Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Marisa and Chris

(let me just say how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo)

I knew from our first meeting this was going to be a great wedding to coordinate! Marissa and Chris decided to work with us on day-of coordination. 

When we arrived at the Hampton Inn, the morning of the wedding, our bridal boutique was in full swing! I was inhaling hairspray from the elevator...that's usually how I find the room. Almost all the girls were finished with hair and makeup and Marisa was just about to be done.  We ran a little interference because the grooms room was right down the hall.



JP snagged a great shot of their rings before I had to collect them for the ceremony.


I pinned boutonniere's on the men, and left a coordination assistant with the girls to make sure they were comfortable making it to the first look.


Next on the agenda, transportation.  We called to make sure the vehicle were on time and ready to load in the guys.  I met the guys over at Congress Park and got them into position for the dynamic duo....Elario Photography.

The girls were next, followed by a final trip for the parents and grandparents.  I always suggest trying to use the limo's for more than one group or loop to and from.  During your planning process you'll find most companies book in 3hr blocks.  

For those of you who know this park...you know there are always ducks.  Here I am making sure they get out of the want for the bride and her ladies. 
(These were only 3 out of about 20 ducks!)
With the Groom in place, we walked the bridesmaids out to join them.  Then it was time for the bride to briskly walk down the cold pathway and see her husband for the first time all done up.  I have seen many bride take this walk with no wrap in freezing cold weather.  (it happened to be about 30' that day...even the photographer had his long-johns on)  It has to be the adrenaline and excitement in the air that keeps these couples warm.  
(Holding Marisa's dress so it stays clean)
It was time for the First Look...
Love her smile in this one.


Amazing full bridal party shot.


(behind the scenes with a few of the best...JP Elario and Al Woodard capturing some amazing footage) BTW Al Woodards video services were a surprise gift from the bridesmaids.  They just new Marisa and Chris would love it.  Al is in high demand.  If you are even thinking about video....call now.

This is what the professionals made it look like.
If you are open to it, first looks are great.  It allows the couple to actually take part in the cocktail hour and enjoy the party. A photo schedule and approach is one of the first things I talk to them about when creating the itinerary.   But back to their day... as soon as photos were under way, I was on my way to the church to set up; leaving a bridal coordinator with the party.  


As soon as the photo shoot was done, we got the groom and groomsmen back in the limo and off to the church to usher.  The limo came back around to picked up the bridesmaids while Marisa and her dad rode in a specialty car.  


I love coming out to the car and meeting the Bride and her escort (in this case her dad).  I give them the "we are all set" smile, hand her a mint and say "ok in a minute I'll get dad out to escort you in".  I really think having a coordinator for the wedding day is priceless.  You want that feeling that this day is going to be perfect and just "flow".

Once we had everyone in place.....the cuing began.




(bridal party place cards were cut into Peacocks and slid onto their glasses)





(she had 2 beautiful seating charts made with a peacock motif from paper dolls)


If you want a traditional yet creative sign in book (that you will actually look at months from the wedding day) have your photographer put your engagement pictures into a coffee table book.  Your guests can sign in and around the pictures, giving them something fun to look at during cocktail hour and you something fun to look at years from then.

Onto the reception...this couple wanted a party atmosphere from the minute the guests entered the ballroom.  They had asked me and the band to organize a packed dance floor from the minute the doors opened.  I have to admit I was nervous to try and push the guests out of their comfort zone.  But it worked! The bridal party, with help from the NY Players, had the entire floor packed.


After intro's were finished, guests made their way to the tables and admired the beautiful peacock feather inspired decor.



The brides family made special home made bottles of wine for their guests to enjoy at dinner.


Then it was on to toasts, blessing and first course by Mansion Catering.


The night was flawless, everyone enjoyed the music, the photo booth, the food, the band and really celebrated this new love!  One of the requested songs was "Vision of Love"....ladies you remember a little Mariah fav' from the 90's.  The lead singer...was ridic.  She got a standing "O" from everyone in the building!


As the night ended we made sure all of the inventory was packed up and brought back to their hotel room; Leaving the bride and groom nothing to worry about at the end of such an amazing night.  

Marisa and Chris, I hope you had as much fun at your wedding as we had coordinating it.  Everyone enjoyed themselves so much and it was such a pleasure making your dream wedding a reality.


After the wedding I received a sweet little card in the mail from them .... it had many amazing sentiments and among them was "We would not have asked for a better wedding day.  From start to finish it was perfect."
photo credit: Elario photography & behind the scenes shots from my staff.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Whitney and Ryan


What a GORGEOUS backdrop....right?!?

