Brilliant Blog

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 

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 

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.

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.

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.

A Brilliant Wedding: Katie & Jason

August 1, 2012

Katie and Jason were married on Labor Day weekend of 2011 and were fortunate to have some of the last good weather of the summer! Their First Look was done in and around Central Park, with some of NYC’s most iconic images, like hot dog carts and yellow cabs, drifting in and out of their photographs. Katie and Jason then went on to exchange “I Do’s” in an intimate ceremony at The Harold Pratt House on Park Avenue.

Afterwards, Katie and Jason made their way up the grand spiral staircase, along with their family and closest friends, to the candlelit library for cocktails. The reception took place across the hall in the elegant dining room. There, guests enjoyed delicious creations made by Park Avenue Catering. The pastel pink and white flower centerpieces by Rebecca Shepherd were the perfect compliment to the classic décor.

By the time the first dance began, it was clear that Katie and Jason couldn’t be happier together and Katie was all smiles as Jason twirled her around the dance floor. Later on, guests took a break from dancing to enjoy a decadent cake from Baked. It was a pleasure to be a part of this wonderful couple’s picture perfect day!

 Photos courtesy of China Jorrin Photography

Cylinder Vase Veto for Aisle Decor

July 11, 2012

Broken shards of glass, pools of water and a fire hazard are not exactly the hallmarks of a dream wedding day.  Experience has taught us that cylinder vases filled with water and a floating candle lining your ceremony aisle are a disaster waiting to happen.  Chances are that one of your excited wedding guests will knock over one of these vases while finding their seat, fidgeting during the ceremony or while applauding during your recessional.  The mess created is not only hazardous, but could interrupt your ceremony in a very bad way. Just one easy, pretty and safer candlelit alternative? Try lanterns hanging from wrought-iron shepherds hooks!

Image sources one and two.

Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses

June 27, 2012

One of the hottest trends in bridal fashion is mismatched-but-coordinated bridesmaids.  Many brides are foregoing the tradition of having all of their bridesmaids dress exactly alike.  There are many ways to embrace this trend.

Same Dress, Mixed Accessories:  The easiest is to have all of your bridesmaids dress in matching dresses, but to create interested with coordinating accessories or with different bouquets:

Different Dresses, Same Hue. For those that want to dive a little deeper in the mismatching trend, allowing your girls to choose there own dress and just picking a color that you like.  The key is to give some guidance to your bridesmaids.   For example, long or short?  Do you care if the fabrics are different?  The more flexible you are, the greater variety you will have in the dresses your girls choose.

Different Color Dresses. This final option is not for the faint of heart!  Each bridesmaid has a completely different color dress.  The best way to keep the look cohesive is to make one thing consistent, whether it is matching bouquets or accessories.

Image sources in order: Arrow and Apple, Jolynne Photography, Carl Zoch Photography, Kerry Morgan, Ruth Anne Photography, Ben Blood, HPM Photo, Bayly Moore, Jill Thomas Photography, Stephanie Williams Photography, Art by DNA, Stephanie Williams Photography, Caroline Tran, Dixie Pixel Photo, Emily Photo, Kellie Kano Photography, SohoMode Etsy Shop.

A Brilliant Wedding: Bill & Christine

June 13, 2012

Christine and Bill got married on a warm, sunny day in September. Their fun and lighthearted nature was present in nearly every aspect of their wedding. They exchanged vows in a Catholic ceremony and Christine stole the show in her intricately designed Monique Lhuillier gown and a lace bolero handmade by her mother.

Upon exiting the church, Christine and Bill were greeted by a sea of bubbles and headed to capture some carefree photos on the beach, while guests headed to Giorgio’s to start the festivities.  They kicked off the party with their first dance “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis and continued the party late into the evening. It was an absolute joy to be a part of their big day! Special thanks to the super-talented Roberto Falck for perfectly capturing the spirit of these two lovebirds.