1975

Photos circa 1975

My parents were married 34 years ago today in Brooklyn New York. Their wedding ceremony was held at Saint Sylvester's Roman Catholic Church on Grant Avenue. The reception was at The Regency House on Jamaica Avenue in Hollis Queens. The Regency House burnt down in the 80's and after a ton of googling, I don't think it's a catering hall anymore. All of the pictures from their wedding are so fun to flip through. My dad looks uber cool in his white tux, and my mother is ridiculously beautiful. I am so in love with my mothers wedding dress. It fit me like a glove...like it was made for me! I had planned on cutting my mothers dress into a cocktail number and wearing it for my rehearsal dinner, until I found out that my mom had tossed it when they retired to Florida. SAD FACE.

Happy anniversary mom & dad.

BOND NO 9

Photos: Bond No 9

I worked at Bond No 9 for YEARS before becoming a wedding coordinator, and I honestly can not think of a more luxurious line of fragrances and products...try them once and you'll be hooked. The entire line pays homage to NYC and with over 35 Eaux De Parfum and counting your sure to find something for everyone on your list...bride, groom, bridal party, parents, etc, etc.

My products from my days as a Perfumista are running low, so it got me thinking about Bond No 9 and its fabulousness...It's the perfect gift for your bridesmaids and yourself! It's so important to find that perfect wedding day scent! What I love the most about the line is that every fragrance is named after a different NYC neighborhood, "energy", or "personality" of the city. So if one bridesmaid is a downtown gal get her Nuits De Noho, get your fashionista bridesmaid Bryant Park, and get your ever so sweet "Charlotte type" bridesmaid from Sex in the City Park Avenue.

If your bridesmaids aren't into fragrance, try one of Bond No 9's insanely long lasting candles and their Bon Bon Box is perfect for Bridal Shower favors.

Want to really be indulgent...have a custom blending party at their Flagship store with your bridesmaids to create a one of a kind sent for you and your gals!

POTTERY BARN

Photos: Pottery Barn

I heart Pottery Barn. I especially love the Party Planner feature on their website. You will find everything you need to plan the perfect Bridal Shower...wonderful party planning tips, delicious recipes, fun playlists, timelines and you can even download invites and games.

Don't have a Bridal Shower to plan? Check out their ideas for a Wine & Cheese Party, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, and so much more!

SUMMERTIME SPECIAL

Photos: Belle Lettres Designs

I had planned on taking a break from posting about calligraphy this week...but...this offer is TOO good to pass up. Katie, the talented artist behind Belle Lettres Designs is offering all of my brides and readers 20% off of her services if booked by September 15th, 2009...work can be completed at a later date. I first came across Katie's work when I spotted her fun sand dollar place cards on her Etsy page. Katie is on vacation until August 26th, but is still excepting orders for future projects...be sure to mention Bespoke Affairs in order to receive the 20% discount! A big thank you to Katie of Belle Lettres Designs! Also be sure to check out her blog.

TOPPED WITH LOVE

Photo found here

Candy buffets are great and I even had one at my own wedding...but for a third of the cost, why not have a popcorn buffet! I love salty and sweet, so a popcorn buffet is a no brainer! Butter, caramel, kettle corn, cheddar, chocolate covered, rainbow coated and salted...the yummy list goes on and on. In a few weeks I will be setting up a popcorn buffet for one of my brides using my beautiful apothecary jars. I'm so excited and I'm sure it will be a huge hit. 

Click here to see a slideshow from the Photographers over at Sedona Bride that features an INCREDIBLE popcorn buffet created by Victoria Canada for Phoenix Bride & Groom's 10th Anniversary party.

WITH THIS RING

Photos: New York Wedding Ring

If you gave me Diamonds and Pearls...I would be a very happy girl, and you wouldn't need to give me the world Prince! Can you think of anything more wonderful than using your own two hands to craft your own wedding bands together? That's exactly what you can do at New York Wedding Ring. From the second you start making your rings together you are working with a goldsmith to ensure that your rings are made spectacularly. New York Wedding Ring offers private workshops and entire the process usually takes around 7-10 hours. That equals a full day of fun...just the two of you...and a goldsmith. They have so many different styles to choose from or you can work hand in hand with the goldsmith to create something totally custom. I can't even imagine how fun it must be to make the most meaningful and important piece of jewelry you will ever wear. Imagine the memories that must be created inside that studio?! I smile whenever I look at my left hand. Hopefully Vince and I will visit New York Wedding Ring on an anniversary!

MY NEXT JOB

Photo Credit:(first 3) Blonde Tulip Photography, all others here

I often daydream about becoming a Calligrapher, and it's artist like California's Katy Jamison that are to blame. Katy is the genius behind Kisfor Calligraphy. I first fell in love with her work when I spotted her adorable envelope seals on her Etsy page...I've been addicted ever since! Katy can do it all, don't believe me, visit her Flickr page and you'll see. Her work speaks for itself and is not your run of the mill calligraphy. Katy has a plethora of styles to choose from that I've NEVER EVER seen done before. Whether you want classic, funky, modern or just plain different...Kisfor Calligraphy can't be beat! Ohhh...Katy even blogs and tweets!

JAMIE & ARNOLD PART 4

Photo Credit: Art of Love

Details, details, details. This wedding had so many LUXE details! Capitale is the perfect setting for an opulent wedding like Jamie and Arnold's. The escort card table was really organic and  Michele Clark's beautiful calligraphy graced the escort cards. Jamie wanted her wedding to stand out from the norm...so chargers and custom linens were ordered. Jamie designed the menus herself and then had For Your Party print them. The room was filled with round, square, and long rectangular tables to make the room even more interesting. Another thing that added more texture and depth to the room were the flowers. Flowers by Reuven did an outstanding job in the ballroom. They designed three different table scapes for each of the different sized tables. The lighting was magnificent and made every detail in the room pop. Starlight Orchestra's Rebecca Blake kept everyone on their feet all night, except for when the guests were enjoying the photo booth! 

A big thank you is in store to Art of Love for all of these beautiful images! An even bigger thank you to the Newlyweds for trusting me with their big day. Cheers to a lifetime of happiness...can't wait to see your video from Classic Photo & Video!

JAMIE & ARNOLD PART 3

Photo Credit: Art of Love

One more post for today. I wanted to share a few portraits of the newlyweds. Rains not that bad after all...how fun are those umbrella shots, thanks Marie! Tomorrow...the gorgeous reception!

JAMIE & ARNOLD PART 2

Photo Credit: Art of Love

Jamie and Arnold had a beautiful wedding ceremony. Jamie wore a very grand ballgown, Monique Lhuillier's Isabella dress, and metallic gold heels by Christian Louboutin. Arnold was ever so dapper in his own Giorgio Armani Tux and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. The bridesmaids wore dresses by Two Birds Bridesmaid. Two Birds Bridesmaid dresses can be wore multiple ways and your bridesmaids won't hate you...the dresses are actually really cute and trendy! Their Ketubah was an original piece of artwork by Izzy Pludwinski from Israel and Rabbi Hecht officiated the ceremony. The ceremony flowers (and reception flowers-wait till you see!) took my breathe away and were artfully created by Flowers By Reuven. Lighting was provided by BML Blackbird. 

I hope you'll come back tomorrow and check out some more of Jamie and Arnold's outrageous wedding that I loved being a part of!

JAMIE & ARNOLD 06.13.09

Photo Credit: Art of Love

I am so excited to share some pictures of a wedding I coordinated at Capitale. When I first met the bride Jamie I knew this wedding was going to be spectacular, New York City grandeur at its best! Jamie and her now husband Arnold are the creative force and owners of the jewelry website Max and Chloe. 

Behind the lens for the day was Marie Labbancz of Art of Love, so you know your in store for some killer pictures! Jamie and Arnold had a complete vision of how they wanted the design of their wedding day to unfold. Jamie personally designed all of the paper products and the couples monogram. The invites were totally luxurious and printed by Natural Impressions, and the beautiful calligraphy was penned by Calligraphy by Michele. Arnold designed all of Jamie's wedding day jewelry including a show stopping pair of earrings. Jamie decided on a Paloma's Nest bowl for the rings instead of a ring pillow (such a great idea because it's a wonderful keepsake). Jamie's hair and makeup were perfectly in place by Stacy Pitt and Maureen Pedala. On the morning of the wedding Jamie gave all of her bridesmaids an adorable pair of Hanky Panky undies that read, "bridesmaid".

So much more of this beautiful wedding in the next few days. Wait until you see her dress, the ceremony and reception!