Entries by Kate Murphy

Kristen & Joe: A Romantic Beach Affair At Trumpets At The Gate

Kristen & Joe - Wedding - Bride Groom - Trumpets at the Gate - by Kim Mancuso

Kristen & Joe – Wedding – Bride Groom – Trumpets at the Gate – by Kim Mancuso

 

Obstacles inevitably arise during the wedding planning process. But imagine your wedding is just six weeks away and the contract with the venue falls through. This is the situation Kristen, this month’s Bride & Blossom Featured Bride, and her then fiancé, Joe, found themselves. But with an open mind, and some help from Kristen’s sister, Rachel, who also happens to be Bride & Blossom’s founder, the couple pulled off the seemingly impossible and had the celebration of their dreams.

Part 1: Proposal & Planning
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Claire & James Dance The Night Away At Capitale

Claire & James Wedding - Bride Groom - Capitale - by Susan Shek

Claire & James Wedding – Bride Groom – Capitale – by Susan Shek

 

The scene in Capitale’s Grand Ballroom looked like a luxurious party from the Gilded Age of New York. But the excited mood was very of the moment and the event about to unfold was all about celebrating a modern day love. Here, our featured bride Claire shares the final chapter of her Real BB wedding story.

Part 4: Reception, Décor, and Special Moments

After taking their seats, guests waited for the newlyweds to make their party arrival through the venue’s downstairs doors. But Claire and James had bigger plans. She recalls, “No one expected us to make an entrance from the balcony catwalk! It was perfect. ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ by Stevie Wonder played as we walked down the spiral staircase and met all of our family and wedding party on the dance floor. We all immediately started dancing!” And with that, the tone was set for the rest of the night.
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Stylish Wedding Guest Looks For Fall 2018

Kaitlyn & Thomas Wedding - Low Centerpieces - Oheka Castle - by Susan Stripling

Kaitlyn & Thomas Wedding – Low Centerpieces – Oheka Castle – by Susan Stripling

 

It’s time to put away those breezy sun dresses and welcome fall, a season of evenings drinking wine fireside, cozy, warm sweaters, and pumpkin spice everything. We are always excited for this time of year as it greets us with wedding after wedding. Couples are in the mood to get married right now, which means you probably have a wedding or two coming up over the next few months.

Even those with the most equipped-for-anything closet get a little stressed thinking about what to wear to a wedding. New York City is especially tricky. Yes, anything goes here when it comes to fashion. But you have to be mindful to dress code, type of venue and event, and the couple’s personality. Need ideas on what to wear to watch your good friends say “I do?” Here’s our guide to stylish wedding guest looks for fall 2018.
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Claire & James Say “I do” In An Intimate, Candlelit Ceremony at Capitale

Claire & James Wedding - Ceremony - Capitale - by Susan Shek

Claire & James Wedding – Ceremony – Capitale – by Susan Shek

 

As guests gathered in the grand ballroom for Claire and James’ ceremony, they were greeted by a magnificent atmosphere that signaled this was going to be an incredible evening. A dramatic play of light and shadow filtered through the room marked by a soaring ornate coved ceiling and Corinthian columns. While impressive in size and spectacle, Capitale still offered a sense of intimacy and warmth that the couple envisioned for their wedding.

Part 3: Ceremony

“We knew we wanted everything to be classic, elegant, and romantic,” Claire recalls. When it came to ceremony décor, the bride kept it very simple and understated, choosing elements that would enhance the venue’s brilliant interior. The aisle was composed of a white runner accented with clusters of pillar candles set in stylish cylinder vases. The candlelit walkway led to a gilded wall topped with a Tiffany clock dated to 1895. The elegant backdrop encapsulated the old New York feel that so charmed the couple when they first saw the venue.
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Paper & Diamond’s Expert Guide To Luxury Honeymoon Destinations

Maldives - Dinner On The Beach - courtesy Paper & Diamond

Maldives – Dinner On The Beach – courtesy Paper & Diamond

 

The months leading up to your wedding day are filled with major decision-making regarding décor, entertainment, and catering, countless meetings with vendors, and dress fittings. Chances are you and your fiancé haven’t had a moment of quality time together since you started planning for the big day. That’s what makes the honeymoon so special. It’s a chance for just the two of you to escape, relax, discover, and start married life together.

More and more couples want a post-wedding vacation that mixes luxury with new experiences. After years of traveling the world working in fashion, design, and production, Debbi Lee gained intuitive understanding of the tastes of her discerning clients. Combining her passion for travel and consulting skills, she founded Paper & Diamond, a luxury travel company based in Los Angeles. As a luxury travel expert, Debbi has built a global network of partners whose properties and services set the bar for meeting the expectations and desires of jet-setting guests.
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Featured Bride Claire On Her Striking Pnina Tornai Dress

Claire & James Wedding - Bride Groom - Capitale - by Susan Shek

Claire & James Wedding – Bride Groom – Capitale – by Susan Shek

 

“Non-traditional best describes my bridal style. I originally wanted to wear a black or red, but not everyone shared my same enthusiasm,” recalls featured bride Claire. She continues, “That was fine though, because I fell in love with my dress the moment I put it on.” Here, Claire talks about her striking Pnina Tornai gown and personal touches that she incorporate into the big day.

Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals

Wedding dress shopping is often met with mixed emotions. Searching through rack after rack of gorgeous frocks is fun and exciting… up to a point. Then the pressure and anxiety starts to set in. Claire escaped this scenario. Her “say yes to the dress” story is the kind we all wish for. “After trying on about six dresses at Kleinfeld, I tried on my dress and knew immediately it was the one. Even the sample size fit like a glove. It was the perfect combination of classy and sexy.” The showstopper by Israeli designer Pnina Tornai featured a fitted silhouette with an exquisite lace top, which descended down into a silk, floor-length skirt. A sweeping lace panel train brought elegance and drama to the look.
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