VIP Luncheon

Wondering what a Very Important Bride (VIB) gets? At the Wedding Party it was a lovely luncheon prepared by the Executive Chef at the New York Palace, live classical music by Nina's Music Book, tabletop decor courtesy of Colin Cowie, VIP seating at our talks and fashion show and a super gift bag. As an added bonus, a private reception with the Speakers was included and a chance to sit next to Editor-in-Chief of Elegant Bride Antonia van der Meer, designer Lela Rose or wedding dress salon owner Mark Ingram of the Bridal Atelier.

Table Scenery

We conducted a quick survey of some of the attendees of the Wedding Party and discovered that many of you like seeing real life table top ideas. So, with no further ado, some tables from our event!

Elizabeth Ryan made the table pop with bright greens and pinks! Linen, china, silverware and glassware by Classic Party Rentals.

Flowers of the World went deep purple.

Matthew Robbins of Artfool was pretty in pink, Michael C. Fina china.

Carolyn Gregg was all classic beauty with Classic Party Rental tabletop accessories.

Something Blue

In celebration of Valentine's Day our preppy friends at KEP Designs are offering a 20% discount on their pretty jewels today and tomorrow. Drop a hint or just buy yourself something pretty...

use valentine as the discount code...

Perhaps Too Much Poof

Unique Loft in Long Island City

Dating from 1909, the Metropolitan Building was first an electrical parts factory. Seventy years later it was long vacant and in a sad state of disrepair. In 1980, Eleanor Ambos, who had a successful antique furniture rental business in Manhattan, undertook a daunting restoration project, and today the Metropolitan Building is one cool venue: for parties, weddings, and film and photography shoots. Up to 300 people can be invited for an elegant dinner, and plenty more for a party. There are antique couches, cozy armchairs and some pin lighting. Think shabby, shabby chic. Special features of the Metropolitan Building are its huge windows with wrap-around views, exposed brick walls, wood floors, and prop rental services.

Last weekend I spent time coordinating an event there and fell in love with Queens. Oh, did I mention it's in Long Island City? Anyway, this might not be the place for you if you're not an artist, director, writer, bohemian or if you're not terribly outre.

The warehouse elevator doors open to the space. Prop furniture from the floor below.
There's even a grand piano.

I giant copper tub filled with Peroni, I've seen it filled with water and rose petals for a slightly different look.

Wedding Librarians Roey and Mariane setting placecards on an antique sideboard.

The simplest of dining banquet tables looked so right.

The stickly quince was quite sculptural, don't you think?

Lots of furniture got moved, but not this lady.

Bird cages from the prop house became impromptu decor.

Catering Creativity

I ran into my friend Peter Callahan the other day and was reminded of a particularly challenging event we worked on together a couple of years ago. It was a destination wedding where we interviewed every top caterer in a 400 mile radius. After hiring one and not being satisfied with the tasting, I suggested interviewing my favorite NYC caterers. The client was delighted by Peter, and hired him on the spot. Callahan Catering imported all 60 of his staff, and wowed everyone. I ran across these passed dessert photos from the tasting; the ingenuity and fun in Peter's work can win anyone over.

Cotton candy on lucite posts.

Mini ice cream sandwiches on chocolate chip cookies

Couture mini popsicles in gourmet flavors like grapefruit basil and hazelnut espresso

Amsale 2009 Crinkle Chiffon

Sometimes I see a product, trend or style and wonder, "why didn't someone think of that earlier"? Or, "wow, what an obvious improvement"! I had that moment when I saw these new dresses by Amsale. They are in crinkle chiffon. This fabric looks couture and chic; it's flattering and different -- not an easy achievement in the bridesmaid arena. Extremely wearable, I wasn't surprised that our trunk show this weekend is totally sold out! They'll be out this Spring, give the Wedding Library a call to find out when you can see them again...

Blade's Blogging

We love Anne from Blade for her uncanny ability to create a distinct voice through design. At the Wedding Party she used a palette she'd never used before, yellow, buttercup and deep navy blue with touches of silvery gray. In the navy, gold and yellow Henry room, it worked perfectly. It was fresh, elegant and distinctive in this formal dining room. Kudos to Anne and congratulations on her new blog, too. Check it out for inspiration.

Love the buttercup dupioni cloths with deep navy runners.

Square plates and banquet shape make the display more modern.

Silver brunia somehow tied the "seriousness" of the room into the design.

The very formal Henry Room at the New York Palace (perfect for a rehearsal dinner).

Flavor of the Month

At the Wedding Party on Saturday we had lots of great bakers and sweet makers, but Amy Atlas was the only one with a sweet buffet. It included a crystal wedding cake adorned with sugar snowflakes, opalescent barber poles, billowy marshmallows and fondant snowflake petit fours. The talented Karen Mordechai photographed the lavender loveliness, and this collage is the result.

I think lavender and white make a surprisingly fresh, wintery combination.

Wedding Party Fashion Show Highlights

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Temperley London and Gabriella New York Bridal Salon all contributed to making our fashion show for the Wedding Party a huge success. Here are a few shots of our favorite styles from the catwalk...

Our own Kristen Carnie modeling an Amsale Little White Dress, Ally

Coren Moore, Rose, at the Wedding Library

Badgley Mischka, at the Wedding Library

Temperley London, Long Jean

Temperley London, Honeysuckle Lace

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Oscar de la Renta

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Oscar de la Renta

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Lela Rose

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Monique Lhuillier

Wedding Library Bridesmaids (assortment)
All photography courtesy of Stacey Ilyse Photography, at the Wedding Library

Classic Bride, Classic Bouquet

This image is from a beautiful wedding we planned in June at the Harvard Club. The bride wore a gorgeous Vera Wang gown and carried this perfectly classic bouquet by Artfool. This image is featured in our Guide for the Classic NYC Bride issue and in our Wedding Party marketing material. The warm, evocative and romantic photo is classic Karen Hill.

Favorite Winter Wedding

Every once in a while there is a wedding I use as a touchstone for all things beautiful. These images belong to one of those kinds of weddings. Holger Thoss was the photographer, Jennifer was the planner and the venue was the Metropolitan Club. I loved every detail and refer to it often. Here are a few images to get you in the mood for a winter wedding. New York Magazine covered this event a while back.

CECI New York did all of the stationery, including these lovely pinecone escort cards.

The elegant design was thanks to Matthew Robbins of Artfool.