Birch Archway / Shelley and Safa / Gurneys Montauk / Flora and Fauna

Beach Chic at Gurney’s Montauk

There’s nothing quite like saying “I Do” with the sea as your venue! Shelley and Safa embraced the last of the summer sun in their wedding at Gurney’s Montauk.

 

 

The beautiful couples’ relaxed vibe was felt through the entire space with natural and overgrown floral elements, whimsical touches, and a Bollywood-pop flash mob at their reception! Shelley and Safa have a very funny story of meeting as told by their maid of honor. “Safa, you met Shelley…when she was your boss,” their maid of honor started. “And now she’s your wife, so really not much has changed!”

When it came time to celebrate their love in front of their friends and family, Shelley and Safa commissioned the services of husband and wife planning team Whimsy Weddings, who we’ve worked with on quite a few beautiful nuptials!

The theme of the day was beach chic – a kind of low-key elegance that perfectly matched this couple’s playful demeanor. The bride wore a gorgeous long-sleeved A-line lace wedding gown with a simple bateau neckline and a beautiful brush train. Her bridesmaids coordinated with her blush, mauve and burgundy palette wearing different shades of purples and pinks in a variety of silhouettes, reinforcing the casual chic theme of the day.

Shelley insisted on a refined and elegant flower crown to accompany her gorgeous updo. It featured baby’s breath, ruscus, jasmine and spray roses. Everyone carried whimsical bouquets of cafe au lait dahlias, roses and spray roses, ranunculus, scabiosa, astilbe, jasmine, dusty miller and Italian ruscus, tied in gold and ivory satin. “With Shelley and her lovely maids bouquets, we kept the focus on creating rustic elegance by giving the bouquets movement and creating an organic shape,” recalls Bride & Blossom founder Rachel Trimarco. The groom coordinated with his beautiful bride with a boutonniere made of ivory garden rose, jasmine vine and ruscus, tied in ivory ribbon. The groomsmen sported interesting boutonnieres of cream astilbe, ivory spray roses and Italian ruscus.

With less than 175 guests, their intimate beach ceremony faced the calming ocean and featured a beautiful white birch wedding arch adorned with cafe au lait dahlias, quicksand and tibet roses, cream astilbe and hydrangea, plum scabiosa and a variety of greenery including jasmine vine, Italian ruscus, lemon leaf and dusty miller. The setting September sun created a warm glow and the couple recited their vows and became man and wife.



We typically see brides and grooms embrace florals for their escort card tables, but Shelley and Safa had a different idea in mind to welcome guests to the reception. Instead of traditional place cards, tequila shots awaited each guest with a lime wedge and their names displayed on toothpicks, which looked like little sailboats! It was definitely a fun and silly way to welcome guests into a night of great food and dancing. A miniature Hulk Hogan also made a few appearances, our favorite in which he held up a sign encouraging guests to take pictures on disposable cameras and sign the couple’s guestbook! The reception featured beautiful and large low centerpieces to keep the space intimate. Sitting atop low birch cylinder vases, we arranged cafe au lait and plum dahlias, quicksand and juliet roses, scabiosa flowers and pods, jasmine vine, dusty miller and Italian ruscus into a rustic and romantic centerpiece. Guests enjoyed their night on the dancefloor when a massive flash mob came out to get the party started!

Wedding Film

 

Wedding Vendors

 

Planner: Whimsy Weddings

Venue: Gurney’s Montauk

Photographer: Love Flora Fauna

Videographer: SparkStory Wedding Cinema

Happy Couple / Kate & Alex / Battery Gardens / Susan Shek Photography

Weddings

Kate + Alex : A Radiant Summer Wedding at Battery Gardens

Kate & Alex were married this past June at a marvelous ceremony in Battery Gardens. The couple met at work, when Alex interviewed Kate for her first “real job.” They worked together for years before getting together and falling in love. Alex popped the question on a romantic vacation in Croatia. “I was completely surprised,” says Kate, “Though apparently no one else was!”

Happy Couple / Kate & Alex / Battery Gardens / Susan Shek Photography

Happy Couple / Kate & Alex / Battery Gardens / Susan Shek Photography

 

“…We love traveling together and can always make each other laugh, which I think is the best part of us being together.”

