We're in New York Magazine

We are happy to believe that we have the prettiest dress in a New York Magazine review of bridesmaid dresses recently. The shoot was so fun -- we traipsed around our neighborhood with our cell phone cameras in hand and accessories at the ready. The coral dress was in the shoot, but I also like the Coren Moore that didn't make it to press...

Photographer Melissa Hom's image--Amsale dress

Coren Moore dress and sash, my iPhone

Our team on this steamy spring day!

Revel

My friend Saukok of 57 Grand started this incredible blog, Revel, which designs cool inspiration boards (everyone loves those) where you can click on each image and find out more about the items featured.  Best of all, Revel sources (imbeds) where you can purchase these items, with only a click.

She has a few contributors, and I was delighted to "guest host" a board from the Wedding Library's display at the Wedding Party.  Here's the table and area we designed.  Hope you like!  Click on the image to bring you back to our page on Revel, where you can source all these beautiful items!

click for full image!

Library Benefit Design

Ah, designing on a dime. This particular event was a challenge. How to design a dinner for 130 in a (very) formal Great Room of a home that was not yet complete? Days before the event a half-ton chandelier was being hoisted and scores of workers were still gold-leafing the acres of trim on the rooms. Construction dust was being cleared and imported french lace curtains were being hung. No artwork, no furniture, and (until the last minute), no bathroom fixtures.

My task? Create a super elegant dinner atmosphere that highlighted the incredible architecture of this magnificent mansion. With a tiny budget. My approach? Keep it simple. Our budget would have been spent on one centerpiece to do justice to this home. So flowers were out. With no furniture, no artwork and million-dollar views, I wanted the space to speak for itself. White linens (to the floor, please), beautiful white china and crisp white napkins. Simple ballroom chairs, and a floor plan that keeps everyone in one room, as cozy as possible. Super cool music. And candlelight. I sourced 10 simple glass candlesticks and 5 votive holders per table -- 15 points of light multiplied is just beautiful. I created a "floating", ethereal and flattering atmosphere for everyone.

The food, the music and the conversation made the event, but I couldn't resist putting perfect phalaenopsis blossoms on each table -- no party is ever really complete without at least a few flowers.

Image transformed by Instagram -- try it!

The gorgeous Bella Figura invitation that set the tone

Pinhole Press Weddings

I am a big fan of mixing printing styles, suites and even printers for my clients. I think it's infinitely more chic to mix and match your wedding papers than to be too matchy-matchy. It also is a great cost-saving tip to "go digital" on some of your less vital stationery pieces, while still staying "on message".

However, as we are retailers of some of the most luxurious stationery lines around, I am not so thrilled with the flimsy and poor offset printing that is prevailing out there in the digital world. Pinhole Press is different. I even print my Christmas cards through them (retail)! And now they've come out with a digital wedding line that is positively clever. Great for mini photo albums, stickers, and even accommodation cards, I can attest to the high stock quality and great reproduction of images.

Another great find for stickers, especially, is My Own Labels.  I use them often for gift bags and hang tags.

 Just remember, your wedding invitation is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding, and a keepsake you'll want to treasure forever.  So mix and match, but splurge on the big pieces!

A Creative (Edge) Tasting

When long-time friend Angie Nevarez, Director of Weddings at Creative Edge, invited me to a private tasting to check out their current menu, I couldn't accept the invitation fast enough.  Wonderful company, great food, a pristine atmosphere, attentive service, customized menu -- all in the name of diligent party-planner "homework", how could I refuse?!

The food was a delight to the eye (note all the fab serving ware), perfectly bite-sized and delicious.  When a caterer does it right, it's so, so good.  Enjoy!

We arrived to their West Village kitchen and office to this beautiful table

Creative Edge's menus are the best around -- great photos and a clear lay-out let you know what you're options are

Even the flowers coordinate in their pristine space

The Creative Edge motif is the egg, a solid display egg was replaced with this crab filled, hollowed out egg

We could add notes to each item we tasted, all I wrote was "yum", "double yum" and "yowza"

Curried vermicelli and Vietnamese basil in rice paper

Filet mignon on bruschetta with red wine mayonnaise and carmelized shallots

Tiny fish taco with grilled mahi, chunky chipotle mayo on a bed of black beans (the beans help them stand!)

Hazelnut grapes, cucumbers, extra virgin olive oil and chives

Artichoke fondue with oregano-pine nut puff

My favorite, Hamptons Succotash tart with Long Island corn, lima beans, yellow tomato marmalade

A prosciutto BLT -- what would you brand on your toast? (customization available)

Just to give you a sense of how bite-size it is!

Tipsy Vegetable Terrine with pickled carrot, pencil asparagus, roasted red pepper

Our first course was a quail egg with jumbo asparagus, spring leek terrine and meyer lemon vinaigrette

And then the delicious steak -- at this point it was hard to eat more....

...but we somehow found room for the Bourbon Butter Pecan Milkshake

And cake truffles...

And Pie Pops

The Chocolate Caramel Tartlets were delicious, but by this time we were delirious and on a food high

As we were getting ready to leave we caught a glimpse of a Creative Edge truck getting ready to deliver these delicious treats to some lucky clients....

The Printery, Oyster Bay

Tidy it's not. Fascinating it definitely is.  For over a decade I've seen the work from, and heard tell of The Printery, in my childhood town of Oyster Bay, Long Island.  Finally I happened to be visiting the town and sought out the ancient building to see for myself.  I was greeted by proprietor William Miller, who gave me the full tour of this fascinating business and it's building.  The site of the printery was the original location for the local newspaper, first printed over a hundred years ago.  The wavy floorboards and original printing presses along with the piles of old invitations and stock makes you feel like you're taking a step back into history.

The sign out front gives promise to the riches inside

A workspace, overflowing with inspiration

Engraved samples are styled by color-way, with beautiful, original motifs.

I love the colors, monograms and floral designs

A love a work space where you know something wonderful is happening

In the new space, boards showcase beautiful suites

The Printery has a strong celebrity and social clientele

This photo, captured many years ago is of the great-grandchildren of the current owner -- beautiful!

Just a small part of the letterpress plates on display

Tying A Bow Tie

Just a little reminder, if you don't know how to tie your bow tie, bring instructions with you to the wedding.

Click to enlarge the image above and print!

PDN' Top Knots Top Wedding Photographers

Over the years I've had the honor of being a judge for the annual PDN's Wedding Photography contest.  PDN is a great photography magazine geared to professionals.  As a judge I've loved shuffling through thousands of images (when they were actual prints) and even more files (when they became digital). Being introduced to photographers from all over the world and seeing what competitors' submit as their "best" image (from what must amount to hundreds of thousands of choices) is exhilarating -- it sharpens my sense of what "great" wedding photography is all about.  I've often known many of the winners and even planned the events that have won -- making the experience even more personal.  This year I was introduced to a lot of new work, with a strong international focus.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer I encourage you to check out this year's winners -- it will help you focus on what you're looking for in a photographer, and gauge the talent you're considering.

 

For those of you who are simply interested in the business of wedding photography, pick up the May issue of PDN -- it's great stuff.

Ambassadors View

Last week I was honored to be invited to host the inauguration party for the launch of the Ambassador's River View at the United Nations.  This brand new party space holds over 400 guests for a sit-down dinner and dance and boasts an incredible outdoor terrace with a tremendous view of the East River.  Never mind the mind-blowing cool-factor of holding an event at the UN.  And the amazing preferred vendors on site including Bentley Meeker Lighting & Staging and my friend Sylvia Weinstock's cakes.

For all of you who have these requirements on your wedding checklist, this venue's for you:

1. Iconic New York (worldwide) landmark venue, oh, conceived by Le Corbusier
2. Profoundly meaningful and important international institution
3. Best views in Manhattan
4. Large enough for all your best friends (and more)
5. Outdoor space
6. Prestigious preferred vendors
7. Convenient mid-town location
8. Blank slate tent to let your imagination soar
9. Great staff who are ready to accommodate you
10.  Comes with a tour of the General Assembly (where else can you get that?!)

To learn more about the venue, click here.

The invitation, I love the line drawing of the UN

Sylvia Weinstock's cake version of the UN

I got to hold the ribbon at the ribbon cutting -- next time I want to get my hands on those giant scissors!

The tent view from the Terrace

The tent view at night with the Manhattan skyline in the background

Sylvia's cake was being passed at the event. Yum!

You don't see him often, but here's Sylvia's wonderful husband, Ben.

A gazillion-dollar view

Inside the tent you can create magic!

With my chef friend Hideko Colton, fun!