Let’s set the scene: Hinge, post-COVID, New York city. Melanie and Jake eased from cocktails to dinners to arcade dates in Chelsea, all while a looming move to Chicago quietly raised the stakes. What should’ve ended deepened: seven blocks between apartments turned into daily walks through Madison Square Park, lingering at the dog run, stretching out the inevitable until it no longer made sense to let go. So they didn’t.

After three years of back-and-forth flights and a leap to make a life in Chicago, they got engaged (and eventually returned to New York, right where it all began). Their wedding at tranquility farm was cozy to its core, all warm bourbon, leather, and flickering candles. think Ralph Lauren by way of Virginia wine country. 

Burgers overrode black-tie pretentiousness; they poured whisky from the back of jake’s dad’s truck and served chocolate chip cookies over cake. The dance floor tipped from polished to unbridled in the best way. it all fell into place, just as they knew it would. because for melanie and jake, it always does.

The

Polo

Barn

The Polo Barn

“We are both passionate about one thing: coziness. Fur blankets, candles, soft lit lamps, bourbon old fashioneds, fireplaces, dark leather sofas, comfort foods, and hot tea. We loved the idea of bringing our favorite décor vibe—club/lounge, Ralph Lauren, romantic—to our wedding day.”

the Vibe

“With the help of Cristina Calvert’s incredible planning team, we wove Ralph Lauren décor staples into the details: horse and polo art, ticking stripe tablecloths, stacked coffee table books, leather sofas, banquette seating, plaid pillows, china plates with Pechets printed on the top, silver trays and cups.”

The couple’s ralph lauren theme made a whisper of a debut at their welcome party. restaurant table lamps with pleated shades pulled double-duty at both events; burgundy floral table runner’s nodded to the big day’s vermillion palette; and bud vases, filled with red roses and anemones, set the tone.

the night before

“I found my dress while bridal shopping with my mom, mother-in-law, and close friend in Chicago. The decision came fairly easy to me, because when I put my dress on it felt like the perfect expression of the everyday me, but elevated as f*ck—The color, the subtle sheen of the fabric, the way the neckline hit the perfect spot.”

the Look

Jake wore a tuxedo he already had in his closet, but wanted to introduce an element that connected him to his groomsmen and set them apart from other guests dressed in black-tie. “We toyed with a few ideas, like bow ties and tux studs, but eventually landed on the idea of personalized tuxedo shoes. We designed custom velvet slippers which were monogrammed on the toe box,” says Melanie. “seeing their excitement when they opened their shoes was priceless, and jake will hang onto them forever as a memory.”

“We are both passionate about one thing: coziness. Fur blankets, candles, soft lit lamps, bourbon old fashioneds, fireplaces, dark leather sofas, comfort foods, and hot tea. We loved the idea of bringing our favorite décor vibe—club/lounge, Ralph Lauren, romantic—to our wedding day.”

“a moment during the dinner portion of the evening stuck out to us: we were both looking around the room and noticed how happy everyone was. they were laughing, cheersing their wine, reconnecting with relatives. The seafood cart had just done its rounds, and then the surprise burger course started emerging from the kitchen. We got to watch as everyone’s faces lit up in delight when the burger hit the table in front of them.”

“We wanted our wedding to feel like you were sitting at the Polo Bar in New York City—without having to give up your first born to get the dinner reservation.”

B. “This photo always spurs emotion in us. This was the moment right after we walked down the aisle, and after we were shepherded into a golf cart. It was pure euphoria—there are residual tears in our eyes, and we’re riding the highest high after being pronounced husband and wife. I also love how unposed this photo is: my dress is bunched up haphazardly on my lap, Jake is holding a fresh Arnold Palmer, and we were probably in the middle of saying ‘this is so insane’ for the 98th time. It’s joy, comfort, ease, happiness and warmth.”

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F. “The unequivocal emotional high point was walking down that aisle as husband and wife. The ceremony itself, which was officiated by our close friend Miguel, was everything we wanted—it was deeply personal, unpretentious, and serene. While we stood up there, we were both eerily calm and tuned into the moment. when we were pronounced husband and wife, the emotions hit all at once. It was the best adrenaline rush of our lives, and beyond surreal, and we both remember looking at each other at the end of the aisle like, ‘Did that just happen?’”

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