Multicultural Wedding on a Rooftop in Long Island City, Queens: Sylvia + Jay

Bride: Sylvia Lee – Director of Reservations
Groom: Jamile Lee-Gray – Head Football Coach
Wedding Date: 07/30/2014
Wedding location:  Long Island City, Queens NY

Happy Monday! We’re excited to kick this week off with some of the most beautiful weddings and inspiration shoots you’ve seen.  To start things off, we’re sharing the stunning rooftop wedding of Sylvia and Jay, originally featured in the FW14 issue on newsstands now. Sylvia and Jay’s wedding was intimate, non-traditional and fun…they had their reception at a night club so you know they are a couple that knows how to party.    We love that they kept things simple, allowing them the time to focus on family and close friends.  Oh, and they got married on a Wednesday…you don’t get more nontraditional than that!  Enjoy these gorgeous photos courtesy by Kesha Lambert Photography and be sure to check out more in the gallery.

Wedding Story
written by Angela Conner

It was a weeknight, and Sylvia did not feel like dragging herself out of the house after work to go to the Brooklyn Bowl.  Sadly she had already promised her friends she would go, so she threw on some flip flops and with her hair still damp, she headed out the door.

Huffing and puffing all the way there, she put on a smile when she walked in and sat down.  In came Jamile (Jay). He sat right next to her. Sylvia thought she looked disheveled, and she was definitely not  interested in meeting anyone, but a new tattoo on Jay’s arm triggered a conversation. Sylvia asked Jay about his tat, and he shared that it was a tattoo of his best friend’s name who died suddenly of a heart attack.  Sylvia also recently had a friend who had passed away suddenly and they began to engage in a deep conversation about love and loss.  “Jay’s best friend, ‘Chyna’ of 15 years died at the age of 34 in February 2010 from an apparent heart attack in her home. My best friend, Jose also of 15 years and age 34 died in February 2011 of a stroke in his home just one year after Chyna passed.  An eery coincidence?  I think not.  From that point on, I had already told myself that I had to at the very least stay in touch whether as friends or just acquaintances. Still not thinking romantically. There was a reason why we were both there. I really felt that our Guardian Angels were truly looking out for the 2 of us and brought us together.  Oh…and another eery coincidence?  No, but definitely out of the ordinary. We share the same last name, Lee. Was this meant to be or are we long lost cousins? Eww…no to the latter. LOL!” Sylvia recalls.

It took a month after their initial meeting for Sylvia and Jay to connect again. But after seeing each other brunch their bond was forever sealed.

After a year of dating, Jay was ready to take their relationship to the next level.  It was Sylvia’s birthday and he convinced her to get off early.  Jay told her that they were going to a Knicks game and would have dinner with friends and family afterward.  When they arrived at Madison Square garden, Sylvia was pleasantly surprised to see her family and close friends were already there. They headed to the boardroom, drank cocktails and then made their way down to the court to watch warm ups.  They were asked by a MSG official if they wanted to come out to the center of the court to take pictures with Knicks legends John Starks & Larry “Grandmama” Johnson.  They excitedly headed out to the court. Sylvia motioned for her friends and family to join them for the picture, but she noticed they wouldn’t move.  She was annoyed that her family was not paying attention to her on her 40th birthday, but all of a sudden they stormed the court. Turns out they were just waiting for their cue, which was Jay dropping to one knee.  Sylvia was so focused on her family and the frenzy of flashing cameras, she did not even see Jay. Finally when she looked down, she saw Jay with the ring and was overcome with emotion!

They decided to have a small non-traditional wedding that focused on family.  They married on Wednesday, because they wanted to get married on the same day that they had their first date: July 30th.  25 guests joined them for their ceremony which was held on a rooftop hotel in Long Island City, Queens. They filmed the ceremony and showed the video at the beginning of their reception for guests who could not attend the ceremony.  Instead of a huge seated dinner, they had passed Hors d’oeuvres, a pasta station, an open bar and the night ended with dessert. It was a non-stop party as guests hit the dance floor right after the cake was cut.
Whether big or small, Sylvia and Jay’s wedding proves that as long as your nuptials are focused on family and love they are sure to be memorable.

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