9 Jun
2010

Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Featured Posts, Weddings
By Candice

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

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25 Jan
2010

Posted in: Featured Posts, Weddings
By Candice

2 Comments

A Wedding Story: Rich & Veena in Stamford Connecticut

Event Ingrediants

Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events
Photography: Carrie Draghi
Ceremony & Reception Location: Hilton, Stamford Connecticut
Florist: DesiFloral
Mandap & Decor: Mandaps by Dhoom
Invitations, Table Numbers and Escort Cards: Lilah Paper
Cake: Sabina Jahic
Caterer: Coromandel
DJ/Entertainment: All Digital Mobile Music

Rich and Veena were married on June 27th, 2009 at the Hilton in Stamford, Connecticut. They were surrounded by 250 of their closest friends and family as they celebrated two ceremonies and an amazing reception! Their amazing day was photographed and documented by Carrie Draghi Photography and we had the incredible honor of coordinating and planning their wedding.

The morning began with Veena getting ready for her first ceremony with her maid of honor and mom. Dana Bartone & Co. arrived in the early morning to work on hair and makeup. The bride wore the groom’s sister’s wedding gown and veil and her maid of honor wore a gorgeous purple gown. The groom and his best man wore classic black tuxedos. Their niece and nephew took on the extremely important role of flower girl and ring bearer.

Their “western” style ceremony took place in the Hilton’s gorgeous white tent, which has beautiful chandeliers and amazing white fabric ruching. They exchanged their vows in a room filled with an incredible amount of light. Once their ceremony was complete it was time to change and get prepared for the second event of the day, their Hindu ceremony.

In keeping with traditional Hindu customs, Veena had henna tattooed on her hands and feet — along with all the female friends and family close to her. The hotel suite where the women got ready was a flutter with jewels and gorgeous colorful saris. They helped one another to dress –including soaping up each others hands to get the teeny-tiny bracelets on. Veena was absolutely gorgeous in a red sari and her mother’s jewels.

The Hindu ceremony began with the Baraat, which is aptly named for the marriage processional. While Veena was tucked away in her suite, guests gathered from the farthest point of the Hilton with the groom and made their way inside. It was an extremely jubilant march that took about an hour to complete. There was a lot of drumming (which was AMAZING) and dancing. The history behind the Baraat is the groom being escorted by the bride’s parents and his parents into the bride’s village. I imagine in an era where this really occurred, it would have taken SEVERAL hours to reach the bride. The sweetest part to this story was that Veena watched the entire processional from her suite window.

Once the groom and his guests made their way inside the hotel and reached the meeting point, elders of both the families meet and welcome the groom with garlands and aarati. Then, the ceremony was to begin. The ceremony ballroom was transformed by Dhoom in rich reds and golds. Their mandap was absolutely spectacular, as was all the floral arrangements and special details placed throughout. Once the groom and his family were settled, the brides’ parents went to escort her in.

After their ceremony guests were invited back into the white tent, which was transformed for their reception. They had tall purple floral arrangements and beautiful white lid-top boxes filled with a gold dish and Indian candies at each place setting. Veena had a henna design inscribed on their beautiful white buttercream cake.

Veena changed into the MOST beautiful purple gown. It was so intricate and beatiful with a lot of bead detailing.

The maid of honor and best man gave very touching speeches, and the bride and groom enjoyed their first dance — ‘Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay. They danced ALL night long and had an amazing grand exit at the end of the evening where their guests showered them in rose petals. It was a great way to top off the night!

Many thanks to Rich and Veena for allowing me to be apart of their amazing wedding day. It was such a joy to be with you and your families!!

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5 Jan
2010

Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Real Connecticut Weddings, Weddings
By Candice

4 Comments

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

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4 Jan
2010

Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Real Connecticut Weddings, Weddings
By Candice

4 Comments

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.