In my opinion, these are three of the most popular adjectives that I have heard from clients while trying to describe their wedding design goals. No matter how common, though, they can also be one of the most difficult "themes" to achieve as the words are not as descript as a planner would hope.
In 2008, I had the pleasure of working with two parents during the planning of their daughter's Fall 2008 wedding... and again, these adjectives were used at our first meeting. However, during the five month planning period, we were able to hit the nail on the head! From start to finish, we were able to deliver this consistant message to the guests - from the invitations to the flowers to the table settings and even in the lighting.
The 220-person event was one of my all-time favorites! The structural and clean details of the event helped contribute to the energy of the event as they added texture and beauty but did not cause distraction from the music and ambiance of the entire setting.
The band, Dexter Lake Club Band, kept the energy higher than I've ever seen it and the dance floor PACKED from the moment the doors opened until the very last minute (including a few encores)!! They rocked the place with untraditional wedding music including covers of Guns 'N Roses, A-ha, Talking Heads, and Rolling Stones. After numerous tastings, we finalized the perfect menu with the Mandarin Oriental that blended comfort food with more formal fare. During cocktail hour, guests were served Mini-B.L.T.'s (the "L" being lobster), Pigs-in-a-Blanket, an active sushi station, Pommes Frites in cones, and pistachio encrusted lamb chops that literally melted in your mouth. The four-course dinner included an impressive amuse bouche served in a hollowed egg, a duo first course, duo entree including beef tenderloin, whole lobster tail and perfectly roasted artichokes, and customized cookies and strawberries for an after-dinner sweet. Guests later enjoyed wedding cake, as well as cotton candy - an homage to their engagement at Coney Island! As guests departed, they were given hot cocoa in "to-go" containers to prepare them for the cold weather outside.
See below pictures taken by Barnaby Draper Studios:
Our vendors were AMAZING! They worked tirelessly throughout the entire planning process to ensure that the event was 100% perfect, and it WAS! :)
Reception site: Mandarin Oriental hotel
Florist: Multiflor, Nick Perez
Custom Linens, Chivari Chairs, China and more: DC Rental, Liz Kelly Waylan
Ceremony Riser: Capital Party Rentals
Reception Chairs: Perfect Settings, Esteban Gimenez
Ceremony Music: Sterling Artists, David Kucharski
Cocktail Hour Trio and Singer: Janine Carter Trio
Reception Band: Dexter Lake Club Band, James Krents
Photographer and Videographer: Barnaby Draper Studios, Barnaby Draper & Craig MacNeil
Make-up: Kathy Aragon
Lighting: Swank AV
Wedding Planner: breathe. event planning, Lauren Freeman, CMP
