Touching, Intimate New York Loft Wedding

If you have noticed, I have been trying to catch up on sharing photos of some of the wonderful recent weddings I have designed.  There have been so many wonderful experiences that I have been privileged to be a part of, one of which I want to share with you today.

In June, I had the honor of designing a same sex wedding for Scott and John at Gary's Loft in New York City.  The couple had been together for over 27 years so the fact that they were now able to make their already committed relationship legal made for an incredible emotional and touching celebration.  

As a result, the wedding was not as much of a grand affair as it was a simple, touching statement in a setting that was more like being in your own home.  Therefore, the look I created was very simple and organic as guests were seated at a variety of farm and occasional tables that worked perfectly for the space.

Guests were seated at an eclectic arrangement of farm tables.

A simple sweetheart table was perfect.

Simple, yet elegant floral and containers accented the main table.

We were even able to add special personalized touches throughout the room such as the photos of the couple, their friends and family that we added to bookshelves. This wedding really was about the personal touches.  The flowers I used for decor were selected based on those found in the couple's country home.  Jill Cole of Great Performances took the time to make food selections that the couple would normally serve at their home.  Elizabeth Beskin of 5th Avenue Digital took the time to really know the couple so that the event was perfectly captured on camera.  And Anna from Just About Married was great pulling everything together on the day of the wedding.  It was all planned to make guests as comfortable as if they were sitting in the couple's own home.

Personal photos were added around the venue.

The simplicity and garden feel of this wedding was really reflected in all of the different elements from the simple swags I created to line the aisle to the boutonnieres, the rings and the cake.

Garden flowers stood out among the white chairs and aisle.

Fiddle fern with green accents made the perfect boutonnieres.

Simple platinum rings reflected the grooms personality.

Even the cake was simple and elegant.

While the room was perfect, this celebration was really all about the ceremony which was so long in coming. To add a special touch to the chuppah, I pinned a banner with well wishes from family and friends to the top as a reminder of the love that was in the room.  

Adding the perfect finishing touch to the Chuppa.

This was truly a wedding that touched the heart of everyone present.  Best to Scott and John for many more happy years to come.

Until next time,

Cheers!

How is a wedding planner to plan his own wedding?

There's the old adage that goes something like "You can give advice, but you can't follow your own advice". Okay, I may have ad-libbed there...but you get the point.

You see, I am fabulous at giving wedding and party planning advice.  I am even great at planning my own parties.  But the one thing I am not good at is listening to my own advice, especially when it comes to planning my own wedding.

Yep, you heard it right...I'm getting married!  Wedding bells will ring, wedding bells will chime!  I just don't know when.  No date is set, no venue is booked and there are no pin boards for inspiration.

Well over a year ago, the morning after New York State passed the gay marriage bill, my partner of 9 years asked if I would marry him.  Of course I said yes!

However, getting married isn't something I have always dreamed of.  Early on, as a gay man, I resigned myself to the fact that there was no way I would have a wedding.  It wasn't allowed and it really wasn't top of mind.  It's not to say I wasn't looking to live happily ever after with the man of my dreams.  That's something I wanted and something I currently have.  But getting married, having a big wedding with a party and a big cake and a big honeymoon; that thought never crossed my mind until that day Michael asked me to marry him.

So fast forward 365 plus days - I've helped plan and design over 10 gay weddings since New York State passed that bill.  Each one fabulous, each one magical, and each one a huge success!  And all the while planning for my clients I occasionally thought what it would be like to plan my own wedding.  And truthfully, that thought has overwhelmed me.  Yes, for the first time in my life I am overwhelmed at the thought of planning a wedding...my own wedding.

After much soul searching, and many conversations with my partner Michael, neither one of us can say exactly what we want for a wedding.  We've talked about a big NYC bash but that seemed too daunting and just not us.  We then thought about a small destination wedding.  But where and what if no one came?  We've even entertained the thought of hosting a party in our own apartment.  But then that seems like, well, blah.  The bottom line is we've both come to the conclusion that while we want to get married, we don't know what we want.  We do know we don't want a big, star-studded gala.  And we know we want something low key, intimate, small and simple.

With the ten year mark right around the corner, Michael and I want to do something special, something that's us.  We just don't know what, when or where.  So, over the course of the next few weeks / months (maybe even years) I am going to chronicle how a gay wedding planner plans his own gay wedding.  Some posts might be exciting (is there a breakthrough in the future?) while others might be boring.  But the way I figure it, if I'm having trouble planning our wedding, then others are too.  And, if we can resolve our own problems, then that might just make me a stronger and better planner which can only help you.

Until next time....

Cheers