Brilliant Blog

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

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.

A Brilliant Wedding: John & Lauren

April 25, 2012

John and Lauren were married on a very hot July day at the incredible Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and were one of the most fun, laid-back and in-love couples I’ve ever worked with.  Not to be thrown off by the warm weather, Lauren was absolutely stunning in her Vera Wang gown and throughout the day, I could see they were so in tune with each other, just genuinely happy to be together. Their outdoor ceremony was simple and refreshingly sweet, with the bride walking down the aisle to Tango from Scent of a Woman.

When it came to the reception, their fun-loving personalities came out – a bourbon bar with spiced nuts showcased John’s love for a great bottle of whiskey and their introduction song of Big Pimpin by Jay-Z showcased their lighter side.  A great dance party followed as the new Mr. and Mrs. partied the night away under the glasshouse atrium.  Congratulations to John & Lauren, it was such an honor to be part of your day!

Photos courtesy of Daniel Krieger.

A Brilliant Wedding: Jacob & Dina

December 7, 2011

Jacob hails from Canada and his California bride, Dina, were brave souls selecting their wedding date in February! As luck would have it, the weather held out and it was a snowy, yet clear day.  Their beautiful wedding was held in the library at the New York Academy of Medicine and was the perfect mix of their shared intellectual flair, Jewish Orthodox faith, and their genuine warmth and love for each other, their families and friends.  It was a true pleasure to kick off our 2011 season with these two and an absolute honor to be a part of their big day!

Flowers by Blossom and Branch, Hair by Stacy Pitt, Makeup by Sally Duvall, Venue NYAM, Kosher Catering Esprit Events, Band Simcha All-Stars, Non-Kosher Catering Sterling Affair, Photos by Karin VonVoigtlander.

Color Your Groomsmen Happy

March 8, 2011

Colored socks have been all the rage lately as a way to introduce color into your groomsmen outfits, but if you’re looking for an idea with a little more style, try going to ground level with colored shoelaces! The colors are customizable to your wedding colors; they can be all the same, or match the bridesmaid dresses. Pair them with a set of great hightops and they double as your groomsmen’s gifts. Not only is this a great way to appreciate your best guys, it’s a fantastic choice for adding that extra little bit of hipster flair to the men’s outfits.

Photo courtesy of Ciro Photography via The Wedding Chicks.

Ask the Expert: Tuxedos

January 27, 2011

Today’s post is courtesy of the men’s style guru of NYC, Julie Rath of Rath & Co. She knows all the best places to find the perfect attire for your groom, no matter what his style.

Dressing for a formal event is like ice climbing: one misstep, and it’s all downhill. Here’s your cheat sheet:

Renting vs. Buying: Buy if possible. Buying a good-quality, well-tailored tux is an investment, but it’s a very good one that will pay dividends in photos. Renting will cost you anywhere from 25-50% of the average purchase price of a tux, so if you rent a few times, and it adds up.

Black Tie vs. White Tie: The wording of your invitation dictates the color of your neckwear. “Black tie” or “Evening dress” means a black bowtie and tuxedo and “White tie” or “Full evening dress” means a white bowtie, which is worn with tails.

Color and Fabric: Black is the standard, but midnight blue is also acceptable. White is typically worn in warmer climates for open-air events.

Collar: This should be either peaked or shawl. A peaked lapel (where the points of the lapel point upward) reads as more powerful, whereas shawl collar (which has a continuous curve) sends off a softer message. Unless you’re a waiter, your wedding tux shouldn’t have a notched lapel.

Cummerbund vs.Vest: In general, the cummerbund is a more stylish option than a vest. It should be subtle and keep its mouth shut – now is not the time to channel your inner Elton John. Stick with black for a cummerbund and black or white for the vest (no colors!).

Bowtie: Always tie it yourself. If you’ve never tied one before, this guide will walk you through it. The bowtie should be black or white (no colors!) and made of silk satin or silk grosgain. If you’re more comfortable in a straight tie, it’s acceptable to wear a black one that’s relatively slim, as a more modern fashion statement.

Want more advice on tuxedos? Visit Tastehunter, the Rath & Co. blog, and read Julie’s expanded post on tuxes.

Photo via Rath & Co. courtesy of Suitable for Men

Ask the Expert: Groom's Attire

June 28, 2010

Today’s post is courtesy of the men’s style guru of NYC, Julie Rath of Rath & Co. She knows all the best places to find the perfect attire for your groom, no matter what his style.

Every groom should look dashing at his wedding. If the dress code permits, ditch the tux in favor of a well-chosen, perfectly-fitting suit that you can wear for  job interviews or other important events. It’s a wise use of your wedding budget, and all guys look fantastic in a well-fitted suit. Here are some top tips on suiting up your wedding:

1. Color: A navy or grey suit with a white shirt and black shoes are excellent options. If you’re not asking your groomsmen to buy the same exact suit as yours (a great way to build goodwill), you should give them guidance on color. In this situation, opt for navy because if you just tell them, “buy grey suits,” you’ll end up with all different shades and patterns. Black can work too, but it’s a strong color that not everyone looks good in, so go with the easier-to-wear navy.
2. Time of Day: If your wedding is a more casual, daytime affair, you can wear a navy blazer, shirt, and tie with khaki, grey or seersucker pants. To look really pulled together with this option, match the metals of your belt buckle and watch to the buttons on your blazer. Wear gold buttons with a gold buckle and a gold watch. With silver-tone buttons, opt for silver accessories.
3. Ties: Neckwear provides a nice way to coordinate with the color the bridesmaids are wearing and with the color scheme of the overall event. Look for ties that pick up on colors that will appear elsewhere in the wedding. If you’re wearing a suit and you’d rather stick to a more classic and simple style for yourself, try a long white or silver tie, and let your groomsmen do the color thing.

Visit Tastehunter, the Rath & Co blog, for more tips & ideas!

Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.