Tuesday, September 25, 2012

3 Months to Plan

















Location--Ram's Head Inn, Shelter Island
Dress-  Vera Wang (but ruined by the cleaners)
Shoes-  Enzo Angiolini 
Hair- Beautiful by Katy Dina
Makeup- Amelia Rallis
Alex suit and tie- Navy Tux- Hugo Boss
Bow Tie & Accessories- J. Press
Band (loved them!!)- Skyline Orchestra
Officiant- Jennifer Meihofer
Florist- Lilee Fell Flowers
Invitations and menu cards- Gallardo Works on Etsy
Watercolor ceremony programs, table cards, table assignments and seating cards- bride
Favors-  Mali B. Sweets
Ceremony and first dance music provided by friends of the couple

Alex and Lina pulled off the impossible and planned their wedding, while working full time, in 3 months.  And it was planned beautifully despite the couples' car breaking down a few days before the wedding and the cleaner making the executive decision that all the pleating of Lina's dress should be steamed out.   Oh and let's not forget the sailing honeymoon--rain every day.  But nothing dampened their spirits.  Lina did not stop laughing the whole day and in a million years I would never have guessed that the dress, which was fabulous, had a thing wrong.  Gorgeous weather, colorful outfits, lawn games, outdoor dining, and the stunning Ram's Head Inn.  Check!  Mission accomplished.  








Butterflies and Paper Flowers





















Wedding dress: Amy Kuschel
Shoes: Nine West
Hair: Hair to Be by Jessica Rowe  
Makeup: Polina Lounello in Albany, NY
Guys ties: Ben Sherman
Guys' suits: Ralph Lauren for Men's Wearhouse
Groom's suit: MySuit custom suits
Groom's tie: Etsy
Bridesmaids' dresses: JCrew
Flowers: Lavender and Leaf designs
Invites, seating chart, signage, menus and vodka: (bride) Jessica Kirkman
Band: Downtown Fever
School Bus: Durham School Services
Chuppah: created by Michelle McCurdy (bride's friend) from grandmother's wedding dress

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

It Takes a Village












































Location: Metropolitan Building - Long Island City, NY
Gown: Jason Wu
Cocktail Dress: Jason Wu
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Hair: Jennifer Chiminello
Makeup Artist: Michelle Lewis
Bridesmaids Dresses: BCBG, Black Leather Bow Belt: Jason Wu
Flowers: Bride & Patricia Batista
Music: Scratch Weddings
Food: Sasha Odnoralov with Maia Pearl Catering
Groom's Suit: Burberry
Groomsmen: Express
Brides Occupation: Director, Jason Wu
Grooms Occupation: Financial Analyst

Michelle + Tee:  In Her Words:
Tee and I met 7 years ago in a typical fashion for young New Yorkers.  At a bar. Six years later, and after a painstaking search for the perfect ring, he proposed.
Working in finance, Tee is very analytical and completely logical. Working in the fashion industry I was driven by one thing: make it chic!

We had poured ourselves into the details for months , from scouring New York for the perfect venue, to hand picking the flowers from NYC's flower district. We wanted a wedding that reflected us, including the incorporation of three distinct cultures: Thai, Dominican and American. Our experience was made much more special by the involvement of our friends and family in the realization of our vision.  It was incredible, everyone was so willing to give of themselves in celebration of our union.  They say it takes a village to raise a child--- the same can be said for planning your own wedding. After months of planning, spending, and being generally exhausted of making decisions (and a few disagreements!) we were reaching that critical moment when you start wondering and asking each other the critical questions:  why didn't we elope?!

Our wedding day finally arrived. So what if the Buddhist Monks got lost on the way to the ceremony, or that my dress arrived 3 hours shy of our scheduled nuptials? I was marrying the love of my life that day, and that made anything that did or could go wrong seem laughable in contrast. 

When we stepped out of the ceremony, for a brief moment, it felt like it was just us and the whole world fell away.  Sheer joy washed over the both of us, and the sudden realization of our being husband and wife sunk in with an alarming force. We didn't care that we looked completely hysterical looking at each other with foolish grins and tears in our eyes.  It was one of the most honest and humbling moments in my life.  Then reality came slowly back to focus in the form open arms and smiling faces, wishing us elated congratulations, and ready to celebrate!