Real Wedding Wednesdays: Keely Flaherty and Nathan Harar
We love when we find a couple who marches to the beat of their own drum, and Keely Flaherty and Nathan Harar certainly fit that bill. They matched on Tinder and spent two hours “politely sweating in front of each other” over margaritas while seated next to the hot kitchen of a Mexican restaurant, Keely says.
Their proposal story is one for the books: Nate, intending to propose on Halloween, decided on Oct. 27 that he couldn’t wait any longer. While Keely was in the shower, Nate locked her in the bedroom, lit candles and put a yule log video on TV. “Wearing only boxer shorts, he panicked at the last minute and put on a button-down shirt,” Keely recalls. No pants—just the shirt and boxers. When Keely realized she was locked in the bedroom, Nate opened the door to and knelt before her. Keely, dressed just as spiffily in her “Jurassic World” sleep shirt, said yes.
The L.A. couple’s intimate wedding included 75 guests and tons of “quirky personal details that highlighted our individual personalities,” Keely says. Her gown featured a Shakespearian sonnet embroidered on the skirt to represent her love of theater, while Nate included a David Bowie quote in his vows as a nod to his musician roots and the couple’s shared love of pop culture.
Perhaps the most impressive personal touch, however, was the intricately designed table centerpieces, which were created with the newlyweds’ favorite TV and film couples in mind. Guests sat at tables with décor featuring Westley and Buttercup from “The Princess Bride,” Ben and Leslie from Parks and Recreation, Buffy and Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Margot and Richie from "The Royal Tenenbaums," Luke and Lorelai from Gilmore Girls, Han and Leia from Star Wars, Pam and Jim from The Office, and Ferris and Sloane from “Ferris Bueller's Day Off.” Keely says her mom “spent months laminating and gluing everything together for the tables, and finding mugs, candles and Pop Funko Dolls on Etsy.” That hard work didn’t go to waste: At the end of the night, guests were encouraged to take the table props home as favors.
The Details
Wedding date: Sept. 13, 2019
Wedding colors: Black
Attendants: One bridesmaid, one bridesman and two groomsmen
Bride wore: Gown and accessories from La Jeune Mariee
Hair and makeup: Angie Warren Makeup Artistry; hair by Sarah Whittaker
Groom wore: Suit from J. Crew
Rings: Engagement ring from Brilliant Earth, wedding bands from LA Parisien Design Co. (L.A., California)
Ceremony: High Line Car House
Reception: High Line Car House
Caterer: Together & Company
Cake: Giant Eagle
Florist: Petals & Leaves
Photographer: Derk’s Works Photography
Photo booth: Columbus Photo Booth Co.
Videographer: ALC Productions
Invitations: Minted.com
Music: Bride’s brother played guitar during the ceremony; DJ Mark Dantzer handled the rest of the tunes
