Brilliant Blog

My Favorite Wedding

January 17, 2013

I’m so delighted to share the photos from my own wedding, and honored to have them featured in upcoming issue of The Knot. Our dream day would never have been possible without the hard work, talent and generosity of my amazing Brilliant Event Planning Team of Jen Z, Regina, Jen M and Sarah G, and our incredible vendors Rountree Flowers, Photo by Aubrey, 15 Minutes of Frame, FaceTime Beauty Concierge, The Wedding Shoppe, Fine Day Press, Abigail Hancock Calligraphy, Melangerie, Party Rental, Signature Creations Caterers, Goro Negoro and Marcelo Dominguez, Rath and Co, 74 Events, 45 Riots, Silver Star Limousine, Elegantly Iced and The Arsenal at Central Park. (am I forgetting anyone?!)

Cass and I will be forever grateful and we cannot begin to express our endless thanks to everyone involved for making our dream day a reality.  Check out our pictures and highlight video below!

sarah + cass (highlights) from 15 Minutes of Frame on Vimeo.

A Brilliant Wedding: Megan and Jorge

January 10, 2013

On a perfect fall day, Megan and Jorge had a gorgeous sunset ceremony at The Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY. Megan’s sister sang a touching song that had both girls in tears.

After these two lovebirds said their “I Do’s,” they proceeded to cocktail hour, where a fun, vintage inspired band provided entertainment. They then led a processional from cocktails to the reception.

Guests were stunned by the decor! From the rustic wooden tables to the elegant centerpieces by Denise Fasanello, to the Edison bulb lights strung from the tent ceiling, each detail was better than the last.

It was a true pleasure to be a part of this wedding. Congratulations Megan and Jorge!

Photography courtesy of Weddings by Two 

Trend Alert: Food Trucks

December 13, 2012

Step aside food stations, there’s a new catering trend in town! Food trucks! This food trend has quickly become a staple of the after party and more recently, of the reception itself. The food truck ups the fun factor and allows guests to put their own spin on dinner. Now, if only every wedding venue had a place to park a truck or two!

Photos courtesy of Figlewicz Photography and MadeULook Photography

Today Show Feature!

December 5, 2012

If you missed me on The Today Show, here’s the clip! Thank you to all the fantastic vendors that made this happen, including the Intrepid, Paparazzi Proposals, Brewster High School Marching Band, Kristan Pozzuto, Bill’s Flower Market, Abigail Hancock, and The Today Show team!

The Proposal Planner: Sam and Dorien

November 29, 2012

Last Spring, Dorien received a card with a lipstick “kiss,” just like when she first met Sam. Then, she was surprised with a luxury transfer to a private room overlooking Central Park!

Inside the car, Dorien discovered a personalized first-aid kit, inspired by something she had made for Sam in the past. It was full of things for the two of them to do for the rest of their lives together. One of my favorite items was the gourmet pancake mix!

When Dorien arrived, she found found a sea of rose petals and in the midst of them – Sam! He proposed right then and there, in front of a stunning Central Park view and she said “Yes!” Congratulations Sam and Dorien!

Photos Courtesy of Blue Daisy

A Brilliant Wedding: Natasha and Harvard

November 21, 2012

On October 1, 2011, we had the pleasure of watching Natasha and Harvard get married in a beautiful chapel within the Church of Heavenly Rest on the Upper East Side.

These two lovebirds wanted a simple celebration, with the emphasis on family and friends. So, following their intimate ceremony, everyone headed to Amaranth Restaurant for some good food and fun!

Unlike most weddings, they allowed the speeches to be open to all, giving the reception a cheery, family-feel. As a final touch, each guest received an adorable box of macarons at their place. Congratulations Natasha and Harvard!

Photos courtesy of Laurie Rhodes Photography 

The Proposal Planner on The Today Show!

November 12, 2012

I had the pleasure of planning a dream marriage proposal for Marcial and Brynn that appeared on The Today Show!

On a sunny Friday in September, Marcial and Brynn arrived at the Intrepid Museum on Manhattan’s west side dressed in their best.  Marcial told Brynn a decoy story:  his military friend was receiving an award in a ceremony on the Intrepid and invited them as his personal guests. When he added that he signed them up for a tour of the ship beforehand, Brynn didn’t suspect a thing! Little did Brynn know that her fellow tour group members were our accomplices, and that the whole group was being trailed by photographers and cameras from The Today Show.

When the tour reached the flight deck, Marcial excused himself to use the restroom. Safely behind the scenes, he changed into a tux and took his hiding spot behind a gigantic marching band from Brewster High School.  The band started their performance with Michael Jackson’s Thriller and I’ll Be There.  At the end of the performance, they did a swirling formation to reveal Marcial, dressed in full tuxedo with two dozen red and pink roses.  White ribbons were wrapped around the stems of the bouquet, each with a question beginning with “Will you…” The questions held meaning for the couple and there was one for each rose in the bouquet, with a final red ribbon that said “Will you marry me?” As Marcial got down on one knee, the band raised a sign that spelled out “Marry me?” for an added dramatic touch.  To top it all off, after Brynn said “Yes!”, her family emerged on the aircraft elevator, holding a banner that said “Mission Accomplished!”

I was so honored to be part of Brynn & Marcial’s very special day and very proud to appear on The Today Show!  A big thanks to the happy couple, Marcial & Brynn, and their families, along with the terrific team at the Intrepid, the stellar crew of The Today Show and James and team from Paparazzi Proposals.

Mixed Bridesmaid Bouquets

October 31, 2012

The bridesmaids from Georgia and Chris’ Wedding inspired us! Each bridesmaid had their very own bouquet, which spoke to the individuality of each girl. This is definitely a do!

Photo courtesy of: Joshua Brown Photography

The Proposal Planner: Engagement Ring Trends

October 24, 2012

The holiday season is one of the most popular times for marriage proposals and this year is no different!  Check out a few of my favorites from Hearts on Fire, Michael C. Fina, and Harry Winston.

A Brilliant Wedding: Georgia & Chris

October 17, 2012

Georgia and Chris said their “I do’s” on a lovely Saturday last September. Following a touching ceremony at a local church, their gorgeous reception took place at the Tribeca 360, aptly named for the stunning panoramic views of Manhattan that wedding guests were able to enjoy! In addition to the incredible view, my favorite part of their wedding was the bridesmaids’ bouquets from Blossom & Branch. To celebrate their individuality, Georgia had each bridesmaid carry a bouquet whose floral design was personalized to their taste. I love this idea as  - stay tuned over the next few weeks for a post on this new trend! Later, guests danced to oldies music that was played on records, a retro detail which perfectly suited this fun-loving couple. Congratulations Georgia and Chris!

Photos by Joshua Brown.