This couple was so sweet.  Whitney and Ryan hired our team for "wedding day coordination" services back in the winter of 2011.  They knew right from the beginning they wanted their ceremony at Ryan's family home and reception to be at the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club.  

It was such an incredible spot and the sunset at the end of the day could take your breath away.  

The vibe was so fun when we arrived at the brides house on the wedding day! Whitney had friends from  elementary school to law school their for support.  

My Principle coordinator, Jillian, arrived and checked in with the beauty team...all on sched...check...then it was time to get her dressed.  She was a breathtaking bride.


With LOTS of rain in the forecast Jill and her team were all a little nervous to put a damper on their plans for an outdoor ceremony, she had walls put up on the tent before the wedding.  Luckily, the rain held out and we were able to remove the walls to display a lush and green backyard garden   

Jill assigned a "lady in waiting" to the bridal party...making sure their every need was tended to. (lots of  lipstick applications,  dress and bouquet assistance, anything you can think of, we're there to do.)

Charlie, a college friend of Ryan's, officiated the wedding. The funny thing was, Charlie had never even been to wedding before.  He worked closely with Ryan and Whitney and created a beautiful and personal ceremony.




While Jill worked with the photographer and bridal party at the ceremony location, the rest of her team was at the reception site setting up. Seating cards inside small frames were placed at each individual place setting, family photos arranged along with the usual guest book & gift holder. Jill had a detail pow wow with the floor manager and band leader to be sure everything was in sync for the evening during cocktail hour.  

Once the photoshoot was over and guests found their seats after cocktail hour, the bride and groom were announced and made their entrance from a gorgeous double staircase then went right into their first dance.

As you can see their guests left it all on the dance floor.

The bride and groom were able to sneak out and snag this amazing image!

Instead of the traditional wedding cake, Whitney and Ryan chose to do a tired cupcake display!  A little personality mixed in with tradition is great.


Whitney and Ryan, thank you for choosing CW events to make your dream wedding a reality! 
Photo credits: Inbal Sivan

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Jenny and Eddy


We had such a great time coordinating for Jenny and Eddy! After the wedding Jenny was able to get featured on Style Me Pretty!


Little did I know that after the first planning meeting I would go home and tell my mom a little about the couple.  She surprised me and said "did you know our family used to go to Eddy's family restaurant, Shea's, all the time. They were regulars and were very close with his grandparents."  That was a cool.
 
Before any major coordinating got underway on their wedding day our team stopped by the hotel and made sure the girls were on time with beauty and everything was steamed and ready to go.  Make Me Fabulous was adding their final touches to the bride and maids when we walked in.  They always do such an amzing job!



From there I stationed a coordinator with the bridal party.  I always like to make sure they are walked from the room to their vehicles, through first look and up to the church door. 


The bride choose gorgeous peonies for her bouquet, as well as the bridesmaids all designed by Fleurtacious Designs.

Ceremony coordination was flawless.  The only time of day where I get butterflies...more excited than nervous...is right before I cue ceremony.  The back of the processional aisle is always filled with questions and guests running in and out, bridesmaids wanting to find the bathroom, moms wanting to make sure everything is perfect, happy tears, and vendors asking when are we starting.  I always try and keep a calm face and check things off of my mental checklist. #1 groom needs a mint, #2 confirm all VIP vendors are here, #3 escort bride and dad out of the car, #3 line grandma's up, #4 close ceremony doors, #5 make sure bride is breathing.....and then we begin.

I LOVE this pre-ceremony shot of the groom.  I wonder who is giving him a little advice?



After their ceremony was over they bounced over to the Canfield Casino for Cocktails, Dinner and Dancing.  The vibe was classic old Hollywood-glam.

 



Beaded lamps were placed on the tables with specialty champagne linens.  LOVE THIS LOOK IN THIS VENUE.



Cake cutting time came so quick.  With Eddy being in the catering business I was wondering what was going on in his head as we lined up the details. 
Lip gloss (check), photographer (check)....Band and caterer (check/check).

An item guests always rave about is the candy bar.  It's usually demolished by the time we pack up.  This one was no exception!!

With Jenny's graphic design background, she created custom stationary for the entire event including these tags for the candy bar and the 'bride' & 'groom' signs that hung on the back of their chairs.

They had a great photobooth that was jammin' the entire night. (thanks to Hayden) 

This was such a fun and creative wedding! Jenny and Eddy, thanks for entrusting me with bringing your vision to life!


photo credits: Elario Photography