In Perfect Harmony: Musicians Getting Married

From the night Alison and Alistair met, they have been — literally– making beautiful music together. There is something so romantic about artists who fall in love through their creative work, and begin to collaborate. This lush wedding at New York Botanical Garden was one of our summer favorites. Bride Alison tells their love story:

“My husband Alistair and I are both professional musicians. He is a cellist and I am an opera singer. In August of 2010 we were hired to make a promotional recording for an opera that we would perform a year later. The evening started out with a large group of people and we recorded the group numbers. As the night progressed, more and more singers and instrumentalists were released, leaving just a very small group, including me and my husband, who was just a mysterious, smiley, excellent cellist stranger to me at the time. We recorded the final number of the night, a very dramatic aria sung by me, with Alistair playing a very prominent, collaborative role.
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Planning & Inspiration

Solar Ring from Van Cleef & Arpels

by admin

From Van Cleef & Arpels’ new Peau d’Âne collection, the exquisite Solar Ring is crafted in yellow gold, and features a 16ct cushion-cut yellow sapphire, surrounded by smaller sapphires and diamonds.

The jewels in this collection tell the story of classic French fairy tale, Peau d’Âne, which was made into a 1970 film starring Catherine Deneuve. Radiant with the golden light of the sun, this ring is part of the Happy Marriage chapter of the tale told in gems, and would make an extraordinary anniversary gift. See more here.

Weddings

Perfection in The Poconos

by Rachel Trimarco

So many charming details came together to make Stephanie and Andrew’s wedding really special. This couple seemed destined for a perfectly romantic wedding from day one.

“I am an NYC girl who somehow managed to find a southern boy in this big city,” said Stephanie. “We met almost five years ago, at Mercury Bar, on Valentine’s day! Since then we’ve been inseparable. Andrew proposed last April, at Machu Picchu in Peru.”

“Andrew is from Virginia, and I grew up going to the Pocono Mountains, as my parents own property there. We wanted a country wedding and found a beautiful lake resort in Reeders, Pennsylvania, called Mountain Springs Lake Resort.”
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Planning & Inspiration

Live Event Painters Make Your Wedding a Work of Art

by Elianna Phelps

theeventpainter.com

Now that digital technology makes documenting and sharing every wedding detail simple and expected, couples who crave a classic touch hire live event painters to capture celebrations on canvas in real time. Of course wedding paintings actually predate photography. In many cultures, couples sat for formal portraits which became family heirlooms. Today’s live paintings are sure to be just as cherished.

The event painting trend began to emerge about a decade ago, gathered speed due to social media, and grew exponentially after a piece in the New York Times.

wedoncanvas.com

Painters meet first with the couple to understand their taste and preferences. As anyone working in the wedding industry knows, customization is vital. That said, individual painters each have their own style. Some artists depict realistic detail and color, while others produce more stylized work. My personal favorites leave faces and tables somewhat blurred, capturing the happy rush of the dance floor, and let recognizable glimpses emerge: a bridesmaid’s posture, or the play of candlelight against floral centerpieces in glass. Read More

Planning & Inspiration

Decorating Cakes With Fresh Flowers

by Elianna Phelps

Delicate white orchids adorn an elegantly simple cake.

Fresh flowers bring so much beauty and romance to a wedding cake. It’s no wonder this look is trending. Decorating a cake with real blossoms is just one more way to bring nature’s vibrance to your celebration. Here are some wedding cakes wearing flowers we designed.

Romantic cake with roses, wild flowers, dahlias and hydrangeas.

Deep pink and cream garden roses on a tired wedding cake with floral piping.

Striking chocolate fondant cake with calla lillies.

Inspiring photos of flower-adorned cakes are pinned all over the bridal blogosphere. I noticed questions and concerns about safety. While it’s true that many flowers are not edible, professional bakers and florists know behind-the-scenes tricks that ensure cakes stay pristine. Arrangements are often composed and attached to small platforms before being carefully placed upon fondant-covered tiers. Stems are wrapped or encased tiny tubes. Servers know to remove floral decorations as the cake is cut, so guests avoid stray petals. It’s wedding magic! Read More

Weddings

Wedding Under the Willows at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

by Rachel Trimarco

If gorgeous bride Tracy looks familiar, it’s because we gave you a sneak peak of her June wedding. Now we are delighted to share more details on what made this wedding so wonderful.

Image: Emmamcdonaldweddings.com

“When Mike and I got engaged we looked at a few venues, but I had always known that the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was where I wanted to get married. I grew up in Brooklyn and there was always something special about going to the gardens,” said Tracy. “I was a flower girl there, along with my little sister, when I was ten and she was six.”
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Weddings