BB Featured Bride Hilary On Her Stunning Rivini Wedding Dress

Hilary & Brad Wedding – Bride Bouquet Chuppah – Plaza Hotel – Hechler Photographers

Hilary made clear her plans for a lavish New York wedding right from the very start. Such an occasion calls for a remarkable dress. “Everyone tried to convince me to wear a ball gown since I was going to be a princess at The Plaza. But I knew that wasn’t me. I am much more one to show off my girlish figure,” she says with a laugh. Here, Hilary talks about her gorgeous Rivini wedding dress and bridal personals.

Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals

“I always envisioned trying on a dress and just knowing – that is exactly what happened!” recalls Hilary. Finding ‘the one’ took some time though. Hilary had already made a few visits to the bridal salon prior to meeting her mom and sister there one afternoon. “I knew that I needed to have them with me, to see it and fall in love too. When I walked out of the dressing room in the Rivini gown, we all just knew.”
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Hilary & Brad Wedding - Bride and Groom - Plaza Hotel - Hechler Photographers

Weddings

Hilary & Brad: Classic Glamour At The Plaza Hotel

by Kate Murphy

Hilary & Brad Wedding – Bride and Groom – Plaza Hotel – Hechler Photographers

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.
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Melanie & Nick Wedding - Ceremony Program - Suffolk Theather - Sean Gallery Photography

Planning & Inspiration

10 Wedding Decor Ideas With Personality – Real BB Weddings

by Kate Murphy

The perfect venue, gorgeous flowers, delicious food, a show-stopping cake – these are the elements that make a wedding beautiful and luxurious. But the most unforgettable weddings are those in which the couple’s personality and style shine through. We’ve seen couples be really creative and fun, using decor and accessories to express their love story, interests, and sense of humor. Looking for ways to add a personal touch to your wedding festivities? We’ve got you covered. Here are ten inspiring ideas taken right from our Real BB Wedding archives.

Melanie & Nick Wedding – Ceremony Program – Suffolk Theather – Sean Gallery Photography

Weddings

Lorenza & Pete Celebrate Saying ‘I Do’ With A Festive Reception

by Kate Murphy

After exchanging vows at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, newlyweds Lorenza and Pete jumped into a vintage Rolls Royce and were whisked away to their reception at the New York Botanical Garden. Here, featured bride Lorenza shares the final chapter in her Real BB Wedding story.

Lorenza & Pete Wedding – Candelabras with Christmas Trees – NYBG – by the Hons

Part 4: Reception, Card Table and Holiday Tablescape

“Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of waking up on my wedding day to snow,” recalls Lorenza. Sure enough, when she opened her eyes on December 9^th, the season’s first snowfall was blanketing New York City. The magical outdoor setting was the perfect complement to her and Pete’s winter themed reception.
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Lorenza & Pete Wedding - Wedding Party - Ceremony - Church of St. Paul the Apostle - by The Hons

Weddings

Featured Bride Lorenza On Her Beautiful Ceremony At The Church of St. Paul the Apostle

by Kate Murphy

Lorenza & Pete Wedding – Wedding Party – Ceremony – Church of St. Paul the Apostle – by The Hons

“I’ve always loved the tradition that you go to a church and get married,” says Bride & Blossom Featured Bride Lorenza. “Both Pete and I are Catholic and our faith is very important to us. We both have nostalgic memories of going to church as children and wanted the rituals and songs to be part of our wedding.”

Part 3: Ceremony

It’s not uncommon these days for a couple to have both their ceremony and reception at the venue, especially in New York City. At the same time, the city is full of beautiful churches ideal for a religious ceremony. One in particular stood out to Lorenza. “When I was at CNN, my work schedule was pretty busy,” she says. “The Church of St. Paul the Apostle was just a block away from my office, so I would go there for mass when time allowed. And every time I walked through the doors, I was overtaken by its beauty.”
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Jeff Stillwell, Founder of Stillwell Events - Andre Maier Photography - courtesy of Stillwell Events

Planning & Inspiration

Interview With Jeff Stillwell, Founder of Stillwell Events

by Kate Murphy

Jeff Stillwell, Founder of Stillwell Events – Andre Maier Photography – courtesy of Stillwell Events

“If the band stops abruptly, the lights come on while some of your guests are still eating dessert and the party doesn’t have a smooth ending, this last impression will overshadow the beautiful decor and heartfelt moments of your wedding. My job is to make sure this doesn’t happen.” Before starting his company Stillwell Events, Jeff Stillwell’s invaluable training was obtained by being the Director at some of New York City’s most luxurious venues. Thanks to the hospitality learned from a Southern upbringing coupled with a drive to continually cultivate new skills and knowledge, Jeff quickly established himself as one of the best in the industry. Stillwell Events plans and executes life’s most important events – anniversaries, birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, and of course weddings. “I love doing weddings,” Jeff says. “Tailoring every detail so the day of is expressed as an authentic signature of a couple is really rewarding.”
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Weddings