As Brooke Register and Wiley Wilson got off their flight and headed to baggage claim, they noticed each other and sparked up a conversation. “Funny enough we didn’t go on a proper date until months later after we ran into each other again on the West Side Highway,” Brooke recalls. “It felt like the universe kept putting us in front of each other. We met for a drink at Primo’s in Tribeca, and talked all night.”
Wiley knew Brooke preferred to keep personal moments understated, though he loved the idea of a surprise proposal. Four years later, he chose a ring. Though they had spoken about marriage, Brooke didn’t realize the proposal was coming until it was happening in their New York City apartment. “He made up some elaborate reason for us to be in the outdoor space at our apartment during golden hour on a Friday in July of 2022,” she remembers. “I could tell something was up, but as soon as I started to figure it out, he was on one knee!"
With Brooke’s Southern roots and Wiley’s New England background, selecting a wedding destination meant considering both. Ultimately, they chose western Massachusetts for its proximity to both friends and family. After visiting The Mount, Edith Wharton's HomeandThe Wheatleigh, the decision felt sure.
The couple seamlessly blended their backgrounds into the wedding aesthetic. At the Friday night welcome party, they introduced a Southern flair. A four-piece bluegrass band set the tone, while Acquolina Catering served a menu inspired by Southern cuisine. “We wanted the welcome party to feel elevated to match the elegance of The Wheatleigh’s outdoor space," Brooke begins. "But we wanted to balance that with an approachability for the evening and to generate a feeling of Southern hospitality and warmth for our guests."
On the wedding day, the vision was timeless. The gardens at The Mount were complemented by coastal elements from Avela Floral, including hydrangeas and wicker details. Tara Consolati Events and Mezze Events brought the vision to life with precision. “Our incredibly talented friend Arielle Ergas created the designs for all our stationery,” Brooke adds. “She brought our vision to life with beautiful watercolor impressions of our venues, florals, and other motifs from the wedding that we used for our save the date, invitation, menus, and place cards.”
The bride began the wedding weekend in a design by her close friend, Leily Ahmed of RosewaterHouse. "Her pieces are always so flattering and so unique, and the combination of soft linen with gold detail was the perfect way to elevate my casual daytime look,” she says.
That evening, she changed into a full-length taffeta gown from Bernadette. “For Friday night, I went for something that made me feel like a city girl in the South," Brooke shares. For beauty, she turned to friend and longtime collaborator Craig Honeycutt, who helped her feel like the best version of herself.
After trying on countless designs, Brooke chose Oscar de la Renta for the ceremony. “My personal style leans toward classic, but I love incorporating surprising elements through pattern, shape, or texture,” she notes. “I was drawn to the incredible craftsmanship and detail. I knew no one had worn the dress before, and I was excited to have something so unique.” A statement veil completed the look, while minimal jewelry allowed the dress to stand on its own. For the after-party, she changed into a vintage piece from Happy Isles.
Wiley wore a classic black tuxedo for the ceremony and an ivory silk dinner jacket for the after-party, both by P. Johnson Tailors. Bridesmaids wore dresses of their own choosing in soft shades of blue and pink.
On July 27, 2024, Brooke and Wiley exchanged vows in the Italian Garden at The Mount, standing at the entrance to the “allée” of pleached linden trees. The ceremony unfolded beneath the sunlight, with a cool breeze moving through the garden. “I spend my working hours in front of a camera where I am comfortable being the center of attention; similarly, Wiley prides himself on his composure and public speaking ability,” the bride notes. “On paper, the two of us should have been completely calm, but we both found ourselves giddy and nervous in the lead-up to the ceremony. But we both chilled out once we were holding hands!"
Following the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktails on the patio before moving under a sailcloth tent on the other side of the grounds. “The atmosphere was lively and it was a joy to watch completely different worlds from our lives collide in a fun and organic way,” Brooke shares. “Fittingly, at the home of a great American writer, we were graced with some of the most engaging, eloquent, and truly hysterical toasts from friends and family.”
Brooke and Wiley’s first dance was to Neil Young’s "Harvest Moon," before the band transitioned into an upbeat remix of the same song, inviting guests to join them on the dance floor. Cafe Wha?, the house band from the West Village nightclub of the same name where artists like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix once took the stage, brought an unforgettable energy to the evening.
In the excitement of it all, the newlyweds missed cutting the cake. “Wiley and I actually had so much fun dancing, laughing, and enjoying our time with each other and with our friends and family that we completely missed out on cutting our own cake—much to Wiley’s dismay,” the bride laughs. “We’ve been told the funfetti cake with vanilla frosting was delicious, though sadly neither the bride nor the groom can confirm.”
The evening ended back at The Wheatleigh, where the newlyweds and their guests danced late into the night. As the celebration came to a close, Brooke and Wiley said their goodbyes and, the next morning, departed for their honeymoon in Bermuda.
