfortable that I didn’t even have to wear shapewear. I focused on comfort but didn’t sacrifice elegance. It helped me be more present on my wedding day and enjoy it rather than worrying about what I was wearing.” Spencer: “I chose a tux with tails after being inspired by Fred Astaire (who Keshia introduced me to). The tux style went great with the theme of our wedding, and we decided to perform a ballroom dance together for our first dance. It worked out great.”

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

“We knew we were each other’s person. We both can’t imagine finding anyone else who is as in-tune as we are. Our relationship is based on communication, trust, and friendship. We can be our true selves around one another and always have each other’s support. As far as venues, we were looking for a winter venue that was on a lake. I’m a Pisces, so I have a special connection to water, and we both grew up around Lake Champlain. We also wanted to find a venue that was halfway between our hometown and where we live now. We looked at exactly two venues. The second one was The Inn at Erlowest in Lake George, NY. We immediately knew it was the spot we wanted to get married at. The grounds are stunning and filled with history. It’s on the lake, and just had a really powerful energy to it—very positive and welcoming. The staff won us over. They really focused on making you feel important and tended to. They have an on-site planner that helps you stay on track with your planning and provides a to-do list so you don’t forget anything. I really appreciated it. They made us feel like we are part of the Erlowest family.”

What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?

Keshia: “The vows were really special. Spencer stole the show with his thoughtful, heartfelt vows, and I cherish every minute of that. I felt so completely, entirely, thoroughly seen and loved. There was also one moment that stood out to me on the day of. We were dancing with all our friends and relatives on the dance floor. They formed a circle around us, and Spencer and I were just spinning in the middle. At that moment, I was able to look around and see all of their smiling faces. I felt so surrounded in love. Every single person there loved and supported us. It was very powerful. Spencer: “The vows were really special to me as well. It was important for me to declare my love and dedication to Keshia in front of our guests. And Keshia’s vows touched my heart. Our choreographed dance was a special moment as well. The moment was extra special after hearing from my uncle that the song we chose (“Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong) was one of my late grandmother’s favorites. It felt like she was there with us that night. And of course, I can’t forget the fireworks that we surprised all of our guests with! Shoutout to Keshia’s dad for making those happen for us.”

Any tips for couples getting married?

“Take your time and space planning out. We booked our vendors in the first few months and then could work on the smaller details over the course of a year. We bought one thing for the wedding every paycheck to spread out the costs. It’s worth it to spend the money on a good photographer and videographer. Full stop. You won’t regret it and you’ll have the images forever, not just of you and your partner, but all of your family members. Take time during the planning process for you and your partner. Do something that can make you laugh and isn’t so serious. Focus on being present and having a good time. We spent most of our planning process thinking about weddings we’ve been to, what we liked as a guest and what we weren’t as fond of. We put that into our planning process. Our goal was to make this as low-stress and fun, as well as meaningful as we could. The details help bring it all together. You don’t have to spend big to have tiny details that make your wedding feel thoughtful. For example, we bought a document download from an Etsy vendor that we used for all of our signage and anything like welcome bag tags to have it all match. It saved a lot of money and had everything printed at Staples. I (Keshia) love to craft, so I made a few items, but to cut down on the stress of having to make everything, I made just a few items and purchased the rest on Etsy. Everything still had the artisan feel without the stressful tears. On the Dress: Don’t be pressured into what anyone else wants. Keep true to yourself. And if you need to take some time to sleep on it, do it. Don’t let anyone try to force you into buying something. Just breathe, you’ll find the perfect dress and it will probably be what you didn’t know you always wanted. A bit more gushing on the dress: I’ve never felt so beautiful and comfortable in my life. My dress was the dress of dreams. My only regret is that I can’t wear it every day… or can I?”