The couple’s wedding doubled as a love letter to New York City

When Pedro Reyes, 52, and Natasha Danielle Smith, 44, decided to tie the knot, they knew New York City would be one of the major players in their wedding.

“This is where Natasha and I fell in love,” Reyes said. “It was right to bring our closest family and friends to the city that shaped our story.”

The couple decided to turn their July wedding into a three-day celebration that embodies the spirit of the city they love.

It started with a nighttime TopView bus tour, from Times Square and the Empire State Building to the Flatiron Building, Soho, Chinatown and a quick loop through Brooklyn, Reyes said.

“The next evening, we gathered at Biga Bite for dinner and shared a giant pizza for 18 people,” added Reyes, who works in audience development at the New York Post. “Most of Natasha’s family had never met me or my family before, so it was the perfect way for everyone to connect before the big day – laughter, pizza and a touch of New York magic.”

Smith, a communications director at a financial services company, has family that hails from the deep South.

“Since almost everyone was a tourist, we relied on that energy,” she said. In fact, her 81-year-old aunt had never been to the city before. “She said she had never seen buildings so tall in her life,” Smith recalls.

The couple’s wedding weekend culminated with a ceremony and reception for 18 people at the Crosby Street Hotel, with a walking tour of Soho after the ceremony and a performance by magician Matt Szat during dinner.

“We love learning, and we wanted our guests to not only be in awe of New York City, but also to leave knowing more about the neighborhood than when they arrived,” Smith said of the private walking tour. “Plus, it was so much fun for Pedro and I to walk around the cobblestone streets in our wedding clothes — it’s the only time I’ve seen so many stoic New Yorkers break their stride and shout congratulations and well wishes to us,” she joked. (“Be prepared to dodge a few cabs and stay out of the way of traffic,” the groom warned. “It’s all part of the authentic New York experience.”)

Even the details of their wedding day were thoughtful nods to the Big Apple. For example, working with wedding planner Ikea Devonish, owner of Intimate events by Ikiya in Brooklyn, created custom dinner menus through Zazzle with a watercolor painting of Central Park.

In addition, each guest received a watercolor illustration from Four Things Paper with jokes and fun facts about the couple. “It captured everything from the moment we met and our first date to Pedro’s love for the New York Knicks, our concert dates at Madison Square Garden and our shared disdain for oysters,” Smith said.

Devonish appreciated the yellow cabs that were themed at the wedding, from displaying a cab shape on their cocktail hour napkins to a mini cab shape hidden among the party’s flowers.

The duo have also gone the extra mile with their party favors, ensuring no two bags are alike. “Each burlap bag contained a frayed cotton ribbon, her own teas curated by the New York Botanical Garden, aromatherapy candles in different scents, and even New York Lottery tickets,” Smith said, noting that she also included Laderach candy to honor her family members in Louisiana and Georgia peach jam “as a nod to my people in Atlanta.”

To go for a New York City wedding without going overboard, Devonish recommends “finding unique personal touches that speak to the couple’s love story.”

“Create a wedding that reflects the things you love about New York and speaks to your personal experiences,” Smith said.

For example, some of the gifts the couple gave to Smith’s mother and sister came from an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum and had special meaning because they “reflected black culture and celebrated New York City during the Harlem Renaissance,” Smith said. This introduced elements that were unique to New York City and summed up the couple’s identity.

“Think about why you love New York, and let that guide your decisions,” she added.

How to go to town: Here are some fun ways to incorporate your love of the concrete jungle into your wedding day.

Candles

This New York City scented edition is handcrafted in New York’s Hudson Valley. From $16; Written perfume

Brackets

Custom arch for your wedding bouquet, hand painted by Tribeca artist Ashley Myers. $250; Shut up

Black and white cookies

Carnegie Deli’s signature giant black and white cookies. From $50; Carnegie Daily

Coasters

Lovely city themed coasters for wedding table decoration. $45 for a set of four; Uncommon goods

baked goods

Cookies from Levain Bakery make the perfect wedding gift. From $32 for a pack of 4; Levin Bakery