Entries by Kate Murphy

Interview With Claudio Marquez, Founder of Mod Society

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Claudio Marquez - Founder of Mod Society - photo by @manifest_it_collective

Claudio Marquez – Founder of Mod Society – photo by @manifest_it_collective

 

If music be the food of love, play on. – William Shakespeare

Much rides on the shoulders of a wedding band. After all the formalities of the marriage ceremony are said and done, the wedding band is responsible for playing the soundtrack that accompanies the newlywed’s once-in-a-lifetime celebration. This is where Claudio Marquez and Mod Society come in. Through music, Mod Society stimulates the emotions, mood, and energy that create memories people remember long after the last song is played.

Shortly after moving to New York City in 2009 to pursue his career, Claudio watched as fellow musicians picked up gigs (and made money!) playing at weddings. Interested yet unsure how to break into this type of work, he decided to form his own band. In its early days, Mod Society was just a trio that played while guests sipped cocktails waiting for the reception to begin. At present, Mod Society is an ever-evolving music collective known for keeping wedding dance floors jam packed well into the night.
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Lauren & Lou’s Breathtaking Hilltop Ceremony At Natirar

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Lauren & Lou Wedding - Bride Groom Ceremony Structure - Natirar - Pat Furey Photography

Lauren & Lou Wedding – Bride Groom Ceremony Structure – Natirar – Pat Furey Photography

 

One of the distinguishing features of Natirar is its­ lush natural setting, which offers an unforgettable backdrop for saying “I Do.” But ask anyone who has gone through it, getting married outdoors can be very stressful as inclement weather is always a factor. “For twelve months, I crossed my fingers everyday hoping that it wouldn’t rain!” BB Featured Bride Lauren exclaims. Answering her wishes, Mother Nature came through with the most picture-perfect day imaginable. Here, Lauren, talks about her and Lou’s breathtaking hilltop ceremony.
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BB Featured Bride Lauren on Her Gorgeous Netta BenShabu Wedding Dress

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Lauren & Lou Wedding - Bridal Portait Brides Bouquet - Natirar - Pat Furey Photography

Lauren & Lou Wedding – Bridal Portait Brides Bouquet – Natirar – Pat Furey Photography

 

If you are currently wracked with nerves trying to decide on what to wear down the aisle, then Lauren’s ‘Say Yes to The Dress’ story will give you hope. This month’s BB Featured Bride looks back and says with a laugh, “I think I tried on every dress in the Tri-State area.” Lauren’s perseverance paid off in the end. Here, she shares the details about her stunning Netta BenShabu gown and personals.

Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals

New York City’s bridal boutiques are filled with rack upon rack of beautiful fashions by luxury designers from all over the world. Hunting for a wedding dress is exciting and fun – at first. Even the most seasoned shopper can become overwhelmed by the abundance of choices. When asked about her experience, Lauren replies, “Yikes… this was a long process. I tried on more dresses than I care to admit.” Her quest led to Wedding Atelier on Madison Avenue. There, Lauren had encountered a problem of a different kind. “I ended up loving every dress I tried on!” she exclaims. Ultimately, it was a gown by Israeli designer Netta BenShabu that won her heart. “When I put on that dress, I finally knew my search was over.”
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Lauren & Lou: A Classically Modern Affair At Natirar

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Lauren & Lou Wedding - Bride Groom Portrait - Natirar - Pat Furey Photography

Lauren & Lou Wedding – Bride Groom Portrait – Natirar – Pat Furey Photography

 

Not every love story is a page turner from the beginning. Some need a couple of chapters to really get going, but the wait is always worth it in the end. “We met in college,” Lauren says. “I knew right away that I wanted to be with Lou. It took him a few more years to figure it out.”

We are excited to introduce Lauren, our Bride & Blossom Featured Bride for November. Lauren and Lou married on a picturesque day at Natirar. Here she shares the beginning of their Real BB Wedding Story.
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BB Behind The Scenes: Fall Floral Trends We Love

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Showroom with Rachel - BB behind the scenes - Fall Floral Trends - Kim Mancuso Photography

Showroom with Rachel – BB behind the scenes – Fall Floral Trends – Kim Mancuso Photography

 

As Part of our new BB Behind the Scenes series, we are taking you into our New York City showroom, sharing tips, trends, and advice about wedding flowers, planning, fashion, and so much more. This is a space where we really get to know our couples and how they envision their special day. In creative collaboration, we choose the blooms, decor, and mood that is a genuine expression of their love, personality, and style. Simply put, the Bride & Blossom Showroom is where all the magic happens and we are thrilled to open it up to our readers and followers.
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Melanie & Nick Celebrate With a Dance-Til-You-Drop Reception

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Melanie & Nick Wedding - Bride and Groom First Dance - Suffolk Theater - Sean Gallery Photography

Melanie & Nick Wedding – Bride and Groom First Dance – Suffolk Theater – Sean Gallery Photography

 

After the ceremony, everyone was ready for a Hollywood rated celebration which began with cocktail hour – signature drinks were named after the newlywed’s favorite film quotes. Melanie looks back and says, “We wanted to capture the opulence of the roaring 20s.” As important as the flowers, the music helped to set a mood of stylish free-spiritedness for the evening. Here, Melanie shares the final chapter in her and Nick’s Real BB Wedding Story.

Part 4: Reception, Centerpieces, and Sweetheart Table

Custom designed escort cards that looked like vintage movie tickets, which were created by the maid of honor, directed guests to their seats. Along with numbers, tables were marked with signs featuring Melanie and Nick’s favorite movies such as Indiana Jones, The Princess Bride, and The Incredibles. “We also painted the ‘movie poster’ frames. They were originally white $1 plastic frames from IKEA,” Melanie says with a laugh. Each place setting was topped with pins, also made by the bride, with designs inspired by the movie table marker.
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