A Wedding Story: Jamar & Nika in New Haven, Connecticut
Photography: Erik Maziarz and Carla Ten Eyck for Carla Ten Eyck Photography
Ceremony & Reception: The New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven, Connecticut
Floral Design by: BLUSH Floral Design
Event Design, Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events
Lighting Design: Rob Alberti
Entertainment: Bon Musique and Elan Artists
Cake: Madison Chocolates
Favors: Jubilee Events
Gown: Vera Wang
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Maid’s Gown: Vineyard
Invitations & Paper: Lilah Paper
Calligraphy: Michelle Dowling
Nika and Jamar were married on a Friday evening in April.. much to the surprise of their guests! We worked for nearly a year on the big surprise their guest would encounter at their lavish “engagement party” at the New Haven Lawn Club in downtown New Haven. Only a select few family members and their bridal party knew about what was going to take place!
The design of their wedding was inspired by art deco, vintage french artwork, and the ambiance of the New Haven Lawn Club. Nika and I worked together to come up with the rich and colorful story of whites, silver, purple and red with a punch of hot pink for good measure! Here is our inspiration board that we designed for her and Jamar:
The story of Nika and Jamar began after being introduced by a mutual friend. It took some time for the two of them to get together after their first meeting… but once they did, it didn’t take them long to realize what a match they truly were. Fast forward a few years later and the two exchanged vows in a dim, candle lit ballroom surrounded by over a hundred of their nearest and dearest friends.
The day began warm and sunny— the perfect kind of day to have an “engagement” party! Nika and her Maid of Honor spent the afternoon getting ready in the bridal suite at the New Haven Lawn Club, with Jennie Fresa on make up.
When Elisabeth delivered Nika’s gorgeous white and green bouquet, filled with peonies, she cried! Peonies are Nika’s favorite flower, and with all the delay in travel after the Volcano eruption, we were not sure if peonies would be available… but Elisabeth was able to make magic happen! What an emotional surprise that lead to so many more on this very, very special day.
Below is a picture if Nika after seeing her best friend and Maid of Honor all dressed in her gorgeous, one shoulder purple Vineyard frock. Let me tell you, these two girls– soul sisters. They have such love and affection for one another– lifelong and dear friends!
Once her hair and makeup was complete, it was time to get her into one of the most beautiful Vera Wang gowns I have ever seen. It fit her like a glove and she looked absolutely radiant! Meanwhile, Jamar and his Best Man were getting ready for when Jamar would see Nika for the first time.. but right before that, we took Nika out front for some gorgeous (and quick!) bridal portraits.
Can a bride get any more beautiful?
Here Amanda and I are dashing to get her back inside before any early bird guests see!
Nika and Jamar chose to see one another before the ceremony and had an intimate first look just outside the room where they were going to be married. First looks are always emotional, sweet, and memorable moments.
Guests were gathering in the foyer to the Lawn Club, greeted with champagne and friendly smiles. Meanwhile, just beyond the wall, we were lighting the candles and putting the finishing touches on the gorgeous ceremony. I love Jamar’s boutonniere– a white rose with berries and a fiddle head fern. Nika’s Maid of Honor held a bouquet with seasonal purple flowers and red ranunculous. All of the flowers were absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was flanked by two enormous garden urns, spilling over with seasonal white flowers such as hydrangea, ranunculous, and tulips. BLUSH designed the arrangements with tall branches and pussy willows, which mercury glass candle holders hung from. Hundreds of votive candles lined every sill and mantle through out the room.
Moments before the ceremony we hid the bride and groom away from sight and finally opened the doors into the party. Guests walked in expecting to see an engagement party but were met with a romantic ceremony! Here are some of their reactions upon entering the room for the first time! Nika and Jamar were listening in the opposite room to their guests’ reaction as they came in.
As the ceremony began, the bride was escorted down the aisle by her father to a trio of Canon D. The assembled guests rose as they saw her– an incredible and awesome moment!
They exchanged vows, officiated by Nika’s late grandmother’s Reverend, who they had flown in from Virgina. It was very meaningful for them to be married by Reverend Talley, who gave a beautiful ceremony.