Filled with vibrant colors and elegant details, the couple’s ceremony certainly reflected the joy and laughter they’ve found in one another’s company.
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Ceremony / Rachel and Matthew / Cipriani 42 / Brett Matthews Photography

Weddings

Rachel + Matt: Spectacular Splendor at Cipriani 42

Every Sunday, Rachel and her friends would gather to watch The Amazing Race and draft fantasy teams. One night, Rachel’s friend Becky suggested she go out with a friend of hers from middle school, Matt.  After checking out some pictures on Facebook, Rachel gave the thumbs up!

 

Matt and Rachel began texting nonstop.  Matt was traveling for work at the time and was impressed that Rachel knew Bloomington, IL.  They texted and talked on the phone throughout the week before their first date Friday night at Bistro 61.

 

Dancefloor / Rachel & Matt / Cipriani / Brett Matthews Photography

Dancefloor / Rachel & Matt / Cipriani 42 / Brett Matthews Photography

 

On Memorial Day weekend, Matt was off from work on Friday. He told Rachel he would go shopping and prepare a nice dinner for the two of them that evening, but when Rachel walked in the door to their shared apartment, there were candles and roses everywhere, and a pathway leading to Matt.  Matt proposed, she said yes, and they gathered for a surprise dinner with both of their families at Daniel.  Rachel thought they had plans to go look at rings that holiday weekend, so she was shocked!
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Andrea's Bridal Bouquet / Andrea & John / The Liberty Warehouse / POPography

Planning & Inspiration

Bouquet Recipe: Rustic Romance

Andrea's Bridal Bouquet / Andrea & John / The Liberty Warehouse / POPography

Andrea’s Bridal Bouquet / Andrea & John / The Liberty Warehouse / POPography

 

This lush, dimensional bouquet, with soft peonies and roses playing against textured greenery, paired perfectly with the stunning, rustic interiors of The Liberty Warehouse.

 

Venue: Liberty Warehouse
Photographer: POPography

Reception / Sara & Jon / Le Parker Meridien / B Freed Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Interview with Lisa Elias, Senior Catering Sales Manager at Le Parker Meridien

Meet Lisa Elias, the Senior Catering Sales Manager one of our favorite venues, Le Parker Meridien, in Midtown Manhattan.

Lisa Elias, Senior Catering Sales Manager, Le Parker Meridien

Lisa Elias, Senior Catering Sales Manager, Le Parker Meridien

 

Located blocks from Central Park, this impeccably stylish space features breathtaking views of the city, chic minimalist decor, and an incredible staff.  We caught up with Lisa about how she started working in events, the day-to-day operations of this one-of-a-kind venue, and her best advice for brides to be.

Wedding Reception / Joyce and Patrick / Le Parker Meridien / Photo by Susan Stripling Photography

Wedding Reception / Joyce and Patrick / Le Parker Meridien / Photo by Susan Stripling Photography

How did you get into events? Is it something you were always drawn to?

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Happy Couple / Adriana & James / Battery Gardens / Melissa Kruse Photography

Weddings

Adriana + James : Timeless Romance at Battery Gardens

Adriana and James were married in a classic, romantic ceremony at Battery Gardens this past September.

Happy Couple / Adriana & James / Battery Gardens / Melissa Kruse Photography

Happy Couple / Adriana & James / Battery Gardens / Melissa Kruse Photography

 

The couple met at a mutual friend’s wedding in Tulum, and while they lived on opposite coasts at the time, they enjoyed each other’s company so much they started dating long distance right away. One year later, James proposed on a romantic weekend getaway in Paris.

 

Happy Couple / Adriana & James / Battery Gardens / Melissa Kruse Photography

Happy Couple / Adriana & James / Battery Gardens / Melissa Kruse Photography

 

With their family and friends gathering from California and the UK, James and Adriana chose to tie the knot in NYC because it was right in the middle.  “Since most of our guests would be coming from out of town, we wanted a venue that would truly capture the spirit of the city,” says Adriana, “We also knew we wanted an outdoor ceremony because we both really love New York in the fall.” After hearing about Battery Gardens through a friend, the couple took a peek during one of their frequent quick trips to the city, and fell in love with it instantly.
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