Having met and become acquaintances while attending college at Syracuse University, Sarah Rosencrans and Cody Meashaw admit they didn’t interact much. It wasn’t until Cody moved to Washington, DC to attend graduate school that they reconnected and became smitten. After courting Sarah for some time, Cody felt it was time to propose, first asking for her father’s blessing. He received well-wishes and was also entrusted with another treasured item: the engagement ring that belonged to Sarah’s late mother. “It really meant a lot to Sarah to receive her mother’s ring,” Cody shares. It was made even more special that Cody incorporated the couple’s beloved pups into the proposal, affixing the ring box to one of their collars.

The bride and groom had made an agreement that Sarah would manage the planning as long as she kept his likes in mind and made him aware of final choices. “I had a lot of freedom!” she happily remembers. “My dad and stepmom were integral to the process,” she goes on to say. “They came to every vendor meeting and made sure I wasn’t a ‘bridezilla.’” The talented team at Evoke Design & Creative was also pivotal. The groom attests: “Get a planner! They are priceless!”

As the search for an ideal place to host the nuptials began, there was one requirement of a venue that was not negotiable: it must allow dogs. “Based on those narrowed options, The St. Regis was incredible,” describes the bride. The luxury property is also home to a beautiful alfresco space, which worked nicely to showcase Cody’s love of the outdoors and the bride’s plan to incorporate a lot of greenery into the décor.

The ceremony space was decorated only minimally, with low arrangements of florals, fresh greenery, and gilt guest chairs surrounding the circular stage at which the couple would wed. In lieu of a traditional chuppah, Sarah asked her floral designers at Amaryllis Floral & Event Design to create something uniquely gorgeous with an open look – and they did. A grandiose chandelier bedecked with verdure was suspended overhead, enhanced with moody lighting.

While the groom looked handsome in a smart black tuxedo, it was the flower girl and ring bearer – the couple’s canines – who seized the attention of loved ones. Rooby donned a custom dress of satin and tulle inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker’s iconic pink dress in the Sex and the City opening. Toby wore a specially made tuxedo featuring velvet and gold embellishments.

Finally, the bride made her grand entrance wearing a timeless A-line gown with cap sleeves and a lace back. “Seeing Sarah with her big smile made it all real!” confides Cody. She opted not to carry a bouquet and instead hold an heirloom Bible draped lightly with greenery. “It has been signed by everyone married on our side of the family since 1920,” Sarah reveals of the sentimental detail. “I also had a piece of my mom’s wedding gown sewn into the lining of my dress so that she was there with me.”

The cocktail hour paid tribute to Cody’s love of nature by using an impressive antler chandelier suspended over a dark mahogany bar, which served flights of the groom’s favorite drink: ginger beer. Both bride and groom agree that they shouldn’t have missed cocktail hour in order for Sarah to change into a second dress. “We felt we missed out on seeing people,” she explains.

As guests shifted into the reception area, they were met with lovely displays of farm tables given a feminine touch with bullion candles, white blossoms, and vegetation. Glistening light fixtures along with darker pin lighting further set the tone for a romantic ambience.

The newlyweds had spent a lot of time curating their menu. “Sarah has really made me appreciate good food, and we wanted our guests to experience a meal unlike any other!” says Cody. “We had an exquisite four-course dinner beginning with a golden egg soufflé with caviar, followed by salmon and tuna crudo, lobster tail and spring rolls, crispy duck breast with spaetzle, and an incredible custom dessert display!”

The night was filled with laughter, love, and plenty of dancing thanks to the DJ who used live instruments to play pop hits. When the photographer asked Cody to crowd-surf for photos, he did not delay. “It was a genius idea and so fun!” he exclaims. “The entire day was a blast.”