NYC Checker Cab Elopement in Chinatown
I was in New York for a bit in November—visiting family, seeing LCD Soundsystem at Brooklyn Steel, eating some of the best food of my life, and photographing a series of editorial styled elopement shoots hosted by Ride or Die Retreats, including this one with Mattie and Arjun in a vintage checker cab in Brooklyn’s Chinatown, easily one of the most gorgeous setups I’ve ever shot.
Flower Disco created a spectacular floral installation that completely consumed a vintage yellow checker cab, overflowing with ornamental kale, delicate orchids in pinks and yellows, and strings of cherry tomatoes, hand-threaded and draped over the hood. The flowers spilled past the tires and onto the sidewalk, and LED strips wove through the arrangement and gave off a soft neon glow in the dark street scene.
Natalie Gray styled the entire shoot and put together vintage wedding day looks for Mattie and Arjun that quite frankly were cool as hell. Mattie wore a vintage silk gown in creamy pink, subtle floral patterns woven into the fabric, paired with white platform heels straight out of 1995. Her makeup was just as bold—Jenna Apel gave her a fully saturated red eyelid, which popped beautifully with bold flash. Arjun’s look was sleek yet high-fashion, with a black suit, white shirt, patent leather tassel loafers, and blue socks.
The cab was parked right along the busy Chinatown sidewalk, and people passed by as the shoot went on, some ignoring us, others turning to look like Mattie and Arjun were celebrities. They hopped into the checker cab for a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle, and inside, the details were just as good—a glossy black and red interior and checker floor, an old taxi light in the window behind them, and original mileage rates still on the door. It was the perfect escape from the crisp November air for a few stolen kisses and warm snuggles.
Shoots like this make me want more NYC elopements, and more creative couples who see their wedding as an experience, not just a checklist. Have a weird vision for your wedding, want something off the beaten path? Want an artful experience for your wedding day? Flower Disco is a perfect example of what happens when you hire an artist and let them do their thing—what Steph brought to this shoot was next-level, because she was creating something new, creating art, not just recycling trends from other weddings. Weddings can be deeply personal, creative, expressive, and built entirely around what you love. What does your dream day look like?
Vendors
📸 Photography by Alyssa Leicht
🌸 Floral Installation by Flower Disco
🎭 Styling by Natalie Gray
💄 Hair by Melissa M Hair
💋 Makeup by Jenna Apel
👰 Veil from Jane Rhyan The Collection
🚕 Vintage Checker Cab Rental from @thecheckercab
💑 Models: Mattie Newlin & Arjun Kaul
🎟 Hosted by: Ride or Die Retreats
🎭 Retreat Guest Host: Eden Strader
📽 Retreat Videography: Estoria Wedding Films