Right after the ceremony guests were greeted to the sounds of vintage French music wafting from the ballroom… Nika and Jamar hired the most incredible band, Bon Musique, to entertain at their reception. The Lawn Club catered a delicious cocktail and hor’dourve affair complete with a martini station, risotto station, and more delicious delights! Since their party was all about sumptuous finger foods, yummy cocktails, and dancing– we designed the room to have a nice cocktail party feel! BLUSH designed gorgeous table and mantel decor in purple flowers with red ranunculous, tucked in beautiful mercury glass vessels.
Rob Alberti lit the room in shades of purple and pink!
There were touching toasts by the Reverend Talley and their best man and maid of honor.
Nika’s sorority sister’s sang One True Delta and then the band rocked the night away until the last candle flickered out. What a great way to end an amazing day!
Nika and Jamar– it was such a sincere pleasure to work with you. Thank you for allowing Jubilee to be apart of your families personal history. Nothing but success, joy, love and happiness to you both!
You can also see this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty!
xoxo
Today is Jessica & Frank’s Wedding Day!
I hope you are all enjoying your memorial weekend! The team and I have been busy getting ready for Jessica and Frank’s wedding! I’ve been working with them for almost a year now for their wedding on what has turned out to be a gorgeous day in Simsbury, Connecticut. These two are such a beautiful, fun and loving couple and we are SO excited for their wedding weekend to begin! Mazel Tov to you both!!!
We’re also looking forward to working with Johnny Arguedas, Datura: A Modern Garden, and Rob Alberti!
Xoxoxo
A Wedding Story: Eric & Lisa in Mystic, Connecticut
On September 5, 2009 I had the absolute pleasure of coordinating the wedding of Lisa and Eric. They are such a sweet couple who chose Mystic Aquarium as the setting of their incredible fall inspired wedding. Lisa and Eric were the kind of couple who incorporated a lot of meaningful details into their day, and as their coordinator, it was such a joy to see their love story come to life!
They’re day was captured by the talented and funny John of Prestige Barkley Photography.
In the early morning Lisa and her gorgeous ‘maids spent the first part of their day enjoying beauty at the Red Door Spa. By late morning, they were sipping champagne in Lisa’s suite at the Mystic Hilton. Lisa’s maid of honor and sister along with her mom got her into magnificent ivory Pnina Tornai gown (purchased at Kleinfeld). Lisa’s satin gown was full of gorgeous ruching and draping of fabric and had a corseted bodice. She wore her mother’s vintage earrings and necklace. Her maids wore beautiful Alfred Angelo floor length satin gowns in a burnt orange color.
In my conversations with Lisa she’s told me that Eric loves to create special things for her– so it was no surprise that he put together a handmade book for their wedding day and wrote in it a message to his bride. How sweet and romantic is that?
Diane Gaudett created the floral decor for the day, and designed these beautiful fall inspired bouquets with orchids, calla lillis, roses, and branches. They were so beautiful!
The ride from the Hilton to St. Patrick’s Church in Mystic was an exciting one for Lisa and her parents as Eric waited with his best man and Father Brian. At 2:15 p.m., once the bridal party had been sent down the aisle and the groom emerged at the alter, the organist began to play the slow intro to Cannon D. A ton of light flooded into the church as the two large wooden doors opened and there stood Lisa, escorted by her parents down the aisle to her awaiting groom. This is the moment I love the most about a wedding. Jessica and I watched through the door’s stained glass windows.
Once they were pronounced husband and wife it was time to head over to Harkness Park. We had prepared several dozen glasses of champagne in their party bus for the 20 minute ride!
At 5 p.m guests began to arrive at Mystic Aquarium for Lisa and Eric’s reception. The cocktail hour was held outside in the atrium known as “Arctic Coast” overlooking the beluga whale tank. It is such a beautiful setting and so unique. Jazz music courtesy of their amazing band, In Transit. Guests got into interact with the beluga whales and toward the end of cocktail hour, Lisa and Eric escorted the penguins out to great their guests!
The dining and dancing portion of the reception took place in the lower aquarium area which is surrounded by sea creatures swimming around in enormous tanks. It was the perfect back drop!
Diane Gaudett created branch centerpieces for each table, which consisted of curly branches, orange orchids, and hanging votives. They were so beautiful and really, really complimented the cool glow of the tanks. Lisa kept the table linens light with a beautiful ivory underlay and gold / soft brown overlay.
The amazing Ana Parzych created an absolutely stunning cake with two nuzzling sea horses as the topper. Sea horses were a reoccuring theme through out their wedding– in the program, on their escort cards, and nestled on top of their cake. Seahorses are known to be monogamous to one another after they experience courtship, and so they are such a fitting detail to weave into a wedding held at an aquarium.
Once they were introduced as the new Mr. & Mrs. they danced to “Home” by Michael Buble… so romantic! Guests enjoyed a delicious spread put on by Ocean Blue Catering. Once dinner was over it was time to kick it into high gear– and let me tell you– In Transit did NOT disappoint. I can safely say that they were one of the most talented bands I have ever seen!!! They sang everything from motown to the black eyed peas. And as you can see, guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
At the very end of the evening guests gathered out front and sent the couple off in style with a sparkler send off. The new Mr. & Mrs. Krause took off into their married life, headed for their honeymoon in Hawaii!
Lisa and Eric — It was SUCH a pleasure to be apart of your wedding. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your family’s personal history. I wish you all the joy and happiness that life has to offer! Congratulations!!! xoxox
Today is John and Corine’s wedding day!
Today is John and Corine’s wedding day! Corine and John were both in our wedding party back in August, and now we have the honor of being a part of theirs. I couldn’t be MORE happier for the two of them and I’m really looking forward to all the incredible festivities today. Many congratulations to you and ALL our love!
XOXOX
A Wedding Story: Harris & Soulaf | The Video | L’escale at the Delamar Hotel, Greenwich Connecticut
Tom of Vantage Point Films published Harris and Soulaf’s wedding video yesterday and I just wanted to share as we conclude their amazing wedding story! Be sure to check out Part I and Part II of their wedding on our blog.
XXOO
A Wedding Story: Harris & Soulaf at L’escale at the Delamar Hotel, Greenwich, Connecticut
Once again, this fabulous event was documented and photographed by Carla Ten Eyck with cinematography by Vantage Point Films.
After their beautiful ceremony, Harris and Soulaf’s family and friends gathered on the avenue in Greenwich at L’escale at the Delamar Hotel. L’escale is the most fabulous French restaurant I’ve been to in Connecticut and has such a quaint and luxurious atmosphere. Their chef has been on Iron Chef not once…. but twice! And I can assure you his culinary delights that evening were just as delicious as you would imagine. Their staff is beyond amazing and every detail of Soulaf and Harris’ big day was executed flawlessly! Guests sipped cocktails and ate bite-sized hors’dourves on the patio overlooking Greenwich harbor. Their escort cards were created by Lilah Paper and displayed on a beautiful purple lamour linen. Mini arrangements in antique silver urns adorned the cocktail tables.
After cocktail hour guests were invited into L’escale’s dining room to enjoy a sumptuous meal especially selected by our couple. Each table was draped in gorgeous purple linens with towering centerpieces by Jessica’s Country Flowers. Full of crystals, lavender and ivory roses, antiqued hydrangea and submerged orchids. Satellite arrangements flanked their centerpiece along with a flurry of candlelight. The custom menus were created by Lilah Paper and sat on top of a lavender napkin and antiqued silver charger. Each guest also received a silver box filled with delectable Munsons Chocolate Truffles — a Connecticut favorite! Our dear friends at Ice Matters also carved this incredible ice luge with their monogram and a design from the couture invitations that Lilah Paper created. The entire room was lit by the talented Rob of AfterHours, who also DJ’ed the entire evening.
The new Mr. & Mrs. Grannick enjoyed their first dance amongst their family and friends. Their incredible… and I mean… INCREDIBLE cake was created by the talented Ana Parzych. It was a five tier masterpiece with a custom monogram. On top were the most beautiful purple sugar flowers!!! Just when you thought their wedding couldn’t get any more beautiful…. after dinner… belly dancers!!!
My girl Laura Jordan of Jordan Dance is unbelievable. Not only she is drop dead gorgeous, but this girl can shake her hips like no ones business!!!! Her and her partner put on a 25 minute show that surprised everyone. They were AMAZING!!! After their standing ovation it was time to join in, dance, and spend the rest of the evening celebrating!!
After tossing her bouquet, Harris and Soulaf left in a gorgeous rose petal send off for their honeymoon to Hawaii. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your incredible, one-of-a-kind celebration!! It was sincerely an honor and a privilege.
Thank you again to Carla Ten Eyck for the incredible images!!
XOXOX
A Wedding Story: Harris & Soulaf at L’escale at the Delamar Hotel, Greenwich, Connecticut
I had the distinct pleasure of coordinating, designing and spending my birthday with Harris and Soulaf in September of 2009. They first came to me in 2008 on the brink of engagement wanting a wedding that incorporated Harris’ grandfathers home in Greenwich and Soulaf’s French Moroccan heritage. They began the day at Soulaf’s home where she got ready, surrounded by her parents and siblings. They were so fortunate in having the incredible Carla Ten Eyck capture every moment of their day. Soulaf wore an incredible gown from The White Dress by the Shore. She had on the most AMAZING custom veil, studded in hundreds of swarvoski crystals. It was truly breathtaking (and heavy!!!). The talented Ellie Esper traveled all the way from NYC to do Soulaf’s hair and makeup. Her beautiful bouquet, filled with white roses and orchids, was by Jessica’s Country Flowers.
Harris spent the morning with his brothers prepping for the grand festivities. He wore a custom suit with a very chic purple tie! His late grandfather, Irving, raised his family in the home where Harris and Soulaf were to be married. The back yard is an incredible oasis and the most beautiful backdrop to their incredible day. Harris and Soulaf met when she came to work at his pharmacy in Greenwich during a summer break from school. They’re romance bloomed and the rest… well, its history!
Soulaf’s sister was her matron of honor while Harris’ youngest brother was his best man. They had a beautiful ring bowl created by Palomas Nest.
Their arbor in which they were married under had roses and hydrangea weaved through out, created by Jessica’s Country Flowers. It was all white with draping fabric. A custom aisle runner was created by I Do Originals. They were able to lift a piece of their invitation design, which was a custom piece from Lilah Paper, and hand paint it onto their runner in purple, with silver and white accents. The beautiful purple and white program that Kalyn designed, with the same elements, sat peacefully on each chair. We had boxes of lavender rose petals for tossing. Pretty Moroccan lanterns flanked the aisle too.
… more on their amazing reception, up next! Big thanks to the incredible Carla Ten Eyck & Co. for telling their story so beautifully through images!!
XXOO
A Jubilee Event: Jessica’s Black and White Grad Soiree
I think it is pretty awesome that Jessica just recently graduated with her Master’s degree. It is even MORE awesome that she threw herself a CRAZY swanky party in Oakville, Connecticut to celebrate her life milestone! When she contacted me a few months ago to design an event for her I was really excited to do so — a nice break from weddings! We had a ton of fun developing her ideas and came up with a fabulous black and white party that included delicious cupcakes from Cakes Unlimited, submerged tulips, gerbera daisies and orchids as centerpieces from Flore Floral Design, and a rockin’ photobooth manned by the ridiculously talented Robin Dini. I also custom created an awesome 5×5 black and white invitation to her event!
We brought in some gorgeous and modern white lounge furniture, including couches, ottomans, and coffee tables. Guests dinned on a lot of yummy appetizers with some Miami flair!
And for the photobooth? I’m sorry, it is a MUST have at any event! It was a huge hit too — almost 1,000 pictures taken of all her family and friends! Here are a few of the many awesome pictures taken that night by the new photobooth queen, Robin Dini.
