Real Bride: Madison & Justin

Madison Massey & Justin Den Herder

15 May 2021

We got engaged on a summer weekend in Cape Cod while laying in a hammock at sunset.

I was leaving a bar in the east village one night and hopped into a taxi. Somebody took off running after the car and caught me at the next red light less than a block away. He knocked on the window and breathlessly asked for my number. I asked him what his name was. He said “My name is Justin. You have such a beautiful smile. I couldn’t let you drive away.” I was in shock and the light turned green so I decided to get his number as this seemed like the safer option. I text him before I even got home.

Catherine Deane Lita Gown

Romantic, unique, and vintage-inspired. The Lita Gown made me feel like I was straight out of a period film.

Actually, I was having such a hard time finding dresses that I liked! While creating a mood board I came across the Lita Gown on an old blog and fell in love but I couldn’t find anything like it. The layers and beading give it a vintage feel.

I made an appointment at the BHLDN showroom in NYC. I was planning to try on a few specific dresses. When we walked in I was so surprised to see the Lita Gown hanging right there in front of me. It was like a dream, It was the exact dress from my mood board. The Lita Gown was part of their newly-released limited edition Decade Collection.

We got married on the stoop of our apartment in Brooklyn, NY. We both wanted to just have a courthouse wedding but COVID changed that. We felt like getting married at home was perfect for the time and us. 

We wanted everything to feel natural as if we had just invited over family for lunch but with a little more flowers than usual.

Leeann B Stephan was our photographer. I love her! Like me, she is from Lafayette, Louisiana. She is amazing at capturing the sweet candid moments.

We spent a few days in the Delaware Water Gap, kayaking and hiking.

Madison: Standing at the top of the steps during the ceremony and hearing passersby honk and cheer.

Justin: Our first dance and seeing our families together in person for the first time in a long time.

We only invited immediate family because it was a small ceremony at our apartment. But that didn’t keep a few close friends from flying in and crashing! It was such a great surprise! We were so happy to have them be there to support and celebrate us.

Wedding Outfit: Catherine Deane Lita Gown

Retailer: BHLDN Showroom NYC

Wedding Venue: Our home in Brooklyn, NY

Photographer: Leeann B Stephan Photography 

Florist: Flower Girl NYC 

Caterer: Cake by Buttermilk Bakeshop 

Hair Artist: Hair by Adam Livermore