Hilary & Brad: Classic Glamour At The Plaza Hotel

 

February is the month of love. We’re not just saying this because every drug store in New York City is heavily stocked with Valentine’s Day chocolates right now. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the harsh post-holiday reality of January has finally settled and we are starting see things clearer, with our hearts and minds. Or maybe the cold weather has us searching for comfort and good company. There’s just something about this time of year that feels romantic and warm.

We were thinking about how February has come to symbolize amorous emotions when choosing this month’s Bride & Blossom Featured Bride, Hilary. She and Brad said “I Do” in a glamorous pink and white wedding at the Plaza Hotel. Here, Hilary shares the first part of their love story.

Part 1: Proposal & Planning

In a city of over 8.6 million people, Hilary was ready to meet her soul mate. So in November 2015, she decided to give Coffee Meets Bagel, the dating app made famous by Shark Tank a try. She met her first prospective match, Brad, at the iconic Italian restaurant Toni Di Napoli. Hilary looks back on their first date and says, “Brad was beyond the perfect gentleman. We chatted, laughed, and ate delicious Italian food. He walked me home and we shared our first kiss… right in front of my doorman!”

 

 

The holiday season was just beginning. Later that week, Hilary spent Thanksgiving with her family, filling them in on the details about this amazing guy she had just met. “It all seemed too good to be true. But numerous times that weekend, my mom told me to go out with Brad again.” Hilary heeded her advice and many more great dates with Brad followed. She says with a laugh, “I quickly realized that mothers really are always right!”

Fast forward to a year and half after that first date. Hilary and Brad were living together and marriage had been a topic of conversation more than once. On a Saturday in July, the couple went for an early morning run together and then had lunch. Nothing about the day seemed extraordinary until late afternoon when Hilary was Facetiming with her niece. “She asked to ‘see her new ring.’ While baby voices are a tad unclear, it definitely clued me in to thinking something was up.”

 

 

The couple had dinner reservations at Carbone later that night. Before heading out, they caught up over drinks. Brad went to the kitchen to refill his glass and returned with a bag of Dylan’s candy – Hilary’s favorite. She remembers, “He said that he had noticed I was having a ‘blah’ day and wanted to cheer me up. I was actually just uptight about what was going to happen that night! The key to my heart though, which Brad clearly knew, are sour watermelons and peaches.” Before diving in, Hilary noticed something shining in the bag. “The radiant sparkler, my dream engagement ring!” He then handed her a spiral bound book titled “Why I Want To Marry You. By: Brad Scherer.” Hilary says, “He then got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever soul mate and wife. I of course said, ‘Yes.’ He secretly taped the whole thing! To top off the most thoughtful and romantic proposal, Brad had rose petals and champagne saved from our first date hiding in the closet!” He even arranged for Hilary’s best friends to meet them at a nearby bar after dinner for a toast. “The next day our families gathered for a beautiful engagement celebration. Aside from our wedding, it was the happiest weekend of our lives.”

As a corporate event planner, Hilary was excited to put her skills to creative use in planning for her own wedding. After looking at various top wedding venues in New York City, she had her heart set on The Plaza. “It wasn’t even a question for me… The Plaza was my dream. Still, I truly never thought that I would be lucky enough to get married there. But somehow, we made it happen and brought my fairytale wedding to life!”

 

 

 

 

Established in 1907, the Plaza Hotel represents the timeless elegance of Old New York. It offered the ideal backdrop for Hilary glamorous wedding style. “I knew I wanted sparkle, gold, and a splash of hot pink. Honestly, I wanted the next royal wedding after Kate Middleton,” she says with a laugh. Together with a friend, who is also an event planner, Hilary came up with a vision that balanced her taste for glitz with elegant sophistication.

 

 

“I knew my colors and aesthetic, but Bride & Blossom really helped me collect and express my ideas through exquisite floral décor.” Striking the perfect balance of color, the palette featured vibrant pink and white. Displayed thematically throughout the ceremony and reception, the eye-catching scheme complemented the Plaza’s gilded interior to stunning effect.

Look forward to next week for Part 2: Wedding Dress and Personals when Hilary talks about here gorgeous Rivini gown.

Couple’s Vendor List 

Venue: The Plaza
Photographer: Hechler Photographers
Videographer: Josh Edward Films
Bride’s Dress: Rivini
Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss
Groom’s Shoes: Magnanni
Cake: Ron Ben-Israel
Hair: Gabriella Luele
Makeup: Cindy Santarella
Invitations: Arlene Segal Designs
Music: Hank Lane Music + GeoEvents
Lighting: Bently Meeker
Custom Dance Floor: Bombshell Graphics
Linens: Table Wraps
Custom Photo Floral Wall & Indoor Sparklers: GeoEvents