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 

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

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.

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.