There are ways to incorporate New York City, and your love for it and there are ways where it’s incorporated and completely overdone.  Kathi & Gary planned their PERFECT New York City themed wedding from the D.C. area, and it really went off without a hitch!

Yes, November 8, 2008 started with rain and pretty much continued with rain off and on, but that did not put a damper on this couples day.  They said “We’re still getting married, and that’s all that matters.”  This should be the mantra for all couples who fear clouds and rain on their special day.

Kathi & Gary were joined by 132 family and friends (90% from out of town mind you) and you could feel the love, hear the laughter, and enjoy the energy that was in great supply.  Every single guest at the wedding uttered the word “WOW” at some point of the evening.  Every single detail was appreciated - the candied apples, the personalized billboards, the metro-card escort cards, the Double-Decker Tour of NYC, NYC Neighborhood Stations (Little Italy, Fulton Fish Market, Chinatown, and NYC Steakhouses), the GINORMOUS candy bar, or the Marquis that caught the attention of the passer-by.  It was a phenomenal wedding, and one that will go down in my “FUN-Book.”

Thank you so much to Kathi, Gary (and Sophie too) for their generosity, and it was an absolute pleasure working with you both!!!  Best Wishes….

Their AMAZING vendors (above and beyond):
Ceremony:  St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Reception:  The Hudson Theatre

Yes, they did an INCREDIBLE Tango...

Hair & Makeup:  Jennifer Brent / Laura Nadeau

Band: East Coast Band

Flowers & Decor:  Designs by Rose

Transportation:  Double Diamond Limousines
Photography:  5 West Studios (Spencer Lum) w/Guest Shooter:  Irina Mednick

What's NYC w/out a Dirty-Water Dog...

Video:  Halo Productions (Yuri)

Double-Decker Tour:  Gray Lines

Cake: Carlo’s Bakery (Buddy)

Here’s the slide-show from Spencer (5 West Studios) with loads of pictures!

All Photos Courtesy of 5 West Studios

Front view and inside view

They always say that love surpasses all, and I truly believe that.  Erin and Travis are living proof!  They came across every single bump in the road of wedding planning, and still have a perfect day in the end.

First the venue they booked originally closed, leaving them to find a new venue months before their big day.  Then, they had to cancel and rebook vendors for one reason or the other, and finally, Travis breaks his wrist.  These two deserved a perfect day, and that’s exactly what they got on October 12, 2008.

The Vendors that Made It Happen:

Hair & Makeup:  The Bridal Lounge

Yes, that's Erin's sister trimming her hair...she's a talented hair & makeup artist!

Photographer:  Mariann, Blue Daisy Weddings & Guest Shooting:  Aga, Aga Images

Ceremony:  Mt. Sinai Congregational UCC Church

Reception:  Mill Pond Country Club

Florist:  Flowers by Burton

Cocktail Musicians:  Ambience Strings

DJ:  Get In Tune

Transportation:  Legend Limousines

Wishing Erin & Travis an amazing (delayed) Honeymoon and Marriage!

All Photos Courtesy of Blue Daisy Weddings

That’s right kids, today (Tuesday) you get a double-whammy of wedding recaps from ‘lil ole me.  We start with an intimate gathering of family and friends on October 18, 2008.  Gina and Ed could not have asked for a more perfect backdrop and weather.  Married by Celebrant Kim Kirkley in their courtyard with the GW Bridge in the background, 20 of their nearest and dearest, champagne toasts all around, and smiles from ear to ear.  The bride, Gina wore her grandmother’s stole and held a seasonal bouquet by Flowers by Emil.

After celebratory hugs and kisses, and more champagne toasts, the headed off to the Meatpacking District with their talented photographer, Lindsay Flanagan, and then joined 60 of their guests at New York City’s hidden jewel:  Gradisca.

The dark red and orange walls and exposed brick of Gradisca set a romantic tone to the remainder of the evening, where guests dined and wined and shared stories about the bride and groom and their amazing family and friends.

Congrats to Gina & Ed - we wish you the very best in the newest chapter of your life.

Click here to see the slideshow and more photos by Lindsay

All Photos by Lindsay Flanagan

s

My co-irker got married this past Saturday and honeymooned at the Dallas/Washington game last night. Her team won.

Here is a bad photo of the seating chart I whipped up for Jen.

Congrats Jen & John!

Famous Brides in the Gowns They Chose

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier Grimaldi

Lady Diana Spencer & Prince of Wales
Jaqueline Bouvier & John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey

JFK Jr. and Caroline Bisset

Gwen Stefani

Victoria Beckham

Katie Holmes

Avril Lavigne

Marcia Cross

Christina Aguilera

Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi

Katherine Heigl

Ashley Simpson

Kate Walsh

Eva Longoria

Jennifer Lopez

Carmen Electra

Pink

Nicole Kidman

Courteney Cox

Martine and Sean were married on September 26, 2008 at the Community Church of East Williston.  We started with a rainy Friday afternoon but fortunately turned around giving us a few minutes to sneak some outdoor pictures.  We had an all-start cast for their spectacular event, and I’m sure the bride and groom will say they had the time of their life!

Wishing Martine & Sean the best…

Getting Ready Location:  Garden City Hotel
Hair:  Stacy Pitt, Styles on B
Ceremony Location:  Community Church of East Williston
Ceremony Music:  M.A.S. Music
Reception Location:  Jericho Terrace
Reception Music:  Finer Touch Entertainment
Photographer:  A Raisin in the Sun
Transportation:  Double Diamond Limousines
Florist:  Flowers by Emil

Seeing each other for the first time:

Their gorgeous bridal party:

How awesome is this groom’s cake?

All Photos Courtesy of A Raisin in the Sun

As previously blogcussed (discussed) Tara and I were invited to a cake tasting with Mark Joseph Cakes.  We had the pleasure of meeting Mark & Leslie, the brains, brauns, and bakers behind this delish company, located in the heart of DUMBO, Brooklyn.

We’ve never been to a cake tasting before, so when this opportunity was kindly presented to us, we could not resist.  Besides, who doesn’t love them some cake!

We sat at a table set with various cake types and fillings.  Unfortunately, there were so many we tried that I don’t remember, but will do my best.

The fun setup:

The cakes we tried were (in layman’s’ terms):  Red Velvet (Tara’s fave), Vanilla, Chocolate, Old Fashioned Vanilla, Almond, Orange (my fave), Banana Nut, and Lemon.  The fillings offered were:  vanilla butter cream, chocolate, chocolate/hazelnut ganache, raspberry, pistachio, cream cheese/lemon, and a few others that just slip my mind, but my taste buds adored and savored.

It was a great opportunity for us to play mix & match, and we kept going back and forth, and back for more.  I could easily see how it’s such an overwhelming experience for brides and grooms to select their “perfect” cake.  Fortunately, there are so many combinations and you could always alternate flavors per tier.

After licking our fingers, plates, forks, spoons, and the TABLE clean of yummy goodness, we chatted “shop” with Leslie and Mark and learned so much about their “fanciness” (my word, not theirs.)  Not only did everything taste amazing, but their designs are perfection.  Here is the wall of “greatness”, that I’m sure many of you will recognize from publications such as Brides, The Knot, and Brides New York.

Thank you so much for Leslie & Mark for opening their home (away from home) to us, and we had such a great time!

The Dynamic Duo:

Tara w/Leslie & Mark

Tara and I are paying a visit to a Hometown (my hometown that is - Brooklyn) Baker today!

We’re meeting with Mark Joseph Cakes, and promise to take plenty of notes and pictures…so stay tuned!

We all know this feisty fierce fashionista:  Anne-Marie from the infamous Perfect Bound Blog.  We met thanks to Vane (yes, THE Vane of Brooklyn Bride Blog) and I knew glamor would be in full supply for Anne-Marie & Thomas’ big day!

This is a sneak-peak for now.  I promise once we receive more pictures, to write a full-blog review!

The incredible vendors that made this day happen:

Ceremony Location:  The Chapel at Manhattanville College
Reception Location:  The CV Rich Mansion
DJ:  BOK Music
Florist: Xquisite Events
Transportation:  Double Diamond
Photography:  Belathee Photography (Annabel)
Videography:  Orange Films

Pictures Courtesy of Belathee Photography

How fun are mood boards? I read Snippet and Ink daily and always find something great to ooh and aah over.

With BrialdCanvas.com you can easily create your very own mood board. Post your results in our comments section, I’d love to see what you guys come up with!

And thanks to Eric at Duet for passing this fun link up along!

Happy Weekend.

wedding related…

I met Lisa & Cem through Cindy (of the Cindy and Adam) and had an incredible time planning their event together.  The vision Lisa and Cem had for their event was whimsy (but in a classic way.)  The colors purple, blue, chocolate brown, and hunter green was found throughout their October 5, 2008 wedding.  Special touches like the floating butterflies, dragonflies, and bees hovered of their centerpieces.  Moss green olives in oversized martini glasses accented the bars with specialty drinks in honor of their fur-babies.

We had incredible vendors that went above and beyond from beginning until end.  Guests dined and danced the night away until the very end.

Ceremony & Reception:  The Lighthouse, Abigail Kirsch at Chelsea Piers (Anthony Jackson)

Officiant:  Alma Daniel

Strings & Band:  The Right Mix, Vali Music

I really love this picture...

Floral & Decor:  Atlas Floral Decorators (Kiriba Logan)

Hair:  Fly Wheel Studio (Anne)
Makeup: Maureen Walsh

Photographer:  Marcin Muchalski
Videographer:  15 Minutes of Frame
Transportation:  Camelot Limos
Products:  Laurie, Exquisite Affairs Productions Inc. (Invitations/Menus/Programs/Escort & Place Cards)

From the Photo Session in The Meat Packing District:

All Photos Courtesy of Marcin Muchalski