Brilliant Blog

The Proposal Planner: Photographer

October 10, 2012

Documenting your marriage proposal is one of the most important “Do’s” when it comes to popping the question. Only a photo taken in the moment can truly capture all the emotions and reactions brought on by a proposal. These photos are irreplaceable and provide you with a way to re-live this happy moment for the rest of your lives and share it with friends and family! You can also choose to do a portrait session immediately after the “yes” that can double as your engagement photo session. This gives you the best of both worlds – emotional keepsake photos and fun, posed shots to use for save the dates or holiday cards. With photos like these, who wouldn’t  want a photographer or videographer to capture the moment?

Photos courtesy of Paparazzi Proposals.

Boutonniere Alternatives

October 3, 2012

We’ve been noticing a trend in wedding flowers, or a lack thereof. Brides are choosing unique bouquets made of unlikely items, such as trinkets and brooches. This trend has finally reached our grooms! Signature boutonnieres are becoming a must-have wedding item. Whether he doesn’t like flowers or just wants to express himself, there are plenty of new boutonniere options for grooms. The below photos are some of our favorites for the groom who wants to be a little different.

Photos courtesy of Fritts Rosenow.

The Proposal Planner: Jenni and Phillip in Central Park

September 26, 2012

On a rainy spring afternoon, Jenni and Phillip set off on a romantic stroll through Central Park. Heading east towards the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they decided to cut through the Shakespeare Garden to admire the flowers. While winding through the garden, they “discovered” a gorgeous wooden box, hand-carved with their names, lying in their path. That was when Phillip got down on one knee.

An intimate ensemble of singers and musicians appeared and begin to play Jenni’s favorite U2 song, “All I Want is You.” Jenni was completely surprised! Through happy tears, she said yes!

Then, Phillip showed her the box. The outside had a loving note for her, as well as a reference to the “Love is Patient” quote from the bible. When Jenni opened the box, she found that it was filled with packets of seeds. Around each packet was a band that held a reason why Phillip loved her. It was a perfect rainy day in Central Park for these two lovebirds! Congratulations Phillip and Jenni!

Lovely photos courtesy of Blue Daisy.

A Brilliant Destination Wedding: Newport, Rhode Island

September 18, 2012

I was lucky enough to visit Forty 1° North, a hotel and marina resort located in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island as part of a recent press trip. It’s the perfect getaway for couples searching for a wedding location that’s like the Hamptons, but not the Hamptons.  A quick, relaxing train ride – free of the chaos of airport security and terrible traffic snarls – to Newport and you’re at the perfect waterfront destination wedding location in flash.

The vibe of this resort mixes the caliber of a New York City wedding – a sophisticated setting and impeccable food & service – with the backdrop of charming Newport. It is posh, yet totally approachable. The boutique hotel is located right on the marina and has 24 rooms and suites, as well as 2 lofts and 2 cottages. Each room has its own Dr. Seuss book, for a touch of whimsy, and Malin + Goetz amenities to make sure you are properly pampered.

When it comes to wedding venue locations, Forty 1° North has both indoor and outdoor space, including the waterfront marina and two restaurants with totally distinct vibes. Whether you use their in-house sommelier for rehearsal dinners in the private dining room, their roundtable bar for a beer tasting, the library for a welcome cocktail reception or your ceremony in the open-air seafront reception area, it’s perfect for a summer evening wedding or a cozy, intimate winter nuptials!

During my stay, I was lucky enough to experience a boat ride around the harbor with a luxury picnic of lobster rolls, caviar and perfectly chilled rosé – a super chic alternative to the typical rehearsal dinner.  We also were treated to a cooking class cooking class with their classically trained head chef, where we made an inventive, but surprisingly easy, Thai soup!  A fun way to do a group activity for foodie brides and their ladies, or foodie grooms and their entourage.

Oh, and if all that wasn’t enough to tempt you, their Lavender Crème Brulee is out of this world!

Dreaming of a wedding like this? Contact us today at 917.974.4729 or sarah@brillianteventplanning.com

Photos courtesy of Forty 1° North,  Meghan Sepe Weddings, Couture Parties and Connerton Photography.

Trend Alert: The Engagement Band

September 12, 2012

It used to be that a woman received a diamond ring when she got engaged, and then a wedding band when she got married. But, times are changing. Make way for the Engagement Band! These rings tend to be wider than a normal wedding band and, instead of one large diamond, they are usually covered in many small diamonds and intricate detail. The most notable fact about them is that they combine the engagement ring and a wedding band, in both looks and function. Now, women are either receiving both an engagement band and a wedding band, or, for those couples ahead of the times, just one engagement band.

This begs the question, if you only wear one ring, when do you receive it? Most people who choose to wear an engagement band do not receive it until the wedding day, especially if the band is very wide. This could mean many diamond-less proposals in our future. Would you say “yes” to a marriage proposal without a ring? Is one ring better really than two? Check out the below rings and decide for yourself if they’re worth the wait!

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart,  Sears,  Hearts on Fire.

Fox News Magazine Interview

September 10, 2012

I was delighted to be interviewed for Fox News Magazine, the official lifestyle magazine of the news network, on an article regarding wearing white to a rehearsal dinner.  Find out the advice I gave here.

A Brilliant Wedding: Gemma & Scott

September 5, 2012

Gemma and Scott originally hail from England and Australia, but wanted a New York wedding to show their out-of-town family and friends what the Big Apple is all about. They exchanged their vows at Calvary-St. George’s Church before hopping into a vintage taxi that took them to meet their closest friends and family at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Upon entering the terrace, guests stepped into an enchanted garden. Beneath the romantic lights and greenery, pastel blooms were dispersed along the tables. But, even in this dream-like setting, the city was ever present. Traditional table numbers were replaced by pictures of places in NYC that were special to Gemma and Scott and guests soon danced to classic NY songs, as boas and beads were brought to the dance floor. Even the top tier of their cake was elegantly decorated with the city skyline!

Despite all the big city details, Gemma and Scott did not forget where they came from. Their wedding color, violet, was chosen to honor a grandmother who couldn’t make the journey to New York, while the roses in Gemma’s bouquet honored another grandparent. The British and Australian flags on the front of their taxi were yet another cute way to remember their roots.

At the end of the night, guests took home violet boxes of chocolate from Vosges, the couples’ favorite SoHo chocolate shop. Gemma and Scott’s wedding so perfectly used cute details to blend past and present, that we can’t help but love it. Congratulations Gemma and Scott!

Beautiful photos courtesy of Maggie Harkov.

Alternative Centerpieces: Vegetables

August 29, 2012

Does your vision for your wedding include non-floral centerpieces? Vegetables have been receiving a lot of attention lately as a unique alternative to floral centerpieces.

Stumped about where to start? Artichokes are the most versatile. They work well as candleholders, but when ripe, their deep purple color compliments floral centerpieces beautifully. Longer stemmed vegetables can be used to create unique vases for a fresh spin on bouquets. Even simple baskets of ripe vegetables make eye-catching centerpieces. Check out the photos below for inspiration!

Photo credit: 1. Better Homes and Gardens, 2. Better Homes and Gardens, 3. Weddings by Lilly and 1. Jonathan Kantor via Martha Stewart, 2. Better Homes and Gardens, 3. Martha Stewart.

Featured Expert in Metro New York

August 23, 2012

I was delighted to be quoted in the Metro New York newspaper on August 20th regarding the new trend of dinner party apps.  Read the full article here!

Keyhole-Back Wedding Dresses

August 22, 2012

Keyhold backs on wedding dresses have been a hot style for brides this wedding season! These dresses are all about elegance. While the trend started with simple keyhole backs, we are now seeing sheer backs and cutouts in various shapes. This timeless feature can range from girl-next-door to ultra sexy, depending on the cut and material you choose. Will you try a keyhole back dress?

Photos courtesy of Anna Campbell dress via One Stylish Bride, She Will be Loved, Hayley Paige dress via JLM Couture